I remember the moment the illusion of perfect security shattered. My sister was visiting and, unfamiliar with the disarm sequence, triggered our SimpliSafe system. A polite, but decidedly quiet, series of beeps emanated from the base station in the living room. I was in my home office, just one room over with the door closed, and it took me a solid minute to even register the sound. My first thought wasn’t “Intruder!” but “What’s that faint beeping?” That’s a terrifying realization. An alarm that doesn’t immediately command attention and instill a sense of urgency is failing at its most fundamental job: creating a deterrent. An intruder isn’t going to be scared off by a sound they can barely hear over their own footsteps. This incident sent me on a mission to find a solution, because a quiet alarm offers a false sense of security, which is arguably more dangerous than no security at all. This led me directly to the SimpliSafe 105dB Auxiliary Siren, an accessory designed to solve this exact problem.
- Auxiliary siren - Scare off trouble and alert the neighborhood and emergency responders with this...
- Loud 105dB siren - Stop intruders in their tracks.
What to Consider Before Expanding Your Home Security System
An auxiliary siren is more than just a noisemaker; it’s a critical component that amplifies your security system’s ability to deter, alert, and protect. It transforms a passive monitoring system into an active, aggressive deterrent. The primary benefit is creating an environment so loud and chaotic that an intruder’s immediate instinct is to flee, rather than continue their search for valuables. It also serves the crucial function of alerting neighbors and passersby that something is wrong, effectively deputizing the entire neighborhood as a secondary alert network. The piercing sound ensures that even the deepest sleepers in the house are jolted awake, providing precious seconds to react, secure themselves, and await help.
The ideal customer for this type of product is an existing SimpliSafe Gen 3 user who lives in a multi-story home, a larger property, or simply recognizes the inherent quietness of the main base station. It’s for the homeowner who wants to ensure an alarm is heard in the garage, the basement, or an upstairs bedroom with the door closed. However, it might not be suitable for those living in very small apartments or condos where the base station’s volume is already sufficient, or for individuals using a different security ecosystem like Ring or ADT, as this device is exclusively compatible with SimpliSafe. For those not yet committed to an ecosystem, exploring complete security packages is a better starting point.
Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:
- Dimensions & Space: The SimpliSafe 105dB Auxiliary Siren measures 3.1″ x 1.13″ x 5″, making it compact enough to be mounted discreetly. Consider where you’ll place it for maximum impact. High-traffic areas like hallways, entryways, or even sheltered outdoor locations like under a porch eave are ideal. Its unobtrusive white design helps it blend in with most home decors, avoiding the look of bulky, industrial security hardware.
- Performance & Compatibility: The key metric here is the 105-decibel output, a sound level comparable to a loud rock concert. This is the siren’s entire reason for being. Critically, you must confirm you have a SimpliSafe Gen 3 system, as it is not backward compatible with older generations nor does it work with other brands. Its wireless range of up to 1000 feet from the base station provides immense placement flexibility throughout your property. For those who want to see how this accessory fits into the broader ecosystem, you can explore its full specifications and compatibility details here.
- Materials & Durability: Constructed from a durable white plastic, the siren is designed to be weather-resistant, not weatherproof. This means it’s perfectly suited for indoor use or in sheltered outdoor areas protected from direct rain and snow. The build quality feels solid and in line with other SimpliSafe components, designed for longevity under normal operating conditions.
- Ease of Use & Maintenance: True to the SimpliSafe brand, setup is managed entirely through the app and takes mere minutes. Maintenance is minimal, primarily involving battery replacement. It’s powered by 4 AA batteries (included), and while most users experience long battery life, this is a long-term cost and maintenance point to consider. Checking battery status periodically in the app is a good practice to ensure it’s always ready.
Understanding these factors ensures you’re not just buying a product, but a genuine enhancement to your family’s safety and peace of mind.
While the SimpliSafe 105dB Auxiliary Siren is an excellent choice for current users, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models and complete security ecosystems, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:
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First Impressions: Unboxing and Integrating the Siren
The arrival of the SimpliSafe 105dB Auxiliary Siren was an exercise in simplicity. The packaging is clean and minimal, containing the siren itself, a set of four AA batteries, mounting screws with drywall anchors, and extra peel-and-stick adhesive strips. There’s no clutter, no unnecessary manuals—just the essentials. The device itself feels sturdy and well-made. Its sleek, white, rectangular design is consistent with the rest of the SimpliSafe product line, allowing it to blend seamlessly into the home. It’s surprisingly lightweight at just under 10 ounces, which inspires confidence in the adhesive mounting option for those who prefer not to drill holes.
Compared to the all-in-one design of many security base stations, this dedicated siren feels purposeful. Its size and shape are dictated by one thing: housing a speaker capable of producing an ear-splitting sound. There are no unnecessary buttons or lights, just a clean front grille and the battery compartment on the back. The setup, which we’ll detail later, was astonishingly fast. From opening the box to having a fully functional, wall-mounted siren took less than five minutes. It immediately felt like a professional-grade upgrade, and you can check the latest price and availability for what we consider an essential security component.
Key Benefits
- Extremely loud 105dB output effectively deters intruders
- Simple, app-guided setup takes only a few minutes
- Flexible indoor and sheltered outdoor mounting options
- Completely wireless design for easy placement anywhere
- Extends alarm and chime sounds to all corners of a home
Potential Drawbacks
- Exclusively compatible with SimpliSafe Gen 3 systems
- Battery-powered design raises concerns about long-term reliability for some users
Performance Deep Dive: Putting the SimpliSafe Siren to the Test
A security component’s value is measured by its performance in a critical moment. For the SimpliSafe 105dB Auxiliary Siren, that moment is when the alarm is triggered. We put this device through its paces, focusing on what matters most: its sound output, ease of integration, placement versatility, and long-term reliability. Our findings confirm that this isn’t just an accessory; for many homeowners, it’s a necessity.
The 105-Decibel Difference: From Quiet Beep to Unmistakable Alert
Let’s be perfectly clear: 105 decibels is painfully loud. It’s the kind of sound that you feel in your bones. It’s not a beep or a chime; it is a full-throated, piercing shriek designed to cause panic and disorientation. After my initial experience with the quiet base station, testing this siren was a revelation. We placed it in the upstairs hallway and triggered the alarm from downstairs. The effect was instantaneous and overwhelming. There was no “What’s that sound?” moment. It was an immediate, adrenaline-spiking realization that the alarm was going off. This is the psychological warfare you want in a security system. An intruder’s goal is to be quiet and unnoticed. The SimpliSafe 105dB Auxiliary Siren makes that impossible.
This experience is echoed by countless users. One homeowner noted, after a family member accidentally set off their system, “The base unit alarm definitely isn’t loud enough to scare someone away… I tested [the auxiliary siren], and it is extremely loud. This will send the bad guys straight back out the door.” This is the core value proposition. Another user who installed two sirens stated, “…when they both go off it’s loud… if somebody breaks in they’re not going to stick around.” This isn’t just about alerting you; it’s about creating an environment so hostile that a criminal will abandon their plans. The sound is sharp and impossible to ignore, ensuring that it cuts through the noise of daily life and, most importantly, rouses you from the deepest sleep.
Installation and Setup: A Truly “Simple” Process
SimpliSafe built its brand on user-friendly, DIY security, and the auxiliary siren is a testament to that philosophy. The entire setup process is handled through the SimpliSafe app and is brilliantly straightforward. After pulling the battery tab on the siren, we opened the app, navigated to “Add Device,” selected “Siren,” and pressed the pairing button on the back of the unit. The base station instantly recognized it, and within seconds, it was added to our system. The app then allows you to name the device (e.g., “Upstairs Siren” or “Garage Siren”) for easy identification.
Mounting is equally painless. For our test, we opted for the pre-applied peel-and-stick adhesive strips. We cleaned a section of the wall in our upstairs hallway with an alcohol wipe, let it dry, then pressed the siren firmly in place for 30 seconds. It formed a remarkably strong bond, more than adequate to hold the lightweight device. For those wanting a more permanent solution or mounting on a textured surface, the included screws and drywall anchors are the better choice. The entire process, from unboxing to having a live siren on the wall, took less than five minutes. This ease of installation is a major plus, as confirmed by one user who stated it was “Easy to install” and a “happy… add on.” It removes any barrier to upgrading your system’s audible alert capabilities.
Design and Placement Versatility: Sound Where You Need It Most
The siren’s compact, wireless design is one of its greatest strengths. Without the constraint of wires, you can place it strategically for maximum acoustic coverage. We found this particularly valuable in our multi-story test home. As one user living in a townhome pointed out, “…it’s pretty hard to hear the door chime or the alarm itself when you’re upstairs with the door closed.” They solved this by placing the siren right outside their bedroom door. This is a perfect use case. The SimpliSafe 105dB Auxiliary Siren effectively bridges the audio gap created by distance, doors, and different floors.
Its weather-resistant rating adds another layer of versatility. While we wouldn’t mount it in direct rainfall, it’s perfectly suitable for a covered porch, a garage, or under a patio eave. Placing a siren outdoors not only alerts your family but instantly notifies your entire neighborhood of a problem, increasing the chances of a witness or a call to law enforcement. During our testing, we temporarily placed it on our covered back porch. Triggering the alarm made it clear that anyone within a block would be aware something was amiss. The device also replicates the system’s chimes when doors or windows are opened, which is a fantastic feature. Placing it near a bedroom means you’ll hear the gentle chime of the front door opening at night, adding another layer of ambient awareness to your security. This versatility is a feature that really sets it apart in creating a comprehensive alert system.
The Battery Conundrum: Power, Performance, and Potential Pitfalls
The siren operates on four standard AA alkaline batteries, which offers incredible placement freedom but also introduces the potential for maintenance and failure. In our testing period, the batteries held up perfectly, and the SimpliSafe app provides a clear indicator of their remaining life. For most users, batteries will likely last a year or more under normal conditions. However, it’s irresponsible not to address the concerns raised by a small subset of users. One reviewer had a frustrating experience, stating, “One of them has issue on weekly basis. I have to take out the batteries, and put them back to reset the faulty ‘offline’ error. The battery of a faulty unit requires recharge so often (weekly).”
This highlights a critical point: as with any electronic device, manufacturing defects can occur. While this experience appears to be an outlier, it underscores the importance of checking the device’s status in the app periodically. The user’s suggestion for an AC power option is valid, as it would eliminate battery concerns entirely, though it would sacrifice the placement flexibility that makes the device so appealing. Our expert take is that the battery-powered design is a net positive, but buyers should be aware of the possibility of receiving a faulty unit and be prepared to utilize the one-year manufacturer warranty if they experience abnormal battery drain or connectivity issues.
What Other Users Are Saying
The consensus among users is overwhelmingly positive, with most considering the SimpliSafe 105dB Auxiliary Siren an essential, almost mandatory, addition to their security system. The most frequently praised feature is its sheer volume. Phrases like “extremely loud,” “scare away any intruders,” and “wake the neighbors” are common, confirming our own testing experience. Many share stories similar to our own, where the quietness of the base station was a source of anxiety that this siren completely resolved. The simplicity of installation is another major point of satisfaction, with many expressing pleasant surprise at how quickly they could integrate it into their system.
However, no product is perfect, and the feedback reflects that. The most significant negative point, as mentioned, revolves around battery life and reliability in a small number of units. The user who experienced weekly battery drain and “offline” errors provides a crucial, balanced perspective. While most people don’t face this issue, it serves as a valid warning to monitor the device’s health through the app. This feedback is relevant because it frames the siren not as a “set it and forget it” device, but as a component that, like a smoke detector, requires occasional checks to ensure it’s ready to perform when needed. Many users find this trade-off for its powerful performance and wireless convenience to be well worth it, and you can read through more user experiences before you buy.
How Does It Compare? The SimpliSafe Siren vs. The Alternatives
The SimpliSafe 105dB Auxiliary Siren is an accessory, not a complete system. Therefore, comparing it to full security kits requires a shift in perspective. The following alternatives are for those building a system from scratch or considering a switch to a different ecosystem, highlighting where the SimpliSafe approach differs.
1. SimpliSafe 8 Piece Wireless Home Security System
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This is the logical starting point for someone who doesn’t yet own a SimpliSafe system. This package provides the foundational components: a base station, keypad, motion sensor, and multiple entry sensors. It’s an excellent, well-rounded DIY kit that works with the siren we’ve reviewed. Someone would choose this over just the siren if they are new to home security or looking to establish a new system. The key takeaway is that the siren is an add-on to this core package, designed to enhance its audible alert capabilities. If you buy this 8-piece kit, we would still strongly recommend adding at least one auxiliary siren to overcome the base station’s quiet alarm.
2. Ring Alarm Pro 14-Piece Kit with eero Wi-Fi 6
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The Ring Alarm Pro represents a different philosophy of home security, deeply integrated with home networking. This kit is for the tech-savvy homeowner who wants security, a powerful mesh Wi-Fi 6 router (eero), and cellular internet backup all in one device. If your power or internet goes out, the Ring Alarm Pro can use a cellular connection to keep your devices online. This is a massive feature that SimpliSafe doesn’t offer. A user would choose the Ring ecosystem if they value this deep integration with Amazon Alexa, extensive camera options, and the all-in-one connectivity backup solution. It’s a more complex but also more feature-rich ecosystem compared to SimpliSafe’s focused security approach.
3. Ring Alarm 14-Piece Kit Expandable Smart Home Security System
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This is Ring’s standard 14-piece kit and a more direct competitor to the SimpliSafe 8-piece system. It lacks the built-in eero Wi-Fi router of the “Pro” model, making it a better choice for users who are already happy with their home internet setup. Like its Pro sibling, it offers tight integration with the vast Ring ecosystem of cameras, video doorbells, and Alexa devices. A buyer would lean towards this system if they are already invested in Ring or Amazon products and want a seamless smart home experience. While Ring also offers an external siren, the choice between Ring and SimpliSafe often comes down to personal preference for the app interface and the specific features of their monitoring plans.
Our Final Verdict: Is the SimpliSafe 105dB Auxiliary Siren Worth It?
After extensive testing and analysis, our conclusion is unequivocal: if you own a SimpliSafe Gen 3 security system, the SimpliSafe 105dB Auxiliary Siren is not just a worthwhile accessory, it is an essential upgrade. It single-handedly solves the most significant weakness of an otherwise excellent security system—the quietness of the base station’s alarm. Its piercing 105dB output provides the powerful, immediate, and panic-inducing deterrent that every home security system should have. The dead-simple installation, wireless flexibility, and seamless integration into the SimpliSafe app make it an effortless and high-impact addition to your home’s protection.
While we acknowledge the isolated reports of battery issues, the overwhelming evidence from our tests and other users points to a reliable and effective device. It is the missing piece that elevates your system from a passive monitor to an active defender of your home. For the peace of mind it provides and its ability to turn a potential break-in into a foiled attempt, it offers incredible value. We highly recommend it to every SimpliSafe user looking to maximize their system’s effectiveness. Ready to make your security system truly heard? You can find the SimpliSafe 105dB Auxiliary Siren and add it to your home’s defenses today.