Ranging from smart thermostats to smart light bulbs, Bluetooth-powered smart home systems have become a must-have for the modern homeowner.
The increasing availability and breadth of choice in smart home systems has made it particularly difficult for most buyers to pick out the best systems for their homes and devices.
While most of these smart home systems also have applications for either iOS or Android operating systems (OS), based on their underlying technology, they tend to work best on one operating system versus another.
When building a smart home system, particularly if you are combining multiple systems – for example smart home security with smart lighting – it’s important to keep consistent with your base OS. Most consumers start with the OS of their phone as the decision-making factor when considering smart home components.
In this review, we will discuss some of the best smart home systems for iPhone vs Android devices.
Best Smart Home Systems For Android
Google T3007ES Nest Learning Thermostat
For Android users looking for smart heating, then the Nest Learning Thermostat is an ideal product. It’s currently one of the simplest and smartest heating systems out there, and it’s owned by Google, who also make the Android OS for mobile devices.
This product has been designed with two different features: the heat link and the smart thermostat. The heat link in this product has the capacity to control heating and water temperature. Additionally, you can decide to install multiple thermostats to create a zoned-heating system if there is one installed already.
While you connect or install this smart home system yourself, professional assistance is advised as there are certain technical aspects that may exceed casual expertise.
Regardless of the color you opt for, all of them look great. Aside from having a beautiful design, it is also practical. The outside of this smart thermostat has been designed to spin and the unit has been made to act as a big button, thus, letting you run schedules, control temperature and other features directly from the thermostat.
Once installed, the setup process is quite simple and straightforward. All you need to do is connect the control system to your WiFi. Once it’s successfully connected, you can control everything on the Nest thermostat through the accompanying app.
As a bonus, if you own other Nest products in your home, you can conveniently control them with the app as well. This Android-only device can be connected to all your smart home device systems.
Specifications
- Brand: Nest
- Dimension: width; 3.3 inches, depth; 1.2 inches, height; 3.3 inches, weight; 8.61 oz
- Modes: program, auto, manual
- Wireless connectivity technology
- Assistant compatibles: Alexa, Google Assistant
- Features: backlit display
- LCD display type
- Mounting kit as an accessory
- Many color options
Pros
- Comes with a one-in-all control system
- It has a beautiful design
- Designed by one of the best companies in the industry
Cons
- It’s quite expensive
- Professional help may be needed for installation
Best Smart Home System For iPhone
Honeywell Smart Home Security Kit
The manufacturer of this advanced home system has cemented its place as one of the leading brands when it comes to the supply of control panels, QEM sensors, nuts and bolts, and other smart home security systems.
Honeywell has a long history of building smart home controls, and they built their iPhone control application first. To this day, the iPhone app is significantly smoother and more fully-featured, making Honeywell our top smart home technology maker for iPhone users.
This all-in-one smart security system that comes with everything that you need to keep your home safe. Unlike most of the other security systems on the market at the moment, the Honeywell Smart Home Security Kit has been integrated with a camera, an Alexa speaker, a 1080p HD camera, facial recognition, and a Z-wave hub. If you are looking for an advanced do-it-yourself security system for your home, then this could be the right one for you.
Although this is a simple security system, it happens to be quite expensive. This security system kit comes with a base station, a control key, and two access sensors for your doors and windows. You can either use the self-monitored feature of this security system, which simply means that you are responsible for alerting the authorities when you sense there is a danger or you can opt for professional monitoring that puts someone else in charge of monitoring for threats.
Generally speaking, if you’ve had to set up a security system before, you would agree with me when I say it’s not a task anyone would be looking forward to. The Honeywell Smart Home Security Kit begs to differ in that regard, as it comes with a simple set-up routine that makes it arguably the easiest security system to set up.
One core feature of this app as mentioned earlier is that it is both compatible with Android and iPhone operating systems. This simply means that you can download this app on your Android and iPhone devices. For convenience, this application displays all the rooms you’ve created as well as the ones you have installed the Honeywell device in. While this app works on both operating systems, we like it better on the iPhone. This is one of the best smart home devices for the iPhone.
Specifications
- Professional monitoring: $10 per month (optional)
- Camera: yes
- Compatible smart home appliances: Alexa, Google Assistant
- Brand: Honeywell Inc.
- 1GB RAM
- Wireless connection technology
- Additional features: facial recognition, night vision
Pros
- It is incredibly easy to set up
- Comes with a facial recognition feature
- Offers free and paid cloud storage
- In-built Alexa support
Cons
- Professional monitoring is optional
- Its facial recognition feature is not as sophisticated as it should be
- Expensive
Compatible With Both Operating Systems
Arlo Smart Home Security Kit
Battery-powered systems are not particularly common among do-it-yourself security systems. This is simply because manufacturers have to give up a couple of key features, like HD video quality and live streaming, so that you won’t have to constantly swap batteries. Surprisingly, Netgear did not give up any of these features when making this advanced and powerful security system.
As one of the top security systems on this list, this product is weatherproof and wireless, making it the best for both outdoor and indoor monitoring. While it’s a high-priced security system, the Arlo Smart Home Security Kit does not only come with a two-way audio feature, it also offers users sound-triggered recording.
Some of its main features include a base station accompanied with a loud siren, rechargeable batteries, USB connectivity for storing videos and recordings, and a camera. Unlike anything you’ve seen, this security kit carries an attached camera that offers high-quality video as well as the ability to connect to a variety of smart home devices, setting it apart from all the others.
The advanced camera comes with magnetic mounts and mounting hardware, rechargeable Li-ion batteries, a USB adapter and charging cable, a base station, and an Ethernet cable. The camera has a 360-degree view field and delivers a 1,280×720-pixel video projection. Designed to provide night vision, this camera makes use of eight IR LED display systems as well.
The Arlo Home Security Kit is incredibly easy to install. If this is your first Arlo device, you will need to download the application to begin making use of it. Overall, this is an excellent smart home security option with some standout features.
One welcome feature of the Arlo Security Kit app is that it is compatible with Android and iOS operating systems. Unlike other security systems, this one works on Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, and IFTT. To conveniently make use of this security system, you need to simply head over to the Google Play Store or Apple’s App store to download this app. Once that is done, simply connect to the Arlo Smart Home Security Kit to keep your home safe.
Specifications
- Manufacturer: Netgear
- Brand: Arlo
- Width: 1.6 inch
- Depth: 2.8 inch
- Weight: 4 oz
- Height: 2.3 inch
- Battery: rechargeable
- Camera: yes
- Offers night vision
- LED display type
Pros
- Offers free cloud storage
- Comes with rechargeable batteries
- Easy to install
- Offers motion and sensor triggered recording
- Weatherproof
Cons
- It requires a hub to fully function
- Expensive
TMEZON Wireless WiFi Smart Video Door Phone
This is an innovative smart home security system that has been designed for almost everyone who wants to keep track of what happens in their home. Designed with one of the most advanced and powerful IP technologies, this security system works in such a way that you receive a notification each time someone taps your doorbell. Additionally, you can speak to anyone through your door, while receiving notifications for any other activity. Impressive, right?
One of the first things you’ll notice about this system is its stylish and super impressive design. It also comes with a microphone that is waterproof and weatherproof, an advanced camera with a 360-degree camera view, a call button, and interestingly, a speaker to communicate.
For night visibility, a keypad with LED light has been incorporated into this amazing security system. Its alloy panels have been made with anti-oxidizing aluminum, which helps to keep it durable. Since you may have to place this system outside of your apartment, it has been designed to be dustproof, rainproof, and almost impossible to steal.
This is another fine security app that has been designed to be compatible with Android and iOS operating systems. Unlike others, this security kit has been designed with some of the most advanced wireless monitoring technology for video and audio access, two-way communication, remote unlocking, and more.
Specifications
- Manufacturer: TMEZON
- Camera: yes
- LCD monitor type
- Multiple doorbells available for use
- Night vision: yes
- Power is supplied from indoor source
- Two-way audio
Pros
- Free cloud storage
- Complete monitoring system that lets you see who’s at the door
- Designed with efficient security cameras
- Comes with a microphone for communication
Cons
- Not as advanced as some of the other systems
Honeywell Lynx Touch L7000 GSM Security Alarm Package
The Honeywell Wireless Lynx Touch L7000 has been described by most users as one of the most comprehensive systems anyone can get their hands on right now. Being an advanced wireless security system, the Lynx Touch L7000 is a state-of-the-art panel that comes with a 7-inch LCD screen. Currently capable of displaying high-quality videos from all of Honeywell’s security cameras, the Lynx Touch L7000 is unparalleled in terms of video quality.
This system is also capable of handling 79 different wireless zones, beating its numerous competitors for this singular ability to handle a variety of zones at home.
One of the distinct features of this smart system is its easy-to-install nature. Since it’s wireless, anyone can easily set it up without needing cable wires. Plus, unlike some of the other systems, this security system is not a plug-and-play system. This means that you will need to spend time teaching or instructing the sensors and remote, which can be tedious for new users.
The Honeywell Wireless Lynx Touch L7000 mobile app has been designed to be compatible with iOS and Android operating systems. This core feature of this security system affords users the rare privilege to view live feeds as well as control their entire smart devices without having to subscribe to the monthly plan that has become increasingly associated with alarm service companies. It is surprisingly free to make use of.
Specifications
- Brand: Honeywell
- 97 different zones available
- LCD monitor display
- Night vision: yes
- Camera: yes
- Variety of chime tones to choose from
Pros
- Incredibly easy to install
- Powerful security system
- Designed by one of the biggest brands in the industry
- Desk mount
Cons
- You need to spend time teaching the sensors and remote
- Expensive when compared to some of the other advanced smart home systems
Buyer’s Guide
Budget-friendly
When it comes to picking the best home security system for your device, budget is one of the most important factors to take into consideration. The TMEZON Wireless WiFi Smart Video Door Phone is a budget-friendly security system at the moment. Currently selling for less than $200, this powerful security system could just be the best one for your iOS or Android device.
Source of Power
The source of power is another vital factor to consider when choosing a smart home security system. Depending on your preference, you could opt for battery-powered home systems. The Arlo Smart Home Security Kit is one of the most efficient battery-powered systems there is. Unlike anything you’ve seen, this security kit comes with all of the features that you would ordinarily not find in other battery-powered systems. Unlike other products, this smart home system comes with live streaming features and a camera that lets you observe what’s happening around your door.
Features
This is another important factor to take into consideration when choosing the best smart home security system for you. Currently, most of the smart home systems available for purchase have been designed with quite a few features. Knowing exactly what features you need ahead of time will help you make the best decision while saving valuable time.
Conclusion
In this review, we have discussed some of the best security systems anyone can choose for iPhone or Android. The products reviewed made this list because of their price, performance, durability, ease of installation, and most importantly, their functionality.