The DIY home security market is now loaded with options that can do similar things, and for security cameras alone, there are much cheaper options. However, the advantage of Xfinity Home is that everything is professionally installed and the individual parts work well together and can be controlled with a single application. If you`re looking for a home security system that isn`t DIY, Comcast beats all competitors – from ADT to Vivint – that`s why we awarded it an Editors` Choice Award. Start with a selection of Xfinity Home`s home monitoring solutions, starting at just $10/month with Xfinity Internet. One of the advantages of bundling with TV or Internet is that you can use the voice remote control for the X1 box or the flexible 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 things. It is especially convenient for turning off the lights or adjusting the ambient temperature without getting up from the sofa or opening the app. As with xFi integration, it`s fine if you have Xfinity TV or if you consider it with Xfinity Home, but no need. Update your home with the latest information on automation, security, utilities, networking, and more. The heart of the home system is the Xfinity Home Station. Developed by Comcast, it has better display and processing power than its predecessor for smoother and more responsive performance.
Scrolling through the menus and settings, I noticed much less lag than the ones I had used. The image quality of the cameras is also improved, making it easier to monitor things without having to look at my phone. The Home Station also has a 4G cellular network and battery backup, just in case my power and internet goes down. It also acts as a Zigbee repeater to keep smart home devices connected in large homes. The lack of revenue is certainly a shortcoming, but far from being a disruptive factor. Cost will probably be the biggest deterrent for most people. The elimination of contracts helps, and with it the flexibility to pay for the equipment in advance or in several installments. Plus, $50 for a professional installation is money, well spent considering all of this.
If you want to equip an apartment or townhouse and don`t plan on bundling Home with other Xfinity services, you might be better off using a DIY kit. Otherwise, Xfinity Home is an easy way to combine smart home technology and security. If you are only interested in cameras, Xfinity offers another service option for xFi internet subscribers. With the xfinity Home Self Protection plan, you can add up to six cameras to your home (for $120 each) with 24/7 video recording for $10 per month. For new users, Xfinity offers three basic equipment packs to help you get started. If you want extras of anything, you can simply pin them to your bill. You can call Xfinity to discuss what you need if you`re not sure what you need for your home. $15/month for 24 months or a one-time payment of $360. Ideal for small houses with 1-2 entrances. “Great mix of professional home security and DIY smart home” – CNET 24.04.21 We work with trusted smart home devices that can be integrated into your system. So you can control your door locks, lights and more. All in one simple application.
When I first reviewed Xfinity Home in 2017, I was already an Xfinity Internet and TV customer and was using SimpliSafe for the security of my home. However, after my review, I liked the combination of security and smart home features so much that I signed up for Xfinity Home. However, I gave up its internet and TV services. I am apparently, according to a Comcast representative, in a very small group of Xfinity Home subscribers who do not bundle it with any of its services. That`s not to say things couldn`t be better. While it`s easy to set up new rules, there simply aren`t many recipes to choose from. For example, the only linked thermostat is to receive a notification when it`s too hot or too cold in your home. For example, it cannot adjust temperatures based on motion detection. There are no camera recipes at all, so you can`t do anything like let the lights turn on when your porch camera picks up the activity. To give me the full Xfinity Home experience, the company temporarily installed in my home its latest X1 TV box and xFi gateway, as well as xFi pods to create a mesh network for the whole house. Installers also updated my touchscreen security panel, called Xfinity Home Station, to what customers would have at home today. With Xfinity`s mobile app, I can see if a window or door is open, if a light is on, or if a motion sensor is actively triggered.
I can adjust my thermostat and check my cameras. Get notifications when there is water in my basement. Quickly set up automations for all these devices (well, most of these devices) so that when I open the front door at night and the security system is disarmed before leaving the door the next morning. And yes, I can use my phone to activate and defuse the system in my aisle or elsewhere. Most importantly, Comcast eliminated a service contract requirement for Xfinity Home. You should always buy equipment that you can buy directly or in 24 monthly payments (more on this below). A majority of customers opt for the payment plan option, a Xfinity spokeswoman said. When you buy your equipment, you can stop the service whenever you want.
Adoption of the system is not available in all regions and the use of existing equipment is subject to the conditions and type determined by the technician. Actual energy savings may vary depending on usage and other factors. Visit energy.gov/energysaver/energy-saver for more details. Honestly, you`ll probably spend most of your time controlling your system with the mobile app. As I said above, you can do everything from arming your alarm clock to checking your cameras and recordings to setting up automations. The app is a breeze. Do you want a lamp to turn on when your motion sensor is triggered and turn off 5 minutes later? How about a push notification when a door or window opens? You can set up any of them in less than a minute with just a few clicks. The combination of equipment, automation, professional installation and monitoring is excellent. But it`s still a work in progress in some places. Of course, the more you group together, the better the total price of your package. In an unexpected twist, prices have actually improved since I first signed up.
Xfinity`s small cameras have excellent image quality inside and out. You can also integrate a large and growing list of third-party devices into your Xfinity Home system. The list includes smart bulbs from Lifx, Philips and Sengled, Chamberlain MyQ garage openers, August, Yale and Kwikset locks, and even Tile trackers. However, the product media is changing, so you should review the list before setting up an installation. The prices of the a la carte devices are quite reasonable, and Xfinity does not hide its prices, as you can see in the screenshot above. A window or door sensor costs $20 from Xfinity, while a similar sensor from its competitor Vivint costs $50. Xfinity`s indoor/outdoor camera costs $120, while Vivint`s costs $400 for the outdoors and $200 for the interior. A similar camera from ADT costs $290. Help protect the people and places you care about. Once you`ve opted for safety equipment, you can expand your set with Xfinity`s Zen Thermostat and Power Outlet Control, which allow you to turn lights or small appliances on and off.
I really like the look of the Zen thermostat, it works well and is easy to use. (Oddly enough, the only people I had in my house who couldn`t use it were HVAC mechanics.) Plug controllers are nothing special, but a nice addition if, for example, you want to turn on a lamp when a door opens. I`d say that with any new Wi-Fi router that`s worth owning, you get network security to protect your devices and the ability to block network access to certain devices. I definitely have these features on my personal router and had no trouble using it with Xfinity`s security equipment. .