Minut Smart Home Alarm

What is it?

A home alarm system with focus on noise, motion and temperature. Many modern security systems revolve around intrusive video and voice to keep tabs on your home, with the downside of forgoing privacy for security.

Devices such as the Minut Smart Home Alarm promote less invasive technologies – it looks not too dissimilar to a smoke alarm – that can be placed anywhere in your property.

Good points?

Monitoring metrics on non-visual systems can be difficult to master because external elements – tree movement near a window or vehicles passing – can be picked up by the sensors if they are too sensitive. Minut’s algorithms are great at filtering these so you get only appropriate alerts.

Dispensing with multiple satellite sensors around the home in favour of one central unit eliminates variables that can cause major problems, not least from tampering or hardware faults. Containing the sensors in a ceiling-mounted device minimises these risks. Other sensor features include motion-activated night light, humidity, mould risk analysis – all operated through a handy smartphone app.

Bad points?

Mounting the magnetic ceiling plate, although easy in itself, does come with the challenge of determining the right location. Lateral thinking may be required.

Best for ...

Those with open-plan living spaces as one sensor covers a circular area of about 25 square metres. Other rooms, for example a hallway, will require additional devices.

Avoid if ...

You require alerts such as video evidence.

Score: 9/10.

Minut Smart Home Alarm, £129 (minut.com)