Customer Ratings & Reviews

The SimpliSafe Shield is a home security system that comes with a base station, keypad, key fob, 6 magnetic entry sensors, and two motion detectors. It can be used either in standalone mode, where a break-in will set off an alarm and maybe scare off a robber (who has no way of knowing it's only in stand-alone mode) or a connected mode via a subscription which gives you the usual home security services of having someone check-in with you when the alarm goes off and notifying police. Installation is pretty simple. You'd want to install the entry sensors on doors and windows that allow the easiest entry into your home and the motion sensors such that they provide coverage of those entrances? Why, because magnetic entry sensors can be defeated or batteries can fail or someone could gain entry some other way into your home. The motion sensors provide a very nice backup. You may have noticed that I sad batteries can fail. These all have a battery so will operate without power. The base station will need to be plugged in to an AC source as it's battery doesn't have the longevity as those in the sensors. Still, it's great knowing your security system can't be defeated by cutting power to your house. It also can't be defeated by cutting your phone lines. Though it's not explicitly stated, the base station doesn't need an internet connection or even phone connection for the subscription service to work. So, it must have a cell modem built-in. Which means even if the crooks cut power, internet, and phone to your house, you're still secured. The system is designed for easy setup as well as installation. Pretty much, using the menu on the keypad, you pair each device to the system. You press the test button on the sensor, choose a name/location on the keypad (it auto detects what type of device) and then install. Or I suppose you could install everything but the keypad first, then walk around with the keypad pressing the test buttons. Your call. I'd mentioned standalone mode before. The other good thing about it, aside from seeming like a fully functioning system to a robber, is that you get notification that something actually happened. If someone manages to break in via an unlocked door or window, without this system or a camera, you may not immediately know a break-in has occurred. Given that it can give off an alarm even when there will be no followup call to police, this is still useful for it's deterrent effect. As for the system, everything works. Motion sensors detect motion. Entry sensors detect open and closed doors/windows. The keypad lets me switch from home to away. Opening the door when away triggers the alarm (or staying inside and moving triggers the motion sensor and alarm). Enabling/disabling home/away and the alarm can take place either via a code on the keypad or button on the keyfob. Unfortunately, it's not one of those keyfobs that is location sensitive where it can tell I've walked out of the house or back into the house and take care of arming and disarming on it's own. Still, it's nice and works well. My major keyfob complaint is that the kit only comes with one. I'd expect for a home security system, typically marketed to families, that there would be at least two. That makes dealing with keyfobs easier - either both parents or at least two people always have keyfobs and the rest rely on the code instead of needing to figure out do we leave the keyfob for the last person who is leaving the house? Even though the base doesn't need internet, it can get it for updates and likely, to help SimpliSafe save money on cell bills when alarms happen. Ideally, if they ever were going out of business, there would be a mode where it could connect to some online service that provides the same check and/or call police for you. At the very least, the potential for them to add that feature is present. Based on looking online, there are other sensors including a camera that can integrate with the system. I think with even just two cameras, this would have graduated to five stars.

Good product would recommend this to someone looking for alarm

Google Nest Secure and Amazon Alarm both have application support and sends notification to phone if alarm is activated. This device only sounds for a few minutes, no notification to phone without subscription. Why can others offer this feature but simplisafe can not?

The SimpliSafe Shield Home Security System is a good starter, DIY security system that covers the essentials and offers plenty of expandability to cover most any situation. The system installs easily. All of the sensors are wireless and install with sticky strips (extra strips included in the box). Door sensors are flexible enough to install on swinging or sliding doors, on flat surfaces or casing. Motion sensors are a little less flexible as the ideal height is 4-5ft, putting them at eye level, but their diminutive size offsets this a bit. Setting up the system is easily accomplished with the keypad. Instructions and voice prompts are easy to understand and follow. And customizing settings (Exit Delay, Entry Delay, Siren volume, etc) is fairly intuitive and flexible. I did have some difficulty activating my system for monitoring which required contacting SimpliSafe by phone. The operator quickly and professionally addressed the issue. This difficulty was likely isolated to me and not indicative of the standard experience, but needed to be mentioned. That said, the overall experience has been very good and I would recommend the system or one of its variants.

This product is just junk. Not workin as expected specially motion sensors are not detecting anything until we get very close.

Misleading and hard to find information on the costs associated with this system. Had to buy it and get ready to set up just to figure out that this is basically just a loud noise without spending $25 a month for the services. It shows 2 other service packages but they're completely useless for any real type of service compared to any other comparable brands. There lower tear services don't even allow you to use the app to make this package functional.

very unhappy. The Geek squad has been to my house 3 times and the system still does not work. A 4th appointment is upcoming. I spent good money for the system and it is useless.

The SimpliSafe Shield system is a 100% wireless, easy-to-setup system that takes away the cost & complexity of wired systems. As a benchmark, I was able to unbox, install, and completely configure the system in the amount of time it took one of my kids to get ready for the morning. Seriously. The system includes a base station, which is also the alarm speaker, keypad controller, 6 door or entry (i.e. window) sensors, 2 motion detectors, and a key fob for remotely arming/disarming the system just outside the house. The key fob also has a “panic button” discreetly designed into the top of the fob allowing you to activate the system if you’re being attacked or forced into your house against your will. The system relies heavily on “Command Strips” to mount every piece of equipment, making installation quick & requiring no drilling or holes to be put into walls or doors, an excellent option if you’re renting or don’t want to tear up the house permanently drilling, although they do include screws should you want or need to hard mount anything. Extra Command Strips are included in case you mess up or need to move anything. As mentioned, installation took me less than 30 minutes to complete with all parts of the system installed. Adding the sensors & parts to the system is also very easy, with the instructions clearly detailed on the touchpad for you to follow. After adding a sensor you can name it with one of the dozen or so pre-typed names or manually enter a name that matches up with the actual type of entry you’re naming. The door sensors can be a bit of a challenge if you have thick crown moulding around the door, as the 2 parts of the sensors can be a bit of a distance away. However, as long as the 2 parts are less than 2 inches apart, they should work. Any more than that & your sensors will read as the door being open, so plan well & test the sensors BEFORE trying to mount them. The motion detectors have a smart detection feature built in that allows the system to discern between a pet and human, which was good because my dog loves to move into the living room to soak up the sun. So far, there have been no activations even though I know she is tripping the sensor when entering the room. Range between the base unit & the sensors is excellent. Our house is fairly spread out, and sensors at the far end of the house (garage area) work just as well as the ones within 6 feet of the base station. While this system did not include them, other add-ons are available including extra keypads, fobs, smoke detectors, carbon monoxide alarms, water alarms (where was this in my last house when I needed it?), glass break alarms, panic buttons, and cameras. I do wish the system were compatible with other brands of smart or connected devices like Nest smoke detectors, but guess that is the nature of proprietary systems. With regards to the panic button, this is a feature that the keypad is missing by default. In my previous alarm system (commercial professionally-installed system) we had the 3 buttons for fire/EMS/police on the keypad. This system does not have that ability, rather you would need to purchase a “panic” button to install near the keypad. Probably not a huge deal seeing that I never had to hit the buttons in the past, but worth mentioning. The system also features an optional “duress” PIN that can be entered if you’re being forced to disable to system but don’t want to set off the alarm. Entering this code will make it appear the system is being shut off, but will send a signal to the alarm company who will dispatch police immediately without calling the house (like they would do in a standard alarm). So far, I can find absolutely no down sides to this system. It beats the pants off expensive commercial systems that always come with installation fees & long-term contracts. SimpliSafe will allow you to cancel or suspend service at any time, no contract involved. Likewise, the system is portable, which is great for those of us who rent or are planning on moving in the near future. And looking at the technology & features, it’s clear this is the future of the alarm industry. I feel much safer with my wife & kids at home with this system without the back end expenses of the more expensive systems.

Reviewing a home security system is a bit hard, because unless you get broken into it's hard to go "yeah, this is awesome". What I can tell you is that setup was easy. The Base Station looks like an oversized air freshener and doubles as the alarm, so make sure you pick a good location as you're going to have to live with looking at it. The entry sensors were the easiest to configure (doors, windows) and are enough to get started. The motion sensors took a bit more thought, as gave some thought to how else a criminal would enter my home. Keypad went near a door (not telling you which one) because you can also disable the alarm with the included key fob After a few days of use I have had no false alarms. I do wish it came with a camera and I would happily have had one less motion sensor in the box to get the benefit of a camera. Love that Simplisafe has no contracts. I feel like I have all the benefits of a premium alarm system without the headache of long-term contracts. Happy.

I have a lot of experience and interest in home security. I was honestly quite skeptical of this system and any DIY home security overall. I have found myself to be pleasantly surprised with the capabilities of this package. I would give this 4.5 stars if possible. SimpliSafe really upped their game with this newest release which was long overdue. The older model was far inferior to competitors products and to this new edition. The old model was also one of the ugliest sets of equipment I'd ever seen. However, they've come a long way and I can now say I would recommend the SimpliSafe package to my own family (with a few caveats). Quick thoughts and summary at the end for tl;dr Perfect for: Small homes (less than ~2,000 sq. ft depending on layout), Condos, Town-homes, Vaction homes, apartments Look: All components are much more modern looking and can be used in upscale homes. My biggest disappointment would be the keypad. It's sleek, with a nice screen, but I still think it could be much improved to fit in to a modern or luxury home. Not that the Honeywell Vistas are modern marvels, but I am not a fan of the exposed keypad. The base station is nice a small. I have the white set which blends in nicely, but the black version looks good too. Set-up: Just about anyone, even elderly or physically challenged should have little issue setting up the entire system. The motion sensors require the most work, but not any more than changing a smoke detector battery. The setup guide was easy to follow. I chose to go thru the entire setup and label the location of each sensor with post-its, then did final installation at the end. Installation: A few specific thoughts about the installation. I was not the biggest fan of 3M command strips as the adhesive. These are meant for posters to be hung. Yes, the sensor weight is minimal, but sensors are prone to more environmental exposure (opening closing doors/windows). Typical ADT sensors don't stand up with the more heavy duty adhesives they come with so this should be interesting. I suggest reinforcing with heavy duty double sided tape. Security: It does what it's supposed to. I've had no problem activating and deactivating. The key fob works from at least 30 feet. I did test alarms and it sounded off as it should. The siren could be louder and I would prefer a siren separate from the base itself. I'm disappointed that the keypad runs only on 4 AA batteries. There should have been hardwire/AC adapter wiring available. That is a big miss on SimpliSafe's design. At the very least they should have included rechargeable batteries. Fortunately I haven't need the system to do what it's designed to do, so I can't speak to its efficacy during a break-in. However, it has a very important feature that you must look out for in a home security system: CRASH AND SMASH PROTECTION. This means that if someone breaks in and completely demolishes the base unit, SimpliSafe will still be notified and the police will be dispatched. Some major companies and DIY systems do not have this feature which makes your alarm absolutely useless. Overall, I really recommend this for smaller uses. Yes it can be expanded quite a bit to big homes, but I believe it's better to go with a more professional system in those scenarios. The system is priced okay, and the monitoring is also decently priced. In comparison, with a lot of my own personal experience, other companies like ADT (direct not authorized dealers) charge more on the monthly but can offer greater equipment savings. This is just for perspective. Home security must be tailored to each individual scenario and I'm confident this system would protect my family. I just don't believe it is once size fits all.

I ordered a Brand New Simply Safe but in the box received a refurbished piece. The box is in bad shape and is rapped by plastic to hold it together. Since this is a security system, I want to be sure that it was tempered with - - but looking at the box I have lost confidence. Best buy and Simply Safe need to maintain the quality as these are not cheap products. I am planning to return mine.

This is my first home security system and I couldn't be happier with the Simplisafe Shield Home Security System. Setup was extremely easy. The included printed directions were clear and easy to follow. But even without printed directions, once the keypad is activated by removing the plastic separator from the battery compartment, the keypad walks you through setup. I had all the hardware setup in less than 30 minutes, including the keypad (and options), 4 entry sensors and two motion sensors. The hardware attaches to doors etc with command strips that are pre-installed and there are extra command strips included. There are also small screws included in case you wanted to attach the hardware with screws. The user options presented by the keypad allow the owner to set many options, such as the "entry delay" or how long the user has to disarm the system after a door is opened. There are many configurable options so the experience can be customized to the user's preference. Overall, this Simplisafe security system couldn't be easier to install and use. If I could I'd give it 10 stars!

A full function security system that can be used with a monitoring service for under $16 and no long term contact. I am currently using the system as is with any monitoring service but will probably add it on in a few months, the few dollars a month is worth the extra security. The system is simplicity to set up and monitor from a wide variety of devices from android or iOS devices. The motion sensors are very ease to adjust and work well even with pets once you fine tune the adjustment. The sensors are all ease to install and even easier to move around if you change your mind. The keypad is simple to use and informative. The siren is ear piercing and can be heard throughout the house and even from the exterior. This is a keeper and the monitoring service price is phenomenal.

The door sensors keep giving false responses. The system will tell me a door is open when the door is actually closed. My alarm has gone off and there was no response from the simplisafe operators nor was the police dispatched to my residents to make sure my family and I were safe. I am not pleased with this system and I wish I could return the system.

After paying over fifty dollars a month for security monitoring, we wanted to try SimpliSafe to save money. The hardware is a bargain! It’s high quality and super easy to set up. It includes all the components of higher end systems offered by security vendors. Cameras, glass break, door contacts, remote fob, keypad, and access from your phone. Monitoring is a fraction of what we have been paying. Seems like a full win— but the app needs some work. We have another remote camera system, so I know it can be reliable and easy. SimpliSafe has connection problems that others have also noted. The system get five stars, the app I give three for now. That will improve I’m sure, and the value is amazing. I would recommend!

I hope once I get assistance this works well. Takes a long time to set up.

I returned it after talking to SS Support on the phone. They confessed that the doorbell has a system flaw that requires new software to keep the WiFi signal from buffering off.

As someone who has been in the electronic security (alarm) business, one way or another, for nearly 30 years, I can say everyone needs an alarm system and Simplisafe is the system you need to have. I've had the second generation Simplisafe system for about two years now and I've been extremely pleased with the system. It was so easy to install, it was affordable, and the monitoring service has been top shelf. I own the system and can have a "local" system that rings the sirens only, or can have a "monitored" system that I pay monitoring fees and the monitoring service texts me, emails me, calls me, and dispatches alarms to the police and fire departments if you do not provide the verbal abort code. I use the monitoring service and love it! What I like about this new generation system is that it addresses the short comings of the 2nd generation system. Some of those improvements are things like the keypad. The new keypads are simply amazing. The keypad recognizes you are near the keypad and lights up. The buttons are bigger, the display is actually readable. The countdown sounder is louder. The keypad allows for programming via the keypad than the previous generation. The keypad, which is the one part you interact with most, is frankly the most important update and it is a huge improvement. Other improvements are the addition of using WIFI for sending alarms to the monitoring station, in addition to the built in cellular radio. Your monitoring fee includes these services, at no additional cost. You'll notice a "meatier" base station that seems more durable and made of thicker plastic. The sensors for the doors/windows, motions, and glass break detectors are smaller and much more aesthetically appealing. There are so many reasons you should buy this, from the fact you'll own the system, it works, it is an easy install, the monitoring fees are reasonable, and you'll have a level of security you didn't realize was within reach, and you don't need to be an alarm installer to do this. As for service, the most you'll probably have to do is change some batteries. On busy doors/windows (opened and closed a lot) will require more frequent changes. Keypads will need to be changed more frequently than other items, like not often used doors/windows. But really, changing a few batteries is nothing. Some batteries will cost you so little, it would take decades to catch up to what an installed alarm system costs. You will get nearly instant alarms, arm/disarm signals, and even "special alarms" for things like a safe that gives you a silent heads up alert to your phone and email as you dictate what and where to send (or not to send). I get all signals on my phone, but my wife only wants to know about alarms. All signals go to our email and I keep it for an archive so I can look back and see when I came/went. Phone calls from the alarm monitoring station come very fast. I can only say that when I was looking for a new system to replace my very old outdated system that could no longer be monitored, I chose Simplisafe. No alarm dealers, no markups, no nonsense, no contractors in my house. I used to say alarm dealers were on par with used car dealers. Both have changed over the years, for the better, but you don't need to spend that kind of money for a system like this that is so easy all around. You can download the app and arm/disarm your system from afar. You can program your system via the app. You can do everything with this that you'll pay a lot more for from an alarm company. My only advice? Don't have the base station sitting out in the open, hide it behind a picture frame, or something that prevents it from being easily spotted. Simplisafe has improved this base design as well, to make it even harder to defeat the base station. Thanks Simplisafe, for bringing this to the market, for those who want an alarm system and don't want to spend a fortune, and also for those who want to do this themselves and to take the mystery out of the process.

In this time where home automation is in full bloom, SimpliSafe offers a DIY security system that removes the need of an installer/technician (along with the need for the pricey installation-service combination package) and offers an easy and affordable package. Handling the SimpliSafe box, the first thing I noticed was that the contents could be heard – a lot of rattling going on. This made me feel as if something may be damaged, and ultimately, had me checking the box for indications of a drop. Well, neither was the case. SimpliSafe just doesn’t have what I think of as premium or even good packaging. There is definitely a place for everything; those places are just not tight and secure. One thing you notice is everything needed is in there. All the components seem light, but very well built. The new look is elegant and pleasing to the eye, with a much more modern look and feel. Setting up the system is a breeze. There is a setup guide included that walks you through the process, step by step. You can use the pre-attached self-adhesive strips to install each component, or there are screws provided for a more secure installation. I found the adhesive to be suitable enough, as each component seemed light and gave me no indication it would fall. I did run into installation issues; when replacing my former security system, I noticed the entry sensors on my old system accounted for the somewhat recessed position of certain doors, relative to the door trim. This could be near a quarter of an inch. The SimpliSafe entry sensors are small and slimline, and they are unable to account for any offsets caused by decorative molding and trims. It would have been nice to have some spacers or something to account for these cases. Other than this, the overall setup is as simple as simple can be. You can even walk around with the keypad to setup each device during installation. Nice touch. Once installed, you are ready to get started monitoring and protecting your home…. Well, wait, you won’t be able to monitor or protect your home. This system is not accessible without the SimpliSafe service. Ouch! While for some that may be acceptable, for someone with a home automation system in place, it was a slap in the face, followed by a backhand. I just can’t understand why in 2018 someone would build, not only a closed system, but one that basically handcuffs the user. The system works like a disconnected alarm system. It will sound off when someone intrudes, but you can’t be notified without the relative service. You can’t check on it or interface with it via your wifi connection without the relative service… there is no need to go on concerning that. Another issue I have, is I miss the instant on capability. Both arming modes allow a 30 second delay before going into full blown alarm. Granted, you can order a panic button, but it just doesn’t account for having instant. Instant on is great for overnight and vacations. This hurts, especially when you consider the lack of integration. Does it work? Very well. It does exactly what it is expected to do, once you relent to the fact it’s not going to match the abilities of other home automation and security systems. It not only performs well, but I found it to be excellent. It seems to be very responsive, sensitive, and easy to use. If you want to install your own system for monitoring, this is a can’t miss. I just feel this product is about 4-5 years late. There are already options with full monitoring added to home automation – all customer installable and customizable. Even with those options, it’s difficult for me to not give SimpliSafe credit for this product, but I would hope some of the limitations mentioned can be removed via software updates.

This system is simple to use and worth the price. It's very easy to install and activate. Would have been nice to have a couple more entrance sensors, but overall a good product.