SimpliSafe prides itself on being one of the easiest home security systems to install and manage. All equipment comes pre-programmed, so all you have to do is plug them in and you can expect to have a fully functioning system. They also give you the option to choose to have professional monitoring, or you can just keep your system local and manage it on your own. With no contract, you can also opt in or out of monitoring with no cancellation fee.
One of the most appealing things about SimpliSafe is the lack of a contract. You aren’t tied into a long-term commitment. So if you don’t like the system, you can move on without the fear of a looming, often hefty, fee for canceling your service. They also make building a quality home security system easy. On the downside their devices, while acceptable, look a little outdated when compared to some of the newer offerings from companies like Canary and Piper.
And speaking of Canary and Piper, that is another thing that you may want to consider when it comes to SimpliSafe. While they have added a camera to the mix, it’s not as advanced as some of the other smart home security cameras on the market. They are also behind when it comes to how they play with other devices; their inability to connect with Z-Wave or ZigBee restricts users who want to create a robust home automation system.
SimpliSafe Equipment Options
With five different packages available it is easy to find a solution that can provide you with the level of home security you are looking for unless you are building an underground highly secure bunker. But for those of us who live above ground, they have some comprehensive plans that will keep our homes and families safe.
Packages range in price from $229.96 to $539.85 which means they most likely aren’t the most inexpensive option. But they do offer some additional features like wireless connections that will keep your system operational should the power go out by using a backup cellular option that doesn’t rely on power or WiFi.
These are the current equipment packages that SimpliSafe offers.
| Packages | Equipment Provided | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starter | Base Station, Wireless Keypad, 1 Motion Sensor, 1 Entry Sensor, Keychain Remote | $229.96 | Check Amazon |
| Economy | Base Station, Wireless Keypad, 1 Motion Sensor, 3 Entry Sensors, Keychain Remote | $259.95 | Check Amazon |
| Classic | Base Station, Wireless Keypad, 2 Motion Sensors, 3 Entry Sensors, Extra Siren, Smoke Detector, Keychain Remote | $349.92 | Check Amazon |
| Master | Base Station, Wireless Keypad, 2 Motion Sensor, 6 Entry Sensors, Extra Siren, Smoke Detector, Keychain Remote | $449.87 | Check Amazon |
| Ultimate | Base Station, Wireless Keypad, 2 Motion Sensor, 4 Entry Sensors, Extra Siren, Smoke Detector, Panic Button, Water Sensor, CO Detector, Freeze Sensor,Keychain Remote | $539.85 | Check Amazon |
In addition to purchasing your equipment, you will find yourself paying $19.99 monthly to have your SMS and email alerts sent to you. You can also tag on an additional $5.oo if you want to manage your system from your smartphone, which brings the total to $24.99.
If you only want cellular back-up and live monitoring you will just pay $14.99 monthly fee. But this fee is worth it, the system can function locally without the live monitoring and cellular backup, but it’s better to have the added protection.
Before testing the system it seemed a little pricey and we had our concerns about how it would compare to other similar options that did not have added fees. But the ease of the setup process and the fact that everything worked on the first go around made us see SimpliSafe in a new light.
The other thing that we love is you can try it, and if you don’t like it you can just return it. No questions asked, no hassle, no cancellation fees. From start to finish SimpliSafe makes the process, well, simple. And if you don’t like the packages, no worries, you can build your own. You can even add their recent beta released security camera.
You can also purchase items separately even if they aren’t part of your package. If you have more windows than sensors, you can buy additional entry sensors. Here is a breakdown of all of the devices you can buy and their prices.
| Device | Price |
|---|---|
| Base Station | $114.99 each |
| Wireless Keypad | $69.99 each |
| Entry Sensor | $14.99 each |
| Motion Sensor | $29.99 each |
| Security Camera | $99.99 each |
| Glassbreak Sensor | $34.99 each |
| Panic Button | $19.99 each |
| Smoke Detector | $29.99 each |
| Carbon Monoxide Sensor | $49.99 each |
| Wireless Freeze Sensor | $49.99 each |
| Wireless Water Sensor | $19.99 each |
| Remote Keychain | $24.99 each |
| 105dB Siren | $59.99 each |
| Yard Sign 9 X 9 | $3.99 each |
Installation and Setup
The first thing you should expect is that it’s not pretty. It’s not sleek or modern, but like dating someone with a great personality, over time it will start to look better, and it is always easy to be around. The base station is a plastic cone-shaped device with a blue light that will let you know the base is arming the alarm. If the light is blinking it is telling you that one of your sensors needs attention due to an error.
Setting up the base station is simple, you just need to place it in a location that is within 400 feet of your sensors and within 100 feet of the keypad. You will also need a power outlet to plug in your power cord. You don’t need to connect it to a WiFi router, which makes it easier to place within range of the sensors and the keypad. It also comes with a SIM card to allow it to use a cellular option to monitor the system.
One of the benefits of using cellular is that it has a constant connection. So if someone cuts your power lines, the cellular connection won’t be interrupted. Keypads and sensors run on lithium batteries that have a lifespan of up to five years. Should you find yourself with a dead battery, the system will send you an alert.
When it comes to placing the sensors its pretty easy, you just peel the back and place them where you want them to go. The nice thing is that the backing will hold the sensor in place, but when you need to move it they won’t leave any sticky residue behind. They are also easy to remove and place somewhere else, which makes it nice if you need to move. If you plan on living in your house forever, you can also use the screws provided with the kit permanently place the sensors.
You should be able to be up and running in less than an hour, even if you aren’t handy. All of the devices and sensors are covered by a 60-day return policy and a money back guarantee. The hardware is also protected by a three-year warranty.
This is how easy it is to install SimpliSafe.
How it works
Once you have your system set up, and you have a solid blue light to let you know its armed, you are good to go. If a sensor is triggered you will hear a beep from the keypad. From the time you hear the beep, you have 30 seconds to enter your PIN. If you don’t enter your PIN the siren in the base station will be activated and a notification will be sent to SimpliSafe. Once they have been notified they will call you and ask you for a safe word.
If you don’t answer their call, or you give them the wrong safe word they will contact law enforcement and the fire department (if a CO sensor or smoke detector triggers an alarm). So if you fumble entering your PIN, or like me turn the volume way up on your earbuds and you can’t hear the alarm, you can have a chance to let them know you are safe, and just a little forgetful.
You can also set the system to delay the alarm (so you don’t scare your cat) for up to 250 seconds, to let you find your remote keychain or remember where you wrote your PIN down. Nothing is worse than telling the police officer that there is no emergency just a person who lost their PIN number.
Using the Dashboard and Mobile App
When you choose the monthly Interactive Plan with SimpliSafe you will get access to their dashboard. This lets you control your home security system, view your event log, change your PIN and add guest PINs, you can also arm and disarm the system. You can also set a Duress Pin that allows you to enter a PIN that alerts the monitoring system that you need help.
You can also see the status of, and manage, your sensors. You can remove and add new devices and adjust the settings of your current devices. The dashboard is well designed and easy to use as is the mobile app. You can use the iOS, Andriod or Windows app to manage your SimpliSafe system when you are away from home or cannot access your laptop.
However, using the app limits some of the functions you can perform on the dashboard. So if you need to make major changes to your system you will need to log into the online app. I am not sure why the app is so limited in its functionality, but hopefully, new versions will add new capabilities in the near future. For the meantime, this tutorial can help you get started using both the web interface and the apps.
Professional Monitoring or Self-Monitoring
While it is easy to think that you can manage your own security, it can be tough when you are on vacation or away on business. SimpliSafe has two plans to choose from when it come to monitoring your home security system.
- Standard: This plan provides monitoring 24 hours a day 7 days a week with a cellular connection that links to emergency services.
- Interactive: This plan provides monitoring 24 hours a day 7 days a week with a cellular connection that links to emergency services, SMS/Email alters, remote controls and secret alerts*
You can also choose to not use a plan, you can get alerts through the smartphone app, but you will need to have it with you 24/7 when you are away. If you start with self-monitoring and then decide to choose professional you can easily call and have it added.
*Secret Alerts allow you to know when someone has accessed safes, cabinets, file cabinets and other devices that you want to restrict access to.
Conclusion
SimpliSafe does everything it says it will do. It is easy to set up, and once everything is connected it is also easy to manage. While none of the packages currently include the beta version of their camera, you can buy it on the site if you want to add a camera to any of the packages. What SimpliSafe does is provide a workable home security system that can keep you and your home safe.
The cellular connection makes it a very reliable system, you can be assured that even if someone cuts your power lines you can still connect to the monitoring center and law enforcement. The start-up cost can be a bit pricey depending on the package, and you can end up paying $24.99 a month for monitoring and SMS/email alerts.
If you are looking for a less expensive system there are a few options you can choose from, iSmartAlarm has systems that cost less and have no monthly fee. Or if you want full home automation or systems that have stronger security cameras you can also look at options like SmartThings, Piper NV and Canary, all have home security cameras that have added features. SmartThings also provides a hub for setting up home automation devices.
Having spent some quality time with SimpliSafe it is a solid home security system that you can rely on. It’s not the prettiest girl at the dance, but what it does it does very well. If you want something that is easy to set up, manage and move should you need to, SimpliSafe is a safe bet.
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source https://www.homesecuritylist.com/simplisafe-review-2017/
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