Safe&Secure.ie

Buying guide

Home Security Products

Doorbells, cameras, smart locks, alarms and safes: what to look for, the free help to ask for first, and a few example models.

We pick these from published specifications and what is sold to Ireland. We have not tested them ourselves.

Clay illustration of a cottage front door with a video doorbell beside it, a small camera under the roof and a parcel on the step

Free first

Before you buy

Video doorbells

See and speak to whoever is at the door, from your phone.

Ring is changing how its cloud video is encrypted

On 26 August 2026 Amazon announced TAKE (“Throw Away the Key Encryption”) for Ring cloud video. Recordings are protected with unique, rotating keys that Ring holds only briefly in a secure cloud enclave, uses to run features such as Smart Alerts, and then deletes. Ring says the rollout happens in phases from September 2026, and that TAKE becomes the default for all Ring customers once it is complete. Ring has not published a list of the models covered. This is a change of default, not a fix for a vulnerability.

Nothing is required of you. End-to-end encryption stays available as an optional setting in the Ring app, per device, but Ring says Shared Users and cloud-based features are not available while it is on. If you would rather footage never reached a cloud at all, choose a camera that records to a memory card in the camera instead. This note reports Ring’s announcement; we have not checked the rollout on a device.

Checked 28 August 2026 · Amazon newsroom, 26 August 2026

What to look for

Read first: Home cameras and video doorbells
  • Point it at your own property only. A doorbell that records only your own area is likely to be outside data protection law; one that records the footpath, the road or a neighbour’s house is not. Privacy zones or a different angle can fix that. Data Protection Commission, domestic CCTV guide (May 2026)
  • Battery or wired: a battery model needs recharging; a wired one needs suitable wiring at the door.
  • Check whether watching recordings back needs a paid plan, and what it costs a year.

Ring

Ring Peephole Camera 2K

Good for: renters and flats: it replaces the door’s peephole, with no drilling and no wiring.

This version fits doors 32.5–60 mm thick with a standard peephole 12–14 mm across (Ring sells a separate 60–90 mm version). Measure both before you buy. Once it is fitted you can no longer look through the peephole itself.

  • 2K video, Live View and Two-Way Talk
  • Removable rechargeable battery pack
  • Watching recordings back needs a paid Ring plan

From Ring’s EU product page, checked 6 October 2026. Ring’s EU store showed it as unavailable that day.

Check current price on Ring’s site

Security cameras

Indoor and outdoor cameras that alert your phone and record what they see.

What to look for

Read first: Home cameras and video doorbellsOur guide to the rules on home cameras

Ring

Ring Outdoor Camera Battery (2nd Gen)

Good for: a spot with no socket nearby: it runs on a removable battery (plug-in and solar versions are sold too).

  • 2K video with colour night vision
  • Built-in siren you can set off from your phone
  • Watching recordings back needs a paid Ring plan

From Ring’s EU product page, checked 6 October 2026.

Check current price on Ring’s site

Smart locks

Lock and unlock the door from your phone, and let people in when you are away.

What to look for

Read first: Securing your doors and windows
  • Check it fits your door and cylinder before you buy: makers publish a compatibility check.
  • Sold Secure rates smart locks. Gold is currently the highest rating it gives a smart lock. Sold Secure, ratings
  • If you are replacing the door itself, Gardaí advise one tested to PAS 24:2016 or, for higher security, I.S. EN 1627:2011. Gardaí, securing your home
  • If a locksmith fits it, check they hold a PSA licence. PSA, standards required for licensing
Nuki Smart Lock Pro (5th generation), maker’s photo
Image: Nuki(the maker’s page, opens in a new tab)

Nuki

Nuki Smart Lock Pro (5th generation)

Good for: no drilling: it fits on the inside of the door, over the cylinder you already have.

Fit is not universal. Run Nuki’s compatibility check for your door and cylinder first.

  • Built-in Wi-Fi, so no separate bridge
  • Built-in rechargeable battery (Nuki gives a two-hour recharge)
  • Works with smart home systems through Matter over Thread

From Nuki’s Irish product page, checked 6 October 2026.

Check current price on Nuki’s site

Alarm systems

A house alarm, with or without monitoring.

What to look for

Read first: House alarms in IrelandFind a PSA-licensed alarm installer in our directory

Home safes

Somewhere secure for documents and valuables you need to keep at home.

What to look for

Related guides

House alarms in IrelandHome security checklistHome security guideAlarm installers in IrelandThe rules on home cameras

None of the links on this page is an affiliate link, and we earn nothing if you buy through one. We pick these from published specifications and what is sold to Ireland. We have not tested them ourselves.