Dahua AirShield vs Ajax: the differences and which to choose

Dahua AirShield and Ajax Systems are both full wireless alarm systems, and we sell and install both. Ajax has been the benchmark in the Netherlands for years, with a huge range and an excellent app. AirShield is the newer challenger from Dahua and, to be honest, has pleasantly surprised us: you get a remarkable amount of system for your money, with its biggest asset being the deep integration with Dahua cameras and video intercoms. In this article we set out the differences, without making either of them look better than it is.

AirShield and Ajax side by side

Dahua AirShield vs Ajax: the differences at a glance

Good to know all prices come live from our webshop, and for a deterrent, loud alarm you add a separate siren with either brand, such as the AirShield Indoor Siren or the Ajax HomeSiren.

Is AirShield as good as Ajax Systems?

For the core security of a home or business premises: yes, AirShield is a fully capable system. The wireless technology is on a par with what you would expect from a modern alarm: encrypted two-way communication, frequency hopping against jamming, tamper detection, photo verification and a hub with a backup battery of up to 12 hours. The 4G Hub 2 also has features on board that you will not find on the Ajax hubs: a built-in speaker for spoken notifications and local alarm sound, alerting by voice call and SMS, a Wi-Fi AP mode (the hub sets up its own Wi-Fi network with a dedicated switch, useful during installation), and you can connect up to 8 IP cameras directly to it, with the hub itself recording footage before an alarm (pre-recording), without an SD card in the camera. Treat that speaker as an extra rather than a replacement for a siren: for a deterrent, loud alarm you add a separate siren with either brand, such as the AirShield Indoor Siren or the Ajax HomeSiren. Ajax does have a head start in years and in breadth: the range of detectors, keypads and accessories is larger, the platform has a longer track record and with the Hub 2 Plus you can go up to 200 devices. If you want the most extensive range of detectors, Ajax is still a good choice. If you want alarm and camera surveillance as one whole, AirShield offers something that Ajax does not offer in that way.

Why choose Dahua AirShield?

The main reason is the ecosystem. AirShield is deeply integrated with Dahua cameras and video intercoms: when a detector is triggered, you immediately see a live image in the DMSS app, and conversely a camera with WizSense AI (person and vehicle recognition) can trigger the alarm. If you already have Dahua cameras, or want to add them, you manage everything in one app without a mandatory subscription. In addition, the price-to-features ratio is strong: a complete kit for € 255,50, outdoor detectors with dual sensor technology, an intercom siren with two-way audio and cloud updates (OTA) for every device in the system. And you can expand up to 150 devices per hub, so you will not outgrow it quickly.

What we think

We are an Ajax PRO partner and an official Dahua partner, so we have no stake in a winner. To be fair: AirShield has pleasantly surprised us. For the price of an entry-level system, you get functions you would normally expect in a higher class, such as photos on request, voice through the siren and the camera link. Ajax remains the safe choice with the widest range and years of proven quality. Our summary: if you have (plans for) Dahua camera surveillance or you are watching the price closely, choose AirShield. If you want the largest range and the longest-proven platform, choose Ajax. You can hardly choose wrongly.

AirShield or Ajax

Put together your system

You can put together both systems yourself in our configurator, with live prices and stock levels. Unsure? We are happy to help you work out what suits your situation best.