If you’ve ever considered home security systems only to be discouraged that they’re not exactly what you’re looking for in order to provide peace of mind, PEQ (pronounced peek) could be right for you. PEQ offers homeowners a simple and flexible way to view, control and receive alerts from your home anywhere thanks to an easy to use app (Android or iOS) that serves as your home’s dashboard. Pull up the app on your laptop, smartphone or tablet while at work, on vacation, or while traveling to view and control your home from anywhere while helpful alerts notify you if something is wrong.
Getting Started with PEQ
The first step is to visit the PEQ website to build your system. Looking at the pre-packaged bundles (beginning at $119 for the Starter Kit and up to $449 for the House & Home Bundle) is a great way to start since you can build your system off of the components that are packaged together. A helpful comparison chart allows you to view what’s included in each. Additional devices include cameras and sensors for doors, windows, motion, carbon monoxide, and water. Dimmers for lamps and smart thermostats are also available to expand your system.
Once you’ve chosen your PEQ products, go online to set it up. Set up includes registering your account, subscribing to the $9.99 monthly service, activating your hub, and pairing your devices with the hub. Then install PEQ components in your home and set up the rules that are right for your family.
Setting up PEQ
Open the kit and you’ll find a Netgear router that serves as your hub. Plug it into a power source and connect it to your home’s wifi via the enclosed ethernet cable. Once it’s connected, setting up the various components of your PEQ system can be done through your account either on the web dashboard or through the app.
Whether setting up your devices through the web or the app, the simple interface makes it easy to set up each component. Just click on the component that you’re adding to be taken to the device’s page to find a helpful video that guides you through setting up the component along with the estimated set up time. (The same videos can be found on PEQ’s YouTube page if you want to take a closer look at the setup process before you make an investment in the system.) From the time I opened the box, it took about an hour and a half to get the camera, motion sensor, and lamp set up.
PEQ web dashboard allows for easy management of all components that are part of your system
PEQ Components
One of the components of PEQ that I find most useful is the Camera ($129). The Camera provides a feed to peek into your home at any given time through the app or the web portal. The camera provides an almost live-stream of the action in your home, meaning that it is a few seconds delayed in relaying real time. I wish the resolution was a bit better (the screen is a bit grainy for my tech-savvy tastes) but the fact that it works inside and out, day and night thanks to infrared technology, makes it a helpful device for keeping an eye on your home.
While the kids and dog were visiting the grandparents, I had a little fun setting up this Lego scene to view via the PEQ app and web dashboard.
One of the most helpful ways to deter thieves when going on vacation is to leave lights on timers to give the appearance of someone being at home but standard timers have a predictable pattern that can be spotted by potential thieves. The PEQ Lamp Module with Dimmer ($59.99). It’s a simple plug that you plug your lamp into, plug into the wall, and pair with your home hub.
It allows you to set up rules for lights to automatically turn themselves on but also provides the ability to randomize by controlling it through the app or web portal.
Benefits of PEQ
I appreciate the ability to have a system that allows you to add components that meets your family and home’s needs because there’s something to be said about peace of mind while away. Traveling without worry, working without distraction, and protecting what we love are just some of the benefits of having a system where you can install gear yourself and then customize the rules and devices, adding as many as you want.
Drawbacks of PEQ
The biggest drawback could be the additional fee of $9.99/month on top of the hardware costs. Why $9.99 a month? According to PEQ, your $9.99/month provides:
- Ability to connect an unlimited number of devices to the PEQ service
- Access to the best user interface in the smart home industry
- Live, professional customer care and tech support seven days per week
- A device ecosystem that has been certified and guaranteed to work with the PEQ service
- Extensive storage of video and pictures
- Live, streaming video to your laptop, smartphone or tablet
- Regular updates to the user interface and apps to add new features and functionality, essentially future proofing your investment
Essentially the fee provides easy connectivity and reassurance that all modules and components will work nicely together but it’s another fee to factor into your family’s budget when making the investment in PEQ.
Summary
Like any home system, it’s important to assess your family and house needs when investigating the equipment that might be the right fit. PEQ certainly provides a lot convenience plus ease of setup for the average homeowner but the monthly fee on top of the equipment costs might be too much of an investment for some all at once even though it’s difficult to put a price on the feeling of security.
PEQ is available for purchase online at mypeq.com and various Best Buy locations across the US, with more distribution partners being announced this fall.
I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.
Looks like a very interesting home security system. I would like to subscribe this one for my home asap. I would like to read some more user reviews about it.