Alarm systems for homes, flats and small businesses: control panels and hubs, motion and door sensors, sirens, keypads and smart security devices. The range suits both people setting up a first wireless kit and installers building a larger system. Leading brands in our range include AJAX, SATEL, Schneider Electric and Qoltec.
How to choose an alarm system
Wireless or wired. Wireless systems are quicker to install and suit rented homes or finished interiors where running cable is difficult. Wired systems need planning and cabling, but many installers prefer them for new builds and large properties.
Size and expandability. Count the entrances, windows and rooms you want to cover, then check how many sensors and zones the hub or control panel supports. A system that has room to grow saves you replacing the panel later when you add a garage or an outbuilding.
Alerts and monitoring. Look at how the system tells you about an alarm: app notifications, a loud siren, a phone call or a connection to a security company. A backup connection such as a mobile network (SIM) in addition to Wi-Fi or Ethernet keeps alerts coming if the internet goes down.
Power backup. The panel or hub should have a battery that keeps it running during a power cut, and wireless sensors should have a stated battery life. Intruders sometimes cut the power first, so this matters in areas with frequent outages.
Smart home compatibility. If you already use a smart home platform, check which protocols and apps the alarm works with. Some systems run on their own app only, while others also connect to lighting, heating, cameras and switches.
Alarm system brands we carry
- AJAX: known for wireless security systems built around a central hub, with a long-range radio protocol and control through a mobile app.
- SATEL: a Polish manufacturer of alarm control panels, keypads and expansion modules, widely used by professional installers in both wired and wireless setups.
- Schneider Electric: an electrical and building automation company, with a smart home range that links security with other household controls.
- Dahua: best known for video surveillance, so its products suit anyone combining cameras with alarm devices.
- Bosch: a long-established name in security technology, including smart home security products.
- Ubiquiti: makes the UniFi range, which brings cameras and access control into the same network management software.
- Netatmo: a French smart home brand known for its weather station and smart thermostat as well as home security products.
- eQ-3 and Fibaro: eQ-3 makes the Homematic IP system, and Fibaro is known for Z-Wave based smart home controllers and sensors.
- SwitchBot and Sonoff: low-cost smart home brands, known for retrofit devices such as button pushers and Wi-Fi switches that add automation to existing equipment.
Also in our range: Qoltec.
Alarm systems: frequently asked questions
Is a wireless alarm system as good as a wired one?
A modern wireless system is adequate for most homes and flats. It is easier to install and extend, and the better ones use encrypted radio communication and monitor their own battery levels. Wired systems still make sense in large properties or new builds where cabling is simple to run.
What does a basic home alarm system include?
A basic kit normally has a hub or control panel, a motion detector, a door or window contact sensor and a siren. Many kits also add a keypad or key fob for arming and disarming. You can then add more sensors, such as smoke or flood detectors, depending on the system.
Can I install an alarm system myself?
Many wireless systems are designed for self-installation. You place the sensors, connect them to the hub and set everything up in the app. Wired panels and larger systems are usually best left to a professional installer.
Will an alarm system work during a power cut or internet outage?
Most alarm panels and hubs have a backup battery, so they keep working for a limited time during a power cut. For internet outages, look for a system with a second connection such as a mobile network. Without one, the siren still sounds locally, but app notifications may not reach you.
