VueVille

Blog

  • Secure Remote Viewing of Home Security Cameras – Port forwarding vs. P2P vs. VPN

    Secure Remote Viewing of Home Security Cameras – Port forwarding vs. P2P vs. VPN

    So you have bought security cameras to watch your home while you are away. You followed the manufacturer’s instructions to set up the camera. Voila, you are now able to view your cameras from anywhere in the world. Job done.

    Or is it?

    Most security camera manufacturers now use Peer-to-Peer (P2P) technology to make it very easy to set up their cameras. Of course, the beauty of this method is that you don’t even realise you are using P2P technology. But then you also may not be aware of the extent to which you are trusting the strength of the camera manufacturer’s network security.

    Let’s take a step back and look at the 3 different ways you can view your home security cameras remotely:

    1. Port Forwarding
    2. P2P
    3. VPN connection
    Securely view security camera remotely - Port forwarding vs P2P vs VPN - VueVille

    [wpsm_toplist]

    Port forwarding

    This is the oldest and most common way of remotely connecting to devices on your home network. This is how it works – an external port is opened on your router and forwarded to the device in question, like a security camera. So these ports are always open on your network and your router is listening to incoming connections.

    In other words, it is like leaving the doors of your house not just unlocked, but wide open. Not the best strategy for security.

    Whenever the router detects an incoming connection on these opened ports, it routes the request straight to the security camera specified by the port forwarding rule active for that port.

    Since manually configuring port forwarding can be difficult for most home security camera users, manufacturers started using Universal Plug-n-Play (uPNP) to automatically do it for them. And this is where things start getting dicey.

    Poorly or maliciously written software running on dodgy no-name security cameras often open unnecessary ports on your router. If malicious, these open ports are a backdoor for 3rd parties or the government to monitor your camera. Unscrupulous camera makers may also program their cameras to make active connections to their own servers to keep tabs on how you are using your camera. This is called ‘dialing home’.

    Even if they only open ports and do not download anything to your network, unnecessarily open ports are great targets for hackers and botnet attacks. Just see what’s been going on recently:

    [wpsm_column size=”one-half”][wpsm_pros title=”PROS:”]

    • uPNP makes it easy for manufacturers to automatically set up port forwarding

    [/wpsm_pros][/wpsm_column]

    [wpsm_column size=”one-half” position=”last”][wpsm_cons title=”CONS:”]

    • Downright dangerous and nobody should be using it

    [/wpsm_cons][/wpsm_column]

    So in summary, do not forward ports from your security cameras to the Internet. It is simply not safe enough.

    P2P

    This is now the default way for most security cameras to let users remotely access them and live-stream video footage. It usually involves using the mobile app to scan a QR code on the camera and then everything is set up automatically.

    P2P is like closing the doors of your house and locking them, but with a guard who has the key and can let themselves or anybody else in at any time. You trust your guard not to do that though.

    So how does P2P work? P2P stands for peer-to-peer. There are two devices or peers that need to connect to each other – your security camera at home, and your remote mobile device. This may happen either directly using P2P and port forwarding OR using just P2P and a third-party server that negotiates the connection.

    If uPNP is enabled on your security cameras, watch out. The camera may still use port forwarding in combination with P2P. But disable uPNP and then the security camera is forced to rely on a method called NAT Traversal. Here’s how it all works in simple English:

    Your security camera makes an outgoing connection to the manufacturer’s P2P server and informs the server what your home network’s public IP address on the Internet is. This way, the P2P server knows exactly where your security camera can be found. If your router supports NAT (Network Address Translation), no port forwarding or special permissions are required. Most NAT routers allow all outgoing connections by default. So that’s the security camera side sorted.

    What about your mobile device which may be on a 3G or 4G wireless network? When you first set up the mobile app on your mobile device, you may have scanned the camera’s QR code. So the app knows the unique id of your camera and remembers this. So now the app connects to the manufacturer’s P2P server and does two things:

    1. It tells the P2P server your mobile device’s IP address, i.e. where the mobile app can be found, and
    2. It fetches your camera’s address from the P2P server using its unique id

    Now the mobile app knows everything it needs to connect to the security camera directly. No port forwarding occurs anywhere.

    [wpsm_column size=”one-half”][wpsm_pros title=”PROS:”]

    • Super easy to use

    [/wpsm_pros][/wpsm_column]

    [wpsm_column size=”one-half” position=”last”][wpsm_cons title=”CONS:”]

    • Only as secure as your manufacturer is

    [/wpsm_cons][/wpsm_column]

    VPN Connection

    Now we are talking. This is the most secure way to remotely connect to your security cameras and therefore my chosen method. There’s no middleman in this method, you connect directly to your home network.

    Using a VPN connection to connect to your home is like having just one door into your house, locking it when you leave and only you have the key. Nobody else. Makes sense doesn’t it?

    So how does this method work? For every VPN connection, you need a server and a client. So to dial into your home network, a device on your network has to act as the server. This device needs to be online 24/7. It also needs to be very secure because it will be exposed to the Internet.

    While I have used my DIY NAS NVR as the VPN server also in the past, this approach is no longer recommended due to security risks. Instead I recommend using a dedicated device on your network such as a Raspberry Pi4 or OrangePi Zero running PiVPN (my choice) to serve as the VPN server.

    So a small low-power Pi will act as your VPN server, and you have to forward just one UDP port from your router to your Pi. Yes you can’t avoid some port forwarding but its better to use it for a VPN and expose your PiVPN server to the Internet instead of your NAS or security cameras.

    The next choice you need to make is the VPN protocol to use. This one is easy – just use Wireguard. Most other the other common VPN protocols have been compromised either by hackers or governments. If you have a low-power device like the PiZero, Wireguard is ideal because it performs well on such low-power devices. But if you are using a Pi4 or better, you could choose OpenVPN also.

    When you set up the Wireguard server on your Pi, you will get a client configuration file that you need to load on your OpenVPN client apps. We have written a step-by-step tutorial on setting this up (currently outdated but will be updated soon).

    So you have set up your Wireguard server, but you need to know how to connect to it when you are away from home. You could use the public IP address of your router, but most ISPs use dynamic IP addresses which change every few days. You could pay for a static IP address to overcome this issue. But there’s a cheaper way – Dynamic DNS or DDNS. With DDNS, you can connect to your home network using a custom web address like mynetwork.ddns.net instead of the constantly changing dynamic IP address. How does DDNS work? A device on your network has to periodically update a third party DDNS server with your home network’s public IP address. The DDNS service will associate your selected web address with your home network’s public address.

    Your router may be able to perform the function of keeping your DDNS service updated with your home public IP address. My Unifi USG router has this feature.

    So you find yourself far away from home. Just fire up the Wireguard client app on your laptop or mobile, connect to your PiVPN server and that’s it. You are now virtually at home. All your apps including IP camera apps will think that you are at home and just work. You can also access other devices on your home network.

    Conclusion

    I personally use the Wireguard method to connect to my home network when I am out and about – I recommend this method as it is the most secure.

  • Readers Questions – DIY Security Camera Selection Advice for Elderly Neighbour

    Readers Questions – DIY Security Camera Selection Advice for Elderly Neighbour

    Readers Questions - VueVille


    [wpsm_divider top=”20px” bottom=”20px” style=”clear”]
    We get questions and request for advice from our readers regularly through email and social media. The questions we are asked and their answers may potentially be valuable to others too, so we have decided to share the best ones on the blog.

    Today’s question comes from Paul in San Diego.

    Dear VueVille,

    I’m working on a security camera plan for an older neighbor who lives alone and is concerned about staying safe.

    I noticed that some of the IP cams you recommend have onboard storage, and I wondered if perhaps there might be a way to just skip the NVR and just rely on onboard recording?

    If something did happen, she would likely know about it quickly and I could help her export whatever footage she needed for evidence purposes.

    But I’m not sure how she would be able to view this kind of setup remotely or get a comprehensive view of all of her cameras at once as you can when everything’s being stored on an NVR.

    For example, if she were to buy several of [easyazon_link identifier=”B016UCNPEE” locale=”US” tag=”vueville.com-eaz-20″]Reolink RLC-410S[/easyazon_link], would the Reo-Link software allow her this kind of functionality without an NVR?

    Thanks,
    Paul in San Diego

    [wpsm_divider top=”20px” bottom=”20px” style=”clear”]

    Thanks for the question Paul! Good on you for helping out your neighbour.

    Yes, she can buy cameras with on-board storage for motion detection recording. These are cameras with a feature I like to call a ‘built-in’ NVR (Network Video Recorder). They can be standalone cameras that can record motion detection video clips or snapshots to on-board storage, and lets you view them on a timeline with markers for events. Here’s what the Reolink browser interface looks like:

    Review - Reolink RLC-422 - Web Admin Playback - VueVille
    Click to enlarge

    Just remember to get a high speed SD card like the [easyazon_link identifier=”B073JYVKNX” locale=”US” tag=”vueville.com-eaz-20″]Sandisk Ultra MicroSD[/easyazon_link]. Make sure all the cameras are from the same manufacturer.

    Then she can use the Reolink mobile app or desktop software to live-view them simultaneously in one place. She can also review recorded footage from any of those cameras in the same app. The Reolink app is pretty good and we use it daily as our baby monitor with the Reolink C1 Pro.

    However, there is a risk that a burglar may vandalise or steal the camera. You would then lose the footage of the incident also. You will still have the motion detection email alerts with snapshots of the incident, but there may not be a clear shot of the burglar’s face.

    So we recommend going for an NVR if the budget can be stretched. The other advantage is that your neighbour can have all the cameras record 24/7 instead of only motion triggered recording.

    If it is not possible to stretch to an NVR right away, go with cameras from the same manufacturer. She won’t have any compatibility issues that way.

    You could mix and match camera brands as long as they all support ONVIF and RTSP. You can then use a 3rd party viewer app like tinyCam Monitor Pro or IP Cam Viewer for iOS. But then later on it’s a bit trickier to get an NVR which will work with all the cameras.

    Another downside of the built-in NVR method is that the motion detection of the Reolinks (and Amcrests) is the basic variety. So there will be quite a few false alerts. False alerts are bad for obvious reasons, but the longer-term issue with false alerts is that users will eventually start ignoring alerts altogether. After all, they could be false right?

    So there’s a real risk they may ignore that one genuine alert that happens once a month. The Hikvision and Dahua models have advanced motion detection. This is more difficult to set up but is far better in the long run because false alerts can then easily be minimised.

    We hope this gives you the information to continue with the camera install.

    If you have questions related to home security cameras or smart home gear, send it in now!

  • 15 Biggest Mistakes when buying DIY Home Security Cameras

    15 Biggest Mistakes when buying DIY Home Security Cameras

    Common Mistakes to Avoid while Buying DIY Home Security Cameras - VueVille

    Its not easy to decide which security camera to buy, is it? So many specs to understand and compare, so many brands to choose from, and so many watch outs. So its wise to take a little time to do your research. This is, after all, something that concerns your family’s safety and well-being.

    If you are brand new to security cameras or have been out of the game for a few years, there’s a lot to catch up on. But the key is to keep things simple – the core purpose of a security camera has not changed. You need to find something that is affordable, works reliably 24/7, and is well-made.

    So what are the biggest mistakes commonly made when buying DIY home security cameras?

    [wpsm_toplist]

    15 Biggest Mistakes to avoid when Buying DIY Home Security Cameras - Pinterest - VueVille

    Buying the cheapest security camera

    The temptation to cheap out and buy the cheapest security camera is very strong, what with the hundreds of generic no-name Chinese brands around.

    Don’t do this – not only do these cameras generally have a poor feature set but most of them also have poor security. They may compromise your home network by opening ports on your router (port forwarding), connecting to unknown servers on the Internet(dialing home), or serving as a backdoor for hackers or foreign governments.

    Solution: Stick with the trusted brands and know what to look for when buying a security camera.

    Buying the best-selling security camera

    Another equally common mistake is to base purchase decisions off your favourite online retailer’s best-sellers list. The cheap cameras mentioned above make up the bulk of these lists. Unsurprisingly people think they can save a buck by skimping, but you really get what you pay for.

    Solution: A far better way is to assess your needs, decide what features you want, and buy from a trusted brand. Check out our IP camera guide here.

    Picking a cloud-reliant security camera

    The latest trend is to strip a camera’s features right down to the bone, and sell it as a cloud camera. We can’t think of anything worse than this.

    These cameras are the very antithesis of security. The worst of the lot will simply not work unless there is an active connection to the manufacturer’s cloud servers. This is because they do not have local storage at all (for example, the Nest Cam Outdoor camera).

    So if an intruder has disabled your Internet or if the manufacturer’s servers are down, it cannot record the motion triggered clip anywhere. Absolutely useless.

    Ever so slightly better are the cameras that have a local recording backup but won’t let you access them – it is merely a temporary holding place in case the cloud server connection is lost (Netgear Arlo Security Camera System with Base Station).

    Solution: Refuse to buy a security camera that becomes an expensive paperweight without an Internet connection.

    Picking a security camera with no local storage

    Continuing in the same vein as cloud-reliance, cameras without local storage are totally useless if the cloud server is unreachable!

    Most DIY security cameras from the serious brands such as Hikvision, Dahua, Bosch, Sony, Canon, Axis, Vivotek, Amcrest and Reolink have on-board SD card slots. These are great for stand-alone use or as a backup location for motion recorded clips.

    Solution: Even if you believe your Internet connection and your cloud camera provider’s servers are infallible, get a camera with an SD card storage as a backup.

    Deciding to pay a monthly fee for cloud-recording

    Consumer behaviour has changed significantly with the advent of easy credit. People have fallen for the ‘pay a lower price upfront and then a little more every month’ instead of a one-off purchase price. This may sometimes make sense for leasing cars, but very rarely does for a security camera.

    A particularly egregious example is selling security cameras that are cloud-reliant, have no local storage, and do not have ONVIF or RTSP support. So you can’t connect them to a standards-compliant 3rd party NVR.

    They then force you to purchase a monthly cloud recording plan so that your neutered camera can actually do what it was supposed to. Oh and don’t forget the regular price increases.

    Solution: Say no to cameras that try to flog you a monthly payment. They are simply not needed and are a total rip-off. What you buy should be 100% yours, not for the manufacturer to cripple and hold you hostage as and when they feel like it.

    Picking only Wi-Fi cameras vs. wired cameras

    This is a big one – a surprisingly large number of people do not realise that Wi-Fi is not 100% reliable. Yes it has come a long way since the early 2000s when your laptop would struggle to maintain a Wi-Fi connection. But it is still nowhere near the reliability required for something as critical as protecting your family.

    Its easy to think why Wi-Fi is great if you are just thinking of browsing the net. But use it for real-time data transfer 24/7 at some distance from the router and it won’t be so reliable.

    The right way of doing it is to use wired cameras by default unless you have a location that you cannot run cables to and you use a wireless camera with on-board storage.

    Now, this may be the far end of your garden or some other similarly inaccessible location. Even so, if the location is a critical entry/exit point, it should be covered by a wired camera as well just in case you can’t access it remotely due to Wi-Fi failure.

    Solution: Use a mix of wired and wireless cameras, and wireless cameras should have on-board storage for the eventual Wi-Fi connection failure.

    Buying a low resolution security camera

    We recommend only security cameras with 1080p or 2 Megapixel resolution. Any lower and you are not going to get enough detail to identify faces.

    For this reason, 720p cameras have virtually disappeared from most security camera’s lineups. So imagine my surprise when we recently found a 720p camera in the best-sellers list.

    Solution: Go for at least 1080p (2 MP) resolution, 3 MP is even better.

    Choosing a camera with poor night vision

    Almost every IP camera these days has night vision, but the brightness and range of the InfraRed LEDs varies wildly. There are two types of IR LED systems:

    • the very common but inferior ring-type LED arrangement which is made of a few dozen small IR LEDs arranged in a ring around the camera lens
    • the superior EXIR LEDs which are fewer in number but brighter and do not have a flashlight effect

    Also make sure the camera has a true IR cut filter to avoid false colour during daytime. Automatic day/night switching is a standard feature, but in more expensive cameras you can control the switching behaviour.

    Not installing enough security cameras to cover your property

    A common mistake is to put up cameras only in areas around the house you want to watch. Instead, think about every entry/exit point into your property and cover those areas.

    Also consider covering the perimeter so that you can spot intruders scaling perimeter walls or fences.

    Not using an NVR

    So you have realised that you need more than one security camera. But now how do you view the feeds from all the cameras in one place?

    How can you record the footage from the cameras 24/7, and keep a 14 day history for example? You need an NVR.

    If you want to do it the simple way without getting into the nitty-gritties, do it the EasyDIY way of getting an all-in-one security camera package. Or if you like to customise and set up a smart home automation system, check out how we did it.

    Choosing the wrong type of camera for the installation location

    There are a wide range of IP camera form factors – bullets, domes, mini-domes, turrets, PTZs, indoor cube cameras and so on. Each one is designed for a specific use case.

    For example you should use a dome with a vandal-protection rating like IK10 in an area with high traffic and where the risk of vandalism is high.

    Bullets are a bit cheaper but are prone to being knocked off target by a projectile, so are better for locations where they are well out of reach.

    There are also motorized cameras, these can be a Pan-Tilt-Zoom (PTZ), a Pan-Tilt camera or one with just motorized zoom.

    Outdoor cameras with motorized zoom are great for narrow alleys or sides of the property. Pan-tilts are usually found on indoor IP cameras.  A PTZ is great for doing automatic tours of the scene, especially one where there is a large area to cover.

    Of course you should also have some non-zoomed in IP cameras covering the same scene so that the PTZ doesn’t miss anything while touring.

    Choosing a camera with narrow viewing angle

    The viewing angle of a camera depends on the focal length of its lens. The widest angle cameras have a 2.8mm lens which equates to a viewing angle of around 90-110 degrees.

    But some cameras have even wider viewing angles but this might introduce distortion to the recorded video. Of course you could choose a camera with a motorized lens to retain flexibility.

    Positioning the camera too high

    An incredibly common error is to place your security camera on the 2nd floor of the house, and then either pointed down over the driveway or just watching the whole neighbourhood.

    Remember, the main purpose of the camera is to record clearly the faces of people approaching the camera or entering the scene. For this to work, the camera has to be slightly above the average person’s head height.

    Not optimising installation location for motion detection

    Sticking with the theme of security camera installation, the bane of a security camera enthusiast’s life are false motion detection alerts. You want to get these alerts only where there is a real movement in places that you do not expect at times you do not expect.

    This is where a smart definition of motion detection rules come in. By carefully assessing the entry and exit points, the direction in which intruders can move, the way the shadows from clouds fall etc., you can virtually eliminate false motion detection alerts.

    Not having a plan for your home security

    We strongly recommend thinking about the following points before buying anything:

    • How many cameras will you need?
    • Do you need motion detection alerts?
    • Do you need 24/7 recording?
    • How will you view the camera recordings?
    • Do you want to view all your security cameras live feeds simultaneously on a single screen?
    • Do you want to playback all your security cameras simultaneously on a single screen?
    • Do you want push notifications, or will email alerts do?
    • Do you want to set up a smart home? Say, for viewing your cameras on any device around the house if motion is detected outside? Sounds good right?

    So once you have decided what you want, then start thinking of which security camera to buy. Check out our smart home strategy guide to guide you.

    Conclusion

    Security cameras are simply great, but it takes a little bit of work to learn about them. The benefit is that you can avoid the common mistakes we talked about and get the best bang for your buck!

    More resources

    Here are some starting points for your security camera research:

  • Seagate IronWolf vs. WD RED – NAS Hard Drives Compared

    Seagate IronWolf vs. WD RED – NAS Hard Drives Compared

    When I was choosing the hard drives for my DIY NAS NVR system, I did a ton of research. I wanted to record all my IP cameras 24/7, so reliability and performance were very important to me.

    In this article, I will share all my findings so that you have all the information you need to make the right choice.

    Seagate Ironwolf vs WD RED - VueVille

    A quick note: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This post contains affiliate link(s). An affiliate link means I may earn advertising or referral fees if you make a purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you.

    Seagate IronWolf vs. WD RED Plus – Comparison Table

    [table id=78 responsive=scroll /]

    Seagate IronWolf vs. WD RED Plus

    Since the inferior SMR-based WD Red drives have been officially discontinued and replaced by the newer CMR-based WD Red Plus drives, we will compare the Ironwolf vs the WD Red Plus drives.

    Performance

    Comparing real-life benchmarks & independent testing by other publications such as Toms Hardware have shown that the WD Red Plus drives are much faster than both the Ironwolf & older WD Red drives.

    Reliability

    While we may not have specific reliability data for the IronWolf and RED drives, one cloud storage provider regularly publishes drive failure data for all the drives it uses – Backblaze.

    Please note that the Seagate hard drives they use are the Exos variety, not Ironwolf. Still, it gives us some sense of how reliable the Seagate brand is.

    Looking at the latest Backblaze data, in general the WD drives appear to have less reliability than Seagate. But at lower capacities, Seagate seems to be much worse. So a real mixed bag. Although do note the sample size is much larger in Seagate’s case for most drive sizes, generally the higher the sample size, the more accurate the data becomes.

    WD Red Plus drives’ lack of a vibration sensor is surprising given that the IronWolf has it on all its drive models. Also worth noting is that the WD RED’s Nonrecoverable Read Errors Rate of 1 in 10^14 is worse than that of the IronWolf’s 1 in 10^15.

    So let’s call it a tie when it comes to reliability.

    Noise levels

    The IronWolf runs at higher RPMs compared to the WD RED, so its no surprise that the IronWolf is also louder on average than the WD RED drives.

    I have been using the original CMR-based WD Red drives in my QNAP TS-253A and can confirm that these drives are super quiet. I have my NAS in my living room, inside the TV unit and can barely hear the drives when they are active.

    Why you should not buy the discontinued WD Red drives – the CMR vs. SMR controversy

    The biggest issue with the now discontinued WD Red drives is their SMR recording technology. CMR is widely recognised as the superior technology whereas SMR is a newer slightly inferior tech that especially suffers from poor random write speed.

    Let’s start with Western Digital. A few years ago all WD drives used to be CMR. This was also how WD described their drives in their marketing material. These are the drives that are still spinning in my QNAP NAS.

    But in early 2020, several users started complaining about unusually lengthy RAID building times or outright failures on adding their brand new WD RED drives to an existing RAID array (also called re-silvering).

    When pressed, WD admitted that they had switched some of their drive models from CMR to SMR without notice. WD even settled a class action suit related to this matter and promised better communication. As part of the settlement, WD admitted that the SMR based RED drives are not suitable for NAS and RAID usage.

    What about Seagate and even Toshiba? Well they too have admitted selling SMR drives without disclosing it.

    The whole controversy had one positive effect – WD is required to disclose the recording technology used in their drives for 4 years whereas Seagate is doing so in their marketing material and datasheets.

    So where does that leave us today? Unfortunately, the WD Red drives are now all SMR. But thankfully, they have been discontinued, but some stores are still selling off old inventory, so buyer beware!

    If you want CMR, you need to step up to the [easyazon_link identifier=”B08VH8C3WZ” locale=”US” tag=”vueville.com-eaz-hdd-20″]WD Red Plus model range[/easyazon_link]. While some users may be able to make do with the SMR-based WD RED drives, I suggest you give them a miss.

    The VueVille Verdict

    Drive technology – Tie because both Seagate IronWolf & the WD Red Plus drives use CMR recording technology instead of the inferior SMR.
    Performance – WD Red Plus has the edge.
    Reliability – Tie.
    Noise – WD Red wins.

    Overall, the WD Red wins.

    So which one did I choose?

    I wanted to run a RAID 1 setup so that all my data would be backed up on 2 disk drives – for this reason I was not after absolute speed and the WD RED drives were available at a better price point. Also note that this was before WD started selling SMR drives without disclosing the change from CMR. So I am very happy with my old CMR-based WD REDs.

    Soon it will be time to replace my NAS drives, and I will go with either the WD Red Plus or the WD Red Pro drives.

    Where to buy

    [easyazon_image align=”center” height=”160″ identifier=”B01LZDFMWQ” locale=”US” src=”https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/414vhkpn13L._SL160_.jpg” tag=”vueville.com-eaz-20″ width=”160″]
    Seagate IronWolf NAS Drive
    [easyazon_link identifier=”B01LZDFMWQ” locale=”US” tag=”vueville.com-eaz-fbox-20″]Check Amazon Price[/easyazon_link]
    [easyazon_image align=”center” height=”160″ identifier=”B07MYL7KVK” locale=”US” src=”https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41TVvXeHAIL._SL160_.jpg” tag=”vueville.com-eaz-20″ width=”132″]
    WD Red NAS Drive
    [easyazon_link identifier=”B07MYL7KVK” locale=”US” tag=”vueville.com-eaz-fbox-20″]Check Amazon Price[/easyazon_link]
  • Best Z-Wave Recessed Door Sensors – 2024 Recommendations

    Best Z-Wave Recessed Door Sensors – 2024 Recommendations

    After creating the most comprehensive Z-Wave Door Sensor roundup on the net, we now turn our attention to Z-Wave recessed door sensors.

    [wpsm_titlebox title=”Contents” style=”main”][contents h2 h3][/wpsm_titlebox]

    A quick note: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This post contains affiliate link(s). An affiliate link means I may earn advertising or referral fees if you make a purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you.

    Why Z-Wave Recessed Door Sensors

    Sometimes you don’t want an unsightly bulky contact sensor cramping the style of your beautiful doors or windows. Yes there are slim sensors like the Aeotec Door Sensor 6 but they are most certainly not invisible!

    To make your door sensors truly invisible, you need recessed door sensors. These are also made of 2 halves just like any door sensor, but they are installed inside the door frame and doors or windows.

    For sure these are more difficult to install but the fact that it is totally hidden cannot be beaten. Do bear in mind though – recessed sensors tend to have weaker Z-Wave wireless range.

    Zwave Door Sensor Aeotec Recessed Door Sensor 7, Z-Wave Plus Enabled Smart Door Sensor Battery Powered, SmartStart S2, Zwave Hub Required SmartThings Fibaro Home Centre 3 Hubitat
    Check Amazon *
    ×
    Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on https://www.amazon.com/ at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.

    The Aeotec Recessed Door Sensor 7 is the most popular indoor sensor model around. Not a surprise really as they are a great brand and have a humongous range of Z-Wave products. Just like their other sensors, this one is also of the Z-Wave Plus variety giving improved wireless speed, range, security, and battery life.

    This sensor looks just like any other recessed sensor – white in colour, but it is just 0.4″ in width. That means you can get away with drilling a small hole into your door. There are two halves – the larger main sensor and the smaller magnetic sensor. The main sensor houses the battery and the electronics. There is also a red LED. However there is no tamper detection.

    Surprisingly, Aeotec claims a range of up to 150 feet but this really depends on the door material, the thickness of your walls and the number of walls between the sensor and the Z-Wave hub. The included 3V CR2 lithium battery is rated at 800mAh capacity, and should last up to a year.

    On the software front, the sensor supports AES 128-bit communication encryption and Z-Wave S2 security.

    Aeotec-Z-Wave-Recessed-Door-Sensor-VueVille

    Full specs:

    • Transmits open/closed status & battery status
    • Z-Wave Plus certified
    • Size: 71 x 20 x 22 mm (main body), 40 x 11 x 11 mm (magnet)
    • 1x CR2 lithium battery
    • 12 months battery life
    • Weather rating: Indoor only, operating temperature: -10° to 60°C
    • Operating range of 150 metres (492 feet)
    • Works with Home Assistant, Hubitat, Samsung SmartThings and other Z-Wave hubs
    Buy on Amazon*

    (* = affiliate link / image source: Amazon Associates Program)

    Source: Sensative.com

    If you require a door or window sensor that can be used outdoors, the stylish and unique Sensative Strips is the only option.

    Its marketed as being invisible because it is only 3 mm thick and in most cases can be mounted between the door/window and its frame. The custom non-removable non-rechargeable battery used by Sensative can last up to an incredible 10 years. The default wakeup interval is 24 hours, but it can be set to as little as 30 minutes but at the cost of battery life. Sensative provides an extended warranty of 3 years for the built-in battery.

    There are 3 separate pieces – the main sensor body, a rectangular magnet and a small button-like magnet. The strips have a tamper detection sensor and an LED that indicates magnetic contact. The maximum range of magnetic contact is 15 mm.

    By itself the strips have a wireless range of up to 40 metres, but the presence of a nearby AC powered Z-Wave device acting as a repeater can boost this to 150 metres.

    The Sensative Strip Guard is also available in a Zigbee version which also sports a temperature sensor.

    Full specs:

    • Transmits open/closed status & battery status
    • Z-Wave Plus certified
    • Size: 195 x 15 x 3 mm (main body), 30 x 11 x 1 mm (magnet 1), diameter 12 * 3 mm (magnet 2)
    • Built-in non-rechargeable battery
    • 10 years battery life
    • Weather rating: Outdoor, operating temperature: -10° to 60°C
    • Operating range of 150 metres (492 feet)
    • Works with Home Assistant, Hubitat, Samsung SmartThings and other Z-Wave hubs

    Conclusion

    As you can see, there are not many recessed Z-Wave door sensors on the market. But the two very diverse options above are both great choices.

  • Best Z-Wave Door Sensors – 2024 Recommendations

    Best Z-Wave Door Sensors – 2024 Recommendations

    One of the great things about using a Z-Wave based home automation system is the sheer choice of accessories available for everything from door sensors to motion detectors.

    The Z-Wave door/window sensors we will look at today are perfect for automating your smart home. Here are some of the things these door sensors can do through your a Z-Wave based smart home hub:

    • Turn down the thermostat automatically if external doors or windows are open for too long.
    • Give voice alerts or send push notifications to your smartphone if a window is open past a particular time of the day
    • If there’s a door that shouldn’t normally be opened, use one of these door sensors to keep an eye on it!
    • Make a mailbox sensor so that you can get voice and push alerts for new mail

    Remember you should not use Z-Wave door/window sensors as your primary means of securing your property. It is best practice to use dedicated alarm panels for home security which can also interface with your Z-Wave hub. Examples are the alarm panels and systems from DSC and Honeywell.

    [wpsm_titlebox title=”Contents” style=”main”][contents h2][/wpsm_titlebox]

    A quick note: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This post contains affiliate link(s). An affiliate link means I may earn advertising or referral fees if you make a purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you.

    How do Z-Wave door sensors work?

    You may have heard them being referred to as contact sensors, but door sensors don’t actually touch each other. All door sensors will also have two halves – a main sensor body containing the battery and electronics and a magnetic half. These can be separated by a small gap of not more than an inch or so. Whenever the gap between the two halves exceeds this limit, ‘magnetic contact’ is broken and they report an ‘open’ status change to your Z-Wave hub.

    What are the different types of Z-Wave door sensors?

    Depending on the form factor, we can group them into the following categories:

    • Door and Window Sensors
      • These come in two halves – the main sensor housing with the battery and the smaller magnet. One half goes on the door frame and the other half goes on the door.
    • Recessed Door Sensors
      • These also come in two halves, but the larger half contains the battery and is recessed into the door frame. The smaller magnet is recessed into the door.

    Regardless of which form they take, some models can measure not just open/close (or magnetic contact), but also temperature or humidity. An example is the [easyazon_link identifier=”B00K252JV6″ locale=”US” tag=”vueville.com-eaz-20″]Philio Door/Window Multisensor[/easyazon_link]. If you would like to learn more about multisensors, check out this post.

    How do I install a Z-Wave door sensor

    Like any Z-Wave device, you have to ‘include’ them in your Z-Wave network by following the manufacturer’s inclusion method.

    From years of experience working with Z-Wave, I have two tips I would like to mention:

    • Factory reset the device before you start the inclusion process. This step alone has saved me hours of frustration while setting up a Z-Wave device
    • Put the device as close as possible to the Z-Wave hub while performing the inclusion process. Definitely aim for <1 metre distance between the two. This should also help with the common issue where the device gets included but in non-secure mode.

    What should I look for in a door sensor?

    • Size: If you are after discreet sensors, your options may be limited but they do exist.
    • Z-Wave Plus: The newer Z-Wave Plus standard comes with improved wireless range, longer battery life and secured communications. Most Z-Wave sensors come with Z-Wave Plus certification these days but its good to check anyway.
    • Sensitivity: Because door and window sensors work on magnets, there is a limit to how far apart you can place the two halves of the sensor. For example, the [easyazon_link identifier=”B01E0OMQR6″ locale=”US” tag=”vueville.com-eaz-20″]Aeotec Door/Window Sensor 6[/easyazon_link] can work over a gap of up to 2.2 cm or 0.87 inches. Also be aware that if your door or window doesn’t close flush with the frame, the two halves end up ind different planes, sensitivity will be lower and as a result the maximum effective gap reduces.
    • Battery life: Typically 1 – 2 years, the smaller door sensors have smaller capacity batteries and thus lower battery life. Some have up to 3 years battery life. Rechargeable models are rare but do exist – see the Aeotec rechargeable door sensor.

    [text-blocks id=”5527″ slug=”earning-disclaimer”]

    Best Z-Wave Door/Window Sensors for 2024

    Aeotec Door/Window Sensor 7 (ZWA008)

    [easyazon_image align=”center” height=”500″ identifier=”B07PDDX3K6″ locale=”US” src=”https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41oiOWeenXL.jpg” tag=”vueville.com-eaz-20″ width=”500″]

    The Aeotec Door/Window Sensor 7 is a sleek and stylish sensor that has 3 sensors actually – the magnetic contact sensor, a tilt sensor and a dry contact sensor. Unlike its predecessor which came with a sealed rechargeable battery, this new iteration uses a single 1/2 AA battery.

    The sensor consists of 2 parts. The main body uses two magnetic reed switches placed along its edge and is triggered by the 20 mm wide magnet which can be placed up to 15mm away.

    The ZW-120 was another Aeotec model that did not use a rechargeable battery. But that has now been discontinued.

    Full specs:

    • Simple DIY installation with screws or double sided tape
    • Transmits open/closed status
    • Z-Wave Plus certified
    • Size of sensor: Height – 19mm/0.75inches, Width – 71mm/2.8inches, Depth – 18mm/0.7inches
    • Size of magnet: Height-8mm/0.13inches, Width-20mm/0.78inches, Depth-11mm/0.43inches
    • Weather rating: IP20
    • Tamper-proof
    • Operating range of 150 metres (492 feet) point to point
    • Over the Air (OTA) firmware upgrade
    • S2 Security
    • AES 128 bit security encryption
    • Paintable for invisible installation. Crafted from acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) plastic
    • Compatible with Samsung SmartThings, Vera, Zipabox, HomeSeer, Ring, Open Z-Wave, Nexia, Domoticz and other Z-Wave hubs

    [easyazon_link identifier=”B07PDDX3K6″ locale=”US” tag=”vueville.com-eaz-20″]View on Amazon[/easyazon_link]

    Fibaro Z-Wave Plus Door/Window Sensor with Temperature Measurement (FGK-101 ZW5)

    [easyazon_image align=”center” height=”483″ identifier=”B074FCG1PF” locale=”US” src=”https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/415bIRSwT1L.jpg” tag=”vueville.com-eaz-20″ width=”500″]

    Fibaro is another favourite brand of mine. These guys have a wide range of high quality, well-built yet affordable Z-Wave products.

    This door/window sensor has a small footprint and comes in 7 different colours – white, grey, black, cream, and 3 shades of brown. But that’s not all, it has an ace up its sleeve – it can also measure temperature.

    A small blue LED lights whenever contact is made or broken, a nice visual indicator that the device is functional.

    Full specs:

    • Transmits open/closed status
    • Z-Wave Plus certified
    • Size: 76 x 17 x 19 mm
    • Tamper-proof
    • ER14250 ½ AA battery
    • 12-24 months battery life
    • Weather rating: Indoor, 0-40°C operating temperature
    • Operating range of 50 metres (164 feet)
    • AES 128 bit security encryption
    • Potential-free input allowing to connect a button or binary sensor
    • Compatible with the DS18B20 temperature sensor
    • Works with Samsung SmartThings, Vera Plus and other Z-Wave hubs

    [easyazon_link identifier=”B074FCG1PF” locale=”US” tag=”vueville.com-eaz-20″]View on Amazon[/easyazon_link]

    Ecolink Zwave Plus Door & Window Sensor (DWZWAVE2.5-ECO)

    [easyazon_image align=”center” height=”500″ identifier=”B01N5HB4U5″ locale=”US” src=”https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/21gnASMGHSL.jpg” tag=”vueville.com-eaz-20″ width=”274″]

    Ecolink is a leading manufacturer of low power wireless systems and have been in the game for over 20 years. They claim that they use rare earth magnets in their door sensors to improve accuracy.

    This sensor has a glossy white coating that makes it stand out a bit from the rest of its ilk. Tool-free access enables you to quickly open it if required. An interesting feature is the input on the sensor to which a non-powered external contact can be connected. It will also report a tamper state whenever the cover is opened.

    The maximum gap possible between the two sensor halves is 5/8″, and Ecolink claims that this makes it ideal for commercial or double hung windows.

    To include the sensor in your network, first put your Z-Wave hub in inclusion mode. Pull out the plastic pull-tab from the back of the sensor, thus activating the device. The sensor should automatically start the inclusion process and when complete, the red LED will become solid red and then go out. Now test the sensor by bringing the two halves togther and then apart, the red LED should blink once. If it blinks 5 times instead, the inclusion process failed and needs to be repeated. I would suggest resetting the sensor and include it by keeping it not more than 1 metre from your Z-Wave hub.

    Full specs:

    • Transmits open/closed status, tamper notification, battery status and low battery alert
    • Z-Wave Plus certified
    • Attach with provided adhesive pads, screws or glue
    • Tamper-proof
    • 3 years battery life
    • 1x CR123A battery
    • Size: Sensor Body: 3 x 1.1 x .75 in, Magnet Piece: 3 x .5 x .75 inches
    • Weather rating: indoor only, Operating temperature: 0° to 49°C
    • Up to 30 m/100 ft maximum range outdoors
    • Works with Samsung SmartThings, Vera Plus and other Z-Wave hubs

    [easyazon_link identifier=”B0722H445L” locale=”US” tag=”vueville.com-eaz-20″]View on Amazon[/easyazon_link]

    Neo Coolcam Z-Wave Door/Window Sensor

    [easyazon_image align=”center” height=”500″ identifier=”B07QDS5DZ4″ locale=”US” src=”https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/31MrRLqmkCL.jpg” tag=”vueville.com-eaz-20″ width=”500″]

    Neo Coolcam is a Chinese brand that has been launching affordable Z-Wave gear recently. We have tested and reviewed their motion sensor, siren alarm and their door sensor products.

    The Neo Coolcam door/window sensor is a glossy white affair with a concealed RED LED that activates whenever contact is made or broken. We have been using this sensor for 6 months and have been very impressed by its reliable performance and battery life. The only negative is that it doesn’t have tamper detection sensor.

    Read our hands-on review in details here:
    [wpsm_top postid=5930]

    Full specs:

    • Transmits open/closed status & battery status
    • Z-Wave Plus certified
    • Attach with glue or screws
    • Size: 71 x 20 x 22 mm (main body), 40 x 11 x 11 mm (magnet)
    • 1x CR2 battery
    • 12-24 months battery life
    • Weather rating: IP20 outdoor rated, operating temperature: 0° – 40°C
    • Operating range of 60 metres (200 feet)
    • Works with Samsung SmartThings, Vera Plus and other Z-Wave hubs

    [easyazon_link identifier=”B07QDS5DZ4″ locale=”US” tag=”vueville.com-eaz-20″]View on Amazon[/easyazon_link]

    Monoprice Z-Wave Plus Door and Window Sensor (24259)

    [easyazon_image align=”center” height=”375″ identifier=”B073WFL9SC” locale=”US” src=”https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/31Aku3Q1VlL.jpg” tag=”vueville.com-eaz-20″ width=”500″]

    Monprice has a great line-up of Z-Wave products. I have been using a few of their cheap and cheerful 4-in-1 multisensors with great results, and now here we have their door window sensor.

    This is not a fancy sensor and its designed to get the job done at the lowest possible cost. So it looks very industrial, is not particularly small but surprisingly is not light on features.

    It does have the latest Z-Wave Plus chip though, and has a very good operating range of 300 feet. It does use 2x AAA batteries, and this could be the secret of its 1 year battery life. An LED is present which indicates opening or closing. You also get tamper detection.

    Full specs:

    • Transmits open/closed status & battery status
    • Z-Wave Plus certified
    • Attach with glue or screws
    • Size: 3.0″ x 1.1″ x 0.7″ (75 x 28 x 18 mm) sensor, and 3.0″ x 0.5″ x 0.7″ (75 x 12 x 18 mm) magnet
    • LED indicator
    • 2x AAA battery
    • 12-24 months battery life
    • Weather rating: Indoor only, operating temperature +32 ~ +104°F (0 ~ +40°C)
    • Operating range of 30 m indoors (98 feet), 100 m outdoors (328 feet)
    • Tamper detection
    • Works with Samsung SmartThings, Vera Plus and other Z-Wave hubs

    [easyazon_link identifier=”B073WFL9SC” locale=”US” tag=”vueville.com-eaz-20″]View on Amazon[/easyazon_link]

    Philio Z-Wave Multi-sensor (PSM01)

    [easyazon_image align=”center” height=”500″ identifier=”B00K252JV6″ locale=”US” src=”https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41lwJ%2BKlEZL.jpg” tag=”vueville.com-eaz-20″ width=”464″]

    Philio is a Taiwanese manufacturer that has been in business since 2012. They make a range of home automation and security products including cameras, sensors, controllers, smart plugs and even door locks.

    The PST02 series of sensors comes in three models indicated by the suffix A, B or C after the model name. A indicates the 4-in-1 model which has sensors for motion, illumination, temperature and the door/window open/close detection, B loses the open/close sensor, whereas C loses the PIR motion detector. All three models have the latest Z-Wave 500 series chip allowing concurrent multi-channel support to reduce interference, improved RF range, and up to 100kbps transmission speed.

    The Philio Tech multisensor comes pre-installed with a CR123A battery. The included user guide is very detailed, accurate and well-written. Adding the Philio sensor to your Z-Wave sensor is just like adding any other Z-Wave device – but the sensor makes it even easier and auto-starts the inclusion process when you pull off the insulation mylar. The device also supports the exclusion, reset and association modes as expected.

    There are also two tamper-proof switches at the back and the front which are great considering you will have it installed on doors or windows. Some other interesting features are the OTA (Over The Air) firmware upgrade and a DIP switch to put the device into Test mode. Test mode allows you to test the device functionality without actually installing it.

    Full specs:

    • Motion, Light, Temperature, Open/Close
    • Indoor only
    • 1x CR123A Battery (up to 2 years life)
    • Tamper-proof
    • Up to 40m range indoors
    • Works with Samsung SmartThings, Vera Plus and other Z-Wave hubs

    [easyazon_link identifier=”B00K252JV6″ locale=”US” tag=”vueville.com-eaz-20″]View on Amazon[/easyazon_link]

    HomeSeer HS-DS100+ Z-Wave Plus Door/Window Sensor

    [easyazon_image align=”center” height=”500″ identifier=”B0722H445L” locale=”US” src=”https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41svTTbJvWL.jpg” tag=”vueville.com-eaz-20″ width=”500″]

    I use the HomeSeer HS3 software to control my Z-Wave network and for home automation. HomeSeer also makes Z-Wave accessories such as this HS-DS100+ door/window sensor.

    Full specs:

    • Transmits open/closed status, tamper notification, battery status and low battery alert
    • Z-Wave Plus certified
    • Attach with provided adhesive pads, screws or glue
    • Tamper-proof
    • 12 months battery life
    • 2x AAA Battery (up to 2 years life)
    • Size: Sensor Body: 3 x 1.1 x .75 in, Magnet Piece: 3 x .5 x .75 inches
    • Weather rating: indoor only, Operating temperature: 0° to 40°C
    • Up to 300ft maximum range outdoors
    • Works with Samsung SmartThings, Vera Plus and other Z-Wave hubs

    [easyazon_link identifier=”B0722H445L” locale=”US” tag=”vueville.com-eaz-20″]View on Amazon[/easyazon_link]

    Haozee Z-Wave Door/Window Sensor

    [easyazon_image align=”center” height=”500″ identifier=”B07BK65MLH” locale=”US” src=”https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/31y1LshBHZL.jpg” tag=”vueville.com-eaz-20″ width=”500″]

    The Haozee Z-Wave door sensor seems to be a rebranded Neo Coolcam Door/Window sensor. As such it has the same features as that sensor.

    Full specs:

    • Transmits open/closed status & battery status
    • Z-Wave Plus certified
    • Attach with glue or screws
    • Size: 71 x 20 x 22 mm (main body), 40 x 11 x 11 mm (magnet)
    • 1x CR2 battery
    • 12-24 months battery life
    • Weather rating: IP20 outdoor rated, operating temperature: 0° – 40°C
    • Operating range of 60 metres (200 feet)
    • Works with Samsung SmartThings, Vera Plus and other Z-Wave hubs

    [easyazon_link identifier=”B0722H445L” locale=”US” tag=”vueville.com-eaz-20″]View on Amazon[/easyazon_link]

    GoControl Z-Wave Door/Window Sensor (WADWAZ-1) (Also branded as Linear)

    [easyazon_image align=”center” height=”500″ identifier=”B00MNYSEF4″ locale=”US” src=”https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/31UmxyKkaqL.jpg” tag=”vueville.com-eaz-20″ width=”500″]

    GoControl is a popular brand owned by California-based Nortek Security and Control. They produce a huge range of home automation products ranging from smart bulbs, switches, doorbells to Z-Wave sensors.

    The WADWAZ-1 Door sensor is a reed-switch type sensor and can operate at a maximum gap of 0.75″ between the sensor body and the magnet. Powered by a single CR-123A battery, it can operate for up to 1 year continuously.

    A red LED is included on the main sensor body to indicate open/close sensing. When you first insert the battery, this LED will start flashing slowly indicating that it is not part of a Z-Wave network yet. Put your hub into inclusion mode. Inclusion will start automatically and is complete when the red LED stops flashing. If automatic inclusion didn’t work, you can attempt manual inclusion by holding the program/tamper switch for 1 second and releasing. When inclusion is successful, the LED will stop blinking.

    This is the only sensor I have come across that can monitor an additional opening, such as an external normally closed switch contact which is connected to the sensor’s external input terminals.

    Full specs:

    • Transmits open/closed status, tamper notification, battery status and low battery alert
    • Can monitor an additional wired contact sensor
    • Z-Wave certified
    • Attach with provided adhesive pads, screws or glue
    • Tamper-proof
    • 1x CR123A battery
    • Up to 100ft maximum range outdoors
    • Works with Samsung SmartThings, Vera Plus and other Z-Wave hubs

    The GoControl door and window sensor is also marketed as the [easyazon_link identifier=”B00MOF2IPY” locale=”US” tag=”vueville.com-eaz-20″]Linear Z-Wave Door/Window Sensor[/easyazon_link].

    [easyazon_link identifier=”B00MNYSEF4″ locale=”US” tag=”vueville.com-eaz-20″]View on Amazon[/easyazon_link]

    BeSense ZWave Plus Door and Window Sensor (IM20)

    [easyazon_image align=”center” height=”310″ identifier=”B073RV9VYC” locale=”US” src=”https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/216eFyQe0TL.jpg” tag=”vueville.com-eaz-20″ width=”500″]

    BeSense is a developer of low power wireless IoT systems. Their Z-Wave Plus door sensor has a unique design with a slit like red LED on the main sensor body. They have very clear instructions for both Samsung SmartThings and Vera Plus on their website and in the included user manual.

    Running off 2x AAA batteries, BeSense says the sensor will last for up to 3 years. There is an anti-tamper sensor which is great. The maximum distance between the two halves of the sensor is 5/8″.

    Full specs:

    • Transmits open/closed status, tamper notification, battery status and low battery alert
    • Z-Wave Plus certified
    • Attach with provided adhesive pads, screws or glue
    • Tamper-proof
    • 2x AAA Battery (up to 3 years life)
    • Size: 80 x 50 x 20 mm
    • Weather rating: indoor only, Operating temperature: -10° to 50°C
    • Up to 30 m (100 ft) maximum range outdoors
    • Works with Samsung SmartThings, Vera Plus and other Z-Wave hubs

    [easyazon_link identifier=”B073RV9VYC” locale=”US” tag=”vueville.com-eaz-20″]View on Amazon[/easyazon_link]

    Zipato Z-Wave Door/Window Sensor (VS-ZD2102.US)

    [easyazon_image align=”center” height=”500″ identifier=”B00Q68IXSQ” locale=”US” src=”https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41svTTbJvWL.jpg” tag=”vueville.com-eaz-20″ width=”500″]

    Zipato is an IoT plaform business started in 2010. They have a complete Z-Wave based home automation offering but it is Interet-reliant. However their accessories are compatible with any Z-Wave hub.

    My first thought was that the Zipato door and window sensor looks a lot like the Neo Coolcam sensor. In any case this is a Z-Wave Plus device that is missing quite a few features – there’s no tamper detection, no external sensor input, and no temperature sensor.

    Full specs:

    • Transmits open/closed status, battery status and low battery alert
    • Z-Wave Plus certified
    • Attach with provided adhesive pads, screws or glue
    • 1 year battery life
    • 1 year warranty
    • 1x 3V CR2 battery
    • Size: Sensor Body: 71 x 20 x 22 mm, Magnet Piece: 40 x 11 x 11 mm
    • Weather rating: Indoor only, Operating temperature: 0° to 40°C
    • Up to 60m maximum range outdoors
    • Works with Samsung SmartThings, Vera Plus and other Z-Wave hubs

    [easyazon_link identifier=”B00Q68IXSQ” locale=”US” tag=”vueville.com-eaz-20″]View on Amazon[/easyazon_link]

    Enerwave Z-Wave Door and Window Sensor (ZWN-BDS)

    [easyazon_image align=”center” height=”500″ identifier=”B00JWVNJ88″ locale=”US” src=”https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/319H6pKCO8L.jpg” tag=”vueville.com-eaz-20″ width=”500″]

    The Enerwave ZWN-BDS is a Z-Wave Plus door sensor that can provide open/close status for monitoring doors and windows whenever the magnetic contact is broken. The maximum possible gap between the two halves of the sensor is 1/2″. I was surprised to see a 2 year warranty on offer, this is definitely a plus.

    This sensor supports Network Security but does not support S2 Security or AES-128 Security S0.

    Full specs:

    • Transmits open/closed status, tamper notification, battery status and low battery alert
    • Z-Wave Plus certified
    • Z-Wave Device Type / Role Type: Notification Sensor / Reporting Sleeping Slave
    • Attach with provided adhesive pads, screws or glue
    • 1x CR2 battery (1 year battery life)
    • Size: 2.02” x 1.71″ x 0.62″
    • Weather rating: indoor only, Operating temperature: 32°F – 104°F (0°C -40 °C)
    • Up to 30 m (100 ft) maximum range outdoors
    • Supports Z-Wave associations, can send commands up to 5 associated Z-Wave devices
    • Remotely monitor sensor status from a computer, tablet or smartphone
    • 2 years warranty
    • Works with Samsung SmartThings, Vera Plus and other Z-Wave hubs

    [easyazon_link identifier=”B00JWVNJ88″ locale=”US” tag=”vueville.com-eaz-20″]View on Amazon[/easyazon_link]

    Dome Z-Wave Door/Window Sensor (DMWD1)

    [easyazon_image align=”center” height=”500″ identifier=”B01JGMZNNG” locale=”US” src=”https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41cSQBv5ohL.jpg” tag=”vueville.com-eaz-20″ width=”500″]

    The Dome brand of home automation gear is one that you may not have heard of before, but they have a range of high quality products with comprehensive documentation. This DMWD1 door sensor is Z-Wave plus certified and has a remarkably long battery life of 3 years.

    But the similarity to the Neo Coolcam range is unmistakable. Doesn’t bother me too much though as long as they work reliably and are affordable!

    Full specs:

    • Transmits open/closed status, battery status and low battery alert
    • Z-Wave Plus certified
    • Attach with provided adhesive pads, screws or glue
    • 1x CR14250 3.6V battery (up to 3 years battery life)
    • Size: Sensor: 2.75” x 0.8” x 0.8” (70 x 20 x 20 mm), Magnet: 1.3” x 0.5” x 0.5” (40 x 11 x 11 mm)
    • Weather rating: indoor only, Operating temperature: 32 – 104 °F (0 – 40 °C)
    • Up to 150ft maximum range outdoors
    • Works with Samsung SmartThings, Vera Plus and other Z-Wave hubs

    [easyazon_link identifier=”B01JGMZNNG” locale=”US” tag=”vueville.com-eaz-20″]View on Amazon[/easyazon_link]

    Monoprice Z-Wave Plus Door and Window Sensor (10795)

    [easyazon_image align=”center” height=”375″ identifier=”B00IACIVKQ” locale=”US” src=”https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/214hzsxwf7L.jpg” tag=”vueville.com-eaz-20″ width=”500″]

    Monoprice has another door sensor on offer – this one goes for the long narrow body approach instead of the wider shorter sensor we saw earlier. It also has a more prominent LED to indicate open/close detection.

    This door sensor uses the ZM3102N Z-Wave chip meaning its not a Z-Wave plus sensor. That’s not great for operating range or for battery life. It also means secure communications are not possible.

    The maximum possible gap between the sensor body and the magnet is 19mm (0.75″). An interesting feature is that you can connect a wired contact sensor to connection points on the internal board of this sensor.

    Full specs:

    • Transmits open/closed status & battery status
    • Z-Wave certified
    • Attach with provided adhesive pads, screws or glue
    • Size: 1.8 x 4.1 x 1.4 inches
    • 1x CR123A battery
    • 12 months battery life
    • Weather rating: indoor only, Operating temperature: -15° to 60°C
    • Operating range of 30 metres (100 feet)
    • Works with Samsung SmartThings, Vera Plus and other Z-Wave hubs

    [easyazon_link identifier=”B00IACIVKQ” locale=”US” tag=”vueville.com-eaz-20″]View on Amazon[/easyazon_link]

    Schlage Nexia Z-Wave Door and Window Sensor (RS-100)

    [easyazon_image align=”center” height=”250″ identifier=”B008Q5CTBE” locale=”US” src=”https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/21vyePskE5L.jpg” tag=”vueville.com-eaz-20″ width=”350″]

    Schlage is owned by the Fortune 150 company Ingersoll Rand which acquired it in 1974. Within the home automation space, Schlage are better known for their impressive Z-Wave range of door locks. But they also sell other Z-Wave products under the Nexia brand which unfortunately follows the monthly subscription model.

    However this RS-100 door sensor does not require a Nexia hub to work and is compatible with any Z-Wave hub. The main sensor body has an LED to indicate sensor status. The maximum gap between the main sensor body and the magnet should not exceed 19mm (3/4″).

    Full specs:

    • Transmits open/closed status
    • Z-Wave certified
    • Attach with glue or screws
    • Size: 3.5” x 1.75” x 1”
    • 3V Lithium CR123A
    • 24 months battery life
    • Weather rating: Indoor only, operating temperature: 0° – 49°C, 32° – 120°F (ambient temperature)
    • Operating range of 30 metres (100 feet)
    • Reports tamper alarm if cover is opened
    • Works with Samsung SmartThings, Vera Plus and other Z-Wave hubs

    [easyazon_link identifier=”B008Q5CTBE” locale=”US” tag=”vueville.com-eaz-20″]View on Amazon[/easyazon_link]

    (* = affiliate link / image source: Amazon Associates Program)

    Conclusion

    We hope you found this comprehensive review of Z-Wave door sensors useful. Please leave a comment below – which door/window sensors do you use, what’s your experience been using these sensors, or have we missed your favourite sensor?

  • Best Hidden Outdoor Security Camera 2019

    Best Hidden Outdoor Security Camera 2019

    Visible outdoor security cameras are a great deterrent against would-be burglars. That’s why I have got prominently positioned cameras around my home. But there are two very valid objections to doing this.

    “Won’t burglars just smash the cameras?” and “Won’t burglars just hide their faces?”

    Its true, security cameras are not the be all and end all of home security and you need a well-planned strategy to protect your home. But placing hidden outdoor security cameras in unexpected places may lead to catching the act of the burglar destroying the visible cameras. You may even catch the burglar unmasking themselves because they do not see a camera around.

    Or you could go the other way and just use hidden cameras only – that way you reduce the risk of the burglar masking themselves in the first place.

    Check out this video caught by a hidden outdoor security camera:
    httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sy2OCWYePg
    [wpsm_divider top=”20px” bottom=”20px” style=”clear”]
    [wpsm_toplist]

    Best Hidden Outdoor Security Camera 2024 - VueVille

    What are the different types of Hidden Outdoor Security Cameras?

    Depending on how they are powered and how they are connected, we can group them into the following categories:

    • Wirefree hidden outdoor security camera
      • These are totally wireless battery-powered cameras. They usually cannot be connected to mains power, but may have solar panel accessories. Ideal for locations where you can’t get power, Internet connectivity or both. Wi-Fi and/or 4G LTE connectivity.
    • Wireless hidden outdoor security camera with WiFi
      • AC powered, WiFi connectivity
    • Wireless PoE hidden outdoor security camera with WiFi
      • AC powered, WiFi and Power over Ethernet (PoE) connectivity

    [text-blocks id=”5527″ slug=”earning-disclaimer”]

    Best Wire-free Hidden Outdoor Security Camera

    Panasonic Homehawk Home Monitoring Kit

    [easyazon_image align=”center” height=”500″ identifier=”B078J2MH5X” locale=”US” src=”https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41aZWRQPG6L.jpg” tag=”vueville.com-eaz-20″ width=”500″]
    Panasonic has also joined the wire-free security camera wagon with its latest Homehawk DIY home monitoring range. The product consists of a base station (just like Arlo) but with a microSD card slot, a wireless battery powered front door camera unit and a wireless battery powered peripheral camera. Both cameras are IP65 rated weatherproof and run on rechargeable Panasonic batteries.

    There are many positives to talk about here. This is a high quality product from a reputable brand. There is no cloud or Internet reliance here. All footage is stored locally on the microSD card. This means your data is truly yours. I am very happy to see Panasonic take this route instead of crippling their cameras unless you pay through the nose for a paid cloud subscription. Colour night vision is a recent innovation and is something I really recommend going for.

    Full specs:

    • 720P HD camera (172 degrees diagonal field of view)
    • Local storage and local processing
    • Day/night sensor
    • 2-way intercom with built-in microphone, speaker.
    • Livestream video feed to mobile app
    • Smart motion detection with zones
    • Android, iPhone and tablet apps available
    • IP65 weatherproof

    [easyazon_link identifier=”B078J2MH5X” locale=”US” tag=”vueville.com-eaz-20″]View on Amazon[/easyazon_link]

    Reolink Argus 2

    [easyazon_image align=”center” height=”500″ identifier=”B0786XGM8M” locale=”US” src=”https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/510o0tsUglL.jpg” tag=”vueville.com-eaz-20″ width=”500″]

    We reviewed the Reolink Argus last year and really liked it. It was the only non-cloud reliant wirefree camera at the time. The fact that it was a well-built full-HD camera only made the deal even better! The Reolink Argus 2 improves on the original Argus by adding a rechargeable battery and solar panel charging options.

    Full specs:

    • 1080P Full HD camera (120 degrees diagonal field of view)
    • Local microSD storage and local processing
    • Day/night sensor
    • 2-way intercom with built-in microphone, speaker.
    • Livestream video feed to mobile app
    • PIR motion detection
    • Android, iPhone and tablet apps available
    • 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi
    • IP65 weatherproof

    [wpsm_column size=”one-half”]

    [easyazon_link identifier=”B0786XGM8M” locale=”US” tag=”vueville.com-eaz-bnvr17-20″]Check Price on Amazon[/easyazon_link]

    [/wpsm_column]

    [wpsm_column size=”one-half” position=”last”]

    Check Price on Reolink.com

    [/wpsm_column]

    [wpsm_divider top=”20px” bottom=”20px” style=”solid”]

    Best Wireless Hidden Outdoor Security Camera with WiFi

    Kuna Maximus Video Security Camera and Outdoor Light

    [easyazon_image align=”center” height=”500″ identifier=”B010FWU62E” locale=”US” src=”https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41IU0UHKfDL.jpg” tag=”vueville.com-eaz-20″ width=”500″]

    The Kuna camera is the original big-daddy of the outdoor camera and light combination. This hidden camera looks like any other outdoor lamp and works just like one too. But look very closely and you just might see a hidden camera lurking within! This smart light with hidden camera can be fully controlled from your smartphone too.

    However there are a few downsides. One key omission is night vision as there are no Infrared LEDs. Like most mainstream security cameras, this hidden camera is a closed system and is reliant on the cloud. The free plan lers you look back only 2 hours of video and allows only 3 video downloads per month. It also does not let you access its live video stream from any app other than the official Kuna app. You cannot use Blue Iris on other ONVIF recorders with this camera because there is no RTSP stream. There is no API either, so home automation control is limited to Alexa support.

    Full specs:

    • 720P HD camera (116 degree diagonal field of view)
    • Day/night sensor
    • 2-way intercom with built-in microphone, speaker.
    • Loud alarm siren
    • PIR motion sensor
    • Livestream video feed to mobile app
    • Smart motion event detection
    • 3 colour status LED (can be switched off)
    • Comes with a 16 watt LED bulb (colour temperature is 3000K)
    • Android, iPhone and tablet apps available
    • Weatherproof

    [easyazon_link identifier=”B010FWU62E” locale=”US” tag=”vueville.com-eaz-20″]View on Amazon[/easyazon_link]

    [wpsm_divider top=”20px” bottom=”20px” style=”solid”]

    Best Wireless Hidden Outdoor Security Camera with PoE and WiFi

    PHYLINK PLC-128PW 720p HD PoE Pinhole Camera

    [easyazon_image align=”center” height=”300″ identifier=”B00N8DOAWA” locale=”US” src=”https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41k0ycAUchL._SX300_.jpg” width=”300″ tag=”vueville.com-eaz-20″]

    The Phylink covert camera is a small wonder. It is an IP camera that packs 720p HD resolution, WiFi, Power over Ethernet(PoE), and a microSD card slot. The camera sensor is separated from the rest of the camera which allows you to easily position the sensor unit in the desired position.

    Full specs:
    – 720P HD video, H.264, MPEG4, MJPEG configurable streams
    – Windows and Mac compatible, Free software for PC
    – Free Apps for iOS and Android, view and hear remotely from anywhere
    – Quick setup within minutes, no complicated settings needed
    – Micro SD DVR supports cards up to 128GB (SD Card not included)
    – Motion record/alerts via Push Notifications/Email/FTP
    – Fully compatible connectivity, works over Wi-Fi, Ethernet, or Power over Ethernet (PoE).

    [easyazon_link identifier=”B00N8DOAWA” locale=”US” tag=”vueville.com-eaz-20″]View on Amazon[/easyazon_link]

    Titathink TT520PW 720P HD Wireless Micro Hidden PoE Pinhole Camera

    [easyazon_image align=”center” height=”500″ identifier=”B01N11BR7Z” locale=”US” src=”https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51Sz%2BcEtrXL.jpg” tag=”vueville.com-eaz-20″ width=”500″]

    The Titathink is a more polished version of the Phylink and has an external antenna. A generous 20ft long cable links the camera image sensor to the main unit.

    Main specs:
    – Image Sensor Dimensions Φ 0.74 x 1 in
    – Main Unit Dimensions(W x D x H mm) 3.7 x 2.87 x 0.94 in
    – Cable lengths: 28ft From sensor to main unit.
    – High-Resolution 720P HD video streaming, H.264, MPEG4, MJPEG configurable stream.
    – 3-D Digital Noise Reduction (3-D DNR), Get exceptional image quality and video with less noise.
    – Works over Wi-Fi b/g/n, LAN or POE. WPS for easy wireless setup.
    – One Audio Line-in port for sound monitoring.
    – General I/O ports to connect external alarm devices.
    – Multi-zone Motion Detection, Email, Ftp, Push alarms to your phone.
    – MicroSD card slot up to 128GB, playback via our app or software.
    – ONVIF compliant, works with NVR, NAS or PC with surveillance software.
    – Free app for iOS & Android smartphones/tablets.

    [easyazon_link identifier=”B01N11BR7Z” locale=”US” tag=”vueville.com-eaz-20″]View on Amazon[/easyazon_link]

    Conclusion

    Using a smart combination of the wired, wireless and wire-free outdoor hidden security cameras listed above, you have a far better chance of outsmarting a burglar. Why not share with us how you are using hidden cameras in your home?

  • How to Setup a WordPress Blog – 2024 Step by Step Guide

    How to Setup a WordPress Blog – 2024 Step by Step Guide

    How to setup a WordPress blog - VueVille

    Let me tell you a story. One of my dear friends loves to write and has a hobby that he is passionate about. As we were talking about my blogging experiences, I encouraged him to start a blog to share the wealth of knowledge he had about his hobby. One autumn evening, we sat down and in just under 30 minutes, his new blog was set up and ready to go. Over the next year, he proceeded to write great content that provided insight into his hobby in a simple and very accessible manner. Guess what? In under a year he has over 1500 visitors to his blog per month, but even more importantly he has been able to express himself creatively and meet like-minded people.

    If you have enjoyed reading my blog, I have a challenge for you. Why not consider starting your own blog? If like me, you thought you are not really the creative type, blogging may not be the first thing on your mind as a potential hobby. But if you think you have anything of value to contribute to the world, I think you should definitely give blogging a shot. How much time does it take to start a blog? Less than an hour following my step by step guide below.

    I have been blogging for over 3 years now and this blog has grown tremendously over that time. You are one of the roughly 35,000 unique visitors to VueVille this month. I will also be the first to admit that one of the best ways to start earning money online is also through blogging. But that was never my objective – I started this blog to write about technology because its my passion. Whatever revenue this blog has generated has been a result of that passion and just the natural outcome of providing value to my readers.

    If you start looking around though, you will find a ton of advice on how to start a blog. Not all of it is good advice though. In fact most of it is from people who have no clue how to start a blog the right way.

    I often get questions from readers on how to start a blog like VueVille, especially with a view to generate some money from it down the line. So in this guide, I will attempt to answer the most common questions and then share my step-by-step method to starting a successful blog. Provide real value to your audience, and monetary success is sure to follow.

    [wpsm_titlebox title=”Contents” style=”main”][contents h2][/wpsm_titlebox]

    Note: This article contains affiliate links. If you click one of these links and then purchase something, I may receive a commission. This income goes towards the costs of hosting and running this website and does not affect you in any way at all. Thank you for your understanding.

    Should I start a free blog?

    If your aim is to build a solid blog that will make good money, you have no choice but to build a fast-loading, sleek and professional looking blog. Why? Because how your blog looks and feels makes a big impression on your visitors. It also influences how much they will trust your blog and become passionate subscribers and repeat visitors.

    It is tempting to think that you can save some money and use a free blogging service such as Blogger, Tumblr, Weebly, Wix, or even WordPress.com. But my advice is: don’t use free blogging services. There is a reason this important service is being offered free to you by these organisations (hint: you are the product).

    • Firstly, you will not have much control over the design and appearance of your blog. Your blog will look just like the millions of other blogs.
    • Secondly, at no point in time is your blog fully in your control, the company owns your blog or website can pull the plug whenever they choose for whatever reason. They are not going to think about your interests because you are not paying them for it, and they are not answerable to you.
    • Thirdly, your blog will not enjoy the same standing with search engines like Google as self-hosted blogs like VueVille. This means its going to be a lot harder to find your blog because it won’t rank as high on Google.

    So self-hosted, as opposed to free hosting, is where you own your domain name (that you can brand also), and you rent hosting space in a server run by a hosting company. All your content remains yours and you can control how your website looks and which plugins you install (more on this later).

    Where can I host my self-hosted blog?

    Where to host your blog is a decision you need to take only after understanding the different types of self-hosting that are available to you:

    1. Shared Web Hosting

      This is the cheapest and easiest way to get your blog started. Essentially your website and other people’s websites are hosted on the same server. So you share the resources available on the server, such as CPU and memory (RAM). No resources are allocated or reserved for your user account. How quickly your blog loads and any downtime depends on the number of websites hosted by the server and how busy they are. All shared hosting accounts are managed by the web host, you do not have to worry about server setup, management or maintenance. You can focus on what’s most important – building your blog.

      • Pros: Done right, shared hosting can be very reliable and speedy. Depending on how busy the server is, you will at most times have more resources available to you than you may get in more costly packages.
      • Cons: However, unscrupulous web hosts and reesllers try to maximise profits by cramming as many users (and websites) as they can onto the same server. If one or two website go viral at the same time and get lots of traffic, other websites will have fewer resources and may even cause the whole server to get overloaded.

    2. ‘WordPress’ Hosting

      This is generally a form of shared hosting but with more resources per user account and some optimisations specifically for WordPress. This is often just glorified shared web hosting but may be right for you if you don’t want to mess about with performance optimisations yourself.

      • Pros: Speed and reliability optimisations for WordPress already built in.
      • Cons: Costs more than shared web hosting but often without any increase in resources or reservation of resources.

    3. VPS Web Hosting


      VPS stands for Virtual Private Server and is a good step up once you have an established blog. Buying a VPS account means that you are assured a certain amount of server resources, usually counted in number of CPU cores and memory in GB.





        • Unmanaged VPS – You are responsible for setting up the server, and all maintenance. Not recommended unless you are an expert in running web servers!

        • Managed VPS – When you have an established successful blog and are outgrowing your shared hosting resources, this should be the next step. The web hosting company manages the server and provides support on configuring the server for optimum performance.




      I have a VPS account from KnownHost in addition to my Bluehost and HostGator shared hosting accounts. This is because I have many blogs, but if you are just starting out, you don’t need a VPS.



    4. Dedicated Web Hosting


      The ultimate in web hosting, this is where you have rent an entire server running just your website! Don”t even bother with this option unless you have a a blog that has multi million views and VPS packages are still not providing the resources you need.


    My Recommendation for Hosting your Blog

    When starting a blog for the first time, I recommend going Shared Web Hosting. This is because it provides the resources you need to grow your blog easily to 50-100,000 page views per month, at a very low cost.

    I recommend BlueHost for shared web hosting because I have been using their web hosting for 3 years now, and for the following reasons:

    • Impressive performance (super fast response times of under 200ms)
    • Super reliability (100% uptime in the last 90 days for my websites)
    • 99.9% uptime guarantee
    • Free One-click WordPress install
    • Free domain included even in basic package
    • Free SSL certificate included even in basic package

    In fact I am so happy with it that I have already pre-paid for the next 2 years!

    You may have heard the popular claim that shared hosting is not as reliable as VPS or dedicated hosting. This may be true of some web hosts, but I recommend Bluehost because they offer super fast webpage loading speeds and a 99.9% uptime guarantee even on the cheapest shared packages.

    A very high uptime is what you want from a blog that aims at making money. For example, lets take affiliate marketing which is the most popular method of earning income from your blog. You recommend a product, and you get commission for every sale you drive. Every minute your blog is down is a missed opportunity for visitors to click on your affiliate links and for you to earn commission.

    If you are looking to move up from shared hosting to a VPS, I recommend KnownHost’s Managed VPS packages (get 30% off for life).

    How to Start a Self-Hosted Blog on Bluehost in 7 easy steps- Step by Step Guide

    If you are strapped for time, here’s a quick overview OR you can find the detailed step by step guide right below this overview.

    1. Buy Bluehost hosting with a free domain, SSL, 1-click WordPress install
    2. Verify your email address for domain registration completion
    3. Install WordPress using Bluehost’s One-Click-Install feature
    4. Install a theme
    5. Install WordPress plugins
    6. Install Google Analytics tracking and exclude yourself from tracking
    7. Start writing content

    Buy a Bluehost hosting package with a free domain, SSL, 1-click WordPress install

    Start by going to Bluehost through my special link here which will give you a free domain, free SSL, and free 1-click WordPress installer. This will take you to the following screen (please note pricing offers may vary from time to time):

    BlueHost Signup 1 - How to set up a money making tech blog - VueVille

    Click on “Get Started Now” to go to the plan selection page. I strongly recommend going for the Basic Package. For beginners, this is more than enough, and you can always upgrade when, hopefully, you outgrow your plan.

    BlueHost Signup 2 - How to set up a money making tech blog - VueVille

    Click Select to go to the domain name creation page.The name of your blog is probably one of the most important decisions you have to make. The first thing to remember is that it should be brand-able. Instead of a generic name, the more unique it is the better. So instead of ‘mySmartHomeBlog.com’ I went for ‘VueVille’, use something that will stick in your visitors’ minds.

    BlueHost Signup 2b - How to set up a money making tech blog - VueVille

    A unique brandable blog name also is far likelier to be still available with a .com ending.

    Type in your desired domain name and click next.

    BlueHost Signup 3 - How to set up a money making tech blog - VueVille

    Fill out all the necessary details. If you are a non-US resident, you can still use Bluehost and pay using a VISA credit or debit card. When you complete this step, you may see an intermediate offer screen, click “No Thanks” to go through to the final page. Then click ‘Create your password’ to set up your password.

    BlueHost Signup 5 - How to set up a money making tech blog - VueVille

    Verify your email address for domain registration completion

    BlueHost Domain Tab - How to set up a money making tech blog - VueVille

    The beauty of buying the hosting package and using the included free domain is that they will set up everything for you. You just need to do one thing regarding your domain name – verify your email address:

    After verifying your email address, the message should disappear.

    Install WordPress using Bluehost’s One-Click-Install feature

    I recommend WordPress for its ease of use, Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) friendliness, features and wide range of free plugins available.

    Log into your Bluehost account if you are not already there and scroll down to the “Website” section. Click on ‘Install WordPress’ – this is the One-Click-Install feature available for free from Bluehost when you use my special link to buy your hosting.

    BlueHost WordPress Install 1 - How to set up a money making tech blog - VueVille

    BlueHost WordPress Install 2 - How to set up a money making tech blog - VueVille

    You should now see the following screen, just click ‘Get Started’:

    BlueHost WordPress Install 3 - How to set up a money making tech blog - VueVille
    BlueHost WordPress Install 4 - How to set up a money making tech blog - VueVille

    Choose your domain from the drop-down list. This is the point where you choose the default address of your blog – do you want it to be mydomain.com or www.mydomain.com? Its a matter of preference and either is fine. Note that www is actually a subdomain of your main domain, so if you want to keep things simple in the future, go for the non-www version. Also remember to un-check any plugins suggested by Bluehost, you don’t need these and even if you change your mind you can install them later on from within your WordPress dashboard.If you are wondering whether you should “pay a pro to do it for you” as the bottom of the Bluehost page suggests, the answer is an emphatic NO. I am showing you how to do it yourself, so save yourself a bunch of money and ignore it.

    BlueHost WordPress Install 5 - How to set up a money making tech blog - VueVille

    Then click Next and you will be taken to the final screen before WordPress installation begins:

    BlueHost WordPress Install 6 - How to set up a money making tech blog - VueVille

    Here you have to pick a title for your site (you can change it later) and fill in the username, email address you created earlier and the admin password. Check all the 3 boxes and click Install. Lean back and relax as WordPress is installed. When it’s done, you will see this screen:

    Congratulations! You now have created a WordPress blog! Woohoo! You have now come farther than most people who want to make money online. Give yourself a pat on the back.

    Ignore the message asking you to buy a theme, just click on the admin URL in the top right of the screen (highlighted in yellow above) and login using the admin username and password.

    Install a WordPress theme

    You now need to choose a theme for your blog. You may have been thinking of using one of the many free themes available, but I suggest you go for a paid premium theme. The main reason is future updates and technical support. Free themes are maintained less and often come without any technical support from the developers. What’s more, they often don’t come close to premium themes in appearance and having that professional look. If you are serious about making money from your blog, make the investment now and get a premium theme. You will save yourself time and money down the road by starting out with the best tools in the trade.

    So my recommendation is to buy the Rehub theme. All my blogs and websites are built using this theme. I love this theme because it provides a solid base for your blog, is user-friendly, and is extremely SEO-friendly.

    How well your blog gets ranked on Google and other search engines depends on many things, but one key factor is the quality of the coding of your WordPress theme. This is why I recommend Rehub. My blogs rank very well on Google without me having to do much else because the Rehub theme is coded in a way that Google likes.

    If you would rather like to stick with a free theme, pick one of the high quality free themes from My Theme Shop. These guys have been making beautiful, high quality, well-coded themes for a long time, and know what they are doing.

    Install WordPress plugins

    The beauty of WordPress is the sheer number of high quality free plugins available in the official WordPress plugin repository. Now do remember that installing too many plugins can slow down your blog, so be judicious in your plugin selection! These are the plugins I install for every blog I build:

    • Wordfence Security – A must-have plugin to make secure your WordPress blog and keep hackers away.
    • Yoast SEO – The best SEO plugin you can use to improve the search engine visibilty of your blog.
    • Revision Control – By default, WordPress will store an unlimited number of post revisions. This can quickly bring your wbsite to its knees. This plugin lets you control the number of post revisions WordPress stores. I recommend limiting it to 3.
    • Social Stickers – This plugin lets you have very pretty social network icons in your sidebar or in the header. You can see it in action at the top right of this website!
    • SumoMe – A very versatile suite of tools that help share and promote your content, the free version is not severely limited unlike other premium plugins. The floating social sharing bar on the left is an example of one of the tools SumoMe provides.
    • TablePress – A very powerful plugin that helps you create beautiful tables – ideal for comparison tables and lists for affiliate marketing.
    • Autoptimize – Another easy to use plugin that improves blog loading speeds automatically by minifying CSS and JS files. Very little configuration needed.
    • WP Fastest Cache – The best caching plugin available for WordPress, it is a must-have in making your blog load as fast as it can. I recommend using only the caching function, as the Autoptimize plugin above takes care of CSS and JS minification. Can be difficult to configure though, so refer to a tutorial such as this one.
    • Subscribe to Comments Reloaded – Lets blog commentors sign up for notifications to replies or new comments.
    • EasyAzon – If you will be using the Amazon Associates affiliate programme to monetise your blog, this plugin from Chris Guthrie is invaluable. I use it on my niche sites and it has paid for itself in the very first month!

    Install Google Analytics tracking and exclude yourself from tracking

    An important part of running a blog is to monitor visitor traffic, identify high and low performing content, and make changes as needed. For this, you need a good traffic tracking tool. I use Google Analytics on all my blogs and it is an amazing free tool.

    If you have a google account, you can start using Analytics right away. Otherwise get one, its free!

    Google analytics data is what I use to create my monthly traffic and blog income reports.

    Don’t forget to exclude your internet browsers from Google Analytics so that you don’t inflate your visitor and traffic numbers accidentally! Use the free Block Yourself From Analytics extension for Chrome browser and the No Google Analytics add-on for Firefox browser.

    Start writing content

    Your blog is now ready for arguably the most important step – creating content. Engaging, useful, and memorable content is what attracts readers and makes them come back again and again. It is also what you need to monetise your blog.

    Promote your blog

    Creating great content is not good enough – your readers need to find you. So learn as much as you can about how to promote your blog and make sure you put this into action. Blog commenting, social media promotion, guest posting and link-building are some of the things you should definitely explore.

    The blogs I frequent most are Spencer Haws’ Niche Pursuits, Jon Haver’s Authority Website Income and Gael & Mark’s Authority Hacker blog.

    Have questions?

    I hope this guide has helped you to start your own blog. I always felt that when I started out, it would have been much easier if somebody had created a step by step guide to launching a blog. That’s why I have tried to create this guide leaning on my experience I have gained over the years through trial and error.

    If you have any questions or doubts, please leave a comment below and I will do my best to answer them as quickly as possible. If this guide helped you in any way, please let me know too! All the best in your blogging adventures!