SimpliSafe home security reviews

SimpliSafe is our favorite self-install, DIY home security system. With the DIY installation, you save money that other security system companies would charge you for professional installation. Plus, you get to set up your security system exactly how you want.

If you love customizing your own gadgets, then SimpliSafe is for you. SimpliSafe is a fantastic choice for people who want to build their own home security system with lots of customizations. You can also shop from a series of bundled products if you don't want to choose all the products yourself.

All SimpliSafe security systems include a base station and a wireless keypad. The base station acts as the hub of your security system, and the wireless keypad enables you to easily control your security system. You can even arm and disarm your system in one click.

The SimpliSafe base station and wireless keypad come standard with every security system, and then you can customize from there. You can add both indoor and outdoor security equipment. Add any number of entry sensors, motion sensors, glass break detectors, and cameras, plus items like smoke detectors and water sensors.

SimpliSafe offers the following security equipment bundles:

• The Foundation is a basic kit for small homes or apartments, which includes an entry sensor, a motion sensor, in addition to the base station and wireless keypad.
• The Starter includes a motion sensor, plus three entry sensors.
• The Hearth includes the Starter equipment, plus one key fob, a siren and a smoke detector.
• The Knox is a 13-piece kit that’s ideal for larger homes. It includes everything in The Hearth, plus three more entry sensors and an additional motion sensor.
• The Haven includes two motion sensors, one water sensor, four entry sensors, a key fob, a panic button, a temperature sensor, and a smoke detector.
• The Lighthouse includes three entry sensors, a motion sensor, and one wireless outdoor camera. (Everything in the Starter package, plus a wireless outdoor security camera.)
• The Beacon includes two motion sensors, two wireless outdoor security cameras, and four entry sensors.

SimpliSafe offers tons of bundles for every type of use. Whether you live in a small apartment or a large home, there's a SimpliSafe package to meet your needs. Most competitors offer two to four security system packages, but with seven options to choose from, SimpliSafe offers customers the highest level of customization. And more devices can be added to every SimpliSafe bundle to create a completely personalized home security system.

You can integrate your SimpliSafe equipment with other smart home products for a seamless home automation experience. SimpliSafe’s products integrate with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple Watch. This enables you to use voice commands with your SimpliSafe system. SimpliSafe also integrates with August Locks, so you can control your locks through your smartphone.

All of the SimpliSafe equipment we received was high quality and easy to set up, including our indoor camera. We loved how we could configure our security system exactly how we wanted it. Most of the equipment didn't require any tools to set up. The keypad and sensors just have easy peel-and-stick adhesive. The small indoor cameras can be set up with a stand, with no tools needed. Really, you only need a screwdriver if you're setting up a mounted outdoor camera or a doorbell camera. Installation for all the equipment is very easy and straightforward.

For my testing purposes, I received the second-generation SimpliCam, which has several notable features. It has a shutter that you can close when you’re at home for added privacy. The camera is adjustable and can be angled up, down, or level. There are three options for picture quality: 480p, 720p, or 1080p HD resolution. You can modify the picture resolution through the SimpliSafe app. The wide-angle screen has a 120-degree view that easily covers an entire room, and the SimpliCam comes with night vision and two-way audio. The SimpliCam is a great, basic indoor security camera. Use it for keeping an eye on your place while you're away or checking in on your pets.

Compatibility with smart home systems and devices

SimpliSafe compatibility with voice assistants

SimpliSafe compatibility with climate control systems

SimpliSafe compatibility with lighting control systems

SimpliSafe compatibility with smart door locks

We found SimpliSafe’s home security products to be really affordable, especially when compared to competitors. You can save even more money by purchasing a bundle of equipment and taking advantage of frequent promotions.

I purchased The Starter package and bundled it with an indoor camera for well under $200—making it a good buy in my book. For comparison’s sake, a similar bundle from Ring was nearly twice the cost. Sometimes SimpliSafe will even do promotions where you can add a free indoor camera to any bundle. Sometimes SimpliSafe offers sales with as much as 60% off the base price. You can also sometimes find a month of free monitoring when you sign up for professional monitoring. Even without taking advantage of SimpliSafe’s sales, their prices are low and affordable.

I also like SimpliSafe’s 60-day money-back guarantee. If you're not 100% satisfied within that timeframe, SimpliSafe offers a full refund and will even pay return shipping. The brand also offers a one-year limited hardware warranty, but if you activate professional monitoring, you’ll receive a lifetime warranty.

Overall, SimpliSafe offers a remarkably high value for its equipment and professional monitoring.

Installing your SimpliSafe home alarm system is easy. You don’t have to be a tech expert. In fact, SimpliSafe was named “Best for Easy Installation 2022” by This Old House magazine. (1) You can set up your security system yourself in about an hour or add professional setup for about $100.

I chose a DIY installation with my SimpliSafe system. The drill-free installation process was simple using the SimpliSafe app. The app walked me through the process with step-by-step instructions, starting with plugging in the base. The app provided photos to aid in the steps and provided easy-to-follow videos from the SimpliSafe YouTube channel.

Connecting my alarm system equipment with the base was uncomplicated. To connect a new device from the app, I had to choose from a series of pictures of multiple devices such as motion sensors, entry sensors, etc. When an item was successfully connected, the base gave an audible notification, saying “motion sensor added.” To connect the SimpliCam indoor camera, the app provided a QR code that I just had to scan with the camera. In addition to the app instructions, the user manual also gave helpful advice for where to place motion sensors to prevent pets from setting off the alarm. Getting everything up and running was a cinch.

It may take a few minutes for your home Wi-Fi to connect to the base station, as it did for me. I waited for about six minutes, and then the base found the Wi-Fi signal. If you have trouble with equipment connecting to the Wi-Fi or getting up and running, you can always call SimpliSafe customer service, and they'll be happy to help.

Overall, I found SimpliSafe extremely easy to use. When you install your keypad, you’ll create a four-digit PIN in order to control the system. You can arm or disarm your system from your phone app or from the keypad. Both have identical buttons for OFF, HOME, and AWAY—which helped me avoid mistakenly pushing the wrong button. The app has a direct link to your camera’s live feed. It has about a two-second delay in footage, which is pretty standard.

One of the nicest features I found in the app is the ability to modify settings to suit my preferences. Through the app, there are general settings, device settings, and camera settings that can all be customized. You can control and customize everything from the volume of the alarm siren, voice prompts, and sensor chimes to the entry and exit delay time periods. That's really nice if you want your security system to be louder or if you want it to quietly work in the background.

Under camera settings, you can utilize the privacy shutter as needed and enable or disable video verification. Video verification, available only with the interactive monitoring plan, allows the professional monitoring company to access 30 seconds of footage when an alarm is set off. This could help verify a break-in and aid the police in identifying a suspect when time is of the essence. One of the things I found most helpful was the ability to set reminders to arm the security system for certain days or times, so you don't have to actively think about it as much.

We love SimpliSafe's monitoring options. One of the most famous perks of SimpliSafe that sets it apart is that there aren't any contracts with the monitoring service. You can cancel monitoring services anytime, if you choose.

One of the things I love most about SimpliSafe is its monitoring tiers. While many competitors only offer one choice (including the inability to monitor your system yourself), SimpliSafe offers two levels of monitoring:

• The first option is Self-monitoring with Camera Recordings. You can view unlimited camera recordings for up to five cameras and receive alerts for every sensor. You also receive 30-day cloud storage and it includes HD live view on all cameras. This monitoring package lets you control the security system from an app and it integrates with Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple Watch. This level does not include any professional monitoring services, including for break-ins, fires, or floods. This monitoring service also doesn't notify the police in the case of a break-in.
• The second monitoring option from SimpliSafe is Fast Protect with Professional Monitoring. SimpliSafe provides 24/7 emergency dispatch, unlimited camera recording for up to 10 cameras, video verification of an intruder, instant-alarm text messages, flood and extreme temperature monitoring, and a lifetime equipment warranty.

With the professional monitoring service, if an intruder triggers a sensor in your home, a SimpliSafe Emergency Dispatch Center agent first attempts to notify you through a phone call. If it’s a true emergency or if they can’t reach you, they’ll contact the 911 center in your location to dispatch the police or fire department. According to SimpliSafe customer service, the average response time from when an alarm is activated to the dispatch center calling the police is 90 seconds. That quick response time can be crucial during an emergency. If you accidentally set off your home alarm, you must provide the dispatch center with your previously chosen safe word.

SimpliSafe's monitoring is a bit higher than some competitors, but it makes up for that with its different options, including a comprehensive professional monitoring service. You also don't have to sign up for a monitoring contract and can cancel at anytime, which is rare when signing up for home security monitoring.

SimpliSafe home security experts are available by phone from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p..m Eastern time, seven days a week. With zero hold time, we found this to be the most efficient way to get the help we needed from a live person. We did try to contact support through Twitter and text messages, but we only received links to an FAQ article. Both customer service agents we spoke to were courteous and knowledgeable. If you run into any snags or need any help, a SimpliSafe representative is happy to help.

The SimpliSafe Privacy Policy explains in detail how SimpliSafe collects and shares customer information. When you register your home alarm system with SimpliSafe, it collects information like your name, address, email, telephone number, and credit/debit card account number. And when you subscribe to monitoring services, it collects additional information, such as how many adults and children live in the home and the names and phone numbers of friends or family members you want to use as additional contacts when an alarm is tripped.

Your alarm activity—including when the alarm is armed and disarmed or is triggered—is also stored in your online account. If you enable the recording feature of a video camera or video doorbell, SimpliSafe records, stores, and processes video and audio recordings for a minimum of 30 days. And for peace of mind, SimpliSafe employs security controls that prevent its employees from accessing your video and audio recordings.

SimpliSafe also collects non-personally identifiable information through cookies and analytics providers when you interact with the website or the SimpliSafe app. Its analytics partners include Google Analytics, Optimizely, and Crazy Egg, but users can opt out of all three.

SimpliSafe does share your personal information with some third-party service providers to enable professional monitoring services, emergency dispatch, payment processing, email updates, and marketing services. With your permission, SimpliSafe may also share your information with third-party partners when you integrate your system with Amazon Alexa, Apple Watch, or Google Assistant. SimpliSafe belongs to ad networks that may use your browsing history to show you interest-based ads.

To find out exactly how SimpliSafe uses your data, read the terms and conditions carefully and reach out to customer support for further details. And keep in mind other questions you should ask home security companies before you make the purchase.