Xfinity Home Security Review
Most modern home security systems require some kind of Wi-Fi connection to sync devices and ensure communication with outside monitoring agencies. Therefore, it makes sense that some internet companies like Xfinity are getting into the home security game.
In this review, we’ll go over Xfinity plans, pricing, and customer reviews, and help you determine if Xfinity is the best home security solution for you and your home.
Our Take on Xfinity Home Security
Xfinity Home Security has comprehensive security packages and offers interest free financing on equipment. However, the company requires a 3-year contract unless you purchase the equipment upfront and its parent company only has a C+ rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB).
Pros and Cons of Xfinity Home Security
Pros
- Discounts for bundling with phone, internet, and cable
- Interest-free financing for equipment
- Will issue a full refund within first 30 days if customer isn’t satisfied
Cons
- Requires a 3-year contract unless equipment is purchased upfront
- No option for DIY installation
- Doesn’t integrate with Google or Amazon smart home devices
Xfinity Home Security Packages & Equipment
Xfinity offers three different equipment packages: the “Base Home System” package, the “Complete Home System” package, and the “Ultimate Home System” package. Here’s a comparison of the three packages:
Xfinity Package Comparison
Feature | “Base Home System” Package | “Complete Home System” Package | “Ultimate Home System” Package |
---|---|---|---|
Best For |
Smaller homes |
Homes with multiple doors or windows |
Larger homes |
Touchscreen Controller |
✔ |
✔ |
✔ |
Pet-Friendly Motion Sensor |
✔ |
✔ |
✔ |
Xfinity Yard Sign |
✔ |
✔ |
✔ |
Battery + Celluar System Backup |
✔ |
✔ |
✔ |
Wireless Keypad |
✗ |
✔ |
✔ |
HD Indoor/Outdoor Camera |
✗ |
✔ 1 included |
✔ 2 included |
Door/Window Sensors |
✔ 3 included |
✔ 5 included |
✔ 10 included |
Xfinity Home offers two basic plans: the Home Security and the Home Security Plus. The services they offer require a monthly fee of $30–$40 per month and the equipment is sold separately.
Xfinity Monthly Plans
Feature | Home Security Plan | Home Security Plus Plan |
---|---|---|
24/7 Professional Monitoring |
✔ |
✔ |
Smart Home Control |
✔ |
✔ |
Real-Time Alerts |
✔ |
✔ |
Cellular Backup |
✔ |
✔ |
Live Video |
✔ |
✔ |
Video Recording |
✗ |
✔ |
Motion-Activated Recording |
✗ |
✔ |
Price |
$30/month |
$40/month |
Xfinity Home Security Pricing
To calculate pricing, Xfinity customers must first decide on an equipment bundle and whether they want to pay for it upfront or over 24 months.
Package Pricing Comparison
Payment Options | “Base Home System” Package | “Complete Home System” Package | “Ultimate Home System” Package |
---|---|---|---|
One-Time Payment |
$360.00 |
$480.00 |
$600 |
Monthly Payment for 2 Years |
$15.00 |
$20.00 |
$25 |
Here are the costs for additional devices:
- Door and window sensor: $20
- Motion sensor: $40
- Wireless keypad: $40
- Outlet controller: $50
- Smoke detector: $70
- Indoor/outdoor camera: $120
If you finance Xfinity’s equipment instead of buying it outright, you’ll need to sign a 36-month contract for 24/7 professional monitoring. The Home Security Plan costs $40.00 a month, and the Home Security Plus Plan, which includes video recording, costs $50.00 a month. With the latter plan, you’ll also receive cloud storage for video recordings.
Xfinity claims that you can receive additional savings by bundling professional monitoring with other Xfinity services. However, the details of these discounts are hard to come by. You will likely need to speak to a sales representative to get an estimate.
Xfinity Customer Service
Xfinity has a relatively robust cancellation policy: If you’re dissatisfied within the first 30 days, you can return the equipment for a full refund of both equipment and monitoring fees. There’s also a one-year warranty on video cameras and a lifetime warranty on other equipment, as long as you’re under contract with Xfinity.
Unfortunately, Comcast—Xfinity’s parent company—has a poor reputation for customer service. Some customer reviews have stated that the salespeople are known to be pushy and human customer service representatives are difficult to reach. Additionally, there are reports of hidden fees based on your geographical location, so make sure you understand the full price of Xfinity’s monitoring services before you sign a contract.
Xfinity Home Security Reviews
Comcast has a C+ rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) based on government actions against the business. However, the company has a relatively high customer rating of 3.6 stars out of 5.
Here’s what some customers had to say about Comcast’s products and services in general.
“Great customer service! The sales, technicians, tech support—everyone was fantastic!” — Lisa D. on 5/7/20
“A customer can no longer talk to a live agent about a problem. The customer is thrown into a text forum where you have to text your entire conversation.” — Carol F. on 4/25/20
Xfinity vs. Competitors
We find Xfinity Home’s primary appeal as a security system to be the ease with which it works with existing Xfinity internet and entertainment services. However, if you’re still unsure whether Xfinity is right for you, compare this home security company against other top-rated providers below.
Xfinity vs. ADT
While Xfinity is primarily an internet service provider, ADT is entirely devoted to home security. This may increase peace of mind for customers who have concerns about their home security provider’s longevity in the industry.
Xfinity vs. SimpliSafe
SimpliSafe’s appeal is its low-priced equipment with DIY installation. If you don’t already subscribe to other Xfinity services and you want to monitor your own system, SimpliSafe may be the better choice.
Xfinity vs. Vivint
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.
Side-by-Side Competitor Comparison
Provider | Xfinity Home Security | ADT Home Security | Vivint Home Security |
---|---|---|---|
Pricing |
Not available through This Old House |
View Plans |
View Plans |
24/7 monitoring |
Available |
Included |
Available |
Professional installation |
$60.00–$99.00 |
$99.00 and up |
Pricing by quote |
DIY installation |
No |
No |
No |
Mobile app access |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Motion detection |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Smart home compatibility |
Limited |
Yes |
Yes |
Video recording |
With upgraded plan |
Available |
Available |
Video streaming capability |
Yes |
Available |
Available |
Money-back guarantee |
30 days |
Warranty only |
6 months |
Our Conclusion
Xfinity Home presents itself as an all-in-one security, smart home, and entertainment system. As such, you’ll probably get the most out of Xfinity’s security equipment if you’re already using the company’s services for your phone, internet, or cable TV. You’ll receive a discount on your monthly monitoring payment and you’ll pay one bill for all of the above.
However, homeowners just looking for a security system or looking to self-monitor are likely to find better options. Additionally, Comcast is a large company with poor reputation for customer service, so it’s difficult to say with any certainty what your experience as an Xfinity customer will be. As with any contract, make sure you read the terms and conditions and understand any hidden costs before you sign up for a system.
More on Home Security Systems
- ADT Home Security Review
- Alder Home Security Review
- Nest Home Security Review
- Abode Home Security Review
Frequently Asked Questions about Xfinity Home Security
How Does Xfinity Home Security Work?
After purchasing an Xfinity home security system, you’ll need to schedule a time for a professional installer to come to your home; there’s no option for self-installation of the equipment. 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.
How much is Xfinity home security per month?
The monthly price of an Xfinity home security system will depend on a number of factors:
- Will you buy the equipment upfront or make use of the two-year financing plan?
- Do you want the use of video recording in addition to livestreaming security footage?
- Do you want to use Xfinity for phone, internet, and cable TV services, in addition to home security?
How do I connect Xfinity to my Wi-Fi?
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.
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.
To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews Team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.