One of the first entrants in the now-crowded DIY home security space, SimpliSafe has been selling its inexpensive, customizable system for a few years now. When we first tested the Home Security System back in 2015, we praised it for its sharp focus on ease of use, flexibility, and affordability. Our major gripe was the physical design of the actual components.
Even back then, the chunky white plastic keypad, base station, sensors, and other hardware looked seriously dated. We also dinged SimpliSafe for not integrating with other smart home devices. Alas, the system worked seamlessly, offering one of the better alternatives to expensive, professionally installed home security systems with inflexible contracts like ADT and Vivint.
With its latest offering, SimpliSafe revamps and refines the system with more modern-looking hardware and some modest upgrades including integrated Wi-Fi and increased speed and reliability. The company also promises some nice additions including Amazon Alexa voice integration and a companion smart lock, video doorbell, and outdoor camera later this year.
Better-Looking Hardware, Minor Tweaks
The current crop of smart home security products like Abode and GetSafe are designed to be showcased, or at least blend in with your home decor. With its revamped Home Security System, SimpliSafe finally takes these cues.
With decidedly more modern designs, the base station and keypad are now available in either black or white. The new base station is smaller, friendlier looking, and integrates a Wi-Fi radio in addition to the cellular connection, adding an extra layer of connectivity with SimpliSafe's monitoring service. The company claims that the system is faster, "with processing speeds five times greater than the previous generation." We'll test that claim as soon as the system is available for review.
Like its predecessor, the base station is equipped with a backup battery that supplies 24 hours of power in the event of an outage.
The keypad also sees an improvement, adding backlit keys and losing its tiny monochrome display in favor of a larger color LCD. The door and window sensors are half the size of their predecessors and offer twice the range. Motion detectors, panic buttons, sirens, and environmental and glass break sensors all sport a cleaner, more streamlined look. Even the keyfob and yard signs have been redesigned.
The SimpliCam indoor camera, which was released well after the rest of the original system, retains its simple, black design.
Later this year, the company has plans to release more branded components including a 1080p HD video doorbell with motion alerts and two-way audio, a battery-powered, motion-triggered outdoor camera, and a smart lock. The upcoming Amazon Alexa voice integration will allow users to arm their system, lock their doors, and set their cameras via voice.
Same Price, Flexible Plans
Pricing for the security system remains the same, ranging from a preconfigured $229 basic starter set up to a deluxe, all-inclusive $539 kit for larger spaces that includes environmental sensors for water, freezing, and fire. As always with SimpliSafe, you can buy all the components separately, or add to one of the preconfigured kits to fit your specific needs. Besides the ability to customize the system, one of the things we like most about SimpliSafe is its inexpensive individual components. That continues with this upgrade; for example, additional door and window sensors are still just $15 each.
SimpliSafe's flexible monitoring plans remain unchanged. Basic, no-frills monitoring is $14.99 per month, while interactive monitoring with video verification of alarms, text message alerts, app controls, and camera footage storage is $24.99. No contract is required, and you can opt in or out of professional monitoring as often as you'd like.
The revamped Home Security System is available now. Check back for a review soon. The video doorbell, smart lock, and outdoor cameras are slated for 2018 release. Specific ship dates were not available at the time of this writing. Amazon Alexa support is also promised later this year.