I recently ran across a home security article that stated the following in its introduction: “Home security shouldn’t require boatloads of research.” It sounds reasonable on the surface. It might even be appealing to a homeowner who doesn’t have a lot of time to dig around for details. It is also impossible to ignore the fact that we like convenience. We would rather treat home security like an impulse purchase that doesn’t require a lot of effort.
Here is my take: not doing proper research is a dangerous mistake. Protecting your family and property is not a plug-and-play decision. At least it should not be. Research is the key to making sure you get it right. You may consider research a chore, but it is essential to building a system that actually works for your needs and your home’s layout.
Here’s why doing your homework before investing in home security is non-negotiable:
1. Proprietary Ecosystems Can Lock You In
Modern home security and automation is a highly competitive market. Some of the biggest players in the industry are brands like Google and Amazon. To protect their brands, they have created ecosystems that lock consumers in. For example, did you know that Ring video doorbells do not work with a Google Home ecosystem? Ring is owned by Amazon. Ring devices work fine with Alexa, but not with Google Home.
On the other hand, consider a brand like Vivint Home Security. Vivint develops some of its hardware in-house. However, its systems are compatible with other devices that also work with Google Home and Amazon. You still end up with a proprietary system, but it should accommodate at least some third-party devices.
Another option is to build your own system from the ground up. It is a more difficult task, but doing so ensures you are not locked into a single ecosystem for the rest of your life.
2. Marketing Buzzwords Don’t Tell the Whole Story
Marketing is a big part of how brands sell home security and automation devices. The problem is that marketing buzzwords are designed to get your attention and encourage you to make a quick decision. They rarely tell the entire story.
You will not find much by way of details and device capabilities in marketing materials. Brand websites tend to be sorely lacking in this area as well. In most cases, the only way to know for sure what a device is actually capable of is by downloading the spec sheet and reading it for yourself. You can also look for unbiased professional reviews online. Professional reviewers often discuss specs.
3. Your Home Is Truly Unique
Finally, research is non-negotiable because your home is truly unique. Even if you live in a tract neighborhood of cookie-cutter homes, you have made your property your own over the years you have lived there. Your family’s needs could be slightly or drastically different from those of your neighbors. You need a security system designed around your needs.
Taking a shortcut by ordering a static starter kit is not a good idea. Starter kits offer just a few devices and not a lot of advanced capabilities. You are going to get what you pay for, and that’s not much.
I don’t discount the fact that it would be nice to be able to invest in home security without having to spend time doing in-depth research, but that’s not reality. There are too many variables to trust your family’s safety to the plug-and-play mentality. Do right by them. Dig deeply into the details before you decide on a home security system.