Preserving a home’s security is critical for peace of mind. In large metro areas like Los Angeles, crime is inevitable, especially as criminals become more sophisticated in their tactics. Now is the time to assess your home’s security for gaps and opportunities, including choosing the best wireless intercom system.
Today’s sophisticated intercom systems are integral to enhancing home security. This intercom system guide can help you understand the importance of home or apartment intercom systems as we explore the types, components, benefits, features, and more.
Understanding Intercom Systems
Intercom systems are not a 21st-century convenience. They began appearing in households as early as the 50s, marketed as a convenience for communicating across different parts of the house. Thanks to technological advances, today’s systems offer the same benefit – yet so much more. In addition to enabling communication, intercom systems for home use provide convenient and controlled access, making monitoring and restricting entry easier and heightening home security.
What is an Intercom System?
If you are shopping for a home intercom system, it’s helpful to thoroughly understand what they are and, more importantly, what they can do for you. Intercom systems for homes are communication devices used to communicate instantly between different rooms or areas, allowing users to communicate easily from room to room without yelling or picking up a phone. Prior to wireless technology, residential intercom systems had to be hard-wired to function, i.e., linked with physical wiring within the walls to connect different intercom units from room to room.
However, WiFi and modern tech have transformed intercom systems’ capabilities, granting more access and benefits than ever before. Today, there are three main types of home intercom systems: wired, wireless, and video.
Types of Intercoms by Functionality

Explore the functionality of each type of in-home intercom system.
Wired Intercom Systems
As previously mentioned, these intercom systems have to be hard-wired within the home to function. Although in today’s wireless world, that may seem cumbersome, there are some distinct advantages to having a home intercom system wired into a network. Despite being more costly and invasive to install than wireless intercom systems, wired setups tend to be more secure in terms of WiFi outages and hacking threats and can offer better sound quality.
Wireless Intercom Systems
Thanks to house intercom systems wireless options, installation is more accessible than ever before. Wireless intercom systems work on WiFI networks or radio frequencies, eliminating the need for hard wiring. Modern wireless home intercom systems are portable, offering flexible placement options, and can easily integrate with smart home systems. However, even the best wireless home intercom systems are subject to interference from other wireless devices and hacking threats if the system isn’t encrypted.
Video Intercom Systems
A video intercom system takes monitoring a step further. These systems offer a video feed so residents can see the person they are communicating with, making it the best home intercom system in terms of comprehensive monitoring access. Video intercom systems tend to be pricier than audio-only versions, and they require more bandwidth if they are wirelessly connected.
Types of Intercoms by Use
Although this intercom system guide is intended to help with choosing the best wireless intercom system for a home, it’s helpful to understand how intercom systems are used in different environments. So, let’s review types of intercom systems by use, including home, business, and commercial applications.
Home Intercom Systems
Home intercom systems, wired or wireless, are integral to seamless room-to-room communication. Plus, video-enabled home intercom technology can enhance monitoring and security. Intercom systems for homes can also double as room monitors, allowing parents or caretakers to monitor activity while in another room. Plus, many homeowners with video-enabled intercom systems use them to monitor and communicate with visitors at home entry points before deciding whether or not to open a door.
Business Intercom Systems
Businesses use office intercoms to communicate with employees and co-workers in other areas of the office. These systems can also monitor entry to restricted areas by granting or denying access via voice or video connections.
Commercial Intercom Systems
Commercial intercoms offer secure access control and communication between staff and visitors, ensuring a safe environment. Schools rely on these two-way communication systems to strictly monitor on-premise visitors. Other commercial intercom system applications for seamless communication across large complexes include apartment buildings, hospitals, retail centers, and industrial facilities.
Components of a Residential Intercom System
Residential intercom systems typically consist of the following components, working together to offer seamless communication, security, and monitoring throughout the home: base station, substations, access control devices, and camera (for video intercom systems).
Base Station/Master unit
This is the central control unit of the intercom system. It’s best to install the base station in a convenient location, like the entryway, kitchen, or living room. The base or master station of home intercom systems controls communication between different rooms (substations), offering volume control, zone selection, and system settings management. For video intercom systems, the base station includes a screen for visual monitoring. Also, some master stations can integrate with smart home systems, allowing smart device control.
Substations/Room Units
Substations with intercom systems for homes are installed in various rooms throughout the home, connecting to the master station for communication between rooms or with the master station.
Door Station
This station goes by the home’s entry, facilitating communication with people outside, such as guests, solicitors, or delivery personnel at the door. The door station adds a layer of protection, allowing communication before granting entry. Depending on the home intercom system, the door station may also include video monitoring, door lock access control, or night vision.
Benefits of an Intercom System Wireless

Among the many options for home intercom systems, wireless versions offer the most flexibility and affordability. Since this post can double as a wireless intercom buying guide, let’s explore the many benefits these modern intercom systems have to offer homeowners.
Convenience
Convenience tops the list of wireless intercom system benefits. Connecting over Wifi networks, these systems are free of wiring and installation hassles. They are also easier to scale, adding additional substations as needed with minimal effort. Furthermore, wireless technology continues to advance, meaning more features than ever before.
Remote Access Capabilities
Another great wireless intercom feature is remote access capabilities, allowing users to control their intercom system from any location using smartphones or other compatible devices. This feature also supports easier maintenance and troubleshooting, as system administrators can perform checks or resolve issues remotely.
Advanced Security Integration
Integration with other systems is especially beneficial for homes with smart home automation. For example, seamless integration with smart home security systems offers a unified platform to manage all aspects of a home’s safety and access control.
Installation and Maintenance of Intercom Systems
Proper home installation and ongoing maintenance of intercom home systems are critical for performance. Although many of today’s systems are set up for DIY installation, professional installation guidance sets homeowners up for configuration and operational success. Home audio and video experts, like MIR Audio Video, are up-to-date on the most cutting-edge, best intercom systems for homes – including wireless and video intercom systems. Furthermore, as trusted Smart Home Automation designers and installers, the MIR team can efficiently integrate compatible intercom systems for homes with existing smart home features.
Home intercom systems need maintenance to ensure peak performance. This includes regular maintenance checks, software updates, and immediate repairs of any detected issues – all of which are essential to maintain security and intercom system integrity. MIR Audio Video prides itself on excellent customer service, providing clients with the support they need efficiently, professionally, and courteously.
Features to Consider When Choosing an Intercom System
Choosing the best wireless intercom system for your home involves many factors:
- Budget and affordability
- Property size
- Audio and video quality
- Scalability
- Durability
- Installation and maintenance requirements
Apartment Building Intercom Systems by DoorBird

The DoorBird apartment intercoms are a MIR-preferred system, combining sleek design with advanced intercom and security technology for secure and modern building management and tenant-focused experiences. Unlike some traditional analog systems, DoorBird IP Door Stations are easily installable in new construction and retrofit building projects, connecting over a Local Area Network (LAN) and Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) ready. MIR’s experience installing the advanced DoorBird video intercom system for apartments is extensive and seamless, professionally outfitting multi-unit complexes across the greater Los Angeles metro.
Why Choose DoorBird Apartment & Condo Intercom Systems
The DoorBird building intercom systems offer a modular design that can be custom-configured to fit any aesthetic, effortlessly blending form and function. From entry points to in-apartment control, DoorBird’s system covers every possibility, seamlessly securing entry points while providing reliable, accessible-from-anywhere communication capabilities.
Modular Design & Seamless Configuration
The DoorBird apartment and condo intercom system design is sleek, modern, and custom-configurable. From intercom entry to mailbox systems, users can customize the mounting type, size, color, finish, and more with DoorBird’s 3D Configurator – bringing designs to life virtually, in real time. Features include:
- Ultra-wide-angle Lens with HD Video
- Infrared LED for Night Vision
- Microphone with echo cancellation and noise reduction (AEC, ANR)
- RFID Reader for Access Control
- Keypad Module
- Request information
- Accessibility Module
- Fingerprint Module
Central Door Control & Remote Management
DoorBird’s apartment and condo building intercom system offers centrally controlled or remote monitoring of all system functions and building entries, including the main and side/back entrances, common room access points (e.g., fitness centers, lounges, business centers, laundry rooms, etc.), elevators, and underground parking. Building managers can access all IP Video Door Stations conveniently and securely using DoorBird’s WebAdmin, our browser-based administration tool.
Keyless Access & APP Enabled
Digital access systems are more secure, convenient, and cost-effective than traditional keys. DoorBird offers RFID keyless access, PIN code, and APP-enabled access.
- RFID Transponder: Dual-band Key Fobs can be configured remotely
- App Key: The DoorBird App is available for iOS and Android devices
- Keypad: The Keypad enables access with individual PIN codes
All digital keys have unique identifiers and can be configured individually for user-defined access control, including by time, door, and length of time. Access is logged automatically, and lost or stolen digital keys can be easily blocked and replaced.
Tenant-Focused Features
Tenants can communicate with visitors at the exterior IP Video Door Station from the DoorBird App or a dedicated Indoor Station installed in their unit. Their apartment intercom system’s Indoor Station provides tenants additional features like a concierge call, room-to-room communication, and weather information.
Data Security
IP-based entry Systems require physical and network security, and DoorBird provides the maximum level of both. With a long-standing reputation for data protection and privacy, DoorBird outperforms the competition by offering bank-level encryption of all user data, hosted securely by privately held servers in Germany and the US and managed with proprietary Cyber-Protection software.
Stay Protected with Video Intercom System for Apartments
Whether shopping for a new apartment building or a condo intercom replacement system, know that DoorBird offers security confidence. From any time building management access to all system features to in-unit video and conferencing capabilities with visitors, the DoorBird system has eyes on at all times.
Preferred Home and Apartment Intercom System Installation
Extensive research and comparison shopping on intercom systems for homes and apartments may get you there eventually – or you can consult the experts. For over 30 years, MIR Audio Video has remained on the very edge of cutting-edge audio video systems for homes and businesses, including all types of intercom systems, e.g., wired, wireless, and video.
Not only do we have relationships with the top intercom system manufacturers, but we have the experience and expertise to ensure efficient installation, outstanding performance, and seamless integration with existing smart home features.
Frequently Asked Questions about Intercoms for Homes
What is the security intercom system?
Security intercom systems are frequently used to control access to homes, apartment buildings, or gated communities, ensuring only authorized individuals can enter. They typically feature two-way communication over distances, access control integration, remote access capabilities, and video monitoring. These systems are also often integrated with home or building security systems.
Can intercom systems be hacked, and how can this risk be mitigated?
Intercom systems, wirelessly connected, can be vulnerable to hacking incidents. Risk mitigation is possible by ensuring the network is secure, firmware is regularly updated, and passwords are strong and secure.
What is the recommended frequency for updating access control systems?
A home intercom system’s access control systems should be updated at least annually to ensure the latest technologies and security features are intact, helping to protect against vulnerabilities and ensure optimal system functionality.
How can I ensure the optimal performance of my intercom system?
Professional installation and regular maintenance of your home intercom system will ensure optimal performance.