Side by side

Arlo 5-Sensor Kit vs Abode Smart 8: Six dedicated sensing units come with Abode, while Arlo reassigns sensor jobs

Quick verdict

Flexible sensor assignments and a built-in keypad are Arlo’s strengths. From Abode you get six dedicated entry and motion sensors, HomeKit support and a hub with built-in battery backup.

Before you buy

Why, and what it costs you

More sensors can sit behind a smaller piece count

Abode has six sensing bodies where Arlo has five.

Where this comes from

Six is four contacts plus two motions. Five All-in-One Sensors come with Arlo. Keypads and fobs do not add monitored locations.

The catch

Arlo Home Security System with 5 Sensors

You buy the backup battery and cellular module separately.

The catch

Abode Smart Security Kit 8-Piece

Neither a camera nor a keypad is in the bundle.

Arlo Home Security System with 5 Sensors

Arlo Home Security System with 5 Sensors

Why pick it
  • Five multifunction sensors, each assigned to a different household concern, appeal to you.
  • The keypad should be built into the hub.
The catch
You buy the backup battery and cellular module separately.
See price & reviews on Amazon
Abode Smart Security Kit 8-Piece

Abode Smart Security Kit 8-Piece

Why pick it
  • Your plan calls for four contacts and two motion sensors.
  • HomeKit and a hub that includes battery backup are what you want.
The catch
Neither a camera nor a keypad is in the bundle.
See price & reviews on Amazon

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Comparison updated , Product data updated , Amazon.com / United States

What this page compares

Arlo SS1501 vs Abode Smart eight-piece, looking at how many sensor locations you really get, keypad access, HomeKit support and backup equipment.

Which one fits

Pick the situations that sound like you

  • Looking for HomeKit system integration

    It works with Abode.

    Arlo Home Security System with 5 Sensors
    Caution
    Abode Smart Security Kit 8-Piece
    Better fit
  • Looking for a keypad in the starter box

    One comes with the Arlo hub.

    Arlo Home Security System with 5 Sensors
    Better fit
    Abode Smart Security Kit 8-Piece
    Caution
  • The supplied kit has to cover six separate locations with four contacts and two motion sensors

    Those six sensing devices come with Abode. With five Arlo All-in-One Sensors, you cannot fill six separate locations unless you expand.

    Arlo Home Security System with 5 Sensors
    Not suitable
    Abode Smart Security Kit 8-Piece
    Better fit
  • Looking for flexible environmental sensing

    More roles are supported by Arlo All-in-One Sensors.

    Arlo Home Security System with 5 Sensors
    Better fit
    Abode Smart Security Kit 8-Piece
    Good

In practice

Differences you will notice

More sensors can sit behind a smaller piece count

Abode has six sensing bodies where Arlo has five.

How we worked this out

Six is four contacts plus two motions. Five All-in-One Sensors come with Arlo. Keypads and fobs do not add monitored locations.

Switching jobs does not turn an Arlo sensor into two devices

Multifunction capability gives you flexibility in configuration. It does not add locations.

How we worked this out

Each sensor supports eight functions, yet five physical Arlo sensors still mean five placements.

Either can add cellular service, but they start from different battery hardware

The Abode hub includes backup power, but with Arlo you need the separate module.

How we worked this out

Weigh the hub battery that is included against the optional Arlo Cellular and Battery Backup. In both cases, cellular activation still depends on a plan.

Option A
Arlo Home Security System with 5 Sensors

Arlo, SS1501-100NAS

Home Security System with 5 Sensors

With five configurable Arlo sensors you can cover more rooms, and the keypad hub and optional monitoring path stay the same.

Best for
A medium home where sensor placement needs to be flexible

Facts we checked

  • Keypad Sensor Hub and five All-in-One Sensors are included
  • One yard sign is included
  • Eight detection functions can be selected on the sensors
Option B
Abode Smart Security Kit 8-Piece

Abode, Smart Security Hub

Smart Security Kit 8-Piece

Abode’s hub, which can work with HomeKit, Zigbee and Z-Wave, comes with four contact sensors and two motion sensors.

Best for
Smart-home owners who need to cover several rooms and entries

Facts we checked

  • Four mini door and window sensors are included
  • One key fob and two motion sensors are included
  • HomeKit, Zigbee and Z-Wave work with the hub

Spec by spec

Where they really differ

Where Arlo Home Security System with 5 Sensors and Abode Smart Security Kit 8-Piece differ
SpecArlo Home Security System with 5 SensorsAbode Smart Security Kit 8-PieceIn practice
Sensor layoutFive All-in-One SensorsFour contacts and two motion sensorsSix separate sensing bodies come with Abode.
Sensor rolesEight supported functions per sensorDedicated entry and motion rolesArlo is more flexible with assignments.
Arming controlKeypad integrated in hubKey fob, no included keypadA fixed code-entry point with Abode calls for an extra keypad.
Apple HomeNo HomeKit support documented for this systemHomeKit supportedFor Apple Home, Abode is the pick.
Battery backupSeparate backup accessoryBuilt into Smart Security HubFor this feature, Arlo calls for an additional purchase.

Trade-offs

What each pick costs you

With Arlo Home Security System with 5 Sensors

  • After the trial, premium monitoring continues only with paid service.

With Abode Smart Security Kit 8-Piece

  • You need a subscription for cellular backup.

Change of plan

When the answer changes

An indoor camera in a single room matters more than several sensor locations

Neither model fits. Iota puts the camera and motion detection in the hub and comes with one contact.

Decision guide

How to decide

Pick Arlo for sensors you can reassign and a keypad built in. Abode’s box holds six dedicated entry and motion sensors, and its hub brings HomeKit support and built-in battery backup.

01

If your burglary-sensor plan is set

What comes with Abode maps neatly onto four openings and two motion zones. When those six locations match the property, its kit needs fewer sensor additions right away. Arlo is the more flexible choice when some locations call for environmental detection rather than a dedicated contact or motion device.

02

For homes built on Apple Home

Abode’s HomeKit support is a clear platform distinction. Arlo's wide range of sensors cannot stand in for that integration. Check the exact automation and accessory compatibility you need, particularly if the alarm is meant to work alongside existing locks or lighting.

03

About the daily control point

Because Arlo’s keypad is part of the hub, the hub has to sit somewhere convenient for arming. Abode’s fob is portable and its hub can be placed for network access, but a shared wall keypad costs extra. When you compare complete setups, include backup hardware and the controls you want.

Check these before you buy

  • Write out the doors, windows and motion zones that need coverage before you weigh packages by piece count.
  • Check whether US monitoring is currently open to you, what each plan includes and how cancellation works before you subscribe.
  • Once it is installed, check sensor placement, whether you can hear the alarm and what an outage does.

What this page can’t tell you

  • Documented kit contents and service paths are the basis here. The page makes no certification of intrusion prevention, emergency response time or whole-home coverage.
  • Manufacturers rate sirens without any matched room-acoustics test.

By the numbers

What the data shows

What we found across the home security systems we compare, plus the checked facts behind each finding.

How many fit

None of the 22 models checked meets all of “Several doors and windows get a sensor”, “Works with Apple Home natively”, “Daily arming from a physical keypad”, and “The alarm keeps operating in a power cut”, so the pick goes to the closest practical compromise.

0 models fit, out of 22 checked
Show the facts and the math
Models in the comparison
22 models
Sources
4 covering these models
Product data updated

How we countedThe count uses each product's current fit ratings for “Several doors and windows get a sensor”, “Works with Apple Home natively”, “Daily arming from a physical keypad”, and “The alarm keeps operating in a power cut”. A need with no documented match is not counted.

The facts and sources behind each product in this recommendation
ProductNeeds it meetsFacts we checkedSources
Arlo Home Security System with 5 Sensors
  • Many entries
  • Keypad
  • Keypad Sensor Hub and five All-in-One Sensors are included
  • One yard sign is included
  • Eight detection functions can be selected on the sensors
Abode Smart Security Kit 8-Piece
  • Many entries
  • Apple Home
  • Battery backup
  • Four mini door and window sensors are included
  • One key fob and two motion sensors are included
  • HomeKit, Zigbee and Z-Wave work with the hub

Ready to buy

See today’s price and what owners say

Open either model on Amazon for the current price, customer reviews and delivery options.

Arlo Home Security System with 5 Sensors

Arlo Home Security System with 5 Sensors

Five multifunction sensors, each assigned to a different household concern, appeal to you.

See price & reviews on Amazon

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