Abode Home Security Review

Abode offers three things you can’t find elsewhere in the home security market: compatibility with tons of sensor and camera brands for a truly customized experience, integration with Apple HomeKit, and pro monitoring in 3-day bundles. 

Although it’s often elbowed out of first place by brands like SimpliSafe, Abode is one of our top picks for security systems for renters, wireless security systems, smart security systems, and DIY security systems. In this review, we’ll give an overview of Abode's features, share our testing insights, and compare Abode to other brands to help you decide if it’s right for you.

Long story short, you spend a little more on equipment with Abode compared to other brands, but lower monthly fees make up for it.

Abode’s cheapest starter kit retails for $79 but is usually on sale. You get an Abode Security Hub, key fob, and mini door/window sensor for that price. Even when Abode offers discounts, its equipment tends to cost more than other DIY security brands. It has a price match program, though, which may be worth looking into. 

You don’t have to pay a monthly fee to use Abode, but you’ll lose out on cellular backup, video storage, home automation routines, a homeowner’s insurance discount certificate, and, of course, emergency dispatch.

For $8.49 a month, you can store videos and make smart home routines while continuing to self-monitor the system. You'll pay $26.99 a month for the whole shebang, which is as good as it gets these days—especially since rivals like SimpliSafe, Ring Alarm, and Cove have increased their prices.

Because Abode's a DIY system, there's no mandatory installation fee.  Abode's shipping fees may vary by location, but we were given the choice of ground shipping for $19.99 and expedited shipping for $40.81.  

If you cancel a plan when returning your Abode system, a $35 fee is taken from your full refund. Although we prefer to see no cancellation fees, this is a relatively small amount to pay compared to other brands' cancellation policies.

An Abode system is ideal in these scenarios:

• You rent your home or apartment. Abode's Iota system doesn't get screwed into the wall.
• You have (or plan to have) many other smart home devices. Abode is compatible with around 160 devices.
• You use the Apple Homekit smart hub. Abode is one of the only security systems that works with Apple Homekit.
• You want to self-monitor your system. You won't get as many perks, but self-monitoring is an option.
• You want on-demand monitoring. Abode is one of the few home security brands to offer flexible, no-contract monitoring.

Abode is a no-contract security system. You can pay month to month and won't owe hundreds of dollars if you cancel.

You do have the option to pay on a year-to-year basis, which gives you a slight discount compared to paying month-to-month. But Abode doesn't offer refunds for unused time, so there's no advantage to early cancellation.¹

You have 30 days from purchase to return equipment for a refund. Abode doesn't pay for shipping costs on returned items and doesn't process returns on equipment purchased through third-party sellers.

Abode equipment comes with a one-year warranty. 

Abode tends to land in the middle of the pack in terms of pricing, policies, tech, and performance. Here's why you might steer away from Abode in favor of another DIY security company:

• You want video alarm verification. Try SimpliSafe.
• You have spotty internet but good cell service. Try Frontpoint.
• You want nice cameras made by the same company as your alarm system. Try Ring Alarm.

Learn more about Abode's main competitors in our head-to-head reviews:

• Abode vs. SimpliSafe
• Abode vs. Ring

To get started with Abode, you'll need to choose a base station, or what Abode calls a hub. Abode has three hubs: the Abode Security Hub, Smart Security Hub, and the Iota.

The Abode Security Hub is a standard security system "brain." This hub doesn't work with HomeKit, and is pretty basic.

The Iota is more sophisticated because it also includes a camera, motion sensor, HomeKit compatibility, and two-way audio. Both connect to the internet through an Ethernet cable (included) and plug into a standard wall outlet. 

The Smart Security Hub works with Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple HomeKit. It also acts as a base for your smart home to control more than just your security system.

Each Abode hub comes with an entry sensor and a key fob. From there, you can pick and choose other sensors and cameras to add to the system. But we recommend browsing through Abode's equipment bundles—you'll save money and get a free month of pro monitoring.

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Compared to other security brands, Abode has an impressive selection of sensors. For example, you can choose from two kinds of glass break sensors, two motion sensors (not including the one inside the Iota hub), three kinds of entry sensors, two extra sirens, a smart plug, and smart lightbulbs. Plus, there's an "alarm listener" that activates the security system if your standard smoke alarm or carbon monoxide detector goes off.

Of course, there are some standard items that are found in competitors' packages too, like a water leak sensor, panic pendant, key fob, and a keypad.

Abode even has three security cameras. One for indoor/outdoors, one for just outdoors, and a doorbell camera, so you're covered everywhere.

And that's just the equipment available directly from Abode. Your options expand considerably thanks to Abode's generous third-party compatibility. Learn more in our guide to Abode-compatible equipment. 

Abode's equipment setup follows the usual DIY security system installation process—connect the system to your home Wi-Fi, then pair the sensors and other accessories. Each kit comes with a simple pairing guide to help you connect all the devices.

Once the devices are paired, apply the provided sticky backing to each component and place it appropriately. Learn more about installing entry sensors and placing motion detectors around your home.

The multifunctional Iota cuts down on extra equipment and setup time because it has both a built-in camera and motion detector. But this design works best in small spaces—you don't typically need both a motion detector and a camera covering the same field of view. You'd get more coverage if these devices were separated.

Installing Abode should be easy, but the Abode app was touch-and-go when we set up a system ourselves. We couldn't immediately confirm that the sensors paired properly because the screen froze. But the devices successfully connected to the hub nonetheless.

That said, sometimes Abode sets up without a hitch. It may just depend on whether your phone or the app is due for an update. In our experience, having new equipment vs. older second-hand equipment also makes a difference.

The Iota’s camera can shoot in 720p or 1080p and looks good on most settings. The night vision is decent too. We were able to watch Toki the cat wander around at night from where we set the camera. 

Speaking of pets, be sure to lower the motion sensor sensitivity if you have any critters at home. Toki the cat weighs around 15 pounds and managed to set off the alarm several times during our tests. Learn more about preventing pets from triggering false alarms.

Here are screenshots from one of our other testers. The image on the left shows the live footage preview, which is grainier than the true live stream shown at right. 

Abode’s two-way speaker needs improvement, though. The sound quality is muddy and creates feedback if the microphone is too loud, so expect to finetune the settings once you install the system.

We also ran into trouble with the Iota's live recording feature. It uses a spinning icon to indicate that it's recording, but it's easy to mistake this for a "loading" icon instead. Plus, sometimes the video recording wasn't captured at all. That's definitely a problem. 

Whether you go with the Gen 2 Gateway or Iota, you can monitor and control your system directly through the Abode mobile app. From here, you can arm and disarm the system and watch live video feed.

During our initial tests, we experienced limited abilities when it came to adjusting settings or creating automations. But since we last gave Abode a test run, the company has completely revamped and updated the Abode app.

Here are a few of the things we like about Abode's app upgrade:

• Native integration for iOS and Android for easy use across different devices (phone, tablet, etc.)
• Streamlined customer interface
• Customized quick actions screen
• In-app panic alarms
• Account controls to update passwords and other settings
• Timeline filtering by sensor, camera, or other device

Both Abode hubs are compatible with loads of smart home devices:

• Z-Wave and Zigbee tech
• IFTTT
• Amazon Alexa 
• Apple HomeKit
• Google Home 
• Sonos smart speakers
• Ecobee thermostats
• Smart locks by Yale, Schlage, and Kwikset
• Smart light bulbs by LIFX and Philips Hue

And that's not even a full list. All in all, you can connect up to 160 smart devices like light dimmers and smart outlets to your Abode system. For the price, that’s a lot of smart home.

If you subscribe to the Standard or Pro plan, you can use the Abode app, the CUE platform, or the IFTTT platform to program custom automations into your system. Automations are cause-and-effect commands that tell Abode what to do and when to do it, simplifying your daily routine. Set Abode to disarm when you get home, turn on lights when you’re gone, or capture video clips when the door opens.

The more components you add to your system, the more creative you can get with your automations. You can sync your Nest thermostat, Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Apple HomePod, and other smart home devices with your Abode to create an entire automated home routine that runs on its own.

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The instructions included in the Abode box are minimal, but we were able to find plenty of help and resources online when questions came up. The extensive article database is a useful resource for Abode customers. We found everything we needed from this archive during our tests. The database is searchable, so it’s easy to find the answer without ever picking up the phone.

If you do have questions, email, chat, and phone support are available. Email [email protected] or call +1 (650) 383-1901. 

We had some questions about camera specs and cancellation fees and used the phone and chat lines. We found all reps to be friendly and prompt. In fact, we were surprised we didn't have to wait on hold to speak to someone, which meant it was actually faster to call than to use the chat box.

However, we've read some complaints from users that Abode customer service reps tend to drop the ball on bigger issues. You may have to be a squeaky wheel to make sure you get an answer—and that's never fun.

Read answers to more Abode FAQs.

We also researched customer reviews and Abode’s support site, plus used our hands-on experience with other security systems to put Abode's offerings into perspective.

To learn more about how we test systems and set standards at SafeWise, read our full methodology.

The price, size, and features make Abode fitting for renters, college students, or anyone in a small home who wants smart home control as well as security.

Neither Abode starter kit comes with a ton of sensors, so you’ll need to purchase extras if you live in a larger space. Abode isn’t perfect (especially its two-way audio quality). But you get a reliable home security system and an unbeatable headstart for growing your smart home network.

Contributing writers: Rebecca Edwards and Katie McEntire.