Burglar Alarm Types: Which One Keeps Your Home Safe?

When we talk about burglar alarm types, systems designed to detect unauthorized entry and trigger alerts to protect homes and businesses. Also known as home security alarms, they’re one of the most effective ways to stop break-ins before they happen. But not all alarms are built the same. Some rely on wires snaked through your walls, others use wireless signals, and a few even ignore your dog’s bark. The right type isn’t about the fanciest tech—it’s about what fits your home, your routine, and your real risks.

Take wired alarm systems, traditional setups that use physical cables to connect sensors and control panels. Also known as hardwired security, they were the gold standard for decades. But they’re expensive to install, messy to retrofit, and easy to cut if a burglar knows where to look. Most modern homes skip them. Instead, people choose wireless alarm systems, battery-powered setups that communicate via radio signals or Wi-Fi. Also known as smart alarms, they’re easy to install, move with you, and often include phone alerts. But they’re only as strong as your internet—and if your Wi-Fi goes down, do they still work? That’s a real question.

Then there’s the noise problem. If you’ve got pets, a standard alarm might go off every time your cat jumps on the couch. That’s why pet-friendly alarms, systems designed to ignore small animals while still detecting humans. Also known as pet-immune motion sensors, they use advanced tech like PIR sensors tuned to human heat signatures and movement patterns. Not all pet-friendly systems are equal—some still trigger on large dogs. And that’s where PIR sensor, a motion detector that senses body heat instead of movement. Also known as passive infrared sensor, it’s the most common tech inside modern alarms. But PIR sensors have limits. They can be fooled by sudden heat changes, like a heater turning on. That’s why some systems combine PIR with microwave or ultrasonic tech to reduce false alarms.

So what’s the best choice? If you’re renting or hate drilling holes, go wireless. If you want maximum reliability and don’t mind upfront cost, wired might still work—but only if you’re willing to protect the cables. And if you’ve got pets, don’t settle for a system that screams every time your dog barks. The real winners are systems that adapt: wireless, pet-immune, and smart enough to know the difference between a cat and a criminal.

Below, you’ll find real-world breakdowns of each alarm type—what works, what fails, and what most people get wrong when they buy their first system. No fluff. Just what you need to pick the right one.