Choosing the right intercom system for your property in the UK involves considering several key factors to ensure it meets your specific needs for security, convenience, and functionality. Here’s a breakdown of what to consider:

  1. Define Your Core Needs & Purpose:

  • Why do you need an intercom?
    • Security: To screen visitors before allowing entry.
    • Convenience: To speak to delivery drivers or guests without going to the gate/door.
    • Communication: To communicate between different parts of a large property (e.g., house to garage, multiple internal units in an apartment building).
    • Access Control: To integrate with automatic gates, electric locks, or smart home systems for remote unlocking.
  • Audio only vs. Video?
    • Audio Intercom: Simple, cost-effective, allows two-way voice communication. Good for basic screening.
    • Video Intercom: Offers enhanced security by allowing you to visually identify visitors. Modern systems often provide HD video for clarity. Essential if you want to see who’s at the gate/door.
  • Who will be using it?
    • Residential: Single-family homes, typically simpler systems.
    • Multi-tenant (Apartments/Flats): Requires systems with multiple internal handsets/monitors and robust directory features at the gate/door panel.
    • Commercial/Industrial: May need more advanced access control features, integration with existing security systems, and higher durability for heavy use.

  1. Wired vs. Wireless:

This is one of the biggest decisions and heavily impacts installation.

  • Wired Intercom Systems:
    • Pros:
      • Reliability & Security: More stable connection, less susceptible to interference, hacking, or signal drop-outs. Generally considered more secure as the physical connection is harder to tamper with.
      • Durability: Less affected by environmental factors like weather or physical obstructions.
      • Power: Constant power supply from the mains.
      • Audio/Video Quality: Often superior, especially for video, as data transmission is direct.
    • Cons:
      • Installation: More complex, time-consuming, and potentially disruptive (requires digging trenches for gates, drilling holes, running cables through walls). This can be costly, especially for existing properties.
      • Flexibility: Less adaptable once installed; expanding or moving units can be difficult and expensive.
  • Wireless Intercom Systems:
    • Pros:
      • Ease of Installation: Much quicker and less disruptive, often DIY-friendly. No extensive cabling required, which significantly reduces labour costs.
      • Flexibility & Scalability: Easier to add or move units, making them adaptable for changing needs.
      • Smart Features: Many integrate with smartphones (via Wi-Fi or GSM), allowing remote access, notifications, and communication from anywhere.
      • Cost-Effective (Installation): Lower initial installation cost due to less cabling.
    • Cons:
      • Reliability: Can be susceptible to signal interference (from other electronics, Wi-Fi congestion, large distances, building materials), leading to dropped calls or poor quality.
      • Security: While modern wireless systems are secure, older or cheaper ones might be more vulnerable to eavesdropping.
      • Power: Often rely on batteries or local power points for each unit, requiring battery checks/replacements or careful power planning.
      • Range: Limited by signal strength, especially for gate intercoms far from the main building.

  1. Types of Intercom Technologies:

  • Audio Only: Basic two-way speech.
  • Video Intercoms: Include a camera at the outdoor station and a screen/monitor indoors.
  • GSM Intercoms: Utilize the mobile phone network (Global System for Mobile Communications). When someone presses the call button, it dials a pre-programmed phone number (landline or mobile).
    • Pros: Excellent for gate systems over long distances where wiring is impractical. No need for internal wiring. Can receive calls on your mobile phone anywhere in the world.
    • Cons: Requires a SIM card and ongoing network subscription. Signal strength can be an issue in some areas.
  • Wi-Fi Video Intercoms: Connect to your home Wi-Fi network.
    • Pros: Integrates well with smart home ecosystems. Can often connect to smartphone apps for remote access.
    • Cons: Relies heavily on strong and stable Wi-Fi signal at the outdoor unit. Vulnerable to internet outages.
  • IP Intercoms (Network-based): Use your internet network (Ethernet cabling) for communication.
    • Pros: Highly scalable, secure, and offer advanced features like video recording, integration with NVRs, and SIP compatibility (for VoIP phone systems). Can be powered over Ethernet (PoE).
    • Cons: Requires network infrastructure (Cat5/6 cabling), similar installation complexity to wired systems.

  1. Location and Environment:

  • Indoor vs. Outdoor: Outdoor units (for gates or front doors) must be weatherproof (IP rated), typically IP55 or IP65, and robust enough to withstand vandalism.
  • Distance: How far is the gate/door from the internal unit(s)? This is crucial for wired systems (cable length limitations) and wireless systems (signal strength).
  • Obstructions: Walls, trees, and other structures can interfere with wireless signals.

  1. Features to Look For:

  • Remote Unlocking: Ability to open a gate or door from your internal unit or smartphone.
  • Smartphone Integration/App Control: Receive calls, view video, and unlock remotely via an app.
  • Night Vision: Infrared LEDs for clear visibility at night.
  • Keypad/RFID Reader: For coded or card-based access alongside the intercom.
  • Multi-User/Multi-Tenant Support: For apartment blocks or shared driveways.
  • Recording Capabilities: Some video intercoms can record video of visitors.
  • Integration with Other Systems: Can it connect to your CCTV, alarm system, or smart home hub?
  • Call History: Ability to review who called and when.
  • Tamper Alerts: Notification if someone tries to tamper with the outdoor unit.
  • Power over Ethernet (PoE): Simplifies installation for IP systems by delivering power and data over a single cable.

  1. Budget:

  • Intercom systems range widely in price depending on features, brand, and type (audio-only vs. video, wired vs. wireless, basic vs. smart).
  • Factor in not just the unit cost, but also installation (especially for wired systems), any ongoing subscription fees (for GSM), and potential maintenance.

  1. Installation and Maintenance:

  • DIY vs. Professional: While some wireless systems are designed for DIY, wired, complex, or gate intercoms are best installed by qualified professionals to ensure proper functionality, safety compliance, and warranty validity.
  • Maintenance: Consider the long-term maintenance requirements (battery replacements for wireless, software updates, cleaning of outdoor units).

Popular Brands in the UK (often offering a range of intercom types):

  • Videx: Very well-regarded, wide range from audio to sophisticated video and IP systems.
  • Comelit: Another strong player with stylish and reliable audio/video intercoms.
  • Aiphone: Known for robust and reliable systems, often used in commercial settings but with residential options.
  • AES Global: Popular for GSM intercoms, especially for gates where wiring is difficult.
  • Hikvision / Dahua: Major CCTV manufacturers that also offer good quality IP video intercoms that integrate well with their camera systems.
  • Ring / Nest (Smart Doorbells): While not traditional intercoms, these smart doorbells with two-way talk and video are very popular for basic front-door screening and remote access via smartphones. They might be sufficient for simpler residential needs.

By carefully evaluating these points against your specific property and lifestyle, you can make an informed decision and choose the intercom system that’s perfectly suited for you. It’s often a good idea to get quotes and advice from a few reputable installers, especially for gate intercoms. 

Any questions? Contact us now!