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Working with a large national media-services company is a different proposition than getting home security from a firm that strictly focuses on home security. Xfinity Home could be the ideal security choice if family members do not have a smartphone or prefer not to use one. They can use the television remote to see camera feeds and arm or disarm the system. However, Xfinity sells and supports Sengled smart lightbulbs that couldn’t be any easier to connect.
The sensor has eight detection functions and is designed to fit anywhere in your house. The sensor will notify you when a door is opened or closed, when it detects motion and water leaks. With the Arlo Secure App you can add freeze detection, tilt detection, light detection, smoke listening and carbon monoxide alarm listening. Finally, we walked through how the system works, the use of the touchscreen hub versus mobile apps, and how to name the devices. Again, Xfinity Home technicians were professional, helpful, and courteous.
Xfinity Home Security
The technician who came to install our system was knowledgeable and friendly. Xfinity Home sends apre-visit checklistto help but, that doesn’t relate to choosing the devices. A couple of things we don’t like about Xfinity are the required two-year contracts and no options for do-it-yourself installation. But all in all, if you’re searching for straightforward packages and monitoring plans that won’t drain your bank account, then Xfinity Home might be a good fit for you. While it’s not cheap, $50 per month is a decent deal for total home protection, plus smart home automation and advanced video options. Brands like Vivint and ADT charge about $60 per month for similar monitoring plans.
If you’re a current Comcast customer, or if you bundle their cable package, you’ll be able to control your entire system using the same remote control that you use for your cable. It’s certainly more convenient than pulling out your smartphone and opening the companion app to arm or disarm your system or control other commands. Their user-friendly touchscreen control panel looks and feels much better than the plastic panels many other brands offer. Even their base package comes with a small handful of entry sensors, while most companies only include one sensor in their base kit.
Security System With Two Sensors and Wired Doorbell Bundle: $429
The next security system adds a wireless doorbell and Arlo Chime 2 all for the same price. The wireless doorbell camera has all the same features as the wired option while the Arlo Chime 2 alerts you when someone presses the doorbell or when motion or audio is detected. Arlo’s next security system comes with an Arlo Pro 3 Floodlight camera instead of a doorbell camera. Xfinity Home offers indoor/outdoor cameras with night vision and other high-quality features.
But again, we would like to see more security camera options added to their offerings. Xfinity Home Security is similar to other high-tech brands when it comes to add-ons and customizations. That is, you can enhance your system with a number of additional devices.
How Arlo Home Security Stacks Up
You can still bundle Arlo products based on what you need and want. When you purchase an Arlo Home Security System you get a trial plan subscription to the Arlo Professional Monitoring plan. After the trial plan ends, you can purchase the plan for $9.99 a month. The Professional Monitoring plan has one tap direct dispatch, 24/7 live security experts, video verification and cellular and battery backup. The information and savings numbers depicted above are for demonstration purposes only, and your results may vary.
Of course, you should be prepared to go through an automated voice system before speaking with a representative about home security options. When we got through that minor hassle, the rep was knowledgeable and helpful. There are other advantages to Xfinity Home including the ability to arm and disarm the system—or glance at a feed from security cameras—using your television’s Voice Remote. Overall, we found Xfinity’s monthly monitoring costs to be on par with the industry average. But keep in mind, you’re required to sign a two-year contract, which we never like to see. The Arlo Home Security System comes with two Arlo Ultra 2 Spotlight Cameras, a cellular and battery backup and an all-in-one sensor.
Plan Pricing
New users can expect to pay between $40 and $70 per month for Xfinity Home Security without bundling. We’ve seen deals like the Xfinity Home Secure package going for $29.99 per month for the first 12 months with an increase to $39.95 per month for the remaining months. We’ve also heard of 50% off each Xfinity camera when you add video recording for $9.95 per month. You can read all about the latest available Xfinity deals and promotions on our dedicated page.
You'll be expected to sign a two-year contract for professional monitoring for around $20 a month. You probably know Comcast for its high-speed internet, phone, and cable services. But this telecommunications giant also offers home security through their subsidiary called Xfinity.
Learn how to manage your Xfinity Home system using the Xfinity Home touchscreen – the control center that offers simple touch navigation with an easy-to-use interface. Arm and disarm your system, view live video from your Cameras, change settings for devices, such as Lights and Thermostats, and much more. Expect only the most essential security sensors and cameras, as well as a smart thermostat, smoke detector, and outlet controller.
Samantha covers all topics home-related including home improvement and repair. She previously edited home repair and design content at The Spruce and HomeAdvisor. The Xfinity System comes with four cameras, and you can connect an external camera by connecting the camera’s ethernet cable to the LAN port of Xfinity’s XW3 unit. The system, however, can only support four cameras at a time, so you will have to disconnect one camera from the system before connecting your camera. Interest will be charged to your account from the purchase date if the balance is not paid in full within 6 months. OpenHome Converge Panel Interface Module is a professional state-of-the-art device that allows you to manage your wired system and its sensors from your TouchScreen.
For example, the wireless keypad—ideal for keeping by your bedside—has a color indicator light but not a screen. An amber light indicates that one of your doors is open but no information about which one. The touchscreen, based on our experience, was the best way to arm and disarm the system—but doesn’t provide a way to set up automated rules. You will need to use your smartphone app to set up automated rules. Continuously recorded video is only viewable via the web dashboard. Another bundle you can choose include the basic system, a wireless doorbell and an indoor camera.
Another thing to consider is that Xfinity requires professional installation, meaning a technician must visit your home to install the system. But for now, it’s important to know that these prices are about 15% higher than the industry average. This cost wasn’t a deal-breaker for us, as we expected Xfinity to perform well with modern devices like touchscreen control panels and advanced smart home automation features. Monitor activity and manage your system from your smartphone on the Xfinity Home app . Set rules to receive real-time alerts tailored to you, like when doors and windows are opened. Review up to a week of uninterrupted recorded video in cloud storage.
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