Xfinity and Guardian Protection are two security systems with smart-home capabilities. These two companies differ greatly in regards to price, DIY monitoring ability and trial periods. While Xfinity is certainly the cheaper of the two, Guardian Protection’s customer service and positive reviews make it more appealing for many customers.
Installation and cost
Installation type
Professional
Professional
Installation fee
$100
Included in all packages
Upfront cost
Equipment cost of $360 to $600+; financing available
Varies by equipment
Trial period
30-day money-back guarantee
None listed
Contract terms
Two years
Typically 60 months; month-to-month options available
Professional
$100
Equipment cost of $360 to $600+; financing available
30-day money-back guarantee
Two years
Professional
Included in all packages
Varies by equipment
None listed
Typically 60 months; month-to-month options available
Monitoring plans and pricing
Monitoring price range
$30+
$45.99+
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+
$45.99+
Upgraded professional monitoring
$40+
Not offered
$30+
Professional and self-monitored
Self protection feature available (live recorded video) for $10/month
—
$30+
$40+
$45.99+
Professional
—
—
$45.99+
Not offered
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 Carrier Cor, ecobee, Zen
Garage door control
Compatible with Chamberlain LiftMaster
Temperature sensor
—
Water sensor
—
—
Smoke detector
CO detector
—
Compatible with August, Kwikset and Yale
Compatible with GE (Jasco), Leviton, LIFX, Lutron Castéta, Phillips Hue, Sengled
While mostly known as a cable and internet company, Xfinity also offers a fairly low-price home security system. Most of Xfinity’s security devices are suitable for DIY installation, but specific sensors require professional installation — pricing varies based on your location.
Xfinity offers both DIY and professional monitoring. The company has month-to-month contract options, and you can also take advantage of a 30-day trial period.
Xfinity packages
Existing Xfinity customers should consider the Quad Play Bundle, which includes phone, cable, internet and home security. The company’s home security-specific plans are:
Self-Protection Plan: The Self-Protection Plan offers video surveillance through the Xfinity app or your television with the Xfinity Voice Remote for $10 a month. It does not include professional monitoring.
Home Security Plan: The Home Security Plan offers professional monitoring by trained personnel who notify emergency services if an alarm gets triggered. The plan costs $30 a month.
Home Security Plus Plan: The Home Security Plus Plan offers the same features as the Home Security Plan along with up to a week of cloud storage for your videos. For $40 a month, this plan allows you to search your videos for certain people, pets and cars.
What Xfinity customers say
Xfinity has mixed reviews on our site. Some customers really like the camera and app features, but others are dissatisfied with the equipment. The company also has some negative reviews regarding customer service. Keep in mind that the devices aren’t compatible with Amazon Alexa, so Xfinity might not be the best fit if that’s important to you.
XFINITY home security is convenient and a great product for the amount you pay. I only wish that it worked with Amazon Alexa and my digital door locks. However I can control those with an app so that’s fine."
Guardian Protection is a 70-year-old security company that offers home monitoring systems starting at $149 upfront and $45.99 a month. All Guardian Protection systems are professionally installed and monitored. Guardian Protection has completely U.S.-based monitoring centers and only uses local technicians to service their systems. As a result, Guardian Protection is currently available in select locations, including:
Austin, Texas
Baltimore, Maryland
Charlotte, North Carolina
Cincinnati
Cleveland
Columbus, Ohio
Indianapolis
Millsboro, Delaware
Orlando, Florida
Philadelphia
Pittsburgh
Raleigh, North Carolina
San Antonio
Tampa Bay area
Washington, D.C.
Youngstown, Ohio
Guardian Protection plans
Most Guardian Protection equipment has smart-home capabilities with many automation features. Guardian Protection offers eight plans tailored to different lifestyles and needs. All eight plans include professional monitoring.
Bachelor(ette) Pad: The Bachelor(ette) Pad offers fire and burglary protection as well as mobile controls.
Burglar Buster: The Burglar Buster offers advanced encryption and video surveillance.
Family First: The Family First plan offers door access alerts and keyless entry.
Frequent Flyer: The Frequent Flyer offers mobile controls, front-door monitoring and burglary and fire protection.
Healthy (Green) Home: The Healthy (Green) Home offers energy-efficient features, including smart temperature control and smart lights.
Pet Parent: The Pet Parent offers a smoke and CO2 detector, video and photo capabilities and comfort control.
Protect My Parents: The Protect My Parents plan offers life alert capabilities and easy-to-use controls.
The Works: The Works offers keyless entry and live video streaming.
What Guardian Protection customers say
Guardian Protection reviews frequently mention good customer service and positive experiences with the installation technicians. Customers say the system works well and that they enjoy the app’s remote access features. Some customers expressed frustration with contract issues and said their service calls weren’t as prompt as they would have liked.
I would recommend this organization to other homeowners. The most convenient aspect of this system is the remote access and having the ability to see who is at the door whether I am at the residence or not. Very much like this aspect of the service."
Your location may be the deciding factor due to Guardian’s limited geographical availability. If Guardian is unavailable in your area and you're already an existing Xfinity customer, Xfinity might work for you.
Xfinity is best for existing Xfinity customers who want to bundle their phone, internet, TV and home security system with Quad Play.
Guardian Protection is best for customers who live in participating areas and want a quality home security system with highly rated customer service reviews on our site.
