Best Driveway Alarms And Sensors

16 Jan 11 Best Driveway Alarms and Sensors

Posted at 16:19h in Featured Image, Reviews by

Home security systems come in all different shapes and sizes. We can spend a fortune on home security and alarms on the house itself, but what about alarms for the rest of the property. It can be helpful to have a driveway alarm that picks up movement around the entrance and perimeter of the property. This alerts homeowners to the presence of prowlers and those scouting out the property. Therefore, it makes for a great early warning system if there are burglars in the area. You can get a heads-up before they start trying to get through your doors or windows

Important features to look for when choosing one of these products for your driveway include the means of power, the range, the quality of the sensor and the weatherproofing. Essentially, you need to be sure that this will have enough power to last the night and cover the length of the drive. It also needs to be sharp enough to pick up on movement, smart enough to alert users and tough enough to handle different weather conditions. The following products cover many of these needs, if not all of them. They are some of the most reliable models and popular with consumers.
 
We have compiled some objective reviews with pros and cons to help you make the best choice. Some of these products are better suited to properties with long driveways, while others are better for smaller homes with a shorter range. Some of them have a specific type of detection system, which may be limiting, while others are more wide-reaching. This guide should help you find the best option among them for your needs.

1) Hosmart Long Range Driveway Security System

The first trio of products are those that offer a great range for longer driveways and other large spaces. The range of a product like this is essential for easy communication between the home and the product. If the sensor on the alarm sees something, you need a strong connection to provide that alert to the homeowner. Some products have a longer range than others. Some are more reliable, with less risk of interference from metal objects. This option from Hosmart claims to go far beyond competitors in ideal conditions, with a range up to 1500 metres. There are mixed reviews here. Some say it does this with ease and others aren’t convinced.

The pros and cons of this driveway alarm and sensor system.

Pros:

  •  The potential for that extra-long range.
  •  A selection of chimes to alert users
  • Weatherproofing housing to help protect it agaisnt the elements

Cons:

  • The broad range of experiences with the system
  • The sensitivity of the sensor and the risk of false alarms
The company has clearly tried to produce a product of high quality and great reliability. Users can set this up quickly enough and enjoy different settings and chimes. The sensor is sensitive enough for most users’ needs, with some saying that it will pick up movement from neighbourhood cats. Still, it may also chime if the grass sways in a strong breeze. Other benefits here come from the secure, weatherproof housing and the easy-to-use receiver system.

Is it recommendable?

There are aspects to this affordable system that are impressive for the price paid. Users can set this up with ease and get great results. However, there is a gamble on the range. User reviews are so varied that there is no clear guarantee that it will be wide enough for your needs. Still, there are many that take this game and win. The extra-long range does place this ahead of many cheaper products and it is better to get too many readings than none at all.

2) Guardline Wireless Security Alert System

This Guardline product aims to appeal to a wide range of users with what it calls a “realistic” range to its product. The idea here is that this offers a 500ft range in everyday settings – not warehouse simulations. Therefore, it should still prove to be effective when there are other buildings, cars and trees to consider. This doesn’t make it invulnerable to large metal fence or thick walls, but it definitely helps.

The pros and cons of this driveway alarm and sensor system.

Pros:

  •  The “realistic” range for use in real locations
  •  The adjustable eye on the sensor
  • The tough “industrial grade” build.

Cons:

  •  The bright red light on the sensor
  •  Mixed reviews in different weather conditions.

In addition to this “realistic” range, this system has a smart, adjustable sensor eye that is designed to minimise the risk of false alarms. Users can determine the width of the field of vision and the angle via the swivel mount. There is warning here from some users to make sure that the sensor is high enough for human intruders, as it will notice every cat that wanders in. This increased user control should ensure that the sensor suits personal needs much better. There is also the benefit of the tough housing to protect the product from rain, wind, hail and more User reviews here vary depending on location and the severity of the weather. Another downside to consider is the bright red light that comes on when activated. This shows intruders precisely where the threat comes from.

Is it recommendable?

There are flaws here, many of which will be experienced with a number of these products. Every “realistic” situation is different, so there are limits to the range and function to this product. Some will struggle with the adjustments in tougher climates. Even so, there are plenty of features in this tough system that can be of great use. Go into this product with an open mind and be prepared for a few limitations here and there.

3) Bunker Hill Wireless Driveway Security System.

With this next option, we wanted to show that it is possible to have a relatively reliable, simple system without paying too much for the privilege. There are some products in this guide with high-tech sensors, solar power and interesting features that can cost close to $200. This can be far too much for some homeowners that simply want some basic protection. That is why it can help to turn to cheaper models like this. This simple system has a 400ft detection field in front of the sensor, which is more than enough for most security alerts. The specification may be a little thin, but it ticks a lot of boxes.

The pros and cons of this driveway alarm and sensor system.

Pros:

  •  The 400ft detection field around the sensor
  •  The ease of use from the basic specification and installation
  • The low cost

Cons:

  •  Occasional faults and false alarms
  •  The receiver is battery powered
Because this is a low-end system with this minimal specification, there are some limitations to be aware of. The majority of users are happy with the results and the way that the system alerts them to movement on the driveway. The chimes are loud enough and the sensor catches most visitors and intruders. Still, there is a risk of some false alarms and glitches. There is also the downside that the receiver is battery powered as well. This means double the risk of a battery failing and the system becoming useless.

Is it recommendable?

This is a product where it really is important to weigh up all the pros and cons and see if this will mean your needs. Those that want to save a little money, and are happy to keep checking the batteries, should find that there are few issues with this product. It might not be the sharpest, smartest option around, but it can still provide basic protection for smaller properties.

4) Chamberlain Security Wireless Motion Alert System

The next trio of products are all ideal for those that want the sharpest, smartest sensors possible. These alarms are meant to act as your eyes when you can’t keep watch over the property. They should detect movement and problems within a good field of vision. Ideally, they should also be able to operate well under low-light conditions too. This system works by detecting temperature rather than motion. The idea here is that it will, therefore, alert users to human and animal intruders in a property, while staying silent if the grass moves or debris blows in. There are upsides to this approach as there should be fewer false alarms. But, it isn’t so good for cars.

The pros and cons of this driveway alarm and sensor system.

Pros:

  • The quality of the temperature setting
  •  Ease of installation
  • Different sounds and alerts on the base unit

Cons:

  •  Not good enough for vehicles
  •  A basic range on the sensor

There are plenty of features on offer with this system to ensure that users can get a good experience. The temperature sensors are fairly reliable and the receiver also has enough settings and chimes so that users are alerted to any potential threat. Buyers really are getting this because of the type of sensor, ease of installation and fair price. This isn’t as high-tech or as far reaching as some of the other products in this guide. The range is fine for basic needs, but isn’t going to cover larger properties.

Is it recommendable?

There are some clears pros and cons here. The appeal ultimately depends on what it is you want from these systems. If you need something simple and reliable, and prefer the approach with the temperature sensors, this could be a good fit. Otherwise, it might be better to pay out more for something with extra range and features.

5) Mighty Mule Wireless Driveway Alarm

This next option is another one where the designers have tried to do things a little differently. Here there is a long wand that users can bury within, or next to the driveway. This wand has an electromagnetic sensor that detects the movement of metal above it. Therefore, it should always be able to tell when there are cars or other vehicles passing over the wand. This 12ft radius is great for this application and should help to alert homeowners to prowlers and possible burglars. However, there is the clear issue that this is not suitable for detecting people on foot. There may also be some short-term problems when it comes to installing this system in the driveway.

The pros and cons of this driveway alarm and sensor system.

Pros:

  •  The smart underground metal detection system
  •  The discrete form of security
  • The long range from the receiver

Cons:

  •  Limitations on what it can pick up
  •  Installation issues

There are other benefits to choosing this system as an alternative approach to home surveillance. The outdoor unit has a 400ft range away from the receiver. This means that it is suitable for longer driveways than some of the other, low-cost options in this guide. There is also the fact that the receiver has a nice series of chimes and a low battery status indicator. There isn’t much to this in terms of functionality. But, this could be a benefit to some consumers that know exactly what they want, and who they are protecting their home from.

Is it recommendable?

A recommendation here depends on your needs and concerns as a homeowner. There will be some people that appreciate the approach and the discrete form of detection. In fact, this could prove to be a helpful additional tool as a back-up when more traditional sensors fail. There is no risk of the weather interrupting the signal, but it is still useless with solo intruders on foot.

6) Safeguard Supply Wireless Driveway Alarm System

Next, we have another model that proves that you don’t have to pay a lot of money to get a system with some good features. The reason that we have included this model in the guide is the way that it picks up on all kinds of movement and alerts with its sharp sensor. This means that it doesn’t have the limitation of the temperature sensor above. In addition to this, many users reviews suggest that it does this without risk of false alarms. They get reports about the neighbourhood cat and some accurate readings on people and cars. But, there are few – if any – false alarms from grass, weather events or other anomalies.

The pros and cons of this driveway alarm and sensor system.

Pros:

  •  The sensitivity of the smart sensor
  •  The volume and quality of the receiver
  • The low cost

Cons:

  •  The range from the property
  • Some installation and synchronisation issues.
It is not just the sensor and results that buyers are impressed with here. There are also some great comments from users that appreciate the ease of use and volume of the receiver in the home. There is little chance of anyone missing an alarm if there is a problem. The downside comes from the range between the receiver and the sensor. This is a reliable system on curved drives and dense vegetation. Yet, it struggles around the 200ft limit from the receiver. Users recommend keeping this no more than 150ft away for the best results. Others also say it can take some time to get this synchronised and ready to go.

Is it recommendable?

It is surprising how easy it is to recommend this product – even with the short range and synchronisation issues. It will only suit a small number of properties. Even so, it has the reliability and great results that most consumers are after. This should perform well, as long as users don’t push it too its limits.

7) Rodann Electronics Wireless Driveway System

This next pair of driveway alarms and sensors are some that go out of their way to ensure that the product is secure and reliable in different weather conditions. There is no point having 24/7 surveillance on your property if the system won’t work in heavy rain, high wind or snow. A determined burglar isn’t always going to wait until the weather has brightened up to try and get in. This sensor is weatherproof so that rain can’t interfere with the transmission, or get into the housing. There is also a clever use of PIR tech that won’t be disrupted by bright light, such as sunlight. Sunlight has been an issue with some products in this guide. The bottom line here is that the sensor needs to see an object to register its existence and alert homeowners.

The pros and cons of this driveway alarm and sensor system.

Pros:

  •  The weatherproofing on the sensor and the housing
  •  The long range on the sensor and transmitter
  • The quality of the results

Cons:

  •  Occasional technological glitches
  •  Problems with the instructions.

This product doesn’t stand out from the others in this guide because there isn’t the same look, well-known brand name or the same features. However, there is a strong sensor here that can prove to be very reliable. Those protections against the light, along with the motion detection, mean that this can pick up people and vehicles with ease. At the same time, it doesn’t notice fast moving traffic off the property. The system has a 1000 ft range away from the receiver, so is great for properties with long driveways. Unfortunately, there are some users that have issues with glitches in the tech. Some say that it isn’t as reliable as they had been led to believe. An additional problem here is that the manual isn’t that informative. This even means that some people have struggled to figure out how to set the volume on the alerts.

Is it recommendable?

There are some people that will get a lot out of this system. The range and the accuracy of the sensor often prove to be very helpful for tracking the movements of vehicles around the gateway. However, there are also those technical glitches to be aware of. There are products here that cover some of these basic features a little better. The appeal here ultimately depends on the range you need and your patience with the manual.

8) Guardline Weatherproof Driveway Alert System

This next option is another product from Guardline. Here the company make sure to add lots of great features to ensure that this system is safe and reliable in all weathers. It all starts with the quality of the PVC housing, as this should be strong enough to withstand damage from the elements. Then there is the rubberised seal to stop water getting in. There is also a sunshade over the top of the unit so that the sensor isn’t compromised by bright light. We tend to think about the risk of bad weather on the security of these products, but not always about the risk of good weather on the results. Finally, the correct installation should keep this secure in high winds.

The pros and cons of this driveway alarm and sensor system.

Pros:

  •  The waterproof seals and strong casing
  •  The shade to prevent strong sunlight damaging the readings
  • The same sense of quality as other Guardline units

Cons:

  •  The impact of outside interference on the range
  •  Some false signals
Otherwise, the design and features of this Guardline system are very similar to those of the model above. The outside unit has lots of potential and so does the indoor wireless receiver. This unit is easy to use and has adaptable settings to help users pick the right alerts and volume. There is still the risk of false signal with this unit. However, there are still plenty of users that find this to be reliable. The only other downside of note is that the range can vary depending on the terrain and obstacle. Some may not reach the maximum of ¼ of a mile.

Is it recommendable?

There are flaws in this system that may have an impact on the user experience. However, many of these flaws are just the same as those seen in other products in this guide. No system is 100% accurate or perfect. The added weatherproofing elements here just add to the reliability and appeal.

9) HTZ SAFE Solar Driveway Alarm system

Finally, we have a trio of products that use solar power rather than batteries. Battery operated systems can seem like the most reliable approach for security. As long as homeowners pay attention to the battery life and change them regularly, there should be few problems. However, batteries can be costly and they may be issues if you are away from home for a long time. A solar system can seem like the perfect alternative here – as long as there is plenty of sunshine. The battery packs can store energy and provide environmental, unlimited power. This solar powered system typically proves to be a reliable way to keep an eye on things. The are some great reports about the sensitivity of the system, the weatherproofing of the solar components and the ease of installation.

The pros and cons of this driveway alarm and sensor system.

Pros:

  •  The reliability of the solar panel
  •  The customisation of the set-up with additional sensitivities and components
  • The lack of false alarms

Cons:

  •  The usual issues with the range in different terrains
  •  The volume control on the receiver
The sensor on this product has more going for it than just this solar power. There is a maximum range from the receiver of half a mile, which make it one of the more wide-reaching options here. This continues with the 50ft range from the sensor itself. The capabilities and different sensitivity settings mean that users should be able to rely on this and customise it to their situation. In addition to this, users can expand the set-up with as much as 32 sensors and receivers. This should increase the potential for larger properties. As with all products with this long range, there are mixed responses based on the terrain and potential obstacles. Criticism is rare in user reviews, but some would like to see greater volume control on the chimes and alerts.

Is it recommendable?

Absolutely. There are so many positive reviews about the accuracy of this system, and the ease of use, that it is hard not to recommend it. There are users that will get a lot from this system, especially will all that scope for customisation.

10) HTZSAFE Solar Long Range Alert System

Sticking with the same brand for a moment, this next product does things a little differently with a more substantial system. This solar kit has two units with large solar panels, 4 wireless zones and a 300 ft detection range from the sensor. Users can also install these products up to half a mile from the receiver. This means that this is one of the most powerful, substantial system available here and should be appealing to those that want wide-reaching protection

The pros and cons of this driveway alarm and sensor system.

Pros:

  •  The vast range of the two units
  •  The different wireless zones
  •  The general build and waterproofing

Cons:

  •  The large size of the product
  •  The high cost

There are lots of elements to this system that will make it a hit with those that want something big, bold and reliable for their property. The use of four wireless zones, with corresponding alarms on the receiver, helps users to narrow down the area of interest during an alert. The system also has a strong, waterproof housing and comes with a large indoor unit was a clear display. The immediate downsides here are the size of the system and the cost. The two pieces will stand out on any gatepost or garage, so could be easily targetted by wannabe thieves. This is also much more expensive than some other products because of the tech and range involved.

Is it recommendable?

A final recommendation with this product will ultimately depend on the needs, and the budget, of the user. There are many people with the cash and a large enough driveway that will benefit from going for something this wide-ranging and powerful. Others may fail to see the potential benefits for the price paid – especially in smaller properties and low-risk areas.

11) Hosmart Solar Driveway Alarm System

For our final model in this guide, we go back to Hosmart. One benefit to this solar powered system is clear straight away. That is the fact that the solar panel is built into the housing that contains the sensor. What this means is that users can enjoy the same streamlined product and minimal installation needs as with other Hosmart products. There is no need to find the ideal space for a separate panel. However, this does mean that it may be more difficult to get optimal sunlight.

The pros and cons of this driveway alarm and sensor system.

Pros:

  •  The built-in solar panel and battery
  •  The same level of waterproofing and protection as we come to expect from the brand
  • Simple installation

Cons:

  •  Some technical issues on rebooting
  •  Questions over the strength of the waterproofing
For the most part, users are impressed with the results gained with this solar system. It is pretty reliable and easy to use. Still, there are some cases of false alarms and the odd technical issues. For example, one user lost the ability to change the volume after rebooting the system. Most would also agree that it is pretty weatherproof and should hold up wind and rain, though some connections may suffer in a heavy downpour. Finally, there are few issues with the ¼ mile range of the 50 feet detection field on the sensor.

Is it recommendable?

There are some products in this guide that focus on one element and do that well. Yet, they risk omitting something important – such as weatherproofing or the range. Here that isn’t the case. Again, there is a lot about this system that will appeal to those that want solar rather than a battery system. The brand does a good job of replicating the best features of other systems in the range – even if there are some technical issues. In the right property, this should do just fine.

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