HomeKit Advice on HomeKit Devices

[katanna]

I am trying to find a good set of hardware to up my game in the "smart home" arena.

What I have right now:

• 3 Eufy indoor cameras (used as nursery cameras)
• Blink doorbell and outdoor camera (gifted to us)

Call me an Apple Fanboy, but my main goal is to have everything be HomeKit compatible. The Eufy cameras are in HomeKit, but the Blink hardware doesn't work with HomeKit.

What I want:

• A few indoor cameras
• One or two outdoor cameras
• Smart doorbell
• Home security system (self-monitored, basically something that beeps/alarms when a door/window is opened)

I have found good cheap cameras (Eufy), I have found a good smart doorbell (several to choose from), and I have found a good home security system (Abode), all that use HomeKit, however I also want to simplify things as much as possible. That is, I don't want three different apps to have to worry about depending on what setting I want to dive into. (I know once I get it all set up that everything will be in HomeKit, but it just seems silly to me to have a bunch of random apps that I need to hang on to for changing settings and whatnot.)

Are there any brands/options that meet my needs but would be less than three different brands/apps? Am I fighting a losing battle? Should I embrace the fragmentation in the market?

Thanks all!

 

[SierraVista]

I‘ve had good luck with the Logitech Circle View doorbell; I’ve had issues with others as my front door faces east and is in direct sunlight for half the day. No Logitech app required, all setup and monitoring is done in the Home app. No experience with their indoor Circle View camera but I imagine the experience is similar.

This was a few years ago now but I tried going down the HomeKit route for home security and ultimately gave up because none of the major players (SimpliSafe, ADT, etc) supported it and my priority was on something that would work reliably and had professional monitoring. I know there is a HomeBridge plugin for Simplisafe but I’ve never gotten around to setting up a HomeBridge.

 

[andyw715]

I too have had good luck with the Logitech Circle View doorbell.

I also have a Level + Connect deadbolt - which is nice b/c it looks like the deadbolt it replaced. I'm not a real fan of the other ones available with the keypads and such. It implements HomeKey so is very convenient to lock/unlock with phone or watch. There is also an app where you can share conditional access to other people, and of course you can just use the key if you like.

For other devices I have had good luck with Meross indoor and outdoor plugs. They do have a number of home security devices...but I don't have experience with those.

I connected my SimpliSafe system to homekit via Homebridge.

As for lights, most are just dumb LEDs in a lamp plugged into a Meross outlet.
But outside I use Phillips Hue bulbs and Hue Bridge.


One thing I would suggest is to try out a few of the 3rd part HomeKit apps such as Home+ or Eve. I've tried both but need to spend some more time with them. The Home app seems to get you almost to where you want to be, but when you search the web for some help most answers always point to a 3rd party app.

 

[erihp]

Look at what bridges can bring you, they will make non/homekit devices work in Homekit. Including cameras!

Definitely look at HomeBridge. The plugin library for integrating all sorta of non/homekit gear is huge.

Scrypted for cameras.

Also consider a hardware solution . Check out hubitat (c-7 dirt cheap on ebay), its a very easy way to bridge zigbee and zwave devices to homekit.

Ideally you can just buy all native HomeKit accessories, but with bridges you can support so many more, novel devices types of that don’t even exist as HomeKit products. Cost is another big reason to bridge other wireless HA protocols. Zigbee is -cheap-!

 

[flynz4]

I actually prefer to keep home security and home automation very separate... and that is the path I've chosen.

 

[erihp]

I actually prefer to keep home security and home automation very separate... and that is the path I've chosen.

That's fine but I'm not sure what that has to do what my statements other than a couple of specific product categories like cameras.

In fact, alot of major alarm panels can be integrated back into homekit with homebridge. Your alarm panel and service still functions as normal, but now your Homekit setup is aware! Integration is what its all about. Now all of those alarm panel door sensors can be used within Homekit.

Look into it or dont, but you asked for advice.

 

[flynz4]

That's fine but I'm not sure what that has to do what my statements other than a couple of specific product categories like cameras.

In fact, alot of major alarm panels can be integrated back into homekit with homebridge. Your alarm panel and service still functions as normal, but now your Homekit setup is aware! Integration is what its all about. Now all of those alarm panel door sensors can be used within Homekit.

Look into it or dont, but you asked for advice.

My comment was not in reply to you. Yes, I agree that integration is possible by using products under one architecture, or using bridges to interconnect different architectures. The later still falls into the hobbyist category… especially with Apple.

My recommendation continues to keep security and home automation separate for most people. i want security to be rock solid, work through internet and even power outages. Most systems will fallback to cellular if monitored. I know the OP wants self monitoring, which is fine because most thieves will run when sirens start blazing. By contrast, home automation is nice to have, but much less critical.

For security systems, I want physical security (doors, windows, motion, & cameras). Monitoring is a personal choice.

One area that could be either security or home automation based is water sensors. The advantage of including it in your security system is notification even with power or internet outages. The advantage of home automation is the ability to turn off the water main automatically. I am flabbergasted how many people I’ve know who had water damage due to broken pipes or fittings... several this year alone. All have had terrible time with their insurance companies. One had a quarter million dollar damage. I have 16 water detectors in my house now, and I plan to add a remote shutoff valve. I also have neighbors with house access to shut off the main if needed.

Regarding home automation… I am not very far along. I do plan on doing some work with temperature (Ecobee), blinds, and lights. In the lighting area, I’d like a dawn simulator that lights up the bedroom naturally in advance of my alarm wake-up time. I think Apple is still behind in creating automations based on the iPhone alarm. I also want a dim red light scene in the bedroom & bathroom to not kill our sleep when we need to get up in the middle of the night. That should be straight forward.