Installing a driveway alarm is an efficient way to improve your home’s security. Among other things, a good alarm system can help you stay safe and can put your worries to rest, particularly if you live alone. However, finding the right alarm system for your driveway can be challenging, especially if you haven’t used such a system previously. To help you find the right alarm system to improve the security around your home or your office, we’ve curated this list of the five best driveway alarm systems in the market.
No products found.
Driveway Alarm System FAQ
1. What Is A Driveway Alarm System?
A driveway alarm system is an arrangement that is designed to detect any vehicles, people, or animals entering a property through the driveway and to alert the residents of the house or the office about the intrusion. These alarms typically consist of a sensor, which detects the movement, and a receiver, which alerts the user about the detection. A wireless alarm system has a third component called the transmitter, which sends a wireless signal to the receiver.
2. What Are The Advantages Of Having A Driveway Alarm System?
An alarm system can be a handy addition to your home’s security if you live alone or if a member of your family is frequently alone at home for the better part of the day or night. It can help keep an eye out for trespassers and intruders, monitor the activity in your home when you leave on vacation, and protect children playing in the driveway. This kind of alarm is also particularly useful for homes that have multiple entrance points.
3. How Does The Sensor In A Driveway Alarm System Work?
The sensor can either run on passive infrared technology, which senses heat to detect movement, or it can use a magnetic probe to detect metal activity in its range. Infrared sensors can detect both people and vehicles, but they’re often prone to false alarms. Magnetic sensors only detect vehicles and are of little use if you want to keep an eye out for intruders.
4. Where Can You Buy The Best Driveway Alarm Systems?
You can purchase home alarm systems from online marketplaces like Amazon, Walmart, Sears, or the Home Depot. Alternatively, you could purchase a security system directly from a home appliance store or a retail outlet that sells electronic devices.
How We Reviewed
We started off by identifying the different models of driveway alarm systems available in the market. We then selected the five best alarm systems based on various parameters like the durability of the construction, the technology behind the alarm system, the effectiveness of the sensors, the range within which the system works, and the power source.
Overall Price Range Of The Best Driveway Alarm Systems
The best alarm systems for your driveway are typically priced between $80 and $120. These systems are generally effective, well-built, and designed to minimize false alerts and operational issues. You could also find cheaper alarms priced at $50 or so but these may wear out faster than the higher priced models. They may also be prone to failure and may not work well in certain weather conditions.
What We Reviewed
- Dakota Alert DCMA-2500 Driveway Motion Alert
- Guardline Wireless Driveway Alarm
- Hosmart 1/4 Mile Long Range Rechargeable Wireless Solar Alarm
- Safety Technology International Wireless Driveway Monitor
- Rodann Electronics Wireless Driveway Alarm System
No products found.
No products found.
Features
The DCMA-2500 motion alert system is equipped with a ton of useful features that make it easy to detect any kind of motion from as far as 50 feet away. The system includes a detector and a receiver that function effectively up to a distance of half a mile or so. The detector has a passive infrared sensor that is powered by a 9-volt battery. Upon detecting a person or a vehicle, the detector sends a signal back to the receiver.
The transmitter/detector is weatherproof and can be used outdoors for prolonged periods without suffering any damage. The receiver, meanwhile, has four tones from which you can choose. The options include classical, Westminster, ding-dong, and whistle. You can even use the different tones to distinguish one zone from another. The receiver also has a volume control feature that is a handy little addition. Additionally, the system is easy to set up. You simply need to mount the transmitter on a tree or a post outside your home and plug the receiver into a power outlet inside.
Pros
- Works well up to a good range
- Live customer support is a helpful feature
- Clear instructions make installation easy
- Durable system that lasts for 3 to 4 years
Cons
- Battery not included
- Motion sensors aren’t always triggered
- May deliver false alerts in wet weather
Warranty
It is advisable to contact the manufacturer directly to obtain information about the warranty on this driveway alarm.
No products found.
No products found.
Features
Backed by two years of testing and development, this alarm system from Guardline is truly one of the best security units in the market. The system has been tested to withstand and function in various conditions and settings like thick forests, hail storms, gusty winds, torrential rains, sweltering heat, and thick snow. The alarm system comes with a sensor that has an adjustable detection width and features a swivel mount design. Both of these factors minimize false alerts.
The system also has an impressive range of 500 feet, and this has been tested and established in live settings with walls, trees, buildings, and vehicles. The outdoor unit is constructed from industrial grade PVC and includes a sunshade and a weather-resistant rubber seal. The sensor is wireless and is powered by four AA batteries that can last for a year. The receiver is equipped with features like battery backup, adjustable volume, and over 30 ringtones. The unit is also expandable to include up to 16 sensors.
Pros
- Easy to install and set up
- Operation is smooth and uncomplicated
- Minimal instances of false alarms
- Transmitter can be mounted on anything
Cons
- Potential to lose the tiny screws when you’re changing batteries
- Operating instructions could be clearer
- No direct access to batteries
Warranty
Guardline offers a two-year manufacturer’s warranty on this alarm system.
No products found.
No products found.
Features
This wireless alarm system from Hosmart is powered by solar energy, so you don’t have to worry about replacing or recharging any batteries. The built-in sensor runs on a lithium-ion battery that is charged by a solar panel. Additionally, it can also run on a DC5V power adapter. The sensor has a range of a quarter-mile in ideal conditions, and the system delivers light and sound alerts when vehicles, animals, or pedestrians enter the area within a 30-feet radius.
The device also includes an indicator that notifies you about low battery levels. Moreover, the system can be expanded to include 4 sensors and unlimited receivers at an additional cost. This way, you can enjoy complete coverage of the area you live in. The system also includes 4 or more chimes, each of which can be matched to a different sensor. False alarms are also minimized by altering the sensitivity of the eye of the sensor. The external unit is weatherproof and durable and is made from industrial grade PVC.
Pros
- Easy to install and set up
- No false alarms at night
- Compact and portable design
- Sounds are loud and clear
Cons
- Alarm goes on for quite a while
- Difficult to fasten the cover plate to the sensor body
- Quality control can be improved
Warranty
Hosmart offers a lifetime warranty on this alarm system. The warranty covers defects in parts or workmanship.
No products found.
No products found.
Features
This driveway monitor system is compact and rugged, and it includes a waterproof sensor that is easy to install. The system has an effective range and a line of sight of up to 1,000 feet from the sensor. The device is powered by a couple of rechargeable batteries that derive their fuel from solar energy. Another cool feature that this system offers is the ability to adjust its sensitivity. You can choose between low, medium, or high sensitivity options depending on the kind of area you live in.
The central concept that powers this driveway monitor is a patented magnetometer system. This means that the movement of any large metallic object activates the sensor due to its magnetic field. The sensor then transmits the data to the receiver which alerts you using light and sound signals. So, non-magnetic objects like people, animals, and shadows don’t trigger the alarm, meaning you suffer from very few false alerts if any.
Pros
- Device works well when set up right
- Doesn’t suffer from too many glitches
- Comes with variable sensitivity settings
Cons
- Unit includes low-quality batteries
- Initial configuration can be tricky
- Alarm sounds are a bit weak
- Doesn’t offer much value for money
Warranty
Safety Technology International offers a one-year manufacturer’s warranty from the date of the original purchase.
No products found.
No products found.
Features
The Rodann wireless driveway alert system works on heat detection technology, which allows it to trigger the alarm when a heat source enters the area covered by the sensor. The unit includes a weatherproof outdoor element and a receiver. This system is equipped to receive signals for four different transmitters simultaneously. There are also four different chimes that you can use to identify the transmitter that’s triggering the alerts.
Additionally, a digital counter built into the receiver allows you to keep track of the driveway usage when you’re not at home. The range between the receiver and the transmitter can be extended up to a maximum of 1,000 feet, and the system, which is FCC-approved, can be enhanced using accessories like strobes or speakers. The wiring is straightforward, and the setup takes just a few minutes to complete.
Pros
- Easy to install and operate
- Durable construction that lasts for years
- Offers a ton of options
- Includes four clear and loud chimes
Cons
- Prone to false alarms
- Doesn’t work efficiently in colder weather
- Transmitter consumes batteries swiftly
Warranty
Rodann Electronics offers a limited one-year manufacturer’s warranty on this alarm system. The warranty covers both parts and labor.
The Verdict
Based on our review of these five best alarm systems, we’ve got to agree that the wireless driveway alarm from Guardline comes out at the top. It is user-friendly, extensively tested, and designed to maximize security. The no-frills construction ensures that the system is hard-wearing and long-lasting, and the units are all easy to install and maintain. It can even be expanded to include 16 sensors and unlimited receivers, thus offering comprehensive coverage. The system is also reasonably priced and offers great value for the money.
The only downside, perhaps, is that it can be a bit of a hassle to change the batteries. But that’s certainly no deal-breaker. All in all, if you’re interested in an effective and durable alarm system for your driveway, this is the one you should pick.
Latest Posts
- 3 Ways to know your Alarm System is Outdated
- Vivint vs ADT
- 7 Best Outdoor Motion Sensor Lights for Homes
- Top Home Security Systems in Atlanta, GA
- How to Cancel Your Alarm Contract
William is a tech buff and former corporate security officer turned cybercrime analyst. Computers have few secrets left for him, but home security and alarm systems… Well, those have plenty of secrets for their users, which William is now uncovering and explaining. His articles on home security helped many people take the matter seriously, invest in highly performing systems, and avoid becoming victims of burglaries.
Last update on 2023-05-14 at 03:33 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Leave a Reply