Let’s not beat around the bush. These are some super weird and turbulent times – when we suddenly need to worry about our home supply of toilet paper and hand sanitizer… and about 1,000 other things. Overnight, practically, it seems like there are a million new things on our collective “worry list.”

Do I have enough food at home? Is my job secure? Can I order takeout? Is that cough just allergies? Can I touch my face? How long will I have to pretend to “homeschool” my kids? Is society going to collapse? Have the zombies appeared yet?

I’m sorry to say I don’t have satisfying answers to most of those questions. But for those of you who are worrying about basic home security (from the impending zombie assault or just… y’know… criminals), Simplisafe might help ease a couple of those worries.

What is Simplisafe?

Simplisafe began back in the mid-Aughts as a home security solution designed to help renters. As an alternative to traditional security systems (i.e., ADT and the like) that need to be professionally installed and are fairly permanent, Simplisafe offered an affordable, self-installed security system that could be easily packed up to go with you when you move… and then be reinstalled at a new apartment or house.

The system (and the company) have come a long way since then, but the core of their product is still very much a lightweight, affordable, incredibly customizable, easy-to-install – and totally wireless – home security system.

It also remains a solid security system for renters, Airbnb hosts, and homeowners alike.

I was an ADT customer for years at my previous house, and – I’ll be honest – I was always a little bit skeptical of the many DIY home security systems on the market. Many of the companies seemed to be a little too fly-by-night, and the products didn’t look all that reliable.

When I moved to my current house (which is a bit bigger than my previous one), I began to look more seriously at my options. And I did the math. ADT and other traditional companies, though they have the name recognition, are almost all at the extreme right end of the cost spectrum. In other words, when you tally up the installation fees, hardware costs, and locked-in (contracted) monthly monitoring fees, they ain’t cheap.

After a LOT of research, Simplisafe looked to be the most reliable and reputable option. I’m happy to say I’ve had Simplisafe protecting my home for a few months now and couldn’t be happier.

Let’s take a closer look, shall we?

What’s involved?

One of the nicest features of purchasing a Simplisafe system is that you can customize it to fit your exact needs. You only need to buy the equipment you’ll need for your specific home. They offer a variety of base kits, which you can then add to, a la carte.  I started with The Essentials (base station, keypad, 3 entry sensors, motion sensor) and then added a Simplicam and one more entry sensor (since I have four exterior doors to secure).

If you don’t want to start with a predesigned starter kit, you can simply build your own system from the ground up. There are a surprising number of options and add-on accessories, so what do you really need?

Simplisafe base station

Simplisafe base station, compared to an Orbi router and Amazon Alexa

The base station and keypad are the heart and brain of the system. Plug in the base station, link your sensors and accessories… and you’re well on your way to a safe, secure home.

What are your accessory options? You can add entry sensors (for doors and windows), motion sensors, cameras, a video doorbell, smart locks, smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, temperature sensors (to help prevent frozen pipes), water sensors (to detect flooding and major leaks around a washing machine, for example), glassbreak sensors, panic buttons, key fobs, an extra-loud 105 dB siren, and more. Check here for the prices of each.

How hard is it to install?

It’s dead easy.

Plug in the base station, and it’s pretty much good to go. The base station has a cellular connection to Simplisafe’s monitoring center, along with 24-hour backup batteries in the event that power goes out.

Turn on your keypad and you’ll be prompted to set your master PIN. You’re then walked through some basic set-up steps, including naming and linking any accessories you might have. (You can also connect your system to WiFi for a second, redundant communication channel. This also allows you to manually update your base station and keypad.)

Installation and set-up on the keypad is foolproof

Through the keypad, you can link your entry sensors, motion sensors, and any other sensors or accessories you’re going to use. You can use one of the default names or create your own. And once a sensor is linked via the keypad, it’s part of the overall system.

The entire Simplisafe system is wireless (except for the base station, which is plugged in), so you have complete freedom over where you want to place the sensors. Each sensor comes preinstalled with batteries, so if you’re curious, check here to see the life expectancy on each (e.g., entry sensor batteries last up to 10 years; motion sensors 3-5 years).

Mounting the sensors on your doors, windows, and/or walls is also ridiculously simple. Each comes with adhesive strips on the back, so it’s really as easy as “peel, push, and walk away.” There’s zero wiring to worry about, and for most sensors, it’s practically impossible to mount them incorrectly. Follow the simple instructions (and with entry sensors, make sure the two pieces align and are close enough to make a connection), and you’re golden.

I had the entire thing set up (base station and keypad powered up and updated, 4 entry sensors connected and installed, motion sensor connected and installed, and SimpliCam installed) in less than 30 minutes.

What about monthly monitoring?

Another perk with Simplisafe is that there’s no mandatory contract or commitment. In fact, you don’t technically need to pay for their monthly monitoring at all if you just want to use the equipment (i.e., a loud noise and a yard sign) as a deterrent or for your own self-monitoring.

However, I’m going to assume you want professional 24/7 monitoring and police/fire dispatch. There are two main options here: standard ($14.99/month) and interactive ($24.99/month). (There are also options for customers who only have cameras and just want backup video recordings.)

The “standard” plan is pretty bare bones. You’ll get 24/7 monitoring and police/fire response in case of an alarm (which is fundamental to what you’d expect from a home security system). That’s about it.

The “interactive” plan is what you really want. On top of your 24/7 coverage, you get access to Simplisafe’s mobile app (to control, arm, disarm, and update your system – and check your cameras – from your phone); can set up various text, email, and notification alerts; can set up silent alarms (if you want to be alerted to motion, for example, but not have that motion set off an alarm); get unlimited video recording; and theoretically get 3.5x faster police dispatch (though I have no way to verify that last claim).

I’ll be straight: 25 bucks a month is a bargain. I was paying double that for years with ADT, and I didn’t have a fraction of the mobile access and control, video coverage, or customizability I have with Simplisafe.

Activating monitoring services via Simplisafe’s mobile app

Mobile notifications of system activity (address is blurred out)

What about the camera?

The SimpliCam is a decent option if you’re looking to upgrade your system with some video surveillance. You won’t be able to connect any existing cameras you might have (from other manufacturers), which might create a bit of hodge-podge video set-up if you’d rather not replace your existing hardware.

But setup is – as expected – dead simple in the Simplisafe app. The camera delivers 720p video, has a built-in motion sensor, stores recordings for 30 days (with the option to download), and can be set up to support “visual verification,” which allows Simplisafe’s monitoring center to use your camera to see what’s happening inside your home during an alarm.

The camera does its job, and I’ve had no complaints.

SimpliCam, center, with a Wisenet N1 and old-school Dropcam for scale

Any complaints?

A few. We’re a big fan of Simplisafe’s ease, convenience, and expandability, but we have a few gripes:

• Despite Simplisafe’s claim that the motion sensors are designed to “detect the unique heat signatures of humans – not pets,” we had trouble with both the cat and (small) dog setting it off. We followed the instructions per how high it should be mounted to reduce alarms from pet motion, but both animals still activated the sensor.
• You NEED to subscribe to the $24.99/month monitoring level to use the mobile app at all.
• The SimpliCam is indoor only. They do make an outdoor kit (another $19.99) that comes with a waterproof housing and longer power cord, but it’d be nice to have a legit outdoor camera.
• There’s no combined smoke/CO detector. If you want both, you need to buy two separate units.
• There’s no smart home integration outside of Simplisafe’s ecosystem. That means you aren’t able to connect a smart thermostat; existing cameras, doorbells, or smart locks you already have; or other home monitoring device to this system.
• Alexa and Google Assistant integration is very basic. It’s easier just to use Simplisafe’s mobile app.

So is Simplisafe any good?

Yes. As with any home security system, there’s a somewhat hefty up-front cost. My setup – the Essentials kit, plus another entry sensor and a SimpliCam – retails for about $375. Equipment for an apartment, though, would be much less. But that price is still less than you’ll probably pay for installation of a traditional system… without the ability to customize. (Simplisafe also offers refurbished systems at a significant discount.) And your monthly monitoring fee is way more of a bargain, all things considered, when stacked against a company like ADT.

If you’re looking for ease, reliability, affordability, options, and peace of mind, then you really can’t go wrong with Simplisafe. Especially now, when the world seems to be falling apart, rest assured that there’s one thing you can control – the safety and security of your home – and take that off your worry list.