Key takeaways
- Entry sensors: Add these where a door or window is a practical access point. They’re usually the most direct way to protect individual openings.
- Motion sensors: Useful for open rooms and circulation areas. Aim them away from windows with frequent movement outside and consider pet traffic when choosing a spot.
- Extra keypad: Helpful near another frequently used entrance or on a different floor, so household members don’t need to return to the main keypad.
- Camera: Adds visual verification or monitoring features where supported by the plan and device. Check power and Wi‑Fi requirements at the intended location.
- Environmental sensors: Options such as smoke, water, or temperature-related detection address risks that entry sensors don’t cover.
Best SimpliSafe Security Systems for Every Home
The best SimpliSafe security system for most homes is the 8-piece starter package: it gives a typical household enough entry sensors and motion coverage to protect the main doors and a shared living area, while leaving room to add devices for a garage, extra floor, or larger home. Choose a smaller package for a compact apartment, or a larger one if you already know you need coverage across several rooms and entrances.
SimpliSafe packages are starting points, not fixed-size systems. The useful comparison is how many doors and windows you need to protect, whether a motion sensor can cover an open area, and which monitoring plan—if any—fits your needs. Package names and included quantities can change, so check the current box contents before ordering.
Compare the package sizes
The table below describes common SimpliSafe package configurations. These are typical counts, not guaranteed contents for every current bundle. A base station and keypad are central components; the rest of the kit is selected to fit a home’s layout.
| Typical package size | Common included equipment | Good fit | Likely gap to plan for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5-piece | Base station, keypad, 1 entry sensor, 1 motion sensor, 1 key fob | Studio or small apartment with one main entry | Additional exterior doors and accessible windows |
| 8-piece | Base station, keypad, 3 entry sensors, 1 motion sensor, 1 key fob, plus a camera or other accessory depending on bundle | Small home or apartment with several entry points | Windows or doors beyond the three covered by entry sensors |
| 10-piece | Base station, keypad, 5 entry sensors, 1 motion sensor, 1 key fob, with remaining pieces varying by bundle | Typical two- or three-bedroom home | Separate garage, outbuilding, or distinct second-floor zone |
| 12-piece or larger | Base station, keypad, multiple entry sensors and motion sensors, with extra devices varying by bundle | Larger home with several commonly used entrances | Check that the extra devices match your layout; some may be less useful than targeted add-ons |
“Piece” counts can include the base station, keypad, or accessories, so they don’t necessarily equal the number of protected doors and windows. Count the actual sensors listed in the bundle, not just the package size.
Choose by home layout, not by the biggest bundle
| Your situation | Best starting point | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Studio or one-bedroom apartment; one main door | Small package, typically 5 pieces | One entry sensor and a well-positioned motion sensor may cover the essentials without buying sensors for inaccessible windows. |
| Two-bedroom home; front door, back door, and reachable windows | Mid-size package, typically 8–10 pieces | More entry sensors reduce the number of openings left uncovered; add sensors for the most accessible windows first. |
| Large or multi-level home with several entrances | Large package, typically 12 pieces or more | Multiple sensors make it easier to cover separate zones, but check wireless reach and plan for a motion sensor on each useful level or area. |
| Renter who may move soon | Small or mid-size package with targeted add-ons | Wireless sensors and adhesive mounting can make relocation simpler; avoid buying a bundle full of devices that won’t fit the next home. |
| House with a detached garage or outbuilding | Mid- or large-size package, after checking signal coverage | A sensor count alone won’t solve a weak connection. Test the intended location and consider a suitable repeater if needed. |
How many entry sensors do you need?
Count exterior doors and accessible ground-floor windows you want monitored. For example, a home with a front door, back door, and four reachable windows has six potential openings. A package with three entry sensors covers only half of them. You could prioritize doors and the easiest-to-reach windows, then add sensors later. This count is more useful than buying a large kit based on the home’s number of rooms.
A motion sensor can cover movement through a room, but it is not a one-for-one replacement for entry sensors. It may not detect someone who enters and stays outside its field of view, and pets, furniture, and room shape can affect placement. Use it to complement perimeter coverage, especially in a central living space or hallway.
What you can add later
SimpliSafe systems are expandable with compatible devices such as additional entry and motion sensors, cameras, keypads, sirens, and environmental sensors. Exact compatibility and available devices depend on the system generation and current product lineup, so verify that an add-on works with your base station before purchase.
- Entry sensors: Add these where a door or window is a practical access point. They’re usually the most direct way to protect individual openings.
- Motion sensors: Useful for open rooms and circulation areas. Aim them away from windows with frequent movement outside and consider pet traffic when choosing a spot.
- Extra keypad: Helpful near another frequently used entrance or on a different floor, so household members don’t need to return to the main keypad.
- Camera: Adds visual verification or monitoring features where supported by the plan and device. Check power and Wi‑Fi requirements at the intended location.
- Environmental sensors: Options such as smoke, water, or temperature-related detection address risks that entry sensors don’t cover.
Installation effort and ownership
Most SimpliSafe sensors are wireless and designed for self-installation. Setup generally means placing the base station, pairing devices through the app or keypad, then mounting sensors and testing them. A basic apartment setup is usually manageable without tools beyond what the mounting method requires; a larger home takes longer because each sensor needs a sensible location and a test.
- Map the openings first. Write down the doors and accessible windows you intend to protect. This prevents buying more motion sensors while leaving important entrances uncovered.
- Place the base station centrally. Choose a location with power and a stable connection. Avoid hiding it in a cabinet or placing it where a visitor can easily reach it.
- Pair and label sensors by location. “Back door” is more useful during an alert than a generic device name. Test each sensor after pairing.
- Mount only after testing. Confirm that a sensor communicates reliably from its planned position before securing it. Follow the current instructions for spacing and alignment.
- Check the system after changes. Test devices after moving furniture, changing Wi‑Fi equipment, or relocating the base station.
Adhesive mounts are convenient, especially for renters, but dust, rough paint, and repeated repositioning can weaken adhesion. Clean and dry the surface before installation, and use the supplied mounting method rather than improvising near a door or window that gets frequent use. Wireless devices also rely on batteries; check the app for low-battery alerts and replace batteries with the type specified by the manufacturer. Battery life varies with use and device, so treat stated figures as estimates rather than a maintenance schedule.
Which monitoring plan makes sense?
SimpliSafe offers self-monitoring and paid professional monitoring options, with plan names, features, and prices subject to change. Self-monitoring can suit someone who wants app alerts and is comfortable responding personally. Professional monitoring is more appropriate if you want a monitoring center to handle qualifying alarm events, subject to the plan’s terms, connectivity, and local emergency-service procedures.
Before choosing, compare the current plan details for camera access, video storage, cellular backup, dispatch handling, and any contract or cancellation terms. Don’t assume every feature is included with every system or plan. If the home has unreliable internet or you travel often, pay particular attention to backup connectivity and who is expected to respond when an alert arrives.
Our picks by household
- Best for a small apartment: A 5-piece package, provided it includes the entry sensor and motion coverage you need. Add sensors for accessible windows rather than buying a larger kit automatically.
- Best for most small homes: An 8-piece package. It is a sensible balance when you have a few exterior doors and want basic coverage in a central room.
- Best for a typical family home: A 10-piece package or a smaller bundle supplemented with entry sensors. Choose based on the number of openings, not the number of bedrooms.
- Best for a larger or multi-level home: A 12-piece-or-larger bundle, then add only what the floor plan requires. Check sensor communication at remote rooms and outbuildings before committing to the layout.
For most buyers, the best SimpliSafe security systems are the ones that cover the home’s real access points without paying for unused devices. Make an opening-by-opening plan, verify the exact package contents and compatibility, and select monitoring based on who can respond when you’re away.
