Whether you have a long winding driveway or a short road leading to your garage, driveway sensors—like our top pick, Guardline—are a smart way to monitor vehicles entering and exiting your property. These devices are easy to install and fit a range of budgets for long and short driveways.
Take a look through the different sensors and their effective ranges, and think about the geographic features around your home. Heavy foliage and hills may reduce those ranges, so figure out which sensor would work best for your home—and never be surprised by a visitor again.
Best wireless driveway sensors
- : Best overall
- : Best long range driveway alarm
- : Budget pick
- : Best sensor range
- : Best solar driveway alarm
Compare the best driveway alarm sensors
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Sensor range
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Receiver range
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| Best overall |
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$209.99 | 40 ft. | 1,320 ft. | Up to 16 | View on Amazon | Read Review |
| Best value |
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$61.80 | 30 ft. | 2,640 ft. | Up to 4 | View on Amazon | Read Review |
| Budget pick |
 1byone |
$25.99 | 24 ft. | 1,000 ft. | Up to 5 | View on Amazon | Read Review |
| Best sensor range |
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$129.95 | 50 ft. | 500 ft. | Up to 12 | View on Amazon | Read Review |
| Best solar driveway alarm |
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$151.59 | 12 ft. | 1,000 ft. | Up to 4 | View on Amazon | Read Review |
Amazon.com list price as of 08/24/2021 at 11:41 a.m. (MT). Read full disclaimer.
Driveway alarm systems consist of two main parts: a sensor and a receiver. You can use driveway sensors as standalone units or as part of a larger security system. These units can provide reassurance for people who live in homes with long driveways—you’ll know when someone is coming down your driveway before they suddenly appear in your yard.
The downside to driveway sensors is that they are prone to false alarms. Squirrels and larger animals can trigger the sensors, leading to hassle you may not want to deal with.
See also:
Best wireless driveway alarm reviews
1. Guardline: Best overall
Amazon.com list price as of 08/24/2021 at 11:41 a.m. (MT). Read full disclaimer.
The Guardline Wireless Driveway Alarm allows for a quarter mile between the sensor and the receiver, although heavy foliage and thick walls will reduce this distance. The sensors can withstand all types of weather and work without interference, and the receivers come with a battery backup as well as a 12-volt relay to link them to additional external alarms.
Guardline claims two years of testing went into each product, and the reviews seem to back that up. With over 1,000 reviews on Amazon, the Guardline earns consistently high ratings—an impressive track record, no matter the product.
Customizable tones for each sensor Up to 16 sensors Lifetime warranty
Limited range False alarmsThe Guardline driveway alarm comes with more than 30 customizable alert sounds and can be expanded to include multiple sensors—up to 16, or four zones with four sensors and one receiver per zone. You can pair specific sounds with specific sensors so you’ll always know where the motion is without looking.
2. Chamberlain: Best long range driveway alarm
Amazon.com list price as of 08/24/2021 at 11:41 a.m. (MT). Read full disclaimer.
The Chamberlain base system comes with a single sensor and receiver. You can add up to three more sensors later, but you must purchase them separately. When someone (or something) breaks the sensor’s line, the receiver sets off an alert with both light and sound.
The sensor detects motion up to 30 feet in front of it and will reach a receiver up to a half-mile away. However, it needs line of sight to function properly. The receiver uses AA batteries or an AC adapter, allowing you to carry it with you into the yard.
Large receiver range Affordable
Fragile equipmentChamberlain is one of the better-known driveway alarm companies out there. As far as features go, the Chamberlain is rather barebones. But it's also the most affordable brand on our list so that makes it a great pick for folks on budget.
3. 1byone: Budget pick
Amazon.com list price as of 08/24/2021 at 11:41 a.m. (MT). Read full disclaimer.
The 1byone wireless driveway alarm system starts at around $26 for the receiver and one sensor. Additional sensors can be purchased for about $16 each. You can pair up to five sensors with one receiver.
Despite its low price, the 1byone has a decent range for its receiver (1,000 feet) and sensors (24 feet), which should be more than enough for a suburban home.
Three alert options Plug-and-play installation Passive infrared sensor 36 chime options Chimes from 25 to 80 dB
Looks obvious Relatively low rangeIf you want a hidden driveway motion sensor, keep looking. This one looks pretty obvious. But we do like the customizable chimes and the option to have visual alerts, audio alerts, or a combination of the two. The fact that the speaker can reach 80 dB makes this a good option for people with limited hearing.
4. Rodann Electronics: Best sensor range
Amazon.com list price as of 08/24/2021 at 11:41 a.m. (MT). Read full disclaimer.
The Rodann Electrics unit is composed of a sensor and a receiver that sends out a sound when triggered. The unit is small and unobtrusive, and runs on two AA batteries. The receiver has no battery backup and relies on a 12-volt power supply to operate. The receiver also has an LED display that shows how many times the sensor has been activated.
The downside to this device is the cost. The Rodann starts around $130, but for so few features it seems the price should be lower. The unit has solid reviews from its customers, but there are other less-expensive options that provide far more features and reliability.
Sensor range up to 50 ft. Simple setup LED trigger counter
Steep price tagThe receiver range of Rodann driveway alert system is limited (up to 500 feet), but the sensor can detect objects up to 50 feet away from the sensor. It's the best sensor range on our, though the shorter receiver range keeps it confined to smaller properties.
5. Safety Technology: Best solar driveway alarm
Amazon.com list price as of 08/24/2021 at 11:41 a.m. (MT). Read full disclaimer.
The Safety Technology sensor can be as far as 1,000 feet from the receiver, but it has a maximum detection range of only 12 feet. What this sensor does right is ignore shadows, animals, and people.
The driveway monitor will be triggered, in theory, only by passing cars. It uses a magnetic sensor to detect passing vehicles, and the sensor itself is powered by a solar panel—so there’s no need to change batteries in it. However, the cost is a bit steep at around $150.
Easy to install Tailored to sense vehicles Designed to blend in
Limited sensing rangeThe Safety Technology driveway monitor is sneaky in that it looks like a solar driveway light more than an alarm. The installation doesn’t require any wiring, which makes it much easier to set up than other driveway alarms on our list.
Final word
Even though Guardline isn't the most affordable driveway alarm sensor, it includes a lot of thoughtful features like unique alarm tones, a long wireless range, and support for up to 16 sensors.
When paired with other outdoor security equipment like security lights, outdoor cameras, and other motion sensors, driveway sensors can keep you aware of what's happening at your home whether you're there or not.
Driveway sensor FAQ
Driveway sensors use similar technology that of other motion sensors.
- An infrared beam senses movement with heat and is more common in trail cams and outdoor sensors. Sometimes this is called a passive infrared or PIR sensor.
- A magnetic probe only senses metal, making it less prone to false alarms triggered by pets or kids playing in the driveway. However, a magnetic probe motion detector is expensive.
- A rubber hose sensor looks like those at a professional garage or drive-thru. When a car or heavy vehicle drives over the hose, the sensor triggers.
- Photo beam sensors use light. When an object blocks the sensors, you’ll get an alert from the sensor.
Yes, it depends on the sensor type, but driveway sensors can pick up activities from people or animals. If you’re concerned about home invaders, package thiefs, or other threats, installing a security camera in tandem with your driveway sensor.
It depends on your driveway. If your home borders a busy road, it’s best to move the sensor closer to your home to avoid false alarms from traffic. Sensors for longer driveways may be best halfway between your home and the beginning of your driveway.
Quick example
If you live in a rural area, you may have a driveway that looks more like a road than a private path. Putting a driveway sensor right at the front would result in too many alarms; after all, people often get lost and use driveways to turn around.
But if you put a driveway sensor about halfway down your drive, you’ll know when someone is coming to your home.
Driveway sensors do little more than let you know someone is approaching your home. However, this serves as the first line of defense in your home security system. Many driveway sensors can be connected to other devices, and from there they can be linked into your security system as a whole.
Imagine if someone triggers your driveway sensor, which in turn activates your outdoor security camera. It would begin recording long before that person ever stepped within range.
Ring sells an outdoor motion sensor that can work like a driveway sensor. It detects motion 15 feet away.
No, SimpliSafe does not sell a driveway alarm. SimpliSafe motion detectors aren't waterproof, so they're for indoor use only.
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