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ADT Home Security Review


ConsumersAdvocate.org Rating: 4.9 / 5 (Excellent)
249 Customer Comments & Reviews - see all comments
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ADT is a leading provider of security, automation, and smart home solutions serving consumer and business customers through more than 300 locations, 9 monitoring centers, and the largest network of security professionals in the United States. The company offers many ways to help protect customers by delivering lifestyle-driven solutions via professionally installed, do-it-yourself, mobile, and digital-based offerings for residential, small business, and larger commercial customers. ADT is located in Boca Raton, Florida. For this review, we will be focusing exclusively on ADT's professionally installed residential home security systems.

How is ADT Home Security rated?

Breakdown

5.0/5
Equipment
5.0/5
Monitoring Options and Technology
5.0/5
Value
4.5/5
Contract Flexibility

Overall Rating: 4.9 / 5 (Excellent)

With over 140 years of experience protecting properties in the United States, ADT is one of the most popular and dependable security providers in the nation, covering both homes and businesses. When you sign up for ADT service, equipment and installation are provided by one of ADT's professional installers. ADT provides ongoing monitoring services once your system is up and running. The company offers a combination of high-quality equipment, top-notch monitoring, and a wide range of customizable options that should meet the needs of any home.

Installation prices and fees vary based on package choice and upgrades. Other fees may apply for options and upgrades. ADT requires a 36-month minimum contract with applicable fees for early cancellation.

How does ADT Home Security work?

Equipment - 5 / 5

ADT scores high by providing professional installation and top-quality, relocatable products. Equipment is customizable to fit your needs and the layout of your home. A professional installer will visit your property to discuss security options, complete an assessment, and customize a security plan that works best for your house. Once the installation is complete, the installer will instruct the customer on how to use the system. Depending on the option you choose, security systems may include an event-triggered alarm, live surveillance, an assortment of indoor and outdoor cameras, motion sensors, door and window sensors, recessed door sensors, glass break protection, and crash-and-smash protection for their control panel. You can also opt for environmental protection, such as carbon monoxide, flood, temperature change and smoke sensors, as well as a panic button and an emergency alert button. New for 2022, ADT security systems feature the Google Nest doorbell. The highly-rated device features HD video and two-way audio. It can also tell the difference between people, packages, animals, and vehicles. Not too concerned about the neighbor's cat hanging out on your porch? You can customize the Google Nest doorbell to only alert you to the events that matter most to you.
Installation
Professional
Equipment Manufacturer
Honeywell, GE, DSC
Wireless Sensors
Control Panel
Event Triggered Siren/ Alarm

Security Monitors, Sensors, & Devices

Intrusion Protection

  • Door & Window Sensors
  • Garage Door Sensors
  • Glass Break Protection
  • Motion Sensors
  • Recessed Door Sensors
  • Crash & Smash Protection

Environmental Protection

  • Carbon Monoxide
  • Flood
  • Temperature Change
  • Smoke

Surveillance

  • Indoor Cameras
  • Outdoor Cameras
  • Doorbell Cameras
  • Tilt & Pan Cameras
  • Live Surveillance
  • Event-triggered Surveillance

Life Safety

  • Panic Button
  • Medical Alert

Monitoring

Monitoring Options and Technology - 5 / 5

ADT offers unparalleled 24/7 cellular, broadband, and landline professional monitoring from nine different monitoring centers located across the country. Physical equipment includes emergency service notification options. Their equipment comes with a 2-way intercom that allows you to contact one of their fast responders anytime you need assistance.
Monitoring Options
Professional Monitoring
Monitoring Technology
Cellular
Broadband
Landline
Number of Monitoring Centers
9
Monitoring Center Type
Owned
Professional Monitoring Services
24/7 Professional Monitoring
2-Way Intercom
Police Dispatch
Fire Department Dispatch
Medical Dispatch

How much does ADT Home Security cost?

Contract Flexibility - 4.5 / 5

ADT offers five security system service plans to choose from: Basic ($28.99/month), Secure (45.99/month), Smart (49.99/month), Video ($56.99/month), and Complete ($59.99/month). Plans require a 36-month minimum contract. Additionally, in the event of early contract termination, ADT may require the client to pay 75% of the monthly charges due for the balance of the first 36-months. The company does offer a 6-month money-back guarantee and a limited warranty for their products (restrictions apply), but overall, ADT seeks a long-term commitment from the customer.

To help protect customers against the cost of unexpected service calls, ADT offers extended limited warranty protection, called their Quality Service Plan, or QSP. While ADT's electronic technology is designed to meet the highest standards, no manufactured equipment is 100% perfect. QSP adds additional coverage some customers might prefer.
Monthly Fee (min)
$28.99
Number of Available Packages
5
Contract Required
Minimum Contract Length
36 months
Cancellation Policy
To cancel, customers must call by phone, at (800) ADT-ASAP or (800) 773-1391. Online cancellations are not available.
Warranty
Limited Warranty

Contract & Price Fine Print

A 36-month monitoring contract is required (24 months in California). Service and installation charges vary depending on system configuration, equipment and services selected. Additional charges may apply in areas that require guard response service for municipal alarm verification. System remains property of ADT. Local permit fees may be required. Prices and offers subject to change and may vary by market. Additional taxes and fees may apply. Satisfactory credit required. A security deposit may be required.

Technology Integrations

Technology Integration - 5 / 5

ADT offers a wide range of smart home integration options. Systems may be integrated with compatible lighting, door locks, and smart plugs with control via Amazon Alexa or Google Home. Depending on the security system selected, homeowners can monitor activities at their home with features like email and text alerts, live surveillance, and remote arm/disarm. These functions can be accessed through their iPhone and Android apps.

Compatibility

Google Assistant
Amazon Alexa
Google Home
IFTTT
Z-Wave
ZigBee
Z-Wave Plus

Mobile Access & Alerts

  • iPhone App
  • Android App
  • Email & Text Alerts
  • Live Surveillance Feed
  • Remote Arm/Disarm
  • Geo-location Services

Home Automation

  • Lighting Control
  • Thermostat Control
  • Appliance Control
  • Electronic Door Locks

ADT Home Security Reputation

Reputation - 5 / 5

ADT cares about providing homeowners with valuable security information. They offer educational resources on automation, home security, and health on their site. The company is certified by Underwriter's Laboratory.
BBB Rating
A+
Year Founded
1874

Certifications & Associations

  • Underwriter's Laboratory (UL)

ADT Home Security Summary

In Conclusion

ADT has invested in upgrading to the latest wireless technology to help protect your home and keep the installation process as streamlined as possible. Like many newer systems, ADT wireless security systems rely on radio waves to connect your home’s cameras and sensors to the control panel.

In addition, ADT operates six monitoring centers. In the event that your assigned monitoring center goes offline, a security breach or call for help from your home will be automatically rerouted to the next available center.

The ADT Essentials plan for basic digital monitoring service has a limited warranty on parts and labor, something that other competitors do not offer. If you want additional protection, the Essentials Plus package includes 2-way voice monitoring. Like all plans, this one includes monitoring for police, fire, and medical emergencies. However, both plans require customers to have access to their own landline phone.

Customers who do not have landlines can opt for the ADT Secure plan. This plan includes monitoring for police, fire, and medical emergencies and add the peace of mind that comes from knowing that an intruder cannot cut your home’s landline. There is an ADT protection plan for all budgets and needs.

ADT Home Security systems are very user-friendly, and during installation, the technician will show you how to use the equipment. There is technical support available to answer any questions customers have about the equipment. ADT offers professional installation, several monthly plans with competitive rates, and allows users to choose between wireless and hardwired systems. Keep in mind, though, that customers must sign a three-year agreement for all ADT security monitoring plans.

$100 Visa Reward Card Offer

ADT is offering a free $100 VISA Reward card to new customers who sign a 36-month contract with the company.*

* $100 VISA® Reward Card: AT&T $100 Visa Reward Card: Requires 36-month monitoring contract starting at $28.99. (24-month monitoring contract in California total fees from $695.76)and enrollment in EasyPay. Requires minimum purchase price of $449. One (1) Visa Reward Card valued at $100 is redeemable seven days after the system is installed, wherein an email is sent to the customer’s email address associated with their account with a promo code. The customer must validate the promo code on the website in the email and a physical card will be sent in the mail. Installation must occur within 60 days of offer expiration date to receive a card. Applicable to new and resale sales types only. Card is issued by MetaBank®, NA, member FDIC pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. No cash assets or recurring payments. Can be used everywhere Visa debit cards are accepted. Card valid for 6 months; unused funds will forfeit after the valid thru date. Card terms and conditions apply.

Contact & Additional Information

Homepage URL
Company Phone
(888) 238-2727
Headquarters Address
1501 Yamato Rd, Boca Raton, FL, 33431
Mailing Address
1501 Yamato Rd, Boca Raton, FL, 33431

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Customer Comments

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14namazi
4/18/2019
HORRIBLE COMPANY! Stay away if you can. Don't waste your time and money. The custom service is a joke and if you think asking for a manager is going to help you, its not. The people working for this company are the most unprofessional, disrespectful and dishonest people I have ever had to encounter with. All they care about is trapping you in a contract. They give false information about their cancellation policies and don't take accountability for their employees. They actually had the nerve to tell me that they reached out to the technician who pushed me to sign the contract that he should no longer give false information about their cancellation policy. Is that the right way to handle... Read More
1 People found this helpful.


agr8tlyfe
4/5/2019
If you are going to invest in a security camera, always buy a hard-wired system. The digital cameras are not worth the $300 cost. ADT's digital camera has only 33 seconds of recording every 4 minutes. With home invasions and vandalism on the rise four minutes is a long time not to have an incident on record. Several times I have seen something about to happen on or near my property only for the camera not to record the entire incident within the 33 second allotted time frame. You can watch the live feed via the website or mobile app but who wants to sit there all day looking at it only to have the site log off due to "inactivity" after two minutes. That is impractical.
1 People found this helpful.


Karin B
1/27/2019
Have had ADT for over three years. Two month ago I had new windows put in and needed to have the sensors moved. Was charged $25.00, which was fine. But then one of the windows (a sliding window, that had two sensors on it) had to be replaced by a Bay Window (my city does not allow sliding windows to face the street (weird!). Anyway, ADT came and changed the sensor again, took him 6 min. tops. I was charged 132.80. Needles to say I am not happy with that price and I am looking for other options!!
1 People found this helpful.


Carol T
1/9/2019
I am (was) an ADT customer. I rented a small studio space for photography classes (for a photo club). I didn't know if that would be successful, so I only rented for a year. With the cameras, photo gear and equipment, I was advised to get a security system. ADT was recommended. So...I contacted them and when they came, we discovered the box and everything was already in the studio; all the technician had to do was "hook it up and have me give him a pass-code, etc." I am 74 yo and small/tiny print is hard for me to read. I asked the technician to tell me what the contract said....and I'd sign. I informed him that I only wanted it for one year as I wasn't sure beyond that. He was... Read More
1 People found this helpful.


deborahsmithusa
12/27/2018
Please do not use ADT. I was told I could move my service, if I moved house, but this was tricky. Every time you move they reset your contract all over again. So the THREE years feels like it never ends, because it is not three years if you move, it could be endless if you move. They have hiked up the prices from $30 per month in West Columbia, SC to nearly $50 per month in Charleston, SC. I don't even have a house anymore and I still have to pay for someone else's security system because of the terrible contract. Who on earth makes you sign a 3 year contract these days? There are other options where the price is fair and the contract is much better. Please do not use ADT, the customer... Read More
1 People found this helpful.


S
Stephanie
11/30/2018
I was an ADT customer for 20 years. 2 years ago my son was hospitalized and at the same time the home was having problems with the security system. I called ADT and asked for them to put my account on hold until I was able to manage the issues. They put it on hold. However they continued to charge my account. With my son's illness I had my bills managed by my business bookkeeper. I should've monitored my account closer but a very sick child distracted me to the limit. When I noticed the payment deduction I called ADT. Obviously my system has been inactive since it was constantly beeping when on. 2 years of payment for a non service-I have the responsibility but you'd hope that after 2... Read More
1 People found this helpful.


ABMR C
11/27/2018
ADT is the worst company I've ever dealt with, all what they care about is collecting money from customers, every time I call they are very rude and ignorant, I've been with them since January 2014 I had cancelled the service last month they charged me $250 cancellation fees. I wouldn't recommend this company to anyone! stay away!
1 People found this helpful.


Daphne M
7/27/2018
We were customers for three years. Our monthly service was fine, but they made a mess of the billing. We were charged for services we didn't receive. When we called Customer Service to question the auto-debits to our checking account, none of the CSRs (we talked to multiple people) could tell us what the charges were for. They said they would issue an immediate refund, but after numerous phone calls over several weeks, we still haven't received a refund for the unexplained charges. ADT is definitely not worth all the billing headaches. We have better things to do than spend our time arguing with them over these unexplained charges. We're moving on to another company. Good luck if you... Read More
1 People found this helpful.


Eileen Y
6/24/2018
Caution, read reviews on Yelp! ADT uses sub contractor Defender Security (Home Pro) that has very poor reviews.
1 People found this helpful.


Gerry C
6/24/2018
today a man (i forgot his name) came to my house to assess the requirements to install a security system. everything was fine. he showed me what the system cost. and i said, i have to figure out how i can get that money so i can pay it. he went on to say i can give you a lower price with less equipment. i explained to him that if i am getting a system i want the full system not a partial one. he continued to show me how he could get me a lower rate and i kept explaining to him that i would consider the full system once i find out how i can pay for it. then he started yelling at me that he traveled a long way so he can make an installation so he could feed his daughter. that he does... Read More
1 People found this helpful.



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