Vivint Security Review

Vivint Review Video

Want to see Vivint in action? We dive deeper into how the equipment works and show you how easy it is to operate the system from within the app. Vivint has upgraded its camera since we released our video review. But don’t worry, we’ll talk all about it below.

Vivint Basic Security System Components

For this review, we wanted to test as many Vivint components as we could with our limited budget – $1,200. Here’s what we ended up with:

• Vivint Smart Hub
• Motion sensors
• Glass break sensors
• Entry sensors
• Smoke and CO detectors
• Kwikset smart lock
• Vivint Outdoor Camera Pro

If you’re wondering how that standard package cost us $1,200, that’s because of the outdoor camera. That one camera set us back $399. We know; it’s expensive even compared to the likes of Nest Cams that can cost as much as $279. But if you’re buying a Vivint system, we recommend the outdoor camera. It’s Vivint’s flagship product that offers a feature called Smart Deter, which deters burglars before they enter your home. That alone can make the camera a valuable addition to your home security.

>> Read More: Vivint Equipment and Monitoring Costs

We’re going to take a look at the Vivint Outdoor Camera Pro in a bit, but for now, let’s talk about Vivint’s standard equipment. Let’s start with the device required for all Vivint packages – the Vivint Smart Hub.

Vivint Smart Hub

Let us start by saying that the Vivint Smart Hub is one of the most functional touch screen control panel we’ve tested. Arming and disarming Vivint through it was a given, but it also let us conveniently control our smart home devices and watch live streams from our security cameras. If you buy a Vivint doorbell camera, you would be able to use the hub to answer your door as well, kind of like a digital peephole. For comparison, see our Cove review. Cove is another security system with a touch screen panel, but it wasn’t nearly as useful as that of Vivint.

Another standout feature of the Vivint Smart Hub was that during our break-in simulations, the monitoring center was able to reach us using the hub. And we were able to talk back. Convenient two-way communication comes in handy during emergencies – or even when you accidentally trigger the system on your way in. You can just say your verbal passcode to cancel the alarm, potentially saving you from false alarm penalties.

We also appreciate that the Smart Hub can function through power and internet outages. Keep in mind that all Vivint sensors run on batteries so they can still sense intrusion when power to your house is cut. To match that, the plugged-in Smart Hub comes with a 24-hour battery backup. As for communication, it uses dual-path technology. It can send signals via your home internet when it’s available, but when your ISP is acting up again, it can also use cellular signals. It’s actually one of the best cellular security systems out there.

Security Sensors

We added motion sensors, door sensors, window sensors, and glass break sensors to our Vivint package. All of them connected to our Smart Hub wirelessly. When one of them was triggered, the Smart Hub sent an alert to our smartphones.

We never expect much from those sensors though. They are the backbone of the security system, but their tasks are relatively simple. As long as they can reliably detect potential intrusion – which they can – we’re happy.

That said, if we’re being nitpicky, we’d say that the design isn’t up to snuff. They weren’t as sleek-looking as we expected from a premium brand like Vivint. We were expecting Apple-standards design, but all we got were boxy looking pieces of equipment. They weren’t ugly, but they didn’t exactly blend in easily, unlike our ADT door sensors. When we reviewed ADT, the technician used ones that matched the color of the door trim so they didn’t stand so obviously.

With that in mind, we recommend the recessed door sensor in place of the regular door sensor. The recessed door sensors are installed flush with the doorframe, so they won’t affect your door’s aesthetics. And since Vivint offers professional installation, you won’t have to worry about drilling your doorframe yourself.

Expert Take

From Gene Petrino, Retired SWAT Commander and Law Enforcement

“I have responded to more than one burglary where the security sensors were ineffective and allowed an intruder to gain access undetected. In at least two cases, the suspects removed the window panes to gain access. The sensors would only be activated if the window was opened, therefore, the alarm never activated, allowing the suspect free range inside the residence.”

Ping Indoor Camera

In addition to the equipment we bought from Vivint, we also dusted off a Vivint component we’ve been keeping in a box for years – the Ping Indoor Camera. Vivint no longer offers it, but it still worked.

Keep in mind that this camera was released in 2016. It was so ahead of its time that even by today’s standards, the Ping Indoor Camera isn’t too shabby. We mean, it has a 1080p HD resolution and a 155-degree viewing angle, which is still slightly above the industry standard viewing angle today (130 degrees). It also has a unique function that we’re yet to see from other indoor cameras. There’s a “call” button on the topside of the camera that, when pressed, notifies your phone and starts a two-way audio call via the camera – helpful in homes with babysitters, caregivers, and seniors who refuse to use a smartphone.

Ping can also see everything clearly at night. The range is limited though. When we streamed footage from the Vivint app, we noticed the infrared component illuminated part of the room, which you can see in the photo below. It’s fine for indoor video monitoring, but you might want to have a couple of nightlights nearby to improve the image quality.

Even though you can’t get the Ping indoor camera anymore, it goes to show how good Vivint’s equipment is. We’ve had this device for eight years, and it still works as good as new.

Vivint Ping Vs. Indoor Camera Pro

Of course, we’re here to talk about what you can currently get from Vivint. And with Ping being discontinued, the only indoor camera option now is the Vivint Indoor Camera Pro. The name’s not as catchy as Ping, but it retained the goodies – it boasts a 1080p resolution (but now with HDR), it has a 150-degree viewing angle, and the “call” button is still there. The image below was captured with our Vivint Ping and already looks great. Now, picture how good the Indoor Camera Pro will be.

The biggest improvements are the local storage and A.I. detection. With the Indoor Camera Pro, you can save videos locally when you’re having a spotty internet connection through the on-board memory. It saves videos locally for about 10 days, in addition to the cloud storage that comes with the Vivint monitoring plan.

On top of that, you can set up recording parameters that trigger the camera to record. For example, you can set it to record when it sees your pet (making it a good pet camera), or a person. We saw a glimpse of how these recording rules work when we tested the Vivint Outdoor Camera Pro (more on that below), and the level of customizations you can make is impressive.

>> Learn More: The Best Security Systems for Pet Owners

Vivint Outdoor Camera Pro

If you thought the indoor camera was impressive, wait until you see Vivint’s outdoor camera – the Vivint Outdoor Camera Pro. At $399, it was the most expensive piece of Vivint equipment we bought and tested. But even though it costs double the $200 average cost of outdoor cameras, we’re convinced that it’s the most worth it device we purchased from Vivint.

For starters, it has impressive video quality. It has a clear, 1080p HD resolution, but on top of that, it has a 4K image sensor. This improves the video quality, clarity, and color contrast. With so much going on outdoors, we appreciate the improved video quality.

The camera also features HDR, which helps with light distortion outside. In the sample footage above taken by our camera expert in his home, you can see that there are no glary or shadowy areas despite the high lighting contrast. That’s largely thanks to HDR.

Throw in the camera’s wide, 140-degree viewing angle, three times optical zoom, 10 times digital zoom, and powerful night vision, and you get an impressively clear camera quality day and night. It also had local storage, much like the Indoor Camera Pro.

What really impressed us was the Smart Deter feature. Using AI and by following the parameters we set, it detected intruders as well as prowlers. We created a virtual fence around our property and set how long people are allowed to stay within it. If someone lurks around for longer than that, it will flash its LED lights and sound an audible alarm.

If you have extra $250 lying around, you can even buy a Vivint Spotlight Pro to connect to the camera. If the camera detects a lurker or intruder, the spotlight shines its light in their direction, and thanks to the camera’s AI, it can even follow the intruder as they move around your yard. We didn’t make the most of it because we live in a Brooklyn apartment, but it’s perfect if you have a wide front yard.

Another thing the AI can do is differentiate between humans, pets, and vehicles. This was more useful to us because there’s a busy street right in front of our home. Unlike cheaper outdoor cameras we tested with no AI that got triggered by just about any movement, the Vivint camera alerted us only at the sight of real humans.

One drawback of the Vivint Outdoor Camera Pro is that it needs a power outlet to work. Sure, we didn’t have to worry about the battery running out, but it limited our placement options. We’re still happy we got the Vivint Outdoor Camera Pro, although it’s pretty expensive at $399.99.

In comparison, the Nest Cam Battery we reviewed only cost $179. But the Vivint outdoor camera comes with built-in person detection plus a smart feature that detects and deters loiterers. The Nest Cam Outdoor requires a Nest Aware subscription starting at $8 per month to use its smartest features – facial recognition.

Expert Take

From Gene Petrino, Retired SWAT Commander and Law Enforcement

“I investigated an attempted residential burglary one time where the homeowner observed the suspects remotely from the security cameras walking into his backyard. Once he observed them attempt to pry open a door, he used the two way communication feature to scare them off.”

Vivint Doorbell Camera

The old Vivint Doorbell Camera was expensive compared to the industry average of around $190, especially when we saw that the camera’s video display was only 720p HD, not 1080p HD. When you consider the Ring Video Doorbell 2 costs $169 and has 1080p HD video, you can see why we think it’s overpriced.

On the bright side, it had person detection, which the cheaper Ring Video Doorbell 2 lacks. In Ring’s lineup, only the Ring Video Doorbell Pro, Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2, and Ring Video Doorbell Elite have the same feature, and they all cost $249.99 or higher. So, in terms of artificial intelligence, the Vivint Doorbell Camera’s value is on par with the competition.

Thankfully, Vivint launched the Doorbell Camera Pro that fixes a lot of the issues that we had with the original model. For example, it has 1080p HD video plus HDR, which helps with interference from the sun. It’s also totally wireless and easy to connect to the Wi-Fi.

We also loved that it could detect packages as well as people, courtesy of the onboard computer vision chip. We got a few notifications every time Amazon delivered a parcel and a reminder if we forgot to pick it up on our way into the house.

We think person detection is an essential doorbell camera feature, especially since our front door faces the street. Thanks to person detection, we didn’t get alerted of every car passing or every squirrel running by. We only received alerts when there were actual people at our door.

In our opinion, person detection is an essential doorbell camera feature, especially since our front door faces the street. Thanks to person detection, we didn’t get alerted of every car passing or every squirrel running by. Instead, we only received alerts when there were actual people at our door.

Kwikset Smart Lock

A smart lock is one of those smart home devices that can make your home safer, especially if you tend to be forgetful about locking your doors. We got Kwikset-branded smart locks from Vivint. That wasn’t a surprise. Very few security companies actually make their own smart locks. Most of the time, they partner up with a smart lock brand.

In all fairness, the Kwikset smart lock we got was impressive. We got to control it (lock/unlock) using the Vivint app. We also liked that it has a physical keypad for locking and unlocking without keys. It even gave us the option to share up to 30 temporary codes to other people – from guests staying over to our pet sitter.

And even though the Kwikset lock wasn’t a Vivint product, we had fun connecting it to other home automation devices and creating automated actions. For us, that meant having the doors unlock when the smoke alarm went off, which brings us to our next point…

Vivint and the Smart Home

We’re huge smart home nerds, so imagine our excitement to see that Vivint home automation works with both Alexa1, Amazon’s voice assistant, and Google Assistant, Google’s version. Let’s talk about how we could command our Vivint system with Alexa vs. Google Assistant.

Voice Control

We used Alexa to control our Vivint-compatible Philips hue lights, smart thermostat from Nest, and Kwikset smart lock. Additionally, we used Alexa to arm our Vivint security system, although we couldn’t disarm it with our voice for security purposes. Lastly, we had Alexa show our live-streamed footage on our Echo devices, like the Amazon Echo Show 8 we reviewed, along with our Fire TV. It was great to see our footage on the big screen!

Google Assistant performed the exact same functions as Alexa, except we viewed our footage on our Google Nest Hubs and Google Nest Hub Max instead of the Echo Shows. You can read our Google Nest Hub review and our Nest Hub Max review for more details about these smart displays.

Third-Party Integrations

We mentioned earlier using Alexa to control our Philips Hue lights, Nest’s smart thermostat, and Kwikset’s smart lock. But these are just a few of the products you can integrate into the Vivint app and create automations with. One of my favorites was turning down the thermostat to 60 degrees whenever the security system was in away mode. It’s one less thing to do before I leave the house, and it helps me save money on heating and cooling bills.

Z-Wave and Zigbee

In addition to the products above, Vivint also connects to Z-Wave and Zigbee devices. Over 10,000 smart home devices use Z-Wave technology, and it’s not just home security equipment. My electric razor features runs on it, but I didn’t see much use in adding it to the app. However, we recommend it if you don’t find a product in Vivint’s equipment catalog or want to save a few dollars on a cheaper alternative.

The Vivint App

The Vivint app was our home away from home, a way to arm and disarm our system, control connected devices, speak through two-way audio, live stream footage, view cloud storage, and receive notifications when we weren’t at home.

In terms of usability, we had no issues with the Vivint app. It has a sleek, modern look, and it is easy to navigate through the menus. If you use dating apps, you’ll get the hang of it quickly as you can swipe left to arm “Staying” mode and right to arm “Leaving” mode.

We did experience a little lag whenever we streamed live camera feeds, but it wasn’t a deal-breaker for us. Just a quick relaunch of the app usually solved the issue.

Installing Vivint

We were lucky to have timed our purchase with a Vivint deal that gave us free professional installation, but since we’re talking about costs here, we asked the technician and he told us that the service typically costs $199. Again, that’s a little pricier, since most installation services charge about $100. If you look at it, though, you’d be happy that a trained technician will be doing all the work. Vivint security systems are sophisticated, and installing one is definitely not a job any regular Joe can do.

Of course, you could time your purchase to coincide with Vivint special offers, but ultimately, just prepare yourself for the professional installation cost.

Another thing to note is if you’re moving residences, you’ll have to pay $129 to get your system re-installed. That is a bit of a burden, which is why Vivint isn’t very renter-friendly. For those that want DIY installation, check out our review of Ring Alarm.

Did Vivint Work Well?

SSince Vivint’s technicians did the installation for us, let’s talk about how well it worked post-installation. Using our system on a day-to-day basis, we didn’t encounter any problems, and we’ve had it up and running for over a year at this point. The Panel made the system really easy to navigate if you’re home, and the app made it easy if you’re not. Overall, the Vivint system is really painless to install and use. It’s also super durable; not one component has broken in our time using it.

Vivint Monitoring and Pricing

Professional monitoring is mandatory for Vivint customers. Although you can cancel your security monitoring plan down the line and keep your Vivint system, doing so will deactivate all of Vivint’s smart features. Essentially, it will turn into a local alarm, relying on sirens to alert you. You’ll also have to use the touchscreen panel to control the system every time, since the app will no longer work for you.

But our preference is to use professional monitoring. We’d rather scroll through Instagram Reels on our phones instead of switching between live streams of our cameras. Plus, when we look at home security statistics, we think it’s best to leave the monitoring to the professionals. For example, there are several studies that show that burglaries happen most commonly during the day, especially around 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., which is also when most people are away from their homes.2

Another thing to keep in mind with Vivint is that there’s likely going to be a contract, especially if you finance your equipment. The contract can be up to five years, and canceling before the end of the term will result in hefty cancellation fees. You will also have to pay the remaining cost of the equipment.

There is one sliver of good news, though. For the first 72 hours after signing a contract, you have the option to cancel your monitoring agreement without penalties. You’ll receive a full refund provided that you can send back the equipment in good condition. 72 hours is a small window – other companies allow returns for up to 30 days – but it’s better than nothing.

That 72-hour window applies to most Vivint customers, but customers 65 years old and above enjoy a more relaxed return policy. Rather than three days, they are given 60 days to fully test out the system and return it if it doesn’t work out for them.

Monitoring & Pricing Overview for Vivint

Vivint’s monitoring service can cost anywhere between $30 to $50 per month, which is about the same range as ADT but a little more expensive than SimpliSafe. The final cost depends on factors like how many security cameras you own, if you want home automation features, and the tax rules in your state.

Our Vivint technician told us that we can have up to six cameras, but the highest-tier service plan is needed to enjoy features like video verification. It’s also an extra $5 per month per camera for cloud storage.

Overall, we’d say that in terms of pricing, Vivint is certainly on the higher end. Ring Alarm costs only $20 a month for professional monitoring and cellular backup and even throws in 180 days of cloud storage. So for those on a budget, Vivint definitely isn’t for you. On the brighter side, Vivint does offer deals occasionally. Pay special attention to Vivint’s Black Friday deals, as they’ve been impressive in previous years.

Support with Vivint

There’s no harm in asking for help! Vivint offers support via phone and live chat. We have had mixed experiences with the customer support team. When we first chatted with a representative, the connection dropped and the conversation ended. The next time we tried to click on the “Support Chat” button, it was not clickable. As we much prefer chatting online over speaking on the phone, this was a bit annoying.

Vivint really wants you to call and speak to their representatives, so we called to ask for some information about Vivint’s discount packages, and 25 minutes later, we still did not have all the information we wanted. All in all, it was not a great experience; we were on hold for a while, then transferred between multiple people, and told to “look at the website”, which has little to no information on it regarding packages. So when it comes to customer support, Vivint wasn’t up to par with Frontpoint, whose representatives were truly helpful when we reviewed Frontpoint’s system. In fact, if you’re looking to find answers to your questions about Vivint, we suggest you check our Vivint FAQ page before calling Vivint.

Conclusion

Sure, Vivint is not the most affordable security system on the market. But it is a completely different experience to brands like SimpliSafe, Cove, and Frontpoint. The Vivint Outdoor Camera Pro is one of the best outdoor cameras we’ve used, and Smart Deter uses AI to detect prowlers inside a virtual fence we created. You might pay a lot of money upfront, but you won’t have to install the system or worry about monitoring your property. It sounds like a pretty good deal to us.

There’s no question that Vivint is one of the best home security systems around. That is, if it’s what you’re looking for and it’s within your budget. Its inflexible monitoring contract and high fees are its biggest downsides, but if you can live with those, Vivint offers one of the most technologically-advanced home security systems on the market.