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Our review of the Yale home security system, its services and different smart camera options.
Yale offers a range of ready-made home security systems which you can tailor to your household’s needs.
Our home tech experts have researched Yale’s home security solutions, taking into account their costs, features and devices available and compared the brand with market leaders so you can assess whether Yale is right for you.
Rating: ★★★★
Overall, Yale’s home security systems are an excellent choice for homes and businesses looking to invest in quality security packages. One of their main advantages is that you don’t need to pay for a subscription for self-monitoring, but there are a variety of options for additional features at different price points.
The brand’s devices are high quality and full of innovative features. In particular, we’d recommend opting for the All-in-One Camera, which comes in several smart colourways and acts as a total home security system in and of itself.
Yale’s home security systems are connected via a central hub. The Smart Alarm hub must be connected to your internet via an ethernet cable as well as plugged into the mains. Equipment can then be installed and connected via the Smart Alarm hub – controllable via the Yale Home app.
Products are easy to install, and you’re provided with detailed instructions via Yale’s app. More advanced models may require Yale’s installation services, for an additional fee.
The brand’s security packages are based around its 2 central products: the Sync Alarm, and the Smart Alarm. For instance, the Sync Alarm 5 Piece Kit comes with 2 entry sensors, a fob, keypad, and central hub. You can go all the way up to an 11-piece kit, which includes 3 entry sensors as well as two cameras.
Yale home security systems do not require a subscription for self-monitoring, which we think is one of the best features offered by Yale. Homeowners only need to pay for the alarms and cameras (available in packages or add-ons) and a microSD card.
If you need to pick one product, we think the All-in-One camera is the one to buy. It comes with a siren and adjustable lights, making it an excellent choice for a standalone security system, but it is also included in the Sync 11 Piece Kit, and can be purchased as an add-on for smaller packages.
Yale’s home security packages include a range of equipment from motion detectors and keypads to indoor and outdoor cameras. Though not every kit is the same, here’s an overview of the types of equipment and their features.
Door and window sensors are fixed to entry points, ideally windows and doors that could easily be accessible by an intruder. When triggered, you’ll receive notification alerts via the Smart Home app. At least one sensor is included in all of Yale’s home security packages.
Designed to wirelessly detect motion in your home within a 200-metre range from your Smart Hub. If motion is detected, you’ll receive notifications via the Smart Home app. It seamlessly integrates well with your smart home and can be controlled via voice assistants. You can add additional detectors with most packages.
Yale offers several cameras – a Smart Video Doorbell, an Indoor Pan/Tilt WiFi Camera, a Smart Outdoor Camera, a Floodlight Camera, a Smart Motion Camera and the All-in-one camera. The indoor camera provides a full HD 1080p live stream – viewable via the app – and 10-metre night vision. Footage can also be recorded if you have an SD card. Other features include a two-way audio function, sound alerts, trigger the camera’s siren and footage is end-to-end-encrypted for security.
The Yale Home app offers lots of features for you to control and customise your system to suit your needs:
We recommend Yale for customers who value customisable systems and DIY installation, particularly if you don’t want to be tied in to lengthy subscriptions.
That said, the brand’s packages can be a little hard to understand. For total clarity and peace of mind, our top pick is SimpliSafe, which offers a range of ready-made security packages to suit any household. With professional installation and monitoring available, it’s the perfect solution for those who want to take a “hands-off” approach to home security.
For those on a budget, the likes of Ring and Blink are great options, as they provide relatively cheap cameras and sensors.
Yale’s basic package is competitive when compared to other similar suppliers, but the smaller kits don’t include cameras, although these can be added from £39.98 for an indoor camera. There are no ongoing fees for running the Yale cameras, which is a bonus.
Here’s how the brand compares to its competitors in terms of costs:
| Home security system brand | Cheapest package cost (excluding installation and subscription costs) |
|---|---|
| Yale | From £219.98 for a 5-piece package |
| Ring | From £219.99 for a 5-piece package |
| Verisure | Prices on quotation |
| SimpliSafe | From £284.96 for a 4-piece package |
| Swann | From £179.99 for a 2-piece package |
| Blink | From £108.74 for a 2-piece package |
| Tapo | From £84.99 for a 2-piece package |
Yale has a high 4.1-star rating on Trustpilot, with 65 per cent of 5-star reviews, though many of these are related to ordering replacement keys. Negative reviews call out issues with the durability of some of the brand’s products.
“Sean from the Yale customer support team was incredibly helpful and professional. I had lost the keys to my safe and wasn’t sure what my options were, but Sean walked me through the process clearly and made everything stress-free. He handled the replacement quickly, kept me informed the whole time, and was friendly and patient throughout. Excellent customer service—huge thanks to Sean for turning a frustrating situation into an easy one.”
“When ordering key fobs for my smart alarm I ordered the wrong ones when I contacted support at Yale they arranged for me to return the wrong oned and get a full refund (still waiting for the refund). They advised me on the correct ones to order great service very pleased. The only suggestion I have is when you press the shop link on the app it should only show compatible products for the system you have”
“Awful cctv. Just over 2 years old and having to replace all 4 cameras due to water getting in them. Not worth the money at all. I’d purchase hikvision all day before I bought this rubbish again”
Yale home security is a good choice for homeowners who own their homes and are not sticking to a tight budget. While its smaller packages are affordable compared to competitors – its larger ones are less so. Also, if you’d like to customise your package, additional equipment costs can be pricey. It’s not a good fit for renters since some installations may require drilling.
Rating: ★★★★
All of the components, aside from the outdoor camera, are wireless and battery-operated. The batteries come included, and there is a good amount of information on Yale’s product support pages on when to change the batteries on various devices like the door and window sensors, and how to do it.
Our experts have conducted hours of research to compile a list of the best security systems. There are many options on the market and they all have their pros and cons. However, our list includes some of the best security systems to consider for every need. Whether you are looking for a security system on a budget, easy installation, or a customisable package, one of the security systems above will surely be an excellent choice.
A home security system is an investment in your protection. After all, the best home security system aims to keep your family and property safe and protected from burglary, fire, home intrusion, and flood, among other threats.
We considered the following factors:
For more information, read our article on how we review home security systems.
