SimpliSafe Equipment Compatibility: How Does It Work?
SimpliSafe consistently ranks highly among our top home security systems, thanks to affordable monitoring and no contracts. SimpliSafe also sports a huge selection of proprietary security devices compared to DIY competitors like Ring Alarm.
And, although SimpliSafe has limited compatibility with third-party devices, you may already have one that plays nicely with a SimpliSafe system. For more information about SimpliSafe's professional monitoring, pricing, equipment, and customer service, check out our full SimpliSafe review.
SimpliSafe-compatible equipment in this list
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Core SimpliSafe Home Security equipment
Every SimpliSafe starter kit comes with four essential security components: a base station, keypad, motion detector, and entry sensor. Without all four devices, your system isn’t fully set to detect when intruders enter your home. Everyone with a security system should build on this foundation.
We list all the items included in each package in our SimpliSafe review.
If you sign up for the Interactive monitoring plan ($27.99/mo.), SimpliSafe gives you 10% off of all equipment purchases and a lifetime warranty on hardware.
The base station is the brain that links and controls every sensor in the security system.
It stores the backup battery that keeps your system going during power outages. It also powers the cellular connection that contacts the monitoring center if the alarm triggers.
The base station has a built-in 95 dB alarm that sounds whether or not you use professional monitoring.
SimpliSafe includes one Base Station with every package—it doesn’t sell the device on its own. You'll need to purchase a custom package, which starts around $200 and includes a Base Station and Wireless Keypad.
The keypad is a staple of security systems new and old.
If you don’t have access to the SimpliSafe app, the keypad can arm and disarm your security system.
And, because it’s separate from the base station, you’re still protected if the keypad is damaged.
Every SimpliSafe package comes with a free wireless keypad, but you can purchase an additional one for $69.99.
SimpliSafe’s motion sensor detects motion up to 30 feet away and 90° around.
It’s small enough to fit on a shelf or stick to the corner of a room. Plus, it's a pet-friendly motion detector that distinguishes between humans and pets up to 50 pounds.
Some SimpliSafe packages come with additional motion sensors, but you can add them to your existing system for $29.99 each.
The SimpliSafe entry sensor comes with a battery pre-installed and a door chime setting to tell you when someone enters or exits the house.
We recommend placing entry sensors on doors or windows, but they can also be used for medicine or liquor cabinets.
Some SimpliSafe equipment packages include multiple entry sensors. You can add one to your system for $14.99 each.
In general, the number of motion and entry sensors changes based on the starter kit.
SimpliSafe add-ons and accessories
The basic SimpliSafe system has only four devices (the base station, keypad, motion sensor, and entry sensor). Different packages come with different combinations of the products we featured above. But you can add and subtract to your package for a better fit.
Make sure you click "Shop Now," "Add on to My System," and "Expand Your SimpliSafe Gen 3" on the SimpliSafe site to see a full list of accessories.
Just like the fob on your car keys, the SimpliSafe key fob arms and disarms your security system with the touch of a button.
We recommend buying multiple fobs if you live with other adults. Each fob costs $24.99.
This siren lets out 105 dB of startling noise and can be installed either inside or outside the house.
Add a siren to your SimpliSafe kit for $59.99 each.
The SimpliSafe smoke detector sniffs out smoldering fires and sends an alert to the monitoring center as well as sounding a loud siren.
If you have the SimpliSafe app, you’ll be notified if the smoke detector sounds while you’re away.
If you have a Google Home speaker, you can integrate it and your Nest Protect smoke detector with your SimpliSafe system.
Add a smoke detector to your SimpliSafe system for $49.99 each.
SimpliSafe carbon monoxide detector
SimpliSafe's CO detector sounds the alarm when abnormal levels of carbon monoxide are detected.
Learn more about where to place these detectors in our carbon monoxide monitor guide.
Add a CO detector to your SimpliSafe system for $49.99 each.
Panic button
The panic button is a one-touch device that triggers your alarm instantly. In case of an emergency where you can’t reach your phone or call for help, this personal alarm can reach the monitoring center.
Add a panic button to your package for $19.99 each.
Temperature sensor
The temperature sensor is designed to sense freezing temperatures that could threaten your pipes.
Leave this in your basement or crawlspace to warn you when things get too chilly for safety.
Add a temperature sensor to your kit for $29.99 each.
Water sensor
Water sensors catch puddles before they become ponds.
Place the water sensor under your sink, near appliances like washing machines, or in your basement near the pipes to catch a leak or flood before it gets worse.
Add a water sensor to your SimpliSafe system for $19.99.
SimpliSafe glassbreak sensor
The SimpliSafe glassbreak sensor isn’t included in any of the security equipment packages, but you can add it to your system for $34.99 per sensor.
It’s a useful addition to any area near a window or door with glass. This small sensor is calibrated to detect the sound of smashed or broken glass. If an intruder smashes a window, for example, the sensor will sound.
Extra entry magnet
An extra window sensor magnet lets you crack the windows during nice weather but keeps your system armed.
Snag them for $4.99 each.
SimpliSafe Smart Lock
The SimpliSafe Smart Lock (about $99) is affordable compared to most smart locks but doesn't match competitors' advanced features like August's open-door detection and Yale's smart home versatility.
It's also slightly harder to add to a custom system since it doesn't show up in any starter kits or SimpliSafe's customization menu. Instead, you buy it separately, which is disappointing since the lock doesn't work without a SimpliSafe system. It's also not available to SimpliSafe UK customers.
To learn more, read our SimpliSafe smart lock review or our smart lock FAQ.
SimpliSafe cameras
The SimpliCam, SimpliSafe Outdoor Camera, and SimpliSafe Video Doorbell Pro are a great jumping-off point if you want to try SimpliSafe gear but don’t want to commit to a full-blown security system.
SimpliCam
The SimpliCam security camera (about $99) is a standalone device that you can use without other SimpliSafe equipment. It’s a fairly average device compared to other security cameras but has a few noteworthy goodies:
- Physical privacy shutter
- Motion detection alerts
- Optional cloud video storage
- Optional outdoor case (UK customers only)
Learn more from our SimpliCam review. We tested and installed one to see how well this indoor camera works with and without a SimpliSafe system.
If you have SimpliSafe's Interactive monitoring plan, you don't need a separate cloud storage subscription for the company's cameras.
SimpliSafe Video Doorbell Pro
The SimpliSafe Video Doorbell Pro (about $169) is one of the more affordable smart doorbells. But it doesn’t have the same robust night vision as competitors like Ring, Google Nest, and Arlo.
It’s also far more limited because it integrates only with SimpliSafe equipment, rather than the broad range of smart home devices that work with the competition.
We go into more details in our SimpliSafe Video Doorbell Pro review.
SimpliSafe Outdoor Camera
The SimpliSafe Outdoor Camera (about $170) is SimpliSafe's only wireless camera. The outdoor camera has 1080p HD video that's super clear, fantastic two-way audio, and 140° field of view. The night vision is well defined and it's easy to see faces in the black and white footage.
It doesn't have any additional features, though. We wish it had the option to adjust sensitivity, add privacy areas, and create multiple motion zones.
For more, check out our SimpliSafe Outdoor Camera review.
Read our guide to learn more about SimpliSafe cameras.
SimpliSafe camera accessories
Improve the range and battery life of your SimpliSafe Outdoor Camera with these accessories.
Outdoor Camera Solar Charging Panel
Image: SimpliSafe
As long as this solar panel gets at least three hours of direct sunlight each day, your SimpliSafe Outdoor Camera battery will stay charged. Without it, expect to remove and recharge the camera's battery every three to six months.
The solar charging panel costs $79.99 from SimpliSafe.
Outdoor Camera Extension Cable
Image: SimpliSafe
If your camera is set up in a shady spot where the solar panel won't work, consider this 25-foot USB power cord instead. It's rated for outdoor use but it wouldn't hurt to add extra protection with an electrical outlet cover.
It costs $49.99 and comes with cable management clips.
Extra battery for the Outdoor Camera
Image: SimpliSafe
When it's time to charge the SimpliSafe Outdoor Camera's current battery, swap in this second one for continuous power and protection.
It costs just $29.99.
Wi-Fi extender
Image: SimpliSafe
This TP-Link Wi-Fi extender plugs into a wall outlet. Use it indoors but as close as possible to your Outdoor Camera or Video Doorbell Pro to improve video feed quality in the SimpliSafe app.
The TP-Link Wi-Fi Extender costs $24.99 from SimpliSafe, which is the same as what it costs from retailers like Amazon.
SimpliSafe tech and equipment highlights
Easy setup
Depending on the amount of sensors you purchase, installing SimpliSafe equipment shouldn’t take you more than 30 minutes. The keypad walks you through installation with onscreen instructions.
And the sensors use adhesive backing to stay in place. Just peel and stick to install the wireless keypad and the door, window, and motion sensors. Installing the SimpliSafe doorbell requires a little more effort, but it's not too difficult either.
But, if you’re uneasy about installing your system yourself, SimpliSafe offers optional professional installation for an extra $99.
Pet-friendly sensors
For anyone with four-legged pals running around the house it’s important to get a pet-friendly home security system. SimpliSafe sensors have built-in technology that helps them ignore movement from pets over 50 pounds.
SimpliSafe motion sensors use unique heat signatures to tell the difference between humans and pets to make sure the alerts you get are worth your attention and cut down on false alarms.
Heartbeats
A recent development from SimpliSafe, Heartbeats are signals between all your system’s sensors and the base station. This constant communication alerts you when batteries are low, something’s been tampered with, or a sensor is out of range.
Best of all, if you've already got a SimpliSafe security system, Heartbeats is already included (as long as you keep everything updated).
We like that SimpliSafe is proactive about updating its offerings, but the only way to take advantage of those upgrades is to buy all-new products. If you’re thinking of updating an existing SimpliSafe system, contact the company to find out if any of your equipment is compatible with the latest version.
SimpliSafe compatible third-party devices
Image: Katie McEntire, SafeWise
SimpliSafe uses proprietary add-ons for its system, a unique feature for a DIY security system that comes with a trade off.
By creating its own devices, SimpliSafe reduces costs and controls the quality of the products. But that means it only supports a fraction of the third party devices competitors like ADT and Vivint can.
And while SimpliSafe’s smart home compatibility offerings are meager (no smart lights, plugs, or thermostats), the system still works with popular products like Amazon and Google smart speakers and August smart locks.
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Smart home product
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How it works with SimpliSafe
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Learn more
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 |
Arms system, checks system status |
Read our guide |
|---|---|---|
 |
Arms system, checks system status |
Read our guide |
 |
Locks based on system arming status | Read our guide |
While Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant offer limited control of SimpliSafe security systems, you can control August smart locks as part of your system.
The Alexa and Google commands are pretty limited with just two options: arming the security system and checking system status. Citing better security as a goal, SimpliSafe won’t disarm using a voice assistant, making it less useful than ADT’s option to disarm with a spoken code.
Learn more in our guide to connecting SimpliSafe to Alexa.
While SimpliSafe won’t work directly with products like your smart light bulbs, smart plugs, or smart thermostat, you can still control these devices from your smart speaker.
This means you can still have SimpliSafe and a smart home, they just won’t connect through your security system.
What about Original SimpliSafe equipment?
Image: SimpliSafe
If you have the Original SimpliSafe system, you can continue to buy these legacy accessories:
- Entry sensor
- Motion sensors
- Glassbreak sensor
- Keychain remote
- Siren
- Panic button
- Smoke detector
New "Gen 3" SimpliSafe equipment isn't compatible with the Original SimpliSafe kit, so you can't use any of the new cameras, Smart Lock, temperature sensor, or water sensor.
To get a brand-new system for half-off, log into your SimpliSafe account online and use the code ALLNEW50 at checkout. Or, call SimpliSafe customer service.
SimpliSafe compatibility FAQ
No, SimpliSafe doesn't need Wi-Fi to work, but you have to pay for the Interactive Monitoring plan (about $28 per month) to use the system's cellular connection. That's the only way SimpliSafe works without Wi-Fi since there's no ethernet port on the base station.
Unfortunately not. SimpliSafe is only compatible with Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and August locks.
No. SimpliSafe makes its own cameras and equipment, so the system only works with other SimpliSafe devices for now.
Not exactly, but you can connect your Nest products to a Google Home speaker and control them both through the smart assistant.
Read answers to more SimpliSafe FAQs.
Related articles on SafeWise
Compare the best home security systems
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Brand
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Best for
|
Lowest monitoring price
|
Starter equipment price
|
Contract required
|
Installation
|
Smart home compatibility
 |
Learn more
|
Read review
|
 |
Best overall | $29.99/mo. | $599.00 |
 No * |
Pro | Amazon, Google, Z-Wave |
View Packages | Read review |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Budget pick | $17.99/mo. | $245.00 |
No |
DIY | Amazon, Google | View Packages | Read review |
 |
Quality DIY pick | $34.99/mo. | $129.00 |
No † |
DIY | Amazon, Google, Z-Wave |
View Packages | Read review |
 |
Most experienced | $27.99/mo. | $0.00 |
 Yes |
Pro | Amazon, Google, Z-Wave |
View Packages | Read review |
 |
Best customer experience | $17.99/mo. | Quote required |
No * |
DIY | Amazon, |
View Packages | Read review |
Info current as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
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