Vivint smart home security review: smarter than we expected

It’s no secret that you can DIY good smart home security system these days. Amazon is littered with smart security cameras and system options that promise seamless installation, configuration, and integration. But DIY something important like smart home security and automation does not apply to everyone – even those of us who consider ourselves super tech-savvy.

When we moved into our new video studio and needed a security system, I mapped out everything I needed and wanted. It quickly became clear that the Vivint smart home security system was the right choice. And I couldn’t be happier with how it turned out.

But before we get into why it worked for us, a disclaimer: This is not an ad for Vivint, nor is it a sponsored post. Everything here is 100% my opinion and perspective. And full disclosure: Vivint provided the hardware and installation of this system for free so that I could create this review, but they have no control over its contents whatsoever.

With that in mind, here’s how the Vivint smart home security system worked for us.

Smart security, smart safety

Our studio is loaded with expensive consumer electronics and professional video equipment worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. We’re located in a trendy, busy neighborhood just outside of downtown Portland, surrounded by public businesses. That means people tend to show up outside our doors and make themselves at home. But that can get in the way of our video production.

Suffice to say, there’s a lot to protect here, including myself.

When I outlined our needs, it was mainly about security: door sensors, window sensors and glass break sensors. But it was also about safety, such as monitoring floods, fire, smoke and carbon monoxide.

I also wanted cameras – both as a deterrent and to monitor our property – as well as automated climate control and automated lighting. Another wish list item: being able to use voice commands to put the room in studio mode for video recording, and being able to shut down the studio for a more conventional workspace environment. This meant automating various actions.

It was a big ask, but the Vivint system delivered results.

All window and door sensors are small, unobtrusive, battery powered and wireless (without power cables) and connect wirelessly to the Vivint Smart Hub.

The studio is indoors and outside cameras operate via wall power, which is installed by local Vivint professionals. We have an indoor camera with a motion sensor, a doorbell cameraand an outdoor camera that monitors the entrance.

The outdoor camera also has a motion detector and provides… lighting at nightas a deterrent. If someone hangs around for more than 30 seconds, a big red ring on the camera lights up and makes a loud whistling sound (the sound is variable) and records everything. It also tracks people as they move around the area and lets them know they are being watched.

Of smart deadbolt locksI can set guest access codes, which can be turned on or off as needed, allowing me to manage who has access to the studio and when.

And when the doorbell rings, I can see who is there. And everything is recorded in the cloud, so video footage can be viewed, saved, and downloaded at any time (which even helped me help a neighbor who vandalized property a few months ago).

Everything is monitored. If an alarm goes off, Vivint will contact you immediately with text notifications and emails, followed by a phone call. If there is a problem, local authorities will be contacted. It gives me peace of mind that all our expensive belongings and my personal safety are well protected 24/7. It makes me feel good and it makes the insurance company feel good too – enough to give us a better rate.

All security and safety options can be easily managed through the Vivint app or home hub: view cameras, talk on camera – everything.

Smart temperature control

The real genius of this system reveals itself in the climate control. A smart thermostat This allows me to set temperature ranges for heating and cooling depending on the seasons, time of day, and whether I’m in the studio, running errands, or on vacation. These settings can also be controlled manually and with a timer.

Thanks to the Vivint AI smart assistant, the system has learned my habits over time: when I’m usually in the studio, when I’m away, how long I’m away, and when I’m likely to return. The smart assistant has access to the smart cameras, motion sensors and door locks. So if I go to a gig in the evening, the temperature adjusts accordingly. When I return, the system automatically switches back to residential mode.

It also detects sleep patterns. This way he can automatically adjust the thermostat at night and in the morning, which saves money. When I compared heating and cooling costs before we had this system to after, we are now saving $70-$80 per month.

Vivint does that too smart lighting and also smart energy management, which has not only saved us money on our electric bill (about $20 per month), but it has made the daily operation of this studio efficient and even enjoyable.

Smart power modules provide complete control over when power is supplied to devices. You can automate schedules and control flow remotely, and even create scenes and routines. So even if you have fixtures that aren’t smart, you can make them smart with wireless power modules.

Smart lighting, but…

Vivint’s smart bulbs are great, but there is room for expansion and improvement. Right now they’re the only option available: you can’t get different bulb types for different fixtures or integrate third-party smart bulbs. And while the color temperature is variable, they’re not RGB, meaning no colorful party vibes.

However, they do everything I need: they connect wirelessly to the system via Wi-Fi and are all individually controllable via the app and hub, and via a conventional switch.

The lights can be programmed to turn on and off at specific times and activate when the system is armed or disarmed. They automatically turn on when I unlock the door and turn off when I lock it. And the lights can be set to different scenes, allowing automation of studio lighting for work purposes.

For example with a voice command via Google Homeall house lights go out; all studio lights, including background scenes, turned on; the thermostat adjusts to minimize HVAC noise; the door locks close; and the outdoor camera turns on. All this makes it easier, quieter and safer to record.

After recording is complete, the studio lights can be automatically turned off, the house lights can be turned on at a set color temperature and the thermostat can be adjusted – without flipping a single switch, saving time. An added bonus: the automatic lighting also helps keep our plants alive, since we’ve had to block out all the natural light.

Vivint tells me that smart lighting is one of the most useful features most people don’t know is available. In my opinion it is one of their most desirable.

What needs to be smarter

Setting up the smart lights, identifying them and naming all the lights takes quite a bit of work. And it’s a little more complicated than it needs to be. Vivint installation technicians can handle it all, but there is certainly room for improvement when it comes to installation.

Another criticism: Sometimes cloud video playback is a bit delayed and choppy at first. In the end I get exactly what I need and want, but this is a bit inconvenient. (To be fair, I’ve had similar clumsy experiences with other platforms.)

Overall, I’m excited about the Vivint system. As with most DIY systems there are monthly monitoring costs, but some people will save more than they spend with this setup. And with Vivint adding even more smart energy management, such as solar and energy storage, in the coming months, even more savings are likely to occur. That’s another thing I like about Vivint: it doesn’t rest on its laurels, it anticipates developments and integrates them in real time.

As for pricing, Vivint says packages start at $599 and increase from there based on your customization. Monthly monitoring costs $40 per month, if you choose. When it comes to smart home security, I’ll take Vivint over Comcast, Brinks, or ADP any day of the week. This system offers peace of mind, savings, convenience and even fun. When was the last time you could say that about your security system?