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The best smart home security products at CES 2022

The smart home section of CES is always worth a look to see what fascinating new tech is in the offing. For CES 2022, smart security in particular was showcasing some welcome innovations, including products that will fit perfectly in existing home security solutions from top brands like Arlo, Samsung, and more. Smart security is more competitive than ever, and the latest solution-oriented products are nothing but good news for users interested in making improvements.

Let’s take a look at what security tech we found most promising at CES 2022, and why it’s worth keeping an eye on while we’re waiting for release dates.

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Arlo Security System

The Arlo Security System features an NFC reader.

Arlo has plenty of security system devices, but this new offering is an all-in-one solution for those who don’t want to mix and match. Instead, it uses a hub that acts as an arming/disarming device, as well as unique multipurpose sensors that come with eight different sensing functions. That means you can put them just about anywhere and they can sense doors opening, leaks developing, the sound of smoke detectors, temperature changes, and more.

The system also syncs with any Arlo cams you may already have. The hub itself includes a siren and a motion detector, plus a neat NFC feature that means you can just tap your phone on the hub to disarm it rather than having to type in your security code.

Schlage Encode Plus smart deadbolt

Schlage Encode Plus with Apple home keys open with Apple Watch.

Apple fans have been looking forward to using Apple’s “home key” functionality for at least a year now, and finally we have a smart lock that supports it. Home keys are Apple logins that you can create in the Home app and that work with Apple Wallet, similar to Apple Pay. You just swipe your phone across the lock and it automatically unlocks. Schlage’s sturdy deadbolt design also makes sure the lock can’t just be brute-forced, making this a great pick for your front door. You can also create home key codes and give them to any guests, then remove them as desired, or use Schlage’s own app if you prefer. Watch for it to drop this spring.

Belkin Wemo Smart Video Doorbell

The Belkin Smart Video Doorbell on a rainy day.

We saw several new video doorbells at CES this year, and it’s no surprise that Belkin introduced one with its Wemo line of smart products. Belkin has been expanding Wemo options in the past couple of years, and a video doorbell makes a perfect fit. The company partners with Apple, which means this is one of the very few HomeKit-compatible doorbells that can send notifications to the Home app and upload video to iCloud.

It’s also a very advanced doorbell, with a 4-megapixel cam that can zoom in for more detail, recognize faces, and send smart notifications about what it thinks it has spotted. The overall design takes a lot of cues from the Nest Video Doorbell, but note that this is a wired doorbell and there’s no battery option at this time. You can pre-order it here for $250.

Eufy Security Video Doorbell Dual

A person presses the button of the Eufy Security Video Doorbell Dual.

Video doorbells have an important problem they have to solve: While looking out toward the entryway is important, it’s also important to look down so that the doorbell can monitor packages being left on the doorstep. Some cams, like the Nest Doorbell, try to do this with a more vertically oriented camera lens. Eufy’s solution is just to have two separate cams — one to watch the front and one to watch below. The app automatically splits the screen between the two cams so you can easily watch them both at the same time. You also get notifications when someone is approaching a left-behind package, etc.

Abode Wireless Video Doorbell

The Abode Wireless Video Doorbell can go months on a single charge.

Abode is also entering the video doorbell market with its first model. The doorbell itself has a very familiar list of specs, including 2K resolution, night vision, battery power, two-way audio, and more. But the additions around the video doorbell are more interesting. First, there’s a companion device called Chime, which replaces your doorbell chime indoors and allows you to customize it however you want. It’s a simple solution to a problem that usually involves annoying rewiring efforts.

Abode is also offering a new smart bulb, an 800-lumen LED colored bulb that can work with its Cue system to sync with the video doorbell and automatically react to certain events, like turning on if the motion sensor is triggered.

M-Pwr Smart Door

A family exits a house with the M-Pwr Smart Door.

Forget smart locks — M-Pwr’s CES solution is a full smart door! It’s a pretty stylish door that offers a variety of window and color options. It’s wired into your home just like a doorbell and also includes a battery backup. It features a built-in Yale smart lock, a built-in Ring Video Doorbell, and built-in smart LED lights. There are also unique sensors that can alert you if the door is left ajar. If you’re looking for an all-in-one entryway solution, this is an interesting alternative, although it appears that you’ll have to juggle three different apps to use everything.

Cync Outdoor Smart Camera with solar charging

The Cync Outdoor Smart Camera can be charged through solar power.

GE’s new Cync brand is offering its own smart outdoor security cam, but with an interesting twist. There are both  wired and  battery-powered versions: If you choose the battery-powered version for $130, you can also choose to add on a $45 solar accessory that will allow the battery to recharge through solar energy, so you don’t have to climb up and take it down for recharging as often. Handy!

Cync announced plenty of other devices at CES, including multiple smart bulbs and a smart thermostat, all tying into the Cync app for easier control. Cync is also supporting Matter, one of the newer protocols designed to help smart devices work together regardless of platform, so you may not need to replace older devices.

Bosch Spexor

The Bosch Spexor is a small device designed to be perched on a counter or shelf.

We haven’t seen a lot of single-device home security monitoring systems lately, but Bosch is changing that with the Spexor, a small device designed to be perched on a counter or maybe a shelf near an entryway. It’s packed with sensors to watch for temperature changes, air quality, break-ins, unexpected motion, and more. If the Spexor is triggered, it can sound alarms, flash lights, or simply send an alert to your phone. It’s a great pick to monitor apartments or lofts, as well as unique spaces like garages.

Ring Glass Break Sensor

The Ring Glass Break sensor listens for the sound of breaking glass in your home.

Ring didn’t have much to add for this CES, but there was one important announcement: The company is adding a glass break sensor to its product lineup. These are popular home security sensors that can tell when glass breaks (Alexa Guard on Echo can listen for something similar) and then send alerts and sound alarms as needed. It will, of course, sync up with other Ring products without trouble.

Kohler Robern IQ Digital Lock Box

The Kohler Robern IQ Digital Lock Box secures your valuables.

Looking for more security inside your home? This Robern lock box is a smart medicine cabinet that can lock with both app management and a digital keypad. It’s battery powered, with automatic alerts for battery replacements, and can provide notifications for all usage, along with a history of use. You can even schedule events like reminders to take medication. If someone tries to tamper with the box, it can also sound an audio alarm. It’s an ideal solution for those who keep things in their medicine cabinet that need to stay under strict control. There’s even a space for small valuables, passports, etc.

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Apple finally activates HomePod Mini’s hidden temperature/humidity sensor
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Apple recently revealed its second-gen HomePod, which is set to become the company’s flagship smart speaker in 2023. Featuring the S7 chipset, spatial audio, Matter compatibility, and tons of fancy room-sensing tech, the device is certain to be a hit when it launches in February. It’ll also feature a temperature and humidity sensor. Oddly enough, so does the existing HomePod Mini -- except Apple has only just activated the feature.

Apple has kept the temperature and humidity sensor deactivated for years, although now, with the launch of a new HomePod around the corner, the company has finally gone ahead and turned on the instrument in its existing Home Mini lineup. Once your HomePod Mini receives the update, you’ll be able to use it to track both the temperature and humidity in your home, then use that information to create various automations through Apple Home.

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Apple reportedly working on a new iPad-like smart home display
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Details on the rumored product are scarce, but it seems the device would feature a touchscreen and function similar to an iPad. Magnets would allow it to be mounted to a wall, and HomeKit would give it access to all your smart home products. It’s unclear at this time if the device would feature a stand, allowing it to sit on your countertops like the Echo Show and Nest Hub. What is clear, however, is that Apple wants to gain a stronger foothold in the smart home market -- and this could serve as a great alternative to using the HomePod Mini as a HomeKit hub.

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Yale launches its first smart safe with biometric verification, remote access, and voice assistant support
A person pointing to the Yale Smart Safe.

Yale is widely known for its premium smart locks and deadbolts, but the company’s lineup extends well beyond your front door. And although we are just a few days into 2023, Yale has already added two new products to its catalog -- the Yale Smart Safe and Yale Smart Safe with Wi-Fi.

The two Yale Smart Safes are designed to be used with the existing Yale Access app, making it easy for existing Yale users to add the product to their smart home ecosystem. Both products also feature a built-in keypad and a traditional key, giving you three ways to access your valuables. The more affordable Yale Smart Safe ($250) works with Bluetooth for local control, or you can step up to the Smart Safe with Wi-Fi ($300) to access your vault from just about anywhere in the world. This model also supports Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri.

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