Best driveway alarms and sensors

We reviewed top driveway sensors and alarms to find the best for your home.
Best overall
HTZSAFE
  • pro
    Up to 4 sensors
  • pro
    21m motion detection
  • pro
    800m receiver range
Runner up
product image of guardline driveway sensor
Guardline
  • pro
    Up to 16 sensors
  • pro
    12m motion detection
  • pro
    152m receiver range
Best solar driveway alarm
Betterlink
  • pro
    Up to 16 sensors
  • pro
    9m motion detection
  • pro
    800m receiver range

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For over 11 years, SafeWise experts have conducted independent research and testing to create unbiased, human reviews. We may earn money when you click links on our site, but this does not affect our recommendations. Learn how we test and review.

Katie McEntire
Jul 29, 2024
Icon Time To Read4 min read

Whether you have a long winding driveway or a short road leading to your garage, driveway sensors—like our top pick, HTZSAFE—are a smart way to monitor vehicles entering and exiting your property. These devices are easy to install and fit a range of budgets for long and short driveways.

Take a look through the different sensors and their effective ranges, and think about the geographic features around your home. Heavy foliage and hills may reduce those ranges, so figure out which sensor would work best for your home—and never be surprised by a visitor again.



Compare the best driveway alarm sensors

Product
Best for
Price
Sensor range Icon Tooltip  Dark
Receiver range Icon Tooltip  Dark
Sensor limit Icon Tooltip  Dark
Learn more
Read Review
Best overall21m800mUp to 4
Runner up12m 152mUp to 16
Best solar9m 800mUp to 4

Prices are accurate as of post date. Read full disclaimer.

Notepad
What is a driveway alarm system?

Driveway alarm systems consist of two main parts: a sensor and a receiver. You can use driveway sensors as standalone units or as part of a larger security system. They can help people who live in homes with long driveways—you’ll know when someone is coming down your driveway before they're in your yard.

The downside to driveway sensors is that they're prone to false alarms. Possums and larger animals can trigger the sensors—a hassle you may not deem worth it.

1. HTZSAFE: Best driveway alarm overall

Best budget
HTZSAFE
$119.99

Price is accurate as of post date. Read full disclaimer.

The HTZSAFE wireless driveway alarm system starts at just under $120 for the receiver and two sensors. Additional sensors can be purchased for around $80. 

Despite its low price, the HTZSAFE alarm has an astonishingly high range for its receiver (800 metres) and sensors (21 metres), which is more than enough for suburban homes and larger rural properties.

We also like the choice of 4 volume settings and 35 different chimes, all of which are nice and loud (though not the best quality sounding).

pro
Pros
pro High range
pro Plug-and-play installation
pro 36 chime options
pro Affordable price
con
Cons
con Low quality audio
con Up to 4 sensors only

2. Guardline: Best driveway alarm runner up

Best overall
product image of guardline driveway sensor
Guardline
$128.04

Price is accurate as of post date. Read full disclaimer.

The Guardline Wireless Driveway Alarm allows for over 150 metres between the sensor and the receiver, although heavy foliage and thick walls will reduce this distance. The sensors can withstand all types of weather and work without interference, and the receivers come with a battery backup as well as a 12-volt relay to link them to additional external alarms.

Guardline claims two years of testing went into each product, and the reviews seem to back that up. With just under 4,000 reviews on Amazon, the Guardline earns consistently high ratings—an impressive track record, no matter the product.

pro
Pros
pro Weatherproof
pro Customisable tones for each sensor
pro Up to 16 sensors
pro Lifetime warranty
con
Cons
con Limited range
con Occasional false alarms

The Guardline driveway alarm comes with more than 30 customisable alert sounds and can be expanded to include multiple sensors—up to 16, or four zones with four sensors and one receiver per zone. You can pair specific sounds with specific sensors so you’ll always know where the motion is without looking. The only thing we're not fans of is the higher price.

3. Betterlink: Best solar driveway alarm

Best solar
Betterlink
$89.99

Price is accurate as of post date. Read full disclaimer.

The Betterlink sensor can be as far as 800 metres from the receiver, and because it's solar-powered means you can set and forget it, never having to climb up and change the batteries.

On the downside, it has a maximum detection range of only 9 metres. It also offers fewer chime options than our top picks above. However, the upside is that it can support up to 16 sensors (at $59.99 each).

That said, we love that the receiver doesn't use batteries. You'll need to plug it into the wall about once a month using the provided USB-C cable, but even if you misplace it, it's likely you have a couple of spares lying around anyway. 

pro
Pros
pro Long receiver range
pro Easy to install
pro Solar-powered sensor
pro Add up to 16 sensors
con
Cons
con Limited sensing range
con Only 4 chimes

Final word

Not only is the HTZSAFE one of the most affordable driveway alarm sensors, it also includes a lot of thoughtful features like unique alarm tones and a long wireless range all at a reasonable price.

When paired with other outdoor security equipment like motion detector lights, outdoor cameras, and other affordable motion sensors, driveway sensors can keep you aware of what's happening at your home whether you're there or not.

Driveway sensor FAQ

Driveway sensors use similar technology that of other motion sensors.

  • An infrared beam senses movement with heat and is more common in trail cams and outdoor sensors. Sometimes this is called a passive infrared or PIR sensor.
  • A magnetic probe only senses metal, making it less prone to false alarms triggered by pets or kids playing in the driveway. However, a magnetic probe motion detector is expensive.
  • A rubber hose sensor looks like those at a professional garage or drive-thru. When a car or heavy vehicle drives over the hose, the sensor triggers.
  • Photo beam sensors use light. When an object blocks the sensors, you’ll get an alert from the sensor.

Yes, it depends on the sensor type, but driveway sensors can pick up activities from people or animals. If you’re concerned about home invaders, package thieves, or other threats, installing a security camera in tandem with your driveway sensor.

It depends on your driveway. If your home borders a busy road, it’s best to move the sensor closer to your home to avoid false alarms from traffic. Sensors for longer driveways may be best halfway between your home and the beginning of your driveway.

Quick example

If you live in a rural area, you may have a driveway that looks more like a road than a private path. Putting a driveway sensor right at the front would result in too many alarms; after all, people often get lost and use driveways to turn around.

But if you put a driveway sensor about halfway down your drive, you’ll know when someone is coming to your home.

Driveway sensors do little more than let you know someone is approaching your home. However, this serves as the first line of defence in your home security system.

How we reviewed the best driveway alarms and sensors

In our best driveway alarms and sensors review, we researched dozens of devices, read hundreds of customer reviews, and used our decades' worth of safety and security experience to bring you the best products.

Check out our methodology to learn more about how we review products and services.


Disclaimer
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time of publish and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on the retailer’s website at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. SafeWise Australia utilises paid affiliate links.

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