Enter the smarthome: part 4 – Netatmo
9.12.2020
Translation: Patrik Stainbrook
Smarthome products can automate your everyday life. And to help you navigate this jungle of providers, allow me to introduce you to the most common systems. The tado° smart heating control system will be followed by the climate experts from Netatmo.
Monitoring indoor and outdoor spaces has long since ceased to be paranoia, but is part of a well-equipped smarthome. And this isn't only regarding immobile cameras, as Amazon's latest gadget shows. Smart detectors for smoke, water or gases warn residents in emergencies. A weather station also can't go amiss in a smart home. This way you don't have to rely on an online meteorological service, but can count on exact local outdoor values. Your other Smarthome products work even more precisely with these additional factors. Furthermore, smart thermostats save you money on heating, shutting down your system when you're away for a while and even controlling it remotely. The optimal solution: ensure all products you use come from the same manufacturer to avoid compatibility problems. Netatmo offers a wide range of products that cover the areas mentioned. After Homematic IP, Philips Hue and tado°, time to show you how Netatmo devices can make your home smarter in today's part four.
From weather stations, hazard alarms and network cameras
Netatmo has made a name for itself, especially in regards to indoor and outdoor climate. The weather stations offered by the French manufacturer are very popular. This even applies to Smarthome users, as the indoor and outdoor sensors accurately provide data that other products integrated into the Smarthome can use. There's also a rain and wind gauge that can be seamlessly integrated into the Netatmo weather system. This allows smart shutters, heating or cooling systems and other weather-dependent products to respond quickly and precisely to changing weather conditions. The control centre, or Master as Netatmo calls them, receives data from the external and other internal modules. These have fewer functions than the base unit, as they're primarily intended to serve as additional measuring points. All values measured can be read out in the app and displayed in a histogram – an advantage over many other systems. In this way, temperature, precipitation, wind and other information can be viewed over time, which is particularly important for statistics and climate aficionados.
But Netatmo knows more than just the climate and weather. These French fellows have also found a creative solution regarding potentially dangerous situations. In addition to smoke detectors, you'll also find window and door sensors. These report to your smartphone as soon as someone tries to gain unauthorised access to your home through a window or door. Netatmo also offers indoor and outdoor cameras to additionally protect your belongings via video surveillance – hopefully without bugs this time. Optionally with integrated alarm sirens and a smart floodlight. You'll also find a suitable standalone alarm siren, which can be easily integrated into a smart system using the Netatmo portfolio. The intelligent doorbell and camera combo also allows you to communicate with mail delivery services or upgrade an old building with a smart intercom system. Thermostats round out the Netatmo smarthome range. They're optionally available for radiators or floor heating systems.
What you'll need
The weather station requires a Wi-Fi connection to the base. Other indoor and outdoor sensors communicate with each other and with the control centre by radio. As this is a Netatmo proprietary protocol, the sensors are only compatible with their own base. You control the whole thing via the app, which is available for both Android and iOS. You can expand the set with a rain and wind sensor to collect even more data. The sensors also radio the base station directly and don't require a Wi-Fi connection. The indoor camera also has an RJ45 Ethernet connection. Both the indoor and outdoor cameras need a WiFi signal. Videos are stored either locally on a microSD card inserted into the device or on a server via FTP. While the outside camera can distinguish between a person, an animal or a car, the inside camera can even recognize faces.
The smart indoor siren is available as an accessory to the indoor camera. The up to 100-decibel loud alarm signal communicates with the camera via Bluetooth. On your smartphone, you can choose which faces trigger the siren and when it stays silent. This way your children, friends or relatives can move around freely, while unwanted visitors get a nice wake-up call. An indoor camera from Netatmo is also necessary for the door and window sensors. Together with the siren, the trio forms a genuine alarm system. It's even durable, as the window and door sensors are waterproof. Adjustable release delays will leave even the cleverest burglars scratching their heads. The sensors communicate with the camera via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. As a suitable addition to the alarm system you can also install Netatmos' smoke detector. You don't need an indoor camera as a base, simply communicate directly using your smartphone. This does require batteries and a WiFi signal. They warn you directly via an 85 dB siren and on your mobile phone. By the way, most Netatmo products are compatible with Apple's Homekit, Siri and IFTTT and can therefore be integrated into other smarthomes.
Quickly set up, well-designed but expensive
One big advantage Netatmo has is the easy installation. The products are ready for use in no time. In addition, the weather stations provide accurate data, one reason why Netatmo is popular with Smarthome users. All devices are mutually compatible. Another fact in favour of Netatmo is that you don't lose another slot on your router, thanks to the wireless connection.
Netatmo products are simply impressive. They appear high quality, thanks to their sleek design. Even the alarm can be used as a wall decoration or speaker – with a bit of imagination. Moreover, the wall and radiator thermostats are a welcome visual change from the boring products of big brands such as Homematic IP. The Netatmo apps are clearly arranged, logically structured and function without interruptions. They're available for Security, Weather, Energy and Home Coach – both for Android and iOS. An All-in-One app on the other hand doesn't (yet) exist.
Unfortunately you will need an indoor camera as a base station for the alarm siren, window and door sensors. This could have been solved differently. Furthermore, the prices are quite high. Even if the products offer a number of functions, just under CHF 100 for a smart siren, a smoke detector or three door or window sensors is on the steep side. What I personally couldn't verify, aside from reading some product reviews, is the complicated outdoor installation of wind and rain gauges. Having just emphasised the Wi-Fi as an advantage, this can also be seen as a disadvantage: nothing works without a connection. At least with the weather station, the indoor or outdoor camera and the smart thermostats. Some users also complained about the range of sensors, sirens or hazard alarms. Finally, many users are also concerned about the battery supply.
Possible alternatives
When it comes to weather stations, Homematic IP offers Netatmo some competition. The Weather Sensor Pro, developed for their own Smarthome set-up, also provides precise data that the system can work with. Roller shutters are opened or closed in sunshine, the heating is turned up or down, open windows are detected during windy or stormy conditions. The WeatherHub from TFA is also a possible alternative to the Netatmo weather station. It can be extended with further sensors and couplable devices. Be these door and window contacts, flood detectors or pool sensors. You could even connect to the network and record the data in a histogram. Eve Room is also a possible alternative solution to the Netatmo system. In addition to the indoor climate metre, this manufacturer offers a smart light switch, a motion detector and a smoke detector. Eve products can also be integrated into other smarthome systems thanks to an Internet connection.
Valid alternatives for smart thermostats are offered by manufacturers such as Homematic IP, Devolo, Danfoss or tado°. You can find detailed information on this in my guide to the smart heating system by tado°. In the case of hazard alarms, products from Nest are similar to those from Netatmo. The same manufacturer also has network cameras in its portfolio. You could always choose Ei Electronics or Airthings over Netatmo as well. Regarding burglary protection, you can also use Nuki or Ring as opposed to Netatmo. While Nuki mainly relies on smart locking via smartphones, Ring additionally offers the possibility of video surveillance – no matter if its integrated in the doorbell or via a separate network camera. Speaking of network cameras: the possibilities are nearly limitless, there are so many manufacturers. It's best to choose cameras that integrate easily into your smart home and are compatible with as many other solutions as possible.
Netatmo: for a better indoor climate and more safety
If you'd like to take your first steps towards a smarthome, if you don't want to sacrifice elegant design for your devices while simultaneously protecting your belongings, then Netatmo is the right brand for you. In addition, they offer helpful information about the indoor climate and exact weather data. Netatmo products are quick to set up, easy to use and work without any problems, provided you install the accessories near the base station. Some reviews mention a maximum distance of three meters. Integration with other smarthome systems is also possible. But there is a price to pay. If you want to buy a weather station, an indoor and an outdoor camera, you'll quickly be running up quite a tab, not even including the appropriate accessories. Cheaper alternatives are available for every article in the Netatmo range. However, you risk a lack in compatibility, poor data, confusing apps or complicated installations. I therefore recommend this detour only to hobbyists and smarthome experts.
Homematic IP offers an easy entry into the smart home universe – from automated roller shutters through alarm systems to smart weather stations. The system is similarly more expensive, somewhat more complicated than Netatmo, but compatible with numerous other solutions. Philips Hue works similarly, whereby the focus here is on lighting. tado° scores points regarding smart heaters with high compatibility, simple operation and long-term savings. The Netatmo products monitor the climate in and around your home, catch unwanted visitors red-handed and indicate other dangers.
In the next part I'll show you why Devolo can do more than just wireless and wired Internet. If you want to join me on my mission and don't want to miss any smart home articles, follow me by clicking on the «Follow author» button on my profile.
Teaser image sources: Netatmo and House ControllersHeader image: Netatmo products are discreet and fit perfectly into any interior.
Raphael Knecht
Senior Editor
raphael.knecht@digitecgalaxus.chWhen I'm not stuffing my face with sweets, you'll catch me running around in the gym hall. I’m a passionate floorball player and coach. On rainy days, I tinker with my homebuilt PCs, robots or other gadgets. Music is always my trusted companion. I also enjoy tackling hilly terrain on my road bike and criss-crossing the country on my cross-country skis.