Best Car Alarms in the UK

Review & Comparison, Last Update November 13, 2024
Keeping a vehicle secure is an important task for every car owner. Fortunately, the market offers a good choice of car alarm systems ...Read more
PROS

The automobile search function on this model will be particularly useful for those people that tend to leave their vehicles in large parking lots or parking garages. By turning it on, you will be able to find your car quickly following the familiar sound signals that it will start to emit. 

CONS

The controller has just 2 buttons.

OUR VERDICT

This model acts both as an alarm and as an immobiliser not only preventing the vehicle from being broken into but also blocking the engine to exclude the risk of theft. These two functions make this car security alarm system from Cobra one of the best options out there. 

detailed parameters
ALARM SYSTEM

1-way

DISTANCE

Up to 50 metres

BASIC FUNCTIONS

Perimetric protection (cars, hood, trunk), siren, anti hijack protection, code hopping technology, valet mode, auxiliary functions

SYSTEM CONTROL

2 x 2-button transmitters

BUTTONS

Arm/lock, disarm/unlock, silent mode, siren, car finding option

WARRANTY

2 years

PROS

The discerning advantage of the given car alarm system is that it has a special compartment for keeping an ignition key this way saving you the trouble of carrying around a bundle of keys. With that, the controller itself doesn't look bulky and has a very compact and stylish design.

CONS

The instructions describe the programming procedure quite poorly.

OUR VERDICT

Thanks to the fact that this car security alarm system incorporates some of the most modern safety technology, it activates in response to any suspicious activity instantly, including vibrations, a different voltage of unknown electronic appliances as well as the presence of code hopping devices.

detailed parameters
ALARM SYSTEM

1-way

DISTANCE

Up to 50 metres

BASIC FUNCTIONS

Perimetric protection (cars, hood, trunk), siren, code hopping technology, valet mode, auxiliary functions

SYSTEM CONTROL

2 x 3-button transmitters

BUTTONS

Arm/lock, disarm/unlock, silent mode, trunk release, siren

WARRANTY

1 year

PROS

The system has a power off memory function which may come in useful in many unexpected situations, like, for example, when the battery runs down or the power cuts out. The model remembers the last used settings and resumes its operation in a normal mode. 

CONS

Some users note that the sound the device produces when being turned on/off is quite high-pitched which may irritate some people.

OUR VERDICT

In spite of the low price, this KKmoon model is no slouch compared to its more expensive counterparts. You can be sure that it will keep your vehicle secure and protected against break-ins and theft giving you peace of mind no matter where you parked your car. 

detailed parameters
ALARM SYSTEM

1-way

DISTANCE

Up to 50 metres

BASIC FUNCTIONS

Perimetric protection (cars, hood, trunk), anti hijack protection, siren, valet mode, auxiliary functions

SYSTEM CONTROL

2 x 4-button transmitters

BUTTONS

Arm/lock, disarm/unlock, silent mode, trunk release, siren

WARRANTY

Amazon's 30-day return policy

PROS

Dut to the sensitive shock sensor, the alarm triggers even by the slightest motion or vibration, so you can rest assured that if someone tries to damage, move, or push your car, you'll be informed about it right away. This also means that stealing a car by partial loading or with the help of a tow truck is simply not possible. 

CONS

The signal radius is quite small: it has to be aimed at the main block.

OUR VERDICT

This alarm has all basic protective functions to stop criminals from breaking into the car, hood, or its trunk. Thus, the likelihood of your car being stolen or broken into is reduced to a minimum. 

detailed parameters
ALARM SYSTEM

1-way

DISTANCE

Up to 50 metres

BASIC FUNCTIONS

Perimetric protection (cars, hood, trunk), siren, valet mode, auxiliary functions

SYSTEM CONTROL

2 x 4-button transmitters

BUTTONS

Arm/lock, disarm/unlock, silent mode, siren

WARRANTY

Amazon's 30-day return policy

PROS

The controller is equipped with an LCD display with backlight showing the graphical image of the car: in case the alarm triggers, you'll be able to trace the cause of its activation immediately. 

CONS

Batteries need to be replaced rather frequently.

OUR VERDICT

If you'd like to be able to keep an eye on your vehicle round the clock, you cannot go wrong with the two-way alarm system from ReaseJoy which is capable of transferring signals over a staggering distance of up to 900 metres. 

detailed parameters
ALARM SYSTEM

2-way

DISTANCE

Up to 900 metres

BASIC FUNCTIONS

Perimetric protection (cars, hood, trunk), remote car starter, siren, code hopping technology, valet mode, auxiliary functions

SYSTEM CONTROL

2 x 4-button transmitters

BUTTONS

Arm/lock, disarm/unlock, trunk release, siren

WARRANTY

1 year

Stellar and Unrivalled Protection

For those vehicle owners that don’t want to cut corners when it comes to safety, we have chosen the absolute best product out of the Cobra car alarms line-up. If you need your security system to have it all, take a look at the Cobra G193 with its varied features and impenetrable defence mechanisms. Your vehicle will be safer than ever.

This model has a very useful function of "automobile search" which distinguishes it from many other models making it an ideal choice for those who often travel and leave vehicles in large parking lots. Thanks to this function, you'll be able to send a signal to your car via the fob so that it starts to emit a sound that you can follow. With this, you aren't going to wander around the parking lot. The fob will show you the "whereabouts" of your car allowing you to spot it easily even among thousands of vehicles.

It is somewhat strange that the fob that comes with such an advanced and multi-functional car alarm system has only two buttons. This may confuse novice users and complicate the use of the system for some less experienced drivers requiring some time of getting used to. On the other hand, lack of extra buttons allowed reducing the overall dimensions of the fob, making it pocket-size and extremely portable.

Outstanding Quality That Can't Be Dismissed

In order to offer additional security for your vehicle, Cobra has combined the functions of a car alarm system and an immobiliser so that the system would shut down to prevent the car from starting if somebody breaks into. However, considering all the preventing measures incorporated by Cobra in order not to let this happen, the likelihood of someone getting inside your vehicle is virtually meagre.

The high-tech protection doesn’t stop there, as the Cobra G193 also takes care of the nasty "code grabber" devices that have become so popularised lately. Most thieves are now armed with those, but this won't be an issue for owners of Cobra alarm system. The code-hopping technology protects the vehicle from foreign devices and gives it an extra layer of safety.

No matter how you look at it, the Cobra G193 is a superior, sleek, modern, and high-class security system that will clear your mind of worries concerning your vehicle forever. The 2-year warranty that this system comes backed up with is another pleasant bonus on top of the aforementioned features aimed at guarding your vehicle as best as possible.

Once you secure your vehicle against breakage, you may want to consider getting a good car DVD player to keep yourself and your family entertained on long drives.

Additional Info

User Manual     Manufacturer

Last updated price $0.00
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ASIN B0035A7QMW

Concerned With Both Safety and Comfort

Sometimes you need extra assurance of the safety of your vehicle, which might require a good car alarm immobiliser. The Akhan-tuning AT100A68 has all the necessary features to attract a customer’s attention but we still want to take an in-depth look at its offerings and point out the most important ones.

First, let’s talk about the so-called “quality of life” properties that many alarm systems ignore. One of the more pleasant ones is the key compartment in the controller fob. No longer will you have to lug around a bundle of jangling keys and fobs, you can just combine them into one sleek and stylish controller that won’t take up too much space in your pocket. It also has a specialized function to warn you about any of the vehicle doors being unlocked. If you accidentally forget to close one of the passenger doors, the Akhan-tuning AT100A68 will notify you about it with a short beep that you simply can’t miss.

Additionally, the manufacturer provided the system with a 1-year warranty which speaks of their confidence in the quality of products they produce. Even though you might not need it, agree that it's always nice to have this safety "cushion" to fall back on, just in case. In fact, the manufacturer warranty this long is one more advantage of the Akhan-tuning AT100A68 that most other car alarm systems lack, bringing it to the forefront of the competition.

Instructions Unsatisfying, Safety Impeccable

Of course, nobody’s perfect and it doesn't come as a big surprise that even some of the most advanced and stellar products might have certain shortcomings. Something that might not come to your liking as much as all of the aforementioned features of this system is that the included manual is very poor and won't be of much help if you decide to install the system yourself. Having said that, we'd not recommend you to do that anyway, unless you're a skilled electrician who knows electric circuitry from the inside out. Programming the fob might be just a bit of a challenge for novice car drivers but for all the rest, the process should not pose any difficulty. Other than that, the product is definitely good.

In addition to the safety features that we've already mentioned, the Akhan-tuning AT100A68 is protected against foreign voltage, meaning if any unknown or unwanted device tries to connect to your car remotely, you'll receive a warning.

So what you can expect to get with the Akhan-tuning AT100A68 are reliable security and no extra hassle. In fact, the system incorporates quite a number of features designed to save you time and ease the use of the system. And when you equip your car with the alarm system, another step towards enhancing your vehicle safety would be to purchase a car camera for safe parking in large parking lots and your own garage.

Last updated price $0.00
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ASIN B00WA0SUW8

Easy to Customise Safety Measure

If you want a smartly designed and reliable safety system to protect your car, look no further than the KKmoon 53033899. This is an affordable yet high-quality pursuit car alarm that will keep any thief away from your vehicle.

One of the first things you’ll notice about this product is its rather peculiar sound of turning on. Some complain that it’s too high-pitched and can get grating after a while but if that’s the only serious grievance about this system then, surely, people should be fighting for a chance to get it. The sound might irk you a bit but it is not grave enough to be a big detriment to the quality of the product.

What makes this system excellent is its ability to remember, save, and restore the settings and programmes you last input even in an emergency shutdown or after losing power. This means you will save tons of your time on reprogramming and reconfiguring the system and have total confidence in the safety of your car no matter circumstances. Of course, the settings are customisable and will help you ensure

the best protection of your vehicle from any damage or theft. This is a great choice for the more savvy users that know what they want from a security system.

Downsides Are Hard to Find

We had to look hard to find some faults in this great product but there was one sour point that caught our eye quite fast. The 30-day warranty from Amazon is nice but it feels like the manufacturer could have offered something a bit better and, perhaps, sweetened the deal that way. Sure, the system is reliable and will protect your car for a long time but it is nice to be reassured by something like a long warranty. This is one of the obvious areas where the KKmoon 53033899 lags a bit behind its competitors.

Another issue which seems to be quite common would be the fact that it's a tad hard to set up for an amateur driver; however, we do not regard it as a deal breaker either, since most systems out there are made the same way and most drivers choose to turn to professionals anyway. 

So if you look to buy an alarm system for your car that would incorporate a good set of safety measures and have a few extra steps towards providing additional vehicle security, take a look at the KKmoon 53033899 - an inexpensive but top-shelf alarm system that is capable of scaring unwanted visitors away from your car in a moment. Having installed the KKmoon 53033899 in your vehicle, you won't need to check it all the time and will have peace of mind knowing that your car is guarded well day and night. 

Last updated price $0.00
Stock May be out of stock
ASIN B009URG8JG

Cheap and Decent Pick

If you do not want to lighten your wallet but would like to get top-notch protection for your car, take a look at the Flexzon U3 AUTO ALARM. This model has all the basic options you'd expect from a good security system and it doesn't include any of the additional features that usually augment the product price. By fitting it in your vehicle, you'll make your car safe and unapproachable to thieves. Besides the signal, the Flexzon U3 AUTO ALARM triggers warning lights to attract more attention of people and to deter a thief. Thus, even if someone tries to steal your car in the evening or at night, the lit-up hazards will instantly drive a criminal away.

The system also has a highly sensitive shock sensor that will be activated if the vehicle is moved, damaged, or pushed. Even if it is being simply lifted on a tow truck, you'll receive a warning to get convinced of this. And, of course, nobody will be able to damage your vehicle without your knowledge. There is another side to this, though, which is that the sensor could be triggered by something completely innocent and create noise without any need to do so. This won’t earn much favour from your neighbours but it’s better than having a bad sensor that wouldn’t protect your car when it counts.

Don't Let the Warranty Deter You

However, this is not the best choice for those that want the most comprehensive and high-quality alarm system. The signal radius is not very impressive and, to arm the safety measures, you have to aim really precisely and hit the centre block of the system. Otherwise, you risk leaving your vehicle unguarded and that would surely be a waste of a pretty decent security system. Just make sure to see that the alarm is on after you leave your car. It never hurts to check, especially with something as expensive as a car.

Also, the warranty isn’t as long as some of the other models with just 30 days of customer protection from Amazon, while some competitors offer years of security. It is, however, a sturdy and well-made product so you shouldn’t be afraid of using it and the short warranty is probably just a way to cut the cost and make the system cheaper for you.

All in all, the Flexzon U3 AUTO ALARM is a basic barebones alarm system that will keep your precious vehicle protected without any special flair. Its low price point and excellently designed features make up for its shortcomings and if you want a reliable safety measure that won’t lighten your wallet too much, consider purchasing this one.

Last updated price $0.00
Stock May be out of stock
ASIN B015EBSQQE

Long-Distance Safety Guaranteed

The best way to fully protect your vehicle is to get a versatile and top-shelf remote car alarm system, something that accounts for every single threat that could target your car. The ReaseJoy E-ALM-32-001-0001 does all that and more, all for your convenience and your car safety.

The controller fob that comes with this alarm is fitted with a LED display on which you can see which of the parts of your vehicle have been affected after the alarm has been triggered. This way, you'll be able to figure out whether a thief has broken into your car through the window or cracked opened the bonnet and hand valuable information to the police. While having an interactive interface is certainly a plus, you should be ready that it eats up batteries quite quickly too, which is why it's best to always keep some spares in the glove compartment.

Something that sets this model widely apart from most of its competitors is the operating range within which the signal is transmitted. You can stand 900 metres away from your vehicle and still receive warning notifications if some has tampered with your car. This is a big advantage of this model, making it suitable for car owners that live in big cities with crowded parking spaces.

Loud Protection From Any Danger

Just like you'd expect from any modern safety system, the ReaseJoy E-ALM-32-001-0001 is equipped with anti-code grabber technology to protect your vehicle against digital hijack. Suchwise, you can be sure that your vehicle will be secured against not only break-ins but also technologically savvy thieves.

The loud siren is a distinguishing feature of this car alarm system. It produces the sound so loud you'll be able to hear it well over any noise. Besides, it will definitely deter criminals and keep all your neighbourhood alert. Yet, it's not recommended to rely on the alarm siren only and in case it activates, it's best to go outside and check the vehicle.

It’s important to note that the ReaseJoy E-ALM-32-001-0001 is only compatible with cars that have 12V voltage and is not guaranteed to work on other models, so make sure to check the specs of your vehicle. Also, the manufacturer recommends that it is installed by a professional so that neither of its intricately designed parts could be damaged.

Overall, the ReaseJoy E-ALM-32-001-0001 is one of the best options on the market and if you need a high-quality alarm system to protect your car from thieves or hooligans - take a closer look at it and you will find what you need.

Last updated price $0.00
Stock May be out of stock
ASIN B01FTZO4H0

What Is a Car Alarm?

Today, car security systems offer a suite of electronic devices that serve the purpose of protecting your car and personal belongings inside. The main task of the system is to instantly notify an automobile owner about an unauthorized entry of car thieves. Once you install a car alarm in your car, you'll be able to prevent a possible incident and be sure your precious possessions are safe. In this review, we selected 5 best car alarms, so you can choose the model that meets your needs best.

If you also need to know the current location of your vehicle and track its movement, take a peek at the car GPS trackers review where you can decide on the most appropriate solution to meet this challenge.

Another car accessory you may find useful to have at hand is a remote car starter, using which it's possible to start your car being a mile away from it.

What Features to Compare

System Properties

Choosing a car alarm for your vehicle, firstly you should pay attention to the properties of the system. Depending on the car alarm type, the way you send and receive signals to and from the anti-theft system will vary. A basic car alarm is a system where a transmitter sends commands to the control unit without feedback. This is a quite simple and inexpensive way to protect a car, yet it's not a sufficiently effective system when the automobile is outside the visibility distance.

Features of Car Alarms

We'd also like to give a special mention to available functions of a car alarm since they provide protection of your vehicle as well as different ways of control. Alarm arming/disarming is considered to be the basic function of the system which is usually activated at the same time with door locking/unlocking. An ability to lock the doors separately without arming the alarm system can be a very helpful feature for those who occasionally need to leave children in a car. Remote engine start will help you save time for warming up the engine in the winter. Various anti-theft features like a panic button on the remote which activates a noisemaker will prevent a car from being stolen and from unauthorized entry into it.

System Control

To understand how simple and convenient it will be to control the system, look at the peculiar features of the remote. An additional display is crucial for two-way pager car alarms as it shows all necessary information about the status and functionality of various systems and modules in the vehicle with regard to security. Button lock feature is a must for those who carries their remote in a pocket, it will prevent accidental pressing. Special indicators show chosen modes and significantly simplify the system control.

Did you know?

The History of Car Theft and Safety.

The very first car theft was documented way back in 1896, a mere ten years after gas-powered vehicles began to ride the streets. And, of course, crime hasn’t stopped with some research claiming that about two cars get stolen every minute somewhere in the world, a scarily high number.

Almost twenty years after the theft that started it all, in 1913, the very first alarm was invented to ward off thieves. It was made, ironically, by a prisoner and had to be armed manually, triggering only when a criminal attempted to crank the engine. Just a short three years later, in 1916, a remote-controlled alarm was made, which included a little fob that the owner could carry on themselves. The gizmo would emit a buzzing sound if the vehicle was being stolen.

Lots of Noise With No Use?

For many years now, debates have raged on the topic of car alarm systems and their usefulness. Many people claim that they have grown so accustomed to the grating sounds emitted by the easily triggered sirens that they simply filter the noise out and go on with their day. They complain that someone could be stealing an automobile in broad daylight and we wouldn’t know because several alarms get tripped every minute in bigger cities. But is that really true? Are all these safety measures just placebos to tame our innate worries?

Well, the Insurance Information Institute, in an effort to dispel rumours and clear up the debate at least a bit, has done some research and posited that the theft of vehicles has plummeted 58% in the last twenty years despite the fact that the number of cars is growing and crime hasn’t exactly disappeared. Of course, there may be other factors influencing this statistic but it seems pretty clear that alarms do play a role as the safety measure has been getting more popular and its rise coincided with the decline in the theft. So perhaps we have grown used to the noisy sirens but they are still loud enough to get our attention when it matters. Until we find a viable alternative, cheap car alarms will rule the market of car safety and, perhaps, for a good reason.

A New Threat Emerges.

Back in the day, the easiest way for a thief to steal your vehicle was to throw a brick through a window and take off, praying that nobody catches up. Nowadays, car alarms prevent that swiftly and efficiently and the likelihood of someone breaking into your car is lower than ever. However, there’s no guarantee that someone won’t hack into it.

Yes, your vehicle could be hacked, just like a laptop or a desktop PC. Researchers have proven that a savvy thief can get access to any digital controls on the modern vehicles without even getting too close. For now, the only surefire way to keep your vehicle safe from hacking is to buy one that is unreasonably old, but not many people are looking forward to driving a wind-up heap of metal from the last century. So for now, we’re all holding our breath for car manufacturers to develop countermeasures against the new threat. And, while hacking is still a danger, a good reliable car alarm should keep you safe from the less technologically advanced thieves.

Sources:

1. How to choose car security, Crutchfield.

2. How to Choose a Car Alarm, wikiHow.

3. How to Choose the Right Car Alarm for Your Vehicle, eBay. March 3, 2016.

4. Jason Unrau How to Pick an Alarm For Your Car, YourMechanic. April 19, 2016.

5. Tom Harris How Car Alarms Work, HowStuffWorks.

6. Jeremy Laukkonen The Best Car Alarm, Lifewire. October 18, 2016.

7. Car alarm, Wikipedia. October 14, 2016.

8. What Are the Different Types of Car Alarms Available? eBay. March 3, 2016.

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