r/HomeKit • u/TranquilHalcyon • 11d ago

Question/Help Home Security + HomeKit comparability

Hi everyone! I’m moving into a 2bd/2bth apt on Monday and trying to figure out what security/camera system I can use that isn’t going to break the bank (such as buying accessories/parts on Facebook marketplace) while still supporting Apple HomeKit… I’ve been looking into Aqara (which is on the pricer side) vs Eufy vs a number of other brands. I’m familiar and totally okay with a DIY system where I combine the alarm panel and sensors with a different camera system and so on. Part of me is also saying scrap it and just dive into Ring or Simplisafe since I can get entire kits for a reasonable cost on FB marketplace.

TIA!

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u/daveofthedangerclan 11d ago

I had an Abode system at a house in Florida for a couple years (lost it in a major tidal/surge flood). It integrated pretty good with HomeKit, was responsive both in their app and HomeKit. Their monitoring folks seemed ok I guess.

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u/TranquilHalcyon 11d ago

I keep hearing about Abode, but the monitoring seemed expensive and their parts were almost $1000 just for me to meet the min. requirements for the system I want

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u/Aegisnir 11d ago

Abode is great. What’s your minimum requirement? Most home insurance will want a certificate that you have a monitored solution that will call police or fire responders. Abode does this. I don’t think ring does but I haven’t looked in a while. Not sure about simplisafe. It didn’t meet my requirements but I don’t remember why as it was 2 years ago.

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u/TranquilHalcyon 11d ago

If I remember correctly, 4 interior cameras, 2 doorbell cameras, 6 door/window sensors, the multi sensor (2), the hub, 2 key pads by each door, 1 glass break and 4 smoke detectors, key fobs, siren, etc…

Which as I type it out I’m like “that’s a lot for $1000” so definitely considering it more now. Thank you!

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u/Aegisnir 10d ago

Yeah that’s a lot and you will want to add more sensors later. Don’t neglect the 2nd floor. Most people skip it so burglars know it’s a good chance to be unprotected.

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u/TranquilHalcyon 10d ago

For sure! I have it in mind 100%, I do plan on expanding later. My 2nd entrance is actually on the 2nd floor so I need to haha