Wyze's new DIY Home Security System is Dirt Cheap

Wyze's new DIY Home Security System is Dirt Cheap

Simplisafe, Abode, and ADT better watch out. Wyze, known for its inexpensive home security cameras, is entering the DIY home security market with the Wyze Home Monitoring kit. The product is available for pre-order today and will ship in March. The company is offering the base hardware for free when you sign up for Professional Monitoring (just $60 per year).

In a way, the Wyze Home Monitoring kit is the most logical extension of the original product: since launching the $20 Wyze Cam, the company has expanded into smartwatches, robot vacuums, and headphones. But one of the best home security cameras, the company's camera, remains the centerpiece of its portfolio.

Wyze is offering the Core Starter Kit for free, provided you sign up for an annual plan ($60/year). This includes the main hub, keypad, two door/window sensors, and motion sensors. If you sign up for a monthly plan ($5/month), you will need to pay $50 upfront for the equipment.

Additional entry sensors are $20 for a pack of three, motion sensors are $8 each, and the keypad is $15.

The Wyze Sense Hub connects to the network via Wi-Fi or Ethernet and has a built-in 85 dB siren that alerts intruders. It also has battery backup, but no cellular connection in case the Internet goes down. Professional monitoring services will be provided by Noonlight.

In addition, Wyze security cameras can be linked to the system, and if a motion or intrusion sensor is triggered, the security footage can be viewed at that time. However, the camera itself cannot trigger an alarm.

Initially, Wyze's video doorbells and smart locks are not compatible with this system, but the company plans to incorporate them in the future.

Wyze's professional monitoring costs are among the cheapest we have seen among DIY home security systems, with Ring's professional monitoring starting at $100 per year and Simplisafe's plans at $180 per year ($350), and Simplisafe's plan starts at $180 per year. Neither offers free equipment.

We will wait until we get a chance to test Wyze's Home Monitoring kit, but its low ownership price is definitely going to put pressure on the big boys.

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