SimpliSafe adds human-monitored deterrence to new video doorbell

The $199.99 doorbell features 2K resolution, a 150-degree field of view, and a built-in siren. To utilize the proactive monitoring, users must subscribe to the Active Guard Outdoor Protection service, which starts at $49.99 per month. To maintain privacy, the device uses a color-coded LED system: a blue glow indicates the homeowner is watching, while an amber light signals a live agent is currently monitoring the feed. Agents only access the footage when the security system is armed and a specific trigger occurs.

This technology follows the 2023 rollout of Active Guard for indoor cameras and its 2024 expansion to outdoor models. The hardware requires a SimpliSafe base station and keypad to function, though it maintains compatibility with standard self-monitored plans for basic video recording without the human-agent intervention layer.