
As is standard with iControl Networks’ first generation Wi Fi enabled Piper security
camera, the night vision model can be set to detect motion and to integrate with
other Z Wave devices, such as thermostats and lights switches. This enables the camera to activate the lights and adjust the thermostat when it senses motion, for example. The camera can also monitor the temperature, humidity, light level and sound, and send you a text or email alert if these conditions exceed a certain predefined threshold. Videos recorded by the Piper are stored on a cloud sever and accessible via smartphone or tablet. Piper NV comes in either white or black for $279. Dropcam was purchased by Nest in 2014, and there are neat ways you can integrate the two, but the Dropcam Pro is also a good DIY home security camera without the Nest thermostat.
This beautifully crafted digital lock can send alerts to your smartphone as well as take photos of visitors. The lock system is touted as being very safe, boasting features such as bank security standards, 256 bit encryption as well as a mechanical lock itself being UL compliant. Many customers who have
paid for it have not only filed for a refund, but are also considering joining a possible class action lawsuit against the company. That has delayed the product release for quite a while, and also increased its price to $324, due to adding seemingly undisclosed additional features. Those are a lot of red flags for what could be an amazing product. But you could also just use your existing smart home sensor system.

If you’re not looking to pay a monthly fee for professional monitoring, then abode is a great option that lets you self monitor. Their abode Essentials Starter Kit is pretty minimal, with only a Gateway, a door/ window sensor, a motion sensor, and a key fob plus the abode Cam,
which I couldn’t resist adding. Installation is DIY, saving you more money, and abode has pretty good app and customer support ratings. Plus, abode has tons of integrations with Google Assistant, Amazon Echo, Nest, Philips Hue lightbulbs, ecobee, LIFX, Yale, Kwikset, Z wave, First Alert, and IFTTT, so you’ll be able to create home automations galore. Nest Secure is a great option for apartments for a few reasons. One, they offer month to month contracting, which is awesome because you might not be there forever especially if the dryers don’t get fixed soon— sorry, that’s just me
projecting a little. Two, the installation is super easy and won’t require any drilling or hardwiring in your rented space, and three, you can choose to self monitor if you’d like. I also like that the Nest Secure system is super minimalist with only five components. In a smaller space, the last thing you want to be bogged down with is an extensive security system. Nest Secure will blend right into your space. Brinks has integrations with Google Home making it easy to vocally control your system.