The Pros and Cons of Wired and Wireless Security Systems

Security systems are a lot more advanced than they used to be, and are fantastic for keeping homes protected. However, if you’re considering upgrading to a security system, to give an added layer of protection to your property that deadbolts and burglar alarms simply can’t give, you might be wondering whether you should opt for a wired or wireless one?

To help you decide, we’ve outlined the pros and cons of both:

What are the pros of wired home security systems?

Interference, network outages and other issues can frequently occur with a wireless system, whereas a wired system is much more dependable. A wired home security system works consistently, gives far fewer false alarms and enables you to cover a larger area than would be possible with a wireless system; perfect for larger homes.

In short, a wired system has the following benefits:

• Dependability
• Fewer false alarms
• Gives broader coverage

What are the cons of wired home security systems?

Getting a wired security system installed at your home will need to be carried out by a professional, and naturally, they’ll charge a fee for their work, so you’ll want to consider the cost of the system combined with the installation fee before you make your decision.

Moving a hardwired sensor or camera, will also require a professional and an additional cost.

What are the pros of wireless home security?

A burglar or intruder can simply snip the connection of a wired security system, but with a wireless one, they’ll need to hack into the network of a wireless setup, which could take considerably more time, making it riskier for them. It’s also pretty simple to set up and if you ever want to move a sensor or camera, you can do it in a couple of minutes. A wireless security system also means that you connect to your other smart home systems and phone, and can activate or deactivate the wireless alarm with your phone or even ask good old Alexa to do it! Some wireless security systems also come with other wireless-enabled features, such as a key fob capable of shutting off your wireless alarm as you near your home, preventing an accidental trigger.

In short, a wireless system has the following benefits:

• Harder for criminals to infiltrate or disarm
• Simple set up
• Other smart connections can be made
• Features other wireless-enabled capabilities

What are the cons of wireless home security systems?

Vulnerable to interference or hacking, wireless home security systems use a radiofrequency-based cellular network to communicate, and can trigger false alarms or leave you exposed. However, this is a rare disadvantage that doesn’t occur often. Limited to the size of the network your security company can set up, wireless security systems may not stretch throughout your entire property, and because they run on batteries, you’ll need to remember to check them every so often to make sure they’re working.