Unpopular opinion: Hardwired systems are still better than wireless for most homes

I've been installing alarms for about 8 years now, and I keep going back and forth on this. Last month I did a new build in a suburb outside Austin where the builder pushed for all wireless sensors. It took me 3 days to get everything paired and stable because of interference from the house's smart appliances. But three years ago I did a similar house with hardwired contacts and it took me two days total with zero callbacks. On the flip side, wireless is way faster for retrofits and you don't have to fish wires through finished walls. I've had customers complain about battery changes in wireless systems though, especially for door sensors that get triggered all day. What do you all think for a standard 3-bedroom house - am I old school for leaning hardwired?

3 comments

3 Comments

nancyramirez1d ago

Agree with you completely on this one. I did a big retro last year and the wireless sensors kept dropping out because the neighbor's WiFi was blasting on the same frequency. Had to move all the receivers around like some kind of puzzle. Hardwired never gives me those headaches once the wires are in the wall. Plus I've had customers call me back months later because their wireless door sensor batteries died and they didn't even know the alarm wasn't arming properly. For a standard 3-bedroom house I always try to convince them to go hardwired if the walls are open. Saves me so many callbacks and they get a more reliable system that just works.

emma_lee2223h ago

It's funny how this whole hardwired vs wireless debate mirrors what I see with smart home stuff everywhere. People chase the easy install but forget that batteries and signal interference are just extra failure points waiting to happen. Makes you wonder why we keep picking convenience over something that just works for years without needing a second thought.

brian_hart1d ago

@nancyramirez hardwired is great but wireless saves hours on retrofits and battery issues are way overblown in my experience.