Ring Alarm vs Abode Home Security: An Expert Comparison
Today we will be comparing home security providers SimpliSafe and Abode, and see how they stack up! We’ll go over equipment, monitoring plans, and more!
You are probably interested in what else Ring Alarm and Abode have to offer you after doing your research. They both have great monitoring services that you can use with either of their systems. They also have a great selection of add-on equipment you can use to expand your system to do more than just protect your home. Today we will be taking a look at Ring Alarm and Abode by going over their monitoring services, apps, add-on equipment, and more!
Ring Alarm Control Panel
Ring currently offers a simple to use control panel that connects all your security and other devices together wireless. The Ring Alarm currently has released their 2nd generation of security systems, with just a few small changes to their wireless keypad design in the 2nd generation. The Ring Alarm comes in two parts which are the base station and the keypad. The base station itself has a ring indicator light that will change colors to show different system statutes. The base station works by connecting to your home’s WIFI network, but you do have the option to have a cellular chip included as a backup just in case your WIFI goes out. The base station and keypad are powered by an AC power source, but they both include a rechargeable backup battery. The keypad has illuminated push button design that allows you to quickly arm an disarm your system. You can create custom user codes for you Ring Alarm system that can be enabled and disable at any time. The Ring Alarm’s base station has a built-in Z-Wave protocol and Bluetooth that really allows you to expand your system. It has a built-in internal siren that will be sounded any time your system or devices connected to it are triggered.
See our cutting-edge control panel by Qolsys >>
Abode Control Panel
Abode is a newer name in the security world, but they have been rapidly to expanding their security product line, and they now offer two different control panels for you to choose from. Today we will only be focusing on their more premium panel which is the Abode iota. The Abode iota has really nice design, it looks a lot like a smaller version of computer tower. It works by connecting directly to home’s WIFI network, but you do have the option to upgrade it to include a cellular chip. The Abode iota is powered by an AC power source, and it has a backup battery that will last up to 5-hours. All of the features of the Abode iota are controlled through its keypad including arming and disarming your system, and it has a push-button design. The Abode iota has 1080P camera that is built right into it. The Abode iota’s built-in camera includes motion sensors that will trigger it to start to record. If your Abode system or any connected devices are triggered, the Abode iota will sound its 93-decibel internal siren. It also includes a 2-way audio feature that allows you to directly communicate with whomever is around your Abode iota. The Abode iota comes with Crash and Smash protection which means if your Abode iota is damaged it will still transmit a signal. The Abode iota works with a Z-Wave device which means you will be able to use smart home devices with it like smart thermostats. You can actually connect up to 160 devices to your Abode iota making super expandable.
See our cutting-edge control panel by Qolsys >>
Who wins?
Ring and Abode both offer easy to use control panels that seamlessly connect all your security and other devices to one place. Ring and Abode both have Z-Wave built into their panels, that allows you to expand your system to use other branded devices, but they both include a backup battery. This category is a tie.
Ring Alarm Home Equipment
Ring offers easy to setup and use basic equipment that connects wireless to their base station. That offer wireless and battery-operated door/window sensors that will fit a variety of door/window frames. They offer wireless and battery-operated motion sensors that can provide protection for larger rooms in your home. Ring also offer a range extender for their system that plugs directly into an outlet. Their ranger extender makes sure that all your security devices are consistently transmitting a stable signal. Ring offers a wireless and battery-operated panic button that has a push-design, and it when the button is pushed, your emergency services will know help is immediately needed. To protect your home from environmental hazards Ring offers wireless and battery-operated smoke and CO listeners, and flood/freeze sensors. Their smoke and CO listener will listen for the alert sound of your existing smoke and CO detectors and will trigger your system if these sounds are heard. Their flood/freeze sensor will monitor the area in which they are placed for water leaks and drastic drops in temperatures, and if these are detected it will trigger your system. All the equipment offer by Ring is DIY (do it yourself) which means you will need to set up all the equipment yourself, but they do include a step-by-step setup guide.
Recommended: An alternative DIY (do-it-yourself) option called Link Interactive >>
Home Automation
Ring has been more well known for their video surveillance equipment along with their line of smart home products. Any of their products works with their Ring Alarm system, and they have a nice selection for you to choose from. Ring offers a wide variety of other branded smart locks like Kwikset, Yale, and Schlage. The smart locks they offer all can be remotely controlled through the Ring app, custom user codes can be made, and they have a push-button keypad. Ring also has a large selection of smart lights and switches you can choose from. Their smart lights can be remotely controlled while on the go, and custom timers can be set for when your lights tun on and off. Their smart switches allow you to control small appliances that are connected to them, and customer timers can be set for when these appliances turn on and off. There are also several other branded home automation devices that will work with Ring alarm including garage door controllers.
Video Monitoring/Cameras
When it comes to video surveillance equipment, Ring has a hug selection for you to choose from. They offer several indoor, outdoor, floodlight, and video doorbell cameras. All of their cameras can capture video in stunning HD, and they include night vision, advance motion sensing, 2-way audio, and tons of customizable features. Their cameras work by connecting wireless to your home’s WIFI network, and most are either powered by a rechargeable battery or through an AC power source.
Recommended: See all of our Alarm.com powered video monitoring options at Link Interactive >>
Abode Equipment
The Abode iota is super expandable so Abode wanted to make sure they offered all the basic equipment you could need. They have environmental safety devices and intrusion devices, and all devices offered for the Abode iota are wireless and battery-operated. To protect the doors and windows of your home, Abode offers several different models of door/window sensors. They offer standard, mini, slim, and recessed door/window sensors that are easy to place. They offer two different models of glass break sensors which are an acoustic and vibration glass break sensor which are used to listen and feel the sounds and vibrations from breaking glass. They have two different types of motion sensors as well. Abode offers a standard motion sensor that will detect motion in an area that it is placed, and a wide-angle motion cam that will take snaps shots when motion is detected in the place it is located. They also offer an outdoor external siren and an indoor external siren that is super loud. For quick and easy way to arm your system, Abode offers keypads and keychain remotes. Their keypads have a push-button design with an illuminated keypad. This keypad has a rechargeable battery that last up to 6-months so you don’t have to worry about constantly recharging it. Their key fob has a push-button design that allows you to quickly arm and disarm your system with the push of button. Abode also offers separate push-button panic buttons that will let your central monitoring station know that emergencies services know help is needed. To protect your home from environmental dangers, Abode offers a smoke and water leak sensor. These sensors will look for rises in smoke and water. If these are detected they will make a loud audible alert while triggering your Abode system. All the equipment offered by Abode is DIY (do it yourself) which means you will need to setup all the equipment yourself, but they include a setup guide making installation a breeze.
Additional Equipment
The Abode iota is super expandable, and that is due to its built in Z-Wave protocol. Abode wanted to make sure you could purchase a lot of great home automation and video surveillance equipment directly through them, and they have a nice variety. You can use other branded home automation devices that are offered by other companies that are not offered on the Abode website. Abode made some really cool addon sensors that we haven’t really seen with other security companies. Abode offers a Multi Sensor which a wireless and battery-operated sensor that will detect light, motion, and humidity changes. Abode also offers a system status sensor that plugs directly into an AC outlet. This sensor has an LED indicator light that will always show the same light color as your system which lets you know your system’s status. Abode doesn’t directly offer any other home automation devices for you choose from, but you can use smart locks, smart thermostats, smart bulbs, etc. with your Abode iota. Brands like Yale Smart Locks, Phillips Bulbs, and other brands home automation equipment will work with your Abode iota.
Video Monitoring
Abode does offer a nice selection of video cameras you can use with your Abode iota. Abode offers their Abode Cam and Outdoor Smart Cam. The Abode Cam is an indoor camera that is powered by an AC power source, and it works by directly connecting wirelessly to your home’s WIFI network. It can capture video clips in 1080p HD, and it includes 2-way audio, motion sensors, and night vision. The Abode Outdoor Smart Cam is a compacted video surveillance camera that can work as a doorbell camera as well as a regular outdoor camera. You can power the Abode Outdoor Smart Cam two ways; through your existing doorbell wiring or through an AC power source. It works by connecting to your homes WIFI network, and it can capture video in 1080P in a 152-degree wide field of view. It has 2-way audio, night vision, and even facial recognition technology.
Recommended: See all of our Alarm.com powered video monitoring options at Link Interactive >>
Who wins?
Ring and Abode offer a lot of similar basic equipment. They both offer wireless and battery-operated entryway and environmental safety sensors. We really like the innovative door sensors offered by both companies. Due to similar equipment, this category is a tie.
When it comes to home automation, Ring and Abode are decent, but they certainly do not have the extensive lineup that other security companies have. So with either company, you will be somewhat limited on how much you can expand your system. We do however like that Ring is compatible with a wide array of Ring cameras. Ring has more video monitoring capabilities for you to choose from. For this reason, we are choosing them the winners of the home automation category.
Ring Alarm vs Abode App
Ring Alarm and Abode offer video, self, and professional monitoring services. Their self-monitoring services are done through their apps which are free to download and work for PC, Mac, tablets, and smartphones. Their apps will allow to stream live and recorded video, control your system and connected devices, add/remove devices, check system/sensor history, and receive push notifications for events. Their professional monitoring services work the same where you have a 24/7 professional monitoring station watching over your home. You will need to purchase all of your equipment upfront with both Abode and Ring Alarm upfront due to the fact they offer no contract plans.
Recommended: Check out Link Interactive. With Link Interactive you’ll get the Alarm.com app (the gold standard in home security), and top of the line security equipment at great affordable prices. See details >>
Ring Alarm vs Abode vs Link Interactive
Ring Alarm and Abode are good DIY security companies. Ring Alarm and Abode both offer simplistic and minimal control panels that are easy to use, and they offer professional installation so you don’t’ have to worry about setting up the equipment yourself. Both companies have a decent line up of security equipment for you to choose from that allows you to expand your system. Because Ring offers the better overall value for their system including monitoring costs and product variety (especially in terms of cameras), we are making them our overall winner.
Recommended Alternative: Link Interactive
Get a better bang for your buck without skimping on features and quality of service; take at the Link Interactive home alarm system.
Link Interactive and Ring Alarm are very similar in terms of equipment and monitoring services. At Link we offer a better, more advanced control panel in the the Qolsys IQ 2 Panel with Alarm.com self-monitoring and third-party professional monitoring. We also offer cutting-edge video monitoring services, all at one great affordable price point.
We have thousands of 5-star reviews on various reputable third party review sites complimenting our awesome after-sales support! We encourage you take a look at our offer here, get a quote and compare. You can also call us direct at 1-877-826-5443 for further details and speak with a rep!
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