Home Security Gift Ideas

With the holiday season almost upon us it’s time to start thinking about what gifts we’ll get our loved ones. When it comes to buying gifts I often find online guides helpful. Even if I don’t get exactly what is suggested in a guide they can sometimes spark a much needed idea. Over the next few weeks we’ll be putting out a few different gift guides to help you get some ideas for holiday gifts. (And hopefully reduce some holiday stress!) This is a home security gift idea list and is perfect for the home owners (or renters) in your life that are especially conscious of safety.

Note: This post may contain affiliate links.

Home Security Cameras

When you think of home security what immediate comes to mind? Home security cameras? Exactly. Well, these days there are countless home security systems and cameras on the market. After doing a bit of research I settled on the d-link brand cameras for my family. The two in particular I like are the d-Link 932L for inside and d-link 2330L for outdoor and nighttime use.

D-link 2330L Indoor/Outdoor Home Security Camera

The D-Link Wireless Day/Night HD Outdoor Network Surveillance Camera with mydlink-Enabled (DCS-2330L) is a wireless network camera built to withstand outdoor conditions.

What I like about it:

• It connects wirelessly to your home wifi
• It’s designed to be installed outside and can handle tough weather (ie: sleet and snow) so it’s great for keeping an eye on your front door or driveway
• It has infared LED lights for night vision, allowing you to see about 16’, even in the dark
• After initial purchase there is no more cost! No monthly fees like other security systems!
• You can view the live stream on your computer or smartphone via an iOS, Android or windows app
• Motion detection gives you the ability to set up an alert to send a notification to your phone when it detects motion
• It has one way audio, allowing you to hear what’s going on as well as seeing it!
• Saves images on a micro sd card

What I wish were different:

• Although it’s wireless (ie: you don’t have to plug an internet cable into it) you do have to connect it to power. Just best to keep this in mind when you’re locating it inside.

D-Link 932L Wireless Day/Night Indoor Home Security Camera

The D-Link Wireless Day/Night Network Surveillance Camera with mydlink-Enabled (DCS-932L) is an indoor, less expensive, version of the d-link camera above.

What I like about it:

• It connects wirelessly to your home wifi
• It has infared LED lights for night vision, allowing you to see about 16’, even in the dark
• After initial purchase there is no more cost! No monthly fees like other security systems!
• You can view the live stream on your computer or smartphone via an iOS, Android or windows app
• Motion detection gives you the ability to set up an alert to send a notification to your phone when it detects motion
• It has one way audio, allowing you to hear what’s going on as well as seeing it!
• Could double as a less expensive baby video monitor option!

What I wish were different:

• This version has no micro sd card for recording vidoes
  • UPDATE – This model is the same but includes a microSD card slot!! It’s only $10 more (at the time we’re writing this). This seems like the way to go to me!
• It doesn’t have pan and tilt so take care when positioning it

Other Home Security Gifts

There are other ways to keep you home safe and secure without cameras. Here are a few:

Driveway Alert System

Wouldn’t it be nice if you knew when someone was coming to your door? If you got an alert when someone pulled into your driveway? Well, you can. And it doesn’t take a lot of money or time to install difficult equipment.

The 1byone® Driveway Alert Doorbell Easy Chime Wireless PIR Motion Sensor Doorbell is an inexpensive product which you can install in just a few minutes. First, you place the sensor near your driveway (or front porch). The sensor takes 3-AAA batteries so no need for any nasty wiring! Simply hang it on a nail. The sensor will detect moving heat from a car or person and send a wireless signal to the receiver inside. (The receiver is a small unit which you plug into an outlet.) When the sensor sends the signal the inside receiver makes an alert sound. (This particular unit has 36 different alert sounds to choose from.)

Wireless Doorbell

A neighbor came to my garage door one day to bring me mail they had received. I couldn’t hear his knocking so he banged on the door. Then I heard it, and it was a bit startling, to say the least. Do you have a garage door or second entrance that doesn’t have a doorbell? You can add one quickly and inexpensively with a wireless doorbell.

The SadoTech Model C Wireless Doorbell is a bestseller in the wireless doorbell group on amazon. I have a different one but they all operate similarly. The doorbell itself operates on a battery so no need for wiring. It can be mounted with nails or just some double sticky tape. Inside, the receiver is plugged into an outlet for power and rings a chime when it receives a signal from the outdoor doorbell. I installed mine by the garage door but these would also be useful by back doors or alternate entrances.

Video Doorbell

For those loved ones that are serious about their home security and not afraid to pay a little more you might consider a video doorbell.

The Ring Wi-Fi Enabled Video Doorbell is the #1 doorbell on amazon. The unit is mounted where your current doorbell is and can be powered via a battery or wired into your existing doorbell wiring. The doorbell then connects to your home wifi. When someone rings the doorbell (or motion is sensed near it) you receive an alert on your smartphone app (iOS and Android). You can then see and speak with visitors that are at your door directly on your phone – whether you’re at home, work or anywhere connected to the internet. If you’d also like the capability of recording video for later use you could pay for monthly or yearly cloud storage.

Smart Doorknob

With smart doorknobs you can get an alert on your phone (wherever you are) when someone opens the door, you can unlock your door with a code, you can lock and unlock your door via your phone, and more!

The Schlage Connect Camelot Touchscreen Deadbolt is a smart doorknob but may not work for everyone. If you’re shopping for someone with an existing home security system, this may be a gift for them. The Schlage smart doorknob can allow you to control your doorknob from your smartphone, anywhere, but only if it is connected to an existing home security system that’s z-wave compatible. Once connected to a network this can alert you when the door is opened or closed, the lock tampered with or broken open. You can also lock and unlock the door from your smartphone or with a 4-digit code on the touchscreen panel.

Conclusion

If you want to make sure your loved ones are safe and secure consider these options for gifts. Looking for more inspiration? Check out our other gift guides:

• 19 Cool iPhone Accessories (A Gift Guide for iPhone Lovers)
• 15 Cool Tech Gadgets under $50
• 35 Cool Geek Gifts