Window and door security can give you peace of mind, whether you’re out of the house or asleep in your bed. Door and window sensors are considered to be among the top home security essentials. Like other home protection devices, such as security cameras, window and door alarms can be controlled and monitored with an app on your smartphone, allowing you to conveniently check on your home’s status while you’re away.

The most common design for window alarms and door security is the contact sensor. This design sends you a window or door open alarm. It works by pairing two parts, one on the window or door and one on the frame. When a door or window is shut the two halves align, but when the system is armed and the two parts of the sensor move away from each other, an alarm will sound or an alert will go to your phone or other device via your security app.

Window sensors also include a glass break alarm. This kind of device generally operates by detecting the sound of glass breaking, sometimes from a sizeable distance, such as over twenty feet. Therefore, one glass break sensor can often serve an entire room.

Window and door security alarms are usually simple to install, but if you’re not the DIY type, you can contact Best Buy for home security installation services. You can also set up an in-home consultation to see how well you’re covering all your bases when it comes to home security. Pairing your alarms with motion sensors and detectors, smart door locks and other devices will increase your home’s security while you’re away.

You will also want to consider compatibility with any smart home systems and devices you currently have, such as Google Assistant, Ring or Amazon Alexa. Having everything on one system makes it easy for you to control, especially if you have a smart speaker or display. And a wireless door alarm is only as good as the alert system with which it’s connected.

Whether you're adding to your existing home security system or this is your first alarm purchase, you’ll want to think about the big picture and your long-term goals for security and home automation. Window alarm sensors and a door sensor might be all you need if you live in a small apartment, but for a larger property, you will want to consider security lighting and camera options as well.