Smart home security buyers have more choices—and more questions—than ever. With new devices, multiple ecosystems, and evolving homeowner behaviors, choosing the right system can feel overwhelming. Vivint’s newly released How We Home Report cuts through the noise. Based on feedback from 5,000 U.S. homeowners, the report highlights how Americans live today, where smart home technology fits in, and what buyers expect from home security and energy management in 2025 and beyond.

Whether you’re upgrading an existing system or buying a smart home security package for the first time, this report offers essential data points that can guide your decision. Below, we break down everything you need to know—what homeowners are buying, what they want, what frustrates them, and why Vivint positions itself as a solution to these growing needs.

Overview: How Home Life Has Changed—and What That Means for Smart Home Security

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Vivint’s How We Home Report reveals a major shift: modern homes are no longer just living spaces. They are offices, gyms, entertainment hubs, and energy-management centers.

Key lifestyle findings include:

• 27% of homeowners now work from home.
• 41% use their home as a gym.
• 48% regularly host friends and gatherings.

These increased demands are driving the adoption of smarter, more connected devices. In fact:

• 85% of homeowners now rely on at least one smart home device.
• 61% purchased 1–3 new smart devices in the past 12 months.
• 55% plan to buy more devices in the coming year.

Security devices—specifically doorbells and outdoor cameras—rank among the highest-priority upgrades.

For smart home security system shoppers, this means one thing: the market is expanding rapidly, and homeowners increasingly expect richer, more seamless experiences.

If interested in buying or learning more about Vivint's Smart Home System, click here.

Top Smart Devices Homeowners Own Today

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The report identifies the top 10 most commonly used smart home devices:

1. Smart TVs / streaming hubs
2. Smart speakers / voice assistants
3. Smart doorbells
4. Outdoor security cameras
5. Smart thermostats
6. Indoor security cameras
7. Smart lighting
8. Robot vacuums
9. Smart plugs / outlets
10. Smart locks / keyless entry

For buyers considering a Vivint system, these trends show strong alignment: most of these categories tie directly into Vivint’s integrated ecosystem, making it easier to build a complete, unified smart home.

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Growing Demand for Smart Security

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Security remains the strongest motivator for new purchases.

• 37% of homeowners are most excited about innovations in home protection.
• 20% intend to buy an outdoor security camera in the next year.
• 19% plan to buy a video doorbell.

These numbers confirm an industry-wide shift: homeowners want visibility, control, and peace of mind—especially outdoors. Buyers evaluating Vivint’s systems will find that the company’s professionally installed cameras, doorbells, and monitoring packages directly match these needs.

If interested in buying or learning more about Vivint's Smart Home System, click here.

The Barriers: Convenience, Compatibility, and Cost

The report exposes three major frustrations that continue to slow smart home adoption. Understanding these is critical for any smart home security buyer.

1. Convenience & Ease of Use

Smart home technology is supposed to save time, not add work.

• 22% of homeowners believe their devices could be more convenient and personalized.
• 54% say ease of use and installation is a top deciding factor.

For buyers, this highlights why professionally installed systems like Vivint continue to stand out—especially when compared to DIY setups requiring multiple apps and manual configuration.

2. Integration Across Devices

Compatibility is a major pain point across the industry.

• 41% of smart device owners don’t consider their homes smart due to lack of integration.
• 63% want all devices in one app or platform.
• 20% avoid new purchases because there are too many apps or ecosystems.
• 18% worry devices won’t work with what they already own.

This is exactly the problem GearBrain Assistant also solves—making it easier for shoppers to know what works with what.

But on the provider side, Vivint’s single-app platform is built to address this expectation directly.

3. Cost Concerns

Cost remains the top barrier to adoption.

• 53% of homeowners rank cost as their #1 deciding factor.

The takeaway? Smart home shoppers want value—reliable hardware, long-term savings, and solutions that simplify their lives, not complicate or burden them with extra purchases.

Energy Management: The Fast-Growing Trend in Smart Homes

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Smart home buyers care increasingly about energy savings—not just automation.

Energy-related findings from the report include:

• 77% of homeowners want smart solutions that provide holistic energy management.
• 59% say energy bills increased in the past year.
• 32% look for energy monitoring or reporting in their devices.
• 40% of non-smart-home users would adopt smart tech specifically to reduce energy waste.

Vivint’s integration with NRG places it in a unique position to meet this emerging need. Smart thermostats, load management, home monitoring, and real-time usage insights are becoming just as important as cameras and sensors.

What Smart Home Buyers Should Take Away From the Report

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The smart home industry is at a turning point. Homeowners want:

• Simpler installation
• Unified ecosystems
• Better compatibility
• More control
• Stronger security
• Lower energy costs

But only if the system can deliver all these benefits in a seamless, easy-to-manage experience.

That’s why solutions like Vivint—and platforms like GearBrain Assistant—are becoming essential buying tools.

Vivint’s key differentiators reflected in the report:

• Professional installation
• One app to control everything
• Integrated security + energy management
• Personalized setup and support
• 24/7 monitoring for peace of mind

For buyers comparing DIY systems vs. all-in-one professional solutions, this data shows where the market is heading: toward simplicity, integration, and intelligent automation.

If interested in buying or learning more about Vivint's Smart Home System, click here.

Methodology

Vivint surveyed 5,000 U.S. homeowners between October 1–6, 2025, with research conducted by OnePoll in accordance with Market Research Society standards.

Check out The GearBrain, our smart home compatibility find engine. It can help you find, buy, and connect any smart device. It can even help you find other smart devices compatible with your existing smart devices, such as Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa-enabled devices.

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Vivint How We Home Report infographicVivint