SimpliSafe Cameras
Info current as of 03/24/2021. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
SimpliSafe lives up to its name with easy installation and no contracts, but its indoor cam and video doorbell aren’t the best standalone cameras. And these home security cameras don’t have as many smart home features as we would like.
Still, if you’re looking for a basic camera to monitor package deliveries or to keep an eye on the kids and fur babies, then you probably won’t be disappointed by SimpliSafe’s offerings.
Installs quickly Works without a security system
No wireless options No outdoor cameras Few smart home featuresCompare SimpliSafe cameras
|
SimpliCam |
Doorbell Pro |
|
| Price | $99.00 | $169.00 |
| Video resolution | 720p HD | 1080p HD |
| Field of view | 120° | 162° |
| Power source | Wired | Wired |
| View on SimpliSafe | View on SimpliSafe | |
| Read review | Read review |
Info current as of 03/24/2021. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
SimpliSafe camera specs
All SimpliSafe cameras offer HD video and night vision. They also offer several ways to store your videos, which is great if you want to keep your videos a little longer.
We love that these home security cameras are DIY-friendly. If you’ve ever used an app and screwdriver, you’re more than qualified to install and use these home security cameras.
Features
Since SimpliSafe cameras have pretty basic features and limited smart home integration, they work best when added to an existing SimpliSafe system.
All of SimpliSafe’s cameras have these features:
- HD video quality
- Night vision
- Mobile app that alerts you when the camera detects motion
In the SimpliSafe app, you can see what triggered the camera, stored videos, and even talk to the person on the other side of your camera with the two-way talk feature.
SimpliSafe cameras don’t record 24/7. The video footage is limited to short clips recorded when motion is detected. We like this because it means you don’t have to wade through hours of footage to find an event.
If you want your camera to make friends with other smart devices in your home, SimpliSafe cameras work with Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, and IFTTT. You can use voice commands to arm your SimpliSafe home security system and check the system’s status.
These security cameras are a great addition if you already have a SimpliSafe home security system. When the alarm on your system is triggered, the SimpliSafe reps at the monitoring center can use your camera to check if the security system was set off by an actual threat or by accident.
Storage
SimpliSafe cameras don’t have local storage, unlike competitors like the Eufy Video Doorbell or the Wyze Pan Cam. If you want to save a video, you’ll need to spring for a cloud storage subscription.
Storage is pretty inexpensive, so it won’t stretch your budget. Pricing starts at $4.99 per month for one camera. If you plan on adding more cameras, the unlimited camera package is just $9.99 per month. No matter which package you choose, videos are stored for 30 days in the cloud.
If you have a SimpliSafe home security system, we recommend getting the Interactive
Monitoring package for $24.99 per month. You’ll get professional monitoring and unlimited recording storage for up to 30 days.
You don’t need storage for your home security camera, but it comes in handy. Say, for example, you use the SimpliSafe Video Doorbell Pro and it captures someone stealing a package off of your porch. Saving that video will be vital for helping law enforcement track down the thief.
Power supply
While many home security cameras are battery- or solar-powered, SimpliSafe cameras are wired. SimpliCam has a power cord while the video doorbell is connected to your home’s electrical system.
Wired cameras have their pros and cons. You’ll never need to change or charge the camera’s batteries. But adding one more cord to hog precious outlets isn’t ideal.
And, if you don’t already have doorbell wiring, you’ll need to bring in an electrician to connect the doorbell camera. That kind of nixes the whole DIY ease the SimpliSafe Video Doorbell Pro offers.
SimpliSafe security camera reviews
Now that you know a little about SimpliSafe cameras overall, let's dive into the specifics of each camera to see how they can fit into your home.
SimpliCam: Simply basic
SimpliCam is an indoor camera that lacks a lot when compared to other cameras on the market. For example, its video resolution is just 720p when other cameras feature 1080p, and its 120° field of view is narrow compared to the 160° field of view many cameras offer. And, though it comes with night vision, you may find that people are hard to identify in videos after dark.
While this SimpliCam isn’t the best home security camera, it does have one stand-out feature: its steel privacy shutter. You can use the SimpliSafe app to close the shutter when you don’t want the camera filming.
If you need an outdoor camera, SimpliCam has an outdoor kit for $19.99 that morphs this indoor camera into a weather-resistant camera. With the kit, SimpliCam can work through rain and snow. This SimpliSafe camera operating temperature is -4 to 114º F, too, as long as you’re using the SimpliSafe Outdoor Camera Kit.
You can learn more in our SimpliCam review.
SimpliSafe Video Doorbell Pro: Affordable but ordinary
While the SimpliSafe Video Doorbell Pro doesn’t have any extraordinary features, it's comparable to other doorbell cameras in its price range.
This video doorbell has adjustable activity zones. So you can set it to detect motion on your porch, if you like, or it can keep watch all the way to the sidewalk. The video doorbell’s AI can tell the difference between a human and a pet, limiting motion notifications that are sent to your phone too.
The video quality is right on par with what we’d expect from a decent video doorbell camera. With 1080p HD resolution and a 162º field of view, you’ll be able to see that package you ordered or a stranger at your door.
You can learn more in our SimpliSafe Video Doorbell Pro review.
SimpliSafe contracts and warranties
Not a fan of commitment? SimpliSafe doesn’t make you sign any contracts. Even better, you can return equipment for up to 60 days and get a full refund. Beyond that, equipment is warrantied for three years from the original order date.
SimpliSafe customer service and support
The SimpliSafe customer support line is open from 8 a.m. to midnight (EST), seven days a week. Or you can send Support an email with this contact form. You can also find answers to your questions at SimpliSafe’s user-friendly Help Center.
If you still have questions, or just want to talk to other SimpliSafe customers, you’ll find the SimpliSafe forum super handy.
Here’s a more in-depth look at SimpliSafe’s customer support.
Final word
SimpliSafe may not have many bells and whistles, but its cameras are easy to use and install. If you already have a SimpliSafe home security system, adding on a SimpliCam or SimpliSafe Video Doorbell Pro will lend a huge security boost.
If you don’t have a SimpliSafe home security system, we don’t recommend their security cameras. Check out our picks for the best home security cameras of the year to find an awesome camera that fits your needs.
SimpliSafe FAQ
No. You’ll need to set it on a table or shelf.
No, they record short clips of video when motion is detected.
Only SimpliSafe cameras work with SimpliSafe home security systems. You can learn more about SimpliSafe compatibility in our guide.
Yes. They send information through Wi-Fi, which makes them IP cameras.
Press and hold the reset button for 20 seconds.
On the SimpliCam, when the blue light flashes, that means the camera is recording. If the blue light isn't flashing, that means the camera is on stand-by. A blinking red light means the camera can't connect to Wi-Fi and a yellow flashing light means that the camera can't connect to the SimpliSafe’s servers.
No. To make it weather resistant your SimpliCam will need an Outdoor Kit.
It may be too far away from your Wi-Fi router. Try moving it closer.
How we reviewed SimpliSafe cameras
We have tested all of the SimpliSafe cameras, so we used what we learned about each camera when we compiled this page. We focused on how well the cameras worked in real-world situations and how the features stacked up when compared with other cameras on the market.
Learn more about how we review products by reading our testing methodology.
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Info current as of 03/24/2021. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
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