Kangaroo Security System

Home security systems don’t need to cost an arm and a leg. Sure, premium systems can run you hundreds per month, but there are genuine alternatives that deliver solid protection without the premium price tag. But, is Kangaroo one of those needles in the haystack or just another knock-off type brand that gives subpar products at low prices?

That’s exactly what we set out to discover. We’ll break down everything about Kangaroo’s pricing structure to help you understand your total investment in a Kangaroo home security system. Then, we’ll share our honest assessment of whether the system delivers value for that price, drawing from our hands-on testing with Kangaroo’s equipment.

Components

Pros

There was a lot to love about our Kangaroo security system, such as:

Equipment Costs

If you’re looking for an affordable home security system, look no further than Kangaroo. We initially tested their 5-Piece Starter Kit for $79, plus a $29.99 motion and entry sensor. We also tested the $39.99 Kangaroo doorbell camera, which you can read about in our Kangaroo doorbell camera review.

You definitely won’t overextend your budget with Kangaroo; their most comprehensive bundle, the Front Door Security Kit with Professional Monitoring, runs $279 and includes a full year of monitoring. When we regularly see single indoor security cameras approaching that price point, Kangaroo’s value proposition becomes clear. Here are their other packages:

For detailed insights on real-world performance, check out our Kangaroo security system review.

Subscription Costs

When setting up our Kangaroo system, we opted for Kangaroo Complete, their comprehensive monitoring service. This plan covers all Kangaroo devices at one location and we think it’s a good value. It includes 24/7 professional monitoring, $1,000 in theft protection, smart home integrations with Alexa and Google Assistant, 90-day activity history, and text/call alerts.For camera-only setups, Kangaroo offers their Camera Protect Plan. Here’s how all three plans compare:

At $10 monthly for professional monitoring, Kangaroo significantly undercuts most competitors – we’ll explore those comparisons shortly.

Discounts and Deals

Kangaroo frequently bundles equipment with their annual monitoring plans for significant savings. When you commit to their $99 annual Kangaroo Complete plan, you unlock access to exclusive equipment deals that can substantially reduce your upfront costs.

Current Bundle Deals with Annual Kangaroo Complete

• Essential Security Kit: Save $50 when bundled with annual monitoring
• Front Door Security Kit: Get the doorbell camera included at no extra charge
• Additional sensors: 20% off when adding to any annual plan purchase

Smart Home

With our Kangaroo Complete subscription, we gained valuable smart home capabilities through Alexa and Google Assistant integration. This meant hands-free control of our security system, which came particularly useful when our hands were full or we were rushing out the door. Here’s what we said:

Google Assistant

• Hey Google, tell Kangaroo Security to arm home/ doors.
• OK Google, talk to Kangaroo Security disarm.
• OK Google, talk to Kangaroo Security turn on/ off.

Alexa

• Alexa, have Kangaroo arm home.
• Alexa, tell Kangaroo to arm the doors and windows.
• Alexa, tell Kangaroo to disarm home.

While these voice commands work reliably, we noticed the integration lacks some advanced features. For instance, we couldn’t view our doorbell camera feed on smart displays or create automated routines based on our daily schedule. Since Kangaroo continues updating their platform, we expect these capabilities will expand over time.

Comparisons

Kangaroo reminded us most of Ring Alarm, particularly when it came to its monitoring costs. Ring Alarm also costs $10 a month or $100 for professional monitoring, but its equipment prices are a bit more expensive, as you can see on our Ring Alarm pricing page. For context, Ring’s comparable 5-piece kit runs $199.99. That’s over double Kangaroo’s pricing for similar components. When you factor in the base station, sensors, and keypad, Kangaroo delivers comparable functionality at a fraction of the cost.

Another competitor worth considering is abode, which targets a similar DIY market. Like Ring, abode’s equipment costs were higher than Kangaroo’s; their Smart Security Kit, which contained a Gateway, motion sensor, contact sensor, and key fob, was $179 total, detailed on our page on abode’s costs. Professional monitoring with abode runs over $20 monthly for their standard plan – double Kangaroo’s rate. While abode offers more advanced features and broader smart home compatibility, you’ll pay considerably more for those extras. For basic, reliable home security monitoring, Kangaroo remains one of the most affordable options available.

Payment Methods

We purchased our kit using a standard Visa card, but Kangaroo accepts all major credit cards including Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. They also accept cryptocurrency, which is rare for a home security company. However, gift cards and prepaid debit cards aren’t accepted, so save those for other purchases.

I Broke Kangaroo. What Now?

Accidents happen, so we always investigate warranty coverage before purchasing. Kangaroo backs their equipment with a standard one-year warranty from the purchase date. While we didn’t end up having to use it, it would’ve covered any defective product or part with a free replacement, either brand new or refurbished. Getting a replacement involves simply submitting a request through their online contact form. We found it straightforward, but it can take three to five business days.

Cancelling Kangaroo

After our testing period concluded, we canceled our subscription. It proved refreshingly simple – no phone calls or retention specialists required. But lucky for us, the process was seamless; we just went into the Kangaroo: Simple Home Security app, clicked settings then my account then my plan. A single tap on “cancel” ended our monthly subscription immediately, with no penalties or hidden fees.

Returning Kangaroo

Not satisfied with your purchase? Kangaroo offers a 30-day return window from the shipment date for items bought directly through their website. Third-party purchases through Amazon or other retailers follow those platforms’ return policies instead. For direct purchases, Kangaroo provides prepaid return labels – just email support@heykangaroo.com to initiate the process.

Recap

Kangaroo clearly targets the budget-conscious consumer, delivering essential home security features at remarkably low prices for both equipment and monitoring. The annual plan deals make it even more attractive, potentially getting you started with professional monitoring and basic equipment for under $150 total. While their limited equipment selection won’t suit everyone, Kangaroo proves that effective home security doesn’t require a premium price tag.