12 best car alarms

Any driver is worried about the safety of his car. And this concerns not only the prevention of possible breakdowns, but also the protection of the vehicle from the hijackers. It can be provided with the help of security systems. But what is worth paying attention to when choosing an alarm for a car. Which brands are trusted by buyers? Is it possible to secure your car at no extra cost? Answers to all these questions will be given by our rating of the best car alarms, which, for the convenience of readers, is divided into four most popular categories: budget, with auto start, with feedback and devices equipped with a GSM module.

Which company alarm is better to choose

Before considering specific devices, we decided to talk about the five well-known manufacturers of car alarms and the reason for their inclusion in our review:

1. StarLine. One of the oldest car alarm manufacturers. For the first time, the StarLine brand announced itself back in 1988, and its debut remote security system went on sale only three years later.
2. Pandora. This year, Pandora is celebrating its 15th anniversary. And it should be admitted that during this period the manufacturer managed to take a leading position not only in Russia, but also in the world, which is an important reason to trust this company.
3. SCHER-KHAN. Since 1998, the domestic brand Scher-Knan has been offering convenient and reliable, inexpensive and high-quality alarms for vehicles. Among its advantages is the ability to work at any temperature, which is very important for a variety of climatic conditions in Russia.
4. ALLIGATOR. A well-known American manufacturer, which, despite the abundance of competitors, is constantly increasing in popularity. So, at the end of 2018, the brand entered the top three in terms of sales in the Russian Federation and the CIS countries.
5. Pantera. The last but very honorable place is occupied by Pantera. This brand appeared on the Russian market in the 2000s, immediately squeezing out more eminent manufacturers.

Of course, these are not all worthy brands, and there are a couple of great brands on our list. However, first of all, we recommend looking closely at these five companies.

Best Inexpensive Car Alarms Budget Up

If your finances are limited, then you can buy a good alarm before ... However, it should be understood that budget car alarms are usually too limited in functionality. Most often, such devices allow you to control the doors, trunk and hood, including sound / light signals when car thieves are acting. This is sufficient if the vehicle is constantly in your field of vision from the windows of your apartment / office. In other cases, choose a more advanced device.

1. StarLine A63 ECO

Starts rating of the best car alarms up to device from the StarLine brand. The A63 ECO model is considered one of the most interesting in the company's assortment. The recommended cost of this device is For this amount, the car enthusiast will receive basic features, but if desired, the functionality can be expanded. For this, the signaling has a LIN / CAN module, which is useful not only for gaining access to the control of actuators, but also for additional (two-stage) protection. Also GPS and GSM modules can be connected to the A63 ECO. Moreover, the latter will be useful both for owners of devices based on iOS or Android, and for Windows Phone users.

Advantages:

• Firmware for all current operating systems.
• Ease of expanding functionality.
• Low cost for such a device.
• Ample opportunities.
• Impact resistant keychain.
• The warning range is up to 2 km.

Disadvantages:

• Additional options are expensive.
• Poor interference immunity.

2. TOMAHAWK 9.9

Compared to more advanced car safety systems, TOMAGAVK 9.9 is a solution for undemanding drivers. The keychain is here with a screen, but very simple in its capabilities. The shock sensor is not built into the base, but is installed separately. Immobilizer bypass or flexible system settings of the monitored model are not familiar. But if you want to buy the best alarm in the budget category, which is both reliable enough and supports autostart, and reliably encrypts the signal, and at a frequency of 868 MHz, then you should take a closer look at the TOMAHAWK 9.9. If desired, this alarm can be found for only 4 thousand, which is very modest.

Advantages:

• Attractive cost.
• Support for motor autostart.
• Excellent equipment.
• Non-volatile memory.
• Two-step car disarming.
• Effective encryption.

Disadvantages:

• Average functionality.

3. SCHER-KHAN Magicar 12

Inexpensive alarm system Magicar 12 was released by SCHER-KHAN in 2014. After such a solid time, the device has gone through many changes and has not lost its relevance and is purchased by drivers who need a high-quality, but affordable security system. As for the price, it starts with , and for a device that has a functional keychain with a screen, this is a great offer.

Magicar 12 uses encryption according to the Magic Code Pro 3 algorithm. It has an average resistance to cracking, so for more expensive car models, you should choose a more reliable system.

It's nice that for such a modest sum, the driver gets a multifunctional system with a range of up to 2 thousand meters. Like more advanced devices, Magicar 12 boasts a Comfort mode (closing all windows when the vehicle is locked). There is also a function "Free hands", which allows you to turn on the automatic disarming when approaching the car.

What we liked:

• Works at temperatures up to - 85 to + 50 degrees.
• Official 5-year manufacturer's warranty.
• Protection against typical urban radio interference.
• An impressive range of the key fob.
• Attractive cost.
• Good functionality.

The best car alarms with feedback

If your budget is not too tight, then it is better to choose an alarm with a feedback function. They allow not only to secure the car by sound and light signals, but also to receive notifications on the complete key fob. The latter can work at a sufficiently long distance, which in the best solutions reaches 2 km. At the same time, the feedback alarm often has additional options, such as monitoring the battery charge.

1. Pandora DX-91

If you want to provide the vehicle with maximum protection, then it is better to buy a two-way alarm Pandora DX-91. It allows you to monitor up to 16 zones, including wheel theft alerts. It's nice that the device has Bluetooth, which makes it possible to control it via mobile devices based on Android or iOS. Pandora DX-91 comes with a key fob with a high-quality OLED display. By the way, the keychain itself is quite compact. This also applies to the base, inside which the Cortex-M4 processor works, which allows processing modern encryption algorithms, as well as providing low power consumption.

Advantages:

• Bluetooth Smart control at a distance of 30-50 meters.
• The delivery set includes everything you need for comfortable work.
• Compact key fob with a screen made using OLED technology.
• You can use your phone instead of a key fob.
• It is possible to track the car in real time.
• Gorgeous functionality.
• Energy efficient.

Disadvantages:

• Somewhat overpriced

2. SCHER-KHAN MOBICAR B

In the second place in the rating of car alarms with feedback is the high-quality security system MOBICAR B from SCHER-KHAN.It is a high quality and affordable device with a key fob, which has a screen for visual display of basic information. The available control methods also include mobile devices with iOS (version 8.0 or higher) and Android (version 4.4 or higher). As for the key fob and the base, the data exchange between them occurs at a frequency of 868 MHz, and all commands are encrypted using the AES-128 algorithm, which is considered one of the most reliable.

Advantages:

• The key fob is equipped with a display
• Remote adjustment of sensors.
• Easy to operate.
• The ability to quickly configure from your phone.
• Display of engine running time.
• Autostart capability (optional).

3. PRIZRAK 8L

What should be the perfect combination of price and quality car alarm? We are confident that its characteristics, at least, should not be inferior to the PRIZRAK 8L model. This is a modern device that has everything that is required of a modern security system. At the same time, there is a security system of all (recommended price).

The system is equipped with dual-circuit protection with a standard key and a key-tag. This provides a high level of security with full anti-theft protection.

It is also worth noting that there is a GSM module here, and the PRIZRAK alarm package contains a SIM card. Power consumption of 8L is quite modest and amounts to 150 mA in operating mode and 12 mA in standby mode. The complex can function at temperatures from minus 40 to plus 85 and a maximum relative humidity of 95%.

Advantages:

• Reliable double-circuit protection.
• Auto start of the engine with a key or software.
• Compactness of the base and complete key fob.
• High quality and long warranty.
• Support for the free telematic service "Dozor"
• The perfect combination of price and features.
• There is a possibility of keyless autostart.

The best car alarms with auto start

Formally, this type of security systems refers to models with feedback. However, they have one useful function - remote engine start. It can be produced by pressing a button or under certain conditions (temperature, timer, and so on). This is useful if you always leave the house at a certain time and want to sit in an already warmed-up cabin. If you do not benefit from such an option, then you can look at the alternative solutions presented above.

1. StarLine E96 ECO

We have already mentioned products from StarLine, and one of the best alarms with automatic engine start also belongs to this brand. The E96 ECO model offers the highest reliability, the ability to operate in temperatures from minus 40 to plus 85 degrees and uninterrupted in the high radio interference conditions typical of modern cities. The autonomy is also pleasing, reaching 60 days of active protection.

StarLine E96 ECO has a large operating radius. Under standard conditions, the driver can be 2 km from the car and easily communicate with the alarm.

As for autorun, it is organized as thoughtfully as possible. The motorist is invited to choose among several options for turning on the ignition, among which not only the temperature or a certain time, but also the days of the week and even the battery drawdown. It is also possible to customize various scenarios for alarms, seats, mirrors and other vehicle systems.

Advantages:

• Signal reception range.
• Unscannable dialog code.
• Working temperatures.
• Functionality.
• Energy efficient.
• Ideal for almost any vehicle.
• High quality components.
• Reasonable cost.

Disadvantages:

• The buttons are somewhat tight.

2. Pantera SPX-2RS

Thanks to the unique technology of the double dialog code, the SPX-2RS security system from the Panther company is able to withstand any kind of electronic hacking. The system also boasts a good range of 1200 meters (only alerts; for control, the distance should be 2 times less). In this case, the signaling automatically selects the channel with the best reception quality.

An excellent two-way car alarm Pantera can remotely measure the temperature in the cabin, configure channels to control the trunk or various devices, automatically close / open doors when the engine is turned on / off, and allows you to use a number of other useful options. In this case, the device costs on average which is a great proposition for the SPX-2RS capabilities.

Advantages:

• Many opportunities for a reasonable price.
• Autorun function.
• Good build quality.
• Excellent protection against interference.
• 7 security zones.
• Acceptable price tag.

Disadvantages:

• Keychain discharges quickly.
• Difficulty setting up FLEX channels.

3. Pandora DX-50S

Next in line is an inexpensive solution from Pandora from the DX-50 family. The current model of the line boasts a modest power consumption of up to 7 mA, which is 3 times less than the previous generation. The complete set of one of the best car alarms with auto start contains a convenient D-079 key fob, which is distinguished by its convenience and a built-in display. For communication with the base, it uses a frequency of 868 MHz, which made it possible to achieve a greater distance while maintaining high communication stability.

The main unit contains a pair of LIN-CAN interfaces, providing the ability to communicate with several digital vehicle buses. We should also praise the DX-50S accelerometer, which can detect any threats, be it evacuating a vehicle, trying to break a side window or lifting a car with a jack.

Advantages:

• recommended price
• Protection against electronic hacking.
• Reliability and range of communication with the base.
• Frequent software updates.
• Very low power consumption.

Disadvantages:

• Cheap plastic keychain.
• Sometimes communication fails even close.

The best alarms with GSM module

Our rating is closed by the most expensive, but at the same time, the most advanced car alarms - devices with GSM modules. They provide a huge variety of possibilities, but the main advantage of such security systems is the control function via a regular cell phone. This allows you to control a vehicle anywhere in the city and even outside it, and the control is practically unlimited, because it even includes the transmission of sound from the car.

1. ALLIGATOR C-5

Almost 2 years after the release, the model C-5 from ALLIGATOR is still popular among buyers. The system attracts attention with premium assembly and well-reasoned cost. The popular signaling has a FLEX channel function that can be programmed for 12 events, including:

1. starting and stopping the engine;
2. opening and locking doors;
3. turning on or off the hand brake;
4. alarm mode, setting protection or canceling it.

The C-5 also has an LCD screen, under which is a pair of buttons to lock and unlock the car. Three more keys are on the side. On the display itself, you can see the basic information, as well as the current time. However, some owners have complained about screen issues, so please check before purchasing.

Advantages:

• The range is 2.5-3 km.
• Information on the screen in Russian.
• High resistance to cracking.
• Reliable warning system.
• Elegant delivery set.
• 868 MHz radio channel with immunity to interference.
• Ease of programming FLEX channels.
• Monitoring the functioning of the motor.

Disadvantages:

• There is no immobilizer crawler.

2. PANDECT X-1800

The review of car alarms continues with a rather expensive solution - X-1800 from PANDECT. The recommended cost of this device is impressive ... For this amount, the driver will be able to control Bluetooth Smart, for which the software developed for iOS and Android is used (the distance from the car is up to 50 meters), as well as the function of automatically removing protection after the owner approaches (Hands Free). Thanks to the advanced hardware platform, the PANDECT X-1800 consumes only 10 mAh of power when the security is on and the GPRS is working. As a nice bonus, you can note the support for GPS and GLONASS (optional).

Advantages:

• Uninterrupted work.
• Flexible control algorithms.
• Management from mobile devices.
• Precise motion / shock sensors.
• High build quality and reliability.
• Integrated GSM interface.
• Built-in multi-system 2XCAN interface.

Disadvantages:

• The autorun module is purchased separately

3. PANDORA DX 90 B

The DX 90 B security system is one of the most reliable and functional in the premium category. Moreover, its cost is not the highest and is only ... Of course, this is not the cheapest car alarm with GSM, but it can boast of the presence of Bluetooth for control from the phone via the manufacturer's mobile software and a compact key fob with an OLED display.

If you want to purchase a device along with the installation, then you will have to pay 5 thousand from above for this. But as a gift for this you will receive a siren. But autorun will have to be purchased for more , which will not please everyone.

Of course, the alarm provides a wide range of additional functions, including setting the timer, updating the software via the radio channel (without a PC), flexible system configuration according to the individual wishes of the owner, and so on. The manufacturer is also proud to note that the DX 90 B uses advanced encryption algorithms that are 100% protected from existing hacking methods.

Features:

• You can control your phone from a distance of about 60 meters.
• Easy to configure and easy to upgrade firmware.
• Variety of auxiliary functions.
• High energy efficiency.
• Cloning technology support.
• Long-term manufacturer's warranty.
• Built-in mini-USB port.
• High-quality OLED screen and key fob compactness.

Which alarm is better to choose

Of course, every car enthusiast wants to choose the best device. And it doesn't matter at all whether you choose it yourself or rely on a rating of the best alarms for a car, the difficulties in buying, without building clear requirements, will not decrease. So, for an inexpensive vehicle that is not often left unattended, you can choose one-way budget security systems from the first category. For more serious requirements, look at the second and third groups. They are quite similar, but if you need remote engine start functions, then solutions from StarLine, Pantera and Pandora are best suited. Do you want to keep your car under control, regardless of the distance from it? In this case, you need an alarm system with a built-in GSM module.