Ooma is a popular VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) home phone service that offers affordable home phone service. Two of their most popular devices are the Ooma Telo Air and the newer Ooma Telo Air 2. But what’s the difference between these two Ooma devices and which one is better for your needs?
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll compare the key features of the Ooma Telo Air and Ooma Telo Air 2 to help you decide which Ooma device is right for you.
A Brief Comparison Table
| Feature | Ooma Telo Air | Ooma Telo Air 2 |
| WiFi Connectivity | 2.4GHz | Dual-band 2.4GHz & 5GHz |
| Wired Ethernet Port | No | Yes |
| Bluetooth | No | Yes, Bluetooth 4.0 |
| Number of Phone Lines | 1 | 2 |
| Audio Quality | HD Voice | Improved HD Voice |
| Processing Power | Standard | Enhanced |
| Monthly Fees | Taxes & Fees Only | Taxes & Fees Only |
| 911 Access | Yes | Yes |
| Ease of Installation | Easy | Easy |
| Number of Connected Phones | Up to 2 | Up to 2 |
| Smart Features | Full Ooma Premier | Full Ooma Premier |
Overview Of Ooma Telo Air
The Ooma Telo Air is a VoIP adapter that connects your high-speed internet connection to your home phone system. It allows you to make and receive phone calls over your internet network rather than traditional phone lines.
Some key features of the Ooma Telo Air include:
- No monthly fees – Only pay taxes and fees after purchase, which averages under $5 per month
- HD audio quality for crisp, clear calls
- Free Ooma Premier service included with over 40 advanced calling features
- Ports for connecting 1 or 2 regular home phones
- Wireless connectivity to connect cordless phones
- Ooma Mobile App lets you receive calls on your smartphone
The Ooma Telo Air is a popular choice for home phone service thanks to its unlimited nationwide calling and advanced features with no monthly fees. However, it lacks some of the newer features of the Ooma Telo Air 2.
Overview Of Ooma Telo Air 2
The Ooma Telo Air 2 is the newest Ooma VoIP adapter and the upgrade pick over the original Telo Air. Here are some of the key upgrades:
- Dual-band WiFi – Supports both 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz for better wireless performance
- Bluetooth – Lets you pair wireless Bluetooth headsets and speakers
- Ethernet port – For more reliable wired internet connection
- Improved audio quality – Using updated chipset for even better call quality
- Faster processing – More power for advanced calling features and multiple lines
- Support for two lines – Add a second phone number for small businesses
So while the Telo Air 2 costs slightly more upfront, it adds some useful connectivity upgrades like Bluetooth and dual-band WiFi support. For most homeowners, the Telo Air 2 is worth spending a bit extra for a more future-proof Ooma phone adapter.
Detailed Feature Comparison
Now let’s dive into a detailed breakdown of how the two Ooma devices stack up across various features:
Set-up and Installation
Both the Telo Air and Telo Air 2 are designed for quick and easy self-installation. The initial set-up takes less than 10 minutes for most users by following the instructions. You simply connect the Ooma device to your internet router via WiFi or ethernet, then connect your phones. Both versions also include the option for professional installation if you need assistance.
Voice Quality
The Telo Air 2 has a slight edge here with its upgraded chipset that enables fuller voice quality. But both devices offer excellent HD voice quality for home phone calls. The calls will sound much clearer than traditional landline calling.
WiFi Connectivity
Here is a key difference – the Telo Air 2 supports dual-band WiFi on both 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz bands while the Telo Air is 2.4Ghz only. Having dual-band support provides more reliable wireless connectivity, especially if you have a lot of interference on the 2.4Ghz band in your home.
Wired Connectivity
The Telo Air 2 adds an ethernet port, giving you the option to connect directly to your router for the most reliable wired connection. The original Telo Air lacks an ethernet port and relies solely on WiFi.
Bluetooth Support
Another handy addition with the Telo Air 2 is built-in Bluetooth 4.0. This allows you to pair wireless Bluetooth headsets or speakers to the Ooma device. You can have hands-free calls by connecting a Bluetooth headset. The Telo Air does not include Bluetooth.
Number of Phone Lines
The Telo Air supports one phone line, while the Telo Air 2 can handle two phone lines. Having two phone lines is useful for small home businesses, keeping business and personal calls separate.
Number of Connected Phones
Both the Telo Air and Telo Air 2 allow you to connect up to two regular home phones using RJ-11 phone ports. You can also connect most cordless phones wirelessly to either device. However, the improved WiFi and Bluetooth on the Telo Air 2 makes it more reliable for connecting wireless phones.
Smart Features
You get full access to Ooma Premier with over 40 smart calling features with both devices. This includes voicemail, call blocking, ring groups, call forwarding and more – all at no extra cost. The Telo Air 2 may have a slight performance edge for managing multiple smart features with its improved processing power.
Subscription Fees
A major benefit of Ooma is no monthly subscription fees outside of taxes and fees, which average under $5 per month. You get full unlimited home phone service after the one-time purchase cost for the device. This is the same with both the Telo Air and Telo Air 2.
911 Access
Like traditional landlines, both Ooma devices provide reliable 911 access even if your internet connection goes down. You get the peace of mind knowing emergency services can still be reached.
Also watch the video of Ooma Telo Air 2!
Ooma Telo Air Vs. Telo Air 2: Which Should You Choose?
Now that we’ve compared the Ooma Telo Air and Ooma Telo Air 2 across all the key features, let’s summarize the main differences to consider:
- The Telo Air 2 has superior WiFi with dual-band support, while the Telo Air is 2.4Ghz only.
- You can connect wired devices via ethernet on the Telo Air 2, but not on the Telo Air.
- Bluetooth support is included with Telo Air 2, but not on the original Telo Air
- The Telo Air 2 can handle two phone lines while the Telo Air is limited to one line.
- Overall better performance and future-proofing with the Telo Air 2.
For most homes, the Ooma Telo Air 2 is worth the slightly higher cost over the base model Telo Air for the connectivity upgrades and improved performance. However, if you only need simple home phone service with 1 line, the Telo Air will still meet your basic needs for less.
Check the latest pricing on the Ooma website for the Telo Air and Telo Air 2 to see which model fits your budget. And take advantage of any current rebates or promotional offers from Ooma.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Ooma Telo Air is the original model, while Ooma Telo Air 2 is the updated second-generation device. The Telo Air 2 provides upgrades like dual-band WiFi, Bluetooth support, and improved processing power.
The Ooma Telo Air devices are VoIP adapters created by Ooma. They allow you to connect your home phone system to your internet connection rather than traditional phone lines for unlimited nationwide calling.
Yes, the Ooma Telo Air 2 includes built-in Bluetooth 4.0. This allows you to pair Bluetooth enabled devices like wireless headsets. The original Telo Air does not have Bluetooth.
No, the original Telo Air does not have an Ethernet port. It relies solely on 2.4Ghz WiFi for connectivity. The Telo Air 2 adds an Ethernet port for a wired connection option.
Also Read: Choose Between Cradlepoint And Sierra Wireless Cellular Router.
Final Verdict
While both devices offer excellent VoIP home phone service from Ooma, the Ooma Telo Air 2 is the best choice currently for most users. For a small additional upfront cost, you get worthwhile upgrades like dual-band WiFi, Bluetooth and wired ethernet connectivity.
Unless you need to save money upfront, we recommend choosing the Ooma Telo Air 2 over the base model Telo Air.