iSmartAlarm DIY Home Security Review

iSmartAlarm is one of our favorite picks for DIY home security. The system provides affordable entry options and free cloud storage but limited home automation. The packages are divided between home sizes: studio, two-bedroom, and so on. While the system isn’t perfect for everyone, it is a solid choice for some people—like me!—who live in a small apartment. Maybe you have a vacation home or a hunting lodge that you only occupy part of the time and want to keep an eye on. In those cases, self-monitoring can work. Here’s our full review of how well iSmartAlarm fits the bill.

Compare iSmartAlarm Packages

Although some other packages include more sensors, the Smart Home Video Bundle would be our number one package recommendation for a simple reason: it’s the only one that includes a camera. The package includes three contact sensors, one motion sensor, and one remote tag, so if you live in a larger home you’ll need to add additional accessories.

Frankly, the Preferred Package isn’t the greatest value. Although it comes with an extra remote tag, it has fewer contact sensors than the Plus Package, which is priced just cents more.

The Deluxe Package is a tiny bit more expensive than the Preferred Package, but it includes enough sensors to protect a one-bedroom apartment. Any apartment larger than a one-bedroom would likely need more motion sensors (and a more expensive package). But we’d recommend looking at the Plus Package.

The Plus Package offers more contact sensors for about the same price as the Deluxe Package. If you break it down, the Plus Package is the same as the Smart Home Video Package minus the camera. If you added an additional camera to the Plus Package, it would be the exact same price.

The Guard Package is the first of iSmartAlarm’s “exclusive” packages. These packages have more sensors included in them, which would better for larger households. The Guard Package is designed to fit most one- or two-bedroom homes, and it is likely the best value for serious home security. To round it out and make this package truly worthwhile, we suggest adding a camera.

The Protect Package is designed for two- to three-bedroom homes. With six contact sensors and five motion sensors, it can cover multiple angles and entryways. The downsides are that the package is much more expensive than most of the other packages and it doesn’t include a camera.

The Shield Package is the final option from iSmartAlarm, and it’s by far the most expensive. Although it includes a huge number of sensors, it lacks a camera—and honestly, for this price range, you’re better off paying for a proper security system with professional monitoring.

The company doesn’t offer a huge range of equipment, but the pieces it offers are inexpensive and easily expandable.

Motion sensors have a 30-foot PIR range. These are battery-powered and totally wireless, and you can move them easily throughout the home to wherever you’d like. The sensors attach to the wall with double-sided adhesive, so installation and setup are quick. The angle of the sensor is also adjustable.

The iCamera Keep is the most powerful camera the iSmartAlarm offers, and it’s also on the more expensive side. The iCamera Keep has 720p resolution, night vision, the ability to pan and tilt, and up to 4x digital zoom. Like the Spot, up to 10 cameras can be connected to the CubeOne, but it also works as a completely standalone device.

iSmartAlarm has other equipment like the Satellite Siren, an additional siren that you can connect to the CubeOne. You can also purchase the Smart Switch, which allows you to remotely control any device plugged into the switch, such as a lamp or a coffee maker.

iSmartAlarm is one of the simplest systems to install. Most sensors are applied using double-sided adhesive. Since most of the sensors are wireless, you don’t have to drill holes for cable management. You can simply plug and play.

The system includes instructions on how to get started. In addition, you can download the Quick Installation Guide from the company’s website. It really is only three steps. Most of the sensors are connected to the CubeOne through the mobile app: scan the QR codes and follow the on-screen instructions to get started.

The iSmartAlarm system could be great in certain scenarios. I live in a secured apartment building on an upper floor, so I don’t need to monitor my windows, but I appreciate that the Spot camera works as a standalone so I can monitor maintenance and pest control when I’m away from home. However, if I wanted a larger or more robust security system, I’d be more inclined to find something with professional monitoring and more smart home features.

If something goes wrong, all the push notifications in the world won’t notify the police for you—and if you’re away from your phone, all you’ll have is a little evidence after the theft has happened. iSmartAlarm is a great choice for limited situations but not for whole-home security. Think about how many valuables you have in your home and decide if you want to take on the responsibility for those yourself. If you decide a more comprehensive security system might be needed, take a look at our list of the top home security systems.

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