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Best Car Alarms of May 2020: What the Ratings and Reviews Recommended

SafeWise’s April 2020 guide and AutoPortal’s May roundup named different car-alarm picks. Here’s what those historical recommendations do—and don’t—tell drivers.
Entry125 Date Time4 min MechanicCarCody Team
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There was no single best car alarm for every driver in May 2020. SafeWise’s April 8, 2020 guide separated its picks by value, range, features, installation simplicity and budget; AutoPortal’s May 28, 2020 roundup named two different systems in a reliability ranking. Those were publisher recommendations, not results from a controlled comparison. Treat them as a snapshot of what those guides recommended then—not as a current buying list.

Which car alarms did the May 2020 guides recommend?

SafeWise published its roundup on April 8, 2020. The guide said its selections drew on product information and specifications, expert recommendations, customer reviews and company ratings. That describes an editorial process, not standardized hands-on testing across every model. Its labels identify the intended use case behind each pick:

SafeWise category Model named What the label means
Best Value Avital 5305L SafeWise’s value pick in its April 2020 guide.
Best Range Python 5706P SafeWise’s range pick.
Best Features Viper 5906V SafeWise’s features pick.
Easy Installation Viper 5305A SafeWise’s installation-simplicity pick; the label is not a guarantee of easy fitment in every vehicle.
Budget Pick Avital 3100LX SafeWise’s budget pick.

SafeWise compared categories including price, keyless entry, remote start, smartphone integration and carjack protection. Any prices on that page were Amazon list prices recorded on April 8, 2020, so they are historical and should not be used as current prices. See SafeWise’s April 2020 guide.

AutoPortal’s May 28, 2020 article described its reliability ranking as based on device parameters and online reviews. It named StarLine B96, describing GSM/GPS support, 2CAN-2LIN interfaces, Bluetooth authorization, vehicle tracking and remote start. It also named Pandora DXL 4790, describing Bluetooth 5.0 and a wireless relay. These are the publisher’s descriptions; they should not be assumed to apply to every regional variant or later revision. AutoPortal’s page now displays a June 19, 2026 update, which does not make its 2020 ranking a current independent test. Read AutoPortal’s roundup.

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#1 Best Overall
Viper 3100V 1-Way Security System
  • 2 Stage Shock Sensor
  • Door, Bonnet & Boot Protection
  • Engine Immobilization
  • Parking Light Flash (Arm, Disarm & Trigger)
  • Keyless Entry

How to interpret “best” in a car-alarm roundup

The 2020 SafeWise categories make a useful point: range, features, ease of installation and cost are different priorities. A system that suits one driver may not suit another vehicle or budget. Before comparing models, decide which functions matter to you and confirm that the exact system can be installed in your car.

  • Trigger coverage: Check which sensors and events the system monitors. A loud siren is not the same thing as comprehensive protection against every way a vehicle might be entered or moved.
  • Alert direction: A one-way remote sends a command; a two-way remote can also report system status. Viper’s owner material for the Viper 5706V describes status messages and arming functions, but that documentation is specific to that system. Consult Viper’s owner materials.
  • Convenience features: Compare remote start, keyless entry and trunk release separately. Their presence, operation and vehicle compatibility depend on the system and installation.
  • Phone and location features: Check whether smartphone control or tracking is actually supported by the exact version, and whether it depends on connected hardware or a service plan. The 2020 guide compared smartphone integration but does not establish current availability or ongoing-service terms.
  • Fitment and installation: Confirm compatibility with the make, model, year and equipment of the vehicle. A product label such as “Easy Installation” does not establish that a particular car is straightforward to wire.
  • Total cost: Include any necessary modules, installation labor and recurring connected-service charges—not only the alarm kit’s listed price.

An alarm is only one part of vehicle security

Alarm hardware should be considered alongside immobilisation and defenses against keyless-entry theft. In its March 3, 2020 release, Thatcham Research reported its first 2020 Consumer Security Ratings for 13 new cars. Its assessment considered immobiliser, alarm, double locking, wheel security and resistance to digital theft; it was an assessment of vehicle security, not a trial establishing how much an aftermarket alarm reduces theft. Read Thatcham Research’s release.

Rank #2
Viper 5706V 2-Way Car Security with Remote Start System
  • -Way Security + Remote Start System with 5-Button LCD Transmitter
  • 5-button sidekick remote control transmitter
  • 1 mile range
  • 4-Channel vehicle security system
  • Door and trunk triggers

The same release cited a 5% increase in “theft or unauthorised taking of a motor vehicle,” referring to UK Office for National Statistics data. That is UK context, not a measure of alarm effectiveness. Thatcham Research Chief Technical Officer Richard Billyeald said: “The keyless vulnerability continues to be a concern to car owners. However, it is not the only factor behind recent increases in vehicle theft.”

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Check compatibility and installation before choosing a model

The model name alone is not enough to establish fitment. Ask the installer or seller to confirm the exact alarm revision and required modules for your vehicle, whether the factory key and existing security features will continue to work, and what the quoted installation includes.

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Rank #3
Viper 350 PLUS 3105V 1-Way Car Alarm Keyless Entry,BLACK
  • 3-Channel 1-way Security System with Keyless Entry 4-Button remotes. Additional options include remote starter & GPS Tracking.
  • FailSafe starter kill.
  • Anti-carjacking & Panic Alarm Feature
  • Revenger six-tone soft-chirp siren and parking light alarm response.
  • Bright blue status LED warns thieves and gives you info about the system

For the Viper 5706V, the owner material says installation must be performed by an authorized Directed dealer and includes safety precautions for remote starting. Follow that model’s documentation; its requirements should not be generalized to every alarm. Remote-start systems also require careful installation and safe use, so confirm that the vehicle and installation meet the system’s instructions. Viper owner guides and manuals.

The named products and rankings here are historical. Current stock, pricing, model revisions, vehicle fitment and service availability have not been established. The 2020 guides also do not provide independent May 2020 laboratory comparisons across these products, or a quantified theft reduction attributable to any named aftermarket alarm.

Quick Recap

Bestseller No. 1
Viper 3100V 1-Way Security System
Viper 3100V 1-Way Security System
2 Stage Shock Sensor; Door, Bonnet & Boot Protection; Engine Immobilization; Parking Light Flash (Arm, Disarm & Trigger)
$84.99
Bestseller No. 2
Viper 5706V 2-Way Car Security with Remote Start System
Viper 5706V 2-Way Car Security with Remote Start System
-Way Security + Remote Start System with 5-Button LCD Transmitter; 5-button sidekick remote control transmitter
$283.00
Bestseller No. 3
Viper 350 PLUS 3105V 1-Way Car Alarm Keyless Entry,BLACK
Viper 350 PLUS 3105V 1-Way Car Alarm Keyless Entry,BLACK
FailSafe starter kill.; Anti-carjacking & Panic Alarm Feature; Revenger six-tone soft-chirp siren and parking light alarm response.
$119.00
Best Value
Ring Sensors: Car Tracker and Alarm — Vehicle Location Tracking, Easy Installation, on Amazon Sidewalk, No Monthly Subscription
  • Real-time alerts — Receive notifications for impacts, door openings, and other disturbance alerts so you can act fast.
  • Track your vehicle’s location — Use the Ring app to view your vehicle on a map with period updates.
  • No ongoing fees — Track and protect your car with no monthly subscription or hidden fees.
  • Easy car installation — Start tracking your car right away with no tools, wiring, or complicated setup. Compatible with most vehicles.
  • Connects to your OBD-II Port — Powered by your car while driving, with a built-in backup battery that lasts up to 7 days when parked.
Rank #4
Car Alarm System with Motion Sensor, 108dB Anti-Theft Alarm Wireless Remote
  • 【2-Pack Double Protection】: Each set includes 2 car alarm units + 1 wireless remote, so you can secure two vehicles at once, or place one on the front and one on the rear of a single car. The remote can pair with multiple hosts - great for couples, families, or a car + motorcycle combo
  • 【Smart 3D Motion Sensor, Fewer False Alarms】: Built-in 3D acceleration sensor with AI algorithm detects vibration, prying and forced entry, while intelligently filtering out noise from passing cars, rain or thunder - high sensitivity without the constant false alarms that cheap alarms cause
  • 【108dB Siren + Red Warning Light】: First vibration triggers a short beep with red flashing as a warning; a second sets off a 30-second loud 108dB siren with strobe-like flashing that scares off thieves. 3 volume levels (108/102/96dB) suit neighborhoods, lots or busy streets
  • 【Magnetic Mount, No Drilling】: A strong magnet holds the alarm in place - no tools, no wiring, no sticky residue, and you can move it between cars anytime. The anti-UV PC housing resists high heat and cold, so it stays stable even in a car parked under the summer sun
  • 【66ft Wireless Remote & Long Battery】: Arm, disarm or locate your vehicle from up to 66ft (20m) away. Powered by 2 AAA batteries, the unit runs 6+ months and the remote lasts up to 2 years. Also works for home doors, bikes, ebikes, luggage - multi-scene security

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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