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Our review of the ADT home security system, its unrivaled alarms, CCTV services, and video doorbells.
With over 150 years of experience, ADT is a long-established home security system known for its bespoke array of systems and the 24/7 professional monitoring service it offers
The ADT Smart Services app allows you to control your system remotely and has the ability to connect to smart home devices such as Amazon Alexa and Google Home. It’s worth noting that the ADT app is not compatible with Apple HomeKit.
Our experts have compiled everything you need to know about ADT home security systems to help you decide if it’s the right choice for your family and your home.
Rating: ★★★★
ADT is one of the most reliable and comprehensive home security solutions available in the UK thanks to its years of experience and proven track record. The company develops every system to your specific needs to ensure the highest level of security throughout your property.
The lack of transparent pricing may be an obstacle for some. An ADT technician needs to review your property or speak to you over the phone before offering a quote. You also need to sign up for an extended contract – between 24 and 36 months – that cannot be cancelled without paying the full contract fee.
That said, ADT’s positive customer testimonials and included professional monitoring make it worthy of consideration for households looking for the highest level of security.
Our experts consulted hundreds of customer reviews, media articles, technical documents and professional forums to review and compare ADT home security systems. We devised a detailed scoring system with a maximum score of 100 points.
We considered the following factors:
For more information, read our article on how we review home security systems.
ADT does not have a one-fits-all approach to home security; instead, it curates every package for each customer’s needs by offering a selection of devices in its home security systems. These devices include:
Every home security package has advantages and disadvantages, so it’s best to weigh them before making an informed decision.
Here are some advantages of partnering with ADT:
Make sure you consider the downsides, which include:
All ADT packages are personalised to your home, so everyone will have different components in their system. The company will also install your entire system from start to finish.
The ADT Smart Home Hub connects to other ADT devices in the home, and it will notify you if any device is triggered. ADT offers 3 different types of sensors – PIR motion, Shock and Dualtec sensors – that are placed in suitable locations. For example, shock sensors are best used on windows above flat roofs or on properties with large pets.
ADT’s video doorbell has motion sensors that can detect people approaching your home and has a 2-way talk feature so you can communicate with visitors. Indoor cameras boast 1080p resolution and infrared night vision, so you can keep track of your home day and night.
ADT home security systems are compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Home. With Alexa, homeowners can control their system and smart home devices remotely using their voice. There is currently no compatibility between ADT and Apple HomeKit.
Our current top pick for the best home security system is SimpliSafe. The affordable pricing, range of packages and 24/7 professional monitoring support make SimpliSafe a great option for every household and budget.
In comparison, ADT lands third place in the race thanks to its long history in the industry and comprehensive service. ADT is a great choice for households looking for a hands-off approach because it takes care of the installation and will monitor your property for 365 days of the year.
Verisure is another reliable option. Similar to ADT, it offers professional installation services and professional monitoring. Verisure also creates bespoke packages and can give you a quote after you fill out an online form and speak to a representative over the phone.
Households on a budget can look to Abode and Ring. Both companies specialise in DIY packages that don’t require any professional assistance. Unlike ADT, both offer ready-made packages that can be upscaled and added to as needed, which makes them more desirable for households just stepping into the home security space.
Arlo is a great option for people who require video doorbells and outdoor security cameras. Selected Arlo devices come with 4K resolution cameras, so you can see what’s happening in your home with impeccable clarity. However, compared to brands like Abode and Ring, Arlo is fairly expensive.
You will need to speak to an ADT representative over the phone or ask a professional to visit your property to get a quote for your home security system. These assessments are free and can be done without committing to a package.
While we cannot offer an average price for ADT’s home security systems, we researched the current pricing for a range of ADT’s competitors to give you a better estimate of how much you may spend on a system.
| Home security system brand | Cheapest package cost* (excluding installation and subscription costs) |
|---|---|
| ADT | Price on quotation |
| SimpliSafe | From £284.96 for a 4-piece package |
| Ring | From £219.99 for a 5-piece package |
| Yale | From £190 for a 5-piece package |
| Abode | From £168.99 for a 4-piece package |
| Arlo | From £399.99 for a 6-piece package |
ADT offers 4 different subscription plans: Standard, Standard Plus, Comprehensive and All-Inclusive Maintenance. Our experts were unable to find a firm price for any of these plans after calling an ADT representative, although customer forums suggest the All-Inclusive Maintenance plan costs between £30 and £40 per month.
Depending on your ADT package, you will be privy to different levels of service from an ADT technician. Below, you can see what’s included in each plan.
“Polite and helpful staff, started with Callum from the call centre who went through the details with me to ensure what was offered matched my needs. He had made a slight error on the paperwork, however this was quickly rectified with an email.
Installation was arranged pretty quickly, the engineer (Mark) called in advance of arrival. He went through the set up in great detail before starting, cleaned up after himself and went through the set up once again after he finished the work. He ensured that we were comfortable and set to go before he left. Mark was friendly and very respectful of our property.”
“The installation took place a whole day sooner than scheduled, which was great news for me. The engineer was absolutely brilliant and extremely helpful. To cap it all off, I am paying a little less than my previous monthly rate and I have three new fire alarms and a new control panel, which is simple to use.”
“Our installation left us without any landline – main socket and 3 extensions dead. This was reported to ADT and after initially denying their engineer could be responsible, they agreed to arrange for a return engineering visit. After 11 days no contact has been made. We have had to have OpenReach visit. They found a cut live telephone wire … they could not resurrect the extensions as they could not see what ADT had done but they enabled the main incoming socket – meaning we had to invest in cordless phones for access to the living areas. [The ADT installer had said there were so many cables in the garage he dare not touch them – yet all had been removed!]
Training was inadequate – no explanation of AWAY or STAY, for example. We were told we would never need to use the main control panel. On the first night the system automatically armed much to our surprise and panic.
So – appalling installation, zero support, out of pocket .. bitterly regretting using ADT. We have no confidence in them.”
Households on a budget may find it difficult to work with ADT’s lack of transparent pricing compared to its competitors with ready-made packages and clearer costs.
However, if your budget is more malleable, ADT is a fantastic choice. Its personalised packages, exemplary customer service and proven track record in the home security industry make it a reliable, secure solution for all your home needs.
Rating: ★★★★
