Wired vs. Wireless House alarm systems: Pros and Cons

Pros and cons of wired home alarm system

• Wired home alarm systems are very hard to hack because they are wired and don't communicate via a wireless signal. For instance, a potential hacker would have to have access on site of your cameras recording box or sd cards to view any footage 
• Wired home alarm systems can send strong signals over a larger property. Communications over a wired system can be faster as its direct and you don't need to worry about the lag if on wifi driven system  
• You won’t have to worry about changing batteries. Wired home alarm systems are powered via your main electrical circuit so no batteries are required .
• Wired home security  systems can record cameras if your internet goes out. With no need to have WIFI for footage to come back to the cloud or hub, you cameras will still record when no wifi is available

• Installation for a wired home alarm system can be intrusive and labor expensive. If no wiring is in place, walls will need to be drilled and chased to install a wired home alarm, this is not always possible and can be expensive with labor costs 
• If you move home, you can't take it with you . A wired home alarm system is fixed to the home, after your initial investment you will unfortunately have to buy a new system for your new home.
• Wires can be shown sometimes. It can be hard to hide all the wires especially if retrofitting to your home, 
• Wired home alarm systems sometimes depend on phone lines. An potential burglar can deactivate your alarm system which in turn can deactivate your home alarm, not all wired alarm systems work this way, but it is still very much the case for some systems supplied so choose carefully 

Pros and cons of wireless home alarm systems

• Wireless home alarm systems are much easier than wired home security systems to DIY because you don’t connect wires or drill any holes in your new home, However, most professional home security companies will provide pro install services for all their wireless home security systems .

• A wireless home alarm system will have the benefits of a smart home app that you can control 

• Control over your home security system and watch security video clips are now at the touch of a button,  A wireless system can send you notifications with real time activity, like when a door is opened, or movement is detected outside the home

• You can take your wireless home alarm if you decide to move home. You can protect your invested and if you move you can take your smart home security system with you, some home security companies will provide a moving service

• A wireless home alarm system can have about 4 ways to control it. You can access it from a touch-screen home security station, a wireless keypad, a smart home app, or even voice control with Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa.

• Wireless home security cameras 
• normally use cloud storage, so footage is automatically backed up.No Need for any recording hubs, all your footage can be accessed anywhere in the world with cloud storage.

• Expanding your system is really easy. You can conveniently add cameras, sensors, or other equipment to your wireless system without connecting them through your home’s internal wiring system.

• Some wireless smart home security systems can allow full smart home control. 

• This gives you a whole smart home automation control. For example, you could have smart locks to lock, your motion  sensors to activate, and your thermostat to automatically raise to a pre set heat at 10:30 p.m.

• Some consumer DIY Systems can be hacked easily. You can greatly reduce this risk if you have a strong password to protect your Wi-Fi.

• If you have a larger home, you might need extenders to make the signal travel further you can up to 2000 meters range on a pro installed wireless alarm, but walls and environment factors can upset this so sometimes extenders are needed 

• Most wireless home alarm systems are battery powered. You’ll have to replace batteries to keep your system working, a pro installed system you can get up to 5 years battery life, so its not that big of an issue, 

• A consumer DIY alarm might not work without wifi However, some professional home alarm systems can use a cellular connection to operate during a power failure or if wifi is down to make sure your home alarm is always working

What’s the best home security system for me?

• Where home is located: Not everywhere has quality Wi-Fi internet. A wired system might be an option if you live in a rural area if cell or internet is not available

• If you are a renter: If you live in a rental property, your landlord may not be happy if you drill into the walls to install a wired home alarm system. 

• If you travel a lot: You’ll need a system that provides a smart home app that if you want to check in on your home, family, or pets while you’re at work

• If you want more than just a home alarm: Do you want external cameras or indoor cameras? Maybe you need a video doorbell with two-way audio to talk to the kids when they get home from school. Smart home security systems can provide a fully modular platform

• How you want your system installed: DIY home security systems can lower installation costs, but a professional installer will have the skills to connect your system so it gives you the maximum amount of protection possible.

• How much you’re willing to spend: Wireless system devices are typically more expensive than those in a wired one. However, installation for a wired system often costs more than installation for a wireless system. Take both factors into account when budgeting. A system with an extended warranty may also be able to save you money over time.