Six smart home devices to help keep your family safe

Equipping your home with smart devices can be an overwhelming task with so many different options available out there. From giving your home a cozy look with smart bulbs and LED strips to setting up routines to program your devices to work together, it can be tricky to figure out what your house truly needs. Sure, smart home devices have nice aesthetics and provide ease with voice commands and automation, but there are some devices on the market that can also help keep you and your family safe. 

We've rounded up some of the best smart home devices that ensure security, are easy to install and are significantly smarter (yes to no more packages being stolen!). From video doorbell cameras to smart locks, here are six smart home security devices that provide top-notch security so you have one less thing to worry about.

1. Smart video doorbell: Ring Video Doorbell (2nd Gen) 

With smart doorbell cameras, you get real-time notifications on your devices so you can conveniently stay connected to your home no matter where you are. Our top choice for smart video doorbells is the Ring Video Doorbell (2nd gen). And no, we haven’t picked a Ring product just because it rhymes with Ting—we really like how you can use the device wired or on battery power along with creating custom motion zones. With a 1080p camera, improved night vision and motion-tracking capabilities, the Ring Video Doorbell (2nd gen) is a great option for a video doorbell for just under $100.

If you’re looking for a device with more features besides being affordable, you can consider the Ring Pro 2. It has a super wide field of view, a 1:1 aspect ratio and a 1536p resolution for a price tag of $260. What sets the Pro 2 apart is its radar sensing and bird's-eye-view mode, which lets you track any unusual movement in your backyard. Beyond that, the Ring Pro 2 offers end-to-end video encryption.

2. Smart lock: August Wi-Fi Smart Lock

The August Wi-Fi Smart Lock is 45% more compact than its predecessor, so it looks less noticeable on your door. It also has built-in Wi-Fi, boasts an easy installation process and includes features like DoorSense (which tells you if your door has been left open). It’s also compatible with popular smart home systems, from Amazon Alexa to Google Assistant to Apple HomeKit.

The August app includes unlimited user access, auto-locking and unlocking, and a log of all the action that happens at your front door. You can add a coded entry with August's wireless keypad accessory for $60. This smart home device is available in silver or matte black for $230 and is easily one of the best smart lock options on the market. 

3. Smart garage control: Chamberlain MyQ

For $30, the Chamberlain MyQ Smart Garage Control is the perfect solution for remote access to a garage door, complete with intelligent features. With just two pieces of hardware, it includes a sensor for your garage door as well as a hub that connects to your Wi-Fi network. And with the app on your phone, you’ll be able to see the status of your garage door, remotely open or close it, and add household members as users. 

The Chamberlain MyQ is a no-brainer and will work with most types of garage door openers made after 1993 that have safety sensors, according to the brand. The MyQ works well with Nest, SmartThings and Xfinity Home smart home systems. However, it doesn’t directly work with Amazon Alexa, but you can use IFTTT or the SimpleCommands app as a workaround.

4. Smart CO and smoke alarm: Nest Protect

The Nest Protect keeps your home safe by not only detecting smoke—with its split-spectrum sensor, it can detect smoldering fires as well as fires with active flames. It’s also designed to detect carbon monoxide with an electrochemical sensor. When it picks up on something in the air, the Nest Protect will flash its built-in light and sound an alarm with voice alerts to let you know exactly what type of emergency it's detecting. You can also receive alerts on your phone via the app, keeping you updated even when you're not home.

5. Best indoor home security camera: Eufy Solo IndoorCam C24

The Eufy Solo IndoorCam C24 provides sharp 2K resolution video with a 125-degree field of view and four options for video storage. When integrating with other smart devices, it can work with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and Apple HomeKit, but it doesn’t support IFTTT applets that allow it to interact with scores of third-party devices.

This device, priced at $39.99, is an affordable home security camera that offers great features for the price tag. It has good performance and is easy to install, providing strong value for a high-res indoor security camera.

6. Best outdoor home security camera: Arlo Pro 4

The Arlo Pro 4 comes with a 2K resolution and a 160-degree field of view along with two-way talk, full-color night vision, and a built-in siren and spotlight. The device is compatible with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and Apple HomeKit.

Listed at $160, the Arlo Pro 4 is pricier than more affordable options like Wyze but is definitely worth the premium. For an additional $3 per month, you can also get smart alerts, motion zones and 30 days of event history.

Smart home devices with Ting Internet

With Ting, you can be confident that your smart home security devices will run seamlessly. Our fiber internet service is much faster and more reliable than cable, which means your smart devices will consistently keep your home safe. With a dedicated fiber-to-the-home connection, you can trust that your smart home is functioning to its fullest and feel confident when you need to add more devices to fulfill your smart home automation needs. 

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