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Vibration window alarm vs magnetic contact

Updated: 16 October 2026

You are about to buy a window alarm because the title says glass-break, and you either fear a sash that opens or a pane that gets hit. A vibration window alarm vs magnetic contact choice is that decision. A contact reports that two parts moved apart. A puck reports a shock on the pane it is stuck to. A room listener is a third product, and it is not in this set. The rows are on the [window alarm comparison](/hub/burglar-protection/window-alarm). This page is from the Products Compared editorial team. We did not lab-test the alarms or measure decibels. A qualifying purchase can earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

You are about to buy a window alarm because the title says glass-break, and you either fear a sash that opens or a pane that gets hit. A vibration window alarm vs magnetic contact choice is that decision.

Our top picks

TECKNET TECKNET window and door alarm, 3-pack

Best overall

TECKNET TECKNET window and door alarm, 3-pack
8.6/10about £13.99
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VOXON VOXON magnetic window alarm, 4-pack

Preis-Tipp

VOXON VOXON magnetic window alarm, 4-pack
8.6/10about £12.74
View offer
Defender Defender ultra-slim window alarm, 2-pack

Alternative

Defender Defender ultra-slim window alarm, 2-pack
6.4/10about £14.95
View offer
On this page
  1. 1.Vibration window alarm vs magnetic contact
  2. 2.What each type in this set can and cannot hear
  3. 3.Why a glass-break listener is a third device
  4. 4.When to buy which

Vibration window alarm vs magnetic contact

A contact is the right buy when a door or window must be heard opening, on a frame flat enough for the halves to meet. It will not report a strike that never moves the leaf. A puck is the right buy for a hit on one pane. It will not reliably report a sash lifted without a shock. The National Protective Security Authority says a contact gap can leave a door reading closed while it is still open, and that vibration detectors can false-alarm in rain or hail. These units are not a BS EN 50131 system. VOXON, about £12.74 for four, watches the gap. Defender, about £14.95 for two, watches the pane it touches.

What each type in this set can and cannot hear

Contacts here are VOXON, TECKNET, NICE Home and Miangerrn. TECKNET, about £13.99 for three, alarms beyond 2 cm and has three volume levels. The cells are not stated as included. NICE Home’s two AAA cells are not in the box. Their chime is a door warning, not cover for smashed glass while the sash stays shut. Pucks are WER, Defender, Flintronic and WOWSEA. Flintronic’s 30-second siren still leaves it a puck. One UK review says heavy rain tripped WER. Defender reviews split between a knock and an opened window that stays quiet. One puck, one pane. Fit distances are on how to fit a window alarm.
TECKNET TECKNET window and door alarm, 3-pack

Testsieger

TECKNET TECKNET window and door alarm, 3-pack
8.6/10about £13.99
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Why a glass-break listener is a third device

Glass-break on these titles means a shock sensor on the pane, not a microphone. An acoustic sensor listens to the room and is not in this set. The NPSA notes that an audio unit can false-alarm on sounds such as keys. A puck will not hear the next pane. A picture window that does not open will never separate a magnetic pair. Fixed panes need a puck each, or a listener, or a proper system. Sun trips are on the window alarm false alarm page.

When to buy which

Buy a contact for an opening on a flat frame: VOXON if the cells must be stated, TECKNET if you want three volume levels and can accept an unstated battery line. Buy a puck for a hit on one pane: WER for a 2-pack with cells, Flintronic for a stated 30-second siren on four panes. Buy neither from this set for a police unique reference number, or for one listener across a run of fixed glass. Both on one window means two sticks, not one bundle in this comparison.

Common questions

Will a contact alarm sound if the glass is smashed but the window stays closed?
No. A contact trips when the two parts separate. If the sash stays shut, the siren stays quiet, on VOXON’s 20 mm gap and on TECKNET’s 2 cm gap. A smash that leaves the sash shut is a shock on the glass, which is the puck’s event, and only on the pane the puck is stuck to. A listener across the room is a different device.
Will a vibration puck sound if someone opens the window gently?
Do not rely on it. A puck reports a shock on its pane. Defender reviews split between a knock that trips and an opened window that does not. A careful lift of the handle is what a contact is for, and what a puck can miss. If the worry is a child opening the door, buy the contact. If the worry is a strike, buy the puck.
Is a glass-break sensor the same as a vibration alarm?
No. In this set, glass-break on a title still means a shock sensor on the pane. Flintronic claims vibration or glass-break and remains one piece with a 30-second siren. An acoustic sensor listens to the room and can false-trip on similar noises. It is not one of these ASINs. One puck does not hear the next pane.
Can one vibration alarm cover two panes?
No. Each puck watches the glass it is stuck to. Two pieces of glass need two pucks if both matter. A contact does not fill that gap, because it watches the opening, not the unused pane. A room listener would be a third purchase. A second puck on the same pane does not recruit the pane next door.
Which one fits a door I need to hear opening?
A magnetic contact. VOXON and TECKNET are the ones reviewers use as a door chime, and they need a flat face inside 20 mm or 2 cm. A puck on the glass may trip if someone hits it and stay quiet if someone opens it. NICE Home is also a contact, with a flush-frame limit and cells that are not in the box.
Can I use both on the same window?
Yes, as two sticks: a contact for the opening and a puck for a hit on that pane. No product here is a certified combined shock-and-contact. You still have two battery lines, and a puck that does not cover the neighbouring pane. If you need one monitored system to do both, this shelf is the wrong shelf.

Related pages

Best window alarm

Window alarm buying guide

Window alarms

Window alarm false alarm: sun, gap, and the noise rule

How to fit a window alarm without drilling the glass

Sources

Public UK sources and the amazon.co.uk listings in this comparison. Listings checked 15 October 2026.

  1. Police.uk: keep burglars out of your property (retrieved 15 October 2026)
  2. ProtectUK: alarms and CCTV (retrieved 15 October 2026)
  3. nidirect: securing doors and windows (retrieved 15 October 2026)
  4. GOV.UK: how councils deal with noise complaints (retrieved 15 October 2026)
  5. Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005, alarm powers (retrieved 15 October 2026)
  6. NSI: intruder alarm systems (retrieved 15 October 2026)
  7. NPSA: intrusion detection (retrieved 15 October 2026)
  8. Avon and Somerset Police: burglar alarms (retrieved 15 October 2026)