Xfinity Home Security Review

If you already have TV, internet, or phone service from Xfinity, you may as well add home security to the list. Just be wary of the many pitfalls with Xfinity customer service.

Xfinity
Xfinity Home Security
2.3 out of 5 stars
2.25
  • pro
    Bundle with TV, internet, phone
  • pro
    Voice control
  • con
    Poor customer service
Plan
Price
Monitoring type
Mobile app access
Smart home support
Details
Self Protection
$10.00
/mo
Self
Icon Yes  DarkYes
Icon Yes  DarkYes
Pro Protection
Starts at
$30.00
/mo
Professional
Icon Yes  DarkYes
Icon Yes  DarkYes
Pro Protection Plus
Starts at
$40.00
/mo
Professional
Icon Yes  DarkYes
Icon Yes  DarkYes
Brianne Sandorf
Mar 23, 2023
Icon Time To Read7 min read

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In our last Xfinity Home review, we gave the service a solid 3 out of 5 stars. (Craig’s video review will give you an idea of how we felt.)

Play Video

Is Xfinity Home right for you?

When we recently updated our home security rankings, we realized we could no longer score Xfinity that high. Yeah, Xfinity Home has an affordable self-monitoring plan and a cool voice control feature, and you can get it in bundles with other Xfinity home services. But Xfinity Home’s prices are hard to pin down, most of the equipment lags behind other brands, and its customer service (through Comcast) may be the worst we’ve ever encountered.

What customers say
Bullhorn

We scoured customer reviews to learn more about Xfinity’s services. Most reviews were scathing, featuring such words and phrases as "absolute piece of garbage," "one of the worst security systems ever," "ridiculous," "useless," and “disgrace."

In our experience, Xfinity Home has some really unique and awesome features, and some people really like it. But with all those negative reviews, and since Comcast customer service can be exceptionally rough, Xfinity Home may not be for everyone.

Pros
  • Bundle with TV, internet, phone
  • Voice control
  • Self-monitoring
  • Week of video storage with some plans
Cons
  • Poor customer service
  • Expensive
Xfinity monitoring plans comparison
Monitoring planSelf ProtectionPro ProtectionPro Protection Plus
Price
$10.00
/mo
Starts at
$30.00
/mo
Starts at
$40.00
/mo
24/7 professional monitoring
Icon No  DarkNo
Icon Yes  DarkYes
Icon Yes  DarkYes
Mobile app access
Icon Yes  DarkYes
Icon Yes  DarkYes
Icon Yes  DarkYes
Smart home integrations
Icon Yes  DarkYes
Icon Yes  DarkYes
Icon Yes  DarkYes
Text or email alerts
Icon Yes  DarkYes
Icon Yes  DarkYes
Icon Yes  DarkYes
Full week of recorded video in cloud storage
Icon No  DarkNo
Icon No  DarkNo
Icon Yes  DarkYes
Details

Data effective 08/23/2022. Offers subject to change.

We recommend Xfinity Home bundles

If you’re considering Xfinity Home for your security needs, we suggest looking into a bundle. Xfinity also offers TV, internet, and mobile phone services, and you can combine those with home services to get a discounted bundle.

We don’t have specific pricing or other details about the bundles at the time, but if it sounds interesting to you, contact Xfinity and ask.

Xfinity Home pricing and monitoring

Like most companies, Xfinity Home security uses professional monitoring to keep an eye on customer security systems. The professional monitoring starts at $30 a month but can be more expensive, depending on location and possible other factors. That’s a higher price for what Xfinity offers in terms of equipment and features, though it’s not outrageous compared to other systems.

For your money, you’ll get real-time alerts, cellular and battery backup, Xfinity Voice Remote control, a week of video storage, app access, and smart home capabilities. Also, Xfinity has multiple monitoring centers so that your professional monitoring stays online 24/7. We’ll talk a little more about this later.

If you’re looking for a self-monitored system, Xfinity’s added an option for you, too (and the company also has a self-monitored camera on its roster—more on that later, too). The self-monitored plan is just $10 a month, which is a fair market price.

Using Xfinity Home
Heads Up

You’ll need high-speed internet to use Xfinity Home. You can get service from a third party, or you can contract with Xfinity to get an Xfinity or xFi Gateway installed in your home.

Plan
Price
Mobile app access
Smart home support
Learn more
Pro Protection
Starts at
$30.00
/mo
Icon Yes  DarkYes
Icon Yes  DarkYes
Pro Protection Plus
Starts at
$40.00
/mo
Icon Yes  DarkYes
Icon Yes  DarkYes

Xfinity’s unique in the home security industry because its prices swing wildly, depending on the location. The company treats home security pricing the same way it treats cable and internet costs.

Xfinity Home security equipment

The Xfinity Home Security systems are mostly average, sometimes even below average. (More on that in a minute.) Alone, the cost may not be worth it. But if you’re looking for security, internet, phone, and cable, or if you already have an Xfinity service, bundling with three Xfinity products may be an excellent deal.

Here are some benefits of a bundled Xfinity Home package:

  • Use the X1 DVR to see who’s calling or security alerts on your TV
  • Watch TV on the internet through Xfinity’s website
  • Watch Netflix through your X1 DVR (with TV and internet)

Planning a movie night? Order pizza, trigger the lights to turn on for the delivery driver as they approach, and even pause your movie with a single IFTTT recipe.

Fun fact
Info Box

According to Comcast’s Vice President of Xfinity Home Security & Automation, Shuvankar Roy, over 95% of smart home and security system customers bundled with other services like TV and telephone.¹

What equipment Xfinity Home offers

What’s included with the Xfinity Base Home system?

An Xfinity Base Home system includes the following:

  • Three door/window sensors
  • 1 motion sensor
  • Xfinity Home Security yard sign
  • Xfinity Home app for remote control
  • Battery and cellular system backup
  • Touchscreen control panel

The door and window sensors and motion sensors: nothing special. You put them where you most need them, and they help keep you safe like every home security system’s sensors.

The touchscreen controller, on the other hand, is a neato-burrito proprietary device. It can be handheld in addition to hanging, so you can walk around with it and use it as a little security tablet.

Other Xfinity Home packages include keypads, security cameras, and additional door and window sensors.

Want something that doesn’t come in one of the preassembled packages? Or need to get more sensors? Comcast sells the following equipment directly if you need to add to your security:

  • Indoor/outdoor cameras
  • Outlet controllers
  • Smoke detectors
  • Zen thermostat
  • Motion sensors
  • Door/window sensors
  • Wireless keypads
Xfinity control panel

You'll soon also be able to use Leviton Decora Zigbee light switches, dimmers, and plug-in modules with an Xfinity Home security system.

Only a few of the devices come from Xfinity itself, and the additional equipment list is a bit thin for a brand that doesn’t make its own stuff. Since the system’s compatibility is limited, most of the equipment is meh approaching blah.

Xfinity Home equipment security features

Xfinity Home has the following benefits:

  • 24/7 professional monitoring
  • Cellular and battery backup
  • Remote arm and disarm with the Xfinity Home app
  • Real-time notifications when activity is detected
  • Search feature to find footage by people, pet, and vehicle activity 
  • Additional features included with equipment purchases

Many people underestimate the importance of a cellular connection and battery backup that won’t disappear at the first sign of trouble. Xfinity hits these critical aspects of home security.

While you don’t have to subscribe to Xfinity’s other services, we think Xfinity Home is the best deal when bundled. You can get some awesome features, like speaking commands for the entire system using the Xfinity X1 DVR's voice remote. Alexa who?

Xfinity Home cameras

Two of the biggest buying decisions with Comcast Xfinity are whether to add video to your plan and whether to use Comcast’s proprietary camera. Xfinity has both video streaming and streaming + recording as options.

If you buy an Xfinity camera, you get live video streaming included. Right now, Xfinity saves up to 150 video clips and 150 images each day, which are stored for 30 days. From there, you can download and share it if you want.

You can also integrate other cameras like Nest Cam, Canary Cam, and Arlo Pro into your system. For ideas, you can check out our posts for Best Indoor Cameras, Best Outdoor Cameras, and Best Motion Detector Cameras.

When you have the Xfinity X1 DVR, you can use the voice remote to say things like “front door camera” to view your feed.

Xfinity indoor/outdoor camera specs
SpecsCamera
Price$120.00
Inside/outsideBoth
Two-way talk
Icon No  DarkNo
Night vision
Icon Yes  DarkYes
Weather resistance
Icon Yes  DarkYes
Learn more

Data effective 08/23/2022. Offers subject to change.

Xfinity camera

Source: Xfinity.com

Xfinity Home home automation

While Xfinity bundles have their own voice-controlled features, the system doesn’t integrate with an Amazon Echo, Google Home, or Apple Homekit. Instead, Comcast has the following partner connections to help smarten up your home:

Xfinity Home is also compatible with some Zigbee products.

Xfinity Home mobile app

Xfinity’s mobile app turns your phone into a remote control for your whole home. While it has some bugs, we had a good experience with it, and other users rated it well on Google Play and iTunes.

Xfinity Home app

Remote arming and disarming

One of the biggest benefits of getting Xfinity Home is accessing your system from afar.

Lighting and thermostat control

Turn on some mood lighting and raise the heat without getting off the couch during movie night. Or turn off the lights before you doze off without leaving your comfy bed.

Security alerts

You can see your alerts via text, email, app notifications, and on-screen notifications on your TV (if you get the Xfinity X1 DVR). You can customize the rules, too, so you only get necessary alerts.

Xfinity Home installation

Xfinity is a professionally installed system, with installation starting at $60. You’ll have to set aside time for a technician to come to your house.

Installation fee: Starts at $60 and can get up to $99.

Xfinity Home customer experience

Xfinity doesn’t offer a classic email customer service option, but you can use Reddit, Twitter, or the direct chat to get help quickly. And, of course, there’s always the phone. Or you can go to a brick-and-mortar Xfinity store if you like that better.

Just to give you a heads up, though: Xfinity’s part of Comcast, and Comcast customer service is legendary for all the wrong reasons. Xfinity Home reviews overwhelmingly state that Comcast reps are unhelpful, even rude, and that just making contact with the company can be a struggle.

But there are some good things too. Ordering’s easy, installation’s convenient, and the professional monitoring aligns with industry standards.

System ordering

You can order an Xfinity Home system online, which is a breath of fresh air compared to systems like ADT. You don’t have to call in to get what you need.

System installation

As we mentioned, with Xfinity, the technician will come to your home to install the system. You'll pay anywhere between $60-$99 for professional installation.

Have a previously installed system like an old ADT or Vivint alarm? You may be able to use parts of your existing system and save money on new equipment costs. Just speak with your technician about a takeover.

Incident procedure

You’ll get 24/7 monitoring through COPS Monitoring, which has six professional monitoring centers. You also get backup batteries and wireless cellular connections. With these features, you’ll stay protected from intruders and connected to the monitoring station while avoiding the annoying sirens that come with a system that powers off abruptly.

How does Xfinity Home compare to other companies?

Xfinity Home isn’t the best compared to other security systems. It offers less equipment, less automation, and fewer features than most big security companies like ADT and Vivint while costing the same or more.

SimpliSafe pricing compared to other home security systems
Product
Price
Installation type
Professional installation price
Contract length
Learn more
Xfinity

Starts at $30.00/mo.

DIY & professionalStarts at $60.00Varies
SimpliSafe$9.99–$27.99/mo.DIY & professional$99.00No contract
ADT$27.99–$62.99/mo.ProfessionalVaries3 years
Vivint$29.99–$44.99/mo.ProfessionalVariesNo contract, or 5 years
Frontpoint$39.99-$59.99/mo.DIYN/ANo contract
Ring$3.99-$20.00/mo.DIY & professionalVariesNo contract
ADT Shield$0.00-$19.99/mo.DIYN/ANo contract
Cove$17.99–$27.99/mo.DIY & professionalStarts at $79.00No contract

Again, we think Xfinity Home is best (and stands out more) when bundled with other Xfinity Home services.

Recap: Is Xfinity Home a good security system?

Overall, the Comcast Xfinity Home security service covers all your bases, just at an unpredictable cost. If the price is right where you live, Xfinity Home is most effective when you bundle. Add TV, Wi-Fi, and maybe even home phone calling to your plan. That’ll give you a discount on home services, and you can use your phone or X1 Voice remote to control just about everything in your home.

  • Pricing: Xfinity’s self-monitoring plan cost is reasonable, but the professional monitoring plans can get expensive depending on where you live.
  • Equipment: Xfinity Home equipment isn’t the best we’ve seen, but you can nearly get a complete home system. (No doorbell cameras, sadly.) There’s definitely some cool stuff, like a thermostat, a voice control remote, and a self-monitored security camera.
  • Home automation: The Xfinity smart home automation is nearly a bust, with just a few hand-picked pieces compatible with the system. Oh, and some Zigbee smart devices work with it, too.
  • Installation: Xfinity Home uses professional installation, which means someone will come from Comcast Xfinity to install your alarm system.
  • Customer experience: You’ll have to deal with Comcast customer service, which is definitely a downside, but you’ll also get COPS monitoring and cellular backup and battery. And did we mention you can order online?

If Xfinity Home isn’t right for you, or if you just don’t want to deal with Comcast customer service, check out our Best Home Security Providers article.

Xfinity
Smart home integrations
Yes
Contract length
Unclear
Monthly price
Starting from $10.00
Starting from
$10.00
/mo

Xfinity Home FAQ

Yes. Xfinity Home offers two video monitoring plans as well as a self-monitoring plan for $10/mo. fee. For as low as $30/mo. the Pro Protection plan offers 24/7 video monitoring, battery backup, as well as real-time alerts. The Pro Protection Plus plan is $10/mo. more and includes 24/7 video monitoring, batter backup, real-time alerts, a search feature as well as a full week of recorded video in cloud storage. 

We’d say no; Xfinity Home isn’t one of the top systems we review. However, if you’re only considering professionally installed systems, it’s an okay option.

Xfinity is a reliable option if you're looking for a system that offers 24/7 professional monitoring, professional installation, and bundling options.

Methodology

We read countless Xfinity Home customer reviews and pored over the Xfinity website. All in all, we conducted about five hours of research.

Sources

Brianne Sandorf
Written by
Brianne Sandorf
Brianne has a degree in English and creative writing from Westminster College and has spent 6+ years writing professional, research-based content. Before joining Reviews.org, she wrote safety and security content for ASecureLife.com. Her pieces and quotes are published across the web, including on MSN.com, Social Catfish, and Parents.com. Hobbies include wearing a seatbelt, wearing a life jacket, and keeping her arms and legs inside the ride at all times. Contact her at brianne@reviews.org.

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