Why You Can Trust CNET Palm-Reading Locks, Face ID and Moody Porch Lights: 5 New Home Security Products for 2024
These are the buzziest home security devices to expect in 2024. But are they worth the money?
The Phillips 5000 smart deadbolt reads your palm to gain entry. Sadly, it doesn't look quite as cool as this promotional rendering Phillips released.
The coming year looks to bring even more possibilities for AI, especially if this month's CES is any indication of how 2024 could go. We got a first look at what you should expect from the home security category in the coming year, including new cameras, doorbells and home security solutions we've never seen before.
With loads of AI TVs and robot chefs appearing at the tech expo in Las Vegas, it's no surprise we saw several AI advances for home security tech, too.
Read more: AI at CES 2024: The Coolest Tech From the Show
It's easier than ever to add new tech to your home defenses, with things like the Matter protocol helping solve our device compatibility woes. The hard part is figuring out if flashy new devices are really worth your time or more of a marketing push.
Our first take on five CES home security product releases will help you decide. These are the buzziest home security announcements so far in 2024, along with just how useful they could be in your house, apartment or business.
Home Depot's Hubspace has flown under the radar as a highly affordable smart home collection. But at CES 2024, Home Depot pushed it into the spotlight.
In addition to popular releases like a smart thermostat and a smart chest freezer, Hubspace now has its own security kit. The only question: How much will it cost? Home Depot hasn't released pricing details yet, but if the prices are in line with Hubspace's previous offerings then affordability could be a compelling feature.
- Price: TBD
- Release Date: 2024
Lockly Visage smart lock with facial recognition
Lockly says the front is ready for face scans
Already comfortable using Apple's Face ID sign-ins? You may welcome the technology for your door, too. Lockly's Visage smart deadbolt uses facial recognition as a biometric pass to unlock your door with -- hopefully -- a steady glance. That could be seriously useful if your hands are full of groceries, but the $349 price tag is a little steep.
The price of entry may be worth it, however, if you already use Apple devices. The lock comes with support for Apple Home Key passes, as well as a more traditional fingerprint reader.
We don't yet have all the answers yet, though. It remains to be seen how this lock performs out in the real world, where height, weather and daylight could all affect the accuracy of porch-side facial recognition. It's also not yet clear how all those face scans will be stored, encrypted and accessed.
- Price: $349
- Release Date: Summer 2024
It may look like a fancy spa treatment here, but this new offering from Lockly uses facial recognition to open doors.
Here's a biometric alternative we haven't seen before. Rather than using a digital pass or finicky fob, the latest deadbolt from Philips has no-contact palm recognition instead. Amazon is also rolling out palm-scan payments to Whole Foods stores across the country.
Hold your hand in front of a door, get your palm read via proximity sensors and it'll unlock without needing to pull out your phone or keys. Like thumbprints, every palm is different -- and hovering your hand in the air certainly sounds easier than finding a thumb scanner on a dark porch.
You'll need a stable Wi-Fi connection for palm reading to work, and you'll need to manage settings behind the scenes with the Phillips Home Access app. There's some compatibility with voice assistants like Alexa and Google Assistant, along with alternative unlock options such as a PIN or old-fashioned key. Detail-oriented folk will also appreciate that the built-in doorbell works with your existing chime doorbell.
Starting at $360, this deadbolt is considerably more expensive than other front door smart locks and it even costs more than the Lockly Visage. When the latest August smart locks are selling for around $140, that's a pricey upgrade.
- Price: $360
- Release Date: Available now
Reolink's powerful Duo 3 PoE (that's power over Ethernet) security cam makes a case for installing commercial-level security on your own property: More durability, a lot more detail and a better overview of a large yard or other space
In addition to color night vision technology (assisted by bright spotlights), the camera has two big dual lenses that offer 16 megapixels of identifying detail (Reolink claims that's a first), with a nearly panoramic 180-degree field of view.
The Duo 3 also retains the high-grade security features you'd expect from today's robust security cameras. It has two-way audio, motion detection, spotlight and smart alerts. Reolink also provides a Motion Track feature which reminds us a little of Ring's Bird's Eye view, letting you see the path that people in motion took while in sight of the camera.
While these all seem like business-oriented features, the camera has home-friendly options too -- notably, compatibility with both Google Home and the Nest Hub. But you'll want a reliable hub or spacious SD card to store all that video detail.
- Price: $190
- Release Date: February 2024
Nanoleaf's outdoor smart lights
An outdoor lighting fix we like, but short on details
A little outdoor lighting helps improve safety and deter lurkers, but most external security lights are built into cameras or only available as bulky floodlights.
At CES Nanoleaf revealed a new option with Permanent Outdoor Lights, the brand's first foray into exterior lighting. The lights retain Nanoleaf's extensive color and schedule customization, which is nice. They're also compact enough to stick right up under your eaves or in other convenient spots.
The lights work with Matter, so your existing smart home apps should be able to handle them. But I'd like to learn more about the wiring requirements and the full weather-resistance capabilities of these lights before making a recommendation. For now, they've definitely caught my eye.
- Price: TBD
- Release Date: TBD
Keep in touch
Does this new security tech sound great for your home? We'll keep you updated as we get our hands on these devices. Remember, CES is only a show, so you'll have to wait at least a few months before most of these gadgets hit store (or online) shelves. You can set a Google alert for a product that catches your eye and keep following home security on CNET so you don't miss any details.