Vivint is known for its feature-rich, state-of-the-art security equipment, though it has a price tag to match. If you need more functionality from your devices than Xfinity provides, Vivint may be an ideal option.
Xfinity Home presents itself as an all-in-one security, smart home , and entertainment system. However, homeowners just looking for a security system or looking to self-monitor are likely to find better options. As with any contract, make sure you read the terms and conditions and understand any hidden costs before you sign up for a system. The This Old House Reviews Team is committed to providing comprehensive and unbiased reviews to our readers.
This means earning your trust through transparent reviews and having the data to back up our ratings and recommendations. Our rating system for home security providers is on a point scale based on 10 factors:. Our team reviewed 32 companies and spent hours researching and testing out products to help us compare home security systems on key factors such as package options, cost, reliability, and ease of use.
Read more on our methodology here. One your security system is in place, the devices can be controlled through a touchscreen control panel or the Xfinity Home app.
If you use Xfinity for other home services like TV and internet, you can control everything from one app. The monthly price of an Xfinity home security system will depend on a number of factors:. If you use Xfinity for your internet services, you should already be able to control the security devices through the Xfinity mobile app. If you use a different internet provider, pairing the devices may take a few more steps, but the professional who installs your Xfinity Home system should walk you through the process.
You can call Xfinity to talk through what you might need if you're not sure what you need for your home. Speaking of cameras, Xfinity has made it more affordable to add them to your system.
There used to be a per-camera per-month charge. You can also skip the recordings and simply use the cameras to receive activity notifications. If you're interested in nothing but cameras, Xfinity offers one more service option for xFi internet subscribers. Once you settle on the security equipment, you can build out your package with Xfinity's Zen thermostat and outlet controller that can turn lights or small appliances on and off.
I really like the look of the Zen thermostat, it works well and it's easy to use. The outlet controllers are nothing special but are a nice addition if you want to, say, trigger a lamp to turn on when a door opens. You can also integrate a large and growing list of third-party devices into your Xfinity Home system. Product support does change, however, so you may want to check the list before you set up an install. The one thing that's missing from Xfinity and third-party support is a video doorbell.
That's easily handled by putting an Xfinity camera at your door and setting it to notify you when a person is detected. They're good cameras , too, with HD resolution, audio capture and night vision. It also has artificial intelligence that can tell the difference between a car, pet or person. It will tag your video with what it detects and you can later use those tags to filter your clips. Comcast only offers this camera, though, and it's wired. At the heart of the system at home is the Xfinity Home Station.
Designed by Comcast, it has a better display and processing power than its predecessor for smoother, more responsive performance. As I popped through menus and settings, I noticed considerably less lag than the one I had been using. Picture quality from the cameras is also improved making it easier to keep an eye on things without having to look at my phone. The Home Station has a 4G cellular radio and a backup battery, too, just in case my power and internet go down.
It also acts as a Zigbee repeater to help keep smart home devices connected in larger homes. One of the benefits of bundling with TV or internet is that you can use the voice remote for its X1 box or Flex streaming box with Xfinity Home. There's a whole list of voice commands to control your smart home, view your camera feeds and, if you have a Tile tracker, find your keys or other stuff.
It comes in particularly handy for turning off lights or adjusting your room temp without getting off the couch or opening the app. Like the xFi integration, it's nice if you have Xfinity TV or are considering it along with Xfinity Home, but not a necessity. Honestly, you're probably going to spend most of your time controlling your system with the mobile app.
As I said at the top, you can do everything from arming your alarm to checking your cameras and recordings to setting up automations. Instead of a long-term contract, you pay for a month-to-month service. However, if you opt to finance your equipment , you must enter a month contract for monitoring service. Xfinity relies on your Wi-Fi connection but has a cellular backup system. Xfinity offers some smart devices, such as the Zen Thermostat for home automation.
However, it isn't the most compatible system if you already own smart home devices since Apple HomeKit and Z-Wave products aren't supported. Best video doorbell Ring isn't your only option. Annke NC and NC security camera review: Nice mid-price cameras -- but the desktop app needs to be updated. Amazon wants you to keep quiet, for a brilliantly sinister reason. An Amazon rival reveals the only honest reason to get a video doorbell.
Ecoflow Delta Max: Battery-powered generator can get you through most power outages. Alexa, Ring, and Astro: Where's my privacy, Amazon? You agree to receive updates, promotions, and alerts from ZDNet. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to receive the selected newsletter s which you may unsubscribe from at any time.
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