Comcast, the telecommunications giant, owns Xfinity, an internet and cable service provider also known for its home security systems. With Xfinity, homeowners can access professional-grade security equipment and 24/7 professional monitoring. The company offers two security systems with additional add-ons to personalize your setup.
Read our comprehensive Xfinity home security review to learn more about its products and services and determine if it’s the best home security company for your home.
Pros and Cons of Xfinity Home Security
Compare the advantages and disadvantages of Xfinity below:
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Offers limited warranty protection that lasts the length of contract
- Provides battery and cellular system backup
- System is compatible with other smart devices
Cons
- Charges a $60 installation fee
- Doesn’t have a free trial period
- Requires a 24-month contract
Pro Tip
- Before committing to any security system contract, a TOH smart home expert advises: “You really want to read the fine print for how these companies deal with your data. You don’t want to share it with a third party or any affiliate or anything like that.” Look for systems that offer 256-bit encryption and two-factor authentication to keep your home network secure.
Cellular Backup Matters: While Xfinity’s cellular backup is a genuine advantage, keep in mind that cellular monitoring is what keeps your system connected if someone cuts your Wi-Fi or power. As one TOH security segment explained, cellular backup “works regardless of what or power right to the house. And so that will give you an alert no matter what.” This is a key feature to weigh against the required monthly fees and contract commitment.
Xfinity Home Security Packages
Xfinity has two home security packages: the Base Home System and Complete Home System.
Base Home System
The Base Home System is a basic home security package that provides homeowners with enough equipment to secure a small area of their home. The system comes with battery and cellular system back-up and can be controlled remotely from the Xfinity app. If you have more than three doors and windows and want to secure the inside your home, you’ll need to purchase additional sensors through Xfinity.
Here’s everything included in the Base Home System:
- Touchscreen controller
- Door and window sensors (3)
- Motion sensor
- Yard sign
Pro Tip
- If you’re worried about battery life on wireless sensors, Kevin from TOH reassured a homeowner during an installation: “They work off lithium ion batteries and you probably only have to change them once every five years.” That means the three door and window sensors in this base package should run for years without maintenance.
Complete Home System
The Complete Home System offers everything in the Base Home System package, plus two additional door and window sensors, a wireless keypad, and an indoor/outdoor video camera. Like the more basic model, this offering comes with battery and cellular system back-up and can be controlled inside the app.
This system is designed for larger homes. If additional equipment is needed, you can purchase items through Xfinity.
Here’s everything included in the Complete Home System:
- Touchscreen controller
- Door and window sensors (5)
- Motion sensor
- Wireless keypad
- HD indoor/outdoor Xfinity camera
- Yard sign
Types of Xfinity Security Equipment
In addition to the standard equipment that Xfinity provides, the company offers additional home equipment that you can purchase to complete your system. Here’s a look at the security equipment offered by Xfinity.
Touchscreen Controller
The touchscreen controller is how you control your system outside of the Xfinity application. The touch screen control panel lets you arm and disarm the system and contact emergency services if needed.
Door/Window Sensor
These sensors can be placed at any point of entry within the home and trigger an alarm during a break-in.
Motion Sensor
The motion sensor detects any unexpected movement within your home and is pet-friendly, unable to detect animals up to 85 pounds.
Wireless Keypad
The wireless keypad is installed away from the main touchscreen controller within your home, giving you an additional way of arming or disarming your system.
Indoor/Outdoor Camera
The indoor/outdoor camera feeds HD video to your system and can capture footage during the day and night. The camera is waterproof and can be placed anywhere inside or outside the home.
Smoke Detector
Xfinity’s smoke detector directly links to your home security system, notifying you of smoke via the Xfinity Home app.
Zen Thermostat
The Zen thermostat offers a modern and intelligent way of managing your home’s HVAC system directly from your Xfinity Home app.
Outlet Controller
The Xfinity Home outlet controller lets you control plugged-in lights and devices through your Xfinity app.
Installation Note
- If you’re placing a camera outdoors, be sure it’s rated for exterior use. As TOH’s smart home coverage advises, check the IP (ingress protection) rating, which indicates how well the device will stand up to the elements — look for IP55 or higher. Also consider how you’ll run a power line to the camera if it requires AC power; battery-powered or solar-charged models can simplify outdoor placement considerably.
Xfinity Professional Monitoring Plans
Xfinity offers two professional monitoring services: the Home Security Plan and the Home Security Plan Plus.
Home Security Plan
The Home Security Plan offers:
- 24/7 professional monitoring
- Smart home control
- Real-time alerts
- Cellular system backup
- Live HD video
- Works with Xfinity X1 to view security cameras on your TV
Home Security Plus Plan
The Home Security Plus Plan includes:
- 24/7 professional monitoring
- Smart home control
- Real-time alerts
- Cellular system backup
- Live HD video
- Works with Xfinity X1 to view cameras on your TV
- 24/7 video recording
- Motion-activated recording
- AI detection of people, vehicles, and pets
Cost of Xfinity Home Security
The cost of your Xfinity Home Security System is broken down into two costs: the cost of your selected system and the cost of your selected professional monitoring plan.
Cost of Security System
| System | Number of Items Included | Price per Month | One-Time Payment |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Base Home System |
6 |
$15 |
$360 |
|
Complete Home System |
10 |
$20 |
$480 |
Cost of Professional Monitoring
| Professional Monitoring Plan | Price per Month |
|---|---|
|
Home Security Plan |
$40 |
|
Home Security Plus Plan |
$50 |
Note: Xfinity typically charges a $60 installation fee.
What Drives the Monthly Cost
- A key cost factor with any monitored system like Xfinity’s is how signals reach the central monitoring station. As demonstrated during a TOH security install at the Brookline House, hard-wired door contacts and wireless window transmitters send signals to a central monitoring facility via both internet and telephone lines. Greg, the security installer on that project, explained that the system monitors “alarms both by Internet and telephone lines” — that dual-path communication is part of what you’re paying for with professional monitoring. Cellular backup, which keeps you connected even if your Wi-Fi goes down, typically adds another layer to the monthly fee.
How Does Xfinity Work?
To start a home security plan with Xfinity, you first need to select the equipment and professional monitoring plan that’s right for you and your home. For example, if you have more than three points of entry and want to record video, you may want to consider the Complete Home System and Home Security Plus Plan for professional monitoring.
After you select your equipment and monitoring service, an Xfinity technician will come out to install your equipment and answer any questions you have regarding your home security system.
Warranties and Guarantees
Xfinity Home offers customers a limited warranty on all security equipment during their plan. The limited warranty is free to customers and automatically renews every month of the contract. Unlike many home security companies, Xfinity doesn’t offer a free trial of its services.
Xfinity Home Security Reviews
Xfinity isn’t accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and holds an A+ rating. This rating comes from BBB’s understanding of how Xfinity deals with customers as a whole, including complaints and overall customer service. Since Xfinity deals with cable, internet, and home services, some reviews and complaints are unrelated to their home security offerings.
Here’s a sample of Xfinity customer reviews:
“Technician was professional and quick, appreciated the timely service and approach!” — Don B. via the BBB
“Very prompt, professional service. [Technician] was [extremely] helpful and knowledgeable both during and after installation. Highly [recommended]” — Floyd R. via the BBB
Our Conclusion
Although a trusted company for cable and internet service, their home security offerings aren’t as robust as some of the DIY alarm systems on the market. Additionally, Xfinity Home Security is more expensive when it comes to both equipment and professional monitoring, with no additional features to make up for the cost.
If you’re not sure whether Xfinity is right for you, compare it to other top-rated security companies, like ADT, SimpliSafe and Vivint.
Top-Rated Alternatives to Xfinity
| Companies | SimpliSafe | Vivint | ADT |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Get a free quote |
View Plans |
View Plans |
View Plans |
|
Equipment Cost |
$200+ |
$590+ |
Bundled with contract |
|
Monthly Monitoring Cost |
$15–$25 |
$29+ |
$29+ |
|
Contract Required? |
No contract |
No contract |
36 month contract |
|
24/7 Monitoring |
✔ |
✔ |
✔ |
|
Professional Installation Cost |
$79 |
Pricing by quote |
$99+ |
|
Do-it-yourself (DIY) Installation |
✔ |
✔ |
– |
|
Mobile App Access |
✔ |
✔ |
✔ |
|
Motion Detection |
✔ |
✔ |
✔ |
|
Smart Home Compatibility |
✔ |
✔ |
✔ |
|
Video Surveillance |
With camera purchase |
With camera purchase |
✔ |
|
Video Streaming Capability |
With camera purchase |
With camera purchase |
✔ |
|
Money-Back Guarantee |
60 days |
Warranty only |
6 months |
|
BBB Rating |
A+ |
D+ |
A+ |
What to Look For
- Before committing to any security provider, TOH recommends checking a few key factors: Make sure the system is wireless, since wired alarms are vulnerable — a burglar can snip one wire and shut down your whole system. Compare monthly monitoring fees carefully, as some companies charge outrageous rates for the same level of protection you can find for less. And always look for U.L. Listed professional monitoring, which means the monitoring centers are rigorously inspected every six months to ensure the highest caliber of protection.
FAQs About Comcast Home Security Systems
Does Xfinity have a money-back guarantee?
No. Unlike many top-rated security companies, Xfinity doesn’t offer a money-back guarantee if you’re unsatisfied with the product offering.
What add-ons can I add on to my Xfinity package?
If you want additional equipment added to your security package, Xfinity offers the following items at an additional charge:
- Indoor/outdoor camera
- Smoke detectors
- Zen thermostat
- Motion sensor
- Door/window sensor
- Outlet controller
- Wireless keypad
Does Xfinity come with home automation?
Although you can’t control your security system with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant, your Xfinity security system can be controlled through your TV remote if Xfinity is your provider.
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 5 stars.