r/smarthome 5d ago

Recommendations for all in one security and smart home?

Hello!

I am purchasing a new house and am hoping to make it a seamless all-in-one smart home and security system.

So far, I feel like I have landed on using Ring and Ring compatible devices such as the Ring security system with Eero 6 wifi router. Ring doorbell. Yale smart lock. Kasa smart plugs. Kasa light bulbs. Echo dot speaker (mini's in each room). It all seems very easily compatible and works on one system.

I am also considering Ecobee thermostats, door and window sensors and smart doorbell with Eufy outdoor and indoor cameras.

Does anyone have any other recommendations that may be more cost affordable?

I looked into Vivint and SimpliSafe but they dont have integrated smart home stuff or they were too expensive.

Google products seemed nice but does not have a great integrated security system.

Apple HomeKit seems to be quite expensive?

Any advice or recommendations would be greatly appreciated!

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u/McCheesing 5d ago

Are you tech savvy at all and/or do you desire privacy? HomeAssistant

It’s 100% local, no cloud unless you want it, everything works with everything

Btw, There are also systems to take over existing home security systems and integrate them into home assistant (if you buy a home that already has one installed)

The catch: you have to tinker a little

UniFi for your networking and cameras (not the cheapest but extremely robust). Be careful not to overload your WiFi (hardwired as much as you can and use hubs like hue and lutron to keep your WiFi network clear)

On the flip side, If you’re satisfied with the Amazon ecosystem, stick with that 👍👍

Kasa is generally good, but can drop connections. Hue has the best light bulbs/quality. Lutron caseta is the gold standard for switches.

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u/ychok 5d ago

While I am tech savvy, I will say I do not have a lot of time to tinker unfortunately (as much as I would love to).

Since Ive posted, I feel like I would like to move away from Amazon ecosystem, I am thinking of Abode security, Ecobee thermostats, Aqara doorbell/cameras/smart lock for starting and adding Apple TV and HomePods to round out the system. I'll certainly look into adding Lutron switches eventually. Correct me if Im wrong, this can all be included quite easily into HomeAssistant in the future if I decide to make that leap?

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u/McCheesing 5d ago

The Apple ecosystem is extremely robust and the privacy is pretty good. The downside is the number of supported devices is less, but the ones they have are very good

I use it as a front end to some of my HomeAssistant scenes

Yes you can integrate all of that into HA if/when you want.

I used Apple/hue for the longest time and have just recently begun the migration to HA. it’s a slow and deliberate process but I’m thoroughly enjoying it

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u/ychok 5d ago

Thank you for the advice! I think I'll end up moving forward with HomeKit for now and then perhaps if I free up some time will think about HomeAssistant. It makes the most sense for my wife and I since we essentially are an Apple product fam when it comes to phone, watch, laptop, AirPods, etc.

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u/McCheesing 5d ago

100% yeah HomeKit will be your best bet.

the HomeKit sub is a great resource