SimpliSafe 8 Piece Wireless Home Security System - Optional 24/7 Professional Monitoring - No Contract - Compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant , White

I purchased this system primarily because of the cell phone master monitoring notification, which works well and is far safer than a system dependent upon a landline telephone whose outside wires can be cut in seconds. Pro: Its simple and very easy to install and use, and the 3rd-party monitoring seems to work well. Con: Long wait to get customer service to answer. Cost break-even point for savings on even the simplest monitored system is close to 18 months; for more sophisticated systems it can be 3 1/2 - 4 years or more. Control panels often repeatedly light up during the night for no known reason. If moving a mounted sensor, follow instructions exactly or it will damage your drywall! The 85-db volume of the base unit isnt nearly as loud as youd think it would be, and supplemental 105-db sirens are almost a necessity for a larger or multi-level home. The key-ring remote doesnt appear to have a replaceable battery. The biggest concern I have with the system, and which keeps me from giving it 5 stars, is that it lacks the critical Night setting and protections and instead offers only Home or Away modes. Other systems Ive had offered three protection modes: Home, Away and Night, each mode offering different levels of protection. - When set to Home, all doors were set to instant alarm and interior motion detectors were off. - When set to Away, the front door and interior door from the garage were set to timer alarm, and all other doors were set to instant alarm as were motion detectors. - When set to Night, all doors were set to instant alarm as were selected motion detectors. (Other sensors, of course, were also set as I desired by mode.) You cannot do these variable settings with SimpliSafe. All of its primary detectors - entry, motion and glass break - have only two primary settings, On or Off, and in the On setting have only the choice of either Instant or Timer; these are the choices you initially program into each sensor and they are permanent until you reprogram them. So regardless of mode you select, if you programmed the doors to Timer they will always be on timer and if Instant they will always be on instant any time they are turned on. The obvious problem is that if set to Instant, the alarm will always go off and youll get a call any time you come in through the front door; if those doors are set to Timer, anyone who comes through the door will have 30 seconds (or however many you set) to be inside the house before the alarm goes off - long enough for someone to do harm or possibly find and destroy the base unit before an alarm is sounded. If SimpliSafe can fix these issues, they will have a top-notch system.

The system works OK, but I found the advertising seriously misleading. They say you can self-monitor without a contract. But you really cant, because they dont provide the ability to arm and disarm the system from your phone unless you spring for their premium monthly monitoring agreement, around $26 a month. Without the ability to turn the system on or off remotely, you cant stop the alarm from going off, or let a friend enter, etc. Its like, $230 for the equipment. But if you want the on/off switch, thatll be $26 a month. I returned the equipment and went with a competitor that doesnt play this game.

We have had a SimpliSafe system for 5 1/2 years. Overall, it has been very good. Our home is about 6200 sq. ft. in size We have two keypads, two sirens, seven entry sensors, seven motion sensors, seven glass break sensors, five panic buttons, three smoke sensors, a water sensor, and a key fob. We also have the interactive monitoring plan which allows us to operate the system remotely with an app on our phones The system works well and the monitoring service is excellent. Tech support is ok - if you can reach a native English speaker. About half the time, you get connected to someone in the Philippines who loves to practice their English by repeating everything you say. Very irritating and a big waste of time! So I downgraded my rating from five stars to four. All in all, I think it is the best DIY security system on the market. I just wish the company would adopt an all American tech support team.

It’s easiest to organize my thoughts into pros and cons, so here goes! Pros: -Easy setup. No tools or tech knowledge required (okay, I do recommend getting a level for when you mount the control box because you don’t want it crooked on your wall!). Despite the ease of setup, it’s still highly customizable as far as security settings and number of peripherals and extras that can be added. -The monthly plans of $15 and $25/month are competitive with other DIY systems, and it’s great not to have a contract for service as you would with someone like ADT. -Large number of base kit options, but we have a smaller home, so I think the Essentials kit is (almost) perfect for us. I think I’ll just need to add one more window/door sensor. -Technology like the broken glass sensor is really great for those who have windows more likely to be broken through rather than opened. We have a dining room in the back of our house with 6 windows in a row, and this sensor is perfect for the room. -The base is compatible with Alexa -You can customize all the times for getting in and out of the house before the alarm goes off on you -Motion detectors are designed not to have your pets set them off (great for us cat owners!) -Battery backup for 24 hours ensures that a power outage won’t give burglars a handicap during major storms -Smashproof technology, so even if a burglar sees the alarm base or control panel and smashes them to pieces, SimpliSafe will still be able to notify the authorities Cons: -This is not backwards compatible with any of your accessories from the first and second generations of SimpliSafe’s home security system. -There isn’t a doorbell system like Ring has, but I think perhaps that technology is not far off. -There isn’t a good solution for arming our garage door (again—yet, as this could always be corrected and offered as an upgrade). Not as much of an issue for us as this is the part of the house that is least likely to be broken into. -I would like the alarm on the base unit to be louder at its loudest volume. It’s important to keep the base out of hiding (don’t put it in a cabinet because it’s not loud enough and might be muffled too much to detract a burglar who has just entered from proceeding to do their business). -If you have a medium- or larger-sized house, you can easily double the cost (or more) of the standard package by purchasing all the extra sensors and detectors you might need. Could be costly. Even though they sell a higher end package named after Fort Knox, you’re probably not going to feel like your home is quite at THAT level of security with any DIY security package you purchase. Although, the tech is admittedly getting better all the time and could soon be comparable to professional home security. In the end, I think most of those seeking a DIY security system are looking for elevated piece of mind moreso than just making their homes 100% theft- and break-in proof. And this product certainly gets the job done in that regard at a price a lot more of us can afford.

It works great and was easy to set up but the adhesive on my parts failed and ended up falling off my doors so I used gorilla glue! And a huge concern.. my alarm went off and no one called me!!!! No email either. I’m paying for the 24hr monitor plan.. so I’m guessing that isn’t true?

Great system, same as you would get at most security places or better. Perfect system for do it your self kind of person. Basic skills pretty easy had it all installed 2 hrs taking my time. Cuts out middle man, accessories way cheaper and monthly bill. Good customer service to help you if you need it. Good online dashboard to change settings on your system yourself. Works great.

We ordered our system directly from simplisafe. We have 4 door sensors, a motion detector, and indoor camera in our bundle. We also ordered an outdoor camera. The outdoor camera never functioned probably and we returned it. Originally the indoor camera would open the shutter when armed in home or away more to detect motion. Now, at least when armed in home, it only opens when you are viewing or have disarmed the system. I believe it does this when in away mode too. We have had several false alarms from our motion detector, after replacing the battery that has stopped. However the first false alarm I missed the call from simplisafe and called back. I sat on HOLD until I arrived at my home. We pay for monitoring. I also found out, after purchasing the system that they have come out with an upgraded system. The old and new equipment are not compatible. So if you buy this you can not purchase new model equipment unless you upgrade your base station. Then, I believe this equipment will be obsolete. I dont recommend this system.

Was considering an ADT Solution however we love the fact that SimpliSafe doesnt require a contract. Im going to add additional devices to our home.

Nailed it!!!

Trying to sinc the cameral took more than two hours and never worked. DONT BUY THIS!!!