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ADT Self Setup

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6.2

Overall Score

LAST UPDATED: April 7th, 2023

Previously known as Blue by ADT, ADT has rebranded its product to ADT Self Setup. The security provider is a pioneer in DIY smart home security, offering Wi-Fi-enabled security products that are compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. Homeowners and renters can choose from three security sets or build their own custom security set to fit their needs. Low monthly monitoring starts at $19.99 per month to $24.98 per month plus tax. Read our full ADT Self Setup review below to see if the home security company is right for you.

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The Good

  • Equipment Warranty and 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee
  • Remote Access on All Plans
  • No Landline Phone Connection Required
  • 24/7 Professional Monitoring
  • Home Automation Options
  • Transparent ADT Self Setup Pricing

Equipment Warranty and 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee

ADT Self Setup provides its customers with Wi-Fi enabled, wireless security products for up to 40% off. An equipment warranty is added to provide protection throughout the entirety of the service contract. All of ADT Self Setup products also come with a 30-day money-back guarantee. The 30-day money-back guarantee refund covers upfront costs, including activation fee when applicable, and shipping. Note that customers must return promotional items. 

Remote Access on All Plans

The completely wireless home security systems use internet and cellular connections to monitoring centers. Users can use the ADT Self Setup app to arm and disarm the alarm system from any location. With four layers of protection (including high-speed internet, cellular signal, cellular text, and landline phone) and 24-hour battery backup, the home security system stays connected to help you stay protected. 

No Landline Phone Connection Required

Customers have the option of using landline phone connection as an unrequired backup, but ADT Self Setup home security systems don't need a landline connection to operate; rather they operate via cellular and wireless networks.

24/7 Professional Monitoring

Three coast-to-coast monitoring centers help protect you day and night from burglary, fire, and flood. They are backed up with two generators and uninterruptible power supplies. These monitoring centers will immediately alert the customer and emergency service personnel the moment a signal alert is triggered.

Home Automation Options

ADT Self Setup has smart home automation included in all plans. With the free ADT Self Setup mobile app, you can manage your home security system and your smart home devices. ADT Self Setup systems are compatible with Amazon, Alexa, Google Assistant, IFTTT applets, and Z-Wave Plus devices. ADT Self Setup customers can access the following home automation functions directly from their smart device:

  • Locking and unlocking smart door locks
  • Dimming or turning on/off your lights
  • Turning smart outlets on/off
  • Controlling smart thermostat temperature and controls
  • Opening and closing your garage door

Transparent ADT Self Setup Pricing

ADT Self Setup has all pricing information listed on its website. The security systems are priced from $199.15 to $376.10. There is also an option to build your own custom security system.

Monthly monitoring is $19.99 without video storage and $24.98 (plus tax) with 30-day video storage. Available smart home security products with ADT Self Setup include:

  • Patented base station
  • Entry keypad
  • Security touchpad
  • Indoor camera
  • Outdoor security camera
  • HD video doorbell camera
  • Door sensor Window sensor
  • Pet-friendly motion sensor
  • Fire safety sensor
  • Glass break sensor
  • Nest thermostat
  • Carbon monoxide alarm
  • Flood sensor
  • Keychain remote
  • Yard sign and window stickers
  • 30-Day cloud video storage
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The Bad

  • No Professional Installation
  • Company History

No Professional Installation

ADT Self Setup is a DIY installation home security system. ADT provides plenty of resources and customer support to help homeowners properly install their ADT security system, customers are responsible for installing every component themselves, which may lead to some issues including connectivity problems.

Company History

The company's overall history has been relatively unstable. The company was founded in 2004 and then purchased by DIRECTV in 2013, which then became a part of AT&T in 2015. In April of 2017, the former CEO of Blue by ADT, previously known as Lifeshield, acquired the company from AT&T and brought back the original self-installation platform with a direct-to-consumer approach.

However, in 2019, LifeShield was acquired by ADT. Recently rebranded to ADT Self Setup and with ADT support, the company is now taking product innovation to the next level, while continuing to make excellent customer service a top priority.

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The Bottom Line

ADT Self Setup offers total security solutions to customers across the United States. Monthly plans feature 24/7 professional monitoring, equipment warranties, and remote access from virtually anywhere. Starting at $19.99 per month for entire home coverage and included smart home automation features, service plans are competitively priced against other home security marketplace options. Ordering is easy on ADT Self Setup's website without credit checks or activation fees. There are also home automation options controlled through the ADT Self Setup mobile app that allows homeowners to synch their home security system and their smart home devices. To hear what past and current customers have to say, read ADT Self Setup home security reviews below.

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Star Rating

3.2

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143 Reviews

Review Breakdown

5 grade

24%

4 grade

29%

3 grade

13%

2 grade

8%

1 grade

27%

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Gail Davis Columbus, OH

To have a security system is to have an extra comfort. The benefit of being notified when stranger activity occurs or there's unauthorized entry, that is great. I'd like to suggest for Life Shield to upgrade their equipment, I feel that it lacks quality.

6 years ago

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Tricia Delmundo Auburn, WA

The apps are okay to use, and if something happens at the house, I get notifications via email or text messages. Every now and then the broadband goes out, so I'm not sure if it's our WiFi or the system itself. It just disconnects every now and then, but it also reboots itself.

6 years ago

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Arthur Gray Maple Heights, OH

Lately, we've been having a problem with their system. It keeps going off, even when we're out of town, so we're not able to reboot our system. We weren't very happy with that. Plus, I think they need to improve on their internet connections, it's not that great.

6 years ago

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Barry Vess Old Fort, NC

My system is supposed to have a dual feature, where it allows you to be hooked up to the internet and to the cellphone, as a back-up. The cellphone option was never hooked up, and the internet goes out frequently.

6 years ago

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Shena

Blue by ADT has gone completely downhill. When I first signed in 2021, the technical support was actually pretty good. For one, someone answered the phone. Today, it is horrible. There is no way they should still be receiving high ratings after all the complaints I see online now and my personal experience. I have been trying to get someone in techn support on the phone for two months now because one of my sensors and my doorbell camera stopped working. Each time I am waiting for up to an hour and then I get cut off or when I ask to be called back, I don't get a call or it's not until days later. And I missed the call and the process starts all over. Once, I got a call back and the call terminate in the middle of the conversation. The representative never called back! Clearly, they have my account information with my phone number. When I answered a customer service survey and gave a bad review, someone called me back, but I missed the call. They left a voicemail. I haven't been able to get anyone in tech support since then. Contrast that to the sales department. They answer the phone in 1 minute or less. I did an experiment and tried the billing and account management department. Not a surprise, I was also on the line waiting and waiting. I chose the general customer support option (the line you pick when your issue doesn't fit neatly into the other options and they have to direct your call) and they answered pretty quickly). The woman actually told me that the complaint department and the tech support lines both had wait times of over 45 minutes, and were experiencing high call volume. She was unable to connect me directly to a person. So the only option was to transfer me to the same line that I have already been waiting on for months. Seems to me ADT needs to make some changes. I think they are banking on the reputation they have built over the years. But, they are NOT the same trust-worthy company they used to be. I'm annoyed I paid money for their equipment and now have to lose the money I paid and look for anew company or stick with them. Neither choice is great. At the point I feel like I have completely wasted my money.

1 year ago Edited October 3, 2022

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H. B Cabot, AR

We decided to purchased a home security system because I wanted to make sure that our home was secure and safe. My only suggestion would be to have a better key-more system.

6 years ago

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John Hammond Upper Marlboro, MD

Very poor monitoring service. Very lengthy contract period and monitor by another company with no accountability. Hostile customer relationship with the goal to collect their monthly fees. Waste of money for monitoring.

5 years ago Edited September 14, 2021

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leeann Cincinnati, OH

keypad doesn't consistently work

6 years ago

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Anonymous Christiansburg, VA

Some equipment doesn't work as well as it should

6 years ago

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Anonymous Taylorsville, UT

Not support for the deaf need flashing light if alarming.

6 years ago

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Anonymous Charlotte, NC

Broadband network drops connection to often.

6 years ago