> At a Glance
> – Wireless-charging smart locks from Lockin and Desloc end battery swaps
> – Ikea’s first security sensors start at $5 and support Matter
> – Presence-sensing radar from Aqara tracks posture and fall risk without cameras
> – Why it matters: These upgrades solve daily pain points-dead batteries, pricey sensors, privacy worries-while pushing smarter, cheaper home protection.
Home security at CES 2026 isn’t about flashy concepts; it’s about making yesterday’s headaches disappear. Marcus L. Bennett scanned the flood of new cameras, sensors, and locks to find the moves that will actually change how we secure our homes.
Wireless Charging Ends the Battery Swap Ritual
Lockin revealed AuraCharge, a base station that beams power continuously to its Veno Pro and V7 Max locks. No more prying out battery packs or hunting for AAs.
Desloc took a solar angle with the V150 Plus, integrating a front-facing panel and a 10 000-mAh battery that throttles power use based on ambient light. Both brands claim their locks stay topped up without user intervention.
- AuraCharge uses contact-free energy transfer; Lockin insists it’s eye-safe
- Desloc says even shady porches keep the lock alive via adaptive charging
- Prices span budget to premium, giving buyers choice
Ikea’s $10 Sensors Undercut the Market
Ikea launched 21 first-party smart-home devices, its biggest security push yet. Door/window access sensors, motion detectors, leak sensors, and air-temperature monitors all dip below $10.
| Device Type | Price | Protocol |
|---|---|---|
| Motion sensor | $8 | Matter over Wi-Fi |
| Leak sensor | $9 | Matter over Wi-Fi |
| Air monitor | $10 | Matter over Wi-Fi |
Colleague Ajay Kumar noted the bulbs hit $5-$7 and the Bluetooth speaker only $10, positioning Ikea as the value leader in basic monitoring.
Presence Sensing Moves Beyond Cameras
Aqara’s FP400 Spatial Multi-Sensor uses mmWave radar to follow up to 10 people in a room, registering standing, sitting, or lying positions. The data can trigger lights, locks, or alarms through Apple Home and Google Home.
- No cameras, recordings, or facial recognition required
- Useful for elder-care fall detection and energy-saving automation
- Competing hubs from Irvinei and Arqaios bundle safety and smart-home controls into single devices
AI Video Analysis Spreads to Smaller Brands
Gemini-powered features once reserved for Google Nest now appear in Ulticam’s IQ V2 and Energizer Connect cameras, delivering auto-generated video summaries and object recognition. Startups gain AI overnight through cloud partnerships instead of years of R&D.
- Desloc’s S150 Max lock adds on-device AI alerts
- Google encourages third-party Gemini tie-ins, accelerating adoption
- Expect more brands to offer descriptive alerts and searchable video clips
Video Smart Locks Still Search for Fans
MyQ Secure View, SwitchBot Lock Vision Series, and others continue pushing locks with built-in cameras. Yet major brands mostly skip the category-door-mount positioning limits field of view and raises privacy questions. A separate doorbell remains cheaper and more flexible.
Lockly Targets Real-World Friction
Lockly’s OwlGuard camera records without Wi-Fi, packs a status screen, and offers snap-on accessories: magnifying lens, sunshade, and privacy blindfold. The TapCom platform lets Airbnb guests unlock or video-call owners without an app download while giving hosts a unified dashboard for Lockly, Yale, and Schlage devices.
Key Takeaways
- Wireless and solar charging aim to kill the battery-change chore
- Ikea’s sub-$10 sensors bring Matter-ready monitoring to the masses
- Presence radar enables camera-free tracking for privacy-minded homes
- AI video tools are no longer exclusive to big-brand cameras
- Modular, rental-friendly gear shows innovation shifting toward user workflow, not just specs
Chasing specs matters less than erasing everyday annoyances-dead batteries, app overload, privacy fears-and CES 2026 finally delivered tools that do exactly that.
