The wired-vs-wireless choice for an alarm matters more than most installers admit. Here’s how to pick the right one for your NZ property.
The wired-vs-wireless alarm question gets a different answer at every quote, and the answer often reflects the installer’s preference rather than your property. The honest answer: wired alarms are the default for new builds and larger sites; wireless alarms are the default for retrofits, heritage buildings, and renovations where running new cable would damage finished surfaces. Both can be remotely armed via app, both support partial “stay” arming, both can be programmed to report to a third-party monitoring station. The right answer depends on the property, not the salesperson.
A wired alarm system runs cable (typically 4-core or 6-core alarm cable) from each sensor back to a central panel, which usually lives in a wardrobe, garage, or comms room. The panel reads each sensor over its own dedicated wire pair and powers the sensors over the cable. Common NZ wired panels: Paradox EVO, Inner Range Integriti, Bosch Solution. Sweet spot: 8–128 zones, with the larger end suiting commercial sites with many separate areas to control independently.
A wireless alarm system uses encrypted radio between each sensor and a central panel (or panel-and-hub combo). Sensors run on long-life batteries (typically 3–5 years between changes). The panel is wired only for power and (optionally) network/4G comms. Common NZ professional wireless panels: Ajax, Paradox MG, Risco Agility, DSC Power Series Neo. Sweet spot: 4–32 zones residential, up to 64+ zones on larger Ajax installs.
Important: professional-grade wireless is a different category from consumer wireless “alarms” you’ll find in a hardware store or on Amazon. Professional wireless uses encrypted dual-band radio, supervised sensors that report low battery and tamper, and dual-path comms back to the panel. Consumer kits don’t.
Pick wired if any of: new build, finishing-not-complete renovation where cable can be run before lining, large commercial site with 16+ zones, integrated alarm/CCTV/access on Inner Range Integriti, or a deliberately wired-only sensor type (e.g. some commercial dual-tech sensors).
Pick wireless if any of: retrofit on a finished home, heritage building under a Special Character Overlay, small-to-medium home (4–12 zones), tenant fit-out where the building wiring shouldn’t be modified, or you want polished mobile-app UX (Ajax in particular).
Pick a hybrid if you have an existing wired install and want to add wireless sensors for retrofit areas. Most modern wired panels (Paradox EVO, Inner Range, Bosch) support wireless expansion modules.
| Scope | Wired (NZD) | Wireless (NZD) |
|---|---|---|
| 3-bed, 8 zones, retrofit on finished home | $3,200–$4,500 | $1,800–$2,800 |
| 3-bed, 8 zones, new build (cable in) | $2,400–$3,200 | $1,800–$2,800 |
| 5-bed, 16 zones | $3,800–$5,500 | $3,200–$4,800 |
| Small commercial, 24 zones | $5,500–$8,500 | $5,800–$9,500 |
Wireless looks more expensive on the small commercial line because the per-zone cost rises faster than wired at scale. The right answer for that scope often ends up being a hybrid: wired backbone with wireless retrofit for awkward sensor locations.
Alarm system installation · Alarm monitoring cost guide · Security audit checklist
Indicative supplied-and-installed price for a Comsys CCTV system. Move the inputs to match your site — the calculator updates live.
This calculator is a guide only. Final pricing depends on the site visit — specific camera models, mounting access, cable routing, and any access control or alarm integration can move the number up or down. We always quote in writing after a free on-site assessment, with brand and model itemised so you can see exactly what you’re paying for.
