ADT dominates the industry because it’s the oldest security company on the block. While it has over a century of experience with security equipment, its high device and monitoring costs are a relic of another time.
The company has a good selection of ADT Command equipment, and its ADT Control app is easy to use, but the high costs might turn some folks away. We also like its compatibility with home automation devices.
We’ll teach you about ADT equipment, what it costs, and what it works with. For information about ADT’s professional monitoring, customer service, and installation, head over to our full ADT review.
About ADT equipment prices
ADT-compatible equipment in this list
Base ADT equipment
Each ADT plan comes with a home security starter kit with a touchscreen control panel and different numbers of contact and motion sensors.
You’ll get the most out of the ADT touchscreen panel with a cellular connection and mobile compatibility. It connects with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant*, so you can control it with your voice to arm, disarm (Alexa only), or make adjustments in the sensors or your smart equipment.
The panel is multilingual and connects to your other smart home devices. We also like the 12-hour battery backup that kicks in when the power goes out, keeping your home safe during storms or other power outages.
| Purpose |
| Command panel | Motion sensor | Door and window sensor |
 |
 |
 |
| Control system and settings, Communicate with monitoring center, Arm/disarm system, Backup battery |
Detect motion using infrared light | Detect when doors or windows open and close |
Info current as of 12/01/2020. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
ADT's equipment warranty
ADT add-ons
Depending on the plan you choose, you’ll have access to add-ons like various sensors, an ADT camera, video doorbell, smart thermostat, smart locks, and lighting.
| Price* |
| Purpose |
| Glass break sensor | Shock sensor | Smoke detector | Carbon monoxide detector | Smoke and CO detector | Remote thermostat | Remote light module | Smart lock | Garage door controller | Key fob | Flood detector | Siren | Keypad |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| $199.00 | $149.00 | $199.00 | $229.00 | $229.00 | $62.99 | $62.99 | $62.99 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Detect window smashing | Detect when doors or windows open and close | Detect smoke | Detect hazardous CO buildup | Detect smoke and CO buildup | Adjust heating and cooling | Control lamps | Lock and unlock doors | Controls garage door opener | Arm and disarm system | Spot leaks and flooding | Sounds audible alarm | Arm and disarm system |
Info current as of 12/01/2020. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
*With $99 installation charge and new monitoring agreement. Early termination fee applies. See full disclaimer.
If you’re familiar with home security costs, you know most of these prices are astronomical compared to the competition. ADT’s median equipment price is around $174—over three times the $50 industry median price. Even though ADT’s equipment is reliable and easy to use, its prices seem as steep as a cliff.
Security cameras
ADT also sells security cameras and a video doorbell. Overall, these cameras have a lower 720p resolution than most competitors, so we don’t recommend them unless you’re already an ADT customer. You’ll have more success with a stand-alone camera brand like Arlo, Ring, or Nest.
ADT’s top two monitoring plans offer video monitoring with ADT security cameras, and you can watch your home live or check recordings in the backlog.
When the system’s sensors or cameras detect motion, you’ll get a notification so you can tune in and see what the camera sees. This way, you can tell if it’s just your pooch prowling around the house or a real emergency.
Learn more in our ADT security camera guide.
Third-party smart home devices that work with ADT
Provided you pay for ADT’s most expensive monitoring service ($62.99 per month), it’s compatible with plenty of smart home devices that help your alarm system move beyond its security roots. Plus, you can control the devices in one place from the ADT Control app.
Amazon Alexa
Amazon Alexa is the most popular voice assistant and smart home platform on the market—and conveniently, you can use it to control your ADT system. Aside from enabling compatibility to hundreds of smart home devices, Alexa also allows you to control various ADT equipment like your security system, thermostats, smart locks, and lights using vocal commands.
The best feature of ADT’s Alexa controls is that you can disarm your system using a spoken code. This trumps Google Assistant, which only arms the system. Disarming by voice adds extra convenience and makes for one less thing you need to control with an app.
Google Assistant
Google Assistant is Alexa’s main rival for voice controlling your ADT system. It supports most of the same features except the ability to disarm your system using a spoken PIN code. You can find Google Assistant on most Android smartphones (there’s an iOS app too) as well as on a variety of smart speakers and smart devices.
Sonos
By linking your Sonos speakers to the ADT Control app, you gain the ability to create scenes that play music while controlling other smart home devices, perfect for a party with fam. The Sonos integration mostly boils down to controlling playback and choosing playlists, so you still need the Sonos app to create new playlists and adjust settings.
Because Sonos smart speakers—like the Sonos One—also have Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant voice controls, you can expect to control your ADT system from your smart speaker.
Z-Wave
While most smart home platforms use your Wi-Fi network, Z-Wave uses a different technology specifically for smart home security devices like smoke detectors, door sensors, smart plugs, and smart locks. The beauty of Z-Wave devices is that they work with many security systems like Vivint, Frontpoint, and Abode.
This means you can switch Z-Wave devices you already own to a new system to save a little cash. Your ADT specialist installer needs to put the system into “learn mode” for you to add these devices, so they’re not something you can add on your own like Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant.
What happened to ADT Pulse?
Related articles
Disclaimers
*Google, Google Nest, Google Assistant, and other related marks are trademarks of Google LLC.
†Amazon.com list price as of 12/01/2020 at 9:45 a.m. (MT). Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. Safewise.com utilizes paid Amazon links.
Certain content that appears on this site comes from Amazon. This content is provided “as is” and is subject to change or removal at any time.
The post ADT Equipment Guide: Sensors, Cameras, and More appeared first on SafeWise.
Article source here: ADT Equipment Guide: Sensors, Cameras, and More
No comments:
Post a Comment