Everyday safety
Safety is always high on the agenda during election times. And even if there is a politicization of this issue as well, it is ultimately up to each individual to decide whether they feel safe or not. Security awareness has long been close to us, with surveillance cameras, health tech monitoring our health, and smartwatches for children. Australian Swann, perhaps best known for its surveillance cameras, is entering the personal safety arena with ActiveResponse (Gen 2). This small, battery-powered personal alarm, not much larger than an AA battery or a lipstick, promises to be a lifesaver in an emergency by combining a classic siren with modern GPS tracking via Bluetooth. I have taken a closer look at what you actually get for the modest price.
Design and function
ActiveResponse feels solidly built in lightweight aluminum, weighing in at just 32 grams (including the replaceable CR2 battery, which is included) and is sold in graphite and aqua colors. The device is discreet, albeit quite ordinary in its design. It literally looks like a small battery, which makes it more likely to be hidden on a keychain or in a handbag than worn visibly around the neck with the included lanyard.
The alarm has two primary functions: pull the pin to trigger the siren, or press the physical button to silently send an SMS with your GPS coordinates via a Google Maps link to a pre-selected emergency contact. What is extremely welcome, in an age where all home electronics now seem to require subscriptions, is that the SMS function (for one contact) is completely free. If you want to be able to alert more contacts simultaneously, there is the Secure+ paid solution, but for basic needs, the free version goes a long way, and it is also the only one I have tested here.
Another smart detail is the twist lock on top, which effectively prevents the alarm from going off accidentally if you are rummaging in your bag. Unlike pepper spray, for example, the alarm is also completely legal to carry everywhere and allowed through airport security checkpoints. You can save battery by putting the alarm in a power-saving mode, but it is also a bit risky as you must remember to reactivate it when you go out; otherwise, it becomes fiddly in a real-life situation.
Where theory meets reality
When the product is tested in real-world environments, however, some clear technical compromises emerge: Swann itself states that the siren should scream at a deafening 120 decibels. This is not quite true. When we used earplugs, earmuffs, and warned the neighbors, we measured around 80 decibels in reality – which corresponds more to a robot vacuum cleaner or a standard car alarm. It is certainly enough to make people in a normal environment turn their heads, but it is not the paralyzing noise required to immediately frighten off an attacker.
Another obvious downside is the ergonomics. To trigger the siren, a surprisingly heavy pull is required. If you only use the small metal ring provided, it is difficult to get a proper grip; the included carabiner is essentially a requirement to get the necessary leverage. This makes the product difficult to activate in a panic for elderly people with joint pain or for children, even though they are one of Swann’s stated target groups.
Finally, the alarm’s smart functions depend entirely on your smartphone. Since ActiveResponse lacks its own mobile network (eSIM), it relies blindly on you having an active Bluetooth connection (max approx. 10 meters) to your phone, and that the Swann Security app is running in the background. Should your phone lose mobile coverage, die, or if iOS/Android has temporarily chosen to pause the app, the SMS alarm will not be sent.
Summary
For 400 SEK, the Swann ActiveResponse is a very cheap and relatively secure extra insurance policy. Being able to share your exact position with a relative via an invisible button press, without hidden fees, is a really strong argument for buying this if you feel the need. The alarm could be perfect for nightly walks or on a teenager’s keychain. But there are flaws: the siren is not as overwhelming as the marketing claims, the trigger can feel stiff, and reliability is dictated entirely by your phone’s coverage and app management.
Swann sent a review unit for this test. Senders of material have no editorial influence on our tests; we always write independently with you, the readers and consumers, in focus.
