Category: Doorbell Cameras

For some, there may just be that gut feeling that something should be done soon to secure their home or family before a break-in or worse happens. For others, a break-in has already happened and it’s put them on red alert that a plan to keep their family and belongings secure has to be put in place. So, what are the best home security systems? It may surprise you what has been formulated over the years as the best methods for keeping your home safe.

Sure, a solid security system sounds great, but what if a person can’t afford that during these times? Or what if they have a system but still feel like more security measures are necessary to feel the level of security their family needs? Wouldn’t it be great to just chill with the family at night and not have all of those concerns in the back of our minds?

Well, there are several tips we’ve learned along the way that are brilliant deterrents to intruders with eyes on your home. And those creeps ARE out there! But if you follow these tips, you can have peace of mind as you enjoy your family or your solitude.

We are about to look at six tips to keep your family and belongings safe with or without a security system or to help a burglar fund his hobbies and buy that new boat they are eyeing, whichever way you choose to roll.  These tips fall into that, “ahhh, I should’ve thought of that” category and are easy to follow. And remember, we are here to help if you have questions.

Quickly before we dive into these easy to implement tips,

let’s look at the mindset of most intruders….

Burglary For Dummies

With extremely rare exceptions, burglars follow some basic guidelines. They do so for their own protection. Let’s help them to not be caught trying to get into our homes!

===> Their first rule is, “Do the Research”. This means they need to watch YOU, and YOUR house, and observe YOUR habits until they feel comfortable with whatever plan they’ve devised to launch an attack. Sure, not all of them do that. Some just go down the street with a crowbar. But the tips below are effective regardless of the sophistication of the criminal. If what we propose will deter a sophisticated criminal, it will deter an amateur even more easily.

===> Their second rule is, “Get in and out as fast as possible”. They aren’t wanting to hang out until a swat team shows up. They want a quick payday. They’ve studied the best way in and out of your home with, hopefully, no detection. They know which room is best to hit, where people keep keys, how to guess an alarm code (if there is one), and how to accomplish their evil deeds with even close neighbors not seeing or hearing them or knowing they are there.

There are a ton of other rules, but they are contained within these two as we are about to see.

But there are ways for keeping them from targeting you in the first place, and for disappointing their payday plans if they do happen to make it into your home and take some of your stuff. Hmmm? So, what do we set them up to take? Remember, they are there for a quick hit-and-run operation. They aren’t going to spend too much time evaluating the value of an item or looking it up on Amazon. They know the statistics on where to go, what to look for, how to best secure it in their bag, and run stealthily as quickly as possible from your home.

Tips To Help Your Intruders Buy Their New Boat

So, what will help an intruder decide your home is a target in the first place? Answering that question, we start with the first set of tips.

Tip #1

Make sure it is always dark outside your house at night!

Or, if you choose to not help them buy that big boat……

…….. Leave lights on the outside of your home at night! It sounds overly simple, doesn’t it? But research (including interviews with former criminals) has shown convincingly that most criminals attempting any type of break-in at night will avoid a home with lights on outside. I’m sure this takes little explanation, but I’ll give a couple of points taken from those who’ve done their dirty deeds at night.

So, the potential intruder parks in a nearby parking lot. In his (or her, but since most of these losers are men, we’ll just go with the male pronouns for this article) stealthy manner he makes his way through the backside of a subdivision and ends up undetected as he inspects a convenient cul-de-sac where he will be conducting his business.

He notices that 5 of the houses are dark, at least in a few key entry points, but one is lit up enough that he could easily be seen by neighbors or passersby. He has been scouting/casing this cul-de-sac for a couple of weeks, and at certain times all of the houses were dark. But tonight, the house he had been most interested in isn’t dark at all, because the owners read this article earlier today. But it’s a no-brainer for Mr. Loserville. The home he intended to invade is off the shortlist.

It’s really that simple. It costs much less to run low wattage outside lights at night than people normally think. Especially with the LED lights available today. And it’s far cheaper than replacing stolen goods or dealing with an insurance increase. And the worst part is some of what would be taken is irreplaceable like some family heirloom piece of jewelry or rare collectible.

And even worse than that, even with the best insurance available, your family’s security and peace-of-mind has been taken. You can’t buy that. But chances are that a little bit of outside light will keep any of that from happening.

Check these reviews on outside LED lights and other outdoor security lights.

Tip #2

Leave a key in a predictable place, like under a doormat, or under a plant or in a fake rock. Or,

to foil his plans, don’t have a key in those places. If you need to leave a key outside for some reason, secure a spot with a combination lock that can’t be cut by these semi-pro criminals. They almost always have cutters sufficient to cut open a realtor-type lockbox hanging on a doorknob.

Remember, all you have to do is make it a little more difficult. They want to get in and out quickly! They are not wanting to spend any length of time getting into your house. So, get a little quickcrete and build a little concrete housing for a lockbox. It doesn’t have to be an expensive lockbox. The concrete will ensure that the intruder can’t cut it open. He can’t get the cutters around a lockbox that is set in concrete.

He could only get in if he knew the combination.

Tip #3

Do not buy any type of outdoor security equipment! It could delay the intruder’s big boat purchase.

Or, to not participate in his boat purchase, consider acquiring a simple piece of outside security equipment. Or more if your budget can handle more. This would further deter a person wanting to violate your family and your home.

Remember, the first tip (keeping outdoor lights on) will keep most of these butt heads at bay. But an added level of protection from an intruder ever even trying to enter your home is to have a couple of outdoor cameras. They don’t have to be the expensive ones, nor do you need a monthly contract with anyone.

There are great products that do have monthly fees, but especially when trying to do this on a budget, the DIY, affordable cameras with no monthly fees will
definitely do the job. (And shhhh! ….one possible nuance to this tip is to buy a couple of simulated or decoy cameras…. (you’ll also see many other cameras and lighting options at that link) It’s one more thing these scumbags don’t want to risk: being caught on camera)

Check out some of the reviews on smart floodlight cameras and spotlights that are both motion-activated that will send the fine fella running with one hand cupping his backside and the other trying to block the bright light that has suddenly blinded his sorry butt! Meanwhile, the onboard camera was activated just as the lights were by the motion detector and it is all crystal clear, in high resolution for you to review and/or to submit to the local authorities if needed. One thing is for sure, your home is no longer on his radar.

Tip #4

Get a dog, preferably at least a medium-size one who will bark when anyone approaches your home or yard. The same interviews with former burglars and intruders that confirmed that outside lights were a great deterrent, also indicated that a noisy and potentially threatening dog was also an item to help an intruder narrow down on the list of homes he may attempt to invade. Plus, dogs are just great anyway! No need to elaborate on this tip. I think we are already familiar with the benefits of having a watchdog.

By the way, those who are concerned with having cameras with motion detectors and a dog who might set it off, worry no more! Most of the systems we review are smart products that can distinguish between an animal and a human. See our reviews on The Best Indoor Security Cameras and the one on the SimCam AI Smart Cameras. These are great products that are reasonably priced.

Tips In the Event An Intruder Does Breach Your Walls

Since I believe we are all on the same page at this point and not wanting to buy this hardly-working gentleman a new boat, we’ll just continue in that vein. This second set of tips will help you to always be prepared in case a jerk-wad burglar does get into your home. Let’s be proactive!

Here are things TO DO to be prepared for the unfortunate event that a scum-sucking leach of a creature was to make it inside your home:

Tip #5

Buy at least a minimal do-it-yourself (DIY) indoor security system.

So, you forgot to turn on the outside lights before going out to dinner, and for whatever reason, this guy makes it inside. But thank the heavens above, you had invested in a minimal security system including sensors on doors and windows and a motion detector for the main part of the house.

All of the components are connected (usually wirelessly via WiFi, but wired is available too) to a 100dB alarm (or approx.) that will blare out bringing attention to your home and will also fill his pants with crab food. When that happens they do not look to grab anything except their own things (well, and in this case, his butt) to minimize any possible evidence left behind (Hopefully for him nothing leaks out! That would be DNA evidence that some sorry soul would have to evaluate in a lab downtown!)

Remember, he doesn’t want to do anything but get in and out, unseen and unheard. But now, he’s been heard. At least he will do nothing but assume so, and will likely be correct. Plus, he has soiled, black DUNGarees to wash, and a driver’s seat to disinfect! (Gag) He won’t wait to see how long it takes for the local authorities to show up on the scene.

Tip #6

Do not leave an alarm keypad in a place where a potential intruder can watch you disarm your alarm. And, yes, many of them do stake these things out.

One idea is to place a dummy keypad by the entry door and the real one in a less conspicuous place. You should always punch in some fake digits on the decoy pad before leaving or when entering the home. People put them by the main door because there are only a few seconds to arm or disarm a system before the alarm is triggered. But it’s plenty long enough to walk into a room or a spot not visible from a window.

Also, most systems will allow you to set the time to whatever works for you. So, walk in, punch in fake numbers on the artificial pad, go to “the bathroom” and turn your system off. Or, turn it off from your key fob if one came with your alarm system.

Talk about a frustrated intruder (poor thing!) who thinks he is brilliant in cracking the code only to find the code he has ain’t it! (Always use the same wrong code on the fake pad to keep it all looking legit in case he’s watching)

One other piece of info to be aware of is that many intruders use a simple system to crack your code. The first digit on the keypad is always the dirtiest one, the second is second dirtiest, and so on. It isn’t a perfect system for them, but it has proven to be extremely effective. So, keep the real keypad clean. Wipe it down on a regular basis.

But if you are using a fake keypad too, never wipe the fake one down. He’s watched you and now the dirt accumulation makes him ready to do a victory lap for his own brilliance because what he deciphered you punching into the pad is also confirmed by his clever dark criminal knowledge.

But he tried, and he tried, and he tried, he can’t get no…..

              …..cooperation with the flippin’ alarm. (A little shout out to                            Mick there!)

Time’s up!

Now, the only dirt accumulation he’s concerned about as the alarm blares in his ears is….. you got it: it’s the man-mud piling up in the back his fancy black, silky Fruit-of-the-Looms! Once again, cupped hand in back unsuccessfully trying to stop the leakage…. other hand trying to do everything else!

Poor fella! I know one house he won’t be trying to break into any time soon. Keep in mind, once an intruder has succeeded or attempted to break into your home, he is aware that you will be on the watch for a long time to come.

Tip #7

Don’t keep valuables in the Master Bedroom. Well, you may have to keep one or two, but keep the rest somewhere else. The first and usually only target room of an intruder is the Master Bedroom.

• Keep valuable jewelry in an unlikely place, like the top of a closet in a toddler’s room. Still hidden of course, but they will not look there anyway.
• Keep cash in another room. Some people use fake Coka-Cola or other soda can that has a compartment. Don’t put it in your mattress IN YOU ROOM!! How common is the term “mattress money”? Pretty common term. Everybody knows that one.
• Anything of yours you don’t want a burglar to own, keep in another room.

An intruder will typically go straightway to the Master Bedroom, search for jewelry and cash in the obvious places, including a safe and a large jewelry box. He sees a safe in the master closet, and it’s not bolted down. It’s heavy, but light enough to throw in his black bag and move on. Jackpot! Then he goes to the jewelry box and quickly sees a lot of shiny stuff. Cha-ching! He’s feeling good now.

“I’m almost out of here now. Hahaha!” (wicked laugh) “I bypassed their lame security, found the mother load as predicted, and I can get out quickly with these idiots PAYING me! I can pick the lock on this stupid safe once I am at my safe haven!” (he snickers at his own cheesy burglar humor)

Oh crud! What? He got the wrong stuff!!!

See, the real safe was bolted down in an inconspicuous place. The slime bucket intruder couldn’t have taken it! He took a decoy and never thought that there would be another. And all that jewelry he took? Same thing! It’s noting but fake stuff. It looks good at the moment and he swipes it up by the handful, but it’s virtually worthless. It’s jewelry that is probably casually wearable, but it’s not the real stuff. The real jewelry was in another room, not in a fancy jewelry box, but out of sight in a baby monitor box in the top of the closet in a baby’s room, or in the dryer, or maybe in a fake cheerios box in the pantry (just made a lot of that up because it’s easy to think of great places).

Really, not much else matters except that those valuables aren’t in the master bedroom nor in plain sight. And it’s a good idea to have a few shiny decoys like we just observed. Intruders want to get in and out. Let’s help them do just that!

While You Were Sleeping – General Tips

Keep your phone, wallet, purse, and keys on the nightstand right by where you sleep.

 

First, if someone were to get into your house at night, the last thing you want is for them to have access to your wallet, keys, and phone because you’ve formed a bad habit and have been leaving them on the kitchen counter or somewhere else in the house.

Second, when you wake up hearing those strange noises and you’re certain someone is inside, you immediately reach for your phone, but it isn’t there. That dude in black has it! “Oh wait! I’ll grab my keys and hit the panic button so my car alarm will go off. Crap! The keys were with my phone!” He plans to drive away in your car since he has so much of your stuff to get to his place. He’ll ditch the car before you have a chance to notify the authorities, and any cash you had will probably not be left in your mailbox. Also, he may get your identity and keep reeking havoc on you if that possibility doesn’t register with you in time. In fact, he could use your cards online stealthily immediately after leaving your house.

It’s just so much better to have those things by your bed and a couple of lights on outside.

Conclusion

Certainly, there are many facets to protecting a home, and some things work better than others. Nothing can be 100% guaranteed, but implementing the tips above have been proven over and over again to keep intruders out and your family safe. A simple light in the front and a light in the back may be all you ever need and it is a cheap place to start. Then a minimal DIY security system that can be very affordable will add another layer of protection and info gathering for authorities in the event a break-in occurs. Check out our SimpliSafe Alarm System Review or our Ring Security System Review.

Both SimpliSafe and Ring offer affordable DIY systems that cover all of the bases and are two of the top-rated home security companies on the market.

And lastly, just as most people are unable to go to bed without brushing their teeth or some other going-to-bed habits, establishing some sensible habits such as keeping your phone wallet and other related items by the bed will add another layer of protection and even an alarm if you have an automobile with panic mode.

I hope you found this article helpful. If you would drop us a note in the comment section below. We’d love to hear from you if you have any ideas, general feedback, or even products that you know of that may help readers as they build their home security. Thanks for reading! 🙂

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UPDATE!! Although the July 4th promotion is over, the prices at SimpliSafe are still the best in the industry and their products are state-of-the-art. Check out the links below to get updated pricing or a quote directly from SimpliSafe, or check out this review of a few of their products. 

Below is the sales post from last weekend:

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30% OFF Of Everything at SimpliSafe Until Tuesday July 7th!!!

To go straight to the discount link, start here at SimpliSafe! For more info, keep reading……

In case you haven’t heard, SimpliSafe is taking off as the next big thing within the home security industry. And I should not stop with the home. There are countless small business owners and managers who have chosen SimpliSafe’s components to protect their businesses as well as their homes. So, right now, this SimpliSafe Sale is their way of saying “thanks” for the support and for all of the positive input regarding their products and services.

In this brief post, I just want to give you a “heads up” on the deal SimpliSafe is currently offering. Frankly, their website, though simple, can leave a few things unclear. I will clear those items for you that I encountered. But I’d rather a great product with a not-so-clear item or two on their website than a glorious web presence from a company who sucks, has poor customer service, elevated prices, or has a bad logo! (I guess that’s just me as a design guy)

So here we go with the SimpliSafe Sale for the week of July 4th, 2020 and ending on July 7th, 2020:

30% Off of Everything!!!

30% Off? That’s a pretty good product-wide contribution to the country. None of the equipment comes in red, white, and blue, but they are about helping during this difficult time in the world. Usually, there are certain products that are on sale, not everything. But, you’re probably thinking “there’s gotta be a freakin’ catch!”. Well, kinda, but not really. Read on and I’ll explain.

Now, I won’t say 30% off is the best deal they’ve had, but it’s close. And I don’t see how they’ve done the deals they’ve done before. Around Christmas (2019), lots of people I know were receiving offers for 50% off of everything from SimpliSafe!! That was a sweet deal, but that was probably a one-time (or season) deal as SimpliSafe was in a campaign to show the world they are a serious contender within the industry.

So, what about the freakin’ catch!? Okay, okay….

Here’s the Not-Really Catch

The offer is for a “security system”, not individual components. My take? They are upfront about the fact that it is a package discount, and that is reasonable. With SimpliSafe systems, there is a hub and a wireless keypad for it to operate, so those two items are completely necessary to have a system with them. The only other thing required for it to become a package is ONE sensor. Yep, one door or window sensor makes it a package. So, it’s not some deceptive way to get a person to buy a certain level of package, or to get some overpriced junk to receive deep discounts. These are the essential components that have given this company its great reputation.

30% OFF Plus, Plus

On top of the 30% discount, SimpliSafe will throw in a FREE SimpleCam! Have you heard of these? They are part of the success of SimpliSafe. These cameras will alert you via phone, tablet or computer anytime it detects motion. These cameras are also on the cutting edge of technology in that they minimize the false alarms associated with motion detectors. For instance, if one of your rats were to come out to look through the garbage, you don’t want to know about it on your phone. They’re not gonna haul off your smart TV or computer (Just remember to leave out more cheese so they won’t rummage so much).

One Complaint I Have About This SimpliSafe Sale

The sale is great, and they are upfront about all products being 30% off when purchasing a package, and the package can be as small as would make sense to buy. But I didn’t see the Doorbell Cams on the list of the items of any pre-set packages, nor was it on the options of the ones you build yourself. That kinda set me aback about the promotion because I want people to honestly know what to expect and not be fooled by some bait and switch marketing. I thought, “well, that really blows chunks!”, because most people I know or deal with really want a doorbell camera as part of their security system. (I sure like it!)

So, I called an executive with SimpliSafe and they let me know that as long as someone purchases a package, all other items with that purchase will be 30% off. That means everything! Just remember that when you go check out the deals. It won’t be clear as you look at each item, but as long as a package is purchased, the entire purchase is discounted by 30%.

Last But Not Least!!!

I know the yard signs aren’t expensive, but they do throw one of those in for free as well as a $99 SimpliCam! That really sweetens the deal to me. It’s hard to get “too many” cameras. There’s always one more spot I wish I had one.

So, the 30% off of any size package is reasonable, in fact generous. Adding on a SimpliCam makes it well into a bargain. And to know you can purchase a doorbell cam or any other product from SimpliSafe at 30% off is a great reason to take advantage of this SimpliSafe Sale for the 4th of July. And don’t forget, this sale goes until Tuesday, July 7, 2020.

You won’t see the discounts as you are making your order, but you will receive the 30% discount at checkout. Just click here to go to the SimpliSafe product listing or order form.

Smart home security systems have become available to homeowners in ways that were impossible in the past. Ring security system reviews tell us how much Wi-Fi has changed the game, expanding their market to people who wouldn’t have been able to utilize their services and products through traditional (hard-wired) means.

The market’s expansion due to Wi-Fi dramatically rests on the shoulders of renters. Not every rental property or apartment comes equipped with a security system. In most circumstances, renters wouldn’t have been able to have a hard-wired system installed.

Security systems have become cheaper, DIY (opposed to having a professional come and install it), and contain a greater variety of options than ever before.

Before we take a look at the buzz around the Ring security system reviews, gathering a consensus on what folks are saying about them, we’ll have a glance at the systems they offer.

Or, if you prefer, click here to go where you can see all of the products that Ring has to offer as well as the products offered by their competitors. 

Ring Security System Kits

When it comes to Ring, the sky’s the limit. You can have your whole house outfitted to be controlled through an app- from all the lights in your home, to exterior lights. They have a well-thought-out catalog of products to choose from. Still, for the purposes of this article, we’ll primarily stick to their Kits.

Customers can create their own custom orders to suit their needs. In an attempt to make things easier, they have four kits available- 5-piece, 8-piece, 10-piece, and 14-piece.

The kits displayed below are not always as they are at the time of this article. But rest assured that if those particular packages aren’t available per se, the Ring products are still available and different packages and sales are offered most of the time.

Check the latest price and packages here

5 Piece Security Kit

The 5-piece kit consists of:

• 1 Base Station
• 1 Keypad
• 1 Contact Sensor
• 1 Motion Detector
• 1 Range Extender

According to Ring, this package is effective up to 1,000 square feet. Coverage consists of 1 window or door, and the motion detector covers one room. This system is best for

8 Piece Security Kit

The 8-piece kit consists of the following:

• 1 Base Station
• 1 Keypad
• 4 Contact Sensors
• 1 Motion Detector
• 1 Range Extender

You can safeguard four windows or doors using the contact sensors. If placed wisely, the motion detector can cover any entry point within range- down a hallway, for example.

10 Piece Security Kit

The difference between the 8-piece and the 10-piece kits is the inclusion of one more contact sensor, and one more motion detector.

The 10-piece can grant protection for five windows or doors and will cover 1,000 – 2,000 square feet. Ring considers this to be adequate for a standard 1-2-bedroom home.

Now for the Larger Homes!

14 Piece Security Kit

The 14-piece security kit is geared to secure a more substantial home of 2-3 bedrooms, tackling 2,000+ square feet.

• Base Station
• 2 Keypad
• 8 Contact Sensors
• 2 Motion Detectors
• Range Extender

Customized Kits

There is an option that is interesting, that allows you to enter details about your home to come up with a custom kit. The info you enter (how many windows or doors you want to be covered, etc.) formulates what you’d need to secure your home.

Accessories

No matter what you decide to choose, there are always accessories available to include with your order. Among the accessories are yard signs posting that your home is secured by audio/video monitoring systems, extra rechargeable battery packs, solar panels, and a chime box that alerts you to the doorbell or if something is triggering the alarm system.

Aside from the accessories, you can also purchase other mainline products from Ring such as video doorbells, security cameras & other video equipment.

Ring Security App

A great feature of this DIY system is the Ring App. The app allows you to know what’s going on within or around your home wherever you are. When an alarm is triggered, a notice pops up via the app.

Through the app, you can figure out whether or not it’s a false alarm. False alarms could be kids coming home from a friend’s house, family stopping by, or other mundane or well-meaning things that may occur while you’re away.

However, if it’s a break-in or something nefarious happening, you have the option to alert the authorities immediately. Ring will do the calling for you if you maintain their 24/7 professional monitoring membership.

A useful feature that is included in the app is that you can create separate accounts for different family members. This makes it easier to control who can do what, as far as modifications to the system, and extra eyes on what’s going on at home.

Floodlights & Video Doorbell

The packages talked about above are lacking these two items that are a huge leap forward as it relates to securing your home, but both are available from Ring. In fact, the video doorbell is what started Ring’s direction as a company.

The video doorbell delivers video footage to your app whenever anyone triggers the sensor, alerting you who might be at your door. This is great whether you’re away or not.

The floodlights (which can also be controlled through your app) are battery operated. This is what makes these easy on the do-it-yourselfers.

Ring Security System Reviews

Now that we’re more familiar with their product, let’s get an overall consensus on what people have to say about their products & services.

*Affordable

Many positive reviews include the affordability of their products in comparison to their competition.

*DIY Friendly

Reviews often include how easy their systems are to set up and get running. As is true with any DIY project, the more you can do yourself, the more you save. Security system installations are no exception.

*Monthly 24/7 Monitoring Not Necessary

If you’d rather not spend the $10.00 per month for their monitoring system, and would rather place that on your shoulders, you can. Other companies require you to subscribe to their monitoring programs, and for much more per month than Ring. Users found Ring’s way of doing things to be welcomed freedom.

Conclusion

Your home, your family, your stuff, and your life, should be kept safe one way or the other. Ring makes it possible to purchase what you can afford and continue to build as time and finances progress.

But there’s something that I’d like to point out about this, or any other Wi-Fi system. No matter where you move, you can take it with you. The same can’t be said for hard-wired systems.

Ring has a solid reputation in the DIY community, and according to the reviews provided by users, the investment is well worth the money. Please leave a comment below with any questions or insights you may have. We’d love to hear from you and we will answer all comments or questions. 🙂

If you’d like to check out all that Ring has to offer as a SmartHome product provider as well as the products and services offered by their closest competitors, click here! 

In the world of DIY projects, home security can be akin to learning an entirely new trade- just to set up your own system properly. However, Simplisafe alarm system reviews typically begin with how easy the system is to put into place without any installation experience.

Because this is so user-friendly and seemingly a breeze for the do-it-yourselfer, we’re going to dive into the systems available through Simplisafe.

Pick a Security Package

If you look at the packages available at the Simplisafe website, you’ll find that several different packages are meant to cater to certain style living quarters. All will vary in price and will vary in scope.

For example, you’ll not need enough components to fully protect a two-story home if you’re looking to protect a one-story apartment.

Build Your Own Alarm System

If you want to work from the ground up, you can pick and choose which components you’d like to incorporate into your home. This can be more or less expensive, all depending on your needs and how many components you wind up acquiring.

Features Included in the Simplisafe Alarm System

When you dig into the capabilities of the alarm system, you’ll find that the technology included go beyond break-ins. Sleek in appearance, smaller in size, and less intrusive, the components don’t stick out from the rest of your home’s décor.

Here are some of the features you can expect from the Simplisafe alarm system:

Smart Intruder Recognition

The brains behind this alarm system are able to discern between a broken plate, and a broken window; a person entering a space, or an animal like a dog or cat walking through a zone.

This technology prevents false alarms and unnecessary alerts to the professionals at Simplisafe as well as your personal devices.

Not Just a Burglar Alarm

The base station is able to detect fires, smoke, storm damage (such as leaks), and warns you if your pipes are at risk of freezing. Whatever is detected, the proper authorities will be contacted.

If it’s a break-in, the police will be notified, if it’s a fire, the fire department will be called.

Wi-Fi Connections

All components are connected via Wi-Fi, so there are no wires to have to worry about. For the people who are interested in DIY, this is a huge timesaver and avoids having to mess with holes in the walls, or doing more work than you originally anticipated

Signal Burst Technology

Signal burst technology is utilized by Simplisafe to extend the battery life of the components at play while extending the reach of their signals. This is meant to relieve you of having to switch out your batteries over and over again. According to Simplisafe, this technology makes it so you seldom need to change the batteries out.

Alerts

The days of the police showing up at your home because your kids came home before you did are over. Well, at least they are with this system.

The alerts are one of the best and most convenient features incorporated into their systems. You’re alerted personally through whatever device you linked to the system- a tablet or cellphone would be the most common (if not both).

While you’re away, you’re alerted of any findings through your security system. If someone left a window open, you’d be alerted to it if it’s while you’ve turned on your system. You’ll also be told which window!

If there’s any activity detected at all, be it pre-planned like a visitor showing up and turning off the alarm, a fire, or any unusual activity, it will be sent to your device. Also, you can observe what’s going on at home from the palm of your hand, through the lens of the security camera (the Simplicam).

All these options make for instant access into what’s going on inside of your home. You can also arm or disarm your system via phone, making it more convenient if you’re expecting company while you’re out, or if it’s time for the kids to get home from school.

Simplisafe Alarm System Reviews Across the Web

Every outlet that provides feedback on purchases has positive reviews for Simplisafe and their various security products. Google Store has them at 5 stars with nearly 40,000 reviews, and Amazon has them at 4.5 stars with over 8,000 reviews.

If you check out the reviews themselves, you’ll find that the only real complaint is the camera itself. Some people aren’t satisfied with the quality of the image.

The camera costs $99.00 by itself and is by no means a high-ticket item in the world of cameras. But from what I’ve seen, it’s image quality and capabilities, are better than what you’d expect for the price as compared to items in the same price range.

Monitoring Services

There are two different services available as it relates to monitoring your system.

• Standard Professional Monitoring- $.50 per day
• Interactive Professional Monitoring- $.83 per day

Check out their plan page for descriptions and differences between these two packages.

Conclusion

Well, is the Simplisafe System worth what you’re paying for? Yes, it is. 24/7 monitoring availability and all of the components, do work out to be cheaper than other systems by different brands. The multi-layered levels of security provide peace of mind that extends beyond your windows and doors.

And it can’t be underscored enough; the ease by which this can be installed is a feature all on its own. Just plug in the base, and place the components where you want them- it’s that simple.

Some DIY projects are beneficial or fun. But when it comes to a security system, you’ll be far better off taking the wireless route, and going with a system such as the focus of this page.

The costs saved by doing it yourself versus hiring professionals to come in and install it for you will save you a boatload of cash. Also, knowing that it’s Wi-Fi, you can modify your set-up at any time if you feel compelled to do so.

Once a hardwired system is in place, it’s there forever, and you’ll be leaving it behind when you move on to another home. Such is not the case with this comprehensive wireless system.

If you have any comments or input on SimpliSafe or any other related subject, we’d love to hear from you. Just drop a note below and we will respond to you.

Seems like everyone I know has been through the mind-boggling search online for some form of home security system. The top home security systems vary in price and package offerings as some newcomers to the market are offering significant savings while maintaining quality, or often, raising the bar on durability and features. Of course, no one wants to pay more than they have to, but the struggle is often in determining what is simply inexpensive and what is downright cheap. And when it comes to selecting home security systems, this isn’t a place to sacrifice quality.

So, let’s take a look at three of the best home security systems! In this search for the best system, that determination may vary for any particular individual or family and what new offerings may come out as competition within this market heats up; but our overall criteria will be quality, great customer reviews, bundle and package offerings, and affordability. In fact, we won’t even rate them in any particular order since one may be better than another for you, while your neighbors will fare better with another one of these systems. All of these are great products and each offers functionality differing from the others. Again, your specific needs will dictate which system you place at the top of your list. Our goal is to help you determine which one ranks in that top position that’s right for you.

 

Protect America

We start with Protect America, which seems to not be as HUGE of a name as EDT, Ring, Simply Safe and a few others. Although they are offering zero upfront fees, you will likely be locked into a contract that will keep you at their mercy. However, their equipment is reportedly well made and reliable and if upfront cash is a problem, this could be a great option.

On a better note, Protect America offers top of the line security features that help protect you and your family. Although you may have a commitment that sort of ties you down, most other companies have higher monthly fees for the monthly service. Protect America offers an introductory offer with its Copper plan, which starts at only $19.99/mo. They also design customized security systems for your home. This means you only receive the services you need to best protect your family and belongings while avoiding the costs of superfluous items you don’t really need. You will also have convenient access and control wherever you go via remote access and home automation technology. Protect America is a great contender as the right system for your home security needs, and they are one of the top home security systems on the market today. Here are a few highlights to keep in mind:

• Five different packages ranging from $19.99 to $41.99
• Smaller upfront investment if upfront cash is a problem (Homeowners are locked into a 3-year contract to pay for equipment and services)
• Three different monitoring choices depending on a customer’s particular needs
• Industry-leading technology, including their Simon XT Touch Screen control pad
• Smoke detectors and medical panic buttons
• Wireless, high-speed internet or landline options
• Great customer reviews

SimpliSafe

SimpliSafe has been around for over 12 years and boasts an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau. Their systems and package offerings are quite different from those of Protect America. SimpliSafe systems are completely wireless, and there are no contracts at all. In fact, they offer a 60-day trial period which has earned them a bit of credibility. Their equipment is DIY and extremely simple to install (even a cavechild could do it!), however, they do offer professional installation for around $199.

 

For anyone on a budget and not wanting more monthly bills, SimpliSafe offers several low-cost introductory packages, and customers can easily purchase additional equipment a little at the time. With this model, a homeowner can decide which items are most needed for their home security needs, start there and add on as funds are available. There are no monthly fees unless a monitoring package is purchased, and all the equipment purchased is the property of the homeowner. If the homeowner moves, the equipment can be easily uninstalled and brought along to the new home.

These systems are all DIY and are typically operated in a self-monitoring manner. Notifications are sent to homeowners’ mobile phones and computers so that monitoring is easy! For instance, if someone approaches the front door of a customer with a doorbell camera, there is an immediate notification sent out. The homeowner can even communicate with the person at the door with a built-in microphone and speaker. But do keep in mind, SimpliSafe offers two relatively inexpensive monitoring options: $14.99 (no mobile control), and $24.99 (with mobile control). In a nutshell SimpliSafe offers:

• No contracts!
• Completely wireless systems
• Easy DIY installation
• Self-monitoring or competitively-priced professional monitoring
• Affordable equipment bundles starting at $99.00
• Landline, broadband or high-speed internet options
• Backup battery in case there are power outages
• Excellent customer reviews

Click here to see SimpliSafe Smart Home Packages!

 

ADT

ADT has been around for more than a century. In fact, they’ve been around for over 140 years. In the late 1800s they created a telegraph-based “call box” that was connected to residences in the area where it was first developed. This was the first known residential security monitoring system. Now obviously, neither their primary function nor their expertise included “wireless” home security systems that long ago. That would have been an area more suited for Nikola Tesla! (I think) But for a company to have been around that long while focusing on one specific area of product and service, perhaps more than just a nod of respect is due. A closer look is warranted as we consider the best home security systems and what many consider the top home security systems based on reviews and customer feedback.

Their reviews are good, the longevity is to be admired, and the pricing seems competitive. The equipment is top-notch as would be expected with such an established company (or any company planning to become well established), and ADT offers equipment that is wired and some that is wireless. Their reviews on their installation are stellar! Their response time is quick and their customer service appears to be above the fray. However, name recognition and confidence with a company with such a long history can sometimes cause the pros to overshadow the cons. In this article we are looking at some of both (However, to get a complete overview of the products and services of any home security system provider, a careful look at each of their websites is recommended, provided you keep your focus on the offerings that interest you while not being distracted by the sales hype and pop-up ads and banners). With that in mind, now we will look at some weaker points that are rarely found in reviews of the best home security systems that seem to point out the same weaknesses with other providers while giving ADT a pass.

The Cons of ADT

For one thing, ADT doesn’t offer a do-it-yourself option. Installation is required with an up front fee (which is similar to other companies with professional installation). There is also a 3-year service contract that that is required to get the equipment, installation and monitoring service. This is what pays for the equipment. Free equipment isn’t free if a customer pays for it through higher monitoring fees with a 36-month obligation. And with professionally installed proprietary equipment (most of it hardwired), a homeowner is unlikely to change providers after the 3 years contract is finished. At that point, the higher than average fees are simply monitoring fees, and monitoring only isn’t very expensive to operate. Also, for their basic systems, a landline is required. Who has a landline anymore? I know some people do, and certainly businesses do, but landlines in the home became a thing of the past in the recent decade or so. And what if a homeowner gets a job offer that just can’t be passed up and decides to take the job and move unexpectedly? Well, your equipment will probably stay in the home you are leaving, which brings me to another point: you must be the homeowner to use ADT. You can’t be a tenant or some other family member. So, again, in a nutshell, here are a few highlights of ADT:

• Great track record and a long time in the industry
• State-of-the-art equipment
• Professional installation
• Touch screen control panels
• Must have a landline for their basic packages
• There is a 3-year contract
• The equipment is essentially lease
• Professional monitoring is mandatory

Three Great, Yet Different, Options!

Certainly, there are dozens of other options out there. There are home security companies that have unique bundles with special pricing. And almost every company offers special deals once in a while. That could definitely sway a buyer’s decision if a comparable product is offered by another home security company that is offering 75% off. But all things considered, when looking at which companies currently have the best overall product bundles, pricing, services and customer approval, the top home security systems emerge as listed above. Protect America, SimpliSafe and ADT are each unique in their offerings and pricing. The goal here was to lay out the three top home security companies that appeal to the different needs of homeowners. SimpliSafe is fairly clean-cut and straight forward with easy to understand pricing and other offers. Protect America is a little more confusing, but with a monthly monitoring service fee and equipment that is leased monthly (lower up-front costs), Protect America seems to be the clearest without a lot of confusing hidden costs. ADT may have superior hardware (and maybe not…?), more industry expertise (and maybe not…?), more package offerings (and maybe not…?) but their website is the most confusing, and the only way to get to any definitive pricing or to have typical home security system questions answered is to fill out a few pages of info online and they get back in touch with potential customers. It would seem that a larger residence or estate may be better off with ADT, while smaller and more average-size homes would do better with SimpliSafe or Protect America, depending on the needs of the homeowner as discussed above. Whatever you do, choose a top home security system, one that is affordable and reliable, and select the provider that best meets your needs.