The Best
Driveway Sensors and Alarms
You’ve got locks, cameras and alarms on your doors and windows to protect your home and family, but what about your driveway? All too often homeowners forget to take the proper precautions in their driveway that could significantly improve their home’s security.
Driveway alarms are more advanced and offer more options than ever these days. They can help monitor your property and alert you to any unwanted visitors before they ever make it to your house. Those with long driveways may especially benefit from driveway monitors and alarms.
Our favorite 5 driveway alarms
| | Guardline Outdoor | Chamberlain CWA2000 | Mighty Mule | Dakota Alert DCMA-2500 | Hosmart Rechargable Alarm |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Detection Range | 40 feet | 30 feet | 12 feet | 300 feet | 30 feet |
| Transmission Range | Up to 500 feet | Up to 1/2 mile | Up to 400 feet | Up to 1/2 mile | Up to ¼ mile |
| Designed To Detect | All motion | All motion | Cars and other vehicles | All motion | All motion |
| Type of Sensor | Passive Infrared | Passive Infrared | Electromagnetic | Passive Infrared | Passive infrared |
The Guardline Outdoor Motion Alert Driveway Alarm
This system from Guardline is a solid driveway alarm for most driveways. It gets high marks from customers for being easy-to-install, reliable and relatively affordable. This driveway alarm offers significant detection and transmission ranges, and it comes with a two-year warranty as well as technical support if you should need it.
It offers quite a few options for personalization as well, allowing you to program up to four different zones with up to four sensors in each. When it comes to the alerts, you can choose one of 30 different tones, and the volume is adjustable. Overall, most customers say they’re happy with their purchase and feel that it adds to their home’s security.
- Detection range: 40 feet
- Transmission range: Up to 500 feet
- Sensor style: PIR
- Power source: The sensor requires 4 AA batteries; the receiver runs on a 12V adapter (4 AAA batteries are required for backup)
![Guardline 500 Foot Range Wireless Driveway Alarm [1 Motion Detector Alarm Sensor & 1 Receiver] Weatherproof Outdoor Security Alert System for Home & Property](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41snXEBktLL._SL160_.jpg)
The Chamberlain Wireless Motion Alert System
This system from Chamberlain costs significantly less than most other driveway monitors we reviewed, but it offers much of the same functionality. While its detection range is about 10 feet less than the Guardline system, its transmission range is significantly higher (up to 2,640 feet as opposed to 500 feet), so it may be good for those with large properties. Note, however, that range is under ideal circumstances, so if there are trees and other items in between, it likely won’t transmit that far.
Most customers give it high marks for dependability, effectiveness and range. However, some say it doesn’t hold up well in rain or snow.
- Detection range: 30 feet
- Transmission range: Up to ½ mile (2,640 feet)
- Sensor style: PIR
- Power source: Base runs on AC adaptor (included) or 4 AA batteries; sensor requires 4 AA batteries.
The Mighty Mule Wireless Driveway Alarm
If you don’t want to be alerted every time a child chases a ball into your driveway or a dog wanders across it, then this system from Mighty Mule is a solid choice for detecting cars and cars only. You bury the sensor wand next to your driveway and it will detect moving metal within a 3-12 foot range.
Those in rural areas with long driveways and lots of deer and other animals may prefer this system to PIR driveway monitors. One note: If your driveway is very long, the transmission range on this alarm may not be long enough.
- Detection range: Up to 12 feet
- Transmission range: Up to 400 feet
- Sensor style: Electromagnetic
- Power source: Requires 2 AA batteries
Dakota Alert BBA-2500 Break Beam Alert Kit
To cover a long driveway, customers say this system from Dakota Alert is hard to beat. While it’s more expensive than other driveway monitors we reviewed, many say it’s worth it for its durability and dependability.
An infrared beam runs between two sensors, which can be placed up to 300 feet apart. If anything breaks that beam, an alert is sent to the receiver. The sensors run on lithium batteries that are recharged by the sun, so there are no batteries to replace, and you can add more sensors as well. The receiver can be programmed to alert you with one of four tones, and the volume can be controlled.
- Detection range: 300 feet
- Transmission range: Up to ½ mile (2,640 feet)
- Sensor style: PIR
- Power source: Solar batteries
Hosmart Rechargeable Driveway Alarm
This low-priced driveway alarm gets high marks from hundreds of satisfied online customers. Its transmission and detection ranges are about average, but you can adjust the sensitivity of the sensor based on how much area you actually want to cover.
Some report that the sensor batteries don’t last long, and charging them can be inconvenient as you have to take me out to do so. Overall, though, most who have purchased this system say it’s solid, reliable and a good value for the price.
- Detection range: 30 feet
- Transmission range: Up to ¼ mile (1,320 feet)
- Sensor style: PIR
- Power source: Receiver runs on AC adapter or (4) AAA batteries; sensor runs on rechargeable 18650 Li-battery.
How a driveway alarm works
Driveway alarms use motion sensors to detect someone’s (or something’s) presence, then send you an alert, so that you can check out what’s going on out there. A sensor is placed in your driveway to detect motion, and a receiver is placed in your home so you can hear the alert if it’s triggered. Both come in a variety of styles with various capabilities. Two of the most significant features to consider are the detection range (how much area a sensor covers) and the transmission range (how far about the sensor and receiver can be placed apart and still work).
The sensors use two primary kinds of detection technology for home driveway security:
Passive infrared (PIR): These sensors sense motion based on heat and movement. They detect most movement, including that of humans and animals. Most people tend to go with a PIR sensor alarm for their driveway since it provides greater protection.
Electromagnetic or probe: These sensors only detect metal, so while you’ll be notified of cars coming up your driveway, you won’t get notified every time a stray dog does.
Final thoughts
Once in awhile unannounced visitors at your front door are welcome surprises, but more often than not, knowing when someone unexpected is coming up your driveway provides peace of mind. Driveway alarms are a simple and relatively low-cost way to get that peace of mind and help keep your family safe and sound. Luckily there are many different types available at different price points, so determine exactly what you need for your space and match it with your budget to find the ideal driveway alarm for your home.
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Participation in these programs helps us keep the site up, and to continue to help you find great products. Our editorial process is in no way impacted by partnerships.
About the Author
Julie Ryan Evans
Julie Ryan Evans is a writer and editor who has worked with a host of diverse companies including Microsoft, USA Today, Realtor.com, Brit + Co, CafeMom and SheKnows, among others. She has a master’s degree in nonfiction writing from The Johns Hopkins University and regularly covers topics including health and wellness, parenting, technology, finance, real estate and pop culture. While she currently calls the Orlando area home, she has lived everywhere from Hawaii to Austin, Boston and beyond.