Last updated on August 3rd, 2021
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Now that you have a shed, maybe you need an alarm on it to deter people from coming to see what kinds of interesting stuff you have in it. Matching your alarm to the needs of your neighbourhood and what you’re storing in the shed is key.
Our review looks at a wide range of shed alarms, from a simple open door sensor to a full house and outdoor alarm system. We list the pros and cons of each model along with its features and our recommendation. Our Buyer’s Guide discusses the different levels of coverage, notification and control available in these alarm systems.
BEST PICK
Runner-up
Best Shed Alarms Reviews
1. Tiiwee A1 Home Alarm System Wireless Kit
Best Pick
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The Tiiwee A1 Home Alarm System Wireless Kit is concerned whether someone opens your shed door or windows. This package includes one 120dB siren, a motion detector, 2 window and door sensors and one remote control. This starter set can be the beginning of your whole home alarm system as it’s expandable with sensors, motion detectors and remote controls.
Installing this system is straightforward. The unit comes with the remote control already paired with the sensors. Just remove the protective paper from the back of the sensors and use the underlying adhesive to stick each sensor where you want it.
The remote control itself is also very simple. There are arm and disarm buttons, a sound button to change from siren to door chime and an emergency button. Use the alarm as a doorbell during the day and to warn off intruders during the dark hours. You can also disarm the alarm from the siren itself.
Everything is battery powered (two AAA batteries, included) so you don’t need to have access to mains electricity. However, if you really want to connect your alarm to the mains, an alternate model, the Tiiwee X3, has a USB port for an external power supply. You do have to arm and disarm the X3 system with a PIN code as there isn’t a remote control.
As everything is connected wirelessly, you can connect your sensors and remotes to other A1 sirens, expanding the area in which you can hear the alarm. The Tiiwee A1 system is also compatible and expandable with the brand’s outdoors and indoors motion detectors, outdoor and indoor window and door sensors, and the Tiuiwee A3 model outdoor siren.
Pros
- Home alarm system that’s expandable with extra motion sensors and sirens.
- Includes two window and door sensors, a motion detector, a siren and a remote.
- Covers four zones with an indicator light for each on the motion detector.
- Siren has a loudness of 120db that’s easy to hear.
- Alarm sounds as soon as the window or door is opened.
- Easy to install in under 10 minutes.
- Can add up to 40 sensors to each alarm unit.
- Customer guarantee of 100% of your money back and a two-year warranty.
Our recommendation
As a stand-alone alarm, the Tiiwee A1 Home Alarm System Wireless Kit catches intruders when they enter your shed by opening the door or the window. In addition, you can use this starter set as the foundation of your home security system and add more door/window sensors, some motion detectors and remote controls. The Tiiwee A1 isn’t as sophisticated as the Yale IA-210 intruder alarm starter set (no phone calls to you, no mains electricity power option), but it’s less expensive and the 120dB siren should scare anybody away.
The Tiiwee A1 Home Alarm System Wireless Kit is our Best Pick of shed alarms. It’s particularly a good choice for those who want an expandable shed and home alarm system at a budget-friendly price.
2. CPVAN Motion Sensor Alarm with Siren
Runner-up
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The CPVAN Motion Sensor Alarm with Siren is a consideration if you have no plans on going down to your shed when the siren sounds to see who’s there. This alarm uses passive infrared (PIR) sensors to detect motion and sounds a 125dB siren if it detects someone moving within its 8m sensor range and 100° detection arc. During the day, this CPVAN alarm doubles as a door opening warning with a gentler doorbell chime.
This sensor alarm doesn’t have a keypad. Instead, it comes with a remote control that you use to activate and deactivate the system. You can be up to a safe 100m away to control the alarm unit. The remote control also has an unmistakable panic button to press in case of emergencies. This CPVAN set-up is expandable if you want to add a second remote for someone else and pair it with the system.
You have a choice of running this alarm on three AAA batteries (included) or using an AC adaptor (not included) to plug it into the mains electricity. Some online reviewers recommend doing the latter as they say that this model uses up battery power quickly.
Pros
- Single motion detector comes with one remote control.
- Takes three AAA batteries, included, or runs on electricity using a power adapter (not included).
- Passive infrared (PIR) motion detector senses any motion within the up to 8m sensor range and 100° detection angle.
- Alarm of 125db (or door chime) heard up to 100m away over open space.
- Remote controls activate and deactivate the system and also have a SOS button.
- Expand the system by adding another remote control.
Cons
- Uses up batteries quickly.
- Not extendable with additional sensors.
Our recommendation
The CPVAN Motion Sensor Alarm with Siren is a good choice of basic shed alarm if you’re no good at remembering PIN codes, especially under pressure. The range of motion detection of the sensor is quite wide and the buttons on the remote control are clearly labelled. Just change from daytime doorbell sound to night-time siren with the button on the back of the sensor part.
Another to deter would-be thieves is by installing a garden security light – Check out this guide where I review some of the best garden security cameras including one with live video feed
3. Yale IA-210 Intruder Alarm Starter Set
Best Premium Shed Alarm system
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The Yale IA-210 intruder alarm starter set has everything you need to start to build a full home alarm system, beginning in your shed. This expandable set comes with a PIR motion detector, a door/window contact, a control panel and two one-touch tags to set/reset the system. The included siren puts out 100dB of unmistakable sound terror.
This Yale intruder alarm set is powered in various ways. The control box needs to be wired into mains electricity; as you’re called immediately the alarm is triggered at up to four phone numbers you’ve programmed, the box also needs a connection to a landline; and finally, the motion detector and door sensors need batteries.
Don’t be put off by the idea of only one motion detector as it has a 200m range. That’s really quite a coverage area, but you have the option of only arming part of the area. This is ideal for nighttime to protect whatever isn’t in the bedrooms and bathrooms. Also optional to this model is the pet-friendly feature that lets pets with a combined weight of under 27kg roam through the alarm zone without triggering the sensor.
Disarm the alarm by entering the four-digit PIN code directly into the control panel or tap a one-touch tag on its sensor. You can also deactivate the alarm via a touchtone phone if you receive a phone call that the alarm has been triggered.
You can alternatively purchase this Yale alarm kit with more motion detectors or sensors, or with a remote keypad.
Pros
- Wireless alarm starter kit with one motion detector, one door or window contact, two touch tags, a 100dB siren and a control panel.
- PIR motion detector has a sensing range of 200m, through windows and doors and inside and outside your home.
- Disarm the alarm by tapping it with the one-touch tag or entering a PIN code on the control panel.
- When triggered, the alarm rings four pre-programmed phone numbers in the order you set.
- Wireless technology in the alarm is encrypted for security and sends you a message if the alarm is tampered with.
- Two-year warranty.
Cons
- Requires a phone landline, not mobile, connection.
Our recommendation
The Yale IA-210 intruder alarm starter set is a good foundation for a full home security system. This starter set is enough for your shed and the outdoor area, yet you can expand it into your home (or vice versa). The motion detector has a range of 200m but you can arm only part of that zone to create a smaller safe area. You do need a connection to a landline which you may have given up in this era of smartphones though.
This is the choice for people who want to build a premium multi-level home security system.
4. Yale SAA5015 Wireless Shed and Garage Alarm
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The Yale SAA5015 Wireless Shed and Garage Alarm is a simple motion detector that sits within your shed and puts out an ear-piercing 120db sound 10 seconds after motion is sensed. The detection range is 12m and we couldn’t find the arc of the detection zone, even on the manufacturer’s web page.
There’s a four-key pad to enter the PIN number that resets or turns off the alarm. You can choose your own PIN number (reinsert the batteries to reset it) but you don’t have a lot of choice with only 4 digits. Below the number keys is a red light that comes on when the battery power of the four AAA batteries (not included) is low.
You can choose to leave your alarm standing on a workbench or a shelf or fix it to the wall with the included bracket. Some online reviewers state that this is quite a flimsy bracket and that the alarm doesn’t fit well. You may want to make your own sturdier bracket that’s not as easy to rip off the wall.
When setting the alarm (press the “4” key), you have 30 seconds to leave the vicinity. The time between the alarm detecting motion and the siren going off is 10 seconds, which reviewers claim is long enough for a thief to find the alarm by following its beeping sound and attempt to disable it. Entering the PIN within this time window resets the alarm. Keep this claim in mind when you’re placing the alarm box.
We’re not sure how long the siren sound goes on. Some reviewers say that it goes on forever until you reset it and others say that it stops after 30 seconds. The manufacturer doesn’t say anything at all about this.
Pros
- Keypad padlock, free-standing or mounted on the wall, for your shed.
- Body motion detected within a 12m range and within an arc.
- Runs on four AAA batteries that are not included.
- Low battery indicator, red light.
- Enter four-digit PIN code into keypad to reset or turn off alarm.
- Alarm activates 30 seconds after pressing the “4” key.
- 100dB Siren starts 10 seconds after sensor detects motion.
- Includes alarm, fittings and instructions.
- Two-year guarantee.
Cons
- Batteries not included.
- Flimsy bracket that’s difficult to mount unit on.
- Lag between motion detected and siren start.
- Beeps between motion sensed and start of alarm.
Our recommendation
The Yale SAA5015 Wireless Shed and Garage Alarm is a simple motion detector that, when set, senses the motion of a person within its detection zone. Ten seconds later, if the PIN is not entered, a 100dB siren goes off. This is a very loud sound. However, depending on where you place the sensor, the person may already be well into the shed before they’re detected.
This is a good choice for someone who doesn’t have much stored in their shed and wants a basic, budget alarm system with a keypad and PIN code.
Buyer’s Guide
Your key decision when selecting your shed alarm is the level of security you want. Consider the power tools, the bikes and all the gardening equipment and patio furniture that may be in there, plus the general safety of your neighbourhood, before making up your mind. Our Buyer’s Guide identifies the different options out there and they reflect our choices of alarm systems in this review.
Levels of monitoring
Your shed alarm can be a stand-alone system or part of a multi-layered security system for your entire home. Mix and match the different levels of monitoring to design your ideal safe zone.
One of the first levels of monitoring is the door and windows to your shed. Putting sensors on these triggers the alarm when they’re opening. These sensors work by establishing a magnetic connection between the door/window frame and the door/window. After the alarm system is armed, opening the door or window breaks this connection and triggers the alarm. However, breaking the glass in a window and climbing in through the hole doesn’t trigger the window sensor.
And that’s where the next level of monitoring comes in – the motion detector. Motion detectors nowadays are usually passive infrared detectors (PIR) that detect any movement in front of them out to a certain distance (range). As well as the range, what’s important here is the arc of the detection zone. Some detectors monitor only what’s in front of them while others can sense anything in a particular segment of a circle out on front – given as the number of degrees.
It’s important to know the range and the detection zone as that determines where you place your detector. If your motion sensor has a range of 5m and your shed is 7m long, placing the detector on the back wall means that 2m of your shed inside the door isn’t monitored. This leaves whatever you store there open to being taken away without any warning to you.
Some alarms, especially those with a long-range, have different zones that you can arm separately. This is something to keep in mind if you’re thinking of expanding your shed alarm to a full house security system.
Levels of notification
The basic way of notifying you that your shed alarm has been triggered is through a loud siren. These sirens are usually 100dB and up, which is about the sound of a power lawnmower. The siren sound travels through walls and windows but be sure to check out that you can hear it from your home before permanently placing the siren. Some alarms have outdoor sirens which make it easier to hear the alarm as the sound doesn’t have to escape the shed at first. With some siren alarm systems, you can switch the alarm to a pleasant doorbell chime during the day to notify you that someone has entered.
The next level of notifying you is to send a message to the control panel if your alarm system has one. If you’ve divided your detection area into zones, the zone entered should be indicated, usually by a red light, on that panel.
The ultimate notification level is to send a message to your phone. This may be to a landline phone or to your cell phone.
A key question to ask here is how long is the gap between the alarm being triggered and the siren sound. If there is a gap of, say 10 seconds, that could be enough time for an intruder to enter the shed, pick up the most expensive-looking portable item, and run away. If there’s no gap, then a person who accidentally entered an alarmed shed won’t have any time to disarm the system. You need to figure out what’s best you’re the way you and your family use the shed.
Levels of your control
Alarm systems may come with one or more control options, so look out for the ones that make sense to your lifestyle.
Some alarm systems work only with remote control. If you misplace the control, you can’t use the system. Or, perhaps worse, you can’t shut off the really loud siren that’s annoying your whole neighbourhood. Arming, disarming and changing the alarm sound is done through the remote control. There’s also using an emergency button that sets the siren off immediately.
There may be a control panel. For keypad padlock alarms, this is where you enter the PIN code. For remote systems, the control panel is in your home so you don’t have to bravely go out to the shed to find reset anything.
If the alarm system is linked to your phone you can control it from there. Landlines require a regular touchtone phone and cellphones can usually be of any brand.
Final Conclusion
When you add it all up, the contents of your garden shed probably cost you some significant funds. Protecting them with a shed alarm makes sense, whether you choose a simple door alarm or integrate the shed into your home security system. The alarms in our review run the gamut from an inexpensive motion detector to a starter kit that you can build up into a complete home protection system.
Our Best Pick is the Tiiwee A1 Home Alarm System Wireless Kit. This is an affordable kit that protects the door, window and inside of your shed. Build on it to expand to your home and outside grounds.
Our Runner-up is the CPVAN Motion Sensor Alarm with Siren. This is a motion detector that you control via remote control. It has a good area of detection and works during the day as a door chime.
If you’ve taken a new look at your shed and now think that it’s not sturdy enough to be safe, even with an alarm system, check out our Top 5 Best Metal Sheds, Top 7 best plastic sheds for all your garden storage needs, and Best Garden Shed Reviews – Plastic, Metal and Wooden Models Compared articles for sheds of all types that we recommend.
Last update on 2024-11-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
