SimpliSafe is a DIY security system that’s easy to install and use that keeps our homes safe from intruders and environmental threats such as floods and fires. It offers a seamless system that succeeds quite well at what it sets out to do, which is to secure your home. By being simple and flexible, it lets you monitor everything remotely with (or without) an affordable monthly plan.
SimpliSafe’s system uses Wi-Fi and cellular connections to send alerts. Each of the devices is also powered by batteries. This means that if the power is knocked out or your landline is cut, the monitoring stations will still get your signal. The company even made the keypad and base station “smash safe.”
The review set included 10 pieces of security equipment:
- Base station: The base station communicates with all of the sensors, your smartphone, and the professional monitoring team.
- Keypad: The keypad is installed next to your main entrance so you can easily enter your PIN to turn it off when you get home.
- Entry sensors (three): These two-piece units go on doors and windows. They let you know when a potential point of entry is opened or closed.
- Motion sensor: This uses infrared technology to tell if someone enters a room.
- Glass break sensor: Installed on a wall or shelf within 30 feet of windows that are most likely to be broken into, the glass break sensor is triggered when it “hears” the specific frequency of glass breaking.
- Panic button: You just push it if there is a threat that the other sensors didn’t pick up.
- Freeze sensor: This sensor monitors the temperature in your house and sends an alert if it gets too cold or too hot.
- Water sensor: If your basement is flooding, you want to know right away. The water sensor will alert you.
Installation of these units can take anywhere between 45 minutes to an hour. This included reading the manual, installing the app, installing the sensors, and testing. There were no tools needed. All of the devices have adhesives on them that make it easy to stick them to the walls. They also come with screws if you want to mount them that way.
How SimpliSafe Works
With SimpliSafe, you can self-monitor or pay $14.99 per month (no contract required) for 24/7 professional monitoring. If you choose to self-monitor, it is up to you to assess the threat and contact the police when you receive an alert. Self-monitoring fails when you are in a compromised position and cannot contact the police.
One the other hand, with SimpliSafe’s professional monitoring and police dispatch, they call you when the alarm is triggered. If you don’t answer, they will move on to contact the backup number. If the secondary contact doesn’t answer, then a SimpliSafe representative calls 911. Because of false alarms tying up police resources, different municipalities have different processes for these calls. For instance, in order for a third-party to contact police on your behalf, some cities require you to register your security system and also provide some sort of audio or video proof of a crime in progress.
The app is incredibly easy to use and makes it effortless to customize your experience. You can choose to get push notifications, SMS texts, or emails when any of your sensors are triggered. There is also an option to instantly sound the alarm and can be set up for when the glass break sensor is triggered. SimpliSafe has also updated its video alarm verification. If you have the SimpliSafe Camera, the monitoring center will receive a short clip of what triggered the alarm and use it to verify the alarm for the police. The monitoring station never has access to your camera so your privacy is protected, while it also reduces false alarms and often leads to faster dispatch and higher arrest rates.
At 95 decibels, the alarm is quite loud, but it may not reach all parts of your home. SimpliSafe recommends for users to install the base station in a central location in your home. At first, many might think it’s wise to set up their system on the second floor of a three-story home. But, from the first floor, where intruders will likely enter, the sound of the siren may not be as intense as many would like. For some, it might be best to move the siren to the first floor. It would also be nice if SimpliSafe offered a few sirens throughout the home, but again, that would be up to your own preferences. For $60, SimpliSafe offers an extra-loud 105-decibel siren that can be used inside the home or outside to alert neighbors.
There’s a reported hack that can disarm the second-generation SimpliSafe system. The signals for the new third-gen system are encrypted and should protect against this hack. If you are concerned about this, we recommend not to advertise that you are using a SimpliSafe system. Instead, consider purchasing generic signs off Amazon or elsewhere. Either way, it’s important that you advertise that you have a security system. That should be enough to deter most crooks.
Even the best security system won’t stop a determined burglar. But, when it comes to opportunistic crimes, a security system should be enough to ward off most criminals. Over time, many users see the results of having a good security system installed in their homes and much more sleep soundly at night knowing that their home is protected and monitored 24/7.
Based on these observations, SimpliSafe’s third-generation wireless home security system is everything it claims to be. It produces excellent results, keeps the home and family away from trouble, alerts police in real-time, as well as scare off potential threats. It is a highly recommended security system for anyone looking for a safe option whenever they’re away from home.