by Joshua Thomas
A good car alarm system can save your car from theft, so you must get the best system for your car, so you can always park it and walk away with confidence.
Whether your vehicle came with a basic alarm system or it doesn't have any at all, you can always benefit from a good aftermarket alarm system.
A good car alarm lets you keep an eye on your car from either across the road or further away, you can also unlock it remotely, start the engine and temperature control or activate any other functions that you may fancy.
Given the variety of car alarms, this car alarm systems review will present you with a buying guide to help make sense of it all, plus a list of the top 7 offers in the market to make your choice easier.
Contents
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | FEATURES |
|---|---|---|
 | 1. Viper 350 Plus 3105V (Best Overall) |
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 | 2. Avital 5303L |
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 | 3. Pyle PWD701 |
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 | 4. Viper 4105V |
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 | 5. Compustar CS7900 |
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 | 6. Python 5706P |
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 | 7. Easyguard EC002 |
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The Viper 350 is a popular alarm system from a popular car alarm maker. It includes the basics that you need to keep your vehicle secure and deter would-be thieves.
You get anti-carjacking and panic alarm features with a parking light and six-tone soft-chirp alarm response. The system also includes a failsafe starter kill for your peace of mind.
This package includes two 4-button remotes and is available in 2015, 2017, and 2018 models. You can also add GPS and remote starting to the package, but they're extras.
Another downside is that the remotes are one-way only and you'll need to install the system in a Viper-authorized center else you'll void the lifetime warranty.
Pros
Cons
Here's a top-rated car alarm system that comes with all the features you can want in any modern car alarm package. It also comes from Avital, which is one of the top car alarm brands.
The Avital 5303L features keyless entry, a remote start function, and it comes with two remotes: a 4-key remote and another with an LCD monitor.
Being a 2-way system also makes it possible to receive alerts from your car up to a 1/4-mile radius. It also features panic mode, allows you to select security features, including to select between passive and active modes.
Its cons include the higher price than other systems and that a DIY installation voids the lifetime warranty. Else, this is a great package that even includes 4 AUX outputs for more customization.
Pros
Cons
The Pyle PWD701 is a unique car alarm system with all the important features you can want from an alarm system, plus, it's offered at a very attractive price.
So, if you're on a budget and looking for a good car alarm system, then this is one offer to take a closer look at. It features a 120-dB loud system to scare off any potential thieves and a dual-stage impact detection system.
The package includes two remotes, each with four buttons and all these four buttons additionally feature two operating modes, producing a total of eight functions.
Still, this is a 1-way system, so you can get any alerts from the car and you'll have to pay extra for more sensors like the glass break sensor, but when you look at the package's price, then it's still a great buy.
Pros
Cons
If you are on a budget and you want the best car alarm system with remote start ability, then this offer from Viper might work for you.
It features a keyless entry system and remote start, but only for fuel- and diesel-injected systems. The package includes two 4-button remotes with a 1/4-mile range.
There are a horn honk and car finder option with flashing lights. Then there are two auxiliary channels for extra functions.
The downside of this offer is that the remotes are 1-way and lack a display. You can also get cheaper car alarm systems, but the price is still affordable and it comes with a lifetime warranty.
Pros
Cons
Featuring an impressive 3,000-ft (1/2-mile) range, this offer from Compustar also includes many other valuable features that make it one of the best aftermarket car alarm systems.
It features a 2-way system and comes with two remotes: a 1-way remote and a 2-way remote with LCD screen. This allows you to get alerts when anything happens with your vehicle.
You can use it to lock and unlock the car's doors and trunk, as well as start the engine remotely to warm up or cool the car before you get in.
Compustar offers only a 1-year warranty, which is short compared to the other offers here. It's, however, DroneMobile ready, to make it smartphone and GPS-tracking compatible.
Pros
Cons
Most of the offers here have either come with a 1/4-mile or 1/2-mile range, so if you happen to need a longer-range car alarm system for any reason, then check out this offer from Python.
It offers a 1-mile range, which is impressive and allows you much more freedoms. Then, it's also a 2-way communication system, so you can get updates from your car from up to 1 mile away.
You also get a second, 1-way remote and this package is compatible with Python's SmartStart systems, which additionally enables you to communicate with the alarm system using your smartphone.
Pros
Cons
Easyguard presents the EC002 here, an impressive package that adds lots of impressive functionality to your vehicle, in addition to protecting it with an alarm.
You get a passive keyless entry system, which opens the car door once you're within a few feet of the vehicle. You also get an engine start and stop button, as well as a keypad entry system for backup.
The package includes two remotes, although there's no screen, you can remotely start the engine and the system works on most petrol cars in the market.
Pros
Cons
If you're wondering what kind of alarm system to get for your vehicle or what to upgrade your vehicle's factory-fitted alarm system with, you should first take a moment to understand the important components of a car alarm system.
Also, unless you've got a very fancy car, then the odds are that your car will come with a basic factory-fitted alarm system, in which case your best option would be to upgrade it.
Following are the important features and possibilities of a good car alarm system, By understanding them, you'll be in a better position to choose a new alarm system for your car because you'll now know what to look out for.
This is a major difference between car alarm systems, so you need to understand what both have to offer. A passive alarm system arms itself once the car's ignition gets switched off and all car doors closed.
An active car alarm, however, needs the driver to additionally activate the alarm after turning off the ignition and locking all the doors. This participation from the driver gives the alarm the active name.
It's left for you to decide which system you prefer because passive alarms offer more convenience since the alarm is always on, while active alarms are completely under the driver's control to switch on and off as he chooses.
Sensors are what make car alarms stand out from one another because there are many sensors available, so the more sensors an alarm system has is the better it should theoretically be at preventing theft.
You should also consider that an alarm system with more sensors will also have a higher price, so it's left for you to find your balance between sensors and price. Following is a list of the most popular car alarm sensors.
Motion Sensors. These alert you or activate an alarm once somebody moves around the vehicle.
Glass-break Sensors. These sensors react to the sound of broken glass.
Tilt Sensors. They alert you or activate an alarm once your car tilts for any reason.
GPS. With a GPS tracker module installed, you can receive alerts if your vehicle is traveling too fast or leaves a designated zone.
A 1-way remote is a remote that allows you to only send instructions to the alarm system in your car, while a 2-way remote also allows you to send instructions to your car and additionally receives information from the car.
With a 2-way remote, you can receive confirmation of any instruction that you send to the car. You can also receive alerts for a break-in or if another vehicle hits your car.
Some car alarm systems offer smartphone compatibility, which means that they come with wireless modules that allow you to reach them from anywhere in the world.
The downside is that this usually requires a GSM card and subscription for it to work. The good news, however, is that you can always track your car and you also have many more options to control the car.
Early car alarm remote systems were easy to hack. All a thief needed was a "code grabber" to sniff your remote's access code when it transmits and he can now use it to easily get into your vehicle.
Today, alarm systems feature rolling codes, which are access codes that change each time the remote transmits a to the car, and in addition to that, the codes are also encrypted to further make them nearly impossible to crack. So, if you want the most secure car alarm system, go for one with encryption.
Installing an alarm system in your car involves an understanding of electrical wiring and working with lots of wires. If you're a good DIY type, then you may want to try installing the alarm on your own, else, it's better left for professional installation.
You may also want to consider added convenience features that can make your life easier. These include valet mode and trunk release from the remote, as well as keyless entry, remote engine starts and heating the seats before getting into the car.
Firstech Compustar Drone Mobile X1MAX-LTE Telematics GPS Alarm Module Tilt Drone X1-MAX - Walmart Link
Avital 5305L Security System with 2-Way LCD Display Remote - Walmart Link
Compustar CS4900-S (4900S) 2-way Remote Start and Keyless Entry System with 3000-ft Range - Walmart Link
Mengshen Bicycle Alarm, Wireless Anti-Theft Burglar Security Alarm for Bike Motorcycle - Walmart Link
Compustar CS7900-AS All-in-One 2-Way Remote Start and Alarm Bundle w/ 3000 feet Range - Walmart Link
Viper 5305V 2 Way LCD Vehicle Car Alarm Keyless Entry Remorte Start System - Walmart Link
EASYGUARD EC204 2 Way car Alarm System with PKE Passive keyless Entry, Rechargeable LCD - Walmart Link
Viper 5906V Color Remote Start & Security - Walmart Link
Crimestopper SP-502 2-Way LCD Paging Combo Alarm, Keyless Entry and Remote Start System - Walmart Link
Python 5305P 5305P 2-Way LCD Security & Remote-Start System with .25-Mile Range & 2 - Walmart Link
Firstech Compustar Drone Mobile X1MAX-LTE Telematics GPS Alarm Module Tilt Drone X1-MAX - eBay Link
Avital 5305L Security System with 2-Way LCD Display Remote - eBay Link
Compustar CS4900-S (4900S) 2-way Remote Start and Keyless Entry System with 3000-ft Range - eBay Link
Mengshen Bicycle Alarm, Wireless Anti-Theft Burglar Security Alarm for Bike Motorcycle - eBay Link
Compustar CS7900-AS All-in-One 2-Way Remote Start and Alarm Bundle w/ 3000 feet Range - eBay Link
Viper 5305V 2 Way LCD Vehicle Car Alarm Keyless Entry Remorte Start System - eBay Link
EASYGUARD EC204 2 Way car Alarm System with PKE Passive keyless Entry, Rechargeable LCD - eBay Link
Viper 5906V Color Remote Start & Security - eBay Link
Crimestopper SP-502 2-Way LCD Paging Combo Alarm, Keyless Entry and Remote Start System - eBay Link
Python 5305P 5305P 2-Way LCD Security & Remote-Start System with .25-Mile Range & 2 - eBay Link
We've come to the end of this car alarm systems review and you've seen the different top offers out there, from the very best premium packages down to budget designs and entry-level packages.
You've also seen that there's something for each person and budget, so it's left for you here to choose what best suits your vehicle and lifestyle.
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About Joshua Thomas
Joshua Thomas just simply loves cars and willing to work on them whenever there's chance... sometimes for free.
He started CarCareTotal back in 2017 from the advices of total strangers who witnessed his amazing skills in car repairs here and there.
His goal with this creation is to help car owners better learn how to maintain and repair their cars; as such, the site would cover alot of areas: troubleshooting, product recommendations, tips & tricks.
Joshua received Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering at San Diego State University.
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