As a tech enthusiast and someone who values security, I have been eager to review the Vivint Smart Home Security System, including the Vivint Smart Hub, Alarm System, and Monitoring service, as well as its integration with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa.
First and foremost, the Vivint Smart Hub is the brain of the whole operation.
Picture Source : Vivint Smart Home Security
This sleek, wall-mounted tablet is the central command center for the entire smart home. I found the 7-inch touchscreen display to be crisp and responsive, and the user interface is intuitive, making it easy to navigate through the various settings and options.
The Smart Hub connects to all the smart devices within the home, allowing the user to control them from a single point. The Hub also features a two-way talk function, which allows you to communicate with visitors at the doorstep through the Vivint Doorbell Camera.
The Vivint alarm system
An essential part of the smart home security offering, includes motion detectors, door and window sensors, smoke and carbon monoxide sensors, flood sensors, and glass break detectors. I like how easy it is to install these sensors, and Vivint provides a helpful installation guide.
Vivint’s motion detectors
These are designed to be pet-friendly, meaning they won’t trigger false alarms from, say, a dog’s movements about the house. Once armed, the system notifies users through the Smart Hub and the Vivint app if any sensor is triggered.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=An_1aSX8edo
The Vivint Smart Home System offers several devices and features to enhance a home’s security and automation. For example, I liked the Vivint Doorbell Camera, which provides a 180-degree view of the porch and lets me see who is at the door.
Vivint’s smart thermostat
This is another great addition; it helps save energy by adjusting the temperature based on the occupant locations within the house. You can also create custom rules for automation, such as turning off lights and locking doors, and turning down the heating when you leave the house.
Vivint Monitoring is a 24/7 professional monitoring service; the monitoring team quickly responds to any security issues and has response times as low as ten seconds; the monitoring team are polite and professional in their interactions. However, while this is a great service, it comes at an additional cost, which can be a downside for some users.
Vivint system has great compatibility
One of my favorite features of the Vivint System is its compatibility with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa. This integration allows you to control a smart home using voice commands, which is incredibly convenient. For example, you can arm or disarm the security system, lock or unlock doors, and adjust the thermostat with simple phrases. It’s worth noting, however, that for the system to be fully compatible with Google Assistant, you will need a Nest Hub or a similar device; likewise, you will need an Amazon Echo hub to use Amazon Alexa voice assistant.
Google Nest WiFi Router
Features of Google Nest WiFi Router
- 2200 sq ft Coverage
- Whole Home Wifi
- Simple Set up
All-New Echo Dot
Features of All New Echo Dot
- Enjoy an improved audio experience
- The improved LED display shows you the time
- Play music, audiobooks, and podcasts from Amazon Music, Apple Music, Spotify and others or via Bluetooth throughout your home.
Smart display with Alexa Echo Show
Features of Smart Display with Alexa
- Alexa can show you even more – 8” HD touchscreen, adaptive color, and stereo speakers bring entertainment to life.
- Stay in frame – Make video calls with a new camera that frames and centers automatically. Simply ask Alexa to call your contacts.
- Be entertained – Enjoy TV shows and movies in HD and stereo with Prime Video, Netflix, and more. Or ask Alexa to stream Amazon Music, Apple Music, or Spotify.
Google Nest WiFi Pro
Features of Google Nest
- super fast speeds and a reliable connection for your entire home
- One Wi-Fi router provides up to 2200 square feet of fast
- Nest Wifi Pro monitors itself, diagnoses network issues, and can even fix some common issues on its own
Quality of the Vivint home security system
I do like the quality of the hardware, and there is a good number of add-ons and sensors, including:
- Thermostats
- Fire/carbon monoxide
- Flood sensors
- Glass break sensors
- Panic pendant/medical alert
- Smart door locks
- Doorbell cameras
- Window and door sensors
- Motion detectors
- Light and appliance control
- Vehicle theft alarms
As you can see from the list above, the Vivint home security system is not short of useful add-ons and sensors; around 20 Vivint sensors and devices are available. Vivint home automation works with many third-party devices, including Nest, 2gig, Honeywell, GE, Philips Hue, Kwikset, Apple Homekit, and Samsung SmartThings. In addition, the Vivint smart hub has a built-in Z-Wave radio that allows you to control a handful of Z-Wave devices, Z-Wave is an IoT protocol.
Cons to getting the Vivint Smart Home Security System
Now that I have covered the main features of the Vivint Smart Home Security System, I want to address a few potential barriers to ownership.
One potential drawback of this great system is the price; the initial investment in equipment can be quite substantial; however, to be fair, Vivint offers a payment plan(contract) to purchase the hardware that not many other vendors offer.
The Vivint hardware can be purchased outright; if you wish to, you can sign up for the 24/hr monitoring service, which requires an ongoing monthly fee. Unfortunately, to use all of the features of the Vivint smart home security system, it does require signing up to a long-term contract , which can be off-putting for those who are not ready to commit to or cannot afford a multi-year service agreement.
In conclusion,
My review of the Vivint Smart Home Security System has been a positive experience. Having multiple devices and sensors with 24/7 monitoring and their response to activation time being as little as 10 seconds, Vivint has one of the best smart home security systems available today. When it comes to the Vivint smart home security system, I believe the quality and enhanced features justify the expense; however, it won’t fit everybody’s budget.
I hope this review helps you in your quest to find a home security and automation system that is right for you. You can also find out more about smart home security here