Before buying an alarm system, people look for an honest review. Here there is no score out of 5 and no testimonial: only what the system does well, what it does less well, and the situations where another choice makes sense. The Ajax alarm is a wireless system controlled from an app. It suits many homes and businesses, but not every case.
What an Ajax alarm does well
A dedicated, encrypted, long-range radio: Jeweller
Devices talk to the hub over Jeweller, a proprietary encrypted radio with frequency hopping. Range reaches 2,000 m in open field. Inside a building, walls and floors reduce it sharply, which is why the signal is always tested before a device is fixed. If an area is poorly covered, a range extender such as the ReX 2 extends coverage.
A clear app
Everything is set from the phone: arming, groups, users, scenarios, history. Setup is guided by QR code: you scan the device, name it and assign it to a room. For a home, half a day is usually enough to install and configure everything.
Photo verification
With a camera detector such as the MotionCam, an alarm comes with photos. You immediately see whether the trigger was an intruder, a pet or a moving curtain. This feature needs a compatible hub: Hub 2, Hub 2 4G or Hub 2 Plus. The MotionCam PhOD offers photo on demand instead.
No mandatory subscription
The app, notifications, photo verification, history and updates are included. The system works without a contract. Optional services (dispatching, intervention) remain a choice, not a requirement. Details are in our article on the Ajax alarm without subscription.
A system that grows with you
You start with a hub, a detector and a door contact, then add items later. Devices can be re-paired to a new hub: if you move from a Hub 2 to a Hub 2 Plus, you do not buy your detectors again.
Limits to know before buying
Ajax devices only work with an Ajax hub
This is the point to accept from the start. An Ajax detector cannot be connected to another brand's panel, and the reverse is also true. You are building an ecosystem: the choice of hub commits you for what follows. If you want to mix brands, this is not the right route.
The entry-level hub has no photo verification
The entry-level Hub (€208.66 incl. VAT) works very well for detection, but it does not handle photo verification. If that feature matters to you, start with a Hub 2 at minimum.
The standard Hub 2 uses 2G SIM cards
The Hub 2 (€292.75 incl. VAT) has two 2G SIM slots. Depending on the network, 2G is set to disappear. The Hub 2 4G (€440.32 incl. VAT) and the Hub 2 Plus (€512.48 incl. VAT) use 4G. For a system meant to last, 4G avoids a future problem. Prices shown are indicative: the price displayed on the product page prevails.
Limits per hub
All hubs accept a maximum of 10 sirens and keypads in total, and 5 ReX range extenders. The Hub 2 handles 100 devices, 50 users and 9 groups. The Hub 2 Plus goes up to 200 devices, 200 users and 25 groups. For an apartment or a house, these numbers are more than enough. For a large site with several zones, count them before buying.
Batteries to replace
Wireless detectors run on batteries. Their life is measured in years, but it is not unlimited: the app reports the charge level and warns you when action is needed. Plan for this small maintenance task, especially if the device is mounted high or outdoors.
A wireless system must be tested
A load-bearing wall, a metal false ceiling or a long distance can weaken the signal. This is not a flaw specific to Ajax; it is the nature of any radio. The rule: measure the signal in the app before drilling, move the device if needed, and add a range extender as a last resort.
Summary table
| Topic | Strength | Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Radio | Encrypted Jeweller, up to 2,000 m in open field | Signal to be tested on site |
| App | Settings and history included, QR code | Depends on a smartphone |
| Photo | Verification with MotionCam | Not on the entry-level hub |
| Cost | No mandatory subscription | Optional services are paid |
| Growth | Add devices, re-pairing | Closed ecosystem: Ajax with Ajax |
| Power | Long-life batteries | Replacement to plan for |
Who is it for, and who is it not for?
An Ajax alarm suits you if you want an expandable system, managed from an app, with a good level of detail on what happens at home. It suits you less if you insist on mixing brands, or if you really do not want to maintain batteries.
For a first purchase, a kit saves you from choosing device by device. Look at our alarm kits, for example the complete Hub 2 kit, or compare hubs in the Ajax hubs collection. If you hesitate between two models, our comparison Hub 2 vs Hub 2 Plus explains the differences.
Install it yourself or have it installed?
Installing it yourself is possible for your own home. For a third party or a business, you must use a company approved by the Belgian Federal Public Service Interior. Our installation service costs €302.50 incl. VAT for up to 10 items, within 15 km of Brussels, by Belgium Security Brussels (approved by the FPS Interior, no. 0666948937). See installation and services.
Frequently asked questions
Is an Ajax alarm reliable?
The system relies on an encrypted radio and devices monitored continuously by the hub. Reliability also depends on installation: detector placement, signal test, up-to-date batteries.
Do I need a subscription?
No. The app, notifications, photo verification and history are included. Dispatching is optional.
Can I use detectors from another brand?
No. Ajax devices only work with an Ajax hub.
Which hub should I choose for photo verification?
A Hub 2, a Hub 2 4G or a Hub 2 Plus. The entry-level hub does not handle it.
What happens if the internet goes down?
The hub can transmit by SIM card. With no connection at all, sirens and alarm logic keep working on site.
Further reading
Discover the full range of Ajax alarms in Belgium, read which Ajax alarm to choose and check your obligations in declaring your alarm system in Belgium. A question? Use our contact page or call 0800 37 087.