2021 ADT Reviews, Features, Pricing, & Alternatives

ADT security alarm systems is an American company—headquartered in Boca Raton, Florida—which provides extensive home electronic security and fire protection services. With 145 years of trustful service, ADT is the first choice in alarm monitoring services among customers and clients in the US, as confirmed by numerous ADT reviews.

In this review, you’ll find information on ADT’s equipment and features, connection and installation, and more.

What is ADT and How Does it Work?

ADT is a company that provides home security systems with advanced automation options. The company’s services come with high-quality ADT equipment, carefully installed in any area of your house to monitor and control your safety via smart devices. ADT stands out from many other security system companies because it offers indoor and outdoor ADT cameras.

ADT Equipment and Features

ADT provides some of the best equipment among similar services, with many features and solutions. The company offers various ways to stay protected, no matter your lifestyle or if you’re at home or on the go. The company believes that the only way to stay protected is if security technology improves faster than the threats around us.

Note ADT equipment and features below:

Equipment	Description
Touchscreen panel	Touchscreen Panel is the command center for the smart home, available with ADT Secure or a higher update. It controls dozens of smart devices, simultaneously, and comes with additional features such as a separate panic button. You can also add widgets and expand the capabilities of your system with additional devices and plugs, as indicated in ADT monitoring reviews.
Security cameras	The ADT Command system allows the installation of wireless cameras with live video options. The system includes indoor and outdoor ADT cameras that are motion-activated and can be customized to recognize typical movement patterns. While other ADT security cameras reviews don’t mention it, we’ve noticed that this extra step helps reduce false ADT alarms.
Mobile apps	ADT Control ADT Control allows remote control of your security system and smart home devices without a touchscreen control panel. It is a home automation system that combines security with self-regulation features—which means you can manage, monitor, and modify your smart home from nearly anywhere. With an upgrade to ADT video or higher, you can remotely arm and disarm your security system, control temperatures, and receive alerts and customized notifications. ADT home security reviews assert that Pulse is easily accessible and easy to use on your mobile phone or tablet.

• Sirens

ADT’s siren system generates two different alarm sounds: Continuous Siren, a burglary or intrusion alarm; and a Temporal / Pulsed Siren fire alarm.

• Glass Break Sensors

Once glass is broken in your house, the ADT Glass Break Sensor detects the noise and an alarm is activated. This option gives you peace of mind, knowing that the alarm will go off before an invader enters your home.

•  Motion Sensors

Many ADT alarm reviews show users were impressed with ADT’s motion sensor, which, upon sensing motion, sends a signal to the safety system and sequentially to a monitoring center. What’s more, active and passive motion sensors use infrared light to detect emitted energy, heat, and motion.

•  Carbon Monoxide Detectors

ADT recommends installing carbon monoxide detectors at least five feet above the floor, as carbon monoxide is a lighter gas that readily mixes with warm, rising air.

•  Smoke Detectors

ADT’s wireless smoke detectors will immediately go off as smoke or carbon monoxide reaches each sensor.

•  Smart Smoke + Carbon Monoxide Alarm

Smart Smoke + carbon monoxide sensors (wired or wireless) detect smoke and carbon monoxide.

•  Smart Lock

Smart Locks can be controlled via an ADT mobile app that lets you receive SMS and email alerts each time your lock status changes. When you upgrade to this feature, you can easily lock and unlock your doors, remotely, as affirmed by ADT customer reviews.

•  Remote Smart Light Module

With an upgrade to ADT Control, you can easily connect your Smart Light Bulbs to your mobile app and control them remotely. Automated smart lights turn on and off at desired times and when the smoke detector is automatically triggered.

•  Remote Smart Thermostat

By replacing your current thermostat with a new ADT smart one, you gain complete energy control. You can remotely adjust, automate, schedule, and monitor your home’s temperature with your smart device or computer.

•  Garage Door Controller

With an upgrade to ADT Control, you can enjoy controlling your garage door with a smartphone and the ADT app, which is one of the best perks mentioned in ADT customer reviews. The garage door controller is compatible with most major smartphone brands and will open or close your garage door on command (when in range).

•  Smart LED Light Bulbs

By connecting the ADT Smart Light Bulb to the ADT Control system, you can remotely dim or turn off your lights in your home. And the Smart Bulb comes with a scheduled lighting option, perfect for energy conservation and increased security when you’re not at home.

• Wireless Keychain Remotes

ADT’s wireless keychain remote is an easy-to-use, one-touch arming, and disarming system. Easy-to-understand icons can reduce false ADT alarms and control your home system. A panic button is also included, which instantly alerts local emergency services.

• Flood Sensors

You can receive instant notifications on your smart devices when ADT’s flood sensors provide early detection of floods and leakages in your home.

• Medical Alert Devices

ADT offers both in-home and on-the-go systems. Medical Alert Basic relies on a traditional landline, and Medical Alert Plus uses a cellular connection. Both options connect you to precise emergency units for help.

• Door & Window Sensors

ADT’s Door & Window Sensors are front-line entry detection devices for your security system. The sensors will immediately generate a text alert if a door or window is opened when your system is armed. This feature can be highly personalized to fit your needs.

ADT Home Automation

• Alexa

With voice control, you can regulate multiple functions on your ADT smart security system, hands-free. You can easily add various smart home skills to Alexa, such as Smart Light Bulbs that you can remotely control via mobile app.

• Google

The ADT system is compatible with Google. You can use voice commands to control multiple functions of the system. While users were impressed with this feature, numerous ADT reviews failed to mention how quickly the integration worked.

• Z-Wave Protocol

ADT uses Z-Wave technology that connects all smart devices to your home security system in seconds. It allows control, via mobile app, from practically anywhere.

ADT Home Automation can turn your house into a smart home in just a couple of steps. Whether you’re home or away, you have complete control over your Smart Home Security System. With the ADT mobile app, you’ll have remote access and control of your lights, locks, garage doors, and cameras.

Connection

ADT’s monitoring home security system comes with or without a landline. Nowadays, a cellular connection is expectedly more popular. Utilizing both, however, might be the best decision. If your phone landline, for example, is your primary communication with the monitoring center and it’s interrupted, your cellular connection (CellGuard) would take over—thereby never losing contact with the center. You can’t go wrong in choosing either option, with or without a landline. Some of ADT’s packages, however, may require a landline connection, such as Basic, ADT Pulse, or ADT Pulse + Home Monitoring.

• Landline

ADT’s landline security system uses a telephone line to reach the monitoring center, as noted in the ADT reviews. If your alarm is activated while your home phone is busy, the security system will immediately take over the line and directly call the monitoring center. The phone line, then, will be free (at all times) for you to speak to a monitoring center professional.

• Cellular

Typically, a security system without a landline utilizes cellular technology to interact with the security company’s monitoring center. It’s quite convenient to have a home phone and also include CellGuard as a backup. Monitoring your system via CellGuard means that communication with the monitoring center will go through the cell phone.

Plans, Pricing, and Contracts

Take a look at the three plans ADT Home Security offers:

Plans	What is included
Secure	24/7 alarm monitoring Security monitoring equipment Detection of floods, fires, and carbon monoxide Installation by a professional
Smart	All the features from the Secure ADT Packages: Remote arm and disarm Smart home controls Mobile app access and touchscreen panel Customizable schedules, alerts, and automation
Complete	All the features from Smart and Secure packages and: Security cameras Live stream option Option to record and save videos Receive email and text alerts

They offer same-day or next-day service in the majority of areas. To find out more about each package, you should call the number 844-512-0374

• Contract Cancellation Terms

There is a 6-month money-back guarantee if ADT fails to solve a system-related issue (certain restrictions apply).

With ADT, you get a free consultation with an expert who recommends options for you. Together, you can create a highly personalized system that will accommodate your security needs.

• Theft Protection Guarantee

If a burglary happens while the ADT system is armed, the company will pay up to $500 of your insurance deductible (certain restrictions apply).

Installation 

ADT installation makes home security systems easy to set up if you follow the proper steps. Consulting an ADT technician is required and assures proper installment and usage.

• Professional installation

The 24/7 fast response, pro-monitoring plan for intrusion, fire, and carbon monoxide comes with a six-month, money-back guarantee. With each plan, the company provides certified technicians, to ensure your system works correctly. You also get free in-home consultation with an ADT security expert, to customize a security solution that fits your needs.

• Installation Fee

The fee depends on the type and amount of equipment you choose.

Ratings and Reviews

According to ADT Consumer Affairs reviews, the company rated 4 out of 5 on the “overall satisfaction” scale. Consumers are happy about the variety of products and choices of the company’s monitoring plans. High reliability of service and intelligent home connectivity are the main perks of the company. Clients are generally satisfied with the company and the services they offer.

Alternatives

SimpliSafe vs. ADT

SimpliSafe might be an appropriate option for customers who want to receive a product without obligations or contracts. The company, however, provides only minimal home automation, a choice that is not advisable in a security system. SimpliLife might be less costly when it comes to a monthly fee, but you’ll pay more for the equipment and installation. With ADT, you get a complete system that is professionally installed and maintained and comes with a wide range of automation options.

Verizon Home Security vs. ADT

Even though both Verizon Home Security and ADT offer automation services, Verizon does not provide security systems but offers only ADT’s monitoring package, which requires installation kits. ADT provides a complete security system.

Ring Alarm vs. ADT

You might pay less for Ring Alarm, but you’ll get more attractive features with ADT. Both are excellent choices for equipment quality and compatibility with other systems, but ADT offers touchscreen options. ADT continues to be a leader of Smart Home Capabilities—Ring Alarm simply cannot compete with that.

Is ADT Home Security Worth It?

Unlike other ADT home security reviews, we took a close look as to why ADT is a leader in home security. Many chose ADT over other companies that offer similar services because they provide a complete, highly customized security system, which comes with a wide choice of equipment, security features, and updated monitoring services fitted for your needs. With ADT, it’s easy to build an intelligent security system that works especially for you. Even though it’s a bit pricey, ADT’s complete service packages are worth it.

Where ADT Home Security Dominates

Pros	Available for residential customers
	Comes with indoor and outdoor ADT cameras
	Wide selection of security and smart home accessories

Where ADT Home Security Falls Short

Cons	Expensive installation cost
	No free trial