ADT Self Setup Logo

ADT Self Setup

star star star star_border star_border

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.

Click here to go straight to ADT Self Setup reviews.

Top Ranked Companies

thumb_up

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
thumb_down

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.

gavel

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.

View Best Home Security Companies

Was this content helpful?
thumb_up Yes thumb_down No

Star Rating

3.2

star star star star_border star_border

143 Reviews

Review Breakdown

5 grade

24%

4 grade

29%

3 grade

13%

2 grade

8%

1 grade

27%

Sentiment Criteria

Value

star star star_half star_border star_border

Quality

star star star_half star_border star_border

Service

star star star_border star_border star_border

Trustworthiness

star star star_border star_border star_border
cancel

Filter by:

arrow_drop_down

Sort by:

arrow_drop_down
info
check_circle

Verified Customer

check_circle

Review Source

star star star star_border star_border

John Sparks Placentia, CA

We had Brinks for a long time, but the lower cost solution that LifeShield offered was the reason we switched over. They should take more advantage out of the smartphone integration, and stuff like that. Their website goes down quite a bit, and It makes it difficult to turn things on and off with the smart device when the website is down. Also, some of the equipment is low quality. Actually, the touch pad is very poor quality; it works, but it has a big crack, even though it sits on the table and never gets touched.

6 years ago

check_circle

Verified Customer

check_circle

Review Source

star star star star_border star_border

Mark Karsonovich Lake Worth, FL

I like the fact that I can check in on my house, and there's no real super benefit, but I know that the alarm will go off if there's a fire in my house or if somebody breaks in. The camera that were sold to me are supposed to be wireless, but they're not wireless. I got my bandwidth increased as much as it could go, and even like that, the cameras were like garbage, so we have to plug them in.

6 years ago

check_circle

Verified Customer

check_circle

Review Source

star star star star_border star_border

Leslie Lott Brownsboro, AL

We were victims of home break-in several years ago in a different home so when we moved in to this house, we knew that we needed this service. I'm very satisfied with the service. When our alarm has set off, they've been very good to contact me. My favorite thing is knowing that, even when I'm not here, I get the alert that the door has been opened, or the alarm has been set. It's exactly what I want it to be.

6 years ago

check_circle

Verified Customer

check_circle

Review Source

star star star star_border star_border

Francisco Palos McFarland, CA

We have a 5-year contract, and there's a lot of updated equipment is coming out that we would like to take advantage of. Unfortunately, we can't do any of that, so we're stuck with the old equipment. Besides that, I still like the fact that we'll be alerted if somebody entered our house.

6 years ago

check_circle

Verified Customer

check_circle

Review Source

star star star star_border star_border

Will Bullock Gilbert, AZ

I have experienced, personally, some issues with the system. Every now and then, I get a notification from the system, that our home security is disconnected. I essentially have to go and take the whole thing apart, and manually reboot it.

6 years ago

check_circle

Verified Customer

check_circle

Review Source

star star star star_border star_border

Anonymous Middletown, IN

Because the distance from the base unit to the furthest door sensor sometimes does not detect the sensor. It is not possible for us to centralize the base to get it closer so there is some restrictions.

6 years ago

star star star star_border star_border

Nemo Austell, GA

Been a Customer since Life Shield. Service is good Product is good - After several configuration attempts to home WiFi. Tech supports needs to step up, Company needs to invest in their employees in educating them on supporting the products. ( I had to tech The blue product myself ). My issues was with the Doorbell camera - It kept going offline per the Blue app. Actually the device is working and connecting to my Wifi as designed. It is when the device goes into it sleep mode at times it is hard to wake the device up. The app needs adjusting, Doesn't need to show "offline" instead show "Sleep". It seems that my X1 modem from my ISP (Xfinity) has kind of a QoS list (Priority list) after adding all my ADT devices to it, Issue seems to be resolved.

2 years ago

star star star star_border star_border

Mary Denewellis Joliet, IL

Purchased Life Shield thru AT&T /DIRECT TV about a year and a half ago. Suddenly yesterday we could no longer connect see the cameras on our TV’s, a feature we used often. Around noon I used it to see who was at the door. At 2 PM it no longer would connect to my router and kept telling me my PW was invalid. Since I could no longer connect to internet, and other devices would not connect also, I called AT&T and they came out first thing today AM. Their installer told me that an update had occured with their equipment and he reset my router. It still will not connect thru my DIRECT TV, the reason being Life Shield is no longer affiliated with ATT. So the TV viewing of my cameras is no longer able to work and If I want that feature I need to buy their Digital Life, their new security company. I am so mad I could scream. They change my system without even notifying me that they are deleting features/dropping the Life Shield company with no option or way to keep the features I was promised. If they can do that, what other features will they just cancel without informing the customer. It would have been nice to know they split. Thanks AT&T and Life Shield, neither company could care less about customer satisfaction.

5 years ago Edited September 14, 2021

check_circle

Verified Customer

check_circle

Review Source

star star star star_border star_border

Anonymous Broomfield, CO

Technology does not seem to be butting edge and overpriced for being out dated. Many issues with communication between sensors and main hub, regardless of location of hub.

6 years ago

check_circle

Verified Customer

check_circle

Review Source

star star star star_border star_border

K.W. Leander, TX

I purchased this service to have a peace of mind. There's not really much to say about it, I just like the ability to remotely check in on the house when I'm away.

6 years ago

check_circle

Verified Customer

check_circle

Review Source

star star star star_border star_border

William Friesz Clermont, FL

My wife feels more comfortable now, having the alarm system. If she something happens at night, she can call the police now. It's been an average service so far.

6 years ago

star star star star_border star_border

Robert Sowers Indianapolis, IN

I have ADT now and they suck If I was to tell you all the things that they have bad about them people would know how to get around their system and beat it It may be cheap in the long run but not best bang for your buck by no means having issues among that you press stay in a converts to a way and this has been an ongoing issue for 4 years and I've been asking them off and on through emails to please fix it they have yet to do so I'm looking for a new company that has better cameras and a better response overall

2 years ago

check_circle

Verified Customer

check_circle

Review Source

star star star star_border star_border

Anonymous Upper Darby, PA

There are cheaper options that include mobile backup in case the landlines are down. However, customer service is good and I like the mobile app.

6 years ago

check_circle

Verified Customer

check_circle

Review Source

star star star star_border star_border

W.T. Boonton, NJ

My wife feels much safer with LifeShield in our house. Personally, I'd like to see integration with other smart home features.

6 years ago

check_circle

Verified Customer

check_circle

Review Source

star star star star_border star_border

R.M. El Cajon, CA

The service has been okay, but sometimes the system breaks up. There's some sort of broadband outage.

6 years ago

check_circle

Verified Customer

check_circle

Review Source

star star star star_border star_border

Sarah Regan McKinney, TX

We've felt protected with LifeShield. I just don't think it's as cheap as other companies that are out there.

6 years ago

check_circle

Verified Customer

check_circle

Review Source

star star star star_border star_border

Anonymous Cleveland, MS

Updates to system should be available for discounted pricing.

6 years ago

check_circle

Verified Customer

check_circle

Review Source

star star star star_border star_border

Mike Los Angeles, CA

Decent customer service, but sub-par equipment and set up

5 years ago

check_circle

Verified Customer

check_circle

Review Source

star star star star_border star_border

Fair Republic, MO

Sensors are wearing out

6 years ago