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Blue by ADT Home Security Services Review (2023)

Smart Integration and DIY Home Security System
By Barry StingmoreBy Barry Stingmore -
Last updated: Jan 04, 2023
60 reviews
very good
See Breakdown
8.8
very good
See Breakdown
8.8
logo-ADT SELF SETUP
888-723-3018Visit Site
Price
From $19.99 per month
Money-back guarantee
30 days
Warranty
One year

Our Verdict

Is Blue by ADT Home Security Services Worth Signing Up For?

Blue by ADT is a flexible, smart, and DIY home security solution offering security systems that can be bought together or as standalone devices, no long-term contracts, and integrations with smart home apps. While its one-year warranties are shorter than some, Blue by ADT may be worth considering if you need a customizable, easy-to-install option.

Price
From $19.99 per month
Money-back guarantee
30 days
Warranty
One year

ADT Self Setup Pros & Cons

PROS

DIY product installation
Free month of 24/7 monitoring
Standalone security cameras

CONS

No long-term contracts
Smoke alarm doesn’t detect carbon monoxide

Top ADT Self Setup Reviews

An
Ann
, KY
I think ADT supplies a really good product that is easy to use. There are nuances to using the panel or the app that I don't use because I don't understand them, but that does not reduce my rating them highly. I feel secure with ADT.
Ge
George
, TX
We love having a video system installed all around our home which includes night vision. It records the images for a 24 hour period and the images are streaming for us to check when away.
Wi
William
, UT
They provide 24 hour, professionally monitored security coverage at a reasonable price. We are very satisfied with the service they provide.
See all ADT Self Setup reviews

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ADT Self Setup ADT Self Setup Visit Site

Overview

How Blue by ADT Home Security Services Work

Blue by ADT Features

Blue by ADT offers several features and highlights to meet its customers’ home security needs.

DIY Installation

Blue by ADT offers a simple DIY installation solution to its customers, with all the products being easy to set up to begin monitoring your home. You’ll build your own system and get the equipment that can help you maintain a secure environment.

Wireless Sensors

Blue by ADT’s wireless sensors are easy to position inside your home, and they can provide the first line of defense by keeping watch over sensitive or vulnerable areas of your house. Door panel and window sensors detect movement at the doors and windows. Flood and temperature sensors detect water damage in your home due to frozen pipes or leaks.

Remote Monitoring and Control

With Blue by ADT’s free mobile app, you can monitor your home and control it from a distance. For example, if a pet trips the sensors, you can check your phone and dismiss the alarm once you’re satisfied there’s no threat.

Extender + Chime

Blue by ADT’s Extender + Chime device expands the WiFi range of the company’s outdoor wireless cameras. Plus, it can act as an indoor ringer for the Blue doorbell camera.

Blue by ADT Equipment & Products

Home Security Systems

Blue by ADT features a Smart Home Hub and Security system that manages all the sensors and cameras connected to your system. It costs $179.99 and comes with an integrated keypad to arm or disarm the alarm. The hub has a battery and cellular backup to keep your system running during power outages and internet disruptions.

The smart hub has a built-in alarm siren and speaker to ward off intruders, and you can control it with your smartphone.

Home Security Cameras

To protect the outside of your house and interior, Blue by ADT provides outdoor and indoor cameras, which record audio and video, take snapshots when motion is detected, and stream live video in 1080p HD. Since the products are wireless, you’ll need to recharge the battery packs by plugging them into an indoor outlet. 

The Blue by ADT doorbell camera enables you to know when someone is at your front door, and you can talk to them in real-time using the two-way audio feature. It also works as a doorbell and sends you notifications. All the cameras are for sale at $199.99.

Life Safety Alarms

A home security system needs life safety alarms, and Blue by ADT offers a smoke detector at $39.99. As soon as fire or smoke is detected, you’ll receive an alert on your mobile app or the alarm will sound. The smoke detector doesn’t have a carbon monoxide (CO) detector, though.

The smart hub has a panic button, which you can hold for a few seconds to alert authorities during an emergency, but there’s no medical pendant support available.

Smart Home Automation

Blue by ADT provides many smart home security features by pairing its smart home hub with third-party devices, such as Google Nest Mini ($49.99), Google Nest Hub ($99.99), and Amazon’s Alexa. The smart home hub uses the Z-Wave wireless protocol, which enables control of lighting, locks, thermostats, and other devices.

You can issue instructions through Nest or Alexa and tell the smart home hub to arm or disarm the system or check the status of your DIY smart home security.

Blue by ADT Services

Blue by ADT provides alerts through SMS, email, and push notifications. If an active alarm is triggered, you’ll receive a call from its monitoring station, and you’ll be prompted to provide the passcode you were given during activation. If they can’t reach you, they’ll try calling two of your contacts, and if there’s no response, they’ll dispatch the police. 

The Panic button on the smart home hub or the silent alarm will bypass the monitoring station and contact the authorities directly. If the alarm went off accidentally, however, you can cancel it by typing the passcode on the keypad.

Monitoring

Blue by ADT customers can choose to monitor their home security system on their own or select experts to handle it. The professional monitoring option offers the following.

  • 24/7 monitoring and protection
  • Panic and duress modes of getting help 
  • Silent alarm to notify authorities of danger
  • Police, fire and medical dispatch
  • Fire, CO, and flood monitoring
  • Custom alerts

Mobile App

The Blue by ADT mobile app provides 24/7 remote access to your home security system. You can arm and disarm the system and add or change security codes through your smartphone. Moreover, you can check the sensors and cameras and speak to people through the two-way talk feature.

The app enables you to control other smart devices, such as lights and smart doors. Plus, you can get notifications from your smart home hub to stay informed about everything happening inside and around your home. 

Mobile Alerts

Once you install the Blue by ADT mobile app, you can set push notifications in the settings. For both Android and iOS, check the settings in the notifications page and select the Blue by ADT app. Check that the notifications are enabled. You’ll receive alerts if there’s an alarm event, when the system is armed/disarmed, or if a device or sensor has an issue.

Blue by ADT Installation

Installing Blue by ADT products is easy, taking a minimum of 20 minutes to complete. There are no installation fees and no technicians or heavy-duty tools needed. It’s a simple, easy-to-install DIY solution.

Contracts & Warranties

Blue by ADT does not set any long-term contracts. Your relationship will be based on the month-by-month subscription to its packages and services. It has a one-year warranty on its items and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

When returning products, you’ll receive a label via email to return defective products, but you’ll have to pay the shipping fees. If you don’t return the faulty item, you’ll have to pay the company the manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP). 

Blue by ADT Support & Customer Service

Blue by ADT offers live chat with a digital assistant as the first point of contact. We tested the response time and found that a human agent logged on immediately when the digital assistant couldn’t provide a solution. We tested the email response as well, and it took several hours to get an answer. 

ADT also has support and customer service via phone, where agents are available 8am-12am ET Monday to Friday and 8am-9pm ET Saturday to Sunday. There’s a detailed knowledge base with clearly labeled topics and easy setup videos and guides. Furthermore, there are informative FAQs spread throughout the Blue by ADT website.

Blue by ADT Home Security Services Pricing

Pricing & Special Offers

Blue by ADT Home Security offers two monitoring plans: Self-monitoring and 24/7 professional monitoring. There are no installation fees since it is a DIY home security package. In addition, there are discounts available, for example, 35% off if you pay for the system and pro monitoring together.


Professional 24/7 Monitoring
Self-Monitoring
Price
From $19.99 per month
$0
Installation Fee
X
X
Mobile Access
Professional 24/7 Monitoring
X
Smart Home Integrations
Video Surveillance
Entry, Smoke, and CO Detection
X
Panic and Duress mode
X

Blue by ADT also bundles its DIY products and tools into four packages: Build Your Own System at $179.99, Starter System at $219.99, Starter Plus System at $299.99, and Premium at $419.99. Each package includes a base station—the smart home hub—plus a set of products designed to create a complete home security system.

Blue by ADT Home Security Services Alternatives

How Blue by ADT Compares to Other Home Security Services

Here’s a quick comparison chart that sets Blue by ADT’s services against other home security providers.


Blue by ADT
SimpliSafe
Ring
ADT
Cove
Best for
Smart, DIY home security
DIY home security solutions
 Remote monitoring
Professional installation and monitoring
Easy installation and customer service
Price per month
From $19.99
From $9.99
From $3 ($20 for professional monitoring)
From $28.99
From $14.99
Money-back guarantee
 30 days
60 days
30 days
Six months
60 days
Warranty
 One year
Three years
One year
Extended limited
Lifetime
Mobile
iOS, Android
iOS, Android
iOS, Android
iOS, Android
iOS, Android

Blue by ADT VS SimpliSafe

Blue by ADT and SimpliSafe both have a DIY approach to setting up a home security system. SimpliSafe offers 30 more days with their money-back guarantee and a three-year warranty versus one year for Blue by ADT. Simplisafe has a slightly more expensive monitoring fee than Blue by ADT, and its home automation is not at the same high level.

Blue by ADT VS Ring

Ring has a better monitoring plan than Blue and more camera options, but it has a higher base price for setting up its system. Blue by ADT also doesn’t have Ring’s neighborhood watch approach, even though the feature is becoming popular.

Blue by ADT VS ADT

ADT is the parent company of Blue. However, ADT security offers a three-year contract and a professionally-installed system, whereas Blue by ADT is DIY. ADT also has an extensive monitoring network, but its monitoring fee is high.

Blue by ADT VS Cove

Cove offers a lifetime warranty on its equipment, whereas Blue by ADT Security only provides a one-year warranty. Furthermore, Cove’s professional monitoring costs less than Blue’s offerings. They both share some similarities: neither have contracts, and they are both DIY.

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Bottom Line

Blue by ADT offers excellent features and solutions with its easy-to-install products and customizable options for building your own system. Its cameras can either be installed as part of a larger system or as standalone items. You’ll gain access to an extensive knowledge base and customer support to guide you as you set up your device. 

Overall, if you’re looking for an affordable, DIY, and flexible home security system, Blue by ADT is worth considering.

Frequently Asked Questions
How much is Blue by ADT per month?+-

Professional monitoring from Blue by ADT costs $19.99 per month. However, you can also buy devices without subscribing to a monitoring plan.

Who owns Blue by ADT?+-

Blue by ADT is owned by ADT and Lifeshield.

Does ADT Blue need WiFi?+-

Yes. For the Blue by ADT products to work, you’ll first need to connect your smart home hub to the internet, then pair it with the sensors and smart devices.

Barry is a veteran who has served as a front-line officer for 10 years. Responding to hundreds of residential burglary incidents during his career, he has built up a wealth of experience surveying crime scenes and delivering crime prevention advice.

ADT Self Setup customer reviews

Based on 60 reviews

Ease of use

Brand satisfaction

Value for money

Service quality

Top Reviews

Ease of use

Brand satisfaction

Value for money

Service quality

6 months ago

I think ADT supplies a really good product that is easy to use. There are nuances to using the panel or the app that I don't use because I don't understand them, but that does not reduce my rating them highly. I feel secure with ADT.

7 months ago

We love having a video system installed all around our home which includes night vision. It records the images for a 24 hour period and the images are streaming for us to check when away.

7 months ago

They provide 24 hour, professionally monitored security coverage at a reasonable price. We are very satisfied with the service they provide.

8 months ago

ADT allows me to feel secure in my home. It is easy to use, and I understand the operating system.

8 months ago

I love having ADT because it's easy to use and their emergency response is very fast. I would use it anywhere I lived.

8 months ago

Having ADT makes me feel comfortable and secure when I'm at home and that my home is safe when I'm away.

8 months ago

I Love how fast their calls come in when our alarm system is tripped. Even if it is us setting it off by mistake, which happens a lot. Having ADT makes us feel safe.

8 months ago

Their security system monitors all entries into my home in many ways. This is a great system overall with the possible exception of the high price.

8 months ago

I have a new home with a small baby and wife. I want them to be safe. I feel a strong sense of security using this company. When I had a problem in the neighborhood six months ago, they called to tell me they were canvassing the area and working with the local police to find the suspect. It's a great service.

9 months ago

ADT installed our system in a very professional manner. We have alarms at every point of entry. They spent a lot of time explaining how to use it, including how to use it as a panic button if someone is forcing you to disarm it.

9 months ago

This system is so easy to use, and it works well with my IPhone, however, in the future I plan to replace it with the Ring system, as the cost is much better.

9 months ago

Home invasions are on the rise in our community and a home security system is essential for us to protect our family and home. ADT has perfected this process for us. We wouldn't use any other system.

9 months ago

It's a great security company and they provide a lot of high quality security monitoring in our building. I wouldn't use any other security system as they are the best.

2 years ago

Customer service is excellent and the discount on the home insurance is wonderful. It offsets the cost substantially.

2 years ago

i havent really had to use it thankfully but its good to have and i know that it works when i need it

2 years ago

Blue by ADT provides great value for money and I can recommend it for friends and family

2 years ago

I have had them for quite a few years and never and an issue with them, Gives prompt and resonable priced services.

2 years ago

it works as well as it should work with no problems and cost was not too much for the 24 hour service everyday

2 years ago

Very easy for me to use. I can not think of anything that I dislike, cost is manageable

2 years ago

Because we have never had any issues with our security system. Great service

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