SimpliSafe Security System Review 2024

Overall, customers haven’t had a lot of complaints over the years. We have to say it again, though: other customers aren’t you. So, let’s get to it. What’s in a SimpliSafe system, and is SimpliSafe right for you?

About the SimpliSafe App

Adding equipment to my system through the SimpliSafe App.

We’ll get to each individual piece of equipment in just a bit, but before we get into all that, let’s talk about the SimpliSafe app. After all, that app is the heart of the system, your control center whether you’re home or away.

When your job is to review home security systems, you wind up downloading a lot of home security apps. Over the years, we’ve dealt with the good, the bad, and the ugly. The word best is obviously subjective, and as we only just said, what’s best for one user may not be best for another. All that aside, as security experts, we have to say…if SimpliSafe doesn’t offer the best app in the industry, it’s definitely at least in the conversation.

Now, it might seem silly to say that we like the SimpliSafe app because it’s well-designed. It doesn’t have glitches and bugs. It’s intuitive: everything is exactly where you’d expect it to be. And at no point during the setup and testing phase did we find ourselves scratching our heads, wondering how to track down the video feed or change an equipment setting. After all, don’t all apps do these things? The answer is no. Turns out reducing an entire home security system down so you can hold it in the palm of your hand isn’t all that easy. Yet, SimpliSafe manages to pull it off.

But SimpliSafe goes further. The system’s app is also feature-rich and very responsive. Here’s what you can do using the SimpliSafe App:

• Arm or disarm your system
• Dismiss or confirm alarms
• Change the settings of particular pieces of equipment
• Add new pieces of equipment to your system
• Watch recordings from your security cameras
• Schedule your system
• Check the status of your equipment

Overall, it’s a handy tool and makes working with your security system really convenient.

Enough about the app, though. Let’s talk about the equipment itself — you know, the fun stuff.

SimpliSafe Equipment: First Impressions, Setup, Features, and Stats

As you can see in the video above, I was immediately impressed by the quality of most of these products. Everything felt substantial, everything was designed with the user in mind, and everything was really easy to set up. Simple, even.

Let’s put all that information in black and white, though. Just what do you need to know about SimpliSafe’s various components?

Base Station

The SimpliSafe Base Station sitting on my mantle. Please ignore the plant I need to water.

First Impression

I really liked the size and the design of the Base Station. For connectivity’s sake, it’s recommended that you put it in a central location off of the floor, which means it’s likely going to be out in plain sight in your home. Not to worry, though; it has a pleasing, vase-like shape, and the glow from its light is actually pretty nice —  especially at night. I set mine up on the mantle next to some plants, and my wife, who takes design pretty seriously, told me it looked great. Brittney stamp of approval right there.

It definitely compares favorably to other systems’ base stations. Ring’s base station mounts on the wall and looks a little like a speaker. It’s not bad, but not really design-y either. And the base station I used when I reviewed the Eufy Dual Video Doorbell was a little too big and boxy for my liking. Out of the three, I’d take SimpliSafe’s all day.

Setup and Install

Once you’ve placed your base station, you can use the SimpliSafe app to find it. Then just add it to your system. You do the same thing with all your other SimpliSafe equipment. Pretty easy to get everything all set up, to be honest. I did have to shift my base station around a bit. The app recommended I put it somewhere away from our router, but I discovered that if the two devices weren’t actually in the same room I couldn’t get a stable Wi-Fi connection. Could be that’s just me. Maybe I have thick walls. And it turns out that once I got the app to recognize the base station I was able to relocate the base back to the entryway with no problem. On your app, you’re going to go to the “add new device,” screen and find your base station.

Something You Should Know

The base station does have an onboard battery to keep your system working in the event of a power outage, but it’s not for everyday use. The battery only lasts about 24 hours. It’s best to place it near an outlet so you can keep it plugged in at all times.

Motion Sensor — Gen 2

Here I am installing the new and improved SimpliSafe Motion Sensor.

First Impression

Nice size, good weight, and I like the neutral coloring. It’s smaller than the previous SimpliSafe motion sensor, which I like, and hefty enough that it’s not going to break if it falls off the wall. Ask me how I know…

Setup and Install

The installation itself is easy if you actually follow the instructions. On the app, it says to remove the adhesive backing and firmly press it against the wall for 30 seconds. I got a little impatient and pressed it for about five, which caused the sensor to immediately fall down. Unfortunately, that ruined the command strips SimpliSafe uses, and I had to peel them off and replace them with my own. Can’t fault SimpliSafe here, really. That was my mistake. Once it’s on the wall, hit the sync button, and your home base will recognize it and pair it to your system.

Something You Should Know

This isn’t something to know about SimpliSafe, or at least just about SimpliSafe. The fact is, most motion sensors – no matter who makes them – are better at picking up motion moving across their field of view rather than toward them or away from them. In addition, they tend to see more and to see better when they’re around six to eight feet off the ground.1 Something to think about when you’re installing a SimpliSafe system…or a system from anyone else for that matter.

Entryway Sensor

Installing an Entryway Sensor on my front door

First Impression

These are a little bulky, but it’s forgivable. They’re smaller than Frontpoint’s sensors by far, but they’re a little bigger than Abode’s. They do look easy to work with, so that’s a plus. I like that there’s a light on them for connectivity feedback.

Setup and Install

Similar to the motion detector, the entryway sensors have peel-and-stick command strips on their back. I learned my lesson from last time and pressed them onto my door frame for a good two minutes before I let go. Not great for my carpal tunnel, but it meant the sensors were firmly in place and have stayed in place since with no issues. You want to make sure that the two pieces are lined up correctly to avoid false alarms. Otherwise, just stick them up, hit the sync button, and you’re good to go.

Something You Should Know

SimpliSafe has designed these sensors to trip once they move beyond two inches from each other. This is actually quite a bit of space when it comes to the install, so don’t worry if your door isn’t flush with your frame. Mine isn’t, and they worked just fine.

Keypad

SimpliSafe’s Keypad installed next to my front door.

First Impression

The keypad feels solid and looks good. I can’t really decide if I liked the analog push-buttons or would have preferred a touch screen. Feels a little dated. For context, Ring and Vivint both offer touch-screen control panels that feel a little more modern.

Setup and Install

This was the only piece of equipment I had a problem with on the install. Now to be fair, part of this might have been because I removed the battery pull tab before I was instructed to by the app, but it took a little doing to finally get it connected. I had to disconnect the batteries and then bring the keypad into the room with the base station to finally get it to connect, and it only did as I was dialing the number for customer service. I guess it felt threatened. Once it was connected, I peeled off the backings to the adhesive strips and stuck it to the wall next to the door. Easy peasy.

Something You Should Know

The keypad has a panic button on the top of it. If you need immediate assistance, you can press and hold that button. Your alarm will sound, and, if you’re signed up for a SimpliSafe monitoring plan, authorities will be summoned if you don’t dismiss the alert. Most of the time, the police will be at your house in less than 10 minutes, depending on how far you live from the nearest station.2 Keep in mind, though, that SimpliSafe also offers self-monitoring, if that’s your thing. We don’t recommend it, since you can never tell when you may get an alert at an inconvenient moment, when you don’t have time to check it. We’ll say this, though: self-monitoring is free and SimpliSafe doesn’t make you sign any contracts. In fact, SimpliSafe is actually one of our favorite no-contract, self-monitored home security systems.

Smoke/CO Sensor — New

SimpliSafe’s new smoke detector and carbon monoxide monitor ready to be installed in my upstairs hallway.

First Impression

The smoke/ CO detector looks and feels like a…well, like a smoke detector. OK, like a high-end smoke detector – smallish, slimmish, and a little sleeker than some low-end models.

Setup and Install

If you’re installing this on a wall like I did, it’s a little difficult to get things lined up properly as the button and speaker holes are horizontal. I recommend using a pencil to mark where your screws should go. Or, you could not be as obsessive as me and install it however you want. Pair it with the app, and you’re good to go.

Something You Should Know

Most people know how important smoke detectors are, but very few people know just how dangerous carbon monoxide is. If your home has fuel-burning appliances like water heaters, stoves, or clothes dryers, you absolutely need one of these in your home. Luckily, SimpliSafe’s sensor monitors both smoke and CO and will alert you any time it detects either in your home.

Smart Alarm Wireless Indoor Security Camera — New

SimpiSafe’s new wireless indoor security camera on my mantle.

First Impression

SimpliSafe only just introduced this new Wireless Indoor Camera. Don’t worry, you can still get the SimpliSafe’s original wired camera for $99.00. Why would you want to, though, when the wireless version is sleeker, with a privacy shutter and two-way audio that lets security professionals speak directly with intruders. It’s also got a clever mount you can twist to make wall installation easier. And oh, by the way, it’s wireless. OK, it’s forty dollars more than the original, but trust me, it’s totally worth it.

Setup and Install

The installation process for this new camera was as easy as any other camera I’ve ever worked with, if not easier. Make sure it’s fully charged, hit the sync button, and bingo. All set. Now it does take a few minutes to connect to Wi-Fi and update the firmware, but at the end of the day, I was up and running from box to mantle in about 10 minutes flat — save for the five-hour charge time.

Something You Should Know

Well, a few things you should know, actually. This is a really solid indoor camera, and I’m happy SimpliSafe has given it some thought. It’s leaps and bounds better than the previous iteration and offers some pretty interesting functionality.

Let’s talk specs first. It has a 10x digital zoom, a 125-degree field of view, and a whopping 1536p HD resolution. Not quite 2k, but like… 1.5k. In my testing, I found it was more than enough to capture all the detail I thought I’d need from an indoor security camera.

Checking out the privacy screen on SimpliSafe’s new wireless indoor camera.

Now, privacy. As you might know, a certain major manufacturer of security equipment was recently busted for not taking enough measures to protect their customers from the prying eyes of their field agents.3 While you may think allowing third parties to monitor your camera feed is a little intrusive, SimpliSafe assuages that concern with a snap-up privacy shield. When that’s up – as in, when the alarm system is deactivated or in “home” mode — you’ll know no one’s looking in.

Finally, day-to-day functionality-wise, I couldn’t find much to complain about. It’s super responsive, it captured everything it needed to in my tests, it’s easy to adjust the settings in the app for optimal performance, and the audio quality and minimized latency are some of the best I’ve seen in a camera in this weight class. During my testing period, there was only one time when the audio malfunctioned, but that was easily solved by turning the live feed off and on again.

Keep in mind, this camera is for indoor use only, and don’t think that pointing it out the window is going to keep burglars from coming on your property. For that, you might want to invest in one of SimpliSafe’s Wireless Outdoor Cameras. It comes with a built-in spotlight so you get clear images at night. Of course, you can also check out list of the best outdoor security cameras if SimpliSafe’s offering doesn’t suit you.

A quick demonstration of the audio and video quality of SimpliSafe’s new indoor camera.

Finally, I didn’t order any of SimpliSafe’s several add-on products. I was definitely intrigued though by the stand-alone panic button, the extra siren, and the key fob. The fob lets you easily disarm your system as you approach your house. No codes to remember. In addition, if you have a larger yard, I recommend ordering extra yard signs. Burglars are definitely turned off when they see that your home is protected.

The Day-to-Day with SimpliSafe: Running Some Tests

Testing out SimpliSafe’s keypad.

If you’re anything like me, once you’ve set everything up, you’re going to want to test each piece of equipment to make sure it’s functioning properly. You might be a little hesitant to do this, though, especially if your system is connected to dispatch authorities. SimpliSafe thought about this and gives you a three-day “practice mode” where you can trigger as many alarms as you like just to see how everything works.

And trigger I did, much to my wife’s dismay.

Pretending to break into my own home is always entertaining, but I was stopped dead in my tracks every time by my SimpliSafe system. In my pre-testing research, I read complaints about faulty equipment issues, but at no point did any piece of equipment malfunction. Even if it did, there were two more pieces of equipment that would have caught me immediately (motion sensor, indoor camera, etc.) — this is how every security system should function, by the way.

When I tested the system, the monitoring center contacted me in about 20 seconds. As far as response times go, 30 seconds is the industry average, so I felt like SimpliSafe was especially snappy. Remember — every second counts in emergency situations, so you want a responsive system to keep the thieves and burglars at bay.

That said, I felt very safe using this system, and I was confident that in a real emergency, I would have been protected — especially since I signed up for their Fast Protect Monitoring plan. More on that in just a bit. First I want to talk about the highlights of this system.

What I Liked

SimpliSafe isn’t perfect, but most homeowners will find a lot to like about it. We certainly did. We were particularly impressed with how well all the various pieces of equipment communicated with one another. A home security system shouldn’t just be a collection of components. All those components need to work in concert to provide a complete web of security. Entry sensors, cameras, motion detectors, and emergency alarms are worked seamlessly together – not so much as a hiccup. Best of all, we were able to control everything from the SimpliSafe app, even when we were away from home. We used the indoor camera to check on the cats while we were at the grocery. And we used the video doorbell to chat with the postal person about a package they were delivering. When we forgot to arm the system one morning, we used the app to check it, and when we found it was turned off, we used the app to turn it on.

I also like how thoughtfully all of the pieces of equipment were designed. I know I made the “simple” joke already, but this really is an extremely user-friendly and easily accessible system. A lot of folks might be too intimidated by the term “do it yourself” to think about trying to set up a DIY security system, but trust me — this couldn’t be easier. The only power tool I used was a drill to sink two screws into some drywall for the smoke alarm/CO sensor mounting bracket.

What I Didn’t Like

At the risk of seeming wishy-washy, one of the things that worried me most about the SimpliSafe system was the simplicity of the installation process. I know, I know, I just complimented that same process. And there’s no doubt that it was quick and easy. That’s great in the short term. I worry a little, though, that in the long-term command strips just aren’t heavy-duty enough. What happens to them in a year or two when they’ve been through a couple of humid summers and cold, dry winters. My guess is that they’ll shrink and swell and ultimately my equipment will all wind up on the floor.

I will say SimpliSafe does provide mounting hardware in the box with some of their equipment, although it’s kind of on the user to figure out how to make it work. The trick is to use the battery housing as a mounting bracket.

The Command Strips on the back of SimpliSafe’s motion detector.

I also have to say I wasn’t a huge fan of the keypad. Don’t get me wrong – it’s a fine piece of equipment and does what it needs to do, but it just felt like it needed some upgrading. Maybe it does need to be a touch screen like Rob tested out in his review of Vivint security systems. Maybe it should have some more advanced functionality built in.

As it stands, though, the push-button keypad felt like a piece of equipment from 15 years ago working to keep up with a modern system that outpaced it. During my testing period, I barely used it at all, since everything was easily controlled by the app. I will say I appreciated the inclusion of the integrated panic button, though. I’m very thankful I didn’t have to use it, but I was glad it was there.

Drawbacks aside, I do have to say I was satisfied overall with the functionality and quality of the SimpliSafe system. It felt comprehensive, and most of all, I felt very secure using it. A big portion of that had to do with the equipment, but an even bigger portion of that had to do with the monitoring.

Let’s talk about that next.

SimpliSafe Monitoring

SimpliSafe’s FastProtect monitoring is one of the system’s biggest selling points. When an alarm is triggered, SimpliSafe agents will be able to access your indoor camera and speak with you to verify there’s an emergency. If you provide them with the safeword you established during the setup process, you’ll be able to disable the alarm. If no one responds or if an intruder is spotted or another emergency situation is detected, first responders will be dispatched to your property. They’ll respond more quickly with FastProtect, though, since monitors verify what’s happening and even send video evidence along to emergency personnel.

In the meantime, two-way voice controls mean security personnel can speak directly to intruders and let them know they’re on camera and that the police are on the way. This usually stops intruders in their tracks, before they can do any serious damage to your home or get away with anything valuable. In the security world, this type of monitoring is the gold standard.

But how much does it cost?

The short answer is not much. Fast Protect costs just $29.99 per month, which is relatively cheap when you compare it to other professionally monitored systems, like ADT, which charges as much as $80 a month for monitoring. If you’re not looking for high-level security with professional monitoring, though, you can always go with a standard plan, which doesn’t include video monitoring, for $19.99 per month. If you just want cloud storage for your recordings, that’ll be $9.99 per month, and if you don’t want anything at all, your system will still work just fine. After all, it is one of our favorite security systems with no monthly fee.  Here’s a quick breakdown:

You don’t get video storage if you’re self-monitoring, but you can count on the system to alert you any time there’s an issue, and you have the power to turn the system off and on no matter where you might be in the world.

And while we’re talking about money, let’s talk about how much the equipment itself costs.

SimpliSafe Pricing

Overall, the system I was using – one home base, one keypad, two entryway sensors, one motion sensor, one wireless indoor camera, and one smoke/CO sensor — cost $371.94. Not bad in my opinion, especially for how protected I felt during the test period.

That said, SimpliSafe offers several different packages, and all of them offer great value for the price. In fact, in honor of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, you can get all of these packages for 60 percent off. Often deals like these last until the first of the year, but we can’t make any promises!

SimpliSafe Packages

You can also build your own system. Here’s a complete breakdown of SimpliSafe’s equipment and their costs.

SimpliSafe Required Equipment

 SimpliSafe Sensors

SimpliSafe Cameras

SimpliSafe Hazard Sensors

SimpliSafe Add-Ons

As you can see, none of this equipment is really going to break the bank, even when you’re buying multiple pieces to outfit your home comprehensively. SimpliSafe’s costs are among the best in the industry, and their protections are too. More on that in the next section.

How SimpliSafe Compares to Other Security Systems

When you’re considering which security system will protect your family, it helps to shop around. You can start by reading this SimpliSafe vs. Ring Comparison guide, or you can check out this quick snapshot of a few other options. Then I’ll talk about safety and give you my final verdict.

Security System Side-by-Side Comparison

*ADT does offer a DIY option, but when I reviewed ADT Self-Setup, I found that their focus was still primarily on professionally-installed systems.

So now that you’ve got a good idea of how SimpliSafe stacks up, let’s talk about things from a different perspective…

Will SimpliSafe Deter Burglars?

Above all, you want a security system that’s going to protect you and your family from burglars and home invaders. So does SimpliSafe get the job done in this regard?

Well, thankfully no one tried to break into my house during my testing period so I can’t say with certainty how a real-life criminal would react. But in my tests, I was confident that the super-loud alarm coupled with their new professional monitoring where SimpliSafe security experts can actually communicate with the intruder through the camera, would probably be enough to deter most burglars. Just remember to put out that yard sign!

Does SimpliSafe Call the Police?

So let’s say the unthinkable happens — you’ve installed your SimpliSafe security system, you’ve made it clear you have one with a yard sign and window stickers, you keep your routine dynamic, and you take care to make sure there aren’t good hiding spots on your property. What happens if a burglar still decides to break in?

Well up until very recently you would have been on your own. SimpliSafe was a self-monitored system for most of its life, but they’ve recently changed that — as I discussed above. With the new Fast Protect monitoring system, SimpliSafe will not only be able to alert authorities to an emergency at your residence, they’ll be able to confirm what’s going on through your indoor camera and relay important details to the police like the number of intruders, and descriptions of them. This is really powerful functionality, here, and well worth the $29.99 per month, in my opinion.

I mentioned it above, but let me reiterate it here: I felt very safe using this system to protect my family. So let’s get on to the final word.

The Verdict on SimpliSafe’s New Equipment

Here’s a quick recap of what I thought about SimpliSafe’s security system.

I think the above video says it all, but just to recap — if you’re looking for a DIY home security system that’s easily customizable to your specific needs, SimpliSafe needs to be on your short list of providers to check out. Are they perfect? Well, maybe not for everyone, but they definitely deliver on their promises and offer enough opportunities for customization that they appeal to a pretty broad swath of the security-minded population.

When it comes to keeping your family safe, I’d say the answer is pretty simple.

How We Test Security Systems: Our Methodology

We spend countless hours testing security systems, but the evaluation actually starts before we have equipment in our hands. We conduct exhaustive research on manufacturers to make sure they’re up to our standards — and the standards of our readers. Only then do we install them in our own homes to see what it’s like living with them day-to-day to give you our honest insights, experiences, and recommendations.

SimpliSafe FAQs