Ooma Home Security Review

Ooma Home Security offers simple and customizable solutions for protecting your home. Known for its home phone systems, Ooma also provides starter security kits and build-your-own options. With self-installation, you can choose between self-monitoring or professional monitoring—all without a long-term contract.

Ooma’s approach lets you create a security solution that fits your needs and budget. This article will cover everything you need to know about Ooma’s equipment, pricing, and monitoring plans to help you decide if it’s the best home security system for your home.

Pros and Cons of Ooma Home Security

Compare the advantages and disadvantages of Ooma:

Ooma Home Security Packages

Ooma Home Security offers two security kit options: the Ooma Smart Security Starter Pack and the Ooma Smart Security Starter Pack with Ooma Water Sensor. Additionally, Ooma gives you the option to build your own system to fit your home security needs.

In a 2023 TOH segment, homeowner Ross explained the appeal of DIY security kits like Ooma’s: “We sleep up on the second floor. The main entrance of the house is down here, two levels down. We’ve been looking at some security options—really high upfront costs, high monthly fees. So we’ve been searching for some alternatives.” As TOH’s Mike noted, the rise of the internet of things and smartphones has allowed companies to develop DIY-friendly smart home security systems that bypass the traditional model of professional installation with expensive contracts.

Ooma Smart Security Starter Pack

The Ooma Smart Security Starter Pack offers five devices to kickstart your home security system. The included Ooma Telo acts as the hub for your security package, connecting the included sensors with the entire system.

Here’s what’s included in the Ooma Smart Security Starter Pack:

• Ooma Telo
• Ooma motion sensor
• Ooma door and window sensors (2)

Ooma Smart Security Start Pack with Ooma Water Sensor

This starter kit includes everything in the original Ooma Smart Security package, plus an additional water sensor that detects leaks beneath sinks and water heaters to help prevent flood damage.

Here’s what’s included in the Ooma Smart Security Start Pack with Ooma Water Sensor:

• Ooma Telo
• Ooma motion sensor
• Ooma door and window sensors (2)
• Ooma water sensor

Build Your Own System

If you’re looking to customize your home security system, Ooma created an online tool that recommends a security system based on a series of questions you answer about your home.

Here’s what’s available through Ooma’s Build Your Own System:

• Door and window sensor
• Motion sensor
• Water sensor
• Siren
• Garage sensor
• Ooma keypad
• Ooma smoke alarm

Types of Ooma Security Equipment

Here’s a look at the security equipment provided by Ooma through their two security packages and customizable system:

• Motion sensor: The motion sensor is designed to detect movement within the home. The sensor has an 85-degree field of view with a range of up to 35 feet. Additionally, the sensor is equipped with a tamper sensor that triggers an alarm when it’s removed from the wall or disabled.
• Door and window sensor: This sensor is installed directly onto your door or window and detects entry using magnetic strips. The sensors are battery-operated and are installed using mounting screws or adhesive strips.
• Garage door sensor: The garage door sensor detects when your garage opens or closes using a gravity-tilt sensor.
• Alarm siren: The 105-decibel siren chirps when the alarm is triggered and sounds if it’s not disarmed within a set period.
• Water sensor: This sensor detects water using two gold-plated sensor probes, signaling leaks from water heaters, sinks, and more.
• Keypad: The keypad is your direct access to arming and disarming your system, supporting five unique PIN codes and working alongside the Ooma mobile app.
• Smoke alarm: This smoke alarm works by itself or alongside your Ooma security system, alerting you to disasters within the home.

Perimeter vs. Interior Protection: In a TOH project installation, security installer Greg explained the two-layer approach that professional systems use: “We did perimeter protection, which is hard-wired door contacts. Then we did wireless transmitters for all the windows. So any time a window or door is open, we’re going to get some sort of notification.” Beyond that perimeter layer, he added, “Then we have interior protection, which is our motion detectors throughout the house.” Ooma’s equipment follows a similar philosophy — door/window sensors guard entry points while motion sensors cover interior spaces.

Cost of Ooma Home Security

Before committing to a starter pack, consider what coverage your home actually needs. For example, as TOH’s Ross Trethewey demonstrated during a home security installation, an indoor camera with motion sensing and facial recognition software can cover a dead spot like a living room with a large window — replacing the need for a separate motion sensor. Choosing multi-function devices like these can keep your total system cost lower than buying individual components à la carte through the “Build Your Own” option.

Here’s an overview of Ooma package pricing:

Ooma Home Security System Subscription Plans

Ooma provides two monthly subscription plans that offer professional monitoring services, real-time push notifications, and the ability to call 911 from within the Ooma app. Here’s a quick comparison of Ooma Home Security subscription plans:

How Does Ooma Work?

After purchasing an Ooma package or customizing your system, you’ll install your system and set up self-monitoring or professional monitoring, if you purchase an Ooma subscription plan.

Based on the subscription plan selected, you’ll be able to monitor your system through your mobile device, get instant motion and sensor alerts, and trigger your system’s alarm remotely.

Ooma Customer Service

Ooma provides customer support on weekdays from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. PST and on weekends from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. PST. Additionally, Ooma’s website designates a resources section for customers to view instructional videos and read informational articles.

Ooma provides customers with a one-year warranty on all purchased devices and has a 30-day return policy.

Ooma Home Security Reviews

Ooma is accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and holds an A+ rating. This rating is collected by the BBB based on criteria like the company’s interactions with customers and their handling of complaints. Like many home security companies Ooma has received mixed customer reviews. Since the company provides both security and telecommunications services, not all customer reviews relate to their home security offerings.

Here’s a sample of customer reviews from Ooma Home Security below.

“The service is good and fairly priced. However, getting these robbers to quit billing you after termination of their services is like trying to erase a tattoo using Dawn detergent. They will bill you as long as the credit card used is available and never let up regardless of their commitment to quit billing. I had to cancel my Visa card after months of deception and lies. For $4.70 a month, it was a horrible experience after the termination of service.” —Steven R.

“I have been a happy Ooma user since April 2015. Recently I started having an annoying issue with my Ooma Telo, so I contacted the company. After some chat, emails, and phone call, they solved the issue by sending me a new device and took the old one back. I like the way they handled that problem and can say, without a doubt, they stand behind their products. I will, for sure, continue to do business with Ooma and recommend them to other people.” —Paul

Top-Rated Alternatives to Ooma

Comparing multiple options can help you find the best security system for your home. Learn more about top-rated home security system providers below.

More on Competitors

• Abode Home Security Review
• Vivint Home Security Review
• ADT Home Security Review

Our Conclusion

We give Ooma Home Security a 9.6/10. Although there’s questions about the company’s customer service, Ooma provides an affordable DIY home security solution that you can customize to fit you and your home’s needs. If you’re still unsure if Ooma is right for you, compare it to other top-rated security companies in the industry.

FAQs About Ooma Home Security

Our Rating Methodology

We back up our home security recommendations with a detailed rating methodology that we use to objectively score each provider. Our research includes analyzing product specifications, reviewing service and plan information, speaking with customer service representatives, and analyzing customer reviews. We then score the provider against our review standards for system options, special features, installation options, connectivity and smart-home automation features, pricing, contract terms, warranty, usability, availability of a trial period, and trustworthiness to arrive at a final score out of 5 points.