Amazing New High-Tech Gadgets to Keep Your Home Safer Than Ever

Wires are so 2015 – as the wireless security cameras (both indoor and outdoor) from Arlo demonstrate. Featuring an array of heavy-duty options – including motion- and sound-activated alerts, two-way audio, a 100-decibel siren and more – these cameras are 100-per-cent waterproof. And because there’s no wires to deal with, moving a camera to a new location is a breeze.

With its third-generation smart lock, August is well on its way to making keys as obsolete as buttonhooks and buggy-whips. The latest version of August’s keyless entry system allows you to lock and unlock doors remotely, track who’s entering and leaving the home and more, all via a smartphone app. It also features a voice assistant that integrates with Siri, Google Assistant and Amazon’s Alexa.

The next generation of smart lightbulbs has arrived – and they’re pretty freakin’ smart! Each BeON bulb boasts a yellow module that includes a battery backup that will keep the lights on in event of a blackout of power failure – for up to five hours! Also included is a microphone that listens for your doorbell or burglar alarm, Bluetooth connectivity with your smartphone and the ability to “learn” your home’s light usage patterns, and replicate them when you inform the bulbs you’ll be away; no need to program anything, the bulbs will simply “replay” your normal lighting scenario when you’re not there.

When it comes to ease, it’s tough to beat Canary, which offers a complete home-security system within a single device. With the ability to film HD video, a 147-degree wide-angle lens, night vision capability, siren and motion-detection, all it takes is one touch in the Canary app to contact authorities if you suspect a break-in. As a bonus, it will also monitor your home’s temperature, humidity and overall air quality.

Unexpected flooding is one of the worst nightmares a homeowner can face, but the D-Link Wi-Fi Water Sensor can alert you to any leaks before the damage becomes severe. Featuring a built-in siren that will inform you of any leaks while you’re home, the sensor will send emergency notifications to your smartphone when you’re away from home.

Home security has never been as easy and affordable thanks to EZVIZ’s Mini-Trooper, a tiny wireless camera that can be easily secured to anywhere inside or outside your home, relaying live footage to your smartphone or tablet. Each camera has a battery life of up to nine months, and the base station can support up to six cameras, providing high-tech peace of mind without breaking the bank.

Described as the home-security equivalent of the self-driving car, Lighthouse is a smart security camera that utilizes 3D sensing technology that “learns” the quirks and intricacies of your home, and will be on the lookout for whatever you ask. Want to be sent a smartphone alert to know what time your teenagers come home at night, or find out what your dog is up to while you’re at work, or who came to your door when you weren’t home? Lighthouse has got you covered, allowing you to instantly alert authorities when a threat is detected.

Lutron’s Serena line of remote-controlled blinds are not only a whole lot easier than conventional pulley-based blinds, they can also be controlled from anywhere in the world using an app via smartphone or tablet. You can also automatically schedule shades to open and close at specific times – even when you’re not at home.

Nest Cam IQ

offers an array of super-smart features to provide maximum security inside your home, including the ability to view snapshot photos taken from three hours of footage. Other elements include a 4K zoom-and-enhance feature and HDR imaging for crystal clear images, while a powerful speaker built into the back of the camera can scare off intruders from afar.

A motion-detector exterior light is nothing new, but this unique model from Ring throws in the addition of an HD security camera. The result is the world’s only only motion-activated security camera with built-in floodlights, a siren alarm and two-way audio, allowing you to see, hear and speak to anyone on your property from wherever you happen to be – even if you’re not at home.

Also available from Ring is this high-tech, low-cost security system that puts home protection right at your fingertips. The starter kit includes a base station, keypad, contact sensor, motion detector and range extender, allowing the flexibility to expand throughout your home if necessary. For an additional $10 per month you can also add 24/7 professional monitoring and video recording.

Sometimes a home-security device doesn’t have to do anything other than look impressive, which is the case with this completely bogus light-up keypad from Sabre that affixes to the exterior of your home. While it actually does nothing at all, it looks real enough to give burglars or intruders enough pause that they’ll hopefully pass your home by and move on to somewhere else – all at a cost of just $14.99.

An HD camera is built right into the Skybell Video Doorbell, allowing you to see who’s at the entrance to your home from the screen of your smartphone, allowing you to speak to whoever’s there. When a visitor presses the doorbell, a live alert is sent to your phone, giving you live interactions whether you’re at home or not.

For the low price of just $149.99, AarTech Canada’s SkylinkNet Connected Home Alarm System Starter Kit offers a DIY Internet-enabled home security system with all the bells and whistles, and will integrate with devices such as smartphones, tablets and the Amazon Echo, as well as Nest, Hue and other systems. Wireless sensors provide full home security, while a built-in 110-decibel siren will sound when an intruder is detected. You can receive notifications whenever garages, windows and doors are opened, and when the system is armed, disarmed, or a panic button is pressed. The whole setup can also be controlled remotely, giving you peace of mind when you’re away from home.

Currently available via pre-order on Kickstarter, this genius concept from Tovnet is billed as the world’s first light bulb to feature a security camera built right into the bulb. “What if we told you anyone could install a full-featured, remotely operated security system in their home, office, garage, back yard or shed just by flipping a switch?” asks the company on its Kickstarter page. “That was our vision for our new security technology. We set out to design a device that would combine all the best features of an LED bulb and an independent wireless security camera and we like to think we’ve succeeded.”

What makes Yi Technology’s wireless interior security camera stand out from the crowd are such special features as 130-degree extra-wide angle, gesture recognition (the camera will “learn” specific gestures that will allow you to interact with the camera), the ability to detect humanoid figures and an innovative audio-detection feature that can identify and categorize a baby’s cries.