Why You Should Get a Wireless Alarm Siren

If you're like many system owners, you're looking for a way to add a new noisemaker to your security setup. Maybe you need a louder sounder or you want audible alarms to occur in a second location. In any case, a wireless siren may provide the perfect solution, especially for DIY users.

External alarm system sirens aren't just for users with hardwired alarm control panels. These devices make a great addition to almost any setup. Adding an external sounder is now easier than ever before thanks to the rise of wireless sirens. Unlike their hardwired predecessors, wireless sirens do not need a relay module or a complicated power supply. Most can receive power through regular batteries and stay operational for years on end. Programming is generally very easy even for novice users. And we're not talking about a conventional hardwired siren that is operated using a wireless relay like a Honeywell 5800RL We're talking about true wireless sirens that communicate directly with the security panel.

There remains a common misconception that hardwired sirens are significantly louder than their wireless counterparts. While there are still industrial and commercial locations that need hardwired sounders, the reality is that there are some extremely loud wireless sirens available for almost any alarm system. Nearly every home can get the results they need using a wireless sounder. And if you're a DIY user installing your own home security system, there's practically no reason to even consider using a hardwired device when you can get great results using a wireless sounder.

At the end of the day, there are still louder wired siren options than wireless sirens. But the difference is not as big as you might expect. We have encountered wired sirens that produce sounds of up to 120-125 dB. Meanwhile, the most powerful wireless sirens tend to top out at the 105-110 dB rang. But there are almost no residential applications that need the power of a hardwired siren! A 105 dB wireless siren will still alert everyone in the building to an alarm event. Keep in mind that 105 dB is about as loud as a powerful table saw. You will certainly hear it!

Once you decide that a wireless siren is right for you, the question becomes which one to get. It can be difficult to decide with all the great options available. But we're here to break down the options and point you in the right direction. One of the easiest devices to recommend is the Qolsys IQ Siren. This is a Z-Wave siren that operates at 105 dB. Since it communicates as a Z-Wave device, it can successfully pair with almost any alarm system with a functional Z-Wave controller. This makes it one of the most versatile and easy to use wireless sirens available. All you have to do is enroll it with your system and keep it plugged into a wall outlet.

A very similar wireless siren is the Linear WA105DBZ-1. This is a 105 dB Z-Wave siren manufactured by Linear, a company well-known for its Z-Wave offerings. This device also plugs into a wall outlet using an included transformer, and it has a backup battery for situations when the power is out. A white LED strobe light with red plastic cover provides visual indication of any alarms that occur. Just like the Qolsys option, the Linear WA105DBZ-1 can pair successfully with virtually any alarm system that has a functional Z-Wave controller.

If you're looking for a louder siren, then you might consider the DSC PG9911B. This siren communicates using PowerG RF signal, making it compatible with the Qolsys IQ Panel 2 Plus Systems and the DSC PowerSeries Neo Panels. Unfortunately, PowerG is not as widespread as Z-Wave, so there aren't as many panels that can use the PG9911B. But the upside to this device is that it offers an incredibly loud sound rating of 110 dB. PowerG sensors also boast a highly impressive signal range, making this siren perfect for spots like detached garages or barns located across the property. The PG9911B is also one of the few wireless outdoor sirens available, which only adds to its excellent versatility!

Not every user will need an external siren in the 105-110 dB range. Some users just want a second sounder to install in the second area of the property. Honeywell offers a couple of wireless sirens that fit this bill. These are the Honeywell 5800WAVE and the Honeywell SiXSIREN. Both devices operate at 85 dB, which is about as loud as the integrated sounder inside most wireless alarm panels. They are great for users with larger properties who need sounders in multiple areas. The 5800WAVE will work with LYNX Touch Systems, as well as VISTA Systems that have an added wireless transceiver. Meanwhile, the SiXSIREN works exclusively with the Lyric Controller. DSC also offers a similar siren, the DSC WT4901, which works with their 433 MHz systems.

If you're an Alarm Grid monitored customer looking for a wireless siren, our team is here to help. We invite you to email us at support@alarmgrid.com with any questions you might have. We also offer phone support for monitored customers at (888) 818-7728 during our regular business hours of 9am to 8pm EST M-F. We look forward to assisting you and helping you find the perfect wireless alarm siren for your needs!