Table of Content
The first one, xFi, manages the network and its connections, devices, and speed testing. Those network functions do not come with the main Xfinity Home app. Some Xfinity customers might need two additional apps for account services and streaming media—creating a jumble of four different smartphone apps. It is difficult to give a specific price range for Xfinity Home packages because prices vary depending on your region.
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.
Does Xfinity security need WiFi?
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.
You don’t need an Arlo Secure plan to use an Arlo Home Security System, but Arlo recommends an Arlo Professional Monitoring plan. If you want video storage, you’ll need to select an Arlo Secure plan. Arlo Secure plans include the Arlo Secure plan, the Arlo Secure Plus and the Arlo Safe and Secure Pro. The sensor should then reset to factory default settings and begin searching for any available home controller or security system.
Plan Pricing
Before Xfinity showed up, our test home already had a Nest thermostat, Kwikset smart lock, and a Philips Hue gateway device for controlling a few lightbulbs. Xfinity technicians do not install any of these smart-home devices. It took a few tries over a few days to get the Philips Hue lightbulbs connected with Xfinity Home, a problem the technician knew about when installing the system but did not help resolve. Xfinity Home security system is installed by a trained technician. The professional installation comes with a variety of advantages and extras.
The best placement for a motion sensor is in a corner of the room that has a good viewpoint of your entryways and easily detect any changes in the room. As a security measure, the app confirms your identity when changing settings, including these crucial codes. So Xfinity Home allows you to use your phone’s Face ID or fingerprint ID to confirm that you’re the one making the changes. You can even set up “rule templates” that customize a scene or rule. For example, a "Good Night" template could send you a SMS notification if a door in your home remains open for five minutes.
Xfinity Add-On Equipment Overview
With Xfinity Home, you can set up real-time alerts for instant notifications of things happening in your home. -security.com needs to review the security of your connection before proceeding. Xfinity Home Smoke Monitoring uses Smoke and Heat Detectors that, together with your primary system, are designed to keep your property safe. When an alarm is triggered, our Smoke Detectors alert the Central Monitoring Station, which will notify appropriate emergency personnel for you, even if you aren’t at home.
Also, Xfinity systems work with third-party home automation devices, so you can customize your smart home ecosystem to suit your needs and personal tastes. There’s nothing really special about their equipment design or build. The devices felt decent in our hands, but only slightly better than more affordable systems like Ring or SimpliSafe. And they didn’t quite compare to the likes of Vivint or ADT when it came to quality of construction. Samantha is an editor who covers all topics home-related including home improvement and repair.
Does Arlo require a monthly fee?
There was no mandatory upfront cost for Xfinity Home’s basic starter package at the time of my purchase. That’s usually how traditional security companies, including Xfinity, get you to commit to a two-year contract for professional monitoring. During the installation, we decided on the quantity and location of door/window sensors and cameras.
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.
In exchange, you’ll save some hassle and probably a few dollars. As a bonus, you can use your big-screen television and remote control to manage the system. At the time of review, the company did not have access to a two-way talk function or offer a video doorbell. Currently, they offer an Xfinity doorbell camera featuring two-way talk, which allows you to view and speak with a person at your door or in your yard.
I originally purchased a basic package that included four contact sensors, one motion sensor, a keypad, and a touchscreen hub. However, this plan is no longer available—the closest package they now offer is theirComplete Home System Plan. The Complete Home System package comes with all the same devices, except it has five contact sensors instead of four.
She edited home repair and design content at websites like The Spruce and HomeAdvisor. She also has hosted videos on DIY home tips and solutions and launched multiple home improvement review boards staffed with licensed pros. To the best of our knowledge, all content is accurate as of the date posted, though offers contained herein may no longer be available. The opinions expressed are the author’s alone and have not been provided, approved, or otherwise endorsed by our partners.
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.
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.
But if aesthetic concerns are a non-issue for you, then consider joining the one million customers who useXfinity Hometo protect their homes. Arlo cameras offer some of the best resolution and video quality in the industry, but as far as a home security package, Arlo lacks some of the features others provide in their packages. You can add features to your Arlo bundle, but things like window breaking alerts aren’t included with Arlo. Like most security systems, the Home status turns on door/window sensors but bypasses motion detectors so you can move freely in the house. Night mode works just like the Stay function but gives you the option to enable motion detectors in low-traffic areas such as garages, attics, and basements. You can add a floodlight camera to the previous bundle to give you indoor and outdoor security cameras for expanded video coverage.
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