Sky Smart Home devices lineup

Sky

British Satellite TV specialist Sky is making a move in the smart home market and this time it is not hiding the hardware behind an insurance bundle.

Sky Smart Home has just been announced as a standalone service, opening up its video doorbell and camera setup to a wider audience.

It is a move from its earlier approach, where the same devices were only available as part of Sky Protect insurance.

In 2021, Sky acquired Neos, a brand that offered smart home tech and home insurance, and then offered devices as part of a similar package.

This being Sky though, there is still a subscription angle. Much like the packages available for the Sky Glass TVs, the cost is spread over a 24-month plan.

Pricing starts at £5 per month with a £15 upfront fee and that monthly cost includes features that are often locked behind paywalls elsewhere, including cloud video storage.

That positioning puts it squarely up against rivals like Ring, and Sky is not being shy about the comparison. The company claims customers could save more than £100 versus equivalent setups.

The entry option bundles the Sky Smart Doorbell and Chime. There is also a more complete package that adds an indoor camera, priced at £20 upfront and £8 per month.

The doorbell records in 1080p full HD and includes night vision, live streaming and two-way audio. Motion alerts and bell notifications are handled through the app, and users can define activity zones to cut down on unnecessary alerts.

Cloud recording is included as standard, with up to 30 days of video history. That is a notable inclusion at this price point; competitors often charge extra for the same feature.

The higher-tier bundle expands the system with an indoor camera that mirrors many of the same capabilities, including HD video, night vision, motion alerts and two-way talk. It also unlocks a few extra features in the app, such as scheduled and automatic arming modes.

Everything runs through the new Sky Smart Home app, which acts as the control center for live feeds, alerts and device management.

Users can also grow the system over time - additional accessories like motion sensors, contact sensors and leak detectors can be added at one-off costs.

Sky Smart Home is available now through Sky’s website, retail stores, the My Sky app and customer service channels.

Existing customers are also being targeted, with Sky Diamond VIP users on selected broadband plans eligible for a 30% discount on the subscription.