Home tools Buyer's Guides from tech enthusiast who loves technology and clever solutions for better living.
Best home intercom system 2018 – [Buyer’s Guide]
Last Updated March 1, 2023
Hi there, I’m Arnold Simmons. After more than 31 hours of research, including interviewing two experts and spending 10 hours testing 18 popular home intercom system, I found the best home intercom system of 2018.
In this article, I will be categorizing the items according to their functions and most typical features. I hope that my Top 3 list will provide you great options in buying the right fit for you.
Let’s get to it!
Best home intercom system of 2018
There’s a product for every kind of user on the list of affordable options below. So, what exactly would anyone want to know about home intercom system? I know most of us don’t really care much about the history and the origin, all we want to know is which of them is the best. Of course, I will spare you the history and go straight on to the best home intercom system. Customers need to be careful on how they spend their money on these products. On that note, I review the three best home intercom system of 2018 to help you get value for your money.
Test Results and Ratings
| Rank | №1 | №2 | №3 |
| Product |  |
 |
 |
| Total | 4.8 | 4.5 | 4.3 |
| Style |
5 points
|
5 points
|
4 points
|
| Versatility |
5 points
|
4 points
|
4 points
|
| Construction |
5 points
|
4 points
|
4 points
|
| Price |
4 points
|
5 points
|
5 points
|
| Awards |  |
||
 |
|
|
|
 |
|
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How to save up to 86%? Here is little trick.
You must visit the page of sales. Here is the link. If you don’t care about which brand is better, then you can choose the home intercom system by the price and buy from the one who will offer the greatest discount.
№1 – Wireless Intercom System
| Total: |
4.8
|
Why did this home intercom system win the first place?
The product is very strong. Its material is stable and doesn’t crack. I don’t know anything about other models from this brand, but I am fully satisfied with this product. I really enjoy the design. It is compact, comfortable and reliable. And it looks amazing! I was completely satisfied with the price. Its counterparts in this price range are way worse.
5
|
5
|
5
|
4
|
№2 – Wireless Intercom System
| Total: |
4.5
|
Why did this home intercom system come in second place?
I like this product. For such a low price, I didn’t even hope it to be any better. It’s decently made. This is a pretty decent product that perfectly fitted the interior of our office. Seems that the material is good. It has a very beautiful color but I don’t really like the texture. Managers explained me all the details about the product range, price, and delivery.
5
|
4
|
4
|
5
|
№3 – Nucleus Anywhere Intercom with Amazon Alexa
| Total: |
4.3
|
Why did this home intercom system take third place?
I liked the design. We’ve been using it for 2 months and it still looks like brand new. A very convenient model. It is affordable and made of high-quality materials. It is inconvenient to use due to the size. I am going to get something different next time. It doesn’t squeaks nor bents. Looks great in my apartment.
4
|
4
|
4
|
5
|
Home intercom system Buyer’s Guide
Battery Life
Most intercom systems use standard AA batteries. This is good because it is easy to replace them without spending a ton of money. In terms of battery life, you will see some variation, but you can typically expect around four months in standby mode. The more you use the intercom, the sooner you will have to replace them.
Ease-of-Use
Some intercom systems are far more intuitive than others. Look for intercoms which you can operate by hand or voice with ease, and which provide you with a number of different options for communication. The best wireless intercom systems include pager capabilities but also the option to speak with just one respondent.
Fast and Easy Installation
Setting up an intercom system may be easy or it may be a challenge depending on the model you buy and your level of tech expertise. Read customer reviews to find out how quickly you can expect to get up and running and how useful the user manual will be.
Chamberlain NLS. It’s an inexpensive, easy-to-use communication solution.
Long range. As long you stay within 1000 feet of the station you want to communicate to, the message will come in loud and clear.
Large “transmit” button. Even technology adverse elderly people will find it easy to use the NLS2.
Reasonable price tag. The NLSis quite cheap compared to most other intercom systems.
Easy to install. Just take it out of the box, plug it in and you’re good to go.
Voice activation mode. VOX mode allows you to communicate without pressing the button.
Expandable. If you need to set up lots of communication stations, you can expand this intercom system out to 6units.
Samcom: Send and Receive Extra Loud and Clear Announcements intercom system is ideal for elderly people and people with poor hearing. It’s louder than most intercom devices. You’ll never miss an announcement again if you crank the speakers all the way up.
Slim design. Measuring only 7.x 4.x 1.0 inches, Samcom features some of the slimmest intercom units on the market today.
Great reception. Some intercoms don’t work that well in the basement, but Samcom performs well in any type of room.
No setup required. If you know how to use a wall plug, you already know how to install a Samcom intercom.
Wall mountable. Screw holes in the back allow for easy mounting.
Page the whole house. Conference mode allows you to broadcast your announcement to every room in the house with an intercom station.
1000 foot range. Like most modern intercom systems, Samcom intercoms can send and receive broadcasts from up to 1000 feet away.
The speakers are very loud. Even hearing impaired people will have no trouble understanding what’s being said.
Intercom Features
This first-class Chamberlain intercom is a user-friendly gadget and an ideal fit for nearly any size home or office. In terms of signal capability and efficiency, this dual-intercom system is the best in the business.
Completely wireless, the Chamberlain NLScan be taken from room to room and allows you to have multiple conversations at the same time or simultaneously broadcast a message to all channels via its secure 900MHz digital radio link. The portable intercom system can also be expanded, allowing you to add additional units and communicate to rooms and areas throughout your property or estate.
The NSLalso comes equipped with monitor and voice activation modes. With the Voice Operated Switch, or VOX, you can also completely customize the intercom’s sensitivity settings for nothing but the absolute best sound.
Watch this
Here’s what you need to know about smart home security…
Yes, the home security market is a veritable hodgepodge of options. That’s great because there’s bound to be something that’s right for you, but it’s also a challenge to sort through the mess of stuff on shelves today to find that perfect device or comprehensive system. Fortunately, we’re here to help you make sense of it all so you can move past the product research phase to enjoying a functional home security package.
Cameras
Salient Eye that convert spare Android or iOS devices into cameras for free. All three work well, but we’re partial to the Android-only Salient Eye because it lets you arm and disarm your camera and will even turn on a siren if it detects motion while you’re away.
Camera-equipped doorbells such as SkyBell and are also available. They send alerts to your phone when someone knocks or rings the doorbell and give you the option to pull up a live stream — they’re basically digital peepholes so you can see and talk to whoever’s at your front door whether you’re home or away (as long as your phone is connected to a cellular data or Wi-Fi network).
Want more details? Be sure to check out our security camera buying guide.
Night vision capability allows cameras to function at night just as they would do during the day. This is made possible by the Infrared feature. For maximum security to be guaranteed, it is necessary that the camera of choice be able to capture images at night too.
The field of home security camera is awash with numerous players and brands each with its own niche of specialization. These brands include: Vimtag, Foscam, Zmodo, Best Vision System, Q-See, Anne, and Lorex, to mention but a few! The Annke brand is particularly famed for producing high quality cameras and should thus be given priority while shopping out for the right home security camera.
Pull Quote
If you already have a security system, and especially if you’re locked into a contract, there’s little incentive to change to a new one. They all work similarly, though newer systems have better control panels and have smartphone apps for remote control. If you have an older, wired system, you may be missing out on some of the new interactive services, but most security providers can supply bridge equipment to update older systems.
How we tested
Window stickers and yard signs warn potential burglars not to mess with your house. My house is very safe.
We called in six self-install security systems and used them for four weeks, testing their control panels, motion sensors, contact sensors, sirens, cameras and smartphone apps. Editor Nathan Edwards already had a Frontpoint system, so he tested its latest control panel and image sensor in his existing security system.
The Components Alarm System
A good starting point is to know what a system is how a system works. The basic process is that when a sensor is tripped and it communicates this to the control panel, there is a short delay and then the alarm is sounded and notifications are sent out by the system to a professional monitoring center or to the phone of the owner if it is self monitored.
The standard home alarm system is made up of components.
Window/Door Contacts – these are in two pieces. One piece is the sensor and the other is a magnet. The magnet is normally attached to the door or window. The sensor is attached to the frame of the door or window. When the window/door is opened and the gap between the two is greater than the prescribed amount (less than an inch) a signal is sent.
Siren – this sounds the alarm when the sensors are tripped. It can be internal and/or external depending on the set up. An internal siren will let anybody at home know that the alarm is triggered and in many cases this will scare off the intruder. Most internal sirens when set up in a house are not loud enough to be heard by neighbors. External sirens are normally loud enough to be heard by the neighborhood but this does depend, of course, on how loud it is.
Monitoring – a system can be monitored or unmonitored. A monitored system is one where the notifications are sent to a monitoring center that assesses the situation to determine whether to dispatch emergency services.
An unmonitored system can either work where only the alarm is sounded and is monitored by the residents (if they are at home) and if they are away it depends on the neighbors to alert police or it is self-monitored where the notifications are sent to phones of the owner and other people set up in the system.
Notifications can be sent by landline, cellular network, VOIP, internet or a combination.
Water sensor – these detect the presence of water. They are used in basements, attics and where pipes or boilers are stored. They can help in detecting a leak before it becomes a flood.
Cameras – these can be used to see what is going on at home by streaming video and taking pictures. They can be controlled remotely to pan and tilt around the room. They can be used to see if there is an intruder in your home or if it is a false alarm or just to check that your kids are safe and sound at home. These can start sending a feed automatically when a sensor has been tripped.
Home automation – many systems now give you the opportunity to automate your home. It gives you the ability to control and monitor your home remotely through your smartphone or computer. You can control your lights, lock and unlock your doors and have these things happen at a certain time or when a sensor detects an action. An example is you could have it set up so when a motion sensor detects someone entering a room the lights come on and when they leave the room the lights are turned off.
Monitored or Unmonitored
Monitored systems are monitored by a professional monitoring service (see going with an alarm company). They monitor the system 24/and will dispatch emergency services. You will be charged a monthly fee and be tied into a long contract of to years except for Simplisafe with it being the only company that has a monthly contract that allows you to cancel at any time without a penalty. Most companies operate with a year minimum contract.
There are two types of unmonitored systems – one where only the alarm sounds. The other is where you self- monitor and you get the notifications sent to you on your phone. You then make the decision as to what the right course of action is. The big advantage here is that you are not paying a monthly fee and you won’t be signed up to a long term contract. I’ve written more about the differences between unmonitored and monitored systems here.
Hardwired Or Wireless
A hardwired or wireless system describes how the various security devices communicate with the control panel. A hardwired system communicates through wires that run through the walls. Some modern homes come pre-wired that make installation straightforward. But many homes don’t have this and installation requires the drilling of holes and running wires through the walls and under the floor. Most people opt for these to be professionally installed.
Wireless systems communicate using radio waves. The devices and control panels have wireless transmitters. Most wireless systems come pre-configured to work with each other and the installation is easy and it can be done in a few hours or less. There are few DIY skills or technical skills needed to do this.
Wireless coverage is limited up to a few hundred yards from the control panel. It can be expanded with the use of repeaters but for very large homes a hardwired solution is going to be needed.
DIY or Professional Installation
When you choose a professional installer they can do an excellent job. They will know where to install the sensors for best coverage and to avoid false alarms. They are often the best choice when you choose to install a hardwired system as it involves running wires through your walls and under the floor boards. The downside of this is that you are going to be charged, your walls will be drilled into and you are going to have strangers in your house for a day or two.
Wireless systems are much more straightforward to install and many people choose to do it themselves. There are few skills needed with most systems programmed to work out of the box. You may need to screw the devices to the walls, windows and doors although you can use double-back tape to mount them. It can be done in a few hours or less. Most companies offer help and troubleshooting advice on line or by phone if you run in to trouble, so it’s worth picking a system with excellent customer service like Fortress Security.
Contracts
If you do decide to go with an alarm company to install and monitor your system you are going to be tied into a contract of some sort. It is important to understand the contract. Areas to look at are the penalties for breaking the contract, what happens at the end of the contract term (is it automatically rolled over and you are locked in again), what happens when you move. In the FTC article referenced in the section about alarm companies the FTC have a number of questions to ask before you sign on the dotted line.
You really want situation where you can get out of the contract when you want. Many DIY systems don’t come with a contract or you only need to sign up for year at a time making it much easier to get out of.
Door to Door Salesman
The advice is not to buy from a door to door salesman. There is unfortunately a large number that use high pressure and devious sales tactics to get you to sign. If one comes to the door it is best to not engage with them and don’t invite them in to your home as you might not be able to get them to leave easily.
Insurance
Most home insurance policies offer a discount for installing a home security system. The biggest discounts are normally offered for a system that is professionally monitored with a smaller discount for one that is self monitored.
How much of a discount you can get differs from company to company and policy to policy and needs to be checked with your insurance company. The discount offered is not going to cover the cost of the monitoring.
There are a number of factors to consider when buying a home security system. It starts by planning it and counting the devices you’ll need for entry points, motion detection and remotes for arming/disarming. Also this is a good time to make an assessment as to the additional security sensors, environmental sensors and home automation features to get upfront or at a later date so as to ensure the system you buy can expand to suit your lifestyle now and in the future.
Then it’s a matter of deciding on the type of monitoring, DIY or professional installation and whether you want a wired or wireless system.
If you choose to use an alarm company to do the monitoring and/or installation it’s important to do some extra checking on the background of the company using the FTC guidelines. The pricing of the system should be easy to understand. It’s important to be comparing total cost and realize the discounted equipment cost will be recovered in the monthly cost. So it is the cost of the equipment, installation and the monitoring cost for the term of the contract that needs to be compared.
If you choose the DIY route for installation and monitoring check out customer reviews and review sites that have taken the time to analyze the product in detail.
The system itself should be able to be expanded as you need, have a backup battery for power outages, manufacturer’s warranty, good customer support, be hard to tamper with and has a reliable system for sending out notifications.
And don’t forget to check if you need to have a permit, if you are charged for false alarms and if you can get a discount on your home owners insurance.
Covered In This Article
This wireless intercom system is from International Electronics Inc. this is a room intercom. That means you can include many additional wireless intercom as you need further. This device does not need the wall power connection. It runs with AA batteries, no need of AC connection. The frequency of the intercom is 900 MHz. It is a two way communication capable intercom with ultra clear sound. You can respond privately to any channel while it broadcasting all stations.
The digital connection ensures you a secure connection. And, the wonderful matter is, it has a long range up to 1000 feet though connection range may vary based on floors, walls etc. This is simply expandable and has a super easy to set up function. You can set it up in just minutes. It is perfect for your home and office, as well as garage, workshop, pool, nursery, hunting or camping.
This intercom has channels that ensure ultimate work ability with unlimited intercoms with a fully secured connection. This intercom has “Paging” function which allows you to broadcast and private connection with all stations. It has multiple monitor system. You can use a single channel, all the channels or room monitor mode to save your battery.
Shop Now
Choosing the best wireless intercom system is no easy as there are various kind of intercom on the market with exciting feature. But you can follow this guideline to choose the perfect one.
There are many kind of intercom system available in the market with different ability. Though you want to use it for your home or office, it’s better for you a DC powered intercom. Because DC powered device can be used for outdoor too and has a self power option.
Always try to select a product with an expandable capability. Because in the future, you may need additional intercoms. The multi channel intercoms are pretty good for multi communication. And if you have voice activation with your intercom, then it will be great. You can then use it very easily.
And yes, look at the frequency and the connection range. A good connection rage will help you to communicate from other floor.
Always choose the digital signal based wireless intercoms. Digital signal based intercom is easy to operate and it can present you a crystal clear sound.
Obviously, intercom systems have been a part of the family lifestyle for many years. Now however, the wireless intercom system for the home is revolutionizing the way family members communicate and feel secure. Because of the wireless feature, these systems can be placed anywhere in the house with ease. Consumers of the wireless intercom system for home and business do not need to worry about messy wires and confusing installation. In fact, most wireless systems are freestanding. If you do happen to purchase a wireless intercom system that must be mounted, the “do it yourself” installation is fast and simple for anyone. Additionally, since AA batteries power most wireless intercom systems for home, maintenance will never be a hassle. Basically, a buyer of a wireless intercom gains better security and communication with less work.
The Right Wireless Intercom System for Your Home
Because of the trending nature of the home wireless intercom system, there are hundreds to choose from. Your decision of which system to purchase will depend significantly on the type of household you live in, such as size of home and number of family members. For example, many superior wireless intercom systems for home are equipped with audio features. Such features enable you to “listen in” on separate rooms creating a monitor effect for parents watching over sleeping babies. Either way, your choice of wireless intercom will most likely depend on cost.
Why We Need a Best Wireless Security System
Stand-Alone Locks as the name implies are an “all-in-one” access control system for a single-door. The lock powered by replaceable internal batteries can be unlocked by keypad, proximity card or a combination. The advantages of stand-alone locks are they can be installed and operational in minutes. Some offer hand-held readers that extract the audit trail from the lock. The disadvantages of stand-alone locks are they are stand-alone and not part of a broader network.
Proximity readers are the most popular option in commercial access control. They are easy to use, and when cards are lost, it is a simple matter to deactivate them and issue new ones. They can also be combined with photo IDs for additional security. Proximity cards, which can work from one inch to three feet from a sensor, are the most common. Because there is no contact between the card and reader, they are very reliable and suffer little wear and tear. They are also inexpensive. A specialized type of proximity card is the automobile tag, which allows access to a parking facility without requiring the driver to open their window or get out of the car. Automobile tags can work at hundreds of feet away from a sensor. Security access systems can use magnetic stripe or barcode cards, as well, and these can be a money‐saving option if you already use one of these technologies for employee ID cards.
Keyswitches offer electronic auditing through a network while continuing to use a physical key to activate the lock. are common for single door security access and less expensive systems. They are easy to use but less secure, since users have a tendency to write down the entry code or to “lend” it to others. They also do not provide detailed audit trails until you provide unique codes to each individual.
Biometric systems rely on physical characteristics of the users for identification such as fingerprints, handprints, or even retinal scans. They are by far the most secure methods of access control. However, they are also considerably more expensive and can seem invasive to employees forced to use them constantly. Early models proved less unreliable outdoors, so they were not recommended for exterior security access.
To ensure free pass to exit a secure door, all locking systems include a quick exit device. Examples include; push-to-exit buttons, request-to exit bars, motion detectors, emergency (break-glass) exit and Time delayed exit. These buttons are mounted in the interior, on the casing surrounding the door (mullion mount) or on a wall near the door (gang mount). Examples of Egress Device types follow. ‘Clicking’ on any of the device photos will open a new window with direct access to pricing, and product datasheets for further and more detailed reference.
Push-To-Exit Buttons as the name implies Push-To-Exit buttons are wall mounted near the exit point and contain directions on a large green or red button. Depressing the button releases the door.
Push Bars attach across the inside of the door at the height of the door latch. You exit the door by pressing against the bar. The action of pressing the bar releases the latch and the door opens.
Emergency Exits attach on a wall near the exit point. Emergency exits are available is two general types, the first is a ‘break-glass’ model. To gain exit, you break the glass face. The action depresses a button inside the switch and releases the door. The second type uses a pull down handle to release the door.
Delayed Egress function by starting a timer once the device is activated. Delayed egress can include voice commands and sounds explaining the door will open in ‘x’ seconds. For example, once depressed. a delayed egress can count down from 1seconds to zero and then release the latch opening the door. Delayed egress devices provide the emergency opening functional of a free exit system while providing a delay for enhanced security.
In all locking systems, the locking device represents the physical security barrier. Locking devices include Magnetic Locks (Maglocks), Electric strikes, Deadbolts, Magnetic Shear Locks and Electrified locksets. These devices are mounted on the door and door casing. Examples of Locking Device types follow. ‘Clicking’ on any of the device photos will open a new window with direct access to pricing, and product datasheets for further and more detailed reference.
Choosing a Door Access Control Manufacturer and Vendor
In addition to providing you with the right products, the vendor you choose will also be responsible for providing going support and helping to integrate it with any other related systems you have. There is no real standard for connectivity between access control and alarms, time and attendance and video surveillance, so there will always be some additional custom work involved in creating links between these systems. Most important, there are local and national codes governing the types of locks and hardware that can be used on fire and exit doors, so make sure you are familiar with the ordinances in your area.
Reuse equipment
Do not overbuy – Securing door after door inside your facility is likely to frustrate employees more than increase security. Do not feel like you have to include every door in a security access control system: a mix of card access and plain old keys is often the best combination. Focus your access control points on the perimeter of your building.
How to save up to 86%? Here is little trick.
You must visit the page of sales. Here is the link. If you don’t care about which brand is better, then you can choose the home intercom system by the price and buy from the one who will offer the greatest discount.
Final Word
First of all thanks for reading my article to the end! I hope you find my reviews listed here useful and that it allows you to make a proper comparison of what is best to fit your needs and budget. Don’t be afraid to try more than one product if your first pick doesn’t do the trick.
Most important, have fun and choose your home intercom system wisely! Good luck!
So, TOP3 of home intercom system
- №1 — Wireless Intercom System
- №2 — Wireless Intercom System
- №3 — Nucleus Anywhere Intercom with Amazon Alexa
Questions? Leave a comment below!
Chatting about home intercom system is my passion! Leave me a question in the comments, I answer each and every one and would love to get to know you better!
