Your car is most probably one of your most valued assets in your possession and you want to ensure its suitably protected. To prevent any car thefts, installing the latest car alarm system will ensure your car is fully protected and many even include additional features such as a remote start system or keyless entry.
Another benefit of investing into a premium security alarm system for your car is that the majority of insurance companies will take note. This means you should be able to get better insurance premiums for your car as well as complete peace of mind that your pride and joy is kept secure from thieves looking for an easy target.
If you are in a rush, the best car alarm is the Clifford 5906X 2-Way System, which has a range of extra features and ensures your car has the ultimate protection. However, if you are looking for a more affordable alternative, the EASYGUARD EC002 System is the best budget option on the market.
To rate the aftermarket car alarm systems within this article, we based our recommendations upon research and a number of factors. The factors that we considered included their features, ease of installation, provided remotes, additional functionality, warranty and value for money.
Table of Contents
Car Alarm Comparison
Car Alarm System | Screen | Range |
---|---|---|
Clifford 5906X | Yes | 1 mile |
EASYGUARD EC002 | No | 1/2 mile |
Viper 4706v | Yes | 1 mile |
Avital 5105L | No | 1/4 mile |
Viper 350 PLUS | No | 1/4 mile |
Back in the 1990’s, aftermarket car alarms were big money to buy and install but nowadays, the systems are far cheaper. Many of the latest car alarm systems also come with useful features such as remote start, keyless entry, GPS tracking and smartphone compatibility. Due to the increase in relay crime, the use of aftermarket car alarms has risen once more and there is a whole range of solutions that you can choose from.
Below are the best car alarm systems that include features such as remote start, keyless entry and so much more.
The Best Car Alarm System
1. Clifford 5906X 2-Way Car Security System
Clifford is a reputable car alarm brand that’s been in the industry for decades and the 5906X 2 way car alarm system is their flagship kit. It contains every feature that you could ever want and provides superior protection for your car. It even has its very own free downloadable app called “SmartStart”, which you can use to have complete control of your car’s security and remote starting.
Some of the features of the Clifford 5906X include:
- 1 mile operating range
- LCD remote control
- Push notifications via the remote
- Remote start functionality
- Ability to code in trunk release
- 4 Auxiliary channels
- Rechargeable battery
- Two car operation
- Smartphone application
- Display interior temperature
Overall, the Clifford 5906X is the best car alarm system you can buy and the only drawback is the premium price tag. However, when you compare the extensive list of features and the reputable brand backing the system, it’s a worthwhile investment that won’t disappoint.
Check it Out2. EASYGUARD EC002 Smart Car Alarm System
The Easyguard EC002 is slightly different from the average car alarm system because the kit comes with a keyboard entry system as well as a button to start the car. The keyboard system used in the Easyguard car alarm system has the benefit of being easy to use with no messing around with transponders.
Other features of the Easyguard EC002 include:
- Push to start button
- 2 remote key fobs
- Passive keyless entry
- Remote engine start
- Trunk release
- Various modes (panic, shock alarm & more)
If you are looking for the best bang for your buck with the car alarm system that you purchase, the Easyguard EC002 is the perfect solution. It’s the best car alarm for the money that also provides the desirable keyboard entry, which none of the alternatives provide.
Check it Out3. Viper 4706V 2-Way Car Alarm
Viper is another large brand that’s very popular in the US and they offer various car alarm systems to best suit your requirements. The 4706V is a premium option that they offer, which provides similar functionality and performance to that of the Clifford car alarm system mentioned above.
Some of the features of the Viper 4706V include:
- 5 button 2 way LCD remote
- 1 mile operation range
- Remote start compatibility
- Smartphone application (“SmartStart”)
- Displays temperature inside the car
- Trunk pop ability
- 4 auxiliary channels
Overall, it’s a very capable car alarm system that’s similarly priced to the Clifford alternative. However, we do feel that the Clifford setup is easier to install with no complex modules to install but on the flipside, the Viper 4706V does have the better remote out of the two.
Check it Out4. Avital 5105L Car Alarm with Remote Start
The Avital 5105L is a highly rated car alarm that’s available in several different options. The most popular option to consider is the 4113LX model and this is due to the fact it has remote start functionality.
Other features of the Avital 5105L include:
- Several modes such as valet, panic and more
- 2 key fobs
- Keyless entry
- 1/4 mile operating range
- Remote starting
- Horn honk capability
- Car finder function flashes parking lights
- Bit writer(r) for easy installation
Overall, the Avital 5105L is a cheap way to get a car alarm with remote start that’s all in one package. As it’s developed by Avital, you also have peace of mind that it’s built by a brand that know what they are doing too.
For those that just want remote start and keyless entry, you can opt for the other models that Avital offer such as the 4103LX or 4003L. However, we highly recommend going for this model as its a car alarm system too.
Check it Out5. Viper 350 PLUS 3105V 1-Way Car Security
For those that want to stick with the reputable Viper brand but don’t want to spend as much as the model above, the 350 is the best option. It’s a 3 channel 1 way system with many of the additional features found in premium alternatives.
In terms of the features of the Viper 350 PLUS 3105V, they include:
- 1/4 mile operating range
- Fail Safe starter kill
- Anti car jacking mode
- Flashing blue LED as a deterrent
- Comfort closure
- 2 auxiliary channels
- Compatible with “SmartStart”
Considering that it’s a cheap car alarm with a reputable name backing it, you cannot go wrong with this system. You can even add optional extras such as GPS or remote start functionality but you may as well choose the 4706V instead if that’s something you require. Overall, it’s a great car security system to consider at an affordable price.
Check it OutHow We Rated The Car Alarm Systems
After hours of research into the latest aftermarket car alarm systems and considering many factors, we came to the above recommendations. The factors that we considered included their features, ease of installation, provided remotes, additional functionality, warranty and value for money.
Aftermarket Car Alarm System Buying Guide
There will always be car thefts no matter what car alarm that you may or may not have installed. What’s important is that you make the theft of your vehicle harder for the criminal and thus potentially saving your car from being stolen. According to the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program, there were almost 700,000 thefts from a motor vehicle, which is truly shocking.
Many modern cars will have sophisticated car alarms as standard but even still, most thieves are able to compromise them. With the likes of relay crime, most OEM alarm systems can be compromised within seconds and that’s without even breaking a sweat.
However, with an aftermarket car alarm system, thieves aren’t used to this type of technology. This makes compromising it that much harder and the thief will simply not bother. To further scare off a potential car thief, we highly recommend installing “old school” methods of security such as a steering wheel lock.
Passive or Active Car Alarm
When it comes to the type of car alarm, there are two main types that include passive and active. The passive system is automatically set when the car engine is switched off and the doors are locked. This is the preferred option by many car owners as you are less likely to forget to set the alarm. Active systems have to be manually activated by the car owner. This is the basic style of activating your car alarm by the key fob.
Sensors of a Car Alarm System
The most important feature of any car alarm are the sensors, which must work without failure. Most system include a multitude of sensors that detect different variables. The more sensors that the alarm system has, the more protected your car will be.
Types of car alarm sensors include:
- Shock – Detects any impact to the car.
- Door and Trunk – Detects movement of the door or trunk.
- Bonnet Switch – Detects the opening of the bonnet.
- Glass break – Detects motion in the windows.
- Motion – Detects motion around the car.
- Tilt – Detects if the car being towed or lifted.
- Microphone – Detects sudden noise such as broken glass
Not all the sensors will be found in every car alarm system and you may even want to disable certain sensors. Many people avoid installing the shock alarm sensor as it can trigger many false alarms, which can be very frustrating.
Sirens and Lights
In order to alert nearby people and scare off the criminal, the siren needs to be loud. Most car alarms have a siren that’s louder than 100 dB but you can also wire in your car horn to increase the noise produced by your car. You can even go a step further and install a loud car horn, which will certainly scare off any criminal.
Lighting inside your car can also be activated too if you wanted to light up the area. This is a good backup in case the criminal has deactivated the horn or the siren inside the system has broken. Many systems will have a device that will flash automatically when locked to act as a deterrent to passing criminals as shown below. This a good feature to have and very effective in fighting car crime.
Installation and Use Documentation
When it comes to installing the car alarm, you need it to be reliable and setup correctly. There cannot be any faults as this may result in false alarms or the alarm not activating at all during an actual break in. You have the choice of either installing it yourself or using a professional. If you are comfortable safely removing interior parts and electrical wiring, then it’s a straight forward job.
If not, we highly recommend opting for a professional installation. The majority of garages will charge a small fee to install any of these car alarms mentioned within this article. Of course, if you want something custom, you will have to pay more for the installation of the alarm in your car.
Car Alarm with Remote Start
If you do decide to install an added feature into your car alarm system, then adding a remote starter would be the logical course. These types of units allow you to remotely start your car while remaining in a safe location.
The car also remains secure and safe when it’s being started from a distance. This makes it ideal for warming up your car in cold weather and defrosting the windscreen whilst you stay inside and keep warm.
However, you will have to check the range of the car alarm system and the remote start because you may be too far away for it to be able to work.
It’s worth pointing out that not every car alarm will have this feature and its considered as a premium feature. However, it’s definitely worth paying the extra for and it’s a great way of showing off to your friends and family.
Kill Switch
Installing a kill switch (also known as an immobilizer) will ensure that the criminal won’t be able to hot wire the car in anyway. In order to start the car, you will need to locate the switch or use the fob to remotely start the vehicle. This is an extra deterrent and makes it that much harder for your car to be stolen. See the photo below of a remote kill switch that requires a fob for activation.
Alarm Communication
Most basic car alarms will be a 1 way communication system but if you can stretch your budget to a 2 way car alarm system, you will see many other benefits. Using a 2 way alarm will allow you to receive feedback based upon the activity of your car. For example, if the car alarm has been activated, you will be notified via your key fob.
Smartphone Compatibility
Some of the more premium car alarm systems such as Viper or Clifford will even use a smartphone application such as “SmartStart” that push notifications to your phone. This means you are able to receive notifications as well as other features such as remote starting, the temperature inside the car and so much more.
Other Features
Most car alarm systems come packed full of features other than the standard protection and remote start functionality. Other features include:
- Push button to start
- Flashing indicators
- Flashing LED to act as a deterrent
- Key fobs with displays
- GPS trackers
- Keypad entry
- … and so much more
The amount you set yourself as a budget will determine the amount of additional features in your system. Of course, you could begin with a standard car alarm system and then upgrade at a later stage with the likes of car tracking device, push button start and other features.
Conclusion
Investing into a car alarm system that keeps your car secure and provides other features such as a remote start is a worthwhile investment. There is nothing worse than finding your car has been broken into and something has been taken or the car has been stolen altogether. Within this article, we have recommended systems to suit multiple budgets and all of them will protect your car from criminals.
It’s worth noting that the power source for all alarms will be the car battery and if it’s going flat on a regular basis, we highly recommend upgrading that before purchasing an alarm system. If you let the battery go flat, the alarm system may activate, thus sending a false alarm. The car alarm system will also draw electric too, so its worth having a battery with a large reserve capacity.