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Entry level systems usually include some door and window sensors, a motion detector, and a hub that communicates with these devices using one or more wireless protocols
such as Wi Fi, Z Wave, Zigbee, or a proprietary mesh network. You can add extra door, motion, and window sensors to provide coverage for your entire house and build a comprehensive system that includes door locks, garage door openers, indoor and outdoor surveillance cameras, lights, sirens, smoke/CO detectors, water sensors, and more. A word about wireless protocols: In a perfect world, all home security components would use the same wireless standard to communicate with the main hub, but factors such as power requirements, signal range, price, and size make it virtually impossible to settle on just one. For example, smaller components such as door/window sensors typically use Z Wave or Zigbee technology because they don't require a lot of power and can be powered by smaller batteries. They also operate in a mesh topology and can help extend the range of networked devices. However, neither protocol provides the bandwidth that you get with Wi Fi,
which is why it is usually used in security cameras to provide smooth video streaming, and in other devices that require a fat pipe.
Features to look for include geofencing, which uses your phone's location services to lock and unlock the door, voice activation using Siri HomeKit, Google Assistant, or Amazon Alexa voice commands, support for IFTTT, and integration with other smart home devices such as video doorbells, outdoor cameras, thermostats, smoke alarms, and connected lighting. Best Smart Home Security Systems Featured in This Roundup:ADT Pulse ReviewMSRP: $28. 99 at Pros: Fast and knowledgeable service reps. Many components available. Support for third party devices. Solid mobile and web apps. Cons: Expensive. Requires three year contract with hefty termination penalty. Some Pulse peripherals require third party mobile apps. Bottom Line: ADT Pulse offers just about everything you could want in a full service home security system, including many component options, support for popular third party smart home devices, and a solid app experience. Read ReviewSimpliSafe Home Security System ReviewMSRP: $229.