The Best Door and Window Alarms of 2024 to Keep Your Family Safe, Tested
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We tested today’s top door and window alarms. Protect your home with one of the products that proved its merit in our hands-on tests.
Security lighting and cameras can go a long way in keeping your home safe, but for many homeowners, the best forms of protection are piercing door and window alarms that can scare away would-be intruders while alerting residents. Some folks prefer to invest in a complete home security system that detects motion, records activity, and provides a startling siren.
The latest door and window alarms are not just loud; they’re more sensitive and convenient than ever—but which ones are best? We wanted to learn which of today’s popular products provided the most effective warnings, so we tested them. We installed them on doors and windows, and then we watched (and listened) as they set off their earsplitting sirens. We liked the YoLink Smart Window Door Sensors, LoRa ¼ Mile Range best and were impressed with its ability to transmit up to a quarter of a mile away.
The best alarm for a particular shopper will depend on several factors, including the type they prefer, where they wish to install it, and whether they’d like remote access. Ahead, find out about the different types available today and how the following models earned a spot in our lineup of the best door and window alarms.
- BEST OVERALL: YoLink LoRa Smart Window Door Sensors
↓ Jump to Review - BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: GE Personal Security Window and Door Alarm
↓ Jump to Review - UPGRADE PICK: Ring Alarm 5-Piece Security Kit
↓ Jump to Review - BEST GLASS-BREAK SENSOR: Eva Logik Door Window Alarm With Vibration Sensor
↓ Jump to Review - BEST FOR TRAVEL: Emdmak Door Stop Alarm With 120 dB Siren
↓ Jump to Review - BEST WITH SECURITY BAR: SecurityMan Security Bar Door and Window Bar Alarm
↓ Jump to Review
| Testing Stats | |
|---|---|
| Products tested | 7 |
| Time spent testing | 3.5 hours |
| Tests performed | 4 |
| Price range | $12 to $200 |
How We Tested the Best Door and Window Alarms
Before we selected door and window alarms for hands-on testing, we researched more than 25 different models and types, paying close attention to how they worked and studying the feedback from consumers who bought them.
Brand reputation was also a consideration. Both Ring and GE are nationally known companies that produce top-of-the-line home-security products and systems. But we didn’t automatically eliminate smaller or niche brands as long as their alarms featured quality components and users rated them highly. In the end, we opted to test the best prospects from a range of different types of alarms.
When testing alarms with remote access, we downloaded the corresponding apps and synced the sensors to our Wi-Fi or Alexa system. We configured the alarms using the apps or programming directly using a keypad (when applicable). We tried out all the functions, such as volume control, setting passwords, and engaging and disengaging the alarms from the app or the keypad.
We tested all the alarms, both the smart devices and the point-of-use models, by opening windows and doors (or trying to open them) to trigger the alarms. We noted how easy (or difficult) it was to set the alarms up, and we estimated their loudness if the manufacturer didn’t cite the decibel level. We used hearing protection after we tested the first alarm; it was so loud that it hurt our ears.
Throughout the testing process, we scored each product using a rubric. The better the product performed a function, the higher the score it received. After testing, we averaged the scores and used the results to help us categorize the alarms.
Our Top Picks
While many security products, such as cameras and floodlights, come with added alarms, we focused our testing on products where alarms were the primary functions. Not all of the products we tested earned a spot on this lineup. The models on this list excelled in our hands-on tests, and we’re confident that each is one of the best door and window alarms on the market.
Best Overall
YoLink LoRa Smart Window Door Sensors
Photo: Amazon
Product Specs
- Type: Contact sensor
- Remote access: Yes, receive alerts on smartphone, Amazon Alexa, or Google Assistant
- Audible alert: No
What We Like
- Peel-and-stick sensors for easy installation
- Up to ¼ mile open-air wireless range
- Syncs with YoLink app, If This Then That (IFTTT) app, Alexa, Google
What We Don’t Like
- No audible alerts from sensors
We opened the package to find four standard contact sensors and a hub. Then we downloaded the YoLink app, which walked us through syncing the hub with our Wi-Fi network; it was quite simple.
We installed one of the contact sensors on an interior door, and the YoLink app detected it and prompted us to name it. We called it “master bathroom.” The sensor sent an alert to our smartphone when we opened the door. We then installed the rest of the sensors on other doors in the house. They all worked similarly, sending alerts to our phone when a door was opened. That was all to be expected—but then came the surprises.
A few minutes later, we got another alert on our phone—even though we hadn’t opened any door. A quick app check told us the master bathroom door was still open! We found we could configure the app to notify us if any door had been left open for a set amount of time.
A bigger surprise still awaited. We removed one of the sensors we’d placed on an interior house door and took it to our shop, which sits about ⅛ mile away from the house. We installed it on the shop door, not really expecting it to work, but when we opened the door, we got an alert on our smartphone.
We really liked the YoLink alarms, but we wished they also offered an audible alert function, such as a chime or a siren that sounded when a door was open. Still, that’s a minor gripe for what’s basically an excellent long-range security solution. Remember that a smartphone (or Alexa or Google device) is needed to receive alerts. YoLink can be configured to work with an Alexa device, such as an Echo Show.
What our tester says: “While regular Wi-Fi and Bluetooth rarely work at a long distance, the YoLink hub communicates with the sensors via LoRa technology—transmitting up to ¼ mile away. I found that very impressive.”—Glenda Taylor, Product Reviews tester & writer
Get the YoLink door and window alarm at Amazon, YoSmart, or Walmart.
Best Bang for the Buck
GE Personal Security Window and Door Alarm
Photo: Amazon
Product Specs
- Type: Contact sensor
- Remote access: No
- Audible alert: Yes
What We Like
- Very loud alarm
- Optional chiming sound
- Easy to install
What We Don’t Like
- Doesn’t sync with Wi-Fi or smart devices
These GE window and door alarms prove that you needn’t spend a lot to get a measure of security. At first glance, these alarms, which have peel-and-stick pads for easy installation, look like virtually all contact sensors. But, wow, are they loud—way louder than we thought they’d be.
These door and window alarm sensors come with batteries preinstalled, so we aligned the two parts of the sensors on doors and started testing. A small switch on the side of each sensor turns the unit on or off or selects Chime or Alarm. The chime is a nice-sounding doorbell sound that is easy to hear from adjoining rooms, but the alarm is truly ear-piercing. We literally jumped when we opened the door and triggered the alarm function.
While these GE contact sensors won’t sync to a home security system or Wi-Fi, they should certainly fit the bill for those looking for an affordable, ear-splitting alarm to scare off intruders.
What our tester says: “The manufacturer claims that the alarm is 120 decibels (dB), and while I didn’t have a sound tester, it startled me enough to wear ear protection while testing the sensors.”—Glenda Taylor, Product Reviews tester & writer
Get the GE door and window alarm at Amazon or Walmart.
Upgrade Pick
Ring Alarm 5-Piece Security Kit
Photo: Amazon
Product Specs
- Type: Contact sensor, motion detector
- Remote access: Yes
- Audible alert: Yes
What We Like
- Loud siren-type alarm
- Control from keypad or smartphone
- Added motion-detection function
- Additional sensors can be added later
What We Don’t Like
- Range extender didn’t work too well
- Only 1 contact sensor included
From a well-respected manufacturer of home-security products comes the Ring Alarm kit, which is just the right size for offering advanced protection for apartment dwellers or those in small homes.
The first thing we did was download the Ring Always Home app and set up an account. The app walked us through the setup process, which included syncing with Wi-Fi. The system has five modules: a hub, a range extender, motion detector, keypad controller, and a contact sensor. We were able to configure each one easily through the app.
We found the contact sensor and motion detector very responsive—they sent immediate alerts to our smartphone. However, we weren’t too impressed with the range extender, which allowed us to locate the sensor only about 30 feet farther away than when we didn’t use it. We would have preferred a second contact sensor that we could have installed on another door or window.
The system offers three modes: Home, Away, and Disarmed. In Home mode, the contact sensor still sent alerts, but the motion detector was disabled. In Away mode, we received alerts from both the contact sensor and the motion detector. In Disarmed mode, we received no alerts. We could also choose an audible-alarm feature that was very loud; the manufacturer doesn’t list the decibels, but we estimated it was between 100 and 105 dB based on comparison to the other alarms we tested.
We were able to arm/disarm the system by entering a code, either on the keypad or on our smartphone. The keypad can also be configured to call the police or fire department automatically at the touch of a single button. We didn’t test that feature. We found the Ring Alarm system worked well and was easy to use from the keypad or our smartphone. Users can purchase real-time monitoring through a subscription service if desired.
Get the Ring door and window alarm at Amazon, The Home Depot, or Best Buy.
Best Glass-Break Sensor
Eva Logik Door Window Alarm With Vibration Sensor
Photo: Amazon
Product Specs
- Type: Glass break (vibration) sensor
- Remote access: No
- Audible alert: Yes
What We Like
- Easy to apply to window
- Warning sticker visible to potential intruders
- Loud whistlelike alarm
What We Don’t Like
- Vibration sensitive only; not sound sensitive
- Not enough stickers to affix all 4 sensors
With a stationary window that doesn’t open, a standard contact-sensor alarm will be useless. That’s where a glass-break sensor can come in, setting off an alarm if the pane of glass is broken. The Eva Logik sensors we tested were vibration (not sound) sensors, so they had to be in contact with the glass as it broke.
The package includes four sensors, each of which attaches to glass via a double-sided sticker. The stickers display a warning to would-be intruders that the home is protected. Unfortunately, our package came with only two stickers. This was clearly an error, but after checking product reviews, we found other buyers didn’t receive all four stickers either. Fortunately, two-sided tape can be used to hold the sensors in place on a window.
Rather than actually break a window in our home, we affixed an Eva Logik sensor to a 12-inch-long by 12-inch-wide sheet of clear glass—a simple process. We then placed the pane on the ground outdoors, laying it on a towel to collect broken shards, and hit the center firmly with a hammer to break it.
As the glass shattered, the Eva Logik let out a hair-raising squeal that sounded more like a high-pitched whistle than a siren. While the manufacturer doesn’t list the actual decibel level, we estimated it to be about 95 dB compared to the other alarms. The downside to this type of alarm is that a separate sensor is needed for every window since it detects vibration and not sound. Those with multiple windows to secure may prefer a glass-break sound sensor, which is designed to detect the sound of glass breaking and set off an alarm.
Get the Eva Logik door and window alarm at Amazon or Walmart (8-pack).
Best for Travel
Emdmak Door Stop Alarm With 120 dB Siren
Photo: Amazon
Product Specs
- Type: Pressure sensor
- Remote access: No
- Audible alert: Yes
What We Like
- Easy to use—just wedge under door
- Deafening siren
- Rubber base helps keep the door from opening
What We Don’t Like
- 9-volt battery not included
- Pressure-sensitivity adjustment didn’t work
Small and lightweight, the Emdmak door alarm system is well suited for travel. It won’t take up a lot of space in a bag or duffel, and it’s super easy to use: Just wedge it under the door. As the only alarm tested that didn’t come with preinstalled batteries, we first had to locate and put in the required 9-volt battery. We closed a door, then slid and snugly wedged the Emdmak doorstop device underneath. The device offers low, medium, and high sensitivity levels, so after turning it on, we selected the high sensitivity level to find out just how little pressure we could put on the door before the alarm sounded.
When we attempted to open the door, an incredibly loud alarm sounded. The manufacturer lists it at 120 dB, and we believe it—we were wearing ear protection and still ran away from the area. When we retested the device on both medium and low sensitivity levels, we found no discernible difference in the sensitivity settings. In short, the alarm went off if we exerted only slight pressure on all three settings. Knocking on the door didn’t set off the alarm on any setting, but as soon as we turned the knob and pushed the door a tiny fraction of an inch, the alarm sounded.
Another attribute of this door alarm is its nonskid rubber base that doesn’t slide, which makes it even harder to force open the door, although the piercing alarm alone would likely deter most intruders. We felt this added a valuable measure of security and safety for the user, whether at home or traveling in an unfamiliar area where folks might feel somewhat more anxious.
Get the Emdmak door alarm at Amazon or Walmart.
Best with Security Bar
SecurityMan Security Bar Door and Window Bar Alarm
