This Old House Rating: 9.6
Ooma Home Security is known for providing home phone and security solutions to homeowners and businesses and offers home security customers two starter packs and the ability to build their own system. Each Ooma security system is self-installed and can be self-monitored or professionally monitored at an affordable monthly rate.
With no monthly contract and the ability to control your system remotely, Ooma Home Security systems are straightforward and customizable, allowing you to do home security your own way. Read on to learn more about Ooma home security kits, pricing, and professional monitoring plans, and determine if this is the best home security company for you.
Pros and Cons of Ooma Home Security
Compare the advantages and disadvantages of Ooma below:
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Allows customers to build their own system
- Provides a one-year warranty on all devices
- Offers 30-day returns
Cons
- Not compatible with other devices
- Doesn’t offer security cameras
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.
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 which 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.
Cost of Ooma Home Security
Here’s an overview of Ooma package pricing:
Cost Breakdown
| System | Number of Items Included | Price |
|---|---|---|
|
Ooma Smart Security Starter Pack |
4 |
$179.99 |
|
Ooma Smart Security Starter Pack with Ooma Water Sensor |
5 |
$209.96 |
|
Build Your Own System |
Unlimited |
Starting at $99.99 |
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:
Plans Breakdown
| Features | Monitor Plan | Secure Plan | Pro Secure Plan |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Price |
Free |
$5.99 per month |
$14.99 per month |
|
Unlimited sensors |
✔ |
✔ |
✔ |
|
Push notifications |
✔ |
✔ |
✔ |
|
Audible announcements |
✔ |
✔ |
✔ |
|
Mobile app integration |
✔ |
✔ |
✔ |
|
Instant alerts |
✔ |
✔ |
✔ |
|
Remote siren |
✔ |
✔ |
✔ |
|
Remote 911 |
✔ |
✔ |
|
|
Phone call, text message, and email notifications |
✔ |
✔ |
|
|
Auto arm/disarm |
✔ |
✔ |
|
|
Professional monitoring |
✔ |
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 5am to 5pm PST and on weekends from 8am to 5pm 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
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.
Top-Rated Alternatives to Ooma
| Compare | Abode | Vivint | ADT |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Get a free quote |
View Plans |
View Plans |
View Plans |
|
Monitoring prices (per month) |
$45.99 |
$40.00 and up |
$29.00 and up |
|
Contract required |
No |
No |
36 months |
|
24/7 monitoring |
Available |
Available |
Included |
|
Professional installation |
Yes |
Pricing by quote |
$99.00 and up |
|
DIY installation |
No |
Not available |
Not available |
|
Mobile app access |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Motion detection |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Smart home compatibility |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Video surveillance |
Yes |
With camera purchase |
Available |
|
Video streaming capability |
Yes |
With camera purchase |
Available |
|
Money-back guarantee |
No |
Warranty only |
6 months (installation and monitoring fees) |
|
BBB rating |
A+ |
D+ |
A+ |
More on Competitors
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Ooma require professional monitoring?
No. Ooma allows customers to self-monitor or purchase a Pro Secure Plan, which provides professional monitoring at $14.99 per month.
Can you connect third-party devices with Ooma?
No. Ooma doesn’t support connection with existing, third-party devices.
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 100.