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Most installation is DIY but if you select a wired doorbell camera, you might want to have an electrician install it. We appreciated Xfinity’s test mode, an easy-to-follow process to ensure that all the sensors are working—an important task to perform for any security system every month or so. On one occasion, we had to wait for 15 minutes to chat with a tech agent who was not well informed.
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.
Xfinity Home Security Plan – $40 per month
Of course, you should be prepared to go through an automated voice system before speaking with a representative about home security options. When we got through that minor hassle, the rep was knowledgeable and helpful. There are other advantages to Xfinity Home including the ability to arm and disarm the system—or glance at a feed from security cameras—using your television’s Voice Remote. Overall, we found Xfinity’s monthly monitoring costs to be on par with the industry average. But keep in mind, you’re required to sign a two-year contract, which we never like to see. The Arlo Home Security System comes with two Arlo Ultra 2 Spotlight Cameras, a cellular and battery backup and an all-in-one sensor.
Another thing to consider is that Xfinity requires professional installation, meaning a technician must visit your home to install the system. But for now, it’s important to know that these prices are about 15% higher than the industry average. This cost wasn’t a deal-breaker for us, as we expected Xfinity to perform well with modern devices like touchscreen control panels and advanced smart home automation features. Monitor activity and manage your system from your smartphone on the Xfinity Home app . Set rules to receive real-time alerts tailored to you, like when doors and windows are opened. Review up to a week of uninterrupted recorded video in cloud storage.
Door/Window sensor
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.
Xfinity works with a variety of third-party devices to transform your house into a smart home. Options include LIFX smart lighting, Kwikset Smart Locks, Nest thermostats, and more. Professional monitoring is included with every Xfinity Home security system. You can control your Xfinity security system using the same remote control that you use for your Comcast cable.
What happens when a house alarm goes off?
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.
The next security system adds a wireless doorbell and Arlo Chime 2 all for the same price. The wireless doorbell camera has all the same features as the wired option while the Arlo Chime 2 alerts you when someone presses the doorbell or when motion or audio is detected. Arlo’s next security system comes with an Arlo Pro 3 Floodlight camera instead of a doorbell camera. Xfinity Home offers indoor/outdoor cameras with night vision and other high-quality features.
If you need to reboot the device, remove the battery for at least 5 seconds, then re-insert the battery. Active ultrasonic sensors emit ultrasonic sound waves at a frequency above the range of human hearing. These waves bounce off objects in the immediate vicinity and return to the motion sensor. A transducer within the sensor acts as a waypoint for the signal—it sends the pulse and receives the echo. The touchscreen's icons and fonts are large, bold, and a bit outdated. But we came to appreciate the screen’s simplicity and easy visibility.
If you’re a current Comcast customer, or if you bundle their cable package, you’ll be able to control your entire system using the same remote control that you use for your cable. It’s certainly more convenient than pulling out your smartphone and opening the companion app to arm or disarm your system or control other commands. Their user-friendly touchscreen control panel looks and feels much better than the plastic panels many other brands offer. Even their base package comes with a small handful of entry sensors, while most companies only include one sensor in their base kit.
Bradley Berman is a technology expert and writer with two decades of experience covering smart products and trends that affect the way home and automobiles work. SafeHome.org only uses high-quality sources to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial guidelines to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Battery and cellular backup are included at no extra charge with this system.
As Managing Editor for SafeHome.org, Rob Gabriele has written and edited over 1,000 articles in home security. His expertise is in smart home automation and home protection with thousands of hours of testing and research under his belt. Formerly a reporter and producer for the USAToday network, Rob has been a writer and editor for over 10 years. He holds a Master’s of Science with an emphasis on writing from the University of Montana, and he currently lives in the Reno/Tahoe area of Nevada. Arlo’s home security bundles are fairly new offerings but you’ve been able to bundle on your own in the past.
Of course, many home security systems can do something similar, but not with the same level of ease. With the Gateway Modem up and running and the apps working as they should, you’ll have a secure wireless network for your security system. Xfinity Home prefers that you rent the XB6, however the rental does add money to your monthly bill. We later discovered that Xfinity can use your existing modem (by attaching an add-on piece of equipment) at no monthly cost.
We did not previously have Xfinity cable television, so the first order of business was establishing the television service and making sure that we had a fast, solid Wi-Fi network in the home. That meant upgrading to the Xfinity XB6 Gateway Modem—equipped with dual-band 2.4 GHz and a 5 GHz router for long-range Wi-Fi. From our experience, Comcast Xfinity Home has the equipment and monitoring plans needed to secure your home from top to bottom. The value is certainly there, especially when you factor in their home automation and video monitoring features.
Don't worry, this sounds complicated but it's just a simple browser setting. You can usually find JavaScript options in your browser's Settings, Preferences or Internet Options menu. He has written numerous books and articles on the subject, and his work has been featured in major publications such as The New York Times, Time, and National Geographic.
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