XFINITY Home
If you are an existing XFINITY customer and want to bundle as many of your home services as you can into a single bill, XFINITY Home might be the right choice for you. You may also want to consider their service if you have existing home security equipment you’d like to use because they can integrate it with their system.
There are many different equipment choices that can be added to your plan. They are also compatible with popular home automation brands like Nest and Philips wireless lighting.
However, prices can get out of hand fast and they aren’t known for outstanding customer service, so you’ll want to weigh your home security options carefully before deciding on XFINITY Home.
Shopping Experience8.0/10
XFINITY Home offers a streamlined shopping experience. Where before you had an option of two different packages, there is now just a single package. However, there are some additional decisions you have to make.
You may decide to add additional equipment to your plan, or you may decide you want more comprehensive video monitoring. No matter what you decide on, you’ll have to speak directly to a customer service agent because there is no option to purchase the system online.
Equipment & Setup7.5/10
The first thing to note about the XFINITY equipment is the fact that you must have an existing internet provider. That’s where XFINITY gets you. Because they also provide internet, you can save by bundling your services. The good news is that you don’t have to use XFINITY’s internet if you don’t want to, but you’ll end up paying more. This is especially frustrating if you realize that other providers, like Protect America, don’t require an internet connection at all.
If the internet goes down, you may be wondering if your home is unprotected. Fortunately, the system has battery backup and cellular backup for your safety.
Every plan includes three door or window sensors, one motion sensor, a touchscreen control, and a wireless keypad. The equipment itself isn’t any more or less innovative than XFINITY’s competitors, but it works well. You can expect your camera to take video and your sensors to detect motion effectively.
You have the opportunity to customize your system with additional equipment. You can add:
- Indoor and outdoor cameras
- The Zen ThermostatTM
- Outlet controllers
- Smoke detectors
- Additional window sensors
- Additional motion sensors
One great thing about the XFINITY Home system is that their equipment is compatible with other home automation equipment. Their systems easily integrate with big names like Nest, Philips wireless lighting, and Kwikset door locks.
Their app makes it easy to control your home security and home automation systems wirelessly. You can arm and disarm your system, view live video from your security cameras, control your thermostat, and you can even set real-time alerts to tell you when certain events happen, like when the kids walk through the front door after school.
One of the coolest things about the XFINITY equipment is the fact that you can view live video from your cameras on the TV if you have XFINITY X1 and the X1 Voice Remote! This is the only system at this time that does this.
Although the equipment is completely wireless, you still have to pay to have it professionally installed. However, the installation tech will provide you with a personal assessment of your home, a custom security system recommendation, and a tutorial on how to use your new equipment. That will come in handy if you’re a bit technologically challenged.
Cost & Value7.5/10
One thing the XFINITY Home system has going for it is the fact that it can be bundled with many different services, and the more services you bundle, the more you save. If you don’t have any other XFINITY services, you’ll pay $39.99 per month. However, if you bundle with other services like internet and phone, that price can be drastically reduced.
Keep in mind that XFINITY is a Comcast company, so you can expect confusing pricing. Your price will likely go up after a certain period of time. Not to mention, you’ll be locked into a contract that will likely be 24 months long, and you’ll pay the higher price for at least a portion of your contract period. Don’t forget you’ll be required to pay a $99 installation fee! That is, unless you install their service while a special deal is running and you can get the installation for free. The only way to know for sure how much it’s going to cost is by speaking directly with a customer service representative.
Another thing that will cost more? Expanded video monitoring services. Not only will you have to buy the camera, you’ll pay an extra $9.99 per month in order to record, rewind, and review up to 10 days of video.
It’s also important to realize that costs can get out of hand fast if you want to add additional equipment to your plan because it has to be purchased outright.
There are a couple of positives to note. One is the fact that they provide a 30-day money back guarantee. Another is the fact that you’ll own all of your equipment when the contract period is up.
They can also integrate existing home security monitoring systems, so XFINITY Home might be your best choice if you are looking for professional monitoring for equipment you already have.
Monitoring & Reputation7.5/10
Comcast, XFINITY’s parent company, is one of the most hated companies in America. They are known for their crummy customer service, so you shouldn’t expect any special treatment if you decide to install their home security equipment.
They do offer online help, which includes live chat services, but calling in is likely to give you a headache. When it comes to response times regarding their home security system, their response time clocks in at around 45 seconds. Not very impressive if there’s a burglar sneaking around in your house.
The Outstanding Stuff
- 30-day trial period
- You own the equipment if you complete your contract
- The system can be fully integrated with equipment from other providers
- Intuitive app can combine all of your equipment in one place
- Save more when you combine home security with other XFINITY services
- Security camera video can be viewed on the TV if you have XFINITY X1 and the X1 Voice Remote
Our Wish List
- A DIY installation option
- A shorter contract period or no contract at all
- Prices that don’t fluctuate throughout the contract period
- A faster response time
- A system that doesn’t require the internet
Our Final Thoughts
If you are already an Xfinity customer and if you’re looking to consolidate all your services into one bill, Xfinity might be the right choice for you. However, there’s just something a little unnerving about trusting a phone, cable, and internet company with your home security, especially when they aren’t known for providing the best customer service. That’s why we recommend that you research all of your options carefully before deciding if XFINITY Home is right for you.
