5 Best Shed Alarms of 2024

Avatar photo
Written by: - Garden Design Expert
Reader rating

Read Reviews

The Best Shed Alarms

The Best Shed Alarms
  1. Yale Wireless Shed and Garage Alarm

  2. Defender Wireless Shed Alarm

  3. Tech Traders Wireless Motion Sensor Alarm

  4. Defender PIR Alarm with Fob

  5. Minder MA30 Mini PIR Alarm

Shed Alarm Reviews

Editors Choice
  • Simple to set up and programme in around 15 minutes
  • Extremely loud siren will likely startle intruders and should be audible from the house
  • 10 second grace period before alarm sounds is sufficient to enter deactivation code
  • Motion sensor works well with a reliable 12 m detection range
  • Easy to arm by pressing the number four

  • Pre-beep indicates alarm has been triggered which may give intruders a warning and time to dismantle it
  • Plastic construction could be easily smashed or knocked off the wall
  • Code resets when the batteries are changed

Whilst you might more commonly associate the Yale company with door locks than alarm systems, their Wireless Shed and Garage Alarm is both loud and simple to use, providing an inexpensive way to protect your outbuildings.

Made of white plastic, and powered by 4 x AA batteries, this shed and garage alarm is more versatile than a wired alarm. It can be positioned anywhere in the outbuilding where it will be able to detect movement. There’s a low battery indicator light to warn when the batteries need changing.

The shed alarm has a range of 12 m, so doesn’t need to be positioned right by the door, and emits a very loud siren of 100 dB if it senses any activity.

It doesn’t need to be armed all the time, but can be turned on simply by pressing the number four on the keypad. This makes it easy to turn on at night or whenever required.

You can set the four-digit deactivation code yourself, although there aren’t as many code possibilities as with some other alarms – you need to use each number once and it’s just a case of choosing what order to put the four numbers in.

Upon entering the shed, you have 10 seconds to disarm the alarm system before the alarm starts to sound. This is generally enough time to enter the code, so you shouldn’t have to worry about getting mistakenly deafened.

For any unwanted intruders, on the others hand, this shed alarm will be a very startling and loud deterrent.

Like a lot of alarms in this style, its main weakness is the strength of its construction. As a plastic alarm, intruders could deactivate it by smashing the unit. For this reason, ideally this shed and garage alarm somewhere high up (but this can make it more difficult to enter the code!).

Also, this shed alarm does emit a small ‘pip’ sound when it detects movement, which may alert intruders to its presence and location. However, this also acts as a helpful reminder when entering the shed to turn off the alarm.

Overall, this is one of the best shed alarms available; it’s from a reputable company, simple to operate, extremely loud, and easy to install. It’s also inexpensive, which is another benefit.

Did you find this review helpful?
Runner Up
  • Loud alarm of 110 dB can generally be heard from within the house
  • Very simple to install, use and secure thanks to the wireless design and clear instructions
  • Useful for arming a particular door or window

  • Vibration sensor is very sensitive which can lead to false alarms - this function can be turned off
  • When the batteries are changed it will forget your pin - retain the instructions so you know how to reset
  • Relatively short 5 second grace period to disarm the alarm

If you have a particular door or window that you would like to add another level of protection to, this Defender Wireless Shed Alarm emits a siren when the entryway is opened.

This door alarm is easy to activate (by pressing ‘four’ on the keypad) and it will produce a loud noise of 110 dB to panic any intruders. The Defender Shed Alarm also has two modes – not only is it designed to tell you if the door is opened, but also if anyone is trying to force entry.

The alarm consists of two units that are placed on either a door frame and door or a window frame and window. These door and window sensors recognise when the door/window has been opened when the magnetic link between the two parts is broken.

Although there are two modes, in general, these sensors work best when used on the mode that indicates if a door or window has been opened. This is because the separate ‘forced-entry detection’ mode can be very sensitive and prompt false alarms when it senses the slightest vibration (which can be quite common with the wind and rain beating against the shed door).

Disarming the Defender Shed Alarm is done by entering a four-digit code into the keypad. You can set and choose this code yourself to make it easier to remember. Once armed, you have 5 seconds to exit the building and, on re-entry, you have 5 seconds to enter the code and disarm the door alarm.

This is a wireless shed and garage alarm that is battery powered. It requires 3 x AAA batteries and is therefore simple to set up and position. Be aware that this door alarm should only be used on the inside of buildings, not externally, as it doesn’t have any specific weatherproofing.

All in all, this is one of the best shed alarms for protecting a specific door or window. The Defender Shed Alarm is extremely useful for arming specific entry points, and is another simple and inexpensive alarm option.

Did you find this review helpful?
Also Good
  • Comes with wall bracket and can be placed higher than other alarms as there's no keypad to reach
  • Remote control arm/disarm can be easier than remembering a code
  • Two remote controls included means that more than one household member can arm/disarm alarm
  • Remote works from a reasonable distance of approximately 5 metres
  • PIR sensor picks up movement well

  • Quickly uses battery power so batteries don't last long
  • May take practise to work out where to aim the infra-red light to disarm the alarm

If you’re concerned about alarms being too easy for intruders to reach, this Tech Traders Wireless Motion Sensor Alarm can be positioned higher out of the way. This is because there are remote controls provided, so you don’t need to physically access the alarm to disarm it.

A wall-mounting bracket is included, meaning this wireless shed and garage alarm can be angled to face the entry point from its mounted position. The PIR sensor works to detect movement. It has a scanning area of 110°, so could potentially detect movement from windows as well, depending on the layout of your outbuilding.

With two remote controls included, which are attached to keyrings, different members of the family can activate and deactivate the alarm and have access to the shed. These portable remote controls make this one of the best shed alarms in terms of ease of use, because there’s no need to panic about entering a code.

The main alarm system is battery powered, running off 4 x AA batteries, which are not included, and the small remotes use cell batteries, which are included.

This shed alarm produces a loud siren of 105 dB, although with the shed doors closed it can be more difficult to hear from inside the house. However, it’s certainly loud enough to act as a deterrent and should spook any potential intruders.

This isn’t a particularly high-end security shed alarm, but it offers good value for its low price. Plus, using a remote instead of a keycode is sure to appeal to some people, as it makes the act of disarming the alarm less stressful.

Did you find this review helpful?
  • Simple to set up and operate - simply push a button on the fob to arm
  • Easy to mount to the wall in awkward areas due to the compact design
  • All batteries come included for immediate installation
  • Smallest motion-sensor alarm system
  • Motion sensor is sufficiently sensitive without causing many false alarms

  • Battery life is relatively poor
  • Should not be exposed to extreme temperatures and very hot or very cold weather may cause damage

As one of the loudest shed alarms featured here, this Defender PIR Alarm with Fob will produce a 130 dB sound if the PIR sensor detects movement, and is disarmed by pressing a button on the remote control.

It’s a relatively small and understated alarm system, measuring just 15 x 7.5 cm, so can tuck into the corners of a shed or summerhouse without being too obvious.

There is one remote included, which perhaps isn’t as useful as the two that are included with the Tech Traders shed alarm; however, it does still mean that the alarm can be positioned out of the way and make it harder to tamper with.

The motion sensor itself is effective without going overboard – it doesn’t seem to be set off by inconsequential things like spiders or anything outside the shed, but will sound if there’s movement inside.

This shed alarm emits a warning beep first, if motion is detected, and the has a short delay before the siren goes off. Some users have suggested that this delay is a little long, as it might give intruders time to locate the alarm. However, all of these security products have a certain amount of grace period to allow time to disarm the alarm.

The alarm is battery powered, running off 2 x AAA batteries that come included.

Overall, it’s one of the best shed alarms if you want something discreet, because it’s a small unit that can be placed out of the way and armed/disarmed by remote control. The fact that only one remote is included might be an inconvenience for some, especially if more than one person often needs to alarm and disarm the alarm system.

Did you find this review helpful?
  • No warning 'pip' sound to alert intruders to its presence
  • Short delay between entering and alarm sounding allows for element of surprise
  • Included instructions are very simple to follow which makes for easy set up
  • Beeps to alert when it has been armed and disarmed

  • Only one remote included
  • Remote may sometimes only work from a relatively short distance of approximately 3 m

If you’ve been put off by other alarms that provide a warning ‘pip’ before they start sounding, this Minder MA30 Mini PIR Alarm doesn’t give intruders the same luxury. This motion sensor alarm launches into a loud 130 dB siren without any heads up, increasing the element of surprise.

Of course, this does mean that when you enter the shed you won’t be reminded that the alarm is armed either, so you need to remember to turn it off. However, at least this can be done easily with the included remote control.

The remote control is attached to a keyring, so can be kept to hand, and there are simple ‘on’/’off’ buttons making it clear to use. However, only one remote is included, meaning it can prove slightly less convenient if several people want access to the shed.

The alarm allows a 30 second exit delay and a 5 second entry delay. The 5 second delay is slightly shorter than some other alarms, but considering that you deactivate it using a remote control, and not a time-consuming PIN, it’s a sufficient amount of time.

Having such a short delay means that the shed alarm sounds almost as soon as the PIR sensor detects movement, without allowing intruders to acclimatise to the shed first either.

It comes with a wall mount and is easy to install. The unit is wireless and battery powered, requiring 4 x AA batteries that don’t come included.

Due to its quick response time, it’s one of the best shed alarms if you’re hoping to catch intruders out with the element of surprise. Some other alarms can feel like they leave a bit too long before sounding, potentially giving intruders time to locate the alarm system and deactivate it, but this one responds almost instantly.

Did you find this review helpful?
Avatar photo

Clive's Smart Buying Tips

  1. If you’re looking for a simple, low-cost system, choose a shed alarm that deactivates using a code. These tend to be reasonably priced and only require one-button activation.
  2. Code-based alarms allow multiple people to deactivate the alarm, making them a good choice for households. You’ll have the option of four-digit, six-digit and-eight digit alarms. Four digit codes are the least stressful to remember and deactivate, but you may prefer a longer code.
  3. If you’re concerned about the alarm being vandalised, choose one with remote control deactivation instead. These can be placed out of the way, preventing any destruction from intruders. Remote-control models are also the best shed alarms if you want stress-free deactivation. Given that you’re only required to press a single button, they’re easier to deactivate within the alarm’s grace period compared to other alarms.
  4. Generally speaking, the shed alarm should be over 100 dB. This will be loud enough to be heard from within the house in most scenarios.
  5. There are a few additional features that can help with security. Look for a shed alarm with  a short delay time, of around 10 seconds, to better catch intruders off guard. Also, some of the most effective alarms won’t make an audible ‘pip’ when motion is detected. This helps make the alarm more secure, as intruders won’t be alerted to its presence or location.

Out of the different alarms I researched, I’ve chosen the Yale Wireless Shed and Garage Alarm as my top pick. This is a simple yet effective alarm, with a four-digit deactivation code, loud 100 dB siren and reliable 12 m detection range. It’s easy to activate and disarm, and has a decent 10-second grace period. However, it does emit a small ‘pip’ when motion is detected.

How to Choose The Best Shed Alarm

Shed Alarm Deactivation Styles

Shed and garage alarms tend to be activated and deactivated in one of two ways, depending on their design. Either, an alarm will have a keypad that requires a code, or a paired remote control.

Alarms That Deactivate with a Code

A lot of shed and garage alarms have a four-number keypad and require a four-digit code. The good news here is that these short codes aren’t difficult to remember or enter correctly; however, it does mean that there are less possible combinations (which some people may dislike for security reasons).

If you’d prefer a longer code, look for an alarm with a six- or eight-digit keypad.

The main benefit of having an alarm with a code is that several people can have the ability to disarm the alarm. This means that different family members can know how to disarm and re-arm the alarm, without all needing separate keys.

To activate, or ‘arm’, these alarms, you often simply press a number on the keypad. You then have time to exit before the alarm arms itself. To deactivate these alarms, you need to enter the code within a set period of time (otherwise the alarm will start sounding).

Although entering the code is not difficult, it can be a little stressful to make sure that it’s keyed in before the alarm starts. Due to needing to put in a keycode, these alarms have to be placed somewhere that’s easy to reach, quickly, within the allotted time.

This means that they have to be positioned low enough to be within arm’s reach, which can make them susceptible to vandalism if intruders spot the alarm and use force against it.

READ NEXT: The Best Outdoor Security Lights

Alarms That Deactivate with a Remote Control

Shed and garage alarms that come with a remote control can be armed and disarmed from a distance. They tend to work using either radio signals, or infrared.

The main benefit of an alarm a remote is that it can be positioned out of the way. You don’t need to be able to reach the alarm to disarm it, which means it can be better concealed from intruders.

Remote controls also make it possible to disarm the alarm from a distance, often whilst still standing in the doorway of the shed, and may be less stressful than remembering and entering a keycode.

In general, to arm an alarm using a remote control, you simply press an ‘arm’ or ‘on’ button on the remote. To deactivate the alarm system, you press a ‘disarm’ or ‘off’ button.

There are two potential disadvantages to a using remote-controlled shed or garage alarms over a keycode alarm:

  1. It can take a while to get the hang of where to point the remote.
  2. Only someone with the remote control can deactivate the alarm. Some alarms come with two remote controls, whilst others only provide one.

If you want several people to have access to the shed, a limited number of remote controls can be inconvenient.

Certain alarm systems will allow you to purchase additional remote controls, whilst others don’t have this option.

READ NEXT: How to Make Your Garden More Secure

Choosing the Most Secure Alarm System

Whilst most motion-sensor alarms will act as some form of deterrent thanks to the loud noise, there are a few design features to consider that may offer further security:

  • A short delay time between detecting motion and sounding the alarm.

Some motion-sensor alarms will leave as long as 20 – 30 seconds after detecting motion to sound the alarm. This is useful when you’re trying to disarm the alarm after entering the shed yourself, but not necessarily the most effective approach against intruders.

A shorter delay may help spook would-be burglars with the element of surprise, giving them less time to acclimatise or expect an alarm before it starts sounding.

  • No audible ‘pip’ after detecting motion. 

This is another feature that can help improve the ‘surprise’ of an alarm, and deter intruders. Some alarms emit a small beep when they have detected motion. On a normal day, this will help you remember to turn off the alarm; however, it also serves to give intruders warning about the presence of an alarm. This is something you may wish to avoid.

  • An alarm that can be placed high up out of harm’s way. 

If the alarm needs to be deactivated with a keycode, it will need to be placed somewhere that you can reach the keypad. However, if it can be deactivated with a remote control, then the alarm can be placed higher out of the way.

Depending on where you can place your alarm, you might be able to put it somewhere that can’t be easily reached by intruders. This can reduce the likelihood of it being vandalised by them.

READ NEXT: Effective Ways to Deter Burglars

How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate it!

Average rating 4.8 / 5. Vote count: 4

No votes so far! Be the first to rate this post.

As you found this post useful...

Follow us on social media!

HOLD YOUR HORSES!

Before you go, save up to 50% with these incredible gardening deals…

See Today's Best Garden Deals on Amazon No Thanks
Clicky
Scroll to Top