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Our review of the Yale home security system, its services and different smart camera options.
Yale home security has 12 pre-configured home security systems. Packages include equipment featuring the latest technology and you can customise the systems to suit your unique security needs.
Our home tech experts have researched Yale’s home security solutions considering costs, and packages available and compared the brand with market leaders. We especially like Yale’s choice of self- or professional monitoring and optional professional installation.
Read our guide to find out if Yale is right for you.
Rating: ★★★★
Overall, Yale’s home security cameras are an excellent choice for homes and businesses looking to improve security. One of the main advantages is that you don’t need to pay for a subscription for self-moniroting, but there are a variety of options for additional features at different price points.
In our view, Yale’s best home security system option, if you need to pick one product, is the All-in-One camera, which is ideal for your front door. This camera comes with a siren and adjustable lights, making it an excellent choice for a standalone security system. This camera is included in the Sync 11 Piece Kit, and can be purchased as an add-on for smaller packages.
Yale offers an excellent range of home security products, including intruder alarms, smart and keyless locks, safes, and full HD security cameras with deterrent sirens and lights. We consider not requiring a subscription for self-monitoring 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.
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.
A Yale home security system works best for homeowners who are happy to self-monitor events and are looking for a flexible package with a good reputation. The benefits include:
With every home security system, however, there are some disadvantages to take into consideration:
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.
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/window contact
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.
Motion detector
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.
Cameras
Yale offers four cameras – a Smart Video Doorbell, an Indoor Pan/Tilt wifi camera, a Smart Outdoor 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.
Keypad
Arm and disarm your system via the keypad with your four-digit code. You can also purchase a fob to pair with your keypad. It’s wireless and can be installed up to 200 metres from your Smart Hub and you can install as many keypads around your property as you like.
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.
Its five-piece package, priced at £269.97, is cheaper than some other popular offerings on the market, such as SimpliSafe’s five-piece alarm system, The Starter package, which costs £319.96.
However, those on a tighter budget might find Ring Alarm’s five-piece Alarm + Indoor Camera Pack (S) priced at £269.98 a better fit. The kit includes a camera (most of Yale’s do not) but both offer flexible no-contract monitoring plans.
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 £59.99 for an indoor camera. There are no ongoing fees for running the Yale cameras.
Homeowners who don’t want to DIY install can also purchase Yale’s installation service which costs between £250 to £325, depending on what’s required. Once you’ve confirmed your appointment, an engineer will contact you within 72 hours for an installation date. Note that there is a £50 fee should you cancel or want to amend your appointment date within 24 hours.
“Easy to order on the website. Great price and great delivery times.
The items were correct as ordered, excellent quality, well packed and an easy straight swap on the door. Thank you.”
“Responding kindly and promptly and escalating matters to resolve them. Everyone I have spoken to is patient and kind and knowledgeable.”
“I purchased a Video Doorbell; [it was] easy to shop in the store, [the] product arrived in excellent condition through DPD carrier, [I] called the helpline to ask a question and the lady was very helpful. Found it easy to install and are very happy with the doorbell and have recommended it to family.”
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: ★★★★
We considered several factors when reviewing the various Yale home security systems and its safes and cameras. We included five main criteria when comparing it to some of the best self-monitored home security systems and best wireless home security camera systems: design, durability, efficiency, performance, and guarantee options, and took into consideration professional and customer reviews that have set up and tried the products in Yale’s range. We also compared the Yale security cameras and safes with the best home security system UK in terms of both performance and price. The weight of the factors we analysed is as follows:
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.