Article Updated: 28th August, 2024
As technology advances and smart features become standard, many demand luxury and comfort at a reasonable price. Remote access control in various formats (audio/video), sleek design, easy installation, flexible angle monitoring, and more are now non-negotiables—not “nice-to-haves.” While each company strives to incorporate key considerations for buying intercoms as best as possible, not all meet the mark.
Has Siedle—the German door intercom systems manufacturer known for its elegant design, consistent innovation, and accessibility—met the many expectations of multifamily renters and owners? Below is our review of Siedle Intercom systems and what they offer customers.
Table of Contents
- Types of Intercom Systems offered by Siedle
- Overview of Siedle’s IP Systems
- Comparing Siedle’s External Door Intercom Systems
- Siedle’s Internal Door Intercom Systems
- Overview of the Siedle App
- Comparing Siedle Vario and Swiftlane Video Intercom
- Siedle Intercom Review: Pros and Cons
- A Quick Feature-Comparison
- What Are Users Saying?
- Siedle Pricing
- Configuration, Installation, and Repair
- Making The Right Choice
Related Articles
A Comprehensive Guide to Amazon Key for Business
Akuvox Intercom: Review, Pricing and Comparison
DoorBird Intercom Review, Pricing and Comparison
Types of Siedle Intercom Systems
Founded in Furtwangen, Germany, back in 1750, this family-owned intercom systems manufacturing company has a robust technological backbone. Germany is at the forefront of digitization, with the ICT market boosting revenue by billions of dollars. Siedle embodies this spirit by contributing heavily to research and development for its products.
Siedle manufactures customized communication systems for both residential and commercial applications. The products diversify based on IP systems, door intercom systems as a set, and individual external or internal door intercom systems. They offer optimum audio and video quality for easy access to unlocking doors and maintaining security at entrances. With multiple options, customers can select whether to unlock with a fingerprint, a PIN code, or radio frequency identification (RFID) cards. Stepping up from the “indoor stations” perspective, Siedle has introduced more freedom for its users through the Siedle mobile app that offers remote and convenient security.
Siedle IP Systems
Unlike the two-wire system used in external and internal door intercom systems, Siedle’s IP Systems range can transmit audio and video with Ethernet cables. This product line offers advanced communication and remote access control.
External Door Intercom Systems
External door intercom systems are suitable for those who want to communicate with visitors outside their residence or office—e.g., delivery people, family members, handymen, or maintenance crews. Residents can hear and see people visiting them using these devices and grant access by remotely releasing doors or gates.
Internal Door Intercom Systems
Internal door intercom systems are best for communication within a household or office building. Although internal communication is mainly carried out through smartphones today, intercoms help you with more than just doorway communication; they allow you to check and control doors with audio/ video features, store video feeds and visitor messages, and adjust indoor lighting.
Siedle Intercom Systems as a Set
Instead of buying internal and external units separately, Siedle customers can purchase a set best suited to their needs. These sets ensure something for everyone, with a mix of audio, video, and app variations in each set. You can also select a set with your choice of indoor stations. Siedle also provides the option to customize and create sets of intercoms with video, audio, and application upgrades depending on customer requirements.
Find the entire Siedle intercom product line below.
Overview of Siedle’s IP Systems
Siedle Access Professional
The Siedle Access Professional connects seamlessly with an IP network, allowing high-quality audio and video communication and boasting compatibility with the global network standard. The product is made-to-order according to technical specifications for residential and commercial usage and is regularly revised to boost its usability for a diverse clientele. The Access system can be integrated into the Siedle Vario, Steel, and Classic versions by cable wires. The system can be incorporated into video panels and indoor in-house telephones.
Highlights
- It can be used for gate access, surveillance, and other purposes
- Useful for both residential and commercial spaces spanning large distances
- Enhanced video and audio transmission
- Requires cabling and IP technology
Vario IP
Siedle has produced its Vario line since 1981. The line’s latest iteration, Vario IP, integrates the company’s most successful product, the Siedle Vario, with an IP system. The Vario IP complies with the latest policies through solid data encryption practices and ensures maximum security against malicious access attempts. Its high-quality camera and energy-saving light modes make it well-suited for outdoor use.
Highlights
- Broad camera vision of 130°
- Easy installation requiring just a network connector and ribbon cable
- Smaller hardware gives the product a sleek look and cuts installation costs for larger multi-tenant buildings that need multiple units
- Offers a 4-level protection system
Siedle IQ In-house Telephones
The Siedle IQ in-house telephones are designed to integrate with other products to enhance security seamlessly. They improve access control by replacing existing intercom systems or installing them directly in new systems.
You can easily connect the Siedle IQ in-house telephones to a Wi-Fi router using the web address through the Siedle app. Once registered and commissioned, the Siedle IQ in-house telephones provide audio transmission and video feeds directly to your smartphone through the Siedle app, allowing you to answer doorbells and unlock doors with a simple tap.
Highlights
- Dual application in residences and offices
- No specialist knowledge is required to set up the Siedle IQ
Comparing Siedle’s External Door Intercom Systems
| SIEDLE COMPACT | SIEDLE CLASSIC | SIEDLE STEEL | SIEDLE VARIO | |
| CAMERA DETAILS | Field vision of 65° | Field vision of 130°/ 175° | Field vision of 175° | Field vision of 175° |
| MOUNTING | Flush/ Surface | Flush/ Surface | Fully flush installation with touchscreen available | Flush/ Surface/ Free-standing/ Fully Flush |
| AUDIO | Speech and hearing with call buttons | Speech and hearing with call buttons | Speech and hearing with call buttons | Speech and hearing with multiple call buttons |
| VIDEO | Colored vision | Colored vision | Colored vision | Colored vision |
| DESIGN | High-quality stainless steel front | Solid metal with labeled, lasered, or engraved buttons | Configured and manufactured according to specifications | Free-standing design with legs/ pedestal available as per specifications |
| COLOR VARIATIONS | Stainless steel | Stainless steel/ brass/ aluminum | Stainless steel/ brass/ aluminum/ chrome | White/ silver metallic/ anthracite gray/ dark gray |
| LETTERBOX SYSTEM (ON REQUEST) | Pass-through/ front-removal | Pass-through/ front-removal | Pass-through/ front-removal | Pass-through/ front-removal |
| OPENING SYSTEM | Siedle Indoor stations | Code lock, fingerprint reader, electronic key reader | Code lock, fingerprint reader, electronic key reader | Code lock, fingerprint reader, electronic key reader |
Siedle’s Internal Door Intercom Systems
Axiom In-Home
The Siedle Axiom In-Home works best for people who desire multifunctionality in their devices—unlocking, door release, storing messages, switching lights on and off, or viewing the visitor in a 7-inch touchscreen video panel. The Axiom In-Home is a highly customizable video intercom device where functions can be easily labeled, relabeled, moved, or removed.
Symbolic buttons on the access control panel represent the user’s chosen functions. The only buttons you can’t change are those for speaking and unlocking doors. These will appear on the access-control panel when a visitor is visible on the Axiom screen. The Axiom In-Home comes in 3 colors: pearl ruby red, black-gray, signal-white.
Highlights
- Provides a chronological history of recorded visitor messages
- You can create “Favorite” functions for quicker actions by displaying them on the main screen, such as adjusting lights or making announcements
- Ringtone muting with volume and call differentiation is available
Siedle Basic
The Siedle Basic, one of the earliest models, has won awards for its simple design and functionality on a 3.5-inch screen. It comprises basic audio transmission and video intercom facilities with a 65° field vision and a compact 2-button design to accept calls and release doors. Its relatively affordable price makes it suitable for people experimenting with intercom systems for the first time.
Highlights
- The indoor video station has an adjustable color display with an 8.8 cm (diagonal)
- LED light to display incoming calls or activation of mute function
Siedle In-House Telephones
The Siedle in-house telephones are intuitive technology for accepting calls, releasing doors, and ending calls, with or without a telephone receiver. You can go hands-free when communicating with visitors and take action like forwarding calls or releasing doors without picking up the receiver. Simply push a button, and you’re done. You can select from standard versions or customize them with multiple materials and colors. The product’s support leg can prop it upright on any table.
Highlights
- Receivers are available for people with hearing disabilities and connect with hearing aids
- Siedle IQ telephones enable mobile intercom communication by pairing with the Siedle app
- Siedle in-house telephone Comfort version offers seamless operation by creating a command center for various functions, including light and camera control and door release. This model allows customizable buttons for individual use
Overview of the Siedle App
The Siedle mobile app for intercom systems ensures mobility with security through access control at the tap of a finger. You can install the app on smartphones or tablets, where you can view a live video feed of your entrance transmitted via a video intercom. The application enables a speech connection and lets you unlock or release doors for receiving packages. You can use the application for permitting anyone you know into your home when you’re away. Watch how the Siedle app works.
Highlights
- Uses a cloud-based server with strong encryption to protect your data
- Records visitor timing and location to boost the security and integrity of your property
- Can control up to 4 locations of your choice
- It is installed in tandem with other Siedle products such as the Siedle IQ/ Smart Gateway/ Siedle Access Professional
- Ease of controlling your homes, workspaces, and offices with the same platform
User reviews stated that the doorbell’s audio transmission and instant notifications function well. However, one customer complained about the app falsely notifying them of an opened door when the door was actually closed due to a wiring issue. Hence, the Siedle app has mixed reviews overall.
Comparing Siedle Vario and Swiftlane Video Intercom
Siedle is marketing its Vario model as the way forward with its greater usability, IP functionality, and modern look and appeal. In this section, we compare Siedle Vario with Swiftlane’s video intercom for an accurate fit check and to determine which best aligns with your requirements.
While both Swiftlane and Siedle offer smartphone-facilitated access control for intercom calling and door release, Siedle can only support one-way video calling. Swiftlane, on the other hand, has two-way video intercom calling. This allows the recipient to choose if they want their visitor to see them, but they will always be able to see their visitor.
A very useful feature that Siedle Vario lacks is the ability to generate single/multi-use PIN codes that you can give to known visitors in advance (e.g., deliveries, dog-walkers, house help). This allows them direct entry. Unlike Siedle Vario, Swiftlane video intercoms have this feature and security audit trails that register every access event.
Siedle Review: Pros and Cons
Pros of Siedle Intercom
- Offers a variety of valuable add-ons like fingerprint/ card/ electronic key readers
- Excellent sound and video quality
- Configuration tool for customizing your system
Cons of Siedle Intercom
- No touchscreen directory feature
- Lacks integration options
- Does not offer cloud-based management
- Lacks automatic visitor access features
- Mobile app requires a complex set-up process to grant residents access
- It is primarily a residential product and not ideal for large buildings with many units due to the requirement of wired connectivity with Siedle door stations.
A Quick Feature-Comparison
What are Users Saying about Siedle Intercoms?
Siedle Vario
While the security industry promotes these products as “modular” and capable of being upgraded as needed, customer reviews describe difficulties connecting their existing Siedle products with newly purchased Ring intercoms or Nuki Openers, evidencing a lack of collaboration with other systems. Based on a review by Whoo, the Siedle App averages a 3-star rating, owing to mediocre functionality experienced by users.
Swiftlane Video Intercom
Although a relatively new venture into the intercom industry, Swiftlane is rapidly becoming the preferred choice for multifamily properties and has a quick product adaptation rate. Users recommend Swiftlane intercoms for both residential and commercial usage, praising its value-for-money, ease of adaptation by residents, modern functionality, and resilience against vandalism.
Siedle Intercom Pricing
According to the downloadable Price list available on the company website, prices of External Door Intercom Systems can range from approximately $815.46 to $3092.28 (USD). Pricing fluctuates depending on customizations, models, features, colors, and enhanced functionality. Video indoor stations have higher costs. These costs can also rise with the number of apartments (1-12) for which the product is purchased.
You can request a quote for Internal Door Intercom Systems and other products through the company website’s Contact section. The section also provides the nearest dealers and estimated delivery times.
Configuration, Installation, and Repair
In this section, we discuss Siedle’s configuration, installation, and repair options to ensure an optimum purchase.
You can create your customized Siedle from an online configurator tool present on the company’s website. Under the Services section, you can tailor your Siedle’s colors, essential functions, access control panel, lighting, letterboxes, and the type of installation you want.
All Siedle products involve a 2-wire installation with varying mounting frames. Depending on the style desired by the customer and the installation location, there are four mounting options: flush, surface, freestanding, and fully flush. Manuals and kits are available on the website to aid self-installation.
Although Siedle products are engineered for a long service life, aggressive and harsh usage and exposure to hostile weather conditions significantly decrease their life and may lead to frequent maintenance costs. Users are advised to follow specific care instructions to maximally prevent damage.
You can find the exact spare part you need for repair on the website. If you need to open your Siedle for set-up and repair purposes, you can find relevant information through video tutorials and specific operating instructions. When none of these work, it’s best to contact Customer Support for further assistance.
Making The Right Choice
If you’ve made it to the end, you probably have a better idea about what you’re looking for.
Siedle’s IP, Internal, and External Door Intercom systems provide customers with a flexible range of options, the ultimate question boils down to your needs. Do the Siedle systems house features that are suited to your personalized needs?
If you still wish to explore more video intercoms, you can request a quote from Swiftlane for a free customized bid for your property’s requirements.
Start Improving Your Building Security
Contact a Swiftlane specialist about learn more about alternatives to Siedle intercom, and find the best access and intercom solution for your building.
