Feel more secure
Summer brings more people out and about, so get the smartest eyes on your house with our pick of the best connected home security tech
Regardless of the size of your home, and whether you live alone or with others, it will benefit from a boost in security. An indoor security camera is a great choice for this, but we recommend taking it a step further with an all-inone device. Our pick is the Cocoon, an AI-powered multi-room security system complete with a built-in camera and an array of genuinely smart features.
Using Subsound tech, this system senses unusual activity throughout your entire house, regardless of where it’s positioned. The Cocoon quickly learns the unique ‘sound signature’ of your home so that it doesn’t mistake your pet for an intruder. When it does pick up on activity, it alerts you to what’s happening and where. Night Vision keeps watch when you’re asleep, viewing your home through a 120-degree wide-angle lens.
You can reinforce the security of your house further by attaching Hive Window or Door Sensors to your most exposed entry points, monitoring them 24/7. A video doorbell provides extra peace of mind too, saving you from answering the door to unexpected visitors, or enabling you to speak to couriers before they run off again with your parcel.
The Ring Video Doorbell 2 is an excellent choice for this, alerting you (via the app) when someone is at the door. You can then watch and speak to your visitor remotely, even if you’re lounging in bed. Speaking of visitors, installing the Yale Conexis Smart Lock gives you maximum control over who enters and when, as you can send virtual door keys to your guests. COCOON If something unusual is detected in your home, Cocoon alerts you. You can then tap to sound its 90+dB siren. $366, cocoon.life HIVE WINDOW OR DOOR SENSORS Get instant alerts of unexpected activity near specific doors and windows, or in case you’ve accidentally left one open. $29, hivehome.com RING VIDEO DOORBELL 2 Let Ring find out who’s outside first, then you can chat to your doorstep visitor via the doorbell’s two-way audio $307, ring.com YALE CONEXIS SMART LOCK The Conexis syncs with the Yale app, enabling you to unlock your front door with your smartphone and let others in remotely, even if you’re at work. $515, yalelock.com.au