Another affordable and impressive bells-only alarm has been unearthed in our testing. This alarm starter kit didn't make it as a Best Buy, but it is easy to use, reliable and effective at safeguarding your home from burglars.
The next decision you'll need to make is whether to opt for a wireless alarm system or a traditional wired one. Wireless alarms use battery-powered sensors that communicate with a control panel using radio signals.
These alarms tend to look nicer and are generally easier to install — you can often do it yourself. You can easily add additional sensors, and removing the system when you move house is a lot less tricky than for wired versions. However, you will need batteries for all components, such as the control panel and all sensors. These will need to be replaced periodically — check our reviews for claimed battery life of each wireless alarm. Wired systems, on the other hand, need wires running to each of the sensors and device to work.
These systems are usually more complex and multi-function, with additional control panels and wired in detectors. However, they are trickier to install: the wires need to be hidden away, and so it is more challenging for the DIY novice. Therefore, you may have to consider the additional cost of paying a professional to install your alarm. As covered above, wireless alarm systems and notably smart alarm systems can usually be self-installed with sufficient confidence in DIY.
The hardest job is mounting the sounder on the outside of your home. When doing this, do consider how you are going to change the batteries when you need to.
Don't put the sounder somewhere hard to access and difficult to renew the batteries. Besides, you want it clearly visible anyway to scare off potential intruders. With a wired system or if you just aren't comfortable doing the installation yourself , you will need to pay a professional. Some alarm companies offer their own service, or you could hire a trader. If you're ready to get a burglar alarm installed you can use our Which? Trusted Trader service. All of our endorsed traders have been thoroughly vetted and checked by ex Trading Standards assessors so you can be ensured that whoever you hire is a reliable local trader.
Use our search tool below to find a Which? Trusted Trader in your area. Find out more about installing your burglar alarm in our in-depth guide to Burglar alarms and installation costs. However, unlike a monitored, dialler or smart alarm, it won't automatically contact a named person or the police, so there is no guarantee that any action will be taken if you're out.
It's worth thinking about the kind of area you live in before deciding to get a bells-only alarm. Is there an active neighbourhood watch that gives you confidence that someone will call the police in an emergency? If not, do you have friends and relatives who live close by who you could count on to take action? You can install one of these alarms yourself, or you can pay a one-off fee to have it installed by a professional. If you're not comfortable with the idea of relying on a neighbour to let you know if your alarm goes off, you could consider a dialler alarm, also called an auto dialler.
With these alarms, the dialler will contact you, or nominated friends and family, when your alarm is triggered. This means that you or they can then contact the police or ask a neighbour to investigate the issue. Most dialler alarms allow you to program a list of between three and 10 phone numbers, which will be called in the priority order you've set.
The first person it successfully contacts is able to stop the rest of the numbers from being contacted. Some more hi-tech models can also alert you if there is a fire or flood in your home, or connect to a panic button.
There are two types of dialler alarm:. If self-monitoring tickles your fancy, we suggest Abode. Abode has no contracts and incredibly flexible monitoring options, including self-monitoring.
Nor will you have an outdoor camera option. As with most of the systems on our list, Abode is DIY. Abode charges nominal monthly fees for its self-monitoring options. Like Yale, Abode offers geofencing. It also has a timeline feature, unlimited users, and 7 to 30 days of video storage depending on your subscription plan. Source: Abode. And the system works with Sonos and Bose, too. Our only real complaint about Abode equipment is the camera situation.
The cameras built into the gateways are a tad bit useless since most people put their security hubs in a closet or utility room. So what are you paying for? Netatmo has a few variations on its indoor camera. Our favorite is the version with indoor air quality monitoring, which includes temperature, humidity, carbon monoxide, and even noise sensors.
Netatmo also has a smart outdoor camera with a siren and floodlight. And it sells a video doorbell camera with night vision, two-way audio, and person detection. SimpliSafe is our top recommendation overall for its affordability and simple installation, followed by Yale for its low prices, features, and connecting devices.
We also test some of the systems we recommend or read user reviews, which gives us some experience to draw on when determining where in a list a system should go. The UK version offers assisted monitoring but not professional monitoring. But if you can, we encourage you to look into it. Better to have professional monitoring and never need it than not to have it and realise it could have prevented a crime.
Vivint Smart Home Security Review. By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Disclaimer : The information featured in this article is based on our best estimates of pricing, package details, contract stipulations, and service available at the time of writing.
This is not a guarantee. All information is subject to change. For the most accurate information, please ask your customer service representative. Clarify all fees and contract details before signing a contract or finalizing your purchase. Each individual's unique needs should be considered when deciding on chosen products. Go to Reviews. Watch our video reviews on.
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Looking for the best way to protect your home? Best Value. No contracts. Limited home automation. Editor's Choice. No professional monitoring. Best Traditional Option. Leading European provider. Anti-jamming protection. Best Self-Monitored Option. No outdoor cameras.
By Brianne Sandorf. Published on August 16, Share Article. Install your system with no tools needed. Just plug it in. Sensors guard every room and entry point. If danger is detected, our monitoring centre will call you and dispatch emergency response.
Forgot to arm your system? Need to let someone in? Do it right from your phone anytime. Batteries last for almost a decade in our entry sensors — the best lifespan in the industry battery life may vary based on use. Spread the security.
Secret Alerts quietly alert you if someone accesses private areas, without sounding an alarm. If someone forces you to disarm your system, your Duress PIN will secretly alert the authorities. Many wireless security systems struggle to cover your entire house.
Ours can cover large homes with ease. The brains. Comes with a built-in sim to rapidly alert our professional monitoring centre. Test SimpliSafe in your home for 60 days. Your system arrives ready to work.
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