As our neighborhood has grown quickly with new homes and businesses moving into town during the past couple of years we decided it was time to add a whole home security system. The SimpliSafe 17 Piece Whole Home Security Kit was just what we were looking for. As the name implies, this kit supports an entire residence with multiple cameras, window/door sensors, base unit, keypad, etc. It can also be expanded (up to 100 sensors) if needed with additional pieces available from SimpliSafe. In the Box - Base Station (white), Keypad (white), 1 x Wireless HD Outdoor Camera, 1 x Wired HD Indoor Camera, 8 x Entry Sensors, 2 x Motion Sensors, 1 x Panic Button, 1 x Glass Break Sensor, 1 x Key Fob, Yard Signage/stickers and documentation. As we have 7 entry points on the first floor of our home, this package had more than enough sensors to cover them all. Setup - SimpliSafe couldn't make the setup process much easier. There's documentation in the kit that walks through setup as well as the SimpliSafe app that literally walks through the required steps. Once the app is downloaded, create an account, and follow the steps to set up the base station and associated sensors and cameras. There are QR codes on the different accessories that can be scanned to assist with adding them during setup. This package also comes with a free 30 day trial of the monitored system which can be cancelled after 30 days by calling SimpliSafe. One of the features I really like is the magnetic mounting base on the outdoor camera. As the 1080p capable camera is wireless it was super easy to pick a spot and mount the base to the house. Then just connect the camera to the base with the magnet and you're ready to go! The outdoor camera batteries are rechargeable and SimpliSafe also offers a solar panel charger as an accessory. Another welcome feature is that most of the sensors and associated accessories are mounted with tape so there is no hardwiring the system or putting holes in your walls. It also allows for all sorts of options when installing or expanding the system. Mounting the sensors is not only a breeze, there’s no damage to your home. Using the System / Security - Once the system and service are set up the system does what it's supposed to. The cameras functioned perfectly...including spying on our dog! The keypad is super straightforward (Home, Away and Off) and easy to use and the unique pins is a great feature. Multiple unique pins can be created for multiple users on the system. So far we haven’t had any issues with the system. The cameras have a number of customization features for day and nighttime use including sensitivity and resolution settings. One of the new additions to this system which our previous system did not have is the key fob. For me, it’s important to have ease of functionality and the key fob is one of my new favorite accessories. Pros: - Systems easily supports a large residence or business with 17 total pieces - Great build quality of base, keypad and accessories - Ease of setup and overall system configuration and use - Ability to add to the system such as water sensors or solar chargers for outdoor cameras - DIY installation and no service fees if you choose that route - The Key Fob makes an easy to use system even easier! Cons: - Haven't come across any after a couple weeks of tinkering and use with the system Overall, the SimpliSafe 17 Piece Whole Home Security Kit is a great value, easy to setup and use and it's expandable as needs change. It can be used free or there are a couple levels of paid monitoring services offered. I would certainly recommend this system to anyone looking to add the security of a whole home security system to their home or even a small business.

I've seen the Simplisafe products for several years now and they seem to have come quite a ways from the first ones I had seen. More options for sensors, better and smaller form factors and well laid out keypads. I've always been curious as to how well they would perform. This is a very complete system for a starter kit. It comes with a base station, 8 entry sensors, 2 motion sensors, an outdoor camera, and indoor camera, a glass break sensor, a keypad, a key fob and a panic button for a total of 17 pieces. Depending on how many windows and doors your house or apartment has, this is probably plenty to cover most if not all of your home. You can always purchase additional sensors if you find you're short for the number of entrances you would like to protect, or if you want some of the sensors that the kit doesn't come with. Setting up the system is incredibly easy. Just download the app, create your account, and start charging your cameras and setting up your sensors. Between the base station and the app, the system tells you just what to do for each device. When you first log in to your Simplisafe account, you'll be presented with options for subscription monitoring, which breaks down into monthly payments of $0.33 per day to $0.99 per day. These monthly fees will get you various degrees of home monitoring. You can also skip the monitoring and use it as a stand alone system (as I've done). We'll see just what it will let me do on my own as far as self monitoring. To add any sensor, camera, or keypad, just open the app and tap the 3 lines in the top left corner. This open up a list of what you can do and see, and gives you selections for help as well. From this list choose “Add Device or Camera”. This presents you with a general overview screen of the basic steps to add a device. Tapping the “Let's Go” button starts the device setup process and lets you select the device you want to setup and add to the system. All the items that Simplisafe offers are in the list of devices so all you need to do is pick the one you have. Actually, I found that once I put the base station into the add new device mode, all I had to do was pull out the battery tab on the device I wanted to add and the base station automatically found it and added it. So, it's just that easy to add any of the devices to you system. I don't think there's a way they could've made it any easier! Everything is wireless, from the base station to all the sensors and devices. The base station comes with a wall plug, but also has a rechargeable internal battery. In the event that you loose power, the system will still operate and continue to protect your home. The indoor camera comes with a USB cable and power plug, so I guess not 100% wireless, but it's small size makes it easy to hide. So, a quick breakdown of the device options goes like this. The entry sensors can be set up individually to customize your system. You can rename the sensor, select it to instantly trigger (to set the alarm off immediately when a door or window is opened), and choose how it acts in any of the 3 alarm modes, Off, Home or Away. The motion sensors also allow you to change names and instantly trigger the alarm. But it also has a Pet Mode which you can select if you have pets. In this mode, the motion sensor ignores motion from smaller objects (like dogs and cats), so that they are free to wander the house when your away, just as they always do, without triggering the alarm. The base station has lot of tweaks and settings but comes with a set of defaults already chosen. You really don't have to do anything with these settings, the defaults are pretty well thought out, but if you're interested, you can change things like turning off the base station light, set the volume of the entry sensor chime or turn it off altogether (this is a nice audible little chime that lets you know when a door or window has been opened), you can set the siren volume and duration it stays on. You can also set the entry and exit delay. This is the time the system gives you to exit the house after setting the alarm or the time it gives you to turn the system off when you come back home. Lots of great settings that are comparable with many fully wired systems. Both the cameras have a really cool option. These cameras actually have a “privacy shutter” in them. These are mechanical internal shutters that block any camera from seeing anything at all. You can choose how this shutter functions in all the alarm modes, so for instance, when you arm the system in Home mode, you can make sure the camera shutter is closed, giving you privacy. If you set the system to arm in away mode, you can let the camera shutter open to view anything that triggers it. You can actually hear and see the internal shutter open and close, it's a really cool feature. As I've mentioned the inside camera comes with a USB power cable and plug, the outside camera operates on a rechargeable battery, so it's completely wireless when charged. This is really helpful when trying to decide where to install it because you don't have to worry about a plug. It's base is also magnetic so when you need to charge it, just pluck it off the wall and take it inside to charge it. No fumbling around with threaded mounts. So Simplisafe will strongly suggest you sign up for one of their paid monthly subscription plans. And rightly so, they offer different packages for different needs. All of their plans are less than $1.00 per day. The $0.99 per day package gets you all the person monitored extras you could imagine, like 24/7 professional monitoring, fast police response, 2-way audio that agents can use to communicate with you in an emergency, unlimited camera recordings, etc.. The other plans offer fewer and fewer features and range from $.66 per day down to $.33 per day for self monitoring. You can use the system without signing up for any of the plans, but you're limited using the system this way. You won't be able to record any video for one. But the system will trip the alarm and set off the siren and notify you at some point that the alarm has been triggered (although for me it was pretty instantaneous). By using the app, you can always do things like shut off the siren, or remotely arm the alarm if you left the house and forgot to set it. So you still have control over the system. You can also log into your cameras and view live feeds. So, lots of choices here. You can set up the system for how you want to use and add other sensors as needed, or add a monitoring plan as well. It's really up to you. All in all, this is a really good system and it's a breeze to set up yourself. They do offer professional installation if you really just don't want to deal with it, but I think it's actually fun to set it up yourself, the way you want. All the sensors are battery operated and held in place with double sided foam tape, it just doesn't get any easier. Really nice feature packed system!

TLDR: If you are looking for the quickest & easiest way to replace your existing home security system, or want to add a whole home security system, this system deserves a look. INTRODUCTION My house came pre-wired with a security system. Every window and door in my house has a hardwired sensor, running back to a central, structured media panel. Unfortunately, when it came time for us to have the house monitored, every single security provider said they were unable to use our existing infrastructure, wanting to either replace everything in the house, or at a minimum, everything in the media panel. At this point we had to decide between having no security monitoring, or pay an outside provider big dollars to add their product to our existing hardware, thereby tying us to them for the duration of service. I was not impressed with the options and did not want tied down to one specific provider that nothing else would work with. Queue up Simplisafe. They offer what I was unable to get from outside service suppliers. A well designed, easy, flexible, expandable system that can have as many or as little options as you want. Not only that, there are no high pressure sales tactics. You decide what you want and get a system that meets your needs. Decide to add on later? No problem, you can always order more sensors as needed. Want monitoring, sure they offer that. Don’t want to have your system monitored, no sweat. INSTALLATION Simplisafe has done an outstanding job of creating an easy to install system for any homeowner, even those not well versed in technology and home renovation. All sensors can be installed with the included double stick tape or with the set of small screws included with each sensor. I was able to install the entire 17-piece kit, plus a couple of extra keypads in less than an hour. There are no wires to worry about, no power cords, nothing. Really as easy as peel and stick. Each sensor comes with a small battery that powers it. The batteries should have no problems lasting the better part of a year or more with average use. The tape has proven very durable so far. I have not had any sensors fall off after initial installation. Whether be on textured, interior drywall, or on vinyl windows that have been baking in the 105 + degree heat we’ve been experiencing. SOFTWARE I give Simplisafe high marks for the effort they have put in on their software. Once you download the Simplisafe app on your Andrioid or iOS device and create your account. You are off. I have rarely seen an app so well designed and easy to use. The app starts you off with connecting your base station (it is the brains behind the whole system) and then allows you to add sensors one-by-one. You grab a sensor, add it in the drop-down list in the app, type in its location, and then pull the battery protector off to activate. In seconds the base station will see the sensor, query it to ensure it is functioning properly and you stick it on. Wash, rinse, repeat. Seamless, easy, stress-free. CAMERAS 2 cameras are included in the kit. 1 outdoor rated camera and an indoor camera. The outdoor camera provides the option of shining a “spotlight” (really just 2 LED’s) if it detects motion after dark. Both cameras support resolutions up to 1080p and even though that is just average this day and age, the images are crisp and sharp. One nice inclusion to the cameras is that the indoor camera has its own privacy shutter that you can choose to keep closed unless the camera is being actively watched by the owner. It is a nice piece of mind for those that worry about people hacking in and being able to watch live feeds. MONITORING Like I stated earlier, the issue with the current big name security providers is their proprietary hardware and high monitoring fees, often forcing a homeowner into yet another long-term contract. That is one of the huge advantages of the Simplisafe system. You can opt to have them monitor your system for a nominal monthly fee. They will dispatch authorities or emergency services, if needed. Unlike most of the other big-name providers, you don’t have to sign up for any long-term contracts, you can pay by the month or annually, cancel at any time. But, should you not want to pay for monitoring, that is also an option. You aren’t required to pay for monitoring to have your security system work. The base station hooks into your existing home ethernet or Wi-Fi to maintain communication with you and the app. Should you lose power, the base station has both a battery back-up and a built-in cellular connection to maintain communications in the event of an outage. Slick. NEGATIVES There are times, I have noticed that the cameras are slow to respond to their wake-up command. It doesn’t happen often, but it does happen. I am usually forced to restart the Simplisafe app to get it to correct itself. I am still experiencing random dropouts from some of my entry sensors. I have noticed that there have been some updates pushed out to they system since installation, so I think the dropouts have gotten better, but I will still get a random sensor not responding error on the keypads. FINAL THOUGHTS This is one product where the pros outweigh the cons. Simplisafe has done a great job of creating a thoughtful, easy to use, easy to install system that anyone can hook up. The system is expandable and customizable with nearly any sensor a homeowner could need to keep track of their house or apartment (so many options, I won’t list them all here). This should be on your list of options if shopping for a home security system. RECOMMENDED

SimpliSafe has been a go to for DIY home security for years, rated in the top “go get a rate”. I’ve been using one of the older base systems since 2015, having been offered an upsell to the newer systems multiple times in the last few years to a more current model. I finally decided it was time, as the newer systems offer many new features for only a slight increase in monthly cost, but the time savings and feeling of protection are worth the cost. Pros: - Easy first-time setup. - Completely customizable system. - Low monthly subscription cost. Cons: - Upgrading is not as simple, hidden in the menu. - Increased cost with newer system. Setup was a breeze, just download the app and add the base station. Then it’s some settings like connecting to Wi-Fi and entering account details. Can add multiple “call to verify” users. Then you just add each device and label it in the app. There are many standard options for labeling them, and once activated the devices all have Command Strips on the back plus screws with mounting plates that can be detached for easy setup and battery replacement. The catch here, is if you are upgrading, you don’t want to select the setup new system, as this will setup a New Address account, you want to go to the bottom of your current system page to “Upgrade Base Station” to get started with upgrading. Even if you do like I did and mess this up, it’s just a simple phone call to the 24/7 support line to remove the old account. There is a 3 day “no monitoring” period for testing and setting up your new system. This comes standard with all monitoring packages but is very handy while setting it up in case you accidentally trigger an alarm. Outside of that period, if you do happen to trigger an alarm, a dispatcher will call you or the next available contact on your list and ask for the “safe word” you have in the system. This safe word is something you list when setting up the system and will be used for any communication between you and the service team. All the devices worked without issue during setup and testing. The included entry sensors are great for doors and easily accessible windows. The glass break can cover many windows at once. The motion sensors are great, though with limited range, these are better in rooms or hallways that require someone to pass through to access a part of the house. The base station though by default has the light and chime on, looks much better than prior models and blends in, looks kind of like a fancy speaker or diffuser. SimpliSafe is a subscription home monitoring services, of which there are technically 3 service plans and an Unmonitored option: - Unmonitored for 0 per month, which is just that, no services, and no camera features. This would just be the sensors tracking. - Self-Monitoring w/ Camera Recording is $9.99 per month, provides camera recording features. - Standard Monitoring (this is what I have) is $19.99 per month, which provides the previous plus dispatch services for emergency services. - Fast Protect is $29.99 per month and includes additional monitoring services such as video verification, live deterrence, and extended warranties on all products. For what it’s worth, I’ve had the prior basic services plan since 2015, which was $14.99 per month. That finally went up earlier this year to $17.99 per month, but that did include additional features over the years such as adding camera’s or using the phone app. Pricing has stayed stable, with rare increases if any. The Cameras are amazing, especially the outdoor wireless one. We didn’t set it up outside, opting to attach it to a tripod and stick it in the window or around the house. The battery life will depend on your situation, such as if in a high traffic area, the battery life will be greatly reduced. I moved the outdoor camera around the house a lot during the initial few weeks and ended up leaving it in a high traffic part of the house, the battery was down to half charge after 2 weeks. There is an optional power cable not included that could remedy this but swapping out and charging the battery pack is a simple task as well. In our case, the camera works great as a nanny camera to keep an eye on the dog while out. You can see colored day and night vision samples in the photos. The cameras have dedicated pages in the app, which makes it easy to switch over and view the selected camera. You can only view one live feed at a time, but the quality and connection of the feed was solid though that is more dependent on your home Wi-Fi and internet. There’s limited recording functionality on the standard Tier, but the Fast Protect and Self-Monitoring w/ Camera Recording have unlimited recordings for 10 and 5 cameras respectively. Otherwise, the recordings are available for download for 7 days on the standard plan. Having used SimpliSafe for over 8 years, I can say I’m satisfied with the quality and cost of the service. The service is well supported and always improving while the products are easy to use, work as intended for years, and are supported by knowledgeable customer support teams. Luckily, I haven’t had experience using the service for a home break in but can say I do feel safer knowing I can monitor my home while I’m away. Peace of mind is something priceless.

I was really impressed with the services offered, available equipment, and the total ease of installation of the SimpilSafe Security system.  Prior to this I have always used commercial security monitoring services and dealt with the associated headaches being locked into a contract period as well as the ever increasing monthly costs. First, let me reiterate, this is super easy to install, and has enough flexibility to work with many different style doors / windows / floor plans and mounting options.  I think that's the biggest surprise, you don't need to drill holes, run wires, or really do any modifications to your house for a basic setup.  The only time I even used mounting hardware was for installation of the outdoor camera base. For the 17 piece system, in the box is the base station, keypad, security placards / decals, outdoor camera, indoor camera, control key fob, a panic button, glass break sensor, 2 x motion sensors, 8 x door / window sensors and mounting hardware.  Physical setup can either be through the adhesive tabs or with permanent mounting hardware.  The only exception is the outdoor camera, which has a magnetic mount that needs to be installed with the included screws and the camera sticks to the magnetic base.  This makes it easy to change the camera battery and change the viewing angle quickly. The system setup can either be through the included instruction booklet and keypad or through the app. It's actually very quick and easy to get going, and if you already know where you want to place everything, you could be completely set up, from unboxing to going live, in 30 minutes.  One aspect that adds to ease of installation is that the sensors all have a test button so you can make sure alignment is correct prior to placement.  The base station is the central hub for setting things up, it sits on a flat surface and will need a power outlet nearby, after setting it up, I immediately paired it to the mobile app and used the app to walk through the full setup including wifi. The base station is the only component that needs power, everything else is battery powered. The base station runs on wifi, but also has cellular as an option. In case of power outage the base unit will operate for up to 24 hours, and with the built in cellular, can still send out an alarm to dispatch during an outage. After installing the base station, install the keypad, which has an adhesive mount that the keypad rests in, and has a similar footprint to many commercial security system keypads. At this point you can either add in the sensors and cameras through the keypad or through the app. Everything else you can install in any order, as well as add in other sensors later on.   For the app, I'm running it on my Android phone, it is stable, quick to respond, and intuitive.  Post setup you can control the system status (off, home, away) from the phone home screen or from the app, review timeline of events, and see a preview / watch motion events from the cameras. You can also see which sensors are open or closed, turn on immediate trigger, meaning if they are open the alarm immediately sounds, and also change the alarm mode to "secret" which will send a push notification or text/email when triggered but will not trigger the alarm or send to the monitoring service (if applicable). Other app functionality includes location services, alerts & notifications, monitoring plans, adding new devices, support, and the SimpliSafe shop. There are two plans, a self monitoring plan that gives you access to your camera feeds remotely or the Fast Protect plan with remote monitoring service, dispatch support, and warranty on hardware. The indoor and outdoor cameras have a few additional settings, video quality options are 480p, 720p, and 1080p, motion detection on/or, and low, medium, high sensitivity, there is also an auto / on / off setting for the night vision, mic & audio on/off, status light on/off, and then connection check and troubleshooting. The outdoor camera also monitors the battery, ability to rotate the image 180 degrees, and turn on/off the siren during an alarm. Overall I'm happy with the camera picture, sensitivity, and night vision. I haven't yet had an event where I couldn't view what triggered it. As far as functionality, I find that everything works as expected, no false alarms in the past three weeks.  I have a few large indoor cats, and they have not triggered the motion detector, the camera catches motion appropriately, so far no false positives from bugs or wind, and the alarms are appropriately loud enough to get attention but not so loud you cannot be in the house.  There are other sensor additions such as water, smoke, and CO2 detectors that I plan on adding so I have everything on the same platform.   Bottom line, I highly recommend this system if you want something you can setup and adjust to your needs, something that is amazingly easy to install, and doesn't come with a contact period or pushy sales people. The self monitoring gives me peace of mind and let's me control what features I want to be alerted to and how.