SimpliSafe products and packages
Familiarize yourself with SimpliSafe’s bundled packages and full equipment lineup in our SimpliSafe product guide. But first, the FAQs:
Can I customize a SimpliSafe package?
Yes. SimpliSafe offers pre-bundled packages or the option to build a custom system from scratch. It’s all done online.
Does SimpliSafe’s equipment work well?
Overall, yes. We’ve tested this equipment hands-on and read user reviews to see if our experiences were unique. Our reviews of SimpliSafe equipment actually tend to be more critical than what the masses say on retail sites like Amazon, Lowes, and Walmart—and we still rate everything three stars and up:
Wi-Fi connectivity is a common complaint, but that’s the case with any wireless device. We can’t really fault SimpliSafe for that since it all depends on your bandwidth, internet speed, type of internet, and even your location. Take advantage of SimpliSafe’s 60-day money-back period to make sure it works well for you.
Does the SimpliSafe base station listen in?
No, the SimpliSafe base station can’t listen in because it’s not voice-activated and doesn’t have a microphone.
Does the SimpliSafe base station have a siren?
Yes, the SimpliSafe base station includes a 95 dB siren.
Does SimpliSafe sell smoke or carbon monoxide detectors?
Yes, SimpliSafe sells a smoke detector and a carbon monoxide detector.
What is the red button on the SimpliSafe keypad?
The red button on top of the SimpliSafe keypad is a panic button. Press and hold it for two seconds to activate it. If you’re worried about false alarms, you can disable it on the keypad menu.
Do SimpliSafe cameras have local storage?
No, SimpliSafe cameras don’t use microSD cards for local storage.
Video clips are stored on the cloud if you have the $9.99 Self Monitoring with Camera Recording plan or the $29.99 Fast Protect™ plan.
Do you need a security system to use SimpliCam or Video Doorbell Pro?
You don’t need a SimpliSafe security system to use the SimpliCam or the Video Doorbell Pro. These devices are sold individually and work for free with SimpliSafe’s mobile app. No monitoring plan is required.
What is the difference between SimpliSafe Original and other SimpliSafe packages?
The original SimpliSafe equipment—also called SS2—is bulkier than the newer SimpliSafe Gen 3 models, doesn’t connect to Wi-Fi, uses a 2G cellular module, and doesn’t integrate with Amazon Alexa or Google Home.
SimpliSafe won’t monitor any new accounts using original SimpliSafe equipment, so beware those too-good-to-be-true deals on Amazon and eBay.
According to SimpliSafe, existing customers continue to receive support and monitoring for the Original SimpliSafe equipment. However, we've heard from readers that it's sometimes impossible to get replacement parts for older SimpliSafe equipment—so you might be forced to upgrade once your system goes kaput. And unfortunately, upgrading isn't free.
Can I combine older and newer SimpliSafe components?
Unfortunately, new Gen 3 SimpliSafe equipment—like the Outdoor Camera—isn't compatible with the Original SimpliSafe base station. If you want to upgrade, contact SimpliSafe to take advantage of their 50% discount for Original customers.
What equipment am I missing out on with SimpliSafe?
SimpliSafe doesn’t have a touchscreen control panel, garage door alarm, humidity sensor, smart plug, smart light, or smart thermostat. And, because SimpliSafe doesn’t work with Z-Wave or IFTTT, it’s difficult to add third-party accessories to your system.
The only workaround is to use Google Home or Amazon Alexa as the middleman between SimpliSafe and other smart home devices.