There’s no denying that conventional security systems are slowly phasing out and are being replaced by smart home security systems that have a lot more functionalities and options. Moreover, they make your home a significantly safer place to live. A conventional system is pretty closed and has no way of communicating with the outdoors, but with these modern systems, that’s not exactly the case.
The main difference between a conventional system and the smart systems of today is the fact that advanced ones come with devices that can not only communicate with each other but communicate with the homeowner even if they aren’t there. And when you start looking at the details, you’ll find that communication is oftentimes done in one of two ways, via cellular networks, or with the internet.
And this begs the question – which one is better? Do you go for IP monitoring, or do you get a cellular network to keep communication available at all times? Let’s take a look at both and decide.
IP Monitoring Is More User-Friendly
Kicking things off with IP monitoring, this is the solution you’ll come across when you’re looking at going DIY. Many, if not all of the smart security systems that you can build yourself by choosing the components you need will work with IP monitoring, and utilize your home’s Wi-Fi network to connect.
Obviously, this means that you should have a secure Wi-Fi network if you want to keep your security system safe from anyone who might have malicious intentions with it. Since most of us already have one, this shouldn’t be too much of a problem.
The biggest benefit of such a system is the fact that it’s incredibly user-friendly. The devices you’ll buy will come with their own control apps, which let you set things up rather easily and use the devices without any issues. You could even get a smart assistant and use that to control your devices using nothing more than your voice.
To add to this, these are systems you build yourself, so you won’t have to spend money to have a professional set things up for you. There’s also no monthly fee for monitoring, which is more than you could say for a system that uses a cellular network.
However, this system is not without its downsides. The main one, for example, is that it requires a reliable Wi-Fi connection in order to work. Therefore, if the system doesn’t receive any power, there’s no way for it to transmit data, which does make it pretty much useless. Yes, most security devices have backup batteries, but can you say the same for your router and modem?
Cellular Monitoring Is Much More Reliable
In contrast to the IP monitoring solution that you come across with DIY systems, when you opt for a monitoring company that will take care of everything for you, chances are you’ll get cellular monitoring. The system works by using a SIM card with a constant connection to the monitoring center, which means that some kind of mobile provider subscription is necessary.
The main benefit of this is that it works even if there’s no electricity because a cellular network doesn’t need the power to transfer data. Even if a potential burglar cuts down the power to your house, the monitoring company will receive an alert that something is happening, and chances are they’ll have someone investigating the issue before you even know it.
A thing to note here is that such a system is difficult to set up, and there’s a big chance that you won’t be able to get all the components you need to do things yourself. The way to go here is to hire a professional company that will set everything up for you and gives you the monthly monitoring you need with such a system.
There’s also the fact that these systems require maintenance and checkups that you won’t be able to do by yourself, which is another bummer. However, as they’re a lot more reliable, there’s a much bigger chance of everything working as intended, without any hiccups.
Oh, and lest we forget, the price difference is far from insignificant. You might get more budget-friendly devices, but keep in mind that you’ve got monthly fees that go on pretty much forever, while you’re using the system.
Which One Do You Go For?
At the end of the day, both options have their own pros and cons. However, if you’d rather pay upfront and get a system that you can set up and maintain yourself, and suit to your needs by building it on your own, IP monitoring is the one to go for. On the other hand, if you don’t mind paying a bit extra for a more reliable system and the peace of mind that comes with knowing a professional set it up, by all means, get a system with cellular monitoring.