Xfinity vs. Cove
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What is the difference between Xfinity and Cove?
When it comes to DIY home security systems, Xfinity and Cove are good options. Both offer wireless systems with affordable monitoring and a good range of security products. Cove doesn’t have as many smart-home integrations, and Xfinity has a shorter trial period.
Installation and cost
 |  | |
| Installation type | Professional | DIY |
| Installation fee | $100 | None |
| Upfront cost | Equipment cost of $360 to $600+; financing available | Varies based on equipment |
| Trial period | 30-day money-back guarantee | 60-day money-back guarantee |
| Contract terms | Two years | No term contracts |
| Professional | $100 | Equipment cost of $360 to $600+; financing available | 30-day money-back guarantee | Two years |
| DIY | None | Varies based on equipment | 60-day money-back guarantee | No term contracts |
Monitoring plans and pricing
| | |
| Monitoring price range | $30+ | $17.99 to $27.99/month |
| Monitoring options | Professional and self-monitored | Professional |
| Self-monitoring | Self protection feature available (live recorded video) for $10/month | — |
| Upgraded self-monitoring | — | — |
| 24/7 professional monitoring | $30+ | Starting at $17.99/month |
| Upgraded professional monitoring | $40+ | Starting at $27.99/month |
| $30+ | Professional and self-monitored | Self protection feature available (live recorded video) for $10/month | — | $30+ | $40+ |
| $17.99 to $27.99/month | Professional | — | — | Starting at $17.99/month | Starting at $27.99/month |
Security equipment
| | |
| Wired or wireless? | Wireless | Wireless |
| Camera options | Indoor and outdoor cameras | Indoor and outdoor cameras |
| Video doorbell | — | — |
| Control panel | ||
| Motion sensor | ||
| Entry sensor | ||
| Glass break sensor | ||
| Keychain remote | — | |
| Siren | Not specified | |
| Panic button | Via touch-screen control panel | Medical panic button |
| Yard sign |
| Wireless | Indoor and outdoor cameras | — | — | Not specified | Via touch-screen control panel | |||||
| Wireless | Indoor and outdoor cameras | — | Medical panic button |
Smart-home features
| | |
| Smart locks | Compatible with August, Kwikset and Yale | — |
| Smart lights | Compatible with GE (Jasco), Leviton, LIFX, Lutron Castéta, Phillips Hue, Sengled | — |
| Smart thermostat | Compatible with August, Kwikset and Yale | — |
| Garage door control | Compatible with August, Kwikset and Yale | — |
| Temperature sensor | Compatible with August, Kwikset and Yale | Heat detector within smoke detector |
| Water sensor | Compatible with August, Kwikset and Yale | |
| Smoke detector | ||
| CO detector | Compatible with August, Kwikset and Yale |
| Compatible with August, Kwikset and Yale | Compatible with GE (Jasco), Leviton, LIFX, Lutron Castéta, Phillips Hue, Sengled | Compatible with Carrier Cor, ecobee, Zen | Compatible with Chamberlain LiftMaster | — | — | — | |
| — | — | — | — | Heat detector within smoke detector |
Technology
| | |
| Mobile app | ||
| Mobile app monitoring | ||
| iOS rating | 4.4 | 2.3 |
| Android rating | 4.5 | 2.5 |
| Notification/alert options | Text, email, push and TV | Phone, email, text and push |
| Home automation capabilities | — | |
| Voice integration | ||
| Amazon Alexa | ||
| Google Home | Not specified | |
| Other integrations | xFi Gateway, Xfinity camera devices | — |
| 4.4 | 4.5 | Text, email, push and TV | Not specified | xFi Gateway, Xfinity camera devices | ||||||
| 2.3 | 2.5 | Phone, email, text and push | — | — | — |
Reputation on ConsumerAffairs
| | |
| Overall star rating | 1.9 | 2.7 |
| Verified customer reviews | Xfinity Home reviews | Cove reviews |
| 1.9 | Xfinity Home reviews |
| 2.7 | Cove reviews |
All information accurate as of publishing date.
Xfinity
Traditionally, Xfinity has been known for its internet and television services. Recently, its smart-home systems have started to become popular because of the range of options. However, it doesn't have as vast of a product range as some other companies and doesn’t include a video doorbell. Prices are pretty competitive — there are no upfront costs, and you can package internet and television in the monthly price. Prices range between $15 to $25 per month for the systems, and monitoring is as low as $30 per month.
Xfinity plans
- Base Home System: For smaller homes with one or two entrances, the Base Home System is a good option. This package comes with three door/window sensors, a motion sensor, a control system and a yard sign. This package is $360 upfront or $15 a month for 24 months.
- Complete Home System: The Complete Home System is recommended for homes with more windows and doors. It comes with five door/window sensors, a motion sensor, a wireless keypad, an indoor/outdoor camera, a control system and a yard sign. This package is $20 a month for 24 months or $480 upfront.
- Ultimate Home System: The Ultimate Home System is best for bigger homes and includes 10 door/window sensors, a motion sensor, a wireless keypad, two indoor/outdoor cameras, a control system and a yard sign. This system costs $25 a month for 24 months or requires a one-time payment of $600.
What Xfinity customers say
Xfinity receives mixed feedback in ConsumerAffairs reviews. Customers who had a positive experience comment on enjoying the mobile app control and HD cameras, and some say the products are of good quality for the price. Customers who weren’t satisfied with their experience mentioned problems dealing with customer service regarding cancellation issues and frustration around the automated answering system.
I do like my Xfinity Home security service. I like the keypad by the door and how I can set it when I leave and when I go to bed each night. I'm glad I've never had an intruder but I know if I did I could count on Xfinity Home security service to keep me safe and send the authorities in a hurried manner."
– Britain of Smyrna, TN
Cove
Cove is a DIY home security solution that lets you build your own system. Its online quiz gives you an easy way to determine what equipment you need from its range of security options. Cove doesn’t offer many types of equipment that include smart-home integrations, although it does connect to two popular voice integrations: Google and Alexa.
With Cove, you must buy the base unit ($249), and everything else is an additional cost after that. If you’re looking for a simple solution, Cove is a good place to start.
Cove plans
- Cove Basic: With Cove Basic, you get 24/7 live monitoring and environmental monitoring. In this plan, the system also checks itself automatically every hour and comes with a one-year warranty. Cove Basic monitoring is 50 cents per day, or about $183 per year.
- Cove Plus: The Cove Plus plan includes the ability to control your system through your smart home or with your voice integration, which isn’t included in Basic. Professional and environmental monitoring are also included. Instead of a year-long warranty, Cove Plus comes with a lifetime warranty. Cove Plus is about $305 per year, or 83 cents a day.
What Cove customers say
Cove customers leave mixed feedback on ConsumerAffairs. Happy customers comment on a customer service team that goes the extra mile, an easy installation process and quality products. Negative feedback centers on equipment functionality and cancellation issues.
The cost was very attractive, but we didn't know what to expect of the Company nor their products. It's with great pleasure that I can say that their products are excellent, easy to install and that COVE stands behind their products firmly."
– Jan of Azusa, CA
Bottom line: Xfinity or Cove?
Xfinity offers a pretty well-rounded solution for customers who want to combine internet and security into one payment. Cove, on the other hand, is a bit more expensive (starting at $249, which is close to Xfinity’s basic package) but is pretty easy to use.
- Xfinity is best for customers who want a fully integrated security system on a budget.
- Cove is best for customers who need additional help designing a system and are focused more on security than smart-home integrations.
