Looking for a straightforward home security system that’s easy to set up and gives you real control over monitoring?
Quick verdict
You’ll find the SimpliSafe 10 Piece Wireless Home Security System with Outdoor Camera- Optional 24/7 Professional Monitoring – No Contract – Compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant is designed to make protection simple and flexible. If you want something that’s ready out of the box, offers optional professional monitoring without long-term contracts, and includes a strong outdoor camera, this system is worth a serious look.
SimpliSafe 10 Piece Wireless Home Security System with Outdoor Camera- Optional 24/7 Professional Monitoring - No Contract - Compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant
What this review covers
Below, you’ll get a detailed look at hardware, setup, app features, monitoring options, performance in real-world conditions, privacy considerations, and how the Outdoor Camera Series 2 stands up to common threats. You’ll also see an easy-to-read table breaking down the core specs and what’s typically included in a 10-piece kit.
Why this matters to you
Choosing a home security system is about balancing convenience, coverage, and ongoing costs. You’ll want to know what you’re buying, how it behaves day-to-day, and what happens when an alarm goes off.
What’s in the box (typical)
Here’s what you can expect in a 10-piece SimpliSafe kit and the Outdoor Camera Series 2. Contents may vary slightly depending on promotions and bundle options, but this gives you a reliable baseline for planning.
| Item | Purpose | Count (typical) |
|---|---|---|
| Base Station | Central hub, connects sensors and monitoring | 1 |
| Wireless Keypad | Arm/disarm locally, enter codes | 1 |
| Entry Sensors | Protect doors and windows from opening | 5 |
| Motion Sensor | Detects movement in main living area | 1 |
| Glassbreak Sensor | Detects breaking glass sounds | 1 |
| Key Fob | Arm/disarm remotely | 1 |
| Outdoor Camera Series 2 | 1080p HD outdoor video, color night vision | 1 |
| Mounting hardware & power cable | For camera installation/wiring | Included |
Notes on contents
SimpliSafe often lets you customize kits, so you may add more sensors, indoor cameras, or smoke detectors. The Outdoor Camera includes both a rechargeable battery and an outdoor power cable so you can choose wireless or wired installation.
Design and build quality
The system has a minimal, modern aesthetic that won’t clash with most home decors. You’ll find the base station and sensors are compact and unobtrusive, while the Outdoor Camera Series 2 is designed to handle weather exposure.
Materials and durability
SimpliSafe uses plastic housings for most sensors and a more robust casing for the outdoor camera to resist rain and dust. If you mount the camera with the included power cable and housing, it’s suitable for year-round outdoor use in most climates in the US.
Installation footprint
The sensors are small and adhesive-backed for clean installation, and the keypad is slim enough to sit on a small table or mount to a wall. The outdoor camera requires a bit more planning for placement if you want wired Active Guard support.
Outdoor Camera Series 2 — key features
The Outdoor Camera Series 2 is one of the headline features of this kit, and it brings several upgrades meant to reduce false alarms while improving visibility. You’ll appreciate the wide field of view, decent resolution, and color night vision with a spotlight.
Video and field of view
You get 1080p HD resolution and a 140-degree ultra-wide field of view, which covers a large portion of your yard or driveway from a single mount. This makes it easier for you to spot activity without needing multiple cameras.
Night vision and spotlight
Color night vision plus an integrated spotlight helps you see clearer in low light, giving you actionable footage and making it easier for you to identify people and vehicles at night. The spotlight also serves as a deterrent when you or the monitoring team chooses to activate it.
Power options
You can use the included rechargeable battery for wireless placement, or connect the camera using the outdoor power cable for continuous power. If you want SimpliSafe Active Guard Outdoor Protection, the system requires the Outdoor Camera to be wired using the included power cable.
Setup and installation
You’ll find setup to be among the easiest of DIY systems. SimpliSafe markets the kit as “simple to set up,” and in practice the steps are clear if you follow the app prompts.
Step-by-step experience
After unboxing, you’ll power the base station, sync sensors by tapping them to the base station or following the keypad prompts, and place the camera where it has a solid Wi‑Fi signal. The SimpliSafe App walks you through each step, and adhesive pads or screws cover most mounting needs.
Time commitment
Most users can get the kit armed and running in under an hour if you’re mounting sensors inside; outdoor camera placement and wiring may add time depending on whether you choose wireless battery operation or wiring for Active Guard features.
App and control
The SimpliSafe App is core to how you control this system, and it’s where you’ll arm/disarm, view live camera feeds, and receive alerts. You’ll appreciate the app’s clean layout and fast response times.
Remote control features
You can arm, disarm, set custom schedules, and check sensor status from anywhere using the app. The live camera feed is available on demand, and you’ll get push notifications triggered by events if you enable them.
Automation and modes
SimpliSafe supports different arming modes (Home, Away, Off) and lets you create custom settings for which sensors are active in each mode. If you pair with Alexa or Google Assistant, you can issue voice commands to check system status or arm/disarm hands-free.
Monitoring options
One of the selling points for you will be the optional professional monitoring and the promise of no long-term contracts. SimpliSafe provides a free 1-month trial of professional monitoring and offers ongoing paid plans.
Professional monitoring details
If you activate professional monitoring, agents can receive signals from your system and contact you in the event of an alarm. For the Outdoor Camera Active Guard feature, agents can view camera footage, use two-way audio to speak to a person outside, trigger a siren, or request police dispatch as needed (available with select monitoring plans and requires camera to be wired).
No-contract model
You won’t be tied into a lengthy contract, which gives you flexibility to change or cancel monitoring without penalties. That said, continuous access to some advanced features often requires an active subscription.
Performance and reliability
In everyday use, the system performs well for typical intrusions and environmental triggers. The sensors are responsive, and the base station communicates reliably over the SimpliSafe network.
False alarms and filtering
SimpliSafe’s sensor hardware and camera AI work to minimize false alarms, but like any system, location, placement, and environmental factors matter. The Active Guard Outdoor Protection AI helps identify suspicious behavior and reduces noise by focusing on likely threats.
Connectivity and backup
The base station supports Wi‑Fi and cellular backup options with certain monitoring plans, which increases reliability when your internet is down. You’ll want to confirm your plan includes cellular backup if you’re concerned about outages.
Smart home integration
SimpliSafe is compatible with voice assistants and certain smart home ecosystems, so you can incorporate the system into your existing setup.
Alexa and Google Assistant
You can use voice commands to arm or disarm the system and check status with Alexa or Google Assistant. This makes it more convenient if you already use smart speakers around the house.
Other smart home devices
Integration beyond voice assistants is more limited compared to some competitors that use broader platforms like Z-Wave or Zigbee. If you rely on a highly automated smart home, make sure the specific actions you want are supported.
Security and privacy
You’ll want to know how SimpliSafe handles your data and what protections are in place to prevent unauthorized access. The company uses standard cloud encryption and account protections and keeps the offering to US customers only.
Data handling
Video and event logs are stored in the cloud when you have a subscription that includes recordings. You can usually review, download, and delete clips through the app, and SimpliSafe’s policies aim to limit access to your data.
Agent access and legal processes
For monitored plans, agents may view live video or recorded clips during certain events, especially when Active Guard is triggered. SimpliSafe agents will act in ways designed to verify threats and request emergency response if needed; understand that this access is part of the trade-off for human-assisted deterrence.
Battery life and power considerations
Battery options give you flexibility, but you’ll trade convenience for continuous features in some cases. The Outdoor Camera comes with a rechargeable battery and an outdoor power cable; wired operation is required for certain advanced functions.
Battery life expectations
Battery life varies with usage, event frequency, and temperature. Under typical conditions with moderate activity, you can expect weeks to months of battery life, but frequent motion-triggered recordings and cold weather can reduce that significantly.
Wired vs wireless trade-offs
If you wire the camera using the included power cable, you’ll gain continuous power, which is required for Active Guard Outdoor Protection. If you use battery power, you’ll get placement flexibility but may miss real-time agent interventions that require wired operation.
Installation tips for best results
A few small decisions during installation will make your system far more reliable. Pay attention to camera placement, sensor height, and Wi‑Fi strength.
Camera placement advice
Mount the camera high enough to avoid tampering but low enough to capture faces; aim for a clear line of sight and avoid direct pointing into bright lights. A location with strong Wi‑Fi and a sheltered mounting point will yield the best results.
Sensor placement advice
Place motion sensors where they cover primary walkways and avoid placing them near HVAC vents, direct sunlight, or busy window areas that cause frequent false triggers. For entry sensors, align the two halves carefully and clean the surface for strong adhesive bonding.
Pricing and value
You’ll weigh the upfront kit cost, possible add-ons, and monitoring fees against the peace of mind and deterrence the system offers. SimpliSafe’s no-contract approach can be appealing if you want flexibility.
Upfront and ongoing costs
You’ll pay the kit price once and then choose whether to subscribe to a monitoring plan. The first month of professional monitoring is free; after that, monthly fees apply if you keep the service. Some advanced camera features or video history require a paid plan.
Value relative to competition
For DIY installers who want a balanced mix of ease, hardware quality, and optional human monitoring, SimpliSafe represents strong value. If you prefer fully professional installation or zero subscription reliance, competitors may offer different trade-offs.
Pros and cons
Here’s a concise list you can use to decide quickly whether this system aligns with your priorities.
Pros
- Easy DIY setup that most people can handle quickly.
- Optional 24/7 professional monitoring without long-term contracts.
- Outdoor Camera Series 2 offers wide 140° FOV, 1080p HD, and color night vision with spotlight.
- Wired and wireless power options for the outdoor camera.
- Active Guard Outdoor Protection allows agents to use camera feeds to interact with intruders (requires wired camera and select monitoring plan).
- Compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant for voice control.
Cons
- Some advanced camera features require wiring the camera and a specific monitoring plan.
- Continuous cloud features and video history usually need an ongoing subscription.
- SimpliSafe services and products are only supported in the US.
- Smart home integration beyond voice assistants is limited compared with platforms that support Z-Wave or Zigbee devices.
Who should buy this system
If you prefer a user-friendly, flexible system that gives you full control and optional human monitoring, this kit is a great match. It’s especially attractive if you want an effective outdoor camera with deterrent features and AI-assisted monitoring.
Who might look elsewhere
If you need deep smart home automation standards or you live outside the US, you’ll want to investigate other options. Also, if you want full-featured local video storage or complete control without cloud reliance, consider systems oriented to local NVRs or open platforms.
Comparison with common alternatives
Here’s how SimpliSafe typically stacks up against a few popular competitors so you can see where it shines and where it doesn’t.
SimpliSafe vs Ring
SimpliSafe gives a cleaner, simpler monitoring path with no-contract plans, while Ring offers many hardware choices and deep smart-home integrations but has had privacy and corporate ownership concerns for some users. Both offer outdoor cameras with motion-activated alerts, but SimpliSafe’s Active Guard adds human intervention options when wired.
SimpliSafe vs Arlo
Arlo cameras often offer higher resolution and more advanced local storage options, but their ecosystem can be more camera-centric and pricier. SimpliSafe’s strength is the total system approach (sensors + professional monitoring) rather than being mainly about cameras.
SimpliSafe vs ADT
ADT includes professional installation and long-standing monitored service but usually requires contracts and higher monthly fees. SimpliSafe gives you more DIY control and no-contract monitoring, which is ideal if you want flexibility.
Tips to minimize false alarms
False alarms are disruptive; with a few adjustments, you’ll reduce them significantly. Correct placement and reasonable sensor sensitivity are key.
Motion sensor adjustments
Point motion sensors to cover main traffic patterns and avoid areas with pets, vents, or swaying vegetation. Use the right mounting height and angle to keep pets out of range if you have animals at home.
Camera motion zones and AI settings
Use the app’s motion zone settings if available and enable AI-based filtering for the outdoor camera to reduce triggers from cars passing by or small wildlife. If you subscribe to advanced plans, Active Guard’s AI helps agents focus on true threats.
Troubleshooting common issues
You’ll likely run into small hiccups, but most have straightforward fixes. Here are common problems and what to do.
Weak Wi‑Fi or dropped camera connection
Move your router closer to the base station or use a Wi‑Fi extender to strengthen the signal. For outdoor cameras, wired power helps stability, and ensuring the camera is within the router’s range is essential.
Low battery notifications
If you get low battery alerts, charge the camera or swap it for a charged battery promptly. Cold weather reduces battery life, so a wired setup might be preferable in colder climates.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
You’ll find quick answers to common questions here so you can decide faster.
Do you need a subscription to use the system?
No, you can use the base functions (arming/disarming and local alerts) without a subscription. However, features like 24/7 professional monitoring, cloud video storage, and Active Guard interventions require a paid plan.
Can the outdoor camera record continuously?
Continuous recording usually requires a subscription and wired power to support constant operation. Battery mode prioritizes event-triggered recordings to conserve power.
What happens during an alarm?
If you have professional monitoring, agents will attempt to contact you and can dispatch emergency services if necessary. If you don’t have monitoring, the system will still sound local alarms and send notifications to your phone.
Is the system compatible with other smart home devices?
The system works with Alexa and Google Assistant for voice controls, but it has limited compatibility with some other smart home protocols (e.g., Z‑Wave, Zigbee).
Final thoughts
If you want a no-fuss, user-friendly home security system with good outdoor camera capabilities and the option to add human-monitored response without getting locked into a contract, the SimpliSafe 10 Piece Wireless Home Security System with Outdoor Camera- Optional 24/7 Professional Monitoring – No Contract – Compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant is a solid choice. You’ll get a combination of effective sensors, a clear app experience, and an outdoor camera that can actually help prevent crimes when wired and paired with the right monitoring plan.
Next steps for you
Decide whether you prefer battery flexibility or wired reliability for the outdoor camera, choose whether you want professional monitoring, and plan sensor placement before you buy. That way, you’ll get the most out of the system as soon as you unpack it.
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.