You don’t need Wi-Fi for your SimpliSafe system to work. The SimpliSafe hub has a cellular connection that can control your sensors and communicate with SimpliSafe’s monitoring service. You can connect SimpliSafe to your Wi-Fi network as well, but it’s not required. You can still connect your SimpliSafe base station to your Wi-Fi network. And connecting to Wi-Fi lets your system receive updates faster and gives you one more layer of connection. SimpliSafe has two monitoring plans on offer:
The Standard plan for $17.99 per month The Interactive plan for $27.99 per month.
We recommend the Interactive plan, because it gives you access to SimpliSafe’s mobile app, and it lets you control your system with Alexa and Google. Check out Which SimpliSafe Monitoring Plan Should You Choose? for more info. SimpliSafe has also started offering a paid self-monitoring plan for $9.99 a month. It comes with camera access, which makes it a whole lot easier to keep an eye on things. But it doesn’t have cellular backup, meaning that if your system fails, it’s down. You can also just not pay SimpliSafe and use the free version of the app, but you won’t be able to do much with it. The basic starter kit comes with a base station, which is the hub that connects all the sensors together. You’ll also get a keypad, which you’ll use to enter your passcode and turn the system on and off. From there, you can add whatever sensors you need, including door and window sensors, motion detectors, glass break sensors, smoke alarms, and flood sensors. Aside from basic sensors, you can add on accessories like key fobs, or upgrade your system with SimpliSafe’s smart door lock and security cameras. Plan to spend at least $229 on your SimpliSafe starter kit—and the price goes up with every sensor you add.
Wireless keypad Base station Entry sensor (for doors and windows) Motion sensor Glass break sensor Water sensor Freeze sensor Key fob Extra siren Panic button Smoke detector CO detector SimpliCam indoor camera Doorbell Camera Pro Smart door lock
Also, SimpliSafe’s $99 Wi-Fi connected SimpliCam is the company’s first foray into the world of video—but we have mixed feelings about it. The camera is fine but it doesn’t have the best features we’ve seen. Still, for the price, it’s not a bad deal. Just know you’ll need to pay an extra $4.99 per month if you want to do things like download video clips. SimpliSafe also integrates with Alexa and Google. You can link the system with your favorite smart speaker and use it to arm your SimpliSafe system and check its status. Plus, you don’t have to pull out the toolbox. SimpliSafe’s home security sensors have sticky adhesive on the back that lets you to stick the sensors wherever your heart desires—whether that be your bedroom window, front door, or liquor cabinet drawer.
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