Best Door Alarms for Home Security

Entrances and exit points are the weakest locations in a property for burglars to barge in. To an intruder, an unlocked door is a large welcoming sign. As a result, door sensors are essential for home security. Other names for these sensors are window, entry, and touch sensors. Most home security systems are now equipped with door sensors for security purposes. It sounds like an alert if an unauthorized person tries to open the door.

Door and window alarms might be an unfamiliar concept to some people, but they are regarded as primary home security devices. However, door alarms can benefit home security systems, notifying you when someone opens or attempts to access your door. For example, it’s quite common that home robbers frequently enter through the front door, which is the most visible entrance point. As a result, door alarms are an essential feature of a well-designed home security system.

Door alarms are an excellent method to protect your property and are reasonably cheap and simple to install. Nonetheless, they prevent unauthorized entry. But how do they function, and can you put them on your patio door? In this article, you'll explore the best door alarms for home security.

What Are Door Alarms?

Door alarms are low-key home security devices. Door alarms are often small, wireless boxes that are magnetically attached to the inside of your door.

In their most basic form, door alarms alert you when a door is opened. The contact sensor, which employs a magnet to operate a circuit that triggers an alert or warning, is the most prevalent type of door alarm. A second type, on the other hand, entails pressing a button to perform the same primary function. Many homeowners use door alarms to secure their entrances, but they can also be used on other doors. Indeed, they are becoming one of the most common activity triggers in smart home design due to their versatility.

You could choose to put one primary door alarm near the front door of your house. Alternatively, you might install door alarms on your doorway as well, including garage doors, side and back doors, glass garden doors, cellar doors, safe doors, and so on. Motion sensors are included in these discreet door alarms. These motion detectors set off security alerts, deterring attackers from attempting entry.

Smart door alarms are extremely sensitive. Their motion-detecting technology can detect even the tiniest vibrations, which indicate that someone is attempting to enter your home. In these situations, your home security alarm will be activated before the burglar even gets close to your front door. In addition, smart, wireless door alarms can be linked to your home's Wi-Fi. These security sensors will notify you of any unexpected activity on or around your property.

You may control your home security system remotely from anywhere, whenever you want, if you download the associated app on your smart devices. For example, the app will notify you immediately if your door alarms are activated. You can also choose to have your door alarms triggered remotely or turn them off if they aren't needed. You may also examine the open or closed state of the doors around your house if you've installed a smart security sensor.

Why Do You Need Door Alarms?

Door alarms help to keep homes and offices safe by detecting entry at frequently accessed access points. They can work equally well with windows, doors, and cabinets.

A door-held-open alarm with a pleasing sound can alert a receptionist that a visitor has entered the premises, freeing up time for other tasks. The monitoring system will alert the controller if an intruder tries to break through an office door aggressively. Door-left-open alarms will enable you to establish longer delivery durations for goods and then reduce them once delivered. In addition, they protect against piggybacking or tailgating, one of the most common security breaches.

Door alarms are an excellent way to keep your home safe from intruders. The sensors can activate a flashlight, a loud siren, a phone call, or any combination of the above when a burglary attempt happens. In addition, you can connect the owner's phone, a private security contractor, or a law enforcement agency to the phone call system.

Types of Door Alarms

Essentially, a contact sensor can be used with any door style as a door alarm. Some of the types are as follows:

Surface-Mount

In this sort of door alarm, a magnet is attached to the door or frame, and a reed switch is attached to the other side.

Rollerball

In this design, you put rollerball sensors in the recessed sections of door frames. Then, the hinged edge of the door closes the circuit by depressing the ball.

Sensors for Overhead Doors (Garage Doors)

Surface-mount garage door alarms are comparable to roll-up garage door alarms. On the other hand, garage doors have more giant magnets because the reed switch and magnet must be kept further apart to avoid false alarms.

Pull-Apart Sensors

A pull-apart sensor is typically used on an emergency door that is intended to remain closed most of the time. A magnet at the end of a wire is put into a hollow tube to form the sensor. When the door opens, it pulls the magnet out of the tube, preventing the circuit from closing.

Recessed Sensors

You can install recessed sensors by drilling holes within doors or windows. The sensors will be hidden in this manner.

Placement for Door Alarms

If you're installing door alarms as part of your home security system, be sure they're installed at all entrance points, including the main entrance, back entrance, any other doors on the outside, patio doors, and doors to the basement as well as windows. However, as previously stated, door sensors can be placed on any openings you wish to keep closed or any objects you want to stay in, such as desk drawers, medicine cabinets, outdoor grills, or home office doors.

Door Alarm Maintenance

You can change the type of alert you get when a door opens based on the security system. A clear alarm can be set to ring whenever a door opens. Alternatively, you can select the notice to sound quiet while informing your defense business. No sensor lasts indefinitely. Because it could be destroyed, or the switch could fail. Below are some tips that will ensure a better working life for your door alarms

Check for Batteries

Every six months, inspect the batteries to ensure they are in good operating order. Of course, all wireless sensors have batteries, but most wired sensors have backup batteries that should be checked because dead batteries prohibit the sensor from sending alerts. Most detectors will alert you when your battery is running low, but it's a good idea to replace them every six months to ensure they're still in good working order.

Inspect for Switch Wear

All switches ultimately wear out. This frequently results in false alarms. If you've had a lot of false alerts, it's time to replace your door sensor.

Check for Weather Effects

Surfaces can expand and contract as the weather changes, resulting in false alarms. For example, the magnet and reed switch can move closer or further apart, giving the sensor the impression that the door is opening. You may need to change the position of the sensors or the door itself in such circumstances.

Qualities of a Good Door Alarm

Finding the proper home security system for your doors can be a complex undertaking that necessitates a thorough understanding of how different sensors operate and their key characteristics. When it comes to choosing the best door alarms for home security, the following are some qualities you should consider.

Wired vs. Wireless

When it comes to door or window alarms, wired technology is slowly dying in various industries, and this is sadly true. Very few solutions require a connection back to a central hub these days, and the majority of items available can communicate and sound an alarm wirelessly. Wires aren't even used for electricity because most devices are usually battery-operated.

Remote Controlled System

You should be able to manage your door alarms from anywhere in the house. Remote-controlled systems, or those that can be linked to your smart devices, provide a higher level of convenience than previous manual kills. Using remote access, you can switch the door alarm sensor to activate, deactivate, or test your smart device's battery.

Range

The issue of range arises with any wireless device. The range of the transmitters is the distance they can be from the central hub without setting off the alert. For most home sizes, the range of the door alarms is more than adequate.

Chime or Alarm Settings

Nowadays, most door alarms can also be used as a chime in addition to alarm clocks. This is useful if you only want a heads-up if someone walks into your store or home, but it may be unnecessary. So instead, many let you choose between the chimes, and some even allow you to program different chimes for different areas of the house.

Dimensions

Although the measurements may not appear significant, if you purchase a transmitter that is too large to fit through your doorway, it will be rendered completely worthless. Likewise, it should not be necessary for your door alarm to be large and cumbersome to function. The majority of door alarms, fortunately, are pretty small. However, it is always a good idea to measure the dimensions ahead of time.

Following are the 7 best door alarms for your home security.

Ring Alarm 8-Piece Kit (2ND Gen) With Ring Indoor Cam

The Ring Alarm 8-piece kit (2nd Gen) includes one keypad, one base station, one motion detector, four contact sensors, and one range extender, making it ideal for 1-2 bedroom households.

Benefits

You can put your Ring Alarm in Home mode to turn off the interior sensors while keeping the exterior ones on. Set to ‘Away Mode’ to arm your home's sensors so you can keep track of what's going on while you're away. You can also disarm your system to disable all sensors and freely enter or leave your house. Furthermore, when break-ins or any other security threat is identified with 24/7 professional monitoring for Ring Alarm, receive a real-time emergency response with an approved Ring Protect package.

GE Personal Security Window and Door Alarm, 2 Pack, DIY Protection, Burglar Alert, Wireless Chime/Alarm, Easy Installation, Ideal for Home, Garage, Apartment, and More, 45115

The GE Personal Security Window and Door Alarm 2 Pack comes with two window and door alarms, each with three settings: off, chime, and alarm.

Benefits

This simple approach makes utilizing the GE Personal Security window and door alarm simple. For added home security, the GE Personal Security Window/door alarm comes with two separate alarms, each with its built-in 120-decibel alarm. With no wires required for the installation, securing any window or door in your home is as simple as using double-sided tape to adhere the alarm to the window or door (included). In addition, each window alarm has an easy-to-use on/off/chime switch and a low battery test button for testing battery life.

GE Personal Security Window and Door Alarm, 4 Pack, DIY Protection, Burglar Alert, Wireless, Chime/Alarm, Easy Installation, Ideal for Home, Garage, Apartment, and More, 45174

The GE Personal Security Window and Door Alarm 4 Pack comes with four window/door alarms, each emitting a loud 120-decibel alarm to alert you whenever a door or window opens.

Benefits

The GE Personal Security Window/Door Alarm is a low-cost, easy-to-use security system that protects you and your family against break-ins. Because of the 120-decibel alerts, a would-be intruder will think twice about breaking in through your doors or windows. The alarm is also simple to use. The window/door alarms have a modern appearance with simple buttons and controls for easy operation.

Sabre Hs-dsa Wedge Door Stop Security Alarm With 120 Db Siren – Great for Home, Travel, Apartment, or Dorm

The SABRE HS-DSA Wedge Door Stop Security Alarm is an excellent way to bolster an existing home security system or install it yourself in a bedroom, dorm, hotel room, or apartment.

Benefits

The SABRE door alarm is combined with a non-skid pad to prevent the door from opening. Slide it under the crack of an inward-swinging door to install this stylish, premium white alarm in seconds. Because no wiring is required, the alarm will function even if there is a power outage. You'll need a small Philips head #1 screwdriver to remove the battery compartment cover. The Door Stop Alarm delivers a battery status update via a low battery indication for added security.

Door Window Alarm 2 Pack Noopel Home Security Magnetic Sensor Burglar Anti-theft 120DB Alarm With Batteries Included – DIY Easy To Install

The Door Window Alarm 2 Pack Noopel is a low-cost, easy-to-use security system that protects you and your family against home burglaries.

Benefits

The Noopel Door Window Alarm prevents children from sneaking out of the house. It's also great for an entry warning system at your home, business, apartment, garage, and other places. The kit contains an ultra-thin door and window alarm with two off/on settings.

Make life easier with a simple installation that requires no wiring or screws! This is the ideal low-cost addition to your home security system.

Tolviviov Door Alarm System, Beta DIY Smart Home Alarm Security System 12 Pieces-kit (Alarm Siren, Door Window Sensors, Remotes, Motion Sensor, Keypad), Work With Alexa, for House, Apartment

The Tolviviov Door Alarm System is the ideal home security system, with room for up to 20 sensors and five remote controls/keypads.

Benefits

The wireless tolviviov home alarm system includes one base station, one remote, one keypad, one motion sensor, and eight contact sensors. Tolviviov smart alarm system can be controlled wirelessly from anywhere at any time using the Smart Life App on your smartphone. When someone unlawfully enters your home or apartment by opening your door or window. The tolviviov smart door sensor will send an alarm to the alarm station, and you will receive real-time notification of the alarm alert on your mobile phone.

Hendun Wireless Door Alarm With Remote, Windows Open Alarms, Home Security Sensor, Pool Alarm for Kids Safety, Prevent Robbery (2 Pack)

The HENDUN Wireless Door Alarm is a remote-controlled gate/door alarm system that's simple to set up and use.

Benefits

The HENDUN Door And Window Security Alarm with Remote is a low-cost yet effective solution to secure your house, workplace, apartment, or other location. It’s an ideal and practical solution to keep your family and goods safe. When a customer enters a business, a cafe, or a restaurant, the doorbell function will alert you; press the panic key to get assistance if you are in danger.

Final Thoughts

When you safeguard your home's entry points with door and window sensors, you've taken care of a large part of the security system. When used in conjunction with other security measures such as access control or surveillance, the best door alarms for home security can help keep you secure and notify you of any security breaches.