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7 min read
Reviewed ByRebecca EdwardsFor over 11 years, SafeWise experts have conducted independent research and testing to write unbiased, human reviews (not robots). Learn more.
With 20+ years in tech journalism, Alina blends safety expertise with her passion for simplifying technology. Alina has tested hundreds of safety and security devices, is trained as a first responder, and has worked as a volunteer firefighter. Cathy, a Safe Sleep Ambassador, specializes in family safety, simplifying complex topics for trusted sites like Safety.com with 8+ years of writing experience.
SimpliSafe strives to simplify the home security experience, and its cameras deliver on that promise. They're easy to install and set up, and using them is as easy as opening the SimpliSafe app.
Fortunately, simple doesn't mean poor quality. You'll enjoy crisp images, clear night vision, and good audio quality without being bogged down by too many settings. We'll explain the differences between SimpliSafe's cameras and clue you in on our testing experience so you know what to expect.
Installs quickly
Works without a security system 
One camera doesn't work with Active Guard
Few smart home features 
Product | Use case | Price | Video resolution | Field of view | Power source | Can be used with Active Guard | Learn more |
| Indoor camera | $149.99 | 1536p HD | 125° | Wireless |  Yes | View Packages | |
| Doorbell camera | $169.00 | 1080p HD | 162° | Wired | Yes | View Packages | |
| Outdoor camera | $199.99 | 1080p HD | 140° | Wired/solar/battery | Yes | View Packages | |
| Outdoor camera | $199.99 | 1080p HD | 140° | Wireless |  No | View Packages |
Info current as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
SimpliSafe offers four main camera models designed for various use cases, each with distinct features and compatibility. The Smart Alarm Indoor Camera is tailored for indoor use, priced at $149.99. It provides the highest resolution in the lineup at 1536p HD, a 125° field of view, and is wireless. It is also compatible with Active Guard, SimpliSafe’s live monitoring and protection service.
The SimpliSafe Video Doorbell Pro, meant for front-door surveillance, is priced at $169.00. It has 1080p HD resolution and the widest field of view at 162°, though it requires a wired connection. It also supports Active Guard, allowing real-time response capabilities.
For outdoor coverage, SimpliSafe offers two similar options, both priced at $199.99. The first, labeled simply as Outdoor Camera, supports wired, solar, or battery power and features 1080p HD video with a 140° field of view. It is compatible with Active Guard.
The second, named Security Outdoor Camera, has the same resolution and field of view, but does not support Active Guard, making it more limited in emergency response features.
The SimpliSafe SimpliCam is no longer being sold in the U.S. You can still purchase if you live in the U.K., however. For those in the states, the SimpliSafe Smart Alarm Wireless Indoor Camera is a good alternative.
All SimpliSafe cameras offer HD video and night vision. They also offer several ways to store your videos, which is great if you want to hang onto your videos a little longer.
We love that these home security cameras are DIY-friendly. If you’ve ever used an app and screwdriver, you’re more than qualified to install and use these home security cameras.
Images: SafeWise
Image: Alina Bradford, SafeWise
Since SimpliSafe cameras have pretty basic features and limited smart home integration, they work best when added to an existing SimpliSafe system.
All of SimpliSafe’s cameras have these features:
In the SimpliSafe app, you can see what triggered the camera, access stored videos, and even talk to the person on the other side of your camera with the two-way talk feature.
SimpliSafe cameras don’t record 24/7. The video footage is limited to short clips recorded when motion is detected. We like this because it means you don’t have to wade through hours of footage to find an event.
If you want your camera to make friends with other smart devices in your home, SimpliSafe cameras work with Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, and IFTTT. You can use voice commands to arm your system and check its status once you connect SimpliSafe to Alexa or Google Home.
These security cameras are a great addition if you already have a SimpliSafe home security system. When the alarm on your system is triggered, the SimpliSafe reps at the monitoring center can use your camera to check if the security system was set off by an actual threat or by accident.
SimpliSafe cameras don’t have local storage, unlike competitors such as the Eufy Video Doorbell or the Wyze Cam v3. If you want to save a video, you’ll need to spring for a cloud storage subscription.
Storage is pretty inexpensive, so it won’t stretch your budget. Pricing starts at around $10 per month for up to 10 cameras. Learn more about SimpliSafe monitoring in our SimpliSafe price guide.
Monitoring plan | Monthly fee | Monitoring | Video verification
 | Active Guard Outdoor Protection | Cellular connection back-up | Storage and recording | Learn more |
 Self Monitoring w/Camera Recordings | $9.99 | Self | No | No | No | 7 days | See Packages |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Monitoring | $21.99 | Professional | No | No | Yes | Unlimited camera recordings & 30-day cloud storage | See Packages |
| Core | $31.99 | Professional | Yes | No | Yes | Unlimited camera recordings & 30-day cloud storage | See Packages |
| Pro | $49.99 | Professional + AI | Yes | Available 8pm-6am, local
| Yes | Unlimited camera recordings & 30-day cloud storage | See Packages |
| Pro Plus | $79.99 | Professional + AI | Yes | Available 24/7 | Yes | Unlimited camera recordings & 30-day cloud storage | See Packages |
Info current as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
If you have a SimpliSafe home security system, we recommend getting the Core plan for $31.99 per month. You’ll get professional monitoring and unlimited recording storage for up to 30 days. Plus, the upgrade gives you a lifetime equipment warranty and 10% off future equipment purchases.
You don’t need storage for your home security camera, but it comes in handy. Say, for example, you use the SimpliSafe Video Doorbell Pro and it captures someone stealing a package off of your porch. Saving that video will be vital for helping law enforcement track down the thief.
Info current as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
SimpliSafe’s newest addition to the family is the Smart Alarm Wireless Indoor Camera. This battery-powered camera comes with an adjustable mount, Vision AI motion sensing, a privacy shutter, and 10x digital zoom.
While recharging this camera’s battery can be a pain, the otherwise wireless nature of the Smart Alarm Camera makes it stand out among other SimpliSafe options.
The video quality is the most advanced as well, with 1536p HD capture. Mount in the living room, kitchen, or other easily accessible areas to monitor your home’s safety from afar.
Info current as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
The SimpliSafe Video Doorbell Pro has adjustable activity zones. You can set it to detect motion on your porch if you like, or it can keep watch all the way to the sidewalk. The video doorbell’s AI can also tell the difference between a human and a pet, limiting the number of motion sensor notifications sent to your phone.
The video quality is right on par with what we’d expect from a decent video doorbell camera. With 1080p HD resolution and a 162º field of view, you’ll be able to see that package you ordered or a stranger at your door.
You can learn more in our SimpliSafe Video Doorbell Pro review.
Info current as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
SimpliSafe has two outdoor cameras. They are both pretty much exactly the same, except that the Outdoor Camera can use the Active Guard Outdoor Protection feature and the Outdoor Security Camera can't. (That's right, the only difference in the name is the word "security." We're confused, too!) Plus, they're the same price, so we recommend going with the camera without "security" in the name.
These are more of SimpliSafe's battery-powered cameras, but the company recommends using the removable power cable on the Outdoor Camera if you're using Active Guard so that the battery stays charged and the guards can access your camera.
Both cameras notify you when they detect motion and record what caused it. During testing, we found that, more often than not, we got notifications about bugs or leaves. It missed notifying us of actual humans and vehicles several times.
On the positive side, at 140°, they do have a wider field of view than some of the best outdoor security cameras. They also have super clear video and great sound.
For more, read our complete SimpliSafe Outdoor Security Camera review.
Not a fan of commitment? SimpliSafe doesn’t make you sign any contracts. Even better, you can return equipment for up to 60 days and get a full refund.
For Core, Pro, and Pro Plus plan customers, SimpliSafe offers a lifetime equipment warranty.
The SimpliSafe customer support line is open from 8 a.m. to midnight (EST), seven days a week. Or, you can send customer support an email through this contact form. You can also find answers to your questions at SimpliSafe’s user-friendly Help Center.
If you still have questions or want to talk to other SimpliSafe customers, you’ll find the SimpliSafe forum super handy.
Here’s a more in-depth look at SimpliSafe’s customer support.
No. You’ll need to set it on a table or shelf.
No, SimpliSafe cameras record short clips of video when motion is detected.
Only SimpliSafe cameras work with SimpliSafe home security systems.
Yes. They send information through Wi-Fi, which makes them IP cameras.
Press and hold the reset button for 20 seconds.
On the SimpliCam, when the blue light flashes, that means the camera is recording. If the blue light isn't flashing, that means the camera is on standby. A blinking red light means the camera can't connect to Wi-Fi, and a yellow flashing light means that the camera can't connect to SimpliSafe servers.
Yes, but you'll need the outdoor security camera kit to make the SimpliCam weatherproof.
SimpliSafe stopped selling this kit in the US once it released the Outdoor Camera. If you use SimpliSafe in the UK, you can still get the weatherproof camera cover.
If your SimpliSafe camera blinking red , it isn’t online. It may be too far away from your Wi-Fi router. Try moving it closer.
Read answers to more SimpliSafe FAQs.
Image: Alina Bradford, SafeWise
We have tested all of the SimpliSafe cameras in several different real-life houses, so we used what we learned about each camera when we compiled this page.
We focused on how well the cameras worked in real-world situations and how their features compared with those of other cameras on the market.
Learn more about our testing process by reading our methodology.
SimpliSafe may not have many bells and whistles, but its cameras are easy to use and install. If you already have a SimpliSafe home security system, adding on a SimpliCam, Smart Alarm Indoor Camera, SimpliSafe Outdoor Camera, or SimpliSafe Video Doorbell Pro will lend a huge security boost.
If you're still shopping around for a home security system and want cameras with more features than SimpliSafe's lineup, check out our picks for the best home security cameras. We'll help you find an awesome camera that fits your needs.
*Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. Safewise.com utilizes paid Amazon links.
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