Simplisafe home security system review: a comprehensive DIY kit with 24/7 monitoring

As the name suggests, Simplisafe is a home security system that aims to put simplicity first. In a world where some security kits require a thorough understanding of how smart home systems and voice assistants work, this is a refreshing change. The Simplisafe system has created a middle ground for itself, somewhere between the more complex offerings of Ring and Nest, while being smarter and more connected than older traditional home security systems. I can see this approach appealing to homeowners (and renters) who want a very simple setup process, and who want to avoid the extra functionality and inherent complexity of more feature-packed systems.

This can make the Simplisafe kit look and feel slightly dated, with the keypad especially resembling something from a decade or two ago. It doesn’t even have a colour display, let alone a touchscreen. But, again, I can see the appeal here. It’s a product that looks part of a traditional home alarm system, but which is fully wireless, connected to the internet and (with the right subscription) includes professional monitoring and police response – something Ring does not offer in the UK. In this sense, despite offering an entirely DIY installation, Simplisafe is closer to the services of traditional alarm companies like ADT than tech-first systems like Ring.

Hardware. Simplisafe offers a wide range of kits, each containing a different selection of its products. I opted for the Edinburgh kit, since it includes the broadest range of devices to review. It is also the most expensive package, with a retail price of about £650 (although Simplisafe sometimes lowers its prices by as much as 50 per cent), but other kits start under £300. Every kit includes the Simplisafe base station and wireless keypad, and extra products can all be bought individually to expand your system over time.

Although professional installation is available, Simplisafe says 97 per cent of customers install it themselves. The setup process is very straightforward, and many of Simplisafe’s devices can be added to your system by using the keypad instead of your smartphone. That said, I installed my kit using the free Simplisafe app, available for iOS and Android. This talks you through the entire process using simple language and helpful imagery; the installation begins with the base station which plugs into a wall socket and connects wirelessly to your Wi-Fi router.

Most of Simplisafe’s products stick to your walls, doors and windows using integrated adhesive pads, or you can use screws for a more permanent installation, and they all connect to the base station wirelessly. Most are powered by batteries, which will eventually need replacing (in the case of the kit’s many sensors) or charging (for the wireless security cameras). The methodical installation process explains where best to install each device, and lets you give each a name based on its location. In many cases, all you do is press a single button on the sensor and the base station connects to it in a matter of seconds.

I think the most useful components are the door and window sensors. These consist of two parts designed to be stuck either side of a door or window opening. They can be mounted up to 5 cm apart, and once separated further (in other words, when the door or window is opened) they trigger the alarm. As with other traditional alarm systems, the base station emits a quiet beep when a door is opened, even when the alarm is disabled.

Another hardware highlight is the wireless outdoor security camera, which simply attaches to its semi-circular mount with a strong magnet. This allows for easy positioning, and the mount is then fixed to a wall using a couple of screws. It perhaps isn’t the most theft-proof installation, since the camera can easily be pulled from the magnetic mount. But if you install it close to an upstairs window it’s out of a burglar’s reach while being close enough for you to charge the battery. The camera works well, recording in 1080p Full HD resolution and with great Wi-Fi strength, but there’s no option for partially obscuring its view, as you can with other smart security cameras to prevent them from recording your neighbours’ property.

Although the hardware is good, the camera’s performance wasn’t a match for the rest of the system. It sometimes failed to capture movement, occasionally missing people walking past and even my partner taking our car to work in clear view of the camera. Admittedly, I am pushing the Simplisafe camera to its limit, with regard to distance, since it is installed outside a second-storey window. Almost every security camera struggles from this distance, and when relocated indoors for a series of more specific tests, the Simplisafe system performed without any problems. The camera’s battery life isn’t great, and unfortunately there is no notification to alert you when it’s running low. Depending on the location and settings, it could need charging every couple of weeks.