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In some situations, window and door entry sensors and motion sensors won’t suffice when an intruder is determined to access your home. But glass break sensors can add a crucial first layer of defense.
How do they work? And when should you use them? We’ll give you the lowdown and tell you our picks for the best glass break sensors for various home security needs.
Article Overview
- Benefits Of Glass Break Sensors
- How Do They Work?
- Best Glass Break Sensors
- More Monitored Options
- More Stand-Alone Options
- How Fast Do They Trip An Alarm? (Video)
- What Other Security Equipment Should I Consider?
What Are The Benefits Of Using Glass Break Sensors?
Here are a few unique security advantages that glass break sensors can provide your home.
- They cover sliding glass doors, which aren’t always compatible with regular entry sensors.
- Intruders don’t have to open a window or door to trigger the alarm.
- The alarm sounds before a burglar has the chance to get inside your home.
- Some types can cover multiple windows and doors in one room.
- They protect valuable display cases.
Glass break sensors aren’t meant to replace door and window entry sensors or motion sensors. You should still consider having these important components in your home to cover all the possible ways intruders can get in.
How Do Glass Break Sensors Work?
We review two different types of glass break sensors in this article. Here’s how each works.
Sound Sensors
The best glass break sensors have small microphones calibrated to react to the sound of the glass being struck and then breaking. Pane glass has certain sound frequencies when thudded and then smashed, which the sensor hears and then triggers the alarm. In many cases, you only need one audio sensor per room because they have a range, typically 15 to 25 feet, where they can detect the sound of breaking glass.
Vibration Sensors
Other types of glass break sensors work by sensing the vibrations on your window to trip an alarm. All of the stand-alone sensors in this review are vibration sensors.
While these are more affordable than audio sensors, you have to install a sensor on every window and they’re more prone to false alarms. Therefore the stand-alone vibration sensors we review here all have sensitivity settings to help reduce false alarms.
Best Glass Break Sensors
We highly recommend getting a glass break sensor that’s professionally monitored or that you can monitor remotely with your smartphone (although professional monitoring is your safest option). This way, you’ll know if someone’s attempting to break into your home no matter where you are.
We’ve also included reviews of stand-alone sensors in case they’re a better fit for your budget. But it’s important to be aware that these only sound a local alarm, and you won’t know if your window is broken if you’re not home.
In A DIY Security System: SimpliSafe Glass Break Sensor Review
SimpliSafe’s audio sensor listens for the sound of breaking glass. It has a sensitivity switch that you can adjust to low, medium, or high settings and features an easy peel-and-stick installation and a CR123A 3V Lithium battery with a three to five-year battery life.
SimpliSafe allows you to build your own home security system, starting with the required base station, or they have several reasonably priced packages. They also have a 60-day money-back guarantee, which is longer than most competitors.
Features
- Pairs with SimpliSafe’s security system
- Choose from professional monitoring with no long-term contract or self-monitoring (but there’s a monthly fee for self-monitoring)
- Type: wireless
- Installation: self
- Range: 20 feet
- Alerts: loud alarm, mobile notification, and professional monitoring station
Price
Read Our Full Review Of SimpliSafe
Professional Installation & Monitoring: Vivint Glass Break Sensor Review
Vivint’s tamper-proof audio glass break detector is a two-stage sensor that first detects a thud sound followed by a crash sound to trigger the alarm. You can easily adjust the sensitivity to only detect a shattering sound in case you get a lot of high winds where you live.
This detector makes an excellent addition to Vivint’s home security system — they have an extensive lineup of security and smart home equipment that integrates exceptionally well together. However, the caveat is that Vivint’s pricing is higher than average, and it requires professional installation.
Features
- Pairs with Vivint’s security system
- Professional monitoring with no long-term contract if you buy your equipment upfront (requires a three-and-a-half to five-year contract if you finance the equipment)
- Type: wireless
- Installation: professional required
- Range: 20 feet
- Alerts: loud alarm, mobile notification, and professional monitoring station
Price
Read Our Full Review Of Vivint
Stand-Alone: EVA LOGIK Window Alarm Review
Suppose you’re looking for an inexpensive window sensor and don’t require remote monitoring. In that case, this EVA LOGIK window alarm is a reliable option.
It sounds a 120-decibel alarm for 60 seconds when it senses the vibration of breaking glass. It has simple peel-and-stick installation, a high/low sensitivity setting, a one-year battery life, and has a warning sticker to deter burglars.
Features
- Stand-alone
- No remote monitoring
- Type: wireless
- Installation: self
- Range: one window
- Alerts: 120-decibel alarm
Price
What Are Other Professionally Monitored Options?
Several other noteworthy glass break sensors pair well with reliable security systems. All of these systems offer excellent professional monitoring for glass break sensors and other equipment. Here are our expert recommendations.
ADT | Frontpoint | Link Interactive
ADT Glass Break Sensor Review
ADT’s wireless audio glass break sensor has a long 25-foot range, four sensitivity settings, and a five-year battery life. The sensors send low battery, tamper, and event-driven notifications to your smartphone.
ADT is one of the most recognized names in home security, and they have an extensive line of security and smart home equipment. The glass break sensor pairs well with one of their many packages. With ADT, you’re required to get professional installation, and you’re tied to a three-year professional monitoring contract, but their packages include basic equipment at no extra cost.
Features
- Pairs with ADT’s security system
- Professional monitoring, which requires a three-year contract
- Type: wireless
- Installation: professional required
- Range: 25 feet
- Alerts: loud alarm, mobile notification, and professional monitoring station
Price
- N/A
Frontpoint Glass Break Sensor Review
Frontpoint, one of our highly-ranked home security systems, has a wireless audio glass break sensor that’s easy to install yourself. When an intruder breaks the glass, the sensor sounds a loud alarm, alerts you via your smartphone app, and notifies Frontpoint’s professional monitoring service. However, this sensor doesn’t have sensitivity settings.
One glass break sensor is included in Frontpoint’s Safe Home Select and Safe Home Preferred packages, or you can add them to Frontpoint’s Safe Home Starter or Safe Home Everyday packages. Packages start at an affordable $99.
Features
- Pairs with Frontpoint’s security system
- Professional monitoring with no long-term contract
- Type: wireless
- Installation: self
- Range: 20 feet
- Alerts: loud alarm, mobile notification, and professional monitoring station
Price
Read Our Full Review Of Frontpoint
Link Interactive Glass Break Sensor Review
Link Interactive’s wireless tamper-proof audio sensor alerts when it detects the sound of breaking glass. It features two test LEDs, dual shatter recognition technology, and five-year battery life. It has a range of 15 feet and a 360º sensing angle.
The benefit of Link Interactive’s home security system is that all equipment is a la carte — you select only the equipment you want, and it’s easy to add equipment as your needs or budget change. However, it does require a minimum of a one-year monitoring contract.
Features
- Pairs with Link Interactive’s security system
- Professional monitoring, which requires a one, two, or three-year contract
- Type: wireless
- Installation: self
- Range: 15 feet
- Alerts: loud alarm, mobile notification, and professional monitoring station
Price
Read Our Full Review Of Link Interactive
What Are Other Stand-Alone Options?
Here are some other highly-rated stand-alone glass break sensors to consider for your home.
SABRE HS-GA2 Wireless Window Glass Break & Vibration Detector Review
SABRE’s sensor triggers a 115-decibel alarm that can be heard up to 300 feet away when it detects the sound of breaking glass. However, several customers say the alarm sound isn’t as loud as the company claims. It has a high/low sensitivity setting to help prevent false triggering on windy days and a large red warning sign to deter intruders.
Features
- Stand-alone
- No remote monitoring
- Type: wireless
- Installation: self
- Range: one window
- Alerts: 115-decibel alarm
Price
Wsdcam Window Alarm Sensor Review
The Wsdcam glass break alarm works by detecting the physical vibrations in your window. You can adjust the sensitivity from a gentle touch to a push or beating on the glass to help prevent false alarms. It sounds a 125-decibel loud alarm when triggered, features a red blinking light to help to deter intruders, and has a one-year battery life.
Features
- Stand-alone
- No remote monitoring
- Type: wireless
- Installation: self
- Range: one window
- Alerts: 125-decibel alarm
Price
How Fast Do They Trip An Alarm?
This brief video shows you where to put an audio glass break sensor and how fast they detect the sound of breaking glass.
What Other Security Equipment Should I Consider?
If you don’t already have a home security system or want to make sure you’re covering all of your home security needs the smartest way possible, we encourage you to read our expert guide on home security and smart home integration. It’s an informative how-to guide and checklist for everything you want to know about securing your home.
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