Xfinity vs. Guardian Protection

Xfinity vs. Guardian Protection

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	Compatible with Carrier Cor, ecobee, Zen	Compatible with Chamberlain LiftMaster	—	—		—
						—

Technology

Mobile app
Mobile app monitoring
iOS rating	4.4	4.7
Android rating	4.5	3.5
Notification/alert options	Text, email, push and TV	Push, email and text
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
			4.7	3.5	Push, email and text					—

Reputation on ConsumerAffairs

Overall star rating	1.6	2.2
Verified customer reviews	Xfinity Home reviews	Guardian Protection reviews

	1.6	Xfinity Home reviews
	2.2	Guardian Protection reviews

All information accurate as of publishing date.

Xfinity

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.

Guardian Protection

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.

Bottom line: Xfinity or Guardian Protection?

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.