WI
“SimpliSafe is the best choice for those who want professional monitoring without a long-term contract”
Is the SimpliSafe The Essentials worth it?
The SimpliSafe The Essentials ($199) is recommended with a 8.2/10 consensus score across 10 expert reviews. Experts highlight lowest monitored 5-year cost at $1,278 and no contract — cancel professional monitoring anytime. Wirecutter says: "SimpliSafe is the best choice for those who want professional monitoring without..." Best for: First-time security system buyers, Contract-averse homeowners, Insurance discount seekers.
Recommended10 Expert Reviews
SimpliSafe The Essentials
NM
Nicholas Miles · Editor-in-Chief & Methodology Owner
Security
SHE ScoreAbove Average
SmartHomeExplorer proprietary rating
6.1/10
10 expert sources
Compatibility Breadth5/10
Setup Ease5.6/10
Reliability6.5/10
Value Rating8.2/10
Future-Proofing5/10
The SimpliSafe The Essentials earns a SHE Score of 6.1/10, driven by strong value (8.2/10) with room to improve in future-proofing (5/10). Based on 10 expert sources and SmartHomeExplorer compatibility analysis.
How we calculate the SHE Score →Expert Consensus: 8.2/10 across 10 sources
Updated:“SimpliSafe is the best choice for those who want professional monitoring without a long-term contract”
Key Features
- ✓ No contract monitoring
- ✓ Peel-and-stick install
- ✓ Insurance discount eligible
- ✓ $17.99/month monitoring
Best For
First-time security system buyersContract-averse homeownersInsurance discount seekers
What Experts Agree On
What Experts Love
- ✓ Lowest monitored 5-year cost at $1,278
- ✓ No contract — cancel professional monitoring anytime
- ✓ Peel-and-stick sensors with 20-minute setup
- ✓ Qualifies for homeowner insurance discounts of 5-20%
Common Criticisms
- ✗ Closed ecosystem — limited third-party device support
- ✗ No HomeKit support
- ✗ Camera quality lags behind Ring and Arlo
- ✗ Monthly monitoring fee required for mobile alerts
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What The Experts Say
PC
“The Essentials kit is the ideal entry point — everything you need at the lowest monitored cost”
Ready to buy the SimpliSafe The Essentials?
Check Price on Amazon$199 · 10 expert sources · 8.2/10 consensus
Featured in these buying guides
See how the SimpliSafe The Essentials ranks against the full field in our Security buying guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the SimpliSafe The Essentials worth it?
The SimpliSafe The Essentials earns a 8.2/10 consensus score across 10 expert sources and is rated "Recommended". At $199, it is best for First-time security system buyers. Wirecutter notes: "SimpliSafe is the best choice for those who want professional monitoring without a long-term contract"
How much does the SimpliSafe The Essentials cost?
The SimpliSafe The Essentials is priced at $199. With a 8.2/10 score from 10 expert reviews and a "Recommended" rating, that price represents fair value relative to the ~7.5/10 average for Security products. Prices shift often, so check the live figure before buying.
Who is the SimpliSafe The Essentials best for?
The SimpliSafe The Essentials is best for First-time security system buyers, Contract-averse homeowners, Insurance discount seekers. Experts rate it "Recommended" with a 8.2/10 consensus across 10 sources.
How does the SimpliSafe The Essentials compare to other Security options?
Among the Security products we have aggregated, the SimpliSafe The Essentials ranks above average with a 8.2/10 score. PCMag adds: "The Essentials kit is the ideal entry point — everything you need at the lowest monitored cost"
What smart home systems does the SimpliSafe The Essentials work with?
The SimpliSafe The Essentials works with major smart home platforms. Check the compatibility notes above for any hub dependencies or setup requirements before you buy.
What are the best alternatives to the SimpliSafe The Essentials?
If the SimpliSafe The Essentials ($199, 8.2/10) is not the right fit, the closest alternatives in Security are Ring Alarm Pro, Abode Iota All-in-One Kit, ADT Self Setup. Compare them on price, ecosystem support, and expert consensus to find your match.
What are the pros and cons of the SimpliSafe The Essentials?
The main strengths of the SimpliSafe The Essentials are lowest monitored 5-year cost at $1,278 and no contract — cancel professional monitoring anytime. The most-cited downside is closed ecosystem — limited third-party device support. Overall, 10 expert sources rate it "Recommended" with a 8.2/10 consensus score.
Sources & Methodology
This review aggregates 10 independent expert reviews into a single consensus score. See how we build consensus scores and the SHE Score methodology.
Expert review sources cited on this page:
Affiliate disclosure: SmartHomeExplorer.com participates in the Amazon Associates program. We earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. This consensus review is based on 10 independent expert reviews — we did not test this product ourselves. Always verify current prices and availability before purchasing.