Customers are positive about the Outdoor Camera Home Security System's ease of use, camera quality, and battery life, with many praising its simple setup and clear picture quality. They also appreciate the system's price and the functionality of the app. However, customers are negative about the motion detection feature, citing inconsistencies and occasional failures to record motion. Some issues were also reported with the keypad and base station.
This summary was generated by AI based on customer reviews.
The vast majority of our reviews come from verified purchases. Reviews from customers may include My Best Buy members, employees, and Tech Insider Network members (as tagged). Select reviewers may receive discounted products, promotional considerations or entries into drawings for honest, helpful reviews.
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Pros mentioned:
Camera quality
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
SimpliSafe
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Posted . Owned for 1 week when reviewed.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
Very good system. Easy setup for the DIY person. We have 2 outside cameras. They have a great picture. I would have given a 5 star rating but we are having issues with the battery life on the cameras. Bought an extra battery to make sure one was always charged and there was no downtime when charging was needed. The manual says the batteries are good 3 - 6 months. We are having issues with 3 - 6 days. SimpliSafes Customer Service is working with us to try and get this resolved.
I would recommend this to a friend
Pros mentioned:
Camera quality
Rated 3 out of 5 stars
Research other options
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Posted . Owned for 6 months when reviewed.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
The Simpli Safe exterior cameras have a clear picture. It's easy to go back in the system and look at recordings (which might only be available with a paid subscription, idk for sure). The monitoring company/subscription seems responsive when motion is detected while away from home.
However, there is a delay with the motion that the camera detects, the camera has terrible lagging so it can take 60 to 120 seconds to view the cameras live feed (this is not a WiFi issue), you'll have to purchase the power cord, solar panel or have the camera within arms reach to charge the battery (unless you don't mind constantly setting up and climbing a ladder, the frequency to charge the battery depends on the activity level in your area, also if the camera is in arms reach someone can easily remove and walk away with your camera that's only mounted with a magnet), you'll need to purchase another battery to place in your camera while you charge the dead battery or you won't have video surveillance for about 8 hours which is roughly the amount of time it takes to charge the battery. If you live in an area that has temperatures that drop below 20°F the solar panel won't do you any good during cold temperatures, with the power cord you would need to make sure that you have an exterior outlet within reach to plug in the power cord (mine barely made it). Overall, the cameras are too expensive for the quality of what you get, the accessories (power cord, extra battery and screwed mount) should be included with the camera for the price.
With the cost of this system and quality I feel like I overpaid. Initially, I purchased the indoor cameras package which is better than the outdoor cameras. I think I went with this company for the monitoring available and reviews. It seemed like the reviews were better when I made the purchase in August 2022 this review is February 2023.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend
Pros mentioned:
Camera quality, Ease of use
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
SimpliSafe is simply easy!
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Posted . Owned for 1 week when reviewed.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
My husband became paranoid after receiving the Ring notifications that were nowhere close to our house. We looked at several systems and decided SimpliSafe best fit our needs. We bought the Best Buy Protection Plan which included free installation. The GeekSquad tech showed up on time, and even he was amazed at how easy it was to connect the system to the internet, and set everything up, including the cameras. He said it was his first time installing the system and he would definitely recommend it.
The system itself was on sale. My husband decided we needed an additional camera, and more Sensors. The camera by itself was $169, and the sensors $15 each, $45 for three additional. The SimpliSafe was on sale for Black Friday, and it was cheaper to buy the entire system a second time, as it came with two cameras and a key fob. We love being able to set the alarm from out phone, even when we’re out of town. I would 100% recommend this.
I would recommend this to a friend
Pros mentioned:
Price
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Awesome Bundle Deal!!!
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Posted . Owned for 2 months when reviewed.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
This is a great buy! I couldn’t afford outdoor cameras alone for $200 each. This package with my a good deal, and used my Best Buy rewards. Awesome deal!!
I would recommend this to a friend
Pros mentioned:
Ease of use
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Easy.
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Posted . Owned for 3 weeks when reviewed.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
Setup and instalation was easy, wifi connection was also easy. Work's great.
I would recommend this to a friend
Pros mentioned:
Battery life, Camera quality, Ease of use
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
Great do it yourself home security
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
The Simplisafe home security system is a great set up for those looking to add some piece of mind to their homes safety and who want to avoid the hassle of running wires. And while this does require some minor drilling for the mounting bracket there is really nothing that would require the aid of a handy man.
Let's talk about what you expect to receive out of the box. Your going to get the main base unit (which is the only unit wired into a wall outlet), two outdoor wireless cameras, two rechargeable batteries for the cameras, three door sensors, one wireless keypad (double batteries are included), and a key fob. Mounting and set up of the unit is very easy and everything is done via the free downloadable app. The three door sensors are easily mounted to any door via the provided tape. The two outdoor cameras have a base plate and that is the only piece that needs some minor drilling to mount. Simply drill two holes, hammer in the anchors and screw in the mounting plate via the two provided screws. You will need to either borrow or buy a drill and drill bits however the anchors and screws are provided of course. Once mounted the magnetic base simply twist on and then the cameras are attached via magnets. The wireless cameras took about 2 hours to charge and according to Simplisafe should yield about 3 months of run time pending your settings and traffic. So far after being a week in the cameras still have a full charge which is something i would hope to expect still. The cameras have a built in two way mic, floodlight, and siren. The two way mic kinda sucks and audio pretty much requires you to put your phone directly up to your to really hear anything. The floodlight built in to the camera is a nice feature to have as it can serve two purposes. One, it deters would be criminals away and two it serves to light a entry path if you arrive home after dark. The flood light can be adjusted via the settings through the app. As of right now the only setting for the spotlight is brightness. The cameras do record in 1080p picture quality and night vision is just as good as you would expect to see from night vision. Through the settings you can also chose to set up how active the motion sensor is and can also set up a grid so that motion is only detected in a certain area if you live in a high traffic area. One nice feature i liked about the cameras is you can adjust how sensitive it is as well as what it decides to pick up on. Right now there are currently only two options, people and all motion. And let me say it does a really good job at ignoring cars and picking up on people only if you chose the people only option. There are sirens built both in to the base station and cameras. The sirens can be turned off and are definitely loud enough to get the attention of your neighbors. I could be wrong but i believe last i checked the siren at its max setting was around 95 decibels. Through the app or keypad you can also adjust settings for your base station. Some of the settings you can currently adjust are chime volume which is the sound it makes everytime a door is open. You can also adjust volume for the voice prompts for the base station which alert you everytime the system is armed. There are a few security features you can adjust as well such as how long it takes to arm the alarm, how much time you have to disarm the alarm, and how long the siren will sound before it shuts off. The keyfob can be attached to your keys which allow for quick arming and disarming of the system without having to use the keypad. The keypad is mounted anywhere of your chosing and is mounted via the provided tape as well. And while the keypad does not have a rechargeable battery they do provide the AA batteries required to power it on. The keypad shuts off when not in use so in all reality the batteries should last over a year. The keypad serves as another access point to arm and disarm the alarm system and also comes equipped with a panic button. On the top of the keypad there is a red button that when pressed down and held for about 4 seconds it will automatically trip the alarm sirens and contact Simplisafe support team.
Let's talk briefly about the alarm side of this since that is the main reason your planning on buying this. As far as alarms go this is probably by far the easiest and most user friendly do-it-yourself alarm system i have ever seen. Once all the hardware is set up activating the alarm system is done through the app and can be completed in a matter of minutes. You will be prompted to set up a password for your keypad as well as a paraphrase in the event your alarm goes off and they need to verify you. You can also set up and add primary and secondary contacts which are alerted in the event that alarm goes off. If the alarm goes off these contacts will be called before the police are dispatched so make sure they know your paraphrase password. You can also set up push notifications for your phone which will alert you when the alarm is armed, disarmed, triggered, and when there is motion. With this being a security system expect there to be a payment plan and expect to pay for it. While Simplisafe does offer a free plan, the free plan offers very little in the way security. You basically get the ability to arm and disarm the system with the use of the siren function, and thats about it. In the event that the alarm goes off no police will be called and video footage will be stored so it basically forces you in to a monthly payment. However don't get discouraged by this as most good systems are going to require a plan. And as someone who currently has a security plan from another company i can personally attest to Simplisafe plan being one of the cheapest out there. There are different plans ranging from $9.99 a month up to $24.99 a month. The fact that there is no added contract also means you can come and go as you please with these plans. I opted for the more expensive plan as it provided more for the service including video monitoring to help assist police in the event of a break in. Video monitoring allows you to give Simplisafe the option to monitor your cameras ONLY in the event the alarm is triggered. This will help dispatchers alert the police as to wear exactly in the house the intruders are as well as alerting you where they are also so that you can keep a safe distance. If you do opt in for a payment service then all motion recordings will be saved allowing you to go back and view your recordings whenever you like. Another nice feature i like about this set up is the built in sirens in the cameras. My current alarm set up only triggers the alarm on the base station which means that not everyone may hear it depending their location in the house. However with the Simplisafe when the alarm is triggered the base station sounds along with the cameras alerting everyone in the house as well as the neighbors and also alerting the intruders that they just tripped the alarm. There is nothing worse then having a intruder break in to your home and them not being able to even hear the alarm. If you want some more added features then worry not as Simplisafe does provide add ons which can be bought via their website. You can buy glass break sensors, additional sirens, motion sensors, indoor cameras, video doorbells, smart locks, temp sensors (which alert you if it gets too cold to avoid bursting pipes), water sensors, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors which will trigger the alarm and call the fire department in the event it picks up on either one. In the event that your alarm is triggered for any reason Simplisafe will call you first to make sure it wasn't a false alarm. If they can reach you or any of your contacts then the proper authority will be dispatched if you signed up for a payed plan.
Here's my take away from this set up. As someone who has owned a payed alarm plan for the last 5 years i can honestly say this is one of the better sets up i have seen. So much so that i am currently debating rather or not to leave my old company. There is however only one gripe i have with this set up that my other plan has over Simplisafe and that is the lack of a alarm schedule. My current alarm system allows me to set up a alarm schedule so that i can set it and forget it. For example i have my current alarm set up to automatically to arm my system everyday at 11pm and automatically disarm it at 5AM in the morning. This means if i forget to arm it then no worries as it has me covered but more importantly it means that on my day off i don't have to get up early to disarm my alarm system so that my kids don't set it off in the morning when they get up at 7am to let the dogs outside. With the Simplisafe alarm system i have to make sure my kids know the alarm code and more importantly know how to disarm the system before letting the dogs out or else the alarm will go off. For me this is the one and only draw back that is stopping me from dropping my old security system and the only reason i did not give it five stars. Other then that if you can look past that key area then this is a great value and a great way to go in the way of personal home security.
I would recommend this to a friend
Pros mentioned:
Battery life, Camera quality, Ease of use
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
Simpli Put
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
My SimpliSafe experience hasn’t been as simple as the comical commercial experience shows it to be. Simpli put, it’s been a bit of a headache. Now, let me preface; I actually like this system a lot. It looks a lot better aesthetically than most of the other systems I’ve seen out there. AND I’ll say it actually is very easy to use……once everything actually connects as it should.
Now, for the pro’s: sleek, appealing to the eyes, simple and easy use, and it comes with everything you need. The cameras are both my favorite and most frustrating things. I like the cameras for the extremely clear video,, great microphone, and the mount is definitely pretty cool I must say. I wish there was some way for the front circular portion to rotate for different mounting angles, but it doesn’t. The actual mounting of the camera is extremely simple and easy, just 2 screws to hold the base in place, then twist on the magnet and you’re all set. The sensors are just as simple & easy to install, leaving a small footprint with regards to size. Setting up the base station and app were both easy and a pain. The step-by-step process walked me through a series of basic instructions which left no room for error. The keypad is bright and extremely clear, with straightforward functionality at your fingertips. I also like the fact that the unit strictly utilizes rechargeable batteries. The key fob is probably the easiest and simple part of the entire system. With only 4 buttons, it’s hard to get mixed up with arming or disarming your security system from outside your home. The key fob is very slim and small, about the size of a miniature Halloween candy bar. The app is very user-friendly for everyday function. The setup process was extremely easy as well. The app provides all functionality as expected in a security system, minus the ability to view recorded video unless you subscribe to the monitoring service. The app allows you to filter by date for video, provides access to manage your monitoring and to buy sensors, along with a few more standard common features (tech support, etc.). Also, the system is modular, so you have the ability to add more items as necessary with ease. Lastly, my other favorite part of this system is the fact that the base and keypad are separate! My previous DIY security system took an “all in one” approach, combining the keypad and base station. The idea alone is stupid in my opinion, but SimpliSafe allows you to have your base station anywhere you choose, and your keypad in another location. Now THAT’s Simpli smart.
Now, for the bad…..The amount of time it takes for the camera to actually open for viewing once selected, would allow for any fast crime/situation to happen and finish by the time the video shows in the app. There’s no reason at all for the connection to take so long!! I mean, if someone were trying to break in, I would never see it. I’ve tried multiple times to connect to the camera once a notification popped up, and it has taken more than 15 seconds to connect, IF it connects at all! That’s a huge let down. I thought it could possibly be a WiFi issue, but I have a higher tier fiber service and a WiFi extender, which gives me no issues for any other devices. Also, without subscribing to the monitoring service, you aren’t provided any type of image or short video of what your camera is picking up once alerted. Only one person can view the camera at a time, which leaves my wife and I to battle who will look at the camera when we are alerted. This poses a huge problem in my opinion. If both my wife and I open the app from a camera alert, the video simply won’t show. It will circle and circle, until one of us backs out of the app. Upon setup, I also had a huge issue with the app not recognizing the master pin I created on the keypad. I reset the base multiple times (for 2 days) and continued running into the same issue. However, the keypad would arm/disarm the system with no problem. This issue caused a long delay in the initial setup of the system. The weird part is once I finally decided to attempt to arm/disarm the system directly from the website vs the app, everything worked just fine…no issues whatsoever. After going through the website, I checked the app again and noticed everything was setup. If this is a required step in the setup process, it should be mentioned or made very clear in the setup instructions. Aside from these major headaches, this security system is great!
All in all, I would definitely recommend this security system to anyone interested in taking the “at-home DIY” approach to installing a security system.
I would recommend this to a friend
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
Being safe made simple
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Posted . Owned for 8 months when reviewed.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
With the amount you pay for the products you shouldnt have to pay for cloud storage. For the actual monitoring service sure but these wont last forever and will pay for themselves plenty of times over for the cloud storage.
I would recommend this to a friend
Pros mentioned:
Battery life, Camera quality
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
Works Best Paired With Interactive Monitoring Plan
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
TLDR: If you fully intend to sign up for 24/7 home monitoring, SimpliSafe’s solution is a no-brainer choice for those that are interested in the best DIY smart security system for your home. If you want the choice to monitor on your own and don’t want to pay a monthly service fee, there are better solutions out there.
The SimpliSafe security package is more or a less a complete system that will satisfy most homes in terms of overall hardware coverage, and is expandable if you need more hardware down the road. It comes with two cameras, three door/window sensors, a wall-mountable keypad and even a keyfob for easy arm/disarming. What ties these all together is the included SimpliSafe Gen3 Base Station that keeps you in the loop via app/text/email as well as inform the home monitoring team so they are aware of what’s going on during an intrusion.
Getting set up is all done through the SimpliSafe app (on iOS or Android). You create an account, provide details of what property you intend on monitoring, and begin to install all hardware. The app will guide you through the process in great detail and each hardware component will have its own set of instructions. I found the directions to be very easy to follow as well as navigating through the app overall.
In the app, the ability to arm and disarm your system is front and center. This is what SimpliSafe is about, and this is their main focus for you as a consumer. You will also see an events timeline showing when you armed/disarmed as well as camera detections and the video snippet it was able to record of that detection. It is worth noting that while all camera detections are recorded and saved, they are only broadcasted as a notification to you when the system is set to an armed state (either home or away). You can customize these alerts if you’re interested in knowing about every single detection, even when the alarm is off. If you’re a hands-off kind of person and want to rely on the home monitoring to do their thing, you can simply arm/disarm using the included keypad or keyfob.
The bread and butter of this package is the inclusion of two wireless outdoor cameras, a first for SimpliSafe. Each at an MSRP of almost half the cost of this entire kit, this package provides high value for those looking to add or upgrade their security systems. The camera is at 1080p with 8x digital zoom (pinch zooming while viewing the feed, I’m guessing). I know, 1080p does sound a bit low for today’s standards, but the camera is focused on detecting people first, with all else as secondary detections. SimpliSafe has tuned it for optimal detection up to 15 feet, but it can reach farther than that. It also helps keep the battery usage low at that resolution. It has a built-in spotlight to see in full color at night and a built-in siren to scare the beetlejuice out of criminals. Installation and battery swaps are a breeze, and I found the viewing adjustability to be very good with a magnet-based mounting system. As far as performance, detection latency was about 1 second, which is very good for a wireless camera that needs to spool up from a low powered detection mode. The other aspect to detection latency is the detection duration, which I found is also very good. As long as the camera detects motion, it will continue to record. I’ve owned other systems where the record cuts abruptly even though there is clearly someone in the frame. That being said, I do occasionally run into some hiccups with viewing videos, especially live feeds through an app notification. It will basically timeout and tell me that the connection to the camera dropped. I took a star off for that because I think it's crucial that you be able to see a feed in real time upon notification of a detection.
One of the coolest features about SimpliSafe is the secret alert notifications. These are notifications that are not life threatening or require emergency/medical assistance, but more for keeping tabs on areas of your home that should not be accessed, especially by children or guests. For instance, you can set up a door/window sensor on a desk drawer or cabinet that should not be accessed by anyone else other than yourself. If that drawer or cabinet is opened, you’ll immediately know that someone is accessing that area. The door/window sensors are relatively cheap if you’re looking to monitor specific areas of your home, in secret.
SimpliSafe builds their system around their award winning 24/7 home monitoring, which is truly interactive; the monitoring center is able to view your camera feeds (with your consent) during an intrusion event and make the determination to call the local authorities to your home. This virtually prevents false alarms that most of us have encountered at least once. I think that is a huge plus and peace of mind while you’re away from home. It comes at a cost; SimpliSafe advertises its interactive 24/7 monitoring service as low as 83 cents a day, no contract required. I’ll let you do the math on that one. They will also be able to determine which sensor was tripped (front door, dining window, etc) as all this information is provided to them via the base station. Ultimately, This service will provide dispatch to police, fire and ambulance if there is the need. Interestingly enough, monitoring for water damage (via water sensor, not included) and fire (temperature sensor, also not included) is part of the monitoring package, which I think is pretty awesome as well.
If you’re looking to do all the home-monitoring on your own, you can do it for free with this system, but it will be very, very limited. You’ll be able to arm and disarm from the app, get to see a timeline of events (arming/disarming, doors opening/closing, camera detections), and you’ll be able to view a live feed of your cameras, but your camera detections will not come with corresponding recordings. Camera recordings require a monthly subscription ($4.99 for a single camera, $9.99 for up to 5 cameras) and provide 30 days of recordings. If you’re not looking to pay a monthly fee and want a standalone solution that includes recordings, there are other security systems out there that provide this at no cost.
I would recommend this to a friend
Rated 1 out of 5 stars
USED PRODUCT
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Posted . Owned for 1 week when reviewed.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
This is my item # BBY01-806905028326
I bought a SimpliSafe product. When i went to get the items out of the box the first item a grabbed was the outdoor cámara . I was in shock brcause they send me a used product . The lents is dirty and the outside of the camara and is marked with An F with a blue Marker. Will be returning this box to best buy today. Been a customer over 20 years. I have my doubts about it now. Buying on line
I would recommend this to a friend
Pros mentioned:
Ease of use
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Great
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Posted . Owned for 1 week when reviewed.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
Great product. Easy setup and installation. Buy more products soon.
I would recommend this to a friend
Pros mentioned:
Battery life, Camera quality, Ease of use
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
Great Value, video sometimes slow to load
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
I’ve been using SimpliSafe for a while now and got this kit to expand an existing base station with more cameras, door sensors, and a keychain fob. Overall, I think SimpliSafe is the most economical choice for a monitored alarm system of the several different alarm companies I researched beforehand.
The SimpliSafe base station has an integrated battery and cellular connection (with subscription), so even if you lose power and wifi, you’re still protected against an intrusion.
I like that I can arm and disarm my system from the SimpliSafe app, and the system itself is fairly easy to setup and add additional accessories to, at least once you locate the menu option within the app, which is more buried than it could be.
My only real complaint is that accessing the camera feeds can take several seconds to load. If I’m trying to see activity at my front door, the person has often left before I can pull up the camera feed. Fortunately, the camera still records the interaction so I can review it later, but trying to view the camera when a motion alert comes in is somewhat hit or miss. It’s not a big deal when the motion alert is due to a delivery, but god forbid the alert was someone breaking into my house and I couldn’t pull up the feed quickly enough to react. I removed one star for this issue, but if I lived somewhere I was more concerned about needing immediate access to live feeds, I may turn elsewhere. If that’s a big concern, I would recommend looking into a wired security system instead of a wireless one like SimpliSafe provides. The wireless cameras are the big selling feature with this kit, and overall they perform their job well. I have no issues with low light video, and all deliveries are captured on camera so far. I did adjust the sensitivity to be more sensitive as to capture video a bit earlier and have had a couple false positives from a cat or Christmas decorations blowing on a windy day, but generally the alerts are relevant.
Another bonus of having a second kit is that the system supports multiple keypads. I now am able to have a keypad at my front and back door, and I’m considering a third upstairs so the system can be easily armed at night without opening the app.
The key fob is nice and includes a panic button on the top, but I’m not sure if I love the idea of being able to disarm it from the key fob. The system provides an option to have a secondary “fake” PIN if an intruder is forcing you to turn off the alarm, and since the key fob doesn’t require a PIN, it’s a potential vulnerability.
Overall, I’m happy with the SimpliSafe service, and I would recommend it to anyone looking for an affordable monitored system with outdoor wireless cameras.
I would recommend this to a friend
Pros mentioned:
Battery life, Ease of use
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Good basic security for your home.
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
The SimpliSafe system is one of the easiest things I’ve ever set up for my home. The setup process is very simple and straightforward, and it mostly works the way it’s supposed to.
This package is focused on basic home security, with three entry sensors and two cameras, and so it won’t be monitoring anything inside your home. Also included is the base station, a keypad, and a keychain remote for arming and disarming the system.
After unboxing the base station, you set it up in as central a location as possible, since this is where your entry sensors will connect. Make sure you don’t connect it to an outlet controlled by a light switch. It does have an internal battery in case of power loss. Once you’ve powered up the keypad, it will pair to the base station and you’ll set up your master PIN. You can assign several other PINs for use (I set up two of them). You can update the system directly from the keypad.
Adding the door sensors and cameras through the SimpliSafe app is a quick and painless process. The cameras include rechargeable batteries that use a standard Micro USB connector. I’m not entirely certain yet what the battery life is between charges, but in the past week I don’t think they’ve even used 10% of the battery, so I expect to get a couple of months out of them before they need a recharge.
The cameras attach to their bases (which attach with included mounting hardware) with a strong magnet, so they sit firmly in place but can be removed with a tug. The cameras could be removed by a thief, but the fact that they’re registered to your account until you unregister them makes them an unlikely target. The app allows for you to flip the camera if it needs to be installed in an upside-down position.
The cameras themselves have a wide, 140 degree angle of view. I’m able to focus on both the path leading to my doorway from the street, as well as the path directly in front of the house leading to the driveway, and that’s impressive.
The door sensors work reliably, but aren’t really notable beyond that. They’re simple and they do what they’re supposed to.
I have noticed that the app sometimes has difficulty waking up the cameras when I want to manually view them, and that they sometimes have trouble resuming their connection to my home’s wifi, even though they’re within 20 feet of my router.
The cameras go to sleep to save power, but they do seem to turn on when they detect motion in a reliable fashion. If you want cameras that will record constantly, you’ll want to look at a dedicated camera system.
You’ll need a higher-tier subscription if you want your cameras’ recordings to be saved. Motion alerts don’t require a subscription.
Overall, I think this is a fantastic choice for anyone looking to add some basic security to their home.
I would recommend this to a friend
Rated 1 out of 5 stars
Outside cameras are completely unreliable!
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Posted . Owned for 1 week when reviewed.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
Outside cameras are slow to record after motion is sensed. After 10-15 seconds AFTER the event, they may or may not record something. I get the motion sense notification, then several "NO VIDEO", or a 30 second video for a 2 minute event, then "NO VIDEO" message for the remaining 1:30 minutes.
From what I read, they have determined this to be a bandwidth issue. However, I have a Netgear mesh wifi router with 2 satellites. Signal and bandwidth is consistently good, well above the minimum recommended signal strength. VERY disappointing.
Also, constantly announces that the smart lock is not responding - however, I can lock and unlock it through the app.
Customer support (char support) is also disappointing. I asked a question, got put in a queue and was told to wait in order to get detailed support for my specific issue, then 5 minutes later was asked if there was anything else I needed because they didn't hear from me in a while?!
No, I would not recommend this to a friend
Pros mentioned:
Battery life, Ease of use
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Simply the Best Security System is SimpliSafe
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
Love, love, love the simplicity and genius of this product. “Why make it complicated?” is probably what they ask each other at SimpliSafe daily. There is a lot to like about this product and also a lot to love. To start with it is powered by a central Base Station that is powered by cellular. Traditional systems rely on landlines that do not seem as secure as a more untouchable cellular connection to a base. Traditional systems also rely on the company’s knowledge of your system, rather than your own knowledge of what might be happening in and on your own property. I was once compromised by a company that I had been loyal to for over 15 years by their technician who learned while in my home working on the system that I was going on an extended trip. While in my home performing maintenance, he set several devices NOT TO detect. Fortunately, I was detained two days past my initial departure and because of certain peculiarities with the system, I figured out what had happened, reported it to the company, and DID NOT get robbed. Because of that incident, I personally really like how this system is powered by cellular and that the base can be moved anywhere within the home as long as it is connected to an electrical outlet. If the power fails, it defaults to a backup battery built into the Base Station. From this base, the complete system, small or large, can be built.
The Outdoor Camera Home Security System comes with a Base Station, a Keypad, three (3) Entry Sensors, a Key Fob and two (2) Outdoor Cameras. The Outdoor and Indoor Cameras of this system do need an internet Wi-Fi connection to work; however, the rest of the system DOES NOT need Wi-Fi to function.
The system is so well designed and so simple to install. The Base Station immediately connects to the serial numbers of all of the components as they are installed. Each Entry Sensor has its own code (so to speak) that connects to the Base Station and with the online account that you should create on your cell phone, tablet, or computer, you will be able to designate the location of each component that is installed. Initially, the Keypad will ask for and record a four-digit entry code that you create. It will then connect to the Base Station, or central command, and operates accordingly. The Keypad enables making various setting to the system, Arming, and Disarming the system, and has a Panic Button on top in case of emergencies. The Key Fob also connects to the system and operates in a more streamline, Home, Away or Panic mode. The Base Station has another notable feature if someone is visually impaired, and that is that it speaks the steps of the present control, i.e., “Alarm On,” “Alarm Off,” etc.
The outdoor cameras are wireless and also rechargeable. Their design relies on an extraordinarily strong magnetic connection so that as their battery weakens, they can be easily taken down and charged again. The cameras each have a small connector that mounts on the eave of the house or high on the wall. I do worry that the connector that affixes to the structure that enables the magnet to attach to something is not designed and manufactured to withstand extreme cold and extreme hot conditions of my climate. Still, it is a nice conceptual design that should be easily replaceable, and the specifications indicate that considerations were made for temperature variations. It is my hopes that this connector will last because it would be difficult for me to have to change them out every so often because they could not last the seasons.
SimpliSafe makes various components that can be added to this system if one desires. There are additional entry sensors for more window and door locations, smoke alarms, a carbon monoxide detector, water sensor, temperature sensors, an exterior alarm, an indoor camera, doorbell, panic button, motion detectors and glass break detectors. Components can be purchased and added to this Base Station to make the security system as elaborate as one feels that they need.
It is a great security system. It is well designed, easily to install and easy to use. I definitely recommend it because it will enable you to watch your home and secure the entry doors even if you add nothing else to the SimpliSafe Outdoor Camera System except the components that actually come with this setup.
I would recommend this to a friend
Pros mentioned:
Camera quality, Installation, Price
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
SimpleSafe … I recommended
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Posted . Owned for 3 weeks when reviewed.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
So far the cameras are working great and we’re easy to add to the system. I had this system for the last two years and it works great. I bought this set because it was a good price for the cameras and the sensors. I need it the cameras and extra sensors. The base station is now my backup if the one I have goes bad. The Fob Key is my guest key for when someone is staying for long term or to give my house sitter. Now I shave an extra key pad for another entrance in the house. The sale price pretty much was the value of the two cameras and the couple of sensors I need it. Everything else was a bonus for me. The SimpleSafe app works great and provide all the controls if you pay for the monitoring. The cost is better than other security systems. Easy to install, even I caveman like me can do it. Do recommend using the little screws once you had stick all the sensors in place and you are satisfied with location and how it’s working. You run with the risk of access sensors falling off and triggering the alarm at 2:00am … LOL, but too funny when it happened.
I would recommend this to a friend
Pros mentioned:
Camera quality, Ease of use
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Good starter pack!
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
This outdoor security pack is a great starter pack to my home security needs. One great thing about this pack is that it can easily be set up and can easily be expanded if needed. All items are wireless aside from the base, and sync up in a breeze with the app. The picture quality was surprisingly clear for the cameras and the adjustability of cameras was on par to what I was expecting. One thing that I was hoping for was a 3rd camera, not a deal breaker. The unboxing of this item was very satisfying as every item is individually boxed and labeled, this was key to me as it removed any level of uncertainty that i may have had about any items. I am also happy of the color too as it complimented the color of my home's exterior.
In summary, the ease of use and the ease of operating the app is what impresses me the most about this exterior security setup which is why I highly recommend this to any one looking to set up a beginner system with a moderate amount of options to expand to if needed.
I would recommend this to a friend
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
Continued Excellence in Home Security
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
Simply stated this is my fourth SimpliSafe security system and the addition of the Outdoor Cameras is a plus. Have used SimpliSafe for four years at my home and three businesses. Have had an excellent experience with the equipment, monitoring, and support when I have required assistance.
The SimpliSafe system is remarkably simple to setup and install, no wiring required except for power cable to the base unit. All window/door sensors, motion sensors, Key & Panic FOBs, keypads, and cameras are wireless. You can add your devices through either the APP, keypad or through website except for the camera which must be added with APP. Having excess through the web is a big plus for managing and monitoring.
Having utilized several different Home/Business security systems over the years have come to rely on SimpliSafe for my security requirements. SimpliSafe has developed and refined their security system from maintenance and monitoring to providing the service at an industry beating monitoring cost. Previously utilized two different security systems who’s monthly service plans continued to escalate in price.
SimpliSafe has saved me an immense amount of service cost, and there is no yearly contract. You can activate the monitoring system, and have it turned off when you want. That is flexibility.
Notes:
1. SimpliSafe system operates on Cellular – if wi-fi/internet fail system remains connected
2. Wi-Fi support – “system connected to wi-fi will update faster and be more secure”
3. Spotlight motion triggered
4. 2-way audio
5. Built-in siren – Loud
6. Remote Key Fob with Panic Button – keep in car console
7. “Ultra-wide 140-degree field of view in HD color night vision”
8. Motion event notifications to APP and PC
9. Zoom function works well on focusing events.
10. Solid 3-Year Warranty
Camera batteries are spec’d to provide between 3-6 months of charge in outdoor low traffic environment. If installed in very high traffic area, I found it will require charging within days. If installing outside and there are high traffic areas, you can use zones management to focus the motion zone and increase battery uptime. You can continually charge camera if you plug a USB cable to the rear of the camera, but I am not sure if the plug area is waterproof.
Camera functions best with strong Wi-Fi connections on your network, faster loading and smoother video.
SimpliSafe is a highly innovative system which is easily installed and can adapt to growing homeowner’s security requirements.
SimpliSafe provides a solid system, monitoring and support with an incredibly cost effective service plan, all of which is great – Still my Bottom-line is confidence that my family and home are secure and safe and that is why I continue to use SimpliSafe.
I would recommend this to a friend
Pros mentioned:
Camera quality
Cons mentioned:
Motion detection
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Highly functional security cameras.
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
One camera covers most of the front of the house and the other covers most of the back. I mounted both at a height of about ten to twelve feet rather than the recommended six feet to make them difficult to reach. Image quality is very good in daylight and fairly good at night. Motion detection works to about 30 feet with the camera right-side up as promised. I purchased an L-bracket to mount one of the two cameras in upright position since it would have otherwise been impossible and I would have lost range for motion detection. I initially had a little trouble keeping the camera farthest away from my router connected to wifi, but eventually got it working fine. Oddly it kept disconnecting when linked to a range extender but stayed connected when linked to the base router at the opposite corner of the house. I run the cameras on the rechargeable batteries for now, but am going to buy 25-foot power cords to plug them into an attic outlet so that I don’t have to climb a ladder and recharge them every two months. To preserve battery power, I haven’t used the spotlight function at night. I also haven’t used the siren since I do not want to disturb my neighbors. I did startle my wife by speaking to her through the camera in the backyard while she was outside with the dog. She said the sound quality was good—easy to understand my words. Overall, I am very satisfied with these cameras, though I do not have any experience with other security cameras for comparison. My only concern is the magnetic mount, which uses a strong magnet but would allow a camera within reach to be easily stolen.
I would recommend this to a friend
Pros mentioned:
Camera quality, Ease of use
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Great and simple full system
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Posted . Owned for 1 week when reviewed.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
I have a SimpliSafe system already but the deal on this was way too good to pass up! Just the outside cameras alone are usually more $$. I’m able to access both the indoor and outdoor cameras quickly when there’s a notification. It can be manually managed or they have extremely affordable monthly options for recording and for full monitoring. Definitely a system I’d recommend!