Best door & window alarms UK (2026) — compared & price-tracked
A door or window alarm makes an opening announce itself — nothing more. This page covers two quite different tiers of that idea. Standalone contact, vibration and wedge alarms (from the likes of tiiwee, VOXON, SABRE, Defender and KERUI) sound a siren on the spot and stop there. DIY smart alarm kits (from eufy, Ring, ERA, SimpliSafe and Yale) build door and window sensors into a hub system with app alerts, keypads and motion detection. The useful question before buying is who needs to hear the alarm. If the answer is whoever is in or near the house, a cheap contact alarm on each vulnerable opening already does the job. If the answer is you, wherever you happen to be, you need a hub kit — and you should check what its alerts cost to keep before the headline price settles it. Either way, this is the cheapest layer of home security, working alongside decent locks rather than replacing them. Prices below are tracked against UK retailers and checked against manufacturers' documentation.
By Tom Calder · Updated 20 September 2026 · 24 products, 22 of 24 price-tracked

Before you buy
Start by counting the openings you worry about, because the two tiers scale differently. For a rented flat, a shed or a few ground-floor windows, multipacks of standalone alarms cover each opening most cheaply: VOXON's 2-pack and tiiwee's 4-pack are both self-adhesive with no drilling. Buy singles, such as SABRE's one-unit alarm, and the cost per opening rises. Defender's vibration pair suits windows you never open, reacting to the glass being struck rather than the frame parting. Wedge alarms from KERUI and Mengshen, sold in threes, need no fixing at all, which makes them the travel and hotel pick. A hub kit earns its price when you want one system across the whole house with alerts on your phone — eufy's 5-piece kit is usually the cheapest way in, with Ring's 5-piece and Yale's Sync 9-piece above it. Security cameras are a separate job we compare in their own guide; so are personal attack alarms, which protect people rather than buildings.
The Type column is the mechanism, and it decides where a unit can go. Contact alarms trigger when magnet and body part — tiiwee's needs a 1–9mm gap, so warped or wide-reveal uPVC frames are a poor fit. Vibration alarms like Defender's react to impact on the glass. Wedges are pressure-triggered and only work on inward-opening doors with enough floor grip. Siren volume is a manufacturer's rating taken close to the sounder, not what you'll hear across a garden: Ring quotes its base station at 104dB at 30cm and its outdoor siren as over 100dB at a metre — different measurements that shouldn't be compared directly. Anything from 100dB up is unmissable indoors, so don't pay extra for a bigger number. Power tells you outage behaviour and battery housekeeping: hub kits pair a mains base with a backup battery, while standalone units run on cells from AAA to LR44 — and tiiwee's A1 sensors take an uncommon 12V A23 worth stocking spares of.
The Smart features column is really a running-cost column, and it separates lookalike kits. Decide first whether you want anything to happen automatically when you're unreachable. If yes, budget the plan, not the box: Ring puts cellular backup and its call-out features behind a Ring Protect plan, which starts at £4.99 a month and tops out at £29.99 for the Guard Response tier with 24/7 guard dispatch; SimpliSafe gates phone alerts and professional monitoring the same way, with monitored plans from £19.99 a month and the Pro Premium tier — cellular backup and dispatch included — at £29.99, up to £360 a year on top of the hardware; ERA includes a 4G SIM and a three-month trial, then from £8 a month to keep cellular backup and automated calls; Yale's newer Smart Alarm range adds 4G backup for about £5 a month. If no, the honest zero-fee picks are Yale's Sync kits and eufy — nothing monthly ever, but no cellular path exists at any price, so remote alerts live and die with your broadband.
Piece counts are marketing, so translate them into openings covered before comparing prices. Ring's 5-piece kit contains one contact sensor and one motion detector — a front door and a hallway, not a house. Yale's IA-320 6-piece includes a single door contact; eufy's 5-piece manages two entry sensors; SimpliSafe's 7-piece covers exactly two openings out of the box. Expansion is where budgets drift: extra Yale Sync contacts are sold one at a time, and the HSA6010 only pairs with Yale's older HSA panels — neither does anything without the matching system, so don't buy an add-on sensor as a standalone alarm. The Yale Mini kit covers one door or room and cannot expand at all, which is why it's sold as a shed and garage kit. Standalone alarms sidestep the arithmetic: they scale at £5–£8 per opening in multipacks, however many you add, with nothing else to buy.
Finally, the things to ignore and the details that matter more. Ignore audible-range claims — SABRE's listing quotes both 230 and 395 metres for the same siren, which tells you how much weight such figures deserve. Ignore bundle 'saving' banners. And check plan names against the manufacturer's current page rather than an older review: Ring alone has renamed its subscription twice, to Ring Home in November 2024 and back to Ring Protect in January 2026, so a review's plan name tells you nothing reliable about today's price. What does matter is where the siren physically is: eufy's sounds from the hub itself, so a HomeBase tucked away in a back room is a quiet alarm, while Ring's siren-included packs and Yale's Sync kits hang a sounder outside where neighbours can hear it. Fit sensors properly — adhesive pads alone are the usual failure point, so use the screws where the kit supplies them. And never put a wedge alarm on a door you would escape through: fire and rescue services' standing advice is to keep escape routes clear, and a wedge is deliberately an obstruction.
Top pick: Ring Alarm Pack - XL + Indoor Camera (2nd Gen) with Alarm Outdoor Siren (by Amazon). This is the biggest Ring Alarm bundle sold on Amazon UK and it covers a full house out of the box: six contact sensors, three motion detectors, a keypad, an indoor camera and an outdoor siren. It's a genuinely cheap first layer of home security, but treat the on-screen '£X saved' framing with a pinch of salt and budget for a Ring Home subscription if you want remote control or cellular backup.
| Alarm | Type | Siren volume | Power | Smart features | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ring Alarm Pack - XL + Indoor Camera (2nd Gen) with Alarm Outdoor Siren (by Amazon)TOP PICK | 13-piece DIY wireless alarm kit | Base station siren: 104 dB @ 30cm | Base station: mains socket + 24hr backup battery | Ring app control, Alexa voice integration | £409.99as of 20 Sep 2026, 12:29 BST · DetailsProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. | Check price → |
| Ring Alarm 5 Piece Kit – Home Security System with optional Assisted Monitoring, Works with Alexa | Wireless DIY alarm kit | Approx 100–104 dB at 30cm (base station siren) | Mains + rechargeable battery backup | Ring app control, Works with Alexa | £249.00as of 20 Sep 2026, 12:29 BST · DetailsProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. | Check price → |
| Yale IA-320 Sync Smart Home Alarm 6 Piece Kit | DIY wire-free alarm kit | ~100–104 dB (external box siren | Mains-powered hub with battery backup | App control, works with Alexa & Google Assistant | £219.99as of 20 Sep 2026, 12:29 BST · DetailsProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. | Check price → |
| eufy Security 5-Piece Home Alarm Kit | Wireless DIY alarm kit | 100dB local siren | HomeBase2 is mains-powered | eufy Security app for arm/disarm and | £149.99as of 20 Sep 2026, 12:29 BST · DetailsProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. | Check price → |
| SimpliSafe Home Security System | 13 Piece Home Security Camera & Alarm System with Entry Sensor, Motion Detector & Outdoor Siren | 13-piece DIY kit: base station | Outdoor siren (no published dB rating) | Battery-powered sensors/keypad/fobs | App control (iOS/Android), Alexa-compatible | £329.99as of 20 Sep 2026, 12:29 BST · DetailsProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. | Check price → |
| SimpliSafe Wireless Home Security Systems | 7 Piece Smart Home Alarm Systems | Mobile App & Works with Alexa | Professional Monitoring Optional | Wireless DIY alarm kit (7 pieces) | 100 dB base-station siren | Base station mains-powered with roughly 24h | Alexa compatible; app control | £209.99as of 20 Sep 2026, 12:29 BST · DetailsProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. | Check price → |
| eufy Security 5-Piece Home Alarm Kit, Home Security System, Keypad, Motion Sensor, 2 Entry Sensors | DIY wireless alarm kit | Siren sounds from the HomeBase hub | HomeBase: mains-powered, no cellular backup | eufy Security app, local storage, no monthly fee | £149.99as of 20 Sep 2026, 12:29 BST · DetailsProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. | Check price → |
| tiiwee A1 Alarm System for Home - Window Alarm Door Alarm with Remote Control | Wireless door/window contact alarm with central | Manufacturer markets the siren at around 120 dB | Battery powered; 2x AAA in the siren | None; no WiFi, app or subscription | £39.22as of 20 Sep 2026, 12:29 BST · DetailsProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. | Check price → |
| Ring Alarm Pack M (2nd Generation) | DIY 8-piece alarm kit (2nd Gen): base station | Base station siren | Base station mains-powered with rechargeable | Ring app arm/disarm | — | Check price → |
| Yale Smart Alarm Premium Kit - 10 pieces [NO SUBSCRIPTION REQUIRED] — Arm, Part-Arm, Disarm, Control 4 Security Areas | Smart wireless alarm kit | Built-in hub siren | Mains-powered hub with 12-hour backup battery | Yale Home app, Wi-Fi/Ethernet, Alexa/Google Home | £549.99as of 20 Sep 2026, 12:29 BST · DetailsProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. | Check price → |
| Yale IA-330 Sync Smart Home Alarm 9 piece kit | Wireless DIY smart alarm kit | 104dB external siren | Hub is mains-powered with battery backup | Yale's Smart Home Alarm app for arm/disarm | £273.13as of 20 Sep 2026, 12:29 BST · DetailsProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. | Check price → |
| Defender Ultra Slim Window Alarm, 2 Pack | Self-contained vibration/shock-sensor alarm | 130dB siren, claimed at source | 3 x LR44 button-cell batteries per unit | None | £14.95as of 20 Sep 2026, 12:29 BST · DetailsProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. | Check price → |
| tiiwee Window Alarm Door Alarm 120dB Burglary Protection Set (4-pack) | Standalone magnetic contact door/window alarm | 120 dB siren | Battery-powered | None | £43.15as of 20 Sep 2026, 12:29 BST · DetailsProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. | Check price → |
| Eufy Alarm Kit | Wireless DIY alarm kit | The kit's only siren is built into the indoor | HomeBase 2 mains-powered | Eufy app (iOS/Android), Alexa & Google Home | £149.99as of 20 Sep 2026, 12:29 BST · DetailsProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. | Check price → |
| ERA Protect Alert Smart Alarm Kit with Live Siren — Wireless Home Security System with App Control, Motion & Door Sensors | DIY wireless smart alarm kit | 104dB battery-powered live siren | Hub: mains-powered with ethernet-to-router + | ERA Protect app for remote arm/disarm and push | £381.68as of 20 Sep 2026, 12:29 BST · DetailsProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. | Check price → |
| ERA Protect Deter Smart Alarm Kit with Replica Siren — Wireless Home Security System with App Control, Motion & Door Sensors | Hub-based smart alarm kit | 104dB (live siren) | Hub: mains-powered via an included power supply | iOS/Android app for arm/disarm and | £298.33as of 20 Sep 2026, 12:29 BST · DetailsProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. | Check price → |
| VOXON Wireless Door and Window Alarm Sensor, 2 Pack | Standalone magnetic contact alarm | 100dB siren | 4x LR44 per unit, up to ~3 years | None | £9.99as of 20 Sep 2026, 12:29 BST · DetailsProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. | Check price → |
| SABRE HS-DWA Door or Window Alarm, 1 Pack | Two-piece door/window contact alarm | 120 dB | 4x LR44 batteries (included), replaceable | None — standalone, no app or subscription | £16.57as of 20 Sep 2026, 12:29 BST · DetailsProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. | Check price → |
| Ring Alarm Pack S (2nd Generation) | 5-piece DIY smart alarm kit: base station | Base station siren rated approx 100dB+ | Base station & keypad mains-powered | Ring app arm/disarm and alerts included free | £219.00as of 20 Sep 2026, 12:29 BST · DetailsProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. | Check price → |
| Yale AC-DC Burglar Alarm Door / Window Contact | Wireless magnetic door/window contact sensor | No built-in siren | Battery-powered (CR2032, included in the box) | No smart features on its own | £29.99as of 20 Sep 2026, 12:29 BST · DetailsProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. | Check price → |
| Yale HSA6010 Door / Window Wire-Free Surface Mount Contact | Wire-free magnetic door/window contact sensor | N/A; no built-in siren | Battery-powered (battery supplied) | Not smart | £16.00Checked 20 Sep · indicative — not price-tracked | Check price → |
| Mengshen 3-Pack Safety Wedge Door Stop Alarm, MS-M68 | Pressure-triggered floor wedge door stop alarm | 120dB siren | One 9V battery per unit | None | £16.99as of 20 Sep 2026, 12:29 BST · DetailsProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. | Check price → |
| Yale Mini Wireless Alarm Kit (130dB siren, PIR motion detector, door contact, key fob) | Standalone wireless kit | 130dB siren | Battery-powered (no mains wiring needed) | None | £34.99as of 20 Sep 2026, 12:29 BST · DetailsProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. | Check price → |
| KERUI Door Stop Alarm, 3-Pack (125dB, wedge-shaped) | Wedge-shaped door stop with built-in | 125dB siren | Battery-powered, no mains power needed | None | £15.99as of 20 Sep 2026, 12:29 BST · DetailsProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. | Check price → |
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Who it's for: Homeowners wanting whole-house DIY alarm coverage — doors, windows, motion, an indoor camera and an outdoor siren — set up in one go rather than bought piecemeal.
This is the biggest Ring Alarm bundle sold on Amazon UK and it covers a full house out of the box: six contact sensors, three motion detectors, a keypad, an indoor camera and an outdoor siren. It's a genuinely cheap first layer of home security, but treat the on-screen '£X saved' framing with a pinch of salt and budget for a Ring Home subscription if you want remote control or cellular backup.
- Enough sensors for most 3-4 bed homes without buying add-ons separately
- Self-monitoring (local keypad + app alerts) works with no subscription at all
- Indoor camera and outdoor siren are bundled in, not extras
- Remote arm/disarm, cellular backup and video recording all need a paid Ring Home plan
- 14 separate pieces to place and pair — a longer install than a basic 4-piece starter kit
Don't buy if Don't buy the XL pack if you live in a flat or small house — a basic 4-5 piece Ring Alarm kit covers that for well under half the price, and you can add sensors later as needed.
as of 20 Sep 2026, 12:29 BST · Details
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.Ring Alarm 5 Piece Kit – Home Security System with optional Assisted Monitoring, Works with Alexa
4.2Who it's for: Renters and homeowners who want an affordable, self-fit smart alarm layer without a monitoring contract
The Ring Alarm 5 Piece Kit is a solid entry point into DIY home security — it's quick to fit yourself and works fine as a stand-alone system with no subscription. Treat it as an affordable notification and deterrent layer, not a replacement for a professionally monitored, insurance-recognised alarm.
- DIY setup in minutes — no drilling, wiring or professional install
- Works stand-alone via the free Ring app with no mandatory subscription
- Integrates neatly with Alexa and other Ring devices; easy to expand with extra sensors
- The siren (approx 100–104dB depending on source) is on the modest side next to a dedicated bell-box alarm — reviewers note it can sound quiet in a larger house
- Cellular (4G) backup and monitoring both need a paid Ring subscription: the ~£8/month Ring Multi plan covers backup only — 24/7 professional monitoring with guard dispatch is a separate Ring Guard Response tier at £29.99/month, roughly four times the price
Don't buy if Skip it if you want a professionally monitored, insurance-recognised system — Ring's optional Assisted Monitoring calls your own emergency contacts rather than a certified monitoring station or the police, and this alarm on its own won't reduce your home insurance premium.
as of 20 Sep 2026, 12:29 BST · Details
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.Who it's for: Households wanting a self-monitored, no-subscription smart alarm that also covers a shed, garage or side access via its 200m wireless range.
A solid entry-level layer of security: wire-free to fit, no monthly fee, and loud enough to matter as a deterrent. It's self-monitored though, so treat it as an alert system for you, not a substitute for a professionally monitored alarm.
- No subscription or monthly fee for core alerts (app, SMS, email) — but no cellular backup, so a broadband or power outage stops remote push alerts (sirens still sound locally)
- Works with Alexa and Google Assistant; expandable to ~40 devices for larger homes
- 200m wireless range covers outbuildings, not just the main house
- Base kit ships with only 2 PIR sensors and 1 door/window contact — most homes need extra sensors for full coverage
- Self-monitored only — no professional monitoring/response option, and no insurance discount should be expected
Don't buy if Skip it if you want a professionally monitored system with 24/7 call-centre response or an insurer-recognised grade — this alerts you directly, it doesn't dispatch anyone.
as of 20 Sep 2026, 12:29 BST · Details
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.Who it's for: Renters and first-time buyers who want a quick, no-subscription starter alarm for a flat, small home, or single entry point.
A sensible, well-reviewed way to add a basic deterrent layer — fit it yourself in minutes and there's nothing more to pay. It's a local, self-monitored system rather than a professionally monitored one, which is worth knowing before you buy.
- No monthly fees — the kit is genuinely free to run once purchased
- 100dB siren is loud enough to be a real deterrent and alert neighbours
- Sensors and keypad run for months to years before a battery swap
- No professional monitoring or cellular backup — a broadband or power outage cuts off remote phone alerts, though the local 100dB siren still sounds
- Five pieces only covers one or two doors/windows; bigger homes need extra sensors bought separately
Don't buy if Don't buy this if you want a monitored alarm that calls a control room or the police automatically — this is a self-monitored deterrent that only alerts your phone, not a substitute for a graded, monitored system.
as of 20 Sep 2026, 12:29 BST · Details
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.SimpliSafe Home Security System | 13 Piece Home Security Camera & Alarm System with Entry Sensor, Motion Detector & Outdoor Siren
4.0Who it's for: A house or flat that wants a proper alarm-plus-camera kit, self-installed in an afternoon, without a professional call-out.
A capable, no-drill DIY kit that adds a real extra layer of protection alongside good locks and lighting. The base system self-monitors for free via the app, but recorded camera footage, cellular backup and 24/7 professional monitoring all sit behind a paid plan on top of the kit price.
- Includes a genuine outdoor siren, not just an app or phone alert
- Free self-monitoring option exists — no forced subscription just to use the alarm
- Pet-friendly motion sensors (rated to 27kg) cut down false alarms from cats and dogs
- UK buyers repeatedly report the adhesive sensor pads working loose — use the supplied screws rather than relying on sticky mounts alone
- Full value (recorded footage, cellular backup, live monitoring) needs an ongoing paid subscription
Don't buy if Don't buy this if you're not prepared to fit the sensors with screws (not just the adhesive pads) or you specifically want fully monitored 24/7 security with zero ongoing cost — the free tier is self-monitoring only.
as of 20 Sep 2026, 12:29 BST · Details
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.Who it's for: Renters or homeowners who want a proper DIY smart alarm covering the main entry points, with monitoring left optional rather than forced.
A capable DIY kit that covers two entry points and general motion out of the box, with a loud local siren included at the kit price — but full app control, alerts and monitoring sit behind an optional Pro Premium plan (up to £360/year), making this more of a step-up pick once that's budgeted for than the cheapest way into home security. It won't reduce insurance premiums either, since SimpliSafe UK is self-install and not an NSI/SSAIB-graded system.
- No contract required — the kit can be bought, installed and used as a stand-alone siren alarm without any subscription
- Quick DIY install with peel-and-stick sensors, no wiring or professional fitting
- Works with Alexa and has a loud base-station siren to deter and alert neighbours
- Full app control, phone alerts, monitoring and cellular backup all need the optional Pro Premium plan (£29.99/month, up to £360/year) — without it you get a local siren only, with no monitored response or app alerts
- Only 2 entry sensors and 2 motion sensors are included, covering two doors/windows plus general motion rather than a whole house — extra sensors are bought separately for larger or multi-entry homes
Don't buy if Don't buy this expecting an insurance premium reduction, or if you need guaranteed 24/7 monitored response from day one without budgeting for the optional subscription.
as of 20 Sep 2026, 12:29 BST · Details
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.eufy Security 5-Piece Home Alarm Kit, Home Security System, Keypad, Motion Sensor, 2 Entry Sensors
4.0Who it's for: Renters and homeowners who want a no-fuss, no-fee DIY alarm covering one entry point and a hallway or landing.
This is the cheapest layer of home security you can add in an afternoon — sensors on the door and window, a keypad to arm/disarm, and a local siren, all with no ongoing subscription. It won't get you an insurance discount and it's not professionally monitored, so treat it as a deterrent and an alert system, not a substitute for good locks.
- No monthly fee — alerts and local storage are included, unlike many subscription-based systems
- Simple self-install, no wiring or professional fitter needed
- Siren on the HomeBase hub, plus instant phone alerts when a sensor trips
- No cellular backup, so alerts depend on your home broadband and mains power staying up — there's no SIM fallback if either goes down
- Self-monitored only — alerts go to your phone, not a monitoring centre, so it won't count for most insurers' 'monitored alarm' discounts
Don't buy if you want professional 24/7 monitoring or a system your insurer will formally recognise — this is a DIY deterrent, not a graded, monitored alarm.
as of 20 Sep 2026, 12:29 BST · Details
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.tiiwee A1 Alarm System for Home - Window Alarm Door Alarm with Remote Control
4.0Who it's for: Renters, sheds and outbuildings, or anyone wanting a cheap first layer of security with zero recurring cost.
A straightforward, no-frills door/window alarm that does one job well: make a very loud noise if a door or window is forced. It won't call anyone or send an alert, but as the cheapest layer of home security it's honest value.
- Genuinely loud siren, switchable to a quieter chime for daytime use
- No WiFi, app or subscription — keeps working through broadband or app outages, and there's nothing to pay monthly
- Tool-free install in minutes; remote arms/disarms from outside and has decent range across a house or garden
- No app, phone alerts or remote monitoring — if you're not within earshot, you won't know it's gone off
- Magnetic sensor halves need door/window frames close to flush (within about 5mm), which can be fiddly to line up on older or uneven frames
Don't buy if You want a phone notification when you're away from home — this is a local siren only, not a monitored or app-connected system, so it can't alert you remotely.
as of 20 Sep 2026, 12:29 BST · Details
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.Who it's for: A two-bedroom home wanting an affordable, easy-to-fit DIY alarm with app control.
A solid, easy-to-install DIY alarm kit that covers a typical two-bed home out of the box, with app alerts working free of charge. Think of it as the cheapest layer of home security, not a professionally monitored, insurance-recognised system — budget for a Ring Home subscription if you want cellular backup or emergency-contact call-outs.
- Genuinely DIY — fits without a professional installer and expands with extra sensors as needed
- Loud base station siren plus a separate outdoor siren for real deterrent noise
- Core features (arm/disarm, app alerts, Alexa control) work out of the box with no subscription
- Cellular backup and emergency-contact 'Alarm Calls' are locked behind a paid Ring Home subscription
- Self-monitored only — no UK professional/police-dispatch monitoring, so it's not a graded system
Don't buy if Don't buy if you need a professionally monitored, insurance-recognised alarm — this is a DIY, self-monitored kit, not a graded system, and it won't reduce your home insurance premium.
Who it's for: Larger homes wanting one whole-property smart alarm across up to four independent zones, without being locked into a monthly contract for basic use.
A serious multi-area system rather than a simple door sensor — core arming, disarming and app alerts work with no subscription, but you'll need Yale's paid Alarm plan for 4G cellular backup and automated call alerts, and a separate, higher-tier plan for professional call-out monitoring.
- No subscription needed for core app control, arming/disarming and real-time alerts
- Covers up to 4 independent areas and up to 100 accessories, so it scales to large or multi-building properties
- Works with Alexa, Google Home and other Yale Smart Home kit (cameras, locks, lighting)
- A big outlay compared with a basic standalone door/window alarm
- A handful of Amazon reviewers (small 10-review sample) report app or hub connectivity dropouts and lengthy support calls to resolve them
Don't buy if Skip this if you just want a cheap sensor on the back door — it's a whole-property hub-based system, and a £30-£50 basic contact alarm covers that single-door job for far less.
as of 20 Sep 2026, 12:29 BST · Details
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.Yale IA-330 Sync Smart Home Alarm 9 piece kit
3.8Who it's for: Households wanting a full DIY alarm covering multiple entry points and rooms, not just one door.
A capable step up from a single stick-on alarm — motion sensors and door contacts across the house, controlled from one app, with no ongoing fees. It's the cheapest layer of home security, not a substitute for locks or a monitored system, and it won't affect your insurance premium.
- Covers multiple doors and rooms in one kit (2 PIRs, 2 door contacts)
- No monthly subscription or monitoring fee
- Works with Alexa and Google Assistant; expandable to 40 accessories later
- Costs several times more than a basic single-door alarm
- Self-monitored only, with no cellular backup — if your broadband or router drops, remote app alerts stop (the local 104dB siren still sounds, but nobody's phone is notified)
Don't buy if you only need to secure one or two entry points — a simple standalone door/window alarm covers that for a fraction of the price.
as of 20 Sep 2026, 12:29 BST · Details
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.Defender Ultra Slim Window Alarm, 2 Pack
3.8Who it's for: A cheap first layer of alarm cover on ground-floor windows or a shed/outbuilding door.
A basic vibration-triggered siren that does one job well: make a loud noise on the spot if a window is struck or forced. It's not a monitored system and won't notify anyone remotely, but as a low-cost deterrent per window it's straightforward and does what it says.
- Very cheap per window (two in the pack)
- 130dB siren is genuinely loud and startling at close range
- Peel-and-stick fit — no wiring, drilling or app setup
- Local siren only — nobody is alerted if you're not in earshot
- Runs on small button-cell batteries that need occasional checking
Don't buy if You want an alert sent to your phone or a keyholder while you're out — this only sounds an alarm on the spot, so look at a monitored or smart sensor instead if remote notification matters to you.
as of 20 Sep 2026, 12:29 BST · Details
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.tiiwee Window Alarm Door Alarm 120dB Burglary Protection Set (4-pack)
3.8Who it's for: Renters and anyone wanting a cheap, no-fuss first layer of window and door security.
A simple, inexpensive way to add a loud deterrent siren to windows and doors, with no wiring, no app and nothing to subscribe to. It won't replace a monitored alarm system, but as a first layer of protection — or for renters who can't fit anything permanent — it does the basic job well.
- Genuinely loud 120dB siren, enough to startle an intruder and alert neighbours
- No app, hub or subscription needed — self-adhesive fit, working in minutes
- Four units per pack, so one set covers several doors and windows cheaply
- Basic magnetic-contact trigger only — no motion, glass-break or smartphone alert if you're not home to hear it
- Runs on 3x LR44 button cells rather than everyday AAA — shorter-lived, fiddlier to source the right equivalent, and best kept away from small children like any button cell
Don't buy if Skip this if you want a monitored system or a phone alert while you're out — this is a local siren only, useless if nobody's around to hear it, and it won't affect your home insurance premium. It also needs a snug 1–9mm gap between sensor and magnet, so it's a poor fit for warped frames, deeply recessed sashes or wide-reveal uPVC frames.
as of 20 Sep 2026, 12:29 BST · Details
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.Eufy Alarm Kit
3.8Who it's for: Renters or homeowners who want a cheap, self-monitored first layer of alarm cover on one or two entry points.
This is a self-monitored DIY kit, not a professional alarm system — you get a loud local siren and instant phone alerts, not a monitoring company watching your home. For covering a couple of doors and a hallway on a budget, it does the basic job well and can be expanded later.
- No monthly subscription needed for core alerts, siren, or app notifications
- Long sensor battery life (up to ~2 years)
- Straightforward self-install, works with Alexa and Google Home
- The alarm components (keypad, sensors) aren't exposed to Apple HomeKit or Matter, and WiFi is 2.4GHz-only
- Self-monitored only — no 24/7 professional response, and it won't reduce your home insurance premium
Don't buy if Skip this if you want a professionally monitored system, Apple HomeKit compatibility, or cellular backup for when WiFi/power drops — this kit relies entirely on your home WiFi and phone notifications.
as of 20 Sep 2026, 12:29 BST · Details
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.ERA Protect Alert Smart Alarm Kit with Live Siren — Wireless Home Security System with App Control, Motion & Door Sensors
3.7Who it's for: Renters and homeowners who want a proper self-monitored alarm with a real siren, not just an app notification, and don't want a wired install or a monitoring contract.
A competent, expandable DIY kit with a genuine 104dB siren rather than a dummy box, and app control that works over the hub's ethernet connection or its built-in 4G SIM. It's a decent step up from a video doorbell alone — ERA also sells the same hub, siren and sensors as separate components and in other bundles direct from eraprotect.com, so it's worth comparing prices there before choosing this exact Amazon bundle.
- 104dB battery-backed live siren, not just a phone alert
- Dual-path hub (ethernet + built-in 4G SIM) so it isn't dead the moment broadband drops
- Wireless, expandable up to 96 accessories if you add rooms or a shed later
- Full remote monitoring / cellular backup needs an ongoing ERA Protect Plus subscription after the 3-month trial
Don't buy if Don't buy this exact Amazon bundle if you're comfortable building your own kit — ERA sells the same base hub, live siren and sensors individually (and in other bundles) direct from eraprotect.com, so it's worth comparing prices there first; buy this one only for one-box simplicity.
as of 20 Sep 2026, 12:29 BST · Details
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.ERA Protect Deter Smart Alarm Kit with Replica Siren — Wireless Home Security System with App Control, Motion & Door Sensors
3.7Who it's for: Households wanting a proper app-controlled alarm covering motion and door/window entry points, with a visible dummy siren box added for extra deterrent effect.
This is a genuine step up from a single battery contact alarm — a hub-based system with real motion and door sensors, backed by both a working siren and a bonus replica siren for visible deterrence. It's a reasonable buy for a full flat or ground-floor setup, but it sits well above simpler alarms in this category on price, and the cellular backup relies on a subscription once the included trial ends.
- Proper app-controlled system covering motion and door/window in one kit, not just a single sensor
- Working 104dB siren plus a separate replica siren box for extra visible deterrence
- Hub has a built-in 4G backup SIM so the alarm can stay connected if broadband drops, with a 3-month trial included
- Costs several times more than a basic door/window contact alarm in this category
- Cellular backup and automated calling need an ongoing ERA Protect Plus subscription (from £8.00/month) after the 3-month trial
Don't buy if Don't buy this if you only need a cheap alarm on one door or a shed — a standalone battery contact alarm does that job for a fraction of the price with no subscription to think about.
as of 20 Sep 2026, 12:29 BST · Details
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.VOXON Wireless Door and Window Alarm Sensor, 2 Pack
3.7Who it's for: Renters and budget-conscious households wanting the cheapest possible first layer of door/window security.
A simple, no-frills magnetic alarm that does one job well — sound a loud siren if a door or window opens. There's no app and nothing to monitor it remotely, but as an audible deterrent, or a chime to alert you when a child opens a door, it does what it promises for well under a tenner. Worth flagging: B&Q lists just a three-month guarantee on this line, shorter than is typical for the category.
- Loud 100dB siren for the price — enough to startle and deter
- Switchable chime mode doubles as a child-safety or shop-door alert
- Battery-powered stick-on install — no wiring, no subscription, minutes to fit
- No phone notification or remote monitoring — you only hear it if you're in earshot
- Adhesive mount can loosen over time on textured or cold frames
Don't buy if You want to know if a door's been opened while you're out. This has no app, hub, or cellular link — for that you need a monitored smart sensor, which comes with its own subscription cost.
as of 20 Sep 2026, 12:29 BST · Details
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.Who it's for: Renters and anyone wanting a cheap, no-fuss first layer of security on vulnerable windows and back doors.
A simple two-piece contact alarm that does one job well — it sounds a genuinely loud 120dB alert the moment a door or window opens. There's no app, no monitoring and no subscription; it's a basic, battery-powered deterrent, not a security system, and it's priced accordingly. It runs on small LR44 button batteries, so keep spares away from young children.
- Loud 120dB siren is a real deterrent, not a token beep
- Peel-and-stick install in minutes, no wiring or drilling
- Cheap enough to fit one on every downstairs window and door
- No smartphone alert or remote monitoring — you only hear it if you're home or a neighbour does
- Basic adhesive mount can work loose over time on some frame finishes
Don't buy if Skip this if you want to know a door's been opened while you're out — it's audible-only with no app or cellular backup, so pair it with a monitored smart system if remote alerts matter to you.
as of 20 Sep 2026, 12:29 BST · Details
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.Ring Alarm Pack S (2nd Generation)
3.7Who it's for: Renters or homeowners wanting a cheap first layer of alert on one entry point, without signing up to a monitoring contract.
A sensible, low-cost way to get app alerts on a front door and one room — not a burglar deterrent claim, just an affordable early-warning layer. The free tier covers push notifications; cellular backup needs a paid Ring Protect plan, and human-monitored alerts (Assisted Monitoring) are a further paid add-on — there's no UK police-dispatch service.
- No contract required for basic app alerts and self-monitoring
- Quick DIY setup, no wiring or professional install needed
- Works with Alexa and is easy to expand with extra sensors later
- Only one door/window sensor and one motion detector in the box — most homes need extras to cover more entry points
- Cellular backup needs a paid Ring Protect plan, and monitored alerts (Assisted Monitoring) cost extra on top
Don't buy if You want whole-house coverage or monitored alerts out of the box — buy a bigger pack or add sensors, and budget for Ring Protect plus Assisted Monitoring if you want that; this alarm alone won't affect your home insurance premium.
as of 20 Sep 2026, 12:29 BST · Details
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.Who it's for: Households who already own a Yale Sync or Yale Intruder wireless alarm panel and want to add contact coverage to one more door or window.
A straightforward, wire-free add-on sensor rather than a standalone alarm. It does its one job — flag when a monitored door or window opens — reliably, but only if you already have a compatible Yale panel to plug it into.
- Wire-free magnetic contact, straightforward DIY fit
- Anti-tamper protection and a low-battery warning
- Claimed 200m wireless range to the panel, battery included in the box
- Not a standalone alarm — no siren of its own, and it needs an existing compatible Yale panel to do anything
- No smart-app features by itself; any phone alerts come from the paired Yale Sync system, not this unit
Don't buy if Don't buy this if you don't already have a compatible Yale alarm panel installed — on its own it does nothing; you'd need a full kit, not just a sensor.
as of 20 Sep 2026, 12:29 BST · Details
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.Who it's for: Households who already have a Yale HSA6000-series alarm panel (or, per some retailers, an older HSA3000 system) and want to add contact cover to another door or window.
A tidy way to extend an existing Yale HSA6000-series alarm (and, per some retailers, older HSA3000 panels) — but it's an accessory, not a standalone alarm, and it isn't cheap per opening. It has no siren, app or subscription of its own; it just tells your existing panel a door or window has opened.
- Surface-mount fitting — no wiring, sticks or screws on in minutes
- Built-in tamper alert if someone tries to remove it from the wall
- Only works with a Yale HSA6000-series panel (and, per some retailers, older HSA3000 systems) — not a standalone alarm and not compatible with Yale's Sync smart alarm range
- No smartphone app, Wi-Fi or siren of its own — all of that lives in the panel, not this sensor
Don't buy if Don't buy this if you don't already own a Yale HSA6000-series (or compatible HSA3000) alarm panel, or if you want an app-connected smart contact sensor — this won't pair with Yale Sync and won't do anything as a standalone unit. Buying one per door is also an expensive way to cover several doors compared with a standalone contact alarm.
Mengshen 3-Pack Safety Wedge Door Stop Alarm, MS-M68
3.5Who it's for: Renters, travellers and anyone wanting a cheap, no-drill alarm for a spare door, hotel room, shed or static caravan.
This is a mechanical trip alarm, not a connected security system: wedge it under a door and it fires a loud 120dB siren if someone pushes it open. It's a genuinely useful, low-cost extra layer for a door you can't otherwise secure, but it won't deter a determined intruder and it can't tell you anything when you're not there to hear it.
- Loud 120dB siren is very hard to miss at close range
- No drilling, wiring or app setup — wedges under a door in seconds
- Three-pack covers several doors (or a door plus a shed and a hotel stay) cheaply
- Purely local and audible — no phone alert, so it's no help if you're not within earshot
- Batteries aren't included (you'll need three 9V cells for the full pack), and it only works reliably on inward-opening doors over a hard, flat floor; carpet or uneven thresholds reduce grip
Don't buy if Don't buy this if you want to know about an intrusion while you're out — it only makes noise where it's fitted. Pair it with (or choose instead) a monitored or app-connected alarm if remote alerts matter to you.
as of 20 Sep 2026, 12:29 BST · Details
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.Who it's for: A cheap, self-contained alarm for a shed, garage, caravan or outbuilding rather than a whole house
This is the cheapest realistic layer of physical security you can add to a single door — a loud siren plus a motion sensor that arms and disarms with a fob or PIN code, no wiring or subscription involved. It won't replace a proper monitored system, but as a low-cost deterrent for one entry point it does the job.
- Genuinely no ongoing cost — no app, hub or subscription required
- Wire-free DIY install, usually done in minutes
- 130dB manufacturer-rated siren — loud enough to be a real deterrent at close range
- No smartphone alerts — if it goes off while you're out, you won't know until you're back
- Only one door contact and one PIR in the kit, so it covers a single point of entry, not a whole property
Don't buy if you want a phone notification when you're away, or need to cover a full house rather than one shed, garage or door — a smart hub-based kit will do that; this won't.
as of 20 Sep 2026, 12:29 BST · Details
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.KERUI Door Stop Alarm, 3-Pack (125dB, wedge-shaped)
3.3Who it's for: Renters, students and travellers who want the cheapest possible extra layer of door security — hotel rooms, rental flats, or doors where a proper contact alarm isn't practical.
A simple wedge that sounds a loud siren if someone forces the door it's under — inexpensive, needs no wiring, app or hub, and is easy to pack for travel. It's a doorstop with a siren rather than a security system, so it's best thought of as the cheapest add-on layer, not a replacement for a decent lock.
- Very low cost per unit when bought as a 3-pack
- No wiring, app, hub or subscription required
- Small and portable — useful for hotel or Airbnb doors
- Purely mechanical trigger (pressure/dislodgement) so a firm kick or a door with thick carpet underneath can affect reliability
- No remote notification or monitoring — it only helps if someone's home to hear it
Don't buy if Skip it if you want a phone alert when you're out, if your door opens outward rather than inward (the wedge only works on inward-opening doors), if your door has deep carpet or an uneven threshold the wedge won't grip well on, or if you're after a real security upgrade rather than a loud noise — a monitored door/window contact sensor or a proper lock upgrade does that job.
as of 20 Sep 2026, 12:29 BST · Details
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.Get price-drop alerts on these
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Common questions
Are cheap door and window alarms actually worth it?
Yes, provided you buy them for what they do. A contact alarm on each opening, bought in a multipack such as VOXON's 2-pack or tiiwee's 4-pack, gives you a loud on-the-spot deterrent and tells anyone in or near the house that a door or window has just opened. That is genuinely the cheapest layer of home security, and for a shed, a student room or ground-floor windows it is often all that's proportionate. What it cannot do is tell you anything remotely: no app, no call, no record. If being informed while you're out matters, the money belongs in a hub kit instead.
Will a door or window alarm reduce my home insurance premium?
No — and be wary of any listing that implies it. Where insurers offer alarm discounts at all, they generally specify a system installed to BS EN 50131, usually Grade 2, by a firm certificated by NSI or SSAIB, and maintained under contract. Everything on this page is self-installed and ungraded, so none of it meets that description — not the standalone alarms, and not the Ring, Yale, SimpliSafe, ERA or eufy kits, even on the paid plans that add genuine professional monitoring. Buy these alarms for deterrence and early warning, not for a premium saving, and if an alarm question appears on your policy, answer it exactly: an ungraded DIY kit is not a professionally installed alarm.
Do smart alarm kits need a monthly subscription?
It depends what you want to keep running. Ring kits work self-monitored out of the box, but cellular backup and its call-out features need a paid Ring Protect plan — from £4.99 a month, rising to £29.99 for the Guard Response tier with 24/7 guard dispatch. SimpliSafe gates phone alerts and monitoring behind a plan too: monitored tiers start at £19.99 a month, and Pro Premium, which adds cellular backup and dispatch, is £29.99 — SimpliSafe's own line is that without a plan the system still works as a siren. ERA bundles a three-month trial, then from £8 a month to keep 4G backup and automated calling — its push alerts stay free over broadband. Yale Sync and eufy genuinely charge nothing monthly, at the cost of having no cellular backup or monitoring option at all.
What happens in a power cut or broadband outage?
The standalone tier doesn't notice: battery-powered contact alarms, vibration alarms and wedges carry on regardless. Hub kits are mixed. Ring's base station has a backup battery Ring estimates at up to 24 hours, and Yale's Premium Kit hub quotes 12 — sirens keep sounding locally. Remote alerts are the weak point: Wi-Fi and ethernet hubs with no SIM (Yale Sync, eufy) go silent to your phone the moment the router loses power. The only route to alerts that survive a broadband failure is cellular backup — exactly the feature Ring, SimpliSafe, ERA and Yale's newer Smart Alarm range place behind a subscription. If outage resilience is why you're buying, read that line of the comparison first.
Can I fit door and window alarms in a rented home?
Renters are this category's home crowd. The standalone alarms are adhesive-mounted — no drilling, nothing permanent — and wedge alarms need no fixing at all, which also makes them the pick for hotel rooms and student halls. Two practical checks: tiiwee's contact alarms need the magnet within 1–9mm of the sensor body, so badly warped frames or deep uPVC reveals frustrate them, and adhesive pads want a clean, rigid surface. The smart kits are also designed as self-fit and removable — Ring, eufy and SimpliSafe all install without an engineer — though an external siren box like Yale's usually means screws, so ask your landlord before anything goes on an outside wall.
How loud is a 120dB door alarm really?
Loud enough indoors, and less impressive than the number suggests. Decibel ratings are taken close to the sounder — Ring, for instance, specifies its base station siren at 104dB measured at 30cm — and loudness falls away quickly with distance, so a '130dB' unit will not carry across a street. Every siren here is unmissable in the room it sounds in, which is the job; just note that eufy's sounds from the hub rather than at the door, and the Yale add-on contacts have no sounder of their own at all. Treat the figures as marketing precision rather than a buying criterion, and treat them with respect at close range: the Health and Safety Executive sets 85dB(A) as the daily average exposure at which hearing protection becomes compulsory at work. That is an averaged workplace measure rather than a limit for a single blast, but it is reason enough not to test a siren beside your ear or a child's.
Are door wedge alarms safe to use every night?
Used thoughtfully, yes — with a few cautions. A wedge is deliberately an obstruction, so never place one on a door you'd escape through in a fire; fire and rescue services' standing advice is to keep escape routes clear. They also only work on inward-opening doors with enough floor grip, so thick carpet or a smooth threshold defeats them. And check the batteries before you rely on one: Mengshen's three-pack needs a 9V battery per unit, not included, while KERUI's listings don't settle the exact cell type, so check before buying spares. Finally, the button cells in many contact alarms are a hazard to small children — the NHS advises going straight to A&E if one is swallowed, and not trying to make the child sick.