Vivint has come a long way since it introduced its doorbell camera in 2015. Like its competition – which includes the likes of Comcast Xfinity, ADT, and even DIY solutions like Simplisafe -- Vivint offers a full suite of connected smart home security devices that work together to protect homes against everything from burglary, to fires, and floods. The difference, as I’ve experienced first-hand, comes down to the service experience.
Bitten by the smart home security bug, I wanted more. I wanted smart locks, voice control, door sensors, window sensors, and cameras … with night vision. Then Vivint came along and offered to install a comprehensive smart home security system for review with the option to either remove the system afterward or leave it in place for follow-up reviews as new features and hardware were added down the line.
I’m opting for the latter. Vivint isn’t the most affordable smart home security option, but their service and app experience are outstanding, and through my experience with their system, I’ve learned both of those factors are absolutely key.
Vivint outfitted my home with its doorbell camera, one indoor camera, three outdoor cameras (all with night vision), two Kwikset SmartCode deadbolt locks, three door sensors, 10 window sensors, one interior motion sensor, two glass-break sensors, two smoke detectors, and a flood/heat/cold sensor, and a touchscreen control panel. If that sounds like a lot, I passed on four window sensors for the second floor, a smart thermostat (Vivint makes its own, and Nest is an option), a smart garage door opener module, and any of Vivint’s smart lighting solutions, which include lamp modules and compatibility with Philips Hue smart bulbs. The point here is that Vivint systems are designed to provide smart home convenience as well as security, and systems can be scaled from modest to almost obscenely elaborate.
