Tuesday, September 29, 2020

Kangaroo Home Security Review

Kangaroo security system logo
  • Budget friendly
  • Porch theft prevention
  • Monitoring for $10/mo.

The bottom line: Kangaroo is cheap, simple, and customizable 

5-Piece System
Kangaroo 5-piece system

Kangaroo

Whether you want one sensor or a whole security system, Kangaroo has an option for you—and it won’t blow your budget.

Kangaroo’s simple home security solutions are totally customizable, and perfect for dorms, apartments, condos, and houseboats (my current fantasy). 

But seriously, if you want to dip your toe into the pool (marina?) of home security, Kangaroo is the floatie that will keep your head above water while you figure out exactly what you need.

Pros

  • Ridiculously affordable
  • Optional pro monitoring
  • Stand-alone sensors
  • Porch pirate package

Cons

  • Limited equipment options
  • No real smart home features

How we reviewed Kangaroo security

This simple security company launched in 2018 and hit our radar at CES in Las Vegas. A security company shilling their wares with a beer pong theme really grabbed our attention.

kangaroo display table

We spent time talking with Kangaroo representatives about the company, the security equipment, and its plans to make home security accessible for every budget. We also picked up some of the sensors to test at home. 

On top of our demos from the company and our own hands-on tests, we sought out other expert reviews and found out what customers are saying so far. Some of the most important factors we research and compare include the following:

  • Pricing
  • Monitoring options
  • Contracts
  • Equipment
  • Mobile app control
  • Smart home compatibility
  • Customer service
  • User experience

Find out more about our review process in our full methodology.

Learn about Kangaroo security

Monitoring plans and pricing 

Kangaroo gives you the option to self-monitor for free or pay a monthly fee for extra cloud storage and professional 24/7 monitoring.  Plus, there are no contracts and no penalties.

In addition to the free Kangaroo security app, take a look at what you get with each Kangaroo monitoring plan.

Monthly cost
24/7 monitoring
Doorbell camera cloud storage
Privacy Camera cloud storage
Theft coverage
Notifications
Learn more
Basic Plan
Porch Protection
Kangaroo Complete
Free $1.99 $10.00
No
X
No
X
Yes
24 hours 365 days 365 days
24 hours 24 hours 30 days
None Up to $300 Up to $1,000
App only App only App, text, voice
View Plans View Plans View Plans

Info current as of 09/29/2020. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.

Limited time offer

When you buy a full year of Kangaroo Complete in advance, you get two months free.

Monitoring options and highlights

Kangaroo gives you three levels of monitoring to choose from. Because the mobile app is free to all Kangaroo customers, you can keep an eye on your Kangaroo security system through the app on your smartphone or tablet.

  1. Basic Plan: If you opt for self-monitoring, you’ll get alerts from the Kangaroo app whenever a sensor is triggered. 
  2. Porch Protection Plan: If you have one of Kangaroo’s security cameras, you can check the live feed to see exactly what’s going on. Then you can decide what action to take next—call for help or dismiss the alert as a false alarm.
  3. Kangaroo Complete: With the Kangaroo Complete plan, you get the whole shebang—alerts in the app and through text or voice call, 24/7 professional monitoring, and a direct line to help if you need it.

Porch pirates beware 

Where Kangaroo really stands out is with the Porch Protection Plan. We’ve always guarded against porch pirates—and with a global pandemic forcing more online shopping—it’s more stressful than ever to try to thwart them. 

Kangaroo’s clever Porch Protection Plan is designed exclusively to help keep those pesky pilferers off your porch. Here’s a look at what you get in the plan:

  • A full year of cloud storage for video clips
  • Package theft protection up to $300

We’re happy to see a security company getting proactive about one of the most prolific property crimes that happens. But we think this is just a start. 

Right now, Kangaroo’s doorbell camera doesn’t include two-way talk. At just $20 for the camera, it’s no surprise that it’s a stripped-down version of what we’ve come to see as the standard for video doorbell cameras

Expert tip

If you have your heart set on two-way talk, don’t despair. You can get two-way voice in the Kangaroo Privacy Camera.

We think that the ability to shoo away an interloper with your voice is a powerful deterrent. And while video footage and alerts are definitely better than nothing guarding your porch, we hope the Kangaroo doorbell cam gets an upgrade soon.

Kangaroo equipment prices

We’ve already said that Kangaroo’s prices are extremely budget-friendly. Here’s the rundown of what you can expect to pay for Kangaroo home security.

Price*
Siren keypad
Motion/entry sensors
Security Camera(s)
Extras
5-Piece starter kit
Front Door kit
8-Piece starter kit
$79.00 $99.00 $99.00
1 1 1
2 2 3
None Doorbell camera None
2 Roo Tags
1 yard sign
5 window decals
2 Roo Tags
1 yard sign
5 window decals
1 water/climate sensor
2 Roo Tags
1 yard sign
5 window decals
Visit Kangaroo Visit Kangaroo Visit Kangaroo

*Info current as of 09/29/2020. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.

Deal alert!

If you add the Kangaroo Complete plan at checkout, you can get up to $50 off your security system equipment.

LIMITED TIME OFFER.

Kangaroo equipment standouts 

At first blush, there’s not a lot of difference between Kangaroo’s equipment and other security companies’ offerings. The aesthetic is similar to other brands like Ring Alarm and Nest Secure—simple, sleek, and with those rounded corners I just can’t resist. 

This brand also has some fun with its equipment names. Instead of offering boring, old keyfobs, Kangaroo calls them Roo Tags. They do the same thing as a keyfob, but they sound cooler. 

Siren + Keypad

The siren and keypad combo looks like the baby that the Nest Secure hub and a Google Home Mini would have (wait, they really are having a baby aren’t they?). But what makes this little device so cool is that it’s not a hub for the system—it’s a stand-alone security device just like all of Kangaroo’s other equipment. 

You can pick up the Kangaroo siren for around $70, and you don’t have to buy any other security devices if you don’t want to. 

Door and window sensor

What makes Kangaroo’s window and door sensors better than most is that each one has a built-in motion sensor. You get the perks of two sensors in one. We like it. 

Because each Kangaroo sensor also works as a motion detector, you don’t have to wait until something gets opened to get an alert. But the sheer volume of alerts can quickly get out of hand if you put one of these sensors in a high-traffic area. 

We recommend thinking carefully about where you place these two-in-one babies. You can also adjust the alert settings when everyone’s at home so you don’t get dinged every time someone grabs a glass of water or heads to the restroom. 

Best of all, you can get a Kangaroo sensor all by itself for just $30. And if you aren’t interested in alerts from your doors and windows, you can get a stand-alone Kangaroo motion sensor for $15.

Privacy Camera

This is the most exciting piece of equipment we’ve seen from Kangaroo—and we’ve got nasty camera hackers to thank. 

In light of ongoing news about security cameras and baby monitors getting hacked, Kangaroo set out to create a different kind of camera. Instead of using a mere indicator light to signal if the camera is on, the Privacy Camera actually obscures the lens when it’s not in use. 

It’s kind of like fogging up the bathroom mirror, only it’s on your security camera and you don’t have to trigger it with a steamy, hot shower. If the camera isn’t in use, the lens is basically fogged up so even if it did get hacked, the creepy hacker wouldn’t be able to see anything.

We got to see the Privacy Camera in action at CES, and it was pretty impressive. This is another example of Kangaroo thinking outside the standard home security box to address a very timely customer concern. 

You can pick up a Privacy Camera on its own or as part of a bundle. If you opt for a single camera, it’ll set you back a paltry $80.

Kangaroo mobile app 

You get the Kangaroo app for free with all Kangaroo equipment, packages, and monitoring plans. The app is where you do everything for your Kangaroo security system—from arming the equipment to setting up alerts and checking video footage. 

The app is available for iOS and Android, but the reviews for iOS are significantly better than what Android users are reporting. 

Kangaroo app for iOS Kangaroo app for Android
Customer rating 4.7 out of 5 3.7 out of 5
Number of reviews 1,700 181
Technical requirements 10.0 and later 5.0 and up

Info current as of 09/29/2020. 

Android users say that setup is easy, but that the app doesn’t consistently function the way they expect. We were pleased to see quick and proactive responses from Kangaroo to frustrated customers, so hopefully that means updates and improvements are on the way.

Smart home compatibility (H2)

Kangaroo’s main focus is home security, not home automation. You can add voice control with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant—but beyond that, you don’t have any other smart home options. 

At this time, you can’t control smart lights, door locks, or a smart thermostat. But the company is slowly but surely adding new functionality. Your Kangaroo siren can now listen for your smoke alarm and send an alert if it goes off. 

It’s not much, but it’s a move in the right direction.

Kangaroo vs. other security brands

Kangaroo is one of the newest players in the home security space, and the company has done a good job of creating differentiators. Its porch pirate protection plan is smart and the Privacy Camera is highly innovative. 

Let’s see how it stacks up to some of the most established names in home security.

Lowest monthly monitoring
Starter equipment price
Installation
Mobile app access included
Learn more
Read review
Kangaroo SimpliSafe Frontpoint Google Nest Secure Ring Alarm
Kangaroo security system logo simplisafe logo Frontpoint logo Google Nest Secure logo ring logo
$10.00 $14.99 $44.99 $19.00* $10.00
$79.99 $229.00 $0-$99† $399.00 $199.00
DIY DIY DIY DIY DIY
Yes
No
X
Yes
No
X
Yes
View Packages View Packages View Packages View Packages View Packages
Read Review Read Review Read Review Read Review Read Review

Data effective 09/29/2020. Offers and availability subject to change.

*Professional monitoring from Brinks for $19 per month with 3-year contract or $29 month-to-month.

† $0 due up-front with consumer financing.

Final word

Kangaroo truly puts you in control of your home security experience. If you only want an entry sensor and a siren, then you can have them. There’s no central hub required and no extra fees to use the Kangaroo app.

We like the low prices, but the quality definitely reflects what you’re paying for. For a new company, Kangaroo is doing a good job of setting itself apart and fulfilling its goal to make home security affordable and manageable for anyone.

If you’re a security newbie, Kangaroo is a great way to take home security for a test drive. It’s low risk, low cost, and simple to set up.

FAQ

Do I need the internet to use Kangaroo security? 

Yes. Kangaroo security equipment uses Wi-Fi to communicate with the Kangaroo security app. If your home Wi-Fi network goes offline, you’ll get a push notification from the app to let you know.

Without a base station or hub, will my security system work if the power goes out? 

Yes. All Kangaroo security equipment automatically connects to the cloud if the siren keypad loses power.  

Can I get a discount on my homeowners insurance because I have Kangaroo security? 

Yes. Contact your home insurance company to find out what you need to provide and what type of discount you may be eligible for. Some companies give deeper discounts to security systems with professional monitoring. 

Kangaroo’s identification information for home insurance discounts is available in the company’s online FAQ

The post Kangaroo Home Security Review appeared first on SafeWise.

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