Best Glass Break Sensors & Detectors Comparison Table of 2021 (Pricing & Features)
With so much info for so many models, it may be hard to decide which glass break sensors are the best ones for each need. So, here is a summary of what each item has to offer and how it fares against the others.
| Provider | Total Score | Price | BBB Rating | DIY instal | Trial Period | Warranty | Smart Mic | Range | Alarm | Integration with Other Systems | LED | Sensitivity Settings | Wireless | Hardwired | App |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Vivint | 9.5 | $35 | A+ | No | No | No | Yes | 20 feet | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| 2. ADT | 9.4 | $35.99 | A | No | No | 6 months | Yes | 25 feet | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| 3. Frontpoint | 9.3 | Custom | A | Yes | No | 3 years | Yes | 20 feet | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| 4. SimpliSafe | 9.2 | $35 | A+ | No | No | No | Yes | 20 feet | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| 5. 2gig Glass Break | 9.2 | Custom | A | No | No | 1 year | No | 15 feet | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| 6. Honeywell Intellisense | 9.0 | $69.89 | A | Yes | No | 1 year | Yes | 30 feet | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| 7. SABRE | 9.0 | $11.44 | A | Yes | No | No | No | S/A | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| 8. Honeywell 5853 | 9.0 | $40.08 | A | Yes | No | 1 year | Yes | 25 feet | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| 9. Fortress | 8.8 | $34.99 | A | Yes | No | 3 years | No | 50 feet | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| 10. EVA LOGIK | 8.6 | $23.99 | A | Yes | No | 1 year | No | S/A | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
Important Features and Options: What to Look for in a Device
There are many things to look for when buying a brand new detector. These are the most important ones to bear in mind as they will mean the difference between a high-quality and a useless one.
Range: Review the Whole Room
Make sure that the device has a good range. In this way, it will not be necessary to install many of them. Most of these glass break sensors can detect broken shards up to 25 feet away from them. If one gets one of them with less capacity, more products will be necessary.
Monitored Security: An Extra Layer of Safety
When these glass break sensors work together with a security system, they become much more useful. In this way, they send alerts to the user’s phone when something triggers them. And with some plans, they may even notify the company.
Wireless vs. Hardwired: Depends on the Needs
A wireless glass break sensor usually much easier to install and remove. This comes at a price, though. It is possible to tamper with them, and they generally do not include many features. Hardwired ones are designed to be used for the long-term, and they are for more serious users.
Covered Range: See All-Around
Check if the items have a 360° range. If they do, the glass break sensors will be able to keep an eye on most doors and windows within a reasonable distance. This will mean that fewer devices are needed and, in turn, will mean more savings.
Home Security: Be Part of a Team
The ones that provide the most security are the items that work together with a system. This means that if there is something happening, it will work together with the cameras and the other detectors to create the complete report possible and notify the client.
Microphone with Microprocessor: Smart and Super Fast
These are smarter than regular mics. They review the type of sound that the shards made, including the volume, frequency, and time. So, it does not matter if the noise is muted; the device will still detect it.
Clear Indicators: Discourage Burglars
The perk of these items is that they should let everyone know that someone is breaking in. So, make sure to choose one that has a bright light, an alarm, or send mobile alerts. This will also come in handy if the battery runs low.
Sensitivity Settings: Avoid False Alarms
Most high-quality glass break detectors will have a setting to adjust how much it should detect. If this is not the case, it is likely that the product could be triggered by almost anything and send false alarms.
How to Buy a Glass Break Sensor
Making the final decision is tough. Here is a list of steps to help in the process of buying a glass break sensor. Go one by one until the decision of which is the best item for what one needs becomes clear.
Know What You Want from Your Break Sensors: Consider Needs and Uses
There are many options in the 2021 market, and each of them was designed for a different type of client. Some may have a summer house that they rent, so having the latest tech may not be very important for them. Others, though, may want them to protect their family. Review the situation and choose the best suited for that.
Identify Trustworthy Brands: They Are Not All the Same
Even though there are some good brands that are getting started and nobody knows, trusting them from the beginning is a risk that nobody wants to take. Especially when it comes to safety. Ask friends and family which brands they use to make sure to pick one that works. If one has had products from a company that worked before, that is good too.
Features: Which Ones and Why?
Every item has different features. And while some of them may sound cool, not everyone needs them. High-end users may want one that comes with the latest processor, and that is hardwired. Many others, on the other hand, may think it is enough with a wireless glass break sensor. Make a checklist of what is needed and pick accordingly.
Customers Reviews: Don’t Trip over the Same Rock
Some glass break detectors look very good on paper. But then comes the time to use them and they do not perform as they promised at all. The only way to prevent this is by checking out what previous users said about the product. If most reviews are positive, go ahead. It is most probably worth the money.
Prices: How Much Can One Spend?
Whether one is on a budget or looking for premium systems, there is a bit of everything for everyone in the market. The most expensive ones will come with many more features, but again, maybe the person who does not want to break the bank does not need to have the latest and greatest.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Are Glass Break Sensors Effective?
Yes, they are effective. Glass break detectors are the best option for monitoring windows and protecting glass casings. They have a great sound detecting system. This system listens for sounds associated with this process. The sensor triggers when an object is hitting the window and the sound of shattering glass.
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Where Do You Put a Glass Break Sensor?
The detector should be installed in rooms that have windows or see-through patio doors. It can also be used as a secondary detection method for the first-level frames. The correct way to install it is within 10 feet of the windows or doors that need protection. The best place to mount it is on the ceiling. Make sure there are no big objects between the detector and the window or door being monitored. Whether the device is wireless or hardwired, together with its range, will also affect the decision of where to put it exactly.
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Do I Need Entry Sensors on Every Window?
Most systems come with more than one sensor. Ideally, these items should be put on every door and window in the house. However, some customers prefer to place them only in the lower levels of the home, to reduce costs.
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What Is the Range of a Glass Break Sensor?
They generally work within a range of 25 feet in every direction. This means that one single device can protect many windows in a single space at the same time. It’s important to make sure that there are no walls or doors blocking the sensor, however. Look for a device with a good range, so that only one single device can detect breaking glass in more than one room.
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How Do Glass Break Sensors Work?
There are two classes of products in the 2021 market — acoustic and shock. Although they work in different ways, they are both effective at protecting homes from intruders. Acoustic glass break sensors trigger when they “hear” the high-pitched sound of shattering glass. Shock or break devices, on the other hand, “feel” when someone or something hits a window. They need to be placed next to the surface they are protecting. Both acoustic and break devices are essential parts of a home security system. If they detect something, they contact the police.
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Are Glass Break Sensors Necessary?
Generally, yes, though it will depend on what each person needs. Customers who use break detectors are enhancing their family’s security. Break sensors are ideal for people who have pets. This is because cats and dogs may cause motion sensors to trigger false alarms and contact the police unnecessarily.
State of Affairs
With so many options in the market to call the police if someone tries to break-in, it should be easy to find which one suits the house best. Even though the levels of crime will keep on rising throughout all of 2021, now there are more and more options to stay safe and protect one’s privacy. And, more importantly, to keep the family safe.
