SimpliSafe Smart Alarm Wireless Indoor Security Camera

The SimpliSafe Smart Alarm Wireless Indoor Security Camera ($139.99), a high-res update to the Wired Indoor Camera ($99.99), works exclusively as part of a SimpliSafe Home Security System to deliver sharp 1536p video and get you in touch with a live emergency response agent if trouble arises. The indoor security camera pairs seamlessly with other SimpliSafe devices in testing and is a snap to install, though it doesn't offer local recording and requires a subscription to unlock its full potential. If your smart home includes components from other brands, the Editors' Choice-winning Eufy E220 Indoor Cam ($51.99) is a better buy with outstanding 2K video, mechanical pan and tilt controls for a 360-degree view, and local video storage.

A Slim Camera With A Pricey Subscription

The Smart Alarm camera has a white finish and a slender profile. It measures 4.5 by 1.4 by 2.9 inches (HWD) and attaches to a thin rectangular base that lets you manually tilt and swivel it. The base works as either a desktop stand or a mount for the wall or ceiling along with the included hardware.

A rechargeable battery should last up to three months between charges, with a typical charging time of around six hours. You can also use the included 10-foot USB cable to supply wired power, but you have to provide the power adapter.

(Credit: SimpliSafe)

The camera captures video at 1536p, has 10x digital zoom, and offers a 125-degree field of view. It employs a single infrared LED for black-and-white night vision and integrates a privacy shutter that you can engage via the mobile app. The camera also houses a motion sensor that uses AI technology to prevent false alerts, a pair of microphones for two-way audio, and a status LED that glows blue when the camera detects motion and turns amber when a response agent is online (more on this later). A speaker is on the bottom, while the top includes both a pairing button and a small LED that flashes white during the pairing process and pulses yellow during a firmware update. Under the hood are a 2.4GHz Wi-Fi radio and an 80dB siren.

Whenever it detects motion or another connected device (such as an entry or motion sensor) triggers it, the camera begins to record video. But to access these recordings and other features, you have to subscribe to a SimpliSafe service plan.

If you want to self-monitor your home, the $9.99-per-month plan gives you 30 days of recording history for up to 10 cameras, as well as the ability to download recordings and manually record video during a live stream. The $19.99-per-month Standard professional monitoring plan gets you seven days of history along with a 24/7 Emergency Dispatch feature, live video, and cellular backup for the base station. Finally, the $29.99-per-month Fast Protect plan gives you everything from the Standard plan, extends video history to 30 days for an unlimited number of cameras, and unlocks 24/7 live guard protection (which enables professional monitoring agents to see and speak to intruders in your home during an alarm event). That last feature is exclusive to the Smart Alarm camera within SimpliSafe's lineup. This plan also offers a video verification feature, in which monitoring agents will determine whether any event-triggered footage warrants the dispatch of emergency personnel.

For reference, the starter SimpliSafe Home Security System Foundation Package ($249.96) includes a base station, a keypad, an entry sensor, one motion sensor, and this camera. If you choose to build your own SimpliSafe system, the cheaper Wired Indoor Camera becomes an option.

The camera doesn't support HomeKit, IFTTT, or Matter, nor does it work with Alexa or Google Assistant voice controls. In other words, it plays nicely only within the SimpliSafe realm. If you need a camera that works with other platforms, the E220 Indoor Cam supports Alexa, Google Assistant, and HomeKit.

SimpliSafe Smart Alarm App Experience

In the SimpliSafe mobile app (available for Android and iOS), the Smart Alarm camera appears in a panel within the Cameras section. Tap the associated Watch Live button to launch a live stream with two-way talk, timeline, speaker mute, and manual recording buttons. Press the timeline button to view thumbnails of all event-triggered and user-recorded videos. Tap any clip to play, share, or delete it.

(Credit: SimpliSafe)

On the camera's panel, tap the gear icon in the upper right corner to open the Settings screen. Here, you can configure how the camera behaves with the system in Home and Away modes. For example, you can toggle motion detection, alarm triggers, and notifications for each mode. Additionally, you can enable an Instant Trigger setting (the camera sounds the alarm instantly after detecting motion), change motion sensitivity preferences, tweak activity zone settings, and opt for people-only detection. You can also change the video quality (640p, 960p, or 1536p), toggle auto night vision, turn the siren on or off, update the Wi-Fi settings, and access diagnostics.

Smooth to Set Up and Use

Adding the camera to a SimpliSafe system is quick and easy. I plugged it in, tapped the Cameras button on the Overview screen, and tapped Set Up A Camera. I selected the Smart Alarm Indoor Cam from the list, tapped Continue With Wired Power since I was concurrently charging the camera, and followed the instructions to press and release the button on the top of the camera to wake it up. I tapped Next, verified that the LED was flashing white, and pressed the button again to add the camera to my system. I gave it a name, connected it to the same Wi-Fi network as my SimpliSafe base station, and waited several minutes for the app to download and install the latest updates. After viewing a few installation tips, I simply placed the camera in my living room for testing.

(Credit: John Delaney)

The Smart Alarm camera performed admirably in my tests. Daytime videos showed rich colors and sharp detail, while black-and-white night recordings were sufficiently bright and contrasty. The camera did a fine job of distinguishing between motion events based on the subject type and never failed to begin recording after the sensors detected motion or when I armed or disarmed the system. Two-way audio sounded clean and adequately loud, and I could hear the camera’s siren throughout my house.

A Very Simple Security Camera

The SimpliSafe Smart Alarm Wireless Indoor Security Camera adds an extra layer of security to homes protected by a SimpliSafe Home Security System thanks to its video verification and professional monitoring features. But it doesn't offer third-party integrations, local video storage, or color night vision, and you must pay for a subscription to unlock its full capabilities. It's a solid upgrade to the SimpliSafe Indoor Wired Camera, which records at 720p and requires constant power. The Smart Alarm camera is a good choice for those already invested in a SimpliSafe system, but most everyone else should look to the Eufy E220 Indoor Cam instead. It's significantly cheaper, supports third-party smart home device platforms, offers mechanical pan and tilt controls, and sports a microSD card slot for local storage, so it's our Editors' Choice.