Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Smart Home
  3. Evergreens

SimpliSafe battery life and replacement tips

Add as a preferred source on Google

SimpliSafe is an impressive do-it-yourself (DIY) home security system that features an ecosystem for managing all equipment yourself, no professional necessary. One of the leading maintenance requests you’ll be performing is changing the batteries in the various accessories.

Let’s take a look at the main accessories that come with SimpliSafe security packages and what you need to know about the corresponding batteries. With the exception of the base station and keyfob, the user does all battery replacements. Those two accessories require you to contact support to change their power. Lastly, the SimpliSafe outdoor cam can only be powered directly, so there are no batteries to worry about with that device.

Recommended Videos

What kind of batteries does SimpliSafe use?

The Hearth package by SimpliSafe.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

The entire suite of SimpliSafe accessories uses either CR (watch batteries) or AA batteries. You’ll have to see which specific version of each your particular device requires. For example, the keypad, siren, door lock, and CO detector all use AA batteries. The rest of the sensors require a CR battery.

How often should you change SimpliSafe batteries?

Each SimpliSafe product has its battery life expectancy. Except for the entry sensor, all burglary sensors will last around three to five years. The entry sensor will last up to 10 years. The hazard sensors will also last that same three- to five-year lifespan. The siren, keypad, and door lock have the shortest expectancy, only lasting up to 12 months.

How long the battery life of each accessory lasts really depends on its usage. However, knowing that there is a two-year difference in lifetime should not deter you from using any sensor.

A table of battery life type and expectancy for various SimpliSafe devices.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

What happens when a SimpliSafe battery dies?

When the batteries die in any of your SimpliSafe accessories, all you have to do is replace them. The exception is only found in the Base Station that uses rechargeable AA batteries; you can recharge the batteries and reinsert them. SimpliSafe has no statement on using rechargeable batteries in any other accessory.

SimpliSafe also allows you to purchase batteries from them. Of course, you can also buy them from a third party.

How to change the battery in SimpliSafe products

Most of the sensors available from SimpliSafe have easy-to-remove, slide-away backs, making it easy to switch out the battery. You can also remove the main unit; you don’t need to take it down from any wall mounts. In addition, the smoke detector has a circular base that you can rotate to change out the battery. The standouts here are the siren and water sensor. Unfortunately, they require removing screws to detach them from their base to change the battery.

SimpliSafe’s primary purpose is to keep its customers safe while leaving the autonomy of its products in their owners’ hands. So, to stay safe with your home security accessories, monitor their battery life, either with a calendar, the on-device LEDs, or through the app.

Keyan Riddick
Keyan Riddick is a freelance writer based in the mountains on North Carolina. When he isn't writing you can find him behind…
EZVIZ Sets a New Benchmark for Battery Powered Home Surveillance
Because every property deserves protection without compromise
Person, Security, Tape

Battery-powered smart cameras have become one of the fastest-growing categories in home monitoring. Once valued primarily for their seamless installation, today's models combine advanced visual technology, AI-powered intelligence, and dependable long-term performance that rivals many traditional wired systems. As innovations such as Always On Video 2.0 and solar charging continue to improve everyday usability, battery cameras are becoming the preferred choice for homeowners seeking flexible, comprehensive outdoor protection.

This shift has also raised expectations. Modern users want more than clear video. They expect smart detection, reliable monitoring, seamless smart home integration, and solutions that adapt to different property sizes and lifestyles. As one of the world's leading smart home camera brands, EZVIZ has responded by building one of the industry's most comprehensive portfolios of battery-powered cameras. The lineup is designed to serve every living situation, whether for renters or owners of apartments, condominiums, or villas. From accessible options for everyday monitoring to advanced multi-lens systems for larger and more demanding environments, the portfolio reflects a strong focus on innovation, user-centric design, and real-world needs.

Read more
Beatbot AquaSense X review: The pool cleaner for those that want to be pampered
It's a nothing short of a self-cleaning nirvana for your pool. But as they say, nothing fine comes without a fittingly handsome fee.
Beatbot Aquasense X robot, AstroRinse station and iSkim

view at amazon

Quick take: 

Read more
An unpatched Shark vacuum flaw could put your smart home at risk
The vulnerability affects SharkNinja robot vacuums and stems from a misconfigured cloud security policy rather than a firmware bug.
Shark RV2320S Matrix Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum Featured

Robot vacuums are supposed to clean the house. Turns out this one was mapping it for strangers. Security researchers have disclosed a critical vulnerability affecting SharkNinja's cloud-connected robot vacuums that could allow attackers to remotely access sensitive information, including live camera feeds, home maps, Wi-Fi passwords, and even execute commands on affected devices. More concerningly, the issue reportedly remains unpatched despite being responsibly disclosed to SharkNinja months ago.

How can a vacuum become a spy?

Read more