Many people contact us to find out if installing a DIY Wireless Alarm can give them the peace of mind they desire.

There are many types of DIY Wireless Burglar Alarms on the market so making the right choice can sometimes be confusing. We think the 3 main things to consider are that its of good quality, reliable and easy to install.

If you are looking for a quality alarm system that meets all these criteria, and is easy to operate, then we believe we have the best wireless burglar alarms.

Things to look for

Here are some of the things you should consider:

Is the system expandable at a reasonable cost and is there a suitable product range?

Some manufacturers and retailers sell their alarms at discount prices but then charge ridiculous amounts for additional sensors. All our sensors are reasonably priced and we offer discounts for bulk purchases. We also have one of the largest ranges of additional sensors on the internet. We even sell water sensors so our alarms can be used to alert for water leaks in basements or even if a bath overflows.

Are features password protected and can this be changed by you?

All our alarms with keypads are password protected for programming and deactivation. These can all be changed to suit you. Most of our alarms also come with a wireless keyfob (similar to the type you use to unlock your car).

Is it secure?

Some sensors and DIY Wireless Alarm panels have battery backups and anti-tamper devices built into them. This means that if the mains power is cut or someone removes the cover from a sensor or siren, the alarm will sound. Whilst these are not essential they do give you added peace of mind. What you have to remember is that to get to your sensors or alarm panel the thieves are likely to activate the alarm anyway!

Buying a GSM Alarm has many benefits as it works over the mobile phone network so isn't connected to your phone line. Buying a competitors branded alarm can mean that thieves know these are connected to a phone line and phone lines can easily be cut allowing access to your property without you knowing. GSM Alarms use the mobile phone network, are very cheap to run and can send you a text and call you immediately if activated. They can also be armed and disarmed by text message from approved numbers giving you maximum flexibility.

Wireless technology has made massive leaps forward since 2007 when DIY Wireless Alarms started to become more popular. These advances in technology have improved the security and reliability of devices to the point that most major alarm companies will recommend Wireless Alarm sensors.

All of our sensors generate a unique wireless code. Sometimes this is done automatically by the sensor and other times by manually changing a series of clips. Approximately 20,000 different combinations of code are possible with all of our sensors so the chances of another device triggering your alarm is extremely unlikely.

Comparing like-with-like

Don't be fooled by cheap copies that look the same but invariably have cheaper unreliable components inside. Make sure you are buying from a reputable online retailer who can support you and help if you get stuck. When you install your alarm you need to know that there is someone there to help you. We don't charge extra for support and will usually get back to you in an hour if we cannot deal with your request straight away. We also have an industry leading returns policy that offers you 4 times the legally required period in which you can return an alarm to us. Make sure that whoever you buy your DIY Alarm from can offer you the same.

Is it easy to install

All our DIY Wireless Alarms come with a power supply that simply plugs into the alarm and then into a normal mains power socket. This means that you don't need to be a qualified electrician or installer to fit the alarm. The alarms all come with either manufacturer instruction manuals or they manuals and quick start guides that have been written by us.

Wireless Sensors mean they are much simpler to install with no trailing cables or the need to lift carpets.

Solar powered sirens are the easiest to install but invariably are not as powerful and after a short while often need internal batteries replacing. Nowadays you can buy a drill bit for under £5 that allows you to drill a whole through the wall of your house and feed the low voltage power cable through. This then plugs into a standard mains socket so no electrical qualifications are needed. These sirens are much more reliable than solar powered ones so consider the balance of long term reliability over short term time saving.

Sirens are a very useful deterrent, both visually and because of the loud noises they make. Our House Alarm kits all come with Sirens that you can use externally or internally depending on your preference.

What makes our alarms different is that many of them are GSM Alarms and have the ability to call and text you if they are activated. This advancement in alarm technology means that when you're away from home you'll know if an intruder has broken in and you can take appropriate action. A siren is only any good if someone responds to it and most people unfortunately pass on by when they hear an alarm sounding and those that don't may not be able to get in contact with you.

So do you need a Siren? Arguably not. If the GSM Alarm is calling you then a siren will frighten an intruder away and if you are able to catch them in the act then all the better. However, many is us don't want this level of confrontation and most Police forces in the UK won't respond to house alarms unless they are connected to official monitoring stations or there is a secondary form of confirmation.

Connecting a Siren internally is always a good idea regardless of whether you have an external siren. This way the intruder is usually frightened away from the property. Its also useful at night if you use the home arm feature of the Premier or Elite Alarm systems as you will hear it if someone breaks into your property.

Our Wireless Deluxe Strobe Siren needs a mains power supply which is an advantage as it's always fully charged and will make the loudest sound. Some solar powered sirens lose their charge quickly and are therefore not as loud as a mains powered siren. A mains powered siren has to have a lead fed through the wall of the house which deters many householders. However, long drills that are capable of going through walls, i.e. 300mm to 600mm are very cheap nowadays at £5 to £10 from many DIY Stores.

Ultimately, its a personal choice and we'd suggest a small internal siren with an external siren or a dummy external siren to act as a deterrent.