I’ll admit, I’ve been putting off upgrading my home security for a while. I wanted something reliable, but I didn’t want to get tangled up in contracts, monthly monitoring fees, or systems that need a professional to install. After a bit of digging, I landed on the ERA Protect Smart Home Alarm Kit — specifically the 8-piece version. I’ve now had it up and running for a few weeks, so here’s my honest take.
What you get
The kit is a pretty generous bundle. Inside the box you get a central hub, two motion sensors (which are pet-friendly), two door/window sensors, two key fob remotes, and a big outdoor siren. It’s essentially the core pieces you’d want to cover the main points of entry in a medium-sized home. The hub is the brains of the operation, while the external siren is designed to make a racket (104dB) and flash a strobe if triggered.
Everything is wireless, which means you don’t have to start threading cables through your walls. That alone sold me — I’m definitely not the DIY type.
Setup and installation
I found the setup refreshingly straightforward. The hub plugs directly into your router with an ethernet cable, and from there it’s all about pairing each sensor through the ERA Protect app. Every device has a QR code that you scan, and it more or less walks you through the process. The only part that took a little more effort was mounting the siren outside. I had to get the drill out, but once that was done, the rest was easy.
One small hiccup: when I first connected the hub, the LED refused to go green. After some trial and error, I realised it was just the order in which I’d plugged things in. Restarted, reconnected, and it’s been smooth since.
Everyday use
Using the system day to day is where it shines. I can arm or disarm the alarm through the app or with the fobs. The “home” mode is particularly handy — it lets me secure just the doors and windows while keeping the motion sensors off, so we can still move around the house at night without setting anything off.
Notifications come through on my phone almost instantly if a sensor is triggered, and the outdoor siren is definitely loud enough to turn heads on the street. The hub itself makes a decent amount of noise too, though the real deterrent is the siren outside.
The PIR sensors are billed as “pet friendly,” and I can confirm they don’t pick up on my dog (about 18kg). No false alarms so far, which is a relief.
The good and the not-so-good
The good:
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Setup is genuinely easy, even for non-techy types.
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The system is modular — I can add more sensors, cameras, or even another siren later on.
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The siren is loud enough to give any intruder second thoughts.
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App control is clear and straightforward, no steep learning curve.
The not-so-good:
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The app occasionally logs me out for no obvious reason. Not a deal-breaker, but mildly annoying.
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The 4G SIM backup option only works if you pay for a subscription. It’s a nice feature, but I wish the basics came free.
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The fobs are convenient, but they feel a bit plasticky compared to the rest of the kit.
Final thoughts
Overall, I’m really happy with the ERA Protect 8-piece kit. It does exactly what I wanted: gives me peace of mind, without needing a professional installer or a contract. It’s loud, reliable, and easy to expand if I decide I want more coverage later.
It’s not flawless — the app could be more polished, and I’m not keen on having to pay extra for the backup SIM — but for the price, I think it’s a great option. If you’re after a DIY security system that actually feels professional once it’s in place, this one’s well worth a look.
£163.90