Locks, Doors & Safes
How to secure a sliding glass door
A sliding glass door is easier to get past than a hinged door for two reasons: the factory latch is light, and many doors can be lifted out…
Latest review / Cameras & Doorbells
Battery security cameras in cold weather: what to expect this winter
Most battery cameras are rated to run well below freezing, but charging and battery life are a different story. Here is what Blink, Arlo and Ring say, and how to plan for…
Read the full reviewWe go through cameras, locks, and alarms the way a renter or a first-time homeowner actually shops for them, on paperwork and owner reports rather than a test bench, then tell you plainly what to buy.
Renter-friendly
No monthly fee
DIY install
No Wi-Fi needed
Under $50
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Locks, Doors & Safes
How long do smart lock batteries really last?
Schlage rates its Encode Plus smart deadbolt at up to six months on four AA alkaline batteries with typical use, and real life often lands below that number.…
Cameras & Doorbells
Is package theft a federal crime? What to do afterward
Stealing mail is a federal felony, but a package taken off your porch is a murkier legal question, and in practice the useful steps are the same either…
Cameras & Doorbells
Infrared vs color night vision on security cameras
Infrared night vision is the safer default for a camera that has to work in total darkness, and color night vision is worth having where there is some…
Cameras & Doorbells
2K vs 4K security cameras: which can identify a face?
A 4K camera can identify a face at roughly twice the distance of a 2K camera that uses the same lens angle, and that is the whole case…
Cameras & Doorbells
PoE vs Wi-Fi security cameras: which should you choose?
For cameras that watch an entry point you cannot afford to lose, Power over Ethernet is the better choice, and Wi-Fi is the better choice when running a…
Alarm Systems
Can a Wi-Fi jammer shut off your security cameras?
Yes, a Wi-Fi jammer can cut a wireless camera off from your network, and it is a federal offense to operate one, market one or sell one. A…
Alarm Systems
Glass break sensors vs door sensors: which catches more
Door sensors catch an opening while glass break sensors catch the sound of shattering glass. Here is which entry points each one actually covers.
Cameras & Doorbells
What Drains a Video Doorbell Battery Fastest
See what actually drains a video doorbell battery fastest, from motion triggers to cold weather, and the settings that add weeks between charges.
Alarm Systems
False Alarms and Fines: How Cities Actually Handle Them
Most cities fine repeat false alarms on a rising scale after a warning or two, though the exact fee, free-pass count, and permit rules vary by city.