Vivint Indoor Camera Review

Vivint is our top home security system pick, so we have everything you need to know about Vivint cameras. The Vivint Indoor Camera is a reliable camera with great features like one-touch calling and privacy mode.

But it's also pricey and requires a Vivint security system to work. We think it's a good camera, but only if you're committed to using it as part of a complete the Vivint home security system. Read our full review to see how Vivint Indoor Camera stands up to the competition.

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• Vivint Indoor Camera
• Mounting plate
• Mounting screws
• Power adapter

All Vivint equipment requires professional installation, so the materials in the box aren't as important in the grand scheme of things. Your Vivint technician likely has plenty of spare parts if something's missing.

Two-way audio is one of the hallmarks of a great security camera because it turns your camera into an intercom for talking to people. The Vivint Indoor Camera builds on this feature by giving your kids a button to call you in the Vivint app.

Short of using a video doorbell indoors—awkward—this isn't a feature you'll find on other indoor cameras. Instead, most indoor cameras make you wait for a motion detection notification and activate two-way audio from the mobile app, which isn't nearly as easy as pushing a button to start a call.

Living under the gaze of a security camera isn't a perfect privacy paradise. To give you some space when you want it, many cameras—like the Vivint Indoor Camera and Arlo Essential Indoor—come with privacy modes or physical privacy shutters. There's no need to unplug a camera; you might forget to plug it in later.

The Vivint Indoor Camera's privacy mode is easy to activate from your Vivint Smart Hub control panel by selecting your camera and entering your PIN code to access its settings. When active, the camera shows a blue screen for anyone trying to view a live video remotely. We like that you need a code to toggle this feature on and off so only authorized users can change it.

Daytime and night vision video quality look great on the Vivint Indoor Camera. We found the video crisp enough to identify people and objects in a room in both situations.

While the video quality is good, there wasn't anything to help Vivint rise above rivals like Frontpoint and SimpliSafe. Like other Vivint cameras, you can watch recorded clips and live videos on your Vivint app or control panel.

The field of view on the Vivint Indoor Camera clocks in at 155º. This offers much more video coverage than the competition from Cove, SimpliSafe, and Frontpoint.

We usually recommend a field of view of at least 100º for indoor security cameras, so it's great that Vivint offers such an expansive view on its indoor camera. A wide field of view is helpful in large rooms because it expands your placement options. No need to relegate the camera to a corner.

You can store up to 14 days of Vivint smart clips in the cloud as part of your Vivint monitoring plan. Your Vivint camera records a short video clip when detecting motion, which works for most folks.

If you want up to 30 days of storage, you can purchase the Vivint Smart Drive to keep your videos on a local hard drive. The Smart Drive costs around $250, so it's not a cheap accessory, but it also unlocks continuous video recording if you want 24/7 recording options.

Vivint handles the initial installation of your indoor security camera, so it's an easy process on your end. Still, you'll need to clear your schedule for the home security system installation since you won't be using the camera without a Vivint system.

We love that Vivint makes it easy to move your camera after installation without paying for a service call. This is especially helpful if you decide to rearrange the furniture or think the camera would work better in a different spot.

The Vivint Indoor Camera is one of the better options among security system cameras. It comes with good video performance, and the one-touch calling makes it easy for your family to stay in touch using the Vivint Smart Home app. In typical Vivint fashion, the costs are high. At $200, it's twice as expensive as the competition, and Vivint's professional monitoring is one of the most costly ways to add a security camera to your home.

We recommend the camera for Vivint users, but you might consider a standalone wireless security camera, like Wyze Cam or Google Nest Cam, if you want something more affordable that doesn't require a security system.

Read answers to more Vivint FAQs.

• Vivint Troubleshooting
• Vivint Customer Service
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• Vivint vs. Ring: Which Security System Is Better?
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