SimpliSafe Home Security Review

The SimpliSafe wireless home security system lives up to its name. Its pricing is straight forward and equipment like motion sensors and base station sets up in minutes. 

The equipment is varied too and can protect your home from the video doorbell at your front door to a smart lock at the back door.

Plus, SimpliSafe's equipment costs are lower than most other home security companies without a contract. And you can opt into and out of professional monitoring at your convenience. 

See how it compares to the best DIY home security systems and the best security systems for renters.

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You do have to buy your equipment up front, but all of SimpliSafe’s preselected packages are under $500 (or under $400 when you add the Complete Home Monitoring plan at checkout).

As far as professional monitoring for SimpliSafe goes, we recommend the Complete Home Monitoring plan for a few reasons. It costs more per month than the other plans, but it's still cheaper than other DIY systems like Frontpoint. 

Better for video: 
The Complete Home Monitoring plan comes with unlimited camera recording, on-demand recording, and video verification. This means you can tune into happenings around your home any time and have the pros help you out in an emergency with the footage you capture.

Better for emergencies: 

The Complete Home Monitoring plan also comes with 24/7 monitoring and dispatch, fire monitoring, and medical response. So any kind of emergency is covered. It even includes less common dangers like temperature and water damage monitoring. 

Better for equipment: 

If you have a larger house or want equipment that goes beyond the basics, we recommend the Complete Home Monitoring plan. SimpliSafe has sensors for smoke, freezing temperatures, and water leaks that not only keep your home safe but healthy too. 

SimpliSafe’s accessible prices, nonexistent contracts, and indoor equipment make it one of the best home security systems for renters. 

Whether you rent 500 or 5,000 square feet, SimpliSafe offers kits with everything you need to secure your home. And most of them cost less than $400. 

You’ll have to pay up front for your system, but you can cancel any time without worrying about fees or complicated contracts. 

SimpliSafe’s 24/7 professional monitoring is optional, and you can add, cancel, upgrade, or downgrade your monitoring service plan at any time without any extra fees.

SimpliSafe breaks from security system tradition and skips the contracts. There's no hefty cancellation fee chaining you to a system you don't like.

You also aren't tied to a monthly payment—and you can have professional monitoring service only when you need it. If you want extra protection when you’re on vacation, you can add monitoring for that month and then cancel when you return with no penalties or hassle.

Keep in mind, though, that without professional monitoring you can’t use the SimpliSafe app.

You can't receive alerts or remotely arm and disarm your system, and you don’t have a direct link to emergency services. The system will still work as an alarm with a siren, but you’ll need to contact help on your own.

You may have to pay for your SimpliSafe equipment up front, but you have two months to try it out and decide if you like it. Start your countdown from the minute you complete your order—the 60-day trial period starts from the day you order, not the day you receive the system.

If you decide that SimpliSafe isn’t the right fit, you can send it back in that 60-day window, and the company will process a full refund and cover the cost of shipping.

The SimpliSafe system we tested

SimpliSafe offers technology and equipment that’s both stripped down and state of the art.

The company’s goal of keeping things simple (hence the name) limits the bells and whistles. Where SimpliSafe stands out is in the elegant, modern design of its components.

We’ve been disappointed by the lack of outdoor security cameras, but SimpliSafe has taken the first step with the Video Doorbell Pro. And rumor has it the company will release full-blown outdoor security cameras soon.

It’s not unheard of to pay around $1,000 (or more) for home security equipment. 

But every SimpliSafe home security system comes with basic equipment like a base station, wireless keypad, motion sensor, and entry sensor for between $225 and $500.

The higher-tiered packages include multiple sensors and add-ons like a siren, smoke detector, or hazard sensors (like the water sensor to prevent flooding).

For a modern-looking system with a new approach to pricing and contracts, SimpliSafe’s smart home features are surprisingly old school. Its proprietary equipment keeps prices low, but limits the system’s smart home abilities. 

SimpliSafe offers a branded smart lock and video doorbell, but they only really work with your SimpliSafe system. 

And you can pair your Amazon or Google smart speaker with your system with other smart home devices onboard, but devices like lights and plugs don’t work directly with SimpliSafe.

• Voice control: Amazon Alexa and Google Home
• Climate control: Nest Thermostat
• Lighting control: Coming soon
• Smart locks: August Smart Lock

When it comes to customer service, SimpliSafe has a lot of options to offer. From libraries of help articles about specific devices to email and phone support, the company can help you get answers about your system. 

SimpliSafe's helpline is open seven days a week from 9:00 a.m. until midnight (EST). You can reach them by calling +1-888-910-1215. (If you have professional monitoring, the monitoring center is operational 24/7.)

You can also request help from SimpliSafe tech support via email or join online forums to get help and ideas from other SimpliSafe users.

We're really impressed by the SimpliSafe app, which is free to download from the Apple App Store and the Google Play store.

And we're not the only ones who love how easy it is to control the SimpliSafe system remotely. The SimpliSafe app for iOS has earned 4.8 out of 5 stars from over 208,100 reviews. Over 15,600 users rated the SimpliSafe Android app 4.4 out of 5 stars.

Your app experience defines your home security experience. After all, you really don't physically interact with smart security equipment after the initial installation. That's why we strongly recommend choosing a home security company with an intuitive and well-maintained home security app.

SimpliSafe fits the bill. And if you do run into trouble with the app, your account, or the equipment, it's good to know that SimpliSafe's customer service team has a reputation for courtesy and prompt action.

SimpliSafe is a straightforward, low-cost, do-it-yourself home security solution. Its discreet equipment is ideal for small living spaces, but it may fall short if you need to protect a large amount of property.

For those looking to add home security on a budget, SimpliSafe’s affordable equipment and no-contract professional monitoring are hard to beat.

Our review of SimpliSafe was based on hands-on testing and extensive research. We installed and used the system at home to see how easy it was to set up and how well it performed. We also researched the specs of the system and compared it to other home alarm systems.

But we didn’t stop there:

• We met with SimpliSafe.
• We read hundreds of customer reviews.
• We visited the SimpliSafe online forum to find out what long-time users have experienced with their SimpliSafe security system.

Check out our methodology page to learn more about how we rate and rank products and services.

Got more questions? Check out our in-depth SimpliSafe FAQs page

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