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What is SimpliSafe?

SimpliSafe is one of several do-it-yourself home security systems on the market. The challenge with any DIY home security system, in our opinion, comes down to the customer experience. SimpliSafe’s customer support offers minimal assistance to ensure you adequately install and troubleshoot your system. While they do provide an 800-telephone number, the phone lines are unfortunately not always open.

More than half of Americans have abandoned a purchase with SimpliSafe because they had a negative service experience, and 33 percent say they’ll consider switching companies after just a single instance of poor service. We see this all too frequently with customers who purchase a DIY security system. Roughly 40 percent of people who buy one of these systems return them within one month. Why? Because they are not as simple to set up and operate as the company claims.

Wireless Interference and Other Location Issues

Wireless interference is a common problem with DIY security systems sensors. All the components of the security system—cameras, sensors, etc.—communicate with one another over a wireless connection.

However, there are also many devices in your home communicating on these same wireless frequencies:

• Your smartphone
• Bluetooth devices
• Wi-Fi
• Car alarm
• Microwave oven
• Video devices
• Even your neighbors’ devices, depending on how close your homes are to one another

It takes time and experience to know how to troubleshoot these interference issues. This kind of troubleshooting performed best by an on-site professional installer, saving customers hours of frustration. An over-the-phone agent cannot troubleshoot this kind of problem properly.

Numerous other location issues often prevent a DIY security system from working correctly as well. Garages and basements, for example, that have thick walls may present a communication challenge for DIY systems. Sensors can only be a certain distance away from the central receiver to function correctly, and sensors need to have a line-of-sight connection to the primary receiver, or they won’t work correctly. All these unplanned issues can turn what was supposed to be a simple process into a complicated mess.

Wi-Fi bandwidth issues are another common frustration with DIY home security systems. While you don’t necessarily have to connect the SimpliSafe system to Wi-Fi, even the company’s website states that the refresh time on the mobile app will be better if you use it.

However, there are many devices in your home competing for internet bandwidth. Upload and download speeds of your internet provider, the type of video signal you need to send, and the number of cameras you want on your security system can all have a massive impact on the success of your set-up and installation.

For homeowners hoping to incorporate home automation functionality along with security, SimpliSafe also isn’t the right choice.

SimpliSafe isn’t compatible with most third-party home automation systems. And while SimpliSafe can integrate with Amazon Alexa and Google Home voice automation systems, you must have an interactive monitoring plan to integrate them.

Before jumping in headfirst and purchasing a DIY home security system, it’s helpful to talk to a professional, local security company in your area.

A reputable local home security professional offers numerous home security components from a wide variety of manufacturers, and the equipment meets all NRTL (Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory) standards, offering the highest level of protection from exploitation and hacking.

The equipment your local professional has today is every bit as cool as what you see on TV—touchscreen alarm keypads, video doorbells, smart thermostats, door locks, and so much more.

Most importantly, when it comes to customer service, a local home security company has professionally trained staff with years of experience to install and service your system now and for years to come.