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We review SimpliSafe home security cameras, accessing their features, performance and cost against others on the market.
SimpliSafe was founded in 2006 by Chad and Eleanor Laurans in Massachusetts. The company has released a wide range of home security devices, including indoor and outdoor cameras, video doorbells, motion sensors, bell boxes, base stations and fully-fledged security system packages.
Developed with the idea that home security should be accessible for everyone, SimpliSafe caters to different price ranges, as well as DIY enthusiasts. The introduction of second-generation products, the SimpliSafe app and a 24/7 professional monitoring feature have cemented their place in the home security market.
Simplisafe’s indoor camera can be wall-mounted or placed on a flat surface. (Simplisafe)
SimpliSafe’s second-generation indoor camera is ideal for homeowners who want a comprehensive indoor surveillance experience that is easy to use and can respond quickly in an emergency.
The Smart Alarm Wireless Indoor Security Camera features 1536p HD video recording, 2-way audio, night vision and instant motion alerts and Vision Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology for smarter motion detection. The AI can distinguish between humans and pets, resulting in fewer false alarms, with customisable Activity Zones that can ignore areas with expected movement, such as TVs, ceiling fans or hanging plants.
Users can take advantage of the 80 decibel (dB) motion alarm, which is automatically triggered once the AI determines that the movement is human. If you subscribe to one of SimpliSafe’s paid-for professional monitoring plans, agents will contact you – or your listed contacts – to inform you of the emergency and a police response is requested once the alarm has been visually verified.
The camera is powered by a built-in rechargeable battery that is designed to last up to 3 months, depending on usage. The bundled USB cable and a USB power adapter – not included – can be used to charge the battery, however, users can also plug the camera into a power source that supplies at least 7.5W for constant power.
The Smart Alarm Wireless Indoor Security Camera is available in white, measuring 4.53 in x 1.46 in x 2.95 in. As with other SimpliSafe home security products, it is simple, discreet, and well-made.
The wireless design allows this camera to be used anywhere in the home. The camera comes with a built-in stand with the option to be wall-mounted. Inside the box, the 10 cm USB charging cable can be used to charge the battery or provide constant power.
The 1536p HD video capture – which can be configured to 640p and 960p – provides sharp and rich colour. Nighttime camera recordings are sufficiently bright and the motion detector can accurately distinguish motion types to reduce false alarms.
This camera uses wifi connectivity and requires a minimum upload speed of 2.4 GHz.
SimpliSafe’s app is supported on Android and iOS. The interface is easy to navigate and user-friendly, allowing you to check the timeline of your camera recording and launch a live video with 2-way talk. Select plans are required to access video storage, which is stored for up to 30 days.
To go live, select the Cameras section and click the Watch Live button. Below the live feed, a microphone toggle is displayed. After the stream, a timeline of events appears below which can be scrolled through, with the option to watch each event individually.
Other features of the SimpliSafe app include arming and disarming the system, motion detection – which can be triggered by People Only or All Motion – and various alarm settings, including a secret alert that sends a push notification to registered devices without notifying the monitoring centre or sounding an alarm. The app can also be linked with other SimpliSafe devices in the home, used to configure network settings or to update firmware.
| Indoor camera name | Resolution | DIY/Professional installation | Video Storage options | Subscription? | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SimpliSafe Smart Alarm Wireless Indoor Security Camera | 1536p HD | DIY | Storage only available with Pro Premium | Optional Pro Premium subscription for advanced features | £139.99 |
| Ring Indoor Camera 2nd Gen | 1080p HDR | DIY | Storage only available with Ring Protect | Optional Ring Protect subscription for extra features | £49.99 |
| Hey! Smart Internal Security Camera | 1080p HDR | DIY | Local storage. Cloud available from £3.49/month | No subscription required | £49.99 |
| Arlo Indoor Security Camera | 1080p HDR | DIY | Local storage via SD card only available with base station (not included) | Optional Arlo Secure subscription for advanced features | £199.99 |
| Abode Cam 2 | 1080p HDR | DIY | Storage only available with Abode Plan | Optional Abode Plan subscription for advanced features | £54.99 |
The SimpliSafe Smart Alarm Wireless Indoor Security Camera offers a simple and easy-to-install experience for most homeowners. The high Trustpilot score and reliable video quality make this a good choice for those who are looking to upgrade their home security.
The £139.99 price tag and subscription services – which are needed to access some features, such as Cloud storage and motion alarms – make the SimpliSafe solution more expensive than other alternatives, such as Hey! and Adobe indoor cameras, which don’t require a subscription for storing or sharing videos.
The outdoor security camera is conveniently wireless so can be positioned without professional installation. (SimpliSafe)
The SimpliSafe Wireless Outdoor Security Camera offers a comprehensive and advanced system, ideal for homeowners who favour DIY installation.
This camera features 1080p Full HD recording with 8x digital zoom, 140-degree field of view, 2-way audio and a built-in spotlight and siren. It also comes with full colour night vision, motion detection up to 9.1m and the ability to detect people and ignore vehicle movement. The Wireless Outdoor Security Camera can be used in outdoor environments ranging from -20°C–50°C, with the IP65 rating allowing it to withstand both rain and snow.
Standard features, such as live feed, instant notifications and 2-way talk are free, however, users will need a subscription to access recordings and Cloud storage, as well as intelligent motion detection.
No wires are required to install the camera; the bundled screw-in mount can be attached to outside walls with a magnet securing the camera in place.
This camera can be found in white and measures 7.87 cm x 7.87 cm x 7.5 cm. The design is sleek, elegant and discrete.
Installation is incredibly easy, with the screw-in mount coming included in the box. For those that prefer a wired connection, SimpliSafe does sell an outdoor power cable (£29.99) and a solar panel (£69.99), which requires 3 hours of sunlight a day to keep the camera charged. The magnet design means that the camera can be easily disconnected for charging, which can be done via the included micro-USB cable, or by removing the battery by unscrewing the front panel.
The 1080p Full HD camera is capable of providing well-exposed, sharp imagery and is defined enough to clearly see faces on camera. The 140-degree field of view captures a wide range of motion and the intelligent motion detection can help reduce false alarms, although you will need to be subscribed to SimpliSafe’s monitoring plans for access to that feature.
The motion-activated spotlight and full-colour night vision provide serviceable video during darker periods, but it does lose a lot of the focus and detail that is found in brightly lit environments.
Connectivity and the app
The Wireless Outdoor Security Camera requires an internet connection of 2.4GHz and is compatible with iOS and Android devices.
Like other SimpliSafe devices, it can be managed through the dedicated SimpliSafe app. Our research found that the app was easy to navigate with a clean user interface. Features like Cloud storage and intelligent motion detection are only useable when subscribed to select SimpliSafe plans.
| Outdoor camera name | Resolution | DIY/Professional installation | Video Storage options | Subscription? | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SimpliSafe Wireless Outdoor Security Camera | 1080p HDR | DIY | Storage only available with Pro Premium | Optional Pro Premium subscription for advanced features | £179.99 |
| Ring Outdoor Camera Pro Plug-in | 1080p HDR | DIY | Storage only available with Ring Protect | Optional Ring Protect subscription for extra features | £159.99 |
| Hey! Smart External Camera | 1080p HDR | DIY | Local storage. Cloud available from £3.49/month | No subscription required | £89.99 |
| Arlo Pro 5 Outdoor Security Camera | 2K | DIY | Local storage via SD card only available with base station (not included) | Optional Arlo Secure subscription for advanced features | £219.99 |
| Abode Cam 2 | 1080p HDR | DIY | Storage only available with Abode Plan | Optional Abode Plan subscription for advanced features | £54.99 |
The SimpliSafe Wireless Outdoor Security Camera is ideal for homeowners who want a DIY installation experience and the same easy-to-navigate user experience as the other SimpliSafe devices.
However, the costly subscription fees that come with more premium features and high starting price may make it too expensive for some homeowners.
Other SimpliSafe devices will begin recording when the video doorbell detects movement. (SimpliSafe)
SimpliSafe’s Wired Video Doorbell Pro is a smart and simple solution for households looking for more security. The high-resolution 1080p HDR camera, infrared (IR) night vision and thoughtful motion alerts will ensure that your package is delivered without notifying you of false alarms.
2-way audio allows you to talk to people outside your door without them needing even to ring the doorbell and the 2 integrated sensors can distinguish the signature of people and the human form, while also ignoring the movement of cars on the street.
The Wired Video Doorbell Pro connects to every sensor in the SimpliSafe system, allowing other outdoor cameras to start recording once the Doorbell detects movement. However, it is worth noting that certain features are locked behind select subscription services.
With a wide range of available features, the Wired Video Doorbell Pro is best suited to households that want a high level of security. The £149 price tag does make it one of the more expensive options on the market, and its wired nature means that SimpliSafe recommends having it professionally installed.
SimpliSafe recommends having this doorbell professionally installed since it is a wired product. It is compatible with any 8–24V AC transformer and the included support wedges mean it can be installed on doorframes, corners and shingles, however, it is preferable to have this product replace an existing doorbell set up.
The only colourway is white, and it measures 11.05 cm x 3.43 cm x 2.48 cm.
This smart doorbell captures 1080p HDR video and features IR night vision with a comfortably large 162-degree wide-angle lens. The lack of a fisheye effect means that it provides an undistorted view of the outside world and the inclusion of HDR keeps videos glare-free.
Daytime video was sharp and colourful, with the wide field of view allowing for a fuller view of the street. Video quality at nighttime is not as clear but still sharp enough to see cars and pedestrians, with no glare occurring thanks to the invisible IR lights from the IR LEDs.
The Wired Video Doorbell Pro connects via your home wifi and requires a connection of 2.4GHz for the best performance. The SimpliSafe app is supported on both iOS and Android.
The SimpliSafe Wired Video Doorbell Pro can be remotely viewed through the app, with a tap-and-hold button activating 2-way talk. Recordings can also be made through the app, with the option to look at previous recordings. However, with no filter available, you will need to scroll through the timeline section, which does not use thumbnails; this can make finding a specific event more cumbersome than other home security apps.
Unfortunately, there is no way to access Cloud storage without subscribing to one of the select SimpliSafe plans.
| Doorbell camera name | Resolution | DIY/Professional installation | Video Storage options | Subscription? | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SimpliSafe Wired Video Doorbell Pro | 1080p HDR | Professional installation recommended | Storage requires Pro Premium or Camera Recordings Plan | Optional Pro Premium subscription for advanced features | £149 |
| Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2 | 1536p HDR | DIY | Storage only available with Ring Protect | Optional Ring Protect subscription for extra features | £219.99 |
| Hey! Smart Doorbell | 1080p HD | DIY | Local storage via SD card (not included) or cloud | No subscription required | £79.99 |
| Arlo Essential Video Doorbell | 1536 HDR | DIY | Local storage via SD Card in base station (not included) | Optional Arlo Secure subscription for advanced features | £179.99 |
| ADT Wireless Video Doorbell | 1080p HDR | Professional installation | Videos stored in ADT’s cloud server | No subscription required | POA |
The SimpliSafe Wired Video Doorbell Pro is the best doorbell for those already using the SimpliSafe ecosystem. The high video quality, discreet design and high Trustpilot rating make it an easy choice for those looking for more security.
However, the high subscription prices make the Wired Video Doorbell Pro pale in comparison to the Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2 and Hey! Smart Doorbell, which both have lower subscription fees.
Our research found that SimpliSafe has a Trustpilot score of 4.7 out of 5 stars, with 82% of users giving it a 5-star rating and only 4% giving a 1-star review. These scores reflect on the company as a whole, however, and not individual products.
Many reviews focus on the high quality of the customer service experience, installation process and alarm systems. The negative reviews, however, mention the high price of the SimpliSafe subscription services.
“We’ve been really happy with SimpliSafe since switching our home alarm system and are now switching our business system too. I spoke with Samira today – she was friendly and very helpful in making sure everything was set up correctly. Thank you again for your help!”
“They offered free install as part of the deal worth £125 and then when you get the stuff they start with it’s only for certain parts and they use somebody locally to do the rest at prices, which make other suppliers cheaper. Maybe it is in the small print. but who likes dealing with companies hiding stuff in the small print?”
“Simplisafe is the most user-friendly home security system I’ve ever had the pleasure to benefit from. The monitoring crew are super helpful and understanding when I’ve had false alarms and I can relax whenever I’m away from home, safe in the knowledge that my home security is in safe hands. The only niggle I’ve ever had since installing the full kit was with the Video Doorbell. Sometimes when SimpliSafe sends OTA Updates, the doorbell stops notifying me when there’s a visitor ringing the bell. The most recent time the drop of service lasted for about a week. Support was very attentive but sadly could offer no solutions. Eventually the notifications came back on line without any further actions from me. I hadn’t realised just how much I’d grown to rely on that facility until it stopped working! Whatever they did to fix it remotely – it worked! In the past I worked as a home security installer and have fitted hundreds of hardwired Veritas systems. I wish SimpliSafe had been around back then! I’ve had the fully monitored system for almost a year and I’m very happy with it! Keep up the great work folks! You rock.”
“Equipment very good, easy to install, handy app and sensible control panel. I was not aware that my camera footage is not my property. I explained I did not want police/essential Services notified and was informed before purchasing the kit I could have extra cameras added. So I purchased two only to find I can not use them unless I sign up to a payment plan! So essentially my cameras are very expensive motion sensors. Very disappointed. My own personal closed loop footage is not accessible!”
