Comcast Home Security Review

This Old House Rating: 7.8/10

Comcast, the well-known telecommunications conglomerate, owns and operates the internet and cable provider Xfinity, which provides home security systems as part of its offerings. Through Xfinity, homeowners can purchase professional-grade home security equipment to help secure their home and provide a little peace of mind.

Xfinity offers two security systems, with additional add-ons available to complete your system. The Comcast-owned company monitors your home at all times, providing 24/7 professional monitoring through two home security plans. Continue reading this Comcast home security review to learn about Xfinity’s products and services, and determine if it’s the best home security company for you.

Pros and Cons of Xfinity Home Security

Compare the advantages and disadvantages of Xfinity below:

Pros & 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

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

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.

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

Cost of Professional Monitoring

Note: Xfinity typically charges a $60 installation 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 a C+ rating. This rating comes from BBB’s understanding of how Xfinity deals with customers as a whole, including their 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 from the BBB below.

“Technician was professional and quick, appreciated the timely service and approach!” — Don B.

“Very prompt, professional service. [Technician] was [extremely] helpful and knowledgeable both during and after installation. Highly [recommended]” — Floyd R.

Our Conclusion

We give Xfinity Home Security a 7.8/10. 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

Frequently Asked Questions about Xfinity

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 100.