Best Wireless Driveway Alarms (Review & Buying Guide) in 2023 | Autance

Knowing what’s happening on your property is essential to security. That makes an alarm system is a critical component of home safety. Of course, what you want out of your driveway alarm system varies depending on where you reside. If you live in a rural setting, you probably want something that can detect wildlife. That way you’ll know if a deer wanders near your garage. In urban areas, you probably want something that can distinguish people from vehicles. This feature helps keep you safe from potential intruders. In any case, a wireless driveway alarm is a good way to get the job done. Running either on solar or battery power (or a mix of both), these systems detect threats and inform you promptly. They come in many styles, varying in range, appearance, and alarm mechanism. The best wireless driveway alarm is easy for you to set up and requires limited maintenance. To help you find the ideal unit, we’ve curated a list of the top selections.

Best Wireless Driveway Alarms Buying Guide & FAQs

Finding the best driveway alarm for your property will provide you with several benefits. But to experience full functionality and awareness, you need to have the right alarm. This means knowing the different types available and what to look for in the ideal alarm for your property.

This guide will help you know what to look for by explaining what’s important and give you some options for quality alarms for your property. That way, you can evaluate your options and purchase the best alarm system for your needs.

Start by deciding what your alarm goals are. Then look to the size of your property. This information will help you get started.

The Advantages of Owning a Wireless Driveway Alarm

The biggest benefit of buying a driveway alarm is that you’ll be alerted any time there is movement in your driveway. This is an important security feature. You never know when someone less savory decides to enter your property. The best part is that your driveway alarm works 24/7, so even when you’re sleeping, you’re protected.

Another added benefit of having a driveway alarm is that it can alert you to all kinds of motion. If an animal strolls through your property, the alarm will sense the motion and alert you to it. You can then look out your window and see the local wildlife in their natural habitat strolling through your property.

Finally, wouldn’t it be nice if you had a warning of when your guests were about to arrive? You could ask them to call or text you, but that may or may not happen. Having a driveway alarm will ensure you’re alerted and ready for when you’re guests finally ring your doorbell.

• Increased security of your property
• See the wildlife on your property
• Be prepared for any guests that visit

Popular Types of Wireless Driveway Alarms

The different types of driveway alarms use different technologies to sense and alert you to someone’s presence on your property. The type of sensor you choose will depend on your property, it’s size, and the type of alerts you’re trying to receive.

When comparing types, think about what you want to be alerted to. Are you only concerned about vehicles? Maybe you’re only concerned about movement on your driveway. Then there are alarms that will alert you to any kind of movement in the vicinity of the sensor.

• Active Infrared 

These driveway alarms use two units to create a line of sight sensor. The alarm will trigger an alert when that laser line gets broken. There will be one unit on one side of the driveway and one on the other side. Light will emit from one unit, reflect off the other, and return to the first.

The advantage of this is that you’ll get alerted to anything moving past the sensor as it travels up your driveway. The downside is that an animal or person can step over the light or walk around the sensors, and you’ll never get alerted.

• Metal Probe 

Metal probe driveway alarms work by sensing large masses of metal moving near it. This means that it will be effective at sensing cars but won’t alert you to animals or people moving about. This is perfect if you’re only concerned about cars and want to minimize false alarms.

When choosing a metal probe, you’ll need to be able to bury a portion of it in the ground next to your driveway. You’ll also want to make sure it’s strong enough to sense cars on your driveway.

These driveway alarms tend to be more affordable than other alarms. This is because they use a simpler technology.

• Passive Infrared 

This sensor works slightly differently than the other one. This driveway alarm works by sensing heat. This means it will be able to sense humans, animals, and the heat from vehicle engines. The sensor will alert you when it senses a change in temperature.

The best part of this type of alarm is that it will alert you to anything in your driveway that has heat. This includes vehicles, adults, children, and animals. The downside is that these alarms can have a high rate of false alarms. They may also not be effective in very hot climates where there isn’t enough of a heat variation between the current atmospheric temperature and the body moving by it.

What to Look for When Buying a Wireless Driveway Alarm

Once you decide on the type of alarm, you’ll need to compare different models to find the one with the right features. Some alarms have longer transmission ranges, so you can place the receiver further away. Other alarms are meant to be part of a larger and more extensive system. It’s also important to look at how the alarm is installed and potential complications, since not all alarms will be compatible with your property.

• Transmission Range 

Driveway alarms have a specific distance that they can emit their signal. This means that your receiver needs to be within this distance to ensure it receives the alert signal from the sensor on your driveway.

Measure the range from where you plan to place the sensor and where you plan to place the receiver. It’s best to purchase an alarm with a range longer than this. That way, you aren’t maxing out the signal. Take into account anything that may block the signal, such as trees, parked vehicles, or thick walls. The signal needs to be strong enough to transmit through these things.

• Expandability 

If you have a long driveway or larger property, then you may want to expand your alarm system. Then you can have multiple sensors all transmitting to a single receiver. Each sensor can have its own alert sound. Then you know where the movement is based on the alert sound.

Some systems come with one sensor and receiver. Other systems will come with multiple units for easy installation. If you’re unsure of what you need, it’s smart to buy a smaller system that you can expand upon later.

When looking to expand your alarm system, you could place multiple alarms along the length of a long driveway. This is ideal if you can’t see your entire driveway from your home. Then you can be confident that visitors reach your home or leave. If you have a larger property, you could place a sensor at each entrance of your property. Then you know what direction visitors are coming from.

• Ease of Installation

The different types of sensors have different installation requirements. It’s important to follow the manufacturer’s directions exactly to ensure that your alarm works correctly. Install it wrong, and you could have missed or false alerts.

Look at the included hardware. Quality alarms come with all required installation hardware. Then look at the tools needed to install it to ensure you have what you need. Next, look at where and how the alarm gets installed on your property. A magnetic alarm will require you to dig a hole and bury a portion of the alarm next to your driveway. An infrared alarm will require you to mount the two units across from each other on either side of the driveway just above ground level.

Tips for Using Wireless Driveway Alarms

Try to create a clear path from the sensor to the receiver. The fewer objects blocking the signal path, the better the transmission, and the more accurate your alerts will be.

Keep in mind that your driveway alarm is going to be outside. This means it’s important to pay attention to how water and weatherproof the unit is. You don’t want it failing to work after a couple of months because the unit leaked, and the electrical inside shorted.

Once you have your alarms installed, you should periodically check them. This is to confirm they’re still working properly. You don’t want the sensor to get blocked by vegetation. If they have batteries, you’ll want to change them.

• Make sure it’s waterproof.
• Regularly check your alarms.
• Create a clear path from sensor to receiver.

Best Wireless Driveway Alarms FAQs

You’re only getting started once you’ve chosen and purchased a driveway alarm. Now you need to install it correctly and test it to make sure it works. Different types of alarms are installed differently, so it’s important you follow the directions.

Once it’s installed, you should test it to ensure it’s installed correctly. Then you can have confidence that your alarm is on and ready.

Our Top Pick

Our top pick for the best wireless driveway alarm is the Hosmart Rechargeable Driveway Alarm. The sensor has an impressive half-mile range for the receiver, which gives you a lot of flexibility in how and where you place the two units. The sensor is battery-powered, so you don’t have to worry about the sun charging the sensor to work each day. The unit is made of industrial-grade PVC, so it’s durable and waterproof. You can depend on this alarm to alert you of movement by vehicles, humans, and large animals.

Final Thoughts

For a reliable and easy-to-use driveway alarm, the Hosmart Rechargeable Driveway Alarm is a customizable and versatile option. For a more affordable yet still high-performing alarm, the 1byone Wireless Driveway Alarm is a smart choice.