Fog security in Australia has been shown to deter thieves by rapidly reducing visibility during a break-in.

When business owners or building managers look into this technology, they often encounter two names: the UR Fog Security System and fog cannon-style systems, which are usually associated with items like the FOG Bandit™.

The goal of both products is to produce an immediate, visibility-reducing fog that confuses and startles intruders to the point where they flee empty-handed. Where they differ is in how they deliver that protection and how well each approach fits different real-world environments.

If you own a retail outlet, service station, warehouse or any facility that faces the risk of break-and-enter events, take a look at an objective, side-by-side comparison to help you choose the right solution for your space.

Traditional alarm systems vs fog security

CCTV, sirens and monitoring alerts are examples of traditional alarms that remain crucial to security plans. However, while these can deter thieves, when a break-in does happen, they are primarily reactive.

Sirens are meant to warn nearby residents or employees, but there is no guarantee that anyone will respond. Authorities are notified via monitoring centres, but reaction times vary. Meanwhile, cameras help gather evidence, but this captures crimes rather than preventing them, and thieves are very good at covering up anything that makes them easy to identify.

In many smash-and-grab situations, thieves enter, take valuable items, and depart in less than two minutes, long before outside assistance arrives. Fog security solutions offer a distinct advantage by immediately activating and confusing the introducers. A stream of heavy fog is instantly released, filling the space to reduce visibility so thieves panic and flee empty handed.

Fog Bandit vs the UR Fog Security System: An objective comparison

Fog security solutions all promise the same outcome which is zero visibility, fast. Below is a practical comparison between UR Fog Modular 5 Plus and Fog Bandit 240 (240 series / 240 DB references), which are the two main options for fog security in Australia:

Warranty, certification and safety

The UR Fog Security System comes with a five-year warranty on the unit and a ten-year warranty on the pump, reflecting confidence in long-term reliability. It is certified to EN 50131-8 and CE standards, meeting recognised European security requirements.

You will receive a five-year warranty and EN50131 certification when you purchase Fog Bandit™.

Both systems use glycol-based vapour; however, the UR Fog Security System uses food-grade safe fog, making it suitable for environments such as retail stores, hospitality venues and areas where people or products may be present shortly after activation.

Performance and fog output

Speed matters during a break-in. The UR Fog Security System disperses 1500 m³ of fog in just 48 seconds, rapidly filling the space and removing visibility almost immediately.

Fog Bandit™ produces less fog volume (500 m³).

Size, weight and installation flexibility

The UR Fog Security System is compact and lightweight, weighing just 9 kg and with dimensions of 300 x 130 x 390. This makes it easier to discreetly install in retail stores, offices, service stations and other tight spaces without disrupting the layout of the premises. Its smaller footprint also allows for more flexible installation options, including vertical, horizontal, desktop and cupboard mounting.

By comparison, Fog Bandit™ units are significantly heavier at 35 kg, larger at 270×365×255 mm and no ceiling mount options.

Range and scalability

The UR Fog Security System is available across five different sizes, allowing it to scale from small retail spaces to larger commercial or industrial environments. The Fog Bandit™ range is more limited, with only two sizes.

Technology, monitoring and future-proofing

The UR Fog Security System includes advanced features such as remote access, remote firmware upgrades and a remote management portal. This allows system monitoring, updates and diagnostics without the need for on-site intervention, helping future-proof the investment and reduce maintenance costs.

Fog Bandit™ offers more basic remote status and fault reporting, which provides visibility but lacks the same level of control and upgrade capability.

Quick snapshot of specifications

Here's a side-by-side comparison between the UR Fog Modular 5 Plus and the Fog Bandit 240 security fog generators:

Feature	UR Fog Modular 5 Plus	Fog Bandit 240
Coverage / Output	Up to 1500 m³ in ~48 s (visibility >1.5 m) and 500 m³ <1 m visibility in same shot duration	Up to 504 m³ in ~18 s (with high-density fog)
Fog speed / density	Designed for larger total volume over longer emission period	Produces ~28 m³/s with dense fog reducing visibility to ~30cm
Backup operation	>2 hour from included internal battery backup (mains fail)	Minimum 2 hours operation on mains fail
Power consumption	~48 W average	~40 W average
Dimensions (WxHxD)	300×130×390 mm	270×365×255 mm
Weight	8–9 kg	35 kg installed
Fluid / Cartridge	Single 750 ml fluid bag included	Refillable aluminium HY-3 cartridge typical
Installation	Wall/ceiling mount, compact unit orientation flexibility	Wall mount options with nozzle variants
Certifications / Standards	EN 50131‐8 & CE Certification, Food Grade Safe	CE/EMC; BS7969:1999, EN50131-8 certified options
Typical use-case	Larger volumes (up to ~1500 m³) requiring longer continuous fog shots	Rapid high-density fog to quickly block view in medium rooms

Key differences:

• Output & Coverage: UR Fog gets more total fog volume per shot (normally 5) over a longer emission period; Fog Bandit is optimized for fog in medium spaces and only allows for two shots.
• Size & Weight: UR Fog is more compact and lighter, flexible nozzle options, easier to install; Fog Bandit is heavier but robust with flexible nozzle options.
• Certifications & Standard: Both have EN 50131‐8 and CE Certification; UR Fog is certified food grade safe.

How to choose fog security for your business

For Australian businesses, the ideal fog security solution depends on the size of your space, the complexity of the layout and your future expansion plans.

While aerosol–style systems can be effective in smaller, straightforward environments, UR Fog Security Systems offer greater flexibility across a wide range of Australian use cases, from residential properties and pharmacies to large retail, commercial, and industrial spaces.

This adaptability is why the UR Fog Security System is the most advanced in the world, and is increasingly chosen by Australian buyers who want:

• Scalable protection
• Precise fog coverage
• Professional integration
• Long-term reliability