5 Best Perimeter Alarms for Home Security

For most of us, home is where we feel the safest. But do you know that a lot of crimes such as intrusion can also happen at home? Every year, millions of homes have been burglarized because homeowners often feel complacent when it comes to securing their homes and properties. In fact, the FBI has reported that most homes without any security systems installed are likely going to become the next target of burglars. If you want to take your home security to the next level, then you should consider installing perimeter alarms. These alarms can help you monitor and catch an intruder before they can even reach your house’s main door.

In this post, we will put all the details you need to know about perimeter alarms and the top 5 best perimeter alarms in the market today.

Perimeter alarm - what is it and why do you need it?

A perimeter alarm is a device with built-in sensors that trigger an alarm when movements within the surroundings are detected. It is often integrated with other home security devices to help you automate and monitor your properties remotely. With perimeter alarms installed, you can easily detect any intruders and prevent crimes such as break-ins, vandalism, burglary, and other possible crimes within your property.

So now you know how important a parameter alarm is. Imagine when you have a long driveway within your property. Without a perimeter alarm, you wouldn’t be aware of what’s going on around your home. But with a perimeter alarm system installed at your front gate, you can easily monitor and receive alerts through your mobile phone. System cameras with motion sensors will help you keep an eye on your property via a live feed. So whenever a suspicious individual suddenly hops on your front gate, you can immediately take action before he can reach your front door. You can turn the siren on to scare the intruder away and call the authorities.

As you can see, having a perimeter alarm gives you an advantage over burglars and peace of mind, even while you’re away from home. You can even integrate your perimeter alarm with your existing home security system to beef up your security and protect your loved ones from intrusion.

Factors to consider when choosing a perimeter alarm

The market today has a lot to offer when it comes to perimeter alarms. This can be overwhelming especially if you do not know which alarm best suits your needs. So we have summarized below some of the basic factors you need to consider:

Weather Proof

Perimeter alarms should be highly resistant to extreme weather conditions to stay functional. So even during heavy rains or snow, you can still keep an eye on your driveway or property and have peace of mind.

Accurate detection

Low-quality sensors can falsely trigger an alarm to strong wind, a car passing by, or a dog running around your yard. You don’t want to receive this kind of alert. Make sure that you choose a device with a highly calibrated sensor with good range and sensitivity so that false alarms can be prevented.

Installation

As much as possible, you want your devices to be easily installed without the need for a lot of wires or drilling. Most perimeter alarms today can be easily installed without the need of a professional - simply place the device in an area you want to monitor and plug into the nearest standard outlet.

Range of transmission

The best driveway or perimeter alarm should have a long-range (1000 feet transmission range is highly recommended) so you can detect an intruder accurately especially if you have a large property. If the transmission range of your device is shorter, then you might miss an alarm in case someone enters your property.

Types of Perimeter Alarms

The perimeter alarms you can find in the market varies depending on the type of sensors being used. Before you can decide which perimeter alarm will work best to protect your property, it is essential to know first the type of alarms available. We have summarized the most common types below:

Microwave barrier perimeter alarms

Microwave barrier perimeter alarms are one of the easiest devices you can install outdoors. These alarms generate microwave beams that trigger an alarm when someone crosses over it. So whenever someone walks, crawls, or runs through the detection zone, the devices will detect changes in the field, send the signal to a receiver, and turn the alarm on to warn you. Microwave barriers are excellent for outdoor installation because they are highly resistant to extreme weather conditions such as fog, rain, wind, and snow. It is also more precise when it comes to detecting targets and preventing unwanted alarms.

Buried motion sensors

Motion sensors buried within your property can also be an excellent option to detect intrusion. When placed underground, these sensors can detect motion through changes in the electromagnetic field and trigger an alarm. The advantage of buried sensors is that they remain invisible in your protected areas - anyone cannot simply notice or dig up your devices because only you, the owner, knows where the sensors are located.

Perimeter alarm with fence detection

Fence detection alarms use vibration sensors to detect motion within your property. The good thing about fence detection alarms is that intruders can be detected before they can even cross a wall where the sensors are installed. So if you use this type of alarm to monitor the perimeter of your home, you can deter a burglar before it can even enter your property.

Advantages of installing a perimeter alarm at home

Perimeter alarms can cover a large area through the built-in motion sensors installed in the devices. Most of the alarms available today offer high-precision so you can prevent unwanted alarms such as dogs passing by or strong winds which can falsely trigger an alarm. And most of all, these devices are passive. You can monitor your property and take action immediately without risking any lives.

If you have a large property or long driveway, then having a perimeter alarm system installed in your home would offer you an edge against break-ins.

5 Best Perimeter Alarms

Protecting your driveway is your first layer of security before anyone can reach the vicinity of your home. We highly recommend choosing the right perimeter alarms to ensure that your security system will never fail you. We have summarized below the best driveway and perimeter alarms based on the reviews:

Dakota Alert BBA-2500

Dakota Alert Long Range Driveway Alarm Motion Detector -...
  • LONG RANGE COVERAGE: The 1-mile wireless range of this driveway alert system is much greater than other...
  • CUSTOMIZABLE SOUND LEVELS: Choose from four different volume levels to get the perfect sound level for...
  • EASY INSTALLATION: The code-learning technology of this alert system makes it quick and easy to set up....

HTZSAFE Long Range Solar Wireless Perimeter Alarm System

HTZSAFE Solar Wireless Driveway Alarm System-1/2 Mile Long...
  • Solar Wireless Outdoor Weatherproof Security Photoelectric Beam Sensor
  • Battery Powered And Solar Charged(Requires No Wiring)
  • Infrared Detection Range Up To 300 feet, Wireless Transmission Range Up To 1/2 mile

Rating: 4.1/5

Pros:

  • Highly accurate break beam sensors
  • High transmission range of up to 2600 ft.
  • Composed of infrared beams which are completely wireless
  • Completely solar powered

Cons:

  • Sometimes, the beam sensors won’t connect according to customer reviews
  • No electrical backup during the winter season
  • Large external mounting accessory

The Dakota Alert BBA-2500 is one of the best alarm systems you might want to consider if you’re looking for longer range and completely wireless set-up. The device is composed of infrared beam sensors that trigger an alarm when a person, car, or large animal breaks the beam. It is less prone to false alarms triggered by strong winds, falling leaves, and smaller animals passing by. With this feature, it is therefore important that you plan really well the ideal place to set up the alarm - mount the device on the area where you want to be monitored without being falsely triggered by passing cars or people.

Another important feature that sets the Dakota Alert device from other competitor brands is the long range. If you have a large property or long driveway, then this alarm is perfect since it can cover up to 2600 feet. And it’s completely wireless - no need to dig holes into your yard to run any wires. However, it only relies on solar power which can be both an advantage and a disadvantage. The good side of this is that you don’t need to connect it to an electrical outlet to make it functional. The bad side, however, is that you may not be able to keep it powered during winter or rainy seasons where there is no sun.

Rating: 4.3/5

Pros:

  • Long transmission range up to 2600 feet
  • Can cover up to four wireless zones
  • Waterproof

Cons:

  • Bulky in size

Another powerful, long-range driveway alarm system is the HTZSAFE Long Range Alarm System. This solar-powered device comes with two large solar panels which makes it completely wireless. The sensor also has a detection range of up to 300 feet and a transmission range of 2600 feet. You should find this feature appealing if you’re looking for a perimeter alarm that offers wide-reaching protection.

It also comes with four wireless zones which will help you narrow down an area you want to monitor during an alarm. The indoor unit has a clear display while the outdoor sensors are weatherproof and waterproof to ensure that you still get the protection at any season. However, you might find the devices too large when placed on your front gate, making it an easy target for thieves.

Guardline Wireless Driveway Alarm

Guardline 1320 Foot Long Range Wireless Driveway Alarm [1...
  • Security - Feel a sense of safety around your home with our weatherproof perimeter alarm set. It's...
  • Easy to Install - No need to call in an expensive technician for this home security system. Our outdoor...
  • Long Range - With 1 motion sensor and 1 receiver, each driveway sensor also has a wireless range of up to...

Rating: 4.4/5

Pros:

  • Customizable alert tones for each sensor
  • Can be expanded up to 16 sensors
  • Comes with battery backup
  • Lifetime warranty

Cons:

  • Device is prone to false alarm
  • Transmission range is limited

If you think assigning different alert tones to different sensors sounds cool, then you might like this feature of Guardline. Since Guardline can be expanded up to 16 sensors, or cover up to four different zones with four sensors each, assigning different tones will help you which specific zone the alarm comes from. This is very convenient if you have a large property to monitor.

The device is designed to withstand any weather conditions to help you stay protected anytime. It also comes with a battery backup and a 12 Volts relay so that you can easily link it with other alarm devices.

However, do take note that Guardline can only reach a quarter-mile, and any thick walls in between can further reduce this transmission range. So if you have a long driveway or larger area to monitor, then you should consider other alarm devices with longer range.

Hosmart HY757 Perimeter Alarm

eMACROS Pro 3 Driveway Alarm with Phone App-1/2 Mile Long...
  • 😊Hi! Please Check the INSTALL VIDEO behind the main pictures when you receiver the product!The...
  • [Never miss a moment] -Stay informed with your driveway alarm system. You will receive instant push...
  • [Eco-Friendly Solution for a Greener Future]- Our driveway alarm features a solar-powered design with a...

Rating: 4.5/5

Pros:

  • Sensitivity and detection distance is adjustable
  • Comes with a rechargeable lithium-ion battery
  • Expandable up to four sensors

Cons:

  • Prone to false alarms
  • Some users reported poor customer service

If you’re tech-savvy looking for convenience, reliability, and budget-friendly devices, then the Hosmart is the better deal. The alarm device can reach up to half a mile (or about 1500 feet) and can be expanded up to four sensors. It also comes with a swivel mount so that you can adjust the focus and detection angle of your sensors. So whether you have a smaller area or a larger property to monitor, the Hosmart perimeter alarm can be adjusted to meet your needs.

Driveway Informer DI2000S-GA

Driveway Informer Wireless Driveway Alarm-USA Made Driveway...
  • FINALLY A DRIVEWAY ALERT SYSTEM THAT’S MADE IN THE USA: Have you been looking for a driveway alarm...
  • 1000 ft LONG RANGE DRIVEWAY ALERT with LONG LASTING BATTERY LIFE. Made from DURABLE, ALL WEATHER...
  • REST ASSURED WITH A HIGHLY RELIABLE MULTIPURPOSE ALARM: Forget about your old alarm systems that failed...

Range: 4.4/5

Pros:

  • Weatherproof
  • Sensors are expandable
  • Easy to install
  • Includes mounting bracket and screws
  • Transmission range can reach up to 1000 feet

Cons:

  • Doesn’t include an off and on switch
  • Some users report false triggers

The Driveway Informer is the best bet for those who are looking for easy-to-install alarm devices and great customer service. Apart from the weatherproof sensors, you can protect an average to larger size properties with its 1000-feet transmission range. It also comes with a battery that can run for a longer time. Using a control knob, you can adjust the alarm sound to a desired volume and check the settings through an LCD display. You don’t need a professional to help you set up the devices - it comes with an easy-to-follow manual to install the wireless perimeter alarm without any fuss.

Conclusion

Perimeter alarms are extremely helpful to protect your home and properties from intrusion. In this post, we have summarized what you need to know about perimeter alarms, why they are important, and the best perimeter alarms available today.

We hope you found this article helpful. If you do, please don’t forget to share this with your friends and family!

Last update on 2024-06-02 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API