Best Trip Wire Alarms to Set a Perimeter
A trip wire alarm is an extremely versatile tool. Not only can they help with intruders breaching a perimeter, but they can also scare off wildlife and signal for help. There are many brands and types of alarms to pick from, and they don’t all perform the same.
This is where we come in. We’ve researched the best trip wire alarms, tested them, and now the results are in: the overall best, a budget option, and a versatile battery-powered pick. If you need to set a perimeter quickly and easily, one of our suggestions will hold down the fort.
Contents (Jump to a Section)
In this latest update of the best trip wire alarms, more pictures and recommendations have been added. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Disclosure»
Best Trip Wire Alarm
Fith Ops Camp Safe
Versatile, Durable, and Dependable
The classic trip wire alarm has great versatility and dependable quality to go the distance in any environment.
*Price at time of publishing; check for price changes or sales.
Fith Ops isn’t a misspelling- Fith stands for ‘fire in the hole’. This small company has been pioneering the trip wire alarm recently, developing versatile solutions and new products that push the boundaries of what is possible.
Specifications
- Material: 6061 aluminum
- Blanks: 12-gauge or available adapters:
- Size: 1.25″ D x 3″ H
- Weight: 3.7 ounces
Their flagship Camp Safe model is an example of this since you can configure it for a wide variety of blanks with different adapters. It also has multiple attachment points for screws or zip ties and the classic pull-pin trigger.
12-gauge blanks are significantly louder than others, so the Camp Safe alarm is ready to alert with its stock configuration. One downside is that the trigger pin doesn’t have a safety- if it’s pulled, the firing pin is moving! The spring strength and travel distance make this less of an issue- as long as you aren’t loading your blanks before your tripwire system is set up, you should be good.
With solid American quality and a smooth spring action firing pin, it’s easy to see why the versatile Fith Ops Camp Safe 12 Gauge Trip Alarm tops the rest.
Budget Trip Wire Alarm
Remfly 209
Inexpensive, Effective, and Durable
The smaller 209 primer alarm will get the job done for those just starting out or on a budget.
*Price at time of publishing; check for price changes or sales.
This smaller tripwire device from Remfly can raise the alarm while using smaller primer caps, and it has a smaller profile itself.
Specifications
- Material: Aluminum
- Blanks: 209 primer
- Size: 0.75″ D x 4.25″ H
- Weight: 1.9 ounces
One difference from our top pick is that this one comes with a safety pin, which can help you set it. The spring is harder to pull and set, so having the extra cotter pin is nice when you are running a tripwire under tension and aren’t sure if it’ll pull the trigger pin. You never want to load blanks until the entire system is set up; for this reason, but it makes it less of a headache nonetheless.
This alarm is easy to set up since it includes the screw eye that can help you quickly get it into a post or tree. You can still secure the body with zip ties, cordage, or other means, but I liked being able to pop it into any wood surface quickly. You can even use the alarm itself as a wrench to drive the screw in.
If you need to set some perimeter protection without breaking your budget, the Remfly 209 Perimeter Alarm is what you’re looking for.
Best Electric Alarm
Tecknet Emergency Alarm
Loud, Portable, and Dependable
This alarm rips an ear-splitting shriek at over 130db to really send a signal to everyone in earshot.
*Price at time of publishing; check for price changes or sales.
Prevent intrusions by setting this tiny tool up as a tripwire alarm. But that’s just one of the many uses. You can use it on your keychain for personal protection or to keep somebody from walking off with your backpack or other gear. Simply hook one loop to your gear and the other loop to a fixed object, and when they are pulled apart, this device will let you know.
Specifications
- Material: Plastic
- Color Options: 7
- Battery: USB-C Rechargeable Lithium-ion
- Size: 4.0″ L x 1.3″ W x 0.5″ H
- Weight: 1.0 ounce
The versatility of a simple, solid noisemaker that can be reusable is underestimated by most people. For its weight and low profile, it is almost an auto-include for most mobile survival kits.
In my testing, it’s held up in the outdoors for short periods, but it’s not designed to be a wilderness survival solution. There is no waterproofing- it has an open speaker port and USB-C. This is because it is designed for personal or urban use, which is fine as long as you know what you are getting.
The light is bright, and the strobe mode can be effective, but I like it best for its main feature- the pull switch alarm. This lets you easily set it up at doorways, hallways, or even just tent zipper pulls.
With great versatility, reusability, and a long-lasting battery, the Tecknet Emergency Alarm is up for any security task.
Comparison Table
| Trip Wire Alarm | Recommendation | Price* | Loudness | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fith Ops Camp Safe | Best Overall | $30 | 170 dB | 3.7 oz |
| Remfly 209 | Best for Budgets | $19 | 115 dB | 1.9 oz |
| Tecknet Emergency Alarm | Best Electric Tripwire Alarm | $11 | 130 dB | 1.0 oz |
The Alarms We Compared
Our research narrowed the field down to a few brands and types of alarms that we compared with various gauges and loudness: Fith Ops, Trip Alarm Co, Remfly, ASR, BASU, Fast Guard, Camp Guardian, and more.
You can see our full list of review criteria below in the What to Look For section, with an explanation for each.
We considered a wide range of alarms, ranging from traditional blanks to electronic ones. Although our results seem one-sided, performance spoke for itself after extensive testing. We quit looking at many of the temporary films since we were looking for permanent security and safety enhancements.
We’re always looking for new and better supplies, so if you have a trip wire alarm that you trust, let us know in the comments. We review most of our tested supplies annually so we can try to get them in the next roundup and see if they will beat out our top picks.
What to Look For
The best trip wire alarms have a few features to look for:
- Value
- Noise Level
- Durability
- Size & Weight
- Versatility
When you get the right blend of these, you can find an alarm that will alert you in a wide range of situations. Below, we break down what each of these features means for the alarms that truly set themselves apart.
Value: Cost vs. Benefit
The amount of money you spend on something as niche as a tripwire alarm shouldn’t blow out your entire budget. There is a wide range of prices depending on the features you are looking for, so it shouldn’t be too problematic if you just stick to a plan. If it’s not likely that you’ll use the alarm in a practical setting, there is no need to pick one up if it’s beyond your budget.
You never want to spend too much money on one resource when it comes to security. It’s better to diversify your spending to make sure you are covered for a wide range of scenarios.
Noise Level
Not much point to an alarm if you can’t hear it. Sure, there are silent alarms that can notify you or blink a lot for you, but those have niche applications.
We want our perimeter alarms to be LOUD and deter whatever animal is coming through, or let us know anywhere on our property of an intruder.
Depending on the ambient noise in your area, 120-130 dB should be heard up to a mile away. When you go below that, you are hampering the potential distance and effectiveness of the alarm.
Durability
Most trip wire alarms are set up outdoors. This means they’ll need to be able to handle the elements.
Aluminum rust-proof designs are popular because they can be machined easily and accurately with less weight.
Size & Weight
Size and weight shouldn’t hold you back if you plan to keep the alarm in a mobile kit or bring it camping. Most tripwire alarms are lightweight, being at or less than an ounce.
You’ll also need to account for the ammo and the wire itself, since it is part of an alarm system and not as useful on its own.
Versatility
Tripwire alarms and remarkably versatile. You can set perimeters in any conditions or areas to alert to incoming vehicles, intruders, or animals. They can also be used to signal for help or for communication within your group.
The basic components of a trip wire alarm are the firing pin, the pull pin that trips the alarm, and a detent to hold the charges. While we certainly don’t condone it, these can easily be worked into flare launchers or used with other ammunition. There are many reports of homemade firearms being made with these, though those are certainly dangerous and probably illegal in most places. (See our sources and references)
How to Set a Trip Wire Alarm
Tripwire alarms are relatively simple to set up, but can be dangerous if done improperly. In Europe and Russia, there have been many documented cases of tripwire alarms being converted into homemade firearms. They have a firing mechanism (pull pin), a firing pin, and a detent to hold a wide range of rounds.
Warning: Using live ammo, or any unintended ammunition (like flares) can be extremely dangerous in a trip wire alarm, regardless of whether it is unattended. Even with blanks, you should practice firearm safety and avoid pointing the business end at people. Do not set the trap until you are ready for it to be live- anticipate accidental discharge.
Here are the quick and easy steps to setting a tripwire alarm:
- Pick a Spot – Pick a site where the approach fits a tripwire well, and possibly obscures the wire so it is easier to hide. You will need a solid mounting point for the alarm itself.
- Mount – Mount your alarm securely using zip ties or screws. Make sure it is not visible from the approach side. Be sure not to load it yet.
- Set Perimeter – Run your tripwire from the alarm across the perimeter approach line. Depending on whether you are using USGS tripwire or fishing line, there is a difference in how far you can run the line.
- Set Alarm – Pull the firing pin ring, set the pull pin, and tie the perimeter line to the alarm.
- Load Alarm – Always load the alarm last. No reason to misfire as you are setting it up.
Lastly, have a plan for when the alarm goes off. Being alarmed without a plan of action won’t do you much good.
Nate Polson (Canadian Prepper) has a solid video showing how to use trip wire alarms:
Who Needs a Trip Wire Alarm?
Tripwire alarms are by no means necessary for survival, but they are a convenient tool to have in a wide range of situations. For the size, weight, and price, there is very little drawback to having one available. Because it isn’t essential, you won’t find it on many of our checklists.
If you are running snare wire (or trip wire) in your kits, which is on many of our checklists, you should definitely consider adding an alarm to go along beside it.
Tripwire itself is remarkably versatile, and we have a whole guide recommending the best snare or trip wire for your kits.
How We Review Products: We research thoroughly before selecting the best products to review. We have vast prepping and survival experience and bring in outside experts when needed. Hours on end are spent testing gear in stressful conditions and using specialized testing gear to verify claims. We assign performance criteria and impartially rate each tested item. Learn more about how we test.
Sources & References
All of our experience and the testing we do to determine the best trip wire alarm are useless without listing our research sources and references. We leaned on these for the book knowledge that we paired with our hands-on testing and practical survival experience:
Cobb, J. (2012). Prepper’s Home Defense: Security Strategies to Protect Your Family by Any Means Necessary. Ulysses Press; Berkeley, California. (Source)
Dobrin, G. (2022). Alarm and Signal Weapons Easily Converted into Lethal Firearms. Romanian Journal of Forensic Science. Volume 23. Issue 131. Pages 180 – 188. (Source)
Storm, J., et al. (2000). Trip wire detection using polarimetric IR. Proc. SPIE 4038, Detection and Remediation Technologies for Mines and Minelike Targets V. (Source)
Conclusion
Tripwire alarms are very versatile and fit in a wide range of survival kits. Keep your perimeter safe, or come up with creative solutions for specific situations.
Here are a few other gear reviews and guides our subscribers have found helpful:
- Best Survival Zip Ties for Emergencies and Prepping
- Best Emergency Flares for Distress Signals
- Bug Out Bag List | 44 Essentials
See more of our expert-written guides, resources, and reviews in your search results – add TruePrepper as a preferred source.
Prepping Your Way
No judgement and no imperatives. Prepare the way you want to with the trusted source millions of modern preppers have relied on.Our newsletter fires out every Monday where you can expect:
- Practical prepping guides and tips
- Thorough survival gear reviews
- Noticeably absent spam and popups
- < 0.4% of people unsubscribe
