ADT is one of the most outstanding home security providers, offering professionally installed and self-setup alarm systems and cameras.
It has been in operation for more than a century, establishing itself as one of the most respected brands in the industry.
While its long-term contracts seem restrictive, the benefits may be worth it if you are looking for a hands-off approach to home security management.
Unfortunately, you can’t just buy ADT home security systems online like other home security systems.
You will need to sign a three-year contract, opt for expert installation, and activate the professional monitoring service.
This can be a stumbling block if you are just trying to find out how the system works. But you don’t have to worry.
Luckily, we have done all the homework, so you don’t have to.
In this guide, we will review the ADT home security system in its entirety, including pricing and some ADT flaws.
Generally, ADT home security systems are expensive compared to similar competitors, but we still feel that ADT still has its mojo, especially when it comes to tried-and-true monitoring services.
So, let’s get to it.
ADT Home Security Systems Overview
This review focuses primarily on the professionally installed ADT system. But it is good to note that ADT does have an alternative self-setup system for people who prefer to do things on their own.
The professionally installed system is pretty straightforward and offers a wide choice of equipment packages to users.
Essentially, customers can choose from three pro-installed packages and then customize their choice by adding more hardware if needed.
While ADT home security systems don’t offer self-monitoring plans, you can still view footage and get notifications from ADT’s security cameras through the app.
The good thing is that ADT cameras have consistently performed well over the years.
For instance, indoor cameras can capture a person’s face from up to 15 feet away, while outdoor cameras can capture images from up to 20 feet away if the lights are on.
Likewise, its entry sensors are impressive. The only issue is that motion detectors reported a setback during our tests.
In terms of integration, ADT home security systems offer a fantastic array of seamless integration options.
They can integrate with Z-Wave, Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple, Watch and TV, Sonos, Kwikset, Lutron, and Zipato. With these impressive integration options, you can connect your system with smart thermostats, smart locks, and smart lights.
Pros
- Award-winning 24/7 professional monitoring, with over 10 US-based monitoring centers, ensures fast response times.
- Seamless integrations with smart home systems
- 150 years of experience
- Cellular backup
- Comprehensive safety equipment
- Robust hardware with a wide range of package options, enabling you to customize them to your needs.
- User-friendly app
Cons
- High price tag
- Lacks glass break sensors
- Requires a minimum of a three-year contract.
- Touch-screen control panel features are limited.
- Had a breach in 2020, which affected customers in Texas.
How the ADT Home Security System Performed
Overall, the ADT home security system offers smart home automation, access to ADT security cameras, and smartphone controls.
On top of this, it offers multiple convenient ways to manage your home security.
These range from the free-to-use ADT Control app to a touch-screen control panel. ADT has made a lot of improvements when it comes to the user experience.
ADT home security systems have also seen an upgrade in monitoring as the company has increased its monitoring network.
By 2018, ADT already had six top-level monitoring facilities across the country, but it has now doubled that number of monitoring centers to ensure 24/7 alarm response to its growing residential and business security user base.
ADT Equipment
All the above improvements have given ADT an edge in terms of performance level.
But these improvements wouldn’t have been possible without the upgrade and expansion of its equipment offerings. We will talk about it in this section.
To start, we looked deeply into all the components of the ADT security system, including the following:
- 4 entryway sensors
- 1 control panel (with the brains of the system)
- 3 glass-break sensors
- 3 motion sensors
- ADT Control app
- 2 outdoor cameras
Other components of the ADT home security system include:
- Keychain remotes
- Emergency buttons
- Video doorbells
- Indoor cameras
- Smoke detectors
- Flood sensors
- Carbon monoxide detectors
- Smart thermostat
- Smart lock
- Emergency button or panic button
The biggest change from the previous release is that ADT now uses Google Nest Cams instead of the company-branded cameras.
The company partnered with Google Nest to offer cutting-edge security cameras to complement existing ADT hardware.
These cameras are AI-driven, meaning that they can recognize faces from afar.
So, when a household member comes to your home, the cameras will automatically assure you that he or she is not a stranger.
Actually, we have a few gripes about ADT home security systems, but equipment is not among them. In fact, we believe that ADT equipment ranks among the best in the industry.
Home Automation with ADT
As mentioned earlier, ADT home security systems work with popular smart home ecosystems.
So, you could pair them with Alexa and let it control various aspects of the systems, including smart lights, thermostats, and locks, as well as arming and disarming the systems.
You can achieve the same outcome by pairing ADT systems with Google Assistant.
This usually works perfectly when paired with Google Nest cameras via the Nest Hub Max. Also, through this hub, you can control your entire ADT system with your voice.
Unfortunately, ADT systems are not compatible with Apple’s Homekit ecosystem.
Besides voice assistance, you can also set up your ADT security system with the Internet of Things.
Specifically, you can pair an ADT system with an IoT device from Liftmaster, Kwikset, and Sonos. The good thing is that you can use the ADT control panel to manage these devices.
Another impressive thing about ADT home security systems integrability is that you can connect them with smart locks and smart thermostats.
You can have your smart lock open the door whenever CO and smoke alarms go off, enabling the residents to get out if necessary.
Also Read: The Best Home Automation Systems for 2024
ADT System Installation
The major difference between ADT and other home security system providers is that you can’t buy ADT from your local store and go ahead with the installation.
While most equipment in the packaging is not hardwired, meaning the setup would be pretty straightforward, the company prefers a professional to do it.
With this in mind, here is how the ADT home security system looks:
First, the shopping process for the professionally installed ADT system will likely take about three days.
But the installation may not start immediately because you have to schedule an appointment.
Typically, the earliest you can get a technician to come to your home is at least two days after the purchase. And after the installation, the security system will run from a control panel fixed into your wall.
ADT Self-Setup
Besides the ADT professionally installed security systems, there is also the ADT self-setup option.
The company introduces this new security system as a separate brand. It is basically the DIY equivalent of professionally installed ADT home security systems.
It offers the same components as the one we reviewed, ranging from sensors to cameras to alarms to controls.
But you should note that despite being a self-installed security system, it is still professionally monitored, at least for one month.
This means that you can ask the company to downgrade to self-monitoring, which is free. This will bring us to the next part, in which we will talk about the pricing and monitoring plans.
ADT Home Security Systems Plans and Pricing
Pricing is probably one of the major factors that sets ADT apart from other home security systems.
While the company often runs promotions discounting self-setup packages and sometimes professionally-installed plans, many still believe that ADT is slightly expensive.
Let’s list the prices and plans so that you can judge for yourself.
Professionally-Installed Option
| Package | Price |
| Build Your Own | $499.99 |
| Smart Home | $778.00 |
| Video and Smart Home | $1,586.00 |
All the above packages come with a 36-month professional monitoring contract, which usually costs $34.99 per month, except for the Build Your Own package, which costs $24.99 per month.
Self-Setup Option
| Package | Price |
| Build Your Own | $194.98 |
| Starter | $389.96 |
| Premium | $744.92 |
ADT Home Security Systems FAQs
Sure, most ADT home security systems come with a panic button.
Engaging this button will notify the monitoring center, facilitating faster dispatch of emergency services to your home.
For all pro-installed packages, ADT provides a warranty covering the duration of the contract.
The warranty takes care of repairs and replacements of equipment.
As initially indicated, ADT home security systems can integrate with a wide variety of smart home ecosystems and voice assistants.
By spending money on the voice assistant you choose, you can direct the security system to arm and disarm alarms, lock and unlock doors, and turn lights on and off.
Popular assistants that work seamlessly with ADT security systems are Google Assistant, Alexa, Siri, and Cortana.
Bottom Line: Is ADT Worth It?
ADT is one of the most respected professional home security systems.
This professionally installed and monitored system is significantly better than its DIY counterpart, the Self-Setup option.
The former offers top-quality hardware as well as a range of equipment packages. The company is also reputable for its professional monitoring and fast response.
That is why it is ideal for home owners who prefer a properly installed and managed system from a trustworthy company.
With that said, the ADT system doesn’t come without shortcomings. While it offers peace of mind, the convenience comes at a hefty price.
ADT is one of the most expensive home security systems and also has some issues with the motion sensors.
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