Installing Smart Home Security Systems – ADT Self Setup is ADT’s ultimate home DIY project. What do the experts think about it?
The Bottom Line With a very easy setup process, smart home apps developed, and ADT’s renowned professional monitoring service, ADT Self Setup is one of the best DIY systems. In addition, it works well with cameras from Google Nest, some of the smartest cameras, for any home.
Installing Smart Home Security Systems
For a minimum system purchase of $500 and at least one month of professional monitoring, you’ll receive a free Google Nest Doorbell and a $200 Visa Rewards card from ADT.
Diy Home Security System
ADT dominates the home space, but a new system – the ADT Self Setup – breaks tradition for the brand. From the beginning, only technicians installed ADT systems. This is still true for ADT systems. But ADT Self Setup, as the name suggests, is designed for DIY installation. It joins the growing number of DIY systems that prove there are alternatives to ADT pro builds.
Of course, ADT Self Setup has a distinct advantage over other DIY systems, as it is a system installed by one of the top companies in the country. But how does this advantage translate into the real world? Is ADT Self Setup a better DIY system than SimpliSafe and Frontpoint?
Before we talk about ADT Self Setup, let’s talk about the elephant in the room. As you know, ADT Self Setup is not the first ADT for DIY households. Had a DIY system from 2020 called Blue from ADT. So what happened?
Blue by ADT is technically an upgrade to the DIY system ADT got in 2019. You might remember it as LifeShield. So if Blue carried the ADT brand, it wasn’t from ADT. And really, it’s a reflection of the quality of Blue’s equipment. We had the opportunity to test it before. The camera is subpar, the sensor is passable, and the hardware options are limited. It didn’t live up to expectations, so ADT pulled the plug in 2023.
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A few months later came ADT Self Setup. It is a DIY system built by ADT from scratch, using ADT’s resources, and representing ADT’s ideals in the home. It comes with a companion app that’s better than the Blue by ADT app and includes a better camera from Google Nest.
We also noticed that unlike Blue which has a separate website, ADT has put Self Setup and Pro (the more common ADT system) on the ADT website. The message is clear: Self Setup is for those who want a DIY system and Pro is for those who want it professionally installed, but they are both ADT systems.
FYI: ADT will continue to support and monitor Blue on existing ADT systems. Going forward, however, system buyers who want to DIY the installation must purchase an ADT Self Setup system.
We recently added ADT Self Setup to our list of the best DIY systems. This should tell you that this is an easy system to install as it is one of the criteria for this list. All we needed was 10 minutes from unboxing to “all clear.” This is faster than installing SimpliSafe (30 minutes) and residential (45 minutes), but note that the ADT Self Setup system includes fewer components than these other systems.
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The first component we installed was the hub. We connected it to the ADT+ app and then connected it to Wi-Fi. After that we connected each sensor to the space by removing the battery plate.
Installing the sensor is quick and easy. They come with a peel-and-stick adhesive so no drilling is required, making ADT Self Setup a robust system for renters. Just make sure to clean the surface before attaching the sensor so it doesn’t fall off easily. Typically, sensor installation takes less than five minutes.
After that we proceeded to set up the camera. Note that ADT Self Setup offers Google Nest Cams. In fact, Google Nest currently supplies all ADT cameras, even for professionally installed ADT systems. But don’t worry; Nest Cams are known for being easy to set up. You can read about our installation experience in our Nest Cam review, but in general, you can set up a Nest Cam in two to three minutes.
After setting up the camera using the Nest Home app, all you have to do is pair the Nest Home app with the ADT+ app. This is a simple login method. Once this was done, we were able to view and record directly from the ADT+ app. And that’s it! ADT Self Setup is complete. We didn’t even break a sweat.
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The ADT Self Setup system offers powerful selection tools. Unfortunately, there aren’t as many features as the professionally installed ADT control system we reviewed, but ADT Self Setup still covers good ground. Here’s a look at some of the top hardware options.
The base station is robust and isolated, about the size of a modem. It connects to our Internet via Wi-Fi or ethernet cable, serving as the hub for all ADT Self Setup tools. We recommend using a wired setup for added reliability, especially if you are placing the base station far from the router. This can make setup more tedious, but it’s better than having a system that can’t send notifications because of Wi-Fi coverage.
Despite its size, we still think the base station is the best. camp camp camp camp camp camp camp camp camp camp camp camp oil is still thought to be beautiful to show off. It’s not as pretty as the SimpliSafe station – but one even glows and works as a night light – but we didn’t mind displaying the ADT station on the counter. It helps that it is white, so it blends well with the interior decor.
For those of you who have seen or seen the Blue by ADT hub, you may recognize that the Self Setup Smart Home Hub is similar. The truth is that they are exactly the same device, but the firmware is different. We reached out to ADT customer support to ask about the possibility of using the Blue by ADT hub with ADT Self Setup tools and controls, and here’s their response:
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“The BLUE by ADT system is not compatible with the Self Setup system monitoring service. You need a new panel/hub.”
So there it is. Even if you have the Blue by ADT hub, you still need to purchase a new package if you want to get an ADT Self Setup system. This will allow you to include the items that will be discussed next.
Door and window gauges have a slim profile, allowing them to be carefully placed on doors and windows, both inside and outside. They can also be used for closets or doors. Like ADT Self Setup devices, these sensors can be viewed and managed through the ADT+ app. We installed door/window sensors on the doors and windows on our floors, as that is where intruders are most likely to enter.1
There is nothing we can say about the doors and windows. They are discreet and small, even smaller than the Ring Alarm system we reviewed. According to ADT, the battery in the door sensor has a lifespan of up to two years in use; That’s a little short for a door sensor, which usually has a five-year battery life, but it’s not a big deal. We think it’s okay to do maintenance every two years. We do ours every six months, if possible.
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When purchased as part of a kit, the motion sensor is pre-registered with your system, making setup as simple as installing a battery and placing the sensor in the correct area. We placed it in the corner of the front hallway for maximum coverage.
The sensitivity of the motion sensor was on point, thanks to it being a PIR motion sensor. It detects anything with body heat that moves – even small children and pets. Fortunately, there is a toggle switch on the back of the sensor that reduces the sensitivity if needed. It can handle pets up to 85 pounds (over the size of a full-grown Labrador Retriever).
We also recommend strategically placing sensors to minimize false alarms. Protect from direct sunlight and heat-generating devices (such as microwave ovens). And if possible, put it on the ground at least six meters, standing down a little to increase its field of view.
In addition to protecting your home from intruders, ADT Self Setup offers two sensors for life and home security. The first is the battery powered smoke detector. It sounds a loud alarm when it detects smoke or a rapid rise in temperature.
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But it’s more than just an alarm. Smoke detectors can also trigger home automation. For example, it can turn on your lights (if you have a smart light