The bottom line: Kangaroo is cheap, simple, and customizable
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.
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
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.
- Basic Plan: If you opt for self-monitoring, you’ll get alerts from the Kangaroo app whenever a sensor is triggered.
- 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.
- 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
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!
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 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| $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.
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Article source here: Kangaroo Home Security Review
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