Customer Ratings & Reviews

ADT is known for its well-made security system services. Many of these services require a monthly subscription that can get costly over time. The Blue by ADT Home Security System eliminates the monthly subscription and allows for a DIY experience. Although, there is optional ADT 24/7 monitoring if desired. This newest line of security devices by ADT offers protection like no other. ===================================================================================== IN THE BOX In the box, you will receive 1 ADT yard sign. 7 sensors, 1 motion sensor, and 6 contact sensors. These contact sensors can be used for either your doors or windows. The boxes are labeled individually but you may use them however you desire. A smart hub, the smart hub is the main in-home controller for the security system. This can be used to enable/disable your security system. Only people who know the master code will be able to do this, allowing protection from children or some random person who may disable it without notice. And finally, 4 Window stickers which can be placed around the house. ===================================================================================== SET UP: This 10-piece starter kit can be quickly set up without hassle. It took me a little more than 45 minutes to set the entire system up. The first thing you will need to do is activate your device on ADT’s website. You will be asked to create an account if you do not have one already. Then, you will need to download the Blue by ADT app, and from there, you will be ready to pair the devices and set up the system. You will have the option to set up the sensors with either the double-sided tape or with the provided screws. The Blue by ADT application has worked well so far. I found the app to be extremely user friendly and well designed. Great job ADT! ===================================================================================== EXPERIENCE SO FAR The system is working effectively so far. What triggers the alarm is when the sensors are disconnected from each other. I was afraid I was going to trigger a false alarm anytime I leave my home but fortunately, you will be able to set an exit delay through the app that will allow you to leave your home before the system is armed. If there is ever a false alarm, you can easily disarm it by entering the master code on the smart hub. ===================================================================================== OVERALL: Overall, I am content with the Blue by ADT security system. The security system gives me a feeling of relief knowing that my home is protected anytime I am not home. If you require a quick to set-up home security system with no monthly subscription this system is something you should consider buying. And if you want the extra protection, you can always opt into ADT’s 24/7 monitoring.

The Blue by ADT system is something I wanted to have for some time as it's convenient and simple for a home owner to set up on their own. Choose if you want to pay extra for professional monitoring, as it's an option and not required. This particular 10 piece starter kit is well equipped to get your location up and running for entry points and motion sensing. Included in the starter kit is the Smart Hub, a motion sensor, 6 total door/window contact sensors, an ADT yard sign, and also 4 small ADT window stickers. You'll need to install the Blue by ADT app on your smartphone to get it up and running, which can be found in both the App Store and Play Store. I unboxed my system and proceeded to get the Smart Hub linked up with my home Wi-Fi network. Then I proceeded to sync each contact sensor to the Smart Hub and then apply them to the doors and window placements of my choosing. The contact sensors I put up were with the 3M double sided tape and they stick really well without any hesitation. Test out the placements of where you're opting to put the sensors and pull away the contacts from the other to ensure you have a stable connection and that it registers as an open/close with the Smart Hub. Notifications on the app are well timed and accurate for the type of event that occurs. The yard sign is a nice thing to have for displaying on your property to help notify others that you have a security system and to possibly move on and avoid your location. The stickers provided are also a nice thing to have to give a visual that you're housing a security system of some sort. I have liked the simple use of the app, Blue by ADT. It has given my family and I a better sense of protection of when doors open and close for example. Being away from the house I know it's monitored and that there will be alerts sent to me if something were to happen. I like the fact that ADT has gone this route and offered a monthly monitoring service as an option for those who choose to want it. I preferred to keep this in my house for security and no monitoring right now, but can always opt to activate a 24/7 profesionally monitored monthly service as needed, for which I believe there is a $19.99 monthly fee. ADT is a trusted long standing brand that is known for their home security service, and it's what we used when I was a kid in our family home. Overall I feel this is a great ally to have for home owners that want to have some peace of mind and security and protection. Choose to add more sensors if you want to at a later time, but the standard Starter Kit offers a good starting point for most. If you feel you need professional servicing then you can add that option on later as well. Great app so far to use for daily monitoring and to activate/deactivate the alarm from afar. The SmartHub is easy to use and the buttons are easy to press with physical buttons (not the touchscreen kind). PRO: Easy to use hub and app Lots of sensors in the starter kit Choose to add more sensors at your own pace Optional professional monitoring for a fee CON: None so far

This is review of Blue by ADT 10 Pieces Starter Kit. The kit consist of a hub, sensors for door and windows and a motion sensor ready to install immediately out of box. The process start with setting up first the hub and sync with the mobile App which allow to setup for home wifi, and the profile among other basic setup. This is quite straight forward, except not sure if it was error but there was hiccup during setting up wifi (high level description below). Then start adding Devices that are the sensors and motion detector which was not that hard following the instruction. The sensor can be placed with sticker already comes with, or use the screw. Using the hub feels practical as it can be moved around where is more handy spot compared to the traditional control panel on the wall. From the hub self can set different status and has the keypad for to enter the code. So at high-level it is not very different from other brand. But what I find unique is the Blue by ADT monitoring options. From Self monitoring to paid service which includes cellular gateway layer of connection. This is better than relying only on home wifi connection as provide backup to internet (reference https://support.bluebyadt.com/s/article/Cellular-Gateway-V1). Second benefit is the wide variety of integration of connectivity commonly used in the market. Although I run into issue to add z-wave based light switch, not sure if it has to do with existing network. On the application side or the user portal, it is quite comprehensive and almost similar options available from ADT application but meant for self service fully as do DYI. This means it offer full span of options like Alert, Setting Rules, Secondary users, Key Contact fo call. And not sure if it is site glitch, but somehow when want to lookup for z-wave information at Device>Security Devices> Hub Name>Advanced Settings>z-Wave Learn Mode/Reset Controller/General Exclusion/Inclusion, upon click nothing happen. WiFi Setup problem experienced. During setup of wifi, afterward setting password that shows message that it take some time, despite of waiting didn’t complete resulting in closing the screen and restart. Upon reopening shows wifi setup was complete. To end, compared to many brand out there, and probably will depend on preference every home owner, and despite of some of difficulties in the process, I find Blue ADT better solution because of the variety connection allowed and optional plan to supplement to self service, and doesn’t have to manage storage plan or monitoring plan that quite differ from ADT pers e.

I’ve really enjoyed how companies are making it easier for people to set up security around their house without unnecessary wiring, expensive systems, or having a technician having to come install it. The Blue by ADT Home Security System has been a delight to install and use! SETUP: - Unboxing this took a bit of work but right away I was impressed with the look of everything! It just has a nice mild look to help blend in with the rest of the room. - This system comes with the Hub, 1 Motion Sensor, 6 door/window mounts, and then the ADT stickers and yard signs. Overall an appropriate amount to easily cover your whole house. - Setting up was pretty easy! You download the Blue by ADT app and from there it helps you do the initial hub set up. I really like how the Hub does not require an Ethernet port connection giving you more versatility on where to position the Hub since that is where you arm and disarm the device. - Adding the motion and door/window sensors is very easy as well! Just follow the App’s instructions and it really goes quickly. Seriously, after the Hub is setup the rest is a breeze. PROS: - As stated above, installation was a huge pro for me! I think a lot of people will be attracted to this device on how easy it is to set up. The motion and door sensors attach with 3M sticky sided tape so no screws are needed which is nice, and they just connect so quickly. - A little but nice thing is that the Hub will beep anytime someone opens or closes a window/door sensor. It can be a nice thing to have that audible sensor for people coming and going. - Also the Blue by ADT app has a “History” section where you can look at when the last time a door was opened or closed. It’s a nice feature to know the last time someone has left the house or been home etc! - Of course the most important part is that the security tracking works really well! There are 4 modes: Disarmed, Stay (You are home), Away (No ones home), or Night (you’re sleeping). All have slightly different settings but they make a lot of sense. Like the Stay and Away have a delay in the alarm so you can turn it off when you open a door, but the Night activates the alarm instantly when a door is open. I have found all modes work as expected which is great! - Lastly, the Blue by ADT is a Free DIY home monitoring where you pay for the equipment and then just monitor your home on your own. But if you want to, you can buy an ADT monitoring package on a monthly subscription base. I think its good that ADT does not force you into a subscription but for those that want the professional monitoring, its there for you and easily accessible. CONS: - My main issue with this system has been the “Blue by ADT” app. Although it can be easy to use, it also is a bit cumbersome in ways. There are a lot of settings you have to dive into to fine tune the system and it can be a lot. - On that note, they have a “Rules” where you can automate your security system aka turn on “Night Mode” at a certain time and then turn it off. It’s a nice idea, but once again its just not as smooth as it should be. I think ADT needs to make the automation process even simpler. Or even add “Google” or “Alexa” integration where I can easily turn it off and on. BOTTOM LINE: - Home Security is becoming more important as we spend more time at home and want to keep our families safe. I think Blue by ADT is a fantastic way to provide that peace of mind without having to break the bank. It is really easy to install, easy to use, and very simple. Although I would like a better App experience, thats an easy fix to be make! Point is the hardware works great and it will be a safe experience for your home!

Great security kit. It came with a monitoring base that connects via Wi-Fi and cellular. It has a keypad for codes and buttons to smart-enable the alarm modes. The base also pairs and controls different sensors. Included in this kit were 6 door/windows sensors (they work with both; you just have to assign if it is for a door or window in their app) and a motion sensor. Setup of the system was easy, you first open a web browser and go to an activation page were you create your account with ADT and enter the unique activation code for your device (included in a card), once done, you can choose if you want to self-monitor (no subscription and you get alerts on your phone) or if you want to subscribe to their 24/7 monitoring system, which is $19.99 a month and works like a regular home alarm where they have a monitoring center and if anything happens they can dispatch police, emergency services, medical etc. With the kit, you get your first month free then it auto renews. I chose the free plan because with the pandemic, we are working from home, and are home 24/7. Maybe later I will sub to the monitoring plan when we start leaving home from work… Once you are done creating your account and choosing your service, you are ready to start the physical setup, you just download their app and login and follow the prompts. First comes turning the base station on, pairing it to your Wi-Fi and wait for a small firmware update. Then you can start setting each sensor (you can assign names to them, so you know which one is one). The door/windows sensors are easy since they have double sided tape. The motion sensor, although they include tape too, its recommended to use the corner/permanent kit as placing the sensor on a wall corner/junction gives you the best coverage, which is what I did. Nothing complicated, just two screws and using the included plate. After that, you choose your modes (stay, away or night, pretty self-explanatory). If any sensor is triggered, you get an alert on your phone via the app and or the siren will go off (you can also choose text or email alerts). I highly recommend this kit to anyone wanting to protect their home, without expensive installations, waiting for people to come to your place etc. I installed the whole kit myself in less than an hour. You get plenty of sensors and you can also buy additional ones and add them to your system. I may go for their flood and co2 sensors.

So while I am thankful for basic home security, I don't necessarily feel the need to go all crazy with it, which is why the ADT DIY system is right up my alley. For the basics, it does the job well and there were no major concerns I encountered with it. I'll get straight to the point with a few pros and cons with it: PROS - Super easy to install; was up and running in minutes really - The monthly plan is affordable and cheaper than some of the other brands for the same monitoring - Has voice control - You can control it almost entirely from the app - The main unit doesn't take up too much shelf space CONS - The keypad isn't backlit for nighttime use (I really would prefer this) - The app can be buggy sometimes - The additional products to go with the system are a bit pricey for my taste -- especially the cameras - You have to add a storage plan to access footage from over 24 hours -- it's an extra $2.99 a month Although you can self-monitor, I don't see the point in getting a system in the first place unless you have the professional monitoring, which costs $19.99 with Blue by ADT. This was slightly cheaper than the cost of my previous system. If you get this, I'd suggest making it an overtime investment and adding the additional indoor/outdoor doorbell (it's $200) and the cameras to make it a full system.

A decent starter pack for home security, I had some issues that will not apply to everyone. THE GOOD ~ The setup was relatively easy (except for me--- see * below) ~ The alarm is loud and will definitely scare/annoy someone. Let's face it, once a burglar hears that, they're going to take off like Usain Bolt. ~ Boxes were pre-marked as seen in pics ~ Easy to arm & disarm ~ Simple droid app for setup and use ~ Activation very simple ~ Expandable system (I believe it also works with some 3rd party equipment). THE BAD ~ The central unit (which also houses the siren) is humongous--well...very large. It stands about 7 inches tall and is 4 inches wide and deep. ~ The sensor pieces must be very close to one another (which can be difficult. See * below) ~ Very bright green LED light on top. THE MEH (Could go either way) ~ Wish it included a camera ~ Text message alerts--This can be very good for working parents with kids if they want to make sure a child got home from school or such. It will send a text letting you know the door opened and closed. OVERALL Overall, I think it is a decent starter kit for a home security system. The alarm is loud enough to shock someone and probably make them run since they will know an alarm has sounded. They won't know if you have the system actively monitored (paying for it) or are monitoring it yourself through the texts and emails it sends when something happens. I didn't test it, so I am not sure if the alarm will continue if they pull the plug. Either way, my preference would have been for a small wall-mount key pad and an alarm I could have placed on the ceiling or elsewhere. The bright green LED on top is now a night light for the living room, making everything very visible for those late night snacks. It is bright. * My house was built in the 30's. Consequently, I have thick trim around my doors. This made installation much more difficult for me than it should or would have been for more modern houses. My door frames are 1"x4"s. So, since the sensors must be within 1/2" of each other it took a lot of moving, removing and moving again to get it just right. Once I had everything set, I armed the system and left my Rottweiler and Yorkie at home as I ran to the store. At the store, I received a text telling me one of my doors opened. When I got home, I opened the door without disarming the system. The alarm blared loudly (I didn't hear it outside, but I wasn't listening for it, either). Inside, it was loud until I ran to the giant grey brick and punched in my code. No, the door that said it had been open was still closed. After taking the photos, I noticed the tiny dots on the sensors. I tried to align them with each other and think that helped. I would recommend this to friends in certain situations. Security truly is situational. Someone with many doors and windows would probably want an upgraded or professionally installed system. Friends with a couple of doors and windows--in smaller homes or apartments could easily get by with this. They can also add cameras.

I’ve enjoyed ADT as a home security system for a while. After we moved into a townhome complex, it was hard to justify an extensive home security system. Although a DIY smart home system, the Blue by ADT meets our needs. After a few days post installation, here are my thoughts: Pros: -Ease of set up. Per the instructions, it says it takes on average 20 minutes to set up. It is so accurate, you open the box, download the app, and place your sensors at the desired point of entries around the home. Too easy. No wiring needed. No heavy installation. The hub connects to your home WiFi, each sensor after powering up will connect to the hub. -Device Sensor set up. Besides the Hub which connects your sensors to your wifi, you are given 7 sensors in total: a Motion Sensor, 2 Door, and 4 Window. The Door/Sensor can be used either for Windows or doors, they are individually boxed and labeled for you to choose. Each sensor comes with the main sensor and a smaller reader. Once the line of sight between these two is broken, the alarm will chime. For doors, the small reader goes on the door itself, the main sensor goes on the frame. Windows are trickier because the metal frame is really narrow, but the small reader was able to fit. They all attach by double stick tape so no need to screw them into the wall (You are provided 2 small screws each). -App. The app is your combat information center. You have all the self-monitoring at the touch of your phone. It shows you if the device sensors are online or if that point of entry is open. You can set a delay to the chime for any of your device sensors (30 seconds being the least). The app also notifies you about crime status around you. I found that very helpful. Operating your devices is so simple and easy, and can connect to your Smart Home system like Alexa or GoogleHome. Cons -you have the option for a free 30 day free trial for full protection, which includes 24/7 monitoring from ADT. I wish it was longer than that. You have the option to do just self-monitoring. Overall, great addition to your home security system. Very pleased with Blue.

What happens when one of the oldest security companies take the plunge into Self-Monitoring Security You Get ADT BLUE. I am trying out the ADT Blue security system, it comes with a hub and 6 Door/Window Sensors and a Motion Sensor. The system is self-monitored thru an app on your phone, much like any of the other security systems or security cameras. You can buy a monitoring plan for $19.99 a month but for me that defeats the purpose of the ADT Blue. I have been using self-monitoring security cameras for a few years now and I had rather know what is going on at the property, than to just get a phone call from the service if anything ever happens. The system was somewhat easy to set up, I did have a couple of issues with the Door/Window Sensors that would not be recognized, but they were easy to reset and had no issues after that. I would recommend that once everything is set up, that you go to the app and fine tune your settings to get them exactly like you like them. My wife does not like technical changes, so I made sure to give her a bigger delay to turn the system off or on. There is a downside if you skip the professional monitoring. If you self-monitor if your Internet goes down so does your security system, there is no cellular backup. Where I live that seems to happen a lot. One work around for this if you have an unlimited cellular plan is to setup a Wi-Fi hotspot at your house and use that hotspot for your security system. This does two things, first if you use have a cable based internet it is known to go down, most cellular service does not have that problem. The second is that I only have my security system on the hot spot, this helps to keep it more secure than when you have it on a Wi-Fi system that you let everyone use. The ADT Blue is a great system to use, it is expandable, you can take it with you if you move, it is cost effective if you choose to self-monitor, and with it being one of the oldest security companies you have the best support you could ask for.

Home security system from a name you trust without having the salesman and installers coming in. There are other branded self install systems available on the market, but none are from companies that have the history that ADT does. This 10 piece starter kit comes with the main hub, 6 door/window sensors, a motion sensor, a yard sign and a sheet of window stickers. When you download the app it walks you through setting the system up adding each pre-configured sensor as you go along. During the setup it mentions testing the sensors, but the only way to test them is to stop the setup process and trigger the sensors while watching the dashboard or listening for the hub. Which then means you have to go back to adding the next sensor instead of just continuing where you left off. Just felt like it broke as smooth process and should have testing built in the step. Even though each sensor is already pre-assigned with labels like Door 1, Window 2, they are exactly the same and can be modified later to trigger according to your settings. This means a door has a delay before sounding the alarm in stay & away versus a window which will sound the alarm instantly. The sensors all have sticky back to them that holds really well, but also includes a screw to make them more permanent. The spacing on them has to be fairly close and there is no way to adjust the sensitivity on them. You also don’t have to use all of the sensors included, however, since they are pre-assigned, you will have an open issue of “Shippped” on the sensor till you go in and remove it in the application through Menu -> Devices -> Select your sensors -> Remove Device. The biggest issue I have with this starter kit is the hub itself. For one, it only has one option for install and that is sitting on a table or shelf. Unlike some systems that have a separate keypad from their hub that can be mounted by the door for easy arm/disarm, this one may be limiting for some, as I don’t have a table near my door. Another thing about the hub is that it has no backlighting. It has a single LED that alerts you of the status of the system through blue/green/orange steady or flashing. So, in low light situations it is really hard to see the buttons. They are arranged in a standard keypad pattern, so you can feel around for it, but still hard to see. It is loud enough to alert anyone when it goes off though. The phone app is fairly simple and clean and allows for a lot of customization for the system. From changing what sensors trigger when, the delays, rules and additional users. The dashboard shows the status of the system, any open issues, recent history and a crime watch map near your location. The map at first I though was totally useless as you can’t click the map or icons, but found by clicking the title “Crime Watch” you can change the map and see more details, but you still can’t get specifics by clicking the icons. Another thing that I had to get help on, that might not be so obvious on initial install, is that when using the app you get alerts that a sensor needs to be bypassed when you arm it. However, when using the hub to arm, it just arms and counts down. If you bypass a sensor or a door was open when you armed the system through the hub, it ignores that sensor and treats it as Arm Stay which means the motion sensor will not trigger either. In order to change this option, you have to go to Menu -> Settings -> Security -> Advanced Settings -> then switch Auto Stay on or off. Now if the front door is open and I have to arm from the hub upstairs, it will now properly trigger when the door is opened after the default 60 seconds. Another thing is the option to self monitor or use the standard ADT monitoring service. Of course, after the included 30 days it will cost a monthly rate that is only slightly higher than some other brands, but not by much. The benefits of paying the monitoring service is that it has cellular connection should your WiFi connection be down, plus they call you and potentially emergency services if they don’t get a hold of you or your emergency contact. Self monitoring is only through your WiFi and through notifications to your mobile devices. Which could be an issue if your power is out and affects your internet connection as the alarm system has battery backup. Overall, this system is easy to install and provides the freedom of choice of monthly monitoring or personal monitoring when you need it. It is expandable with more sensors, locks, cameras and thermostats. I only drop it a star, would be half a star if Best Buy had that option, because of the hub placement limitations and no backlighting. The Auto Stay setting was an issue till I learned how to remove it.

The Blue by ADT system is really good. The issues I have had were with the motion sensors. I installed them 6 feet above the floor in corners in 3 rooms, I have had 2 false motion alarms in 2 different rooms this past month. One sent me the alarm notice to my phone during the day and one was early in the morning and an email was sent, but no alarm on phone notice. The settings were correct as per the instructions. I changed the motion settings to make sure that two different sensors (Any Combo) had to trip to set off the alarm from now on for AWAY. When you install the Base with new sensors there will be a firmware update. You will need to reboot the Base to allow for the sensors to work properly. They don't tell you this. Just push the button on the bottom of the Base for two seconds and release. Check your phone settings to make sure if you are self monitoring that you allow notifications to be sent to the phone. Otherwise a good security system with some minor bugs to work out by ADT. The app is wonderful, however the area crime statistics are useless as not all police departments report out their crime. Not really useful at all. It seems like filler for the Blue by ADT app main page.

With a brand name like ADT, you expect this product to be leading in the home security solutions. Getting the system setup was relatively easy, however getting alarm activation has been less than great. The system automatically goes into practice mode for 7 days, which they do not disclose other than a message in the app. Switching from another security provider, having to put on the arbitrary training wheels is not awesome. Then after day 8, when you think your paid monitoring service is supposed to kick in, you realize it’s still in practice mode. A couple calls and they need you to file an alarm cert with the county… would have been nice to know up front during that forced 7 day non-adult waiting period…. After filing the alarm cert and waiting for the epic speed of government to get back to you, you call up ADT again only to find out it’s going to take 24 hours to activate… Why? No one knows… then after waiting 24 hours and finding out it’s STILL in practice mode, another call to find out it wasn’t entered right and the warranty department is really “backlogged”. Not my problem ADT, get your junk together. The system itself is lack-luster as well. The app required is glitchy and sometimes has a problem connecting to the system. The monitoring “hub” has decided that a blue light means armed? No digital display and an annoying clock ticking when you activate, like a game timer. Overall an incredibly regrettable purchase. I wish we would have stayed with our previous monitoring company. Glad this is a short term solution for our rental until we move. Last time I will be doing business with ADT. Overrated and under performing.

I bought the 200 dollar box from the shelf and am happy with the system so far. It's pretty bare-bones but it works well and being able to arm the system from anywhere with my phone is a fantastic feature. Although the app is kinda buggy

Really easy to install. My 12 year old and I installed together in less than 30 minutes. The only complaint I have is one of my doors isn't leveled to the door jam so the door alarm didnt register. I had to improvise and add a piece of MDF ply to level. Also beware that for the paid monitoring service you may have to pay a permit fee depending on your municipality. I love that I can set the alarm with my phone app from anywhere.

Easy setup and works great. Self monitoring is awesome.

After reviewing several home monitoring systems I decided on blue- ADT. Easy setup and very happy with this system. ADT is a company I can trust to have a excellent system. And it does! Highly recommended.

There's a possibility I'll want to add a couple of stars in the next month or so. Or maybe subtract two. Time will tell. I bought the ADT Blue system to replace a professionally installed system from Alert 360. I was tired of paying nearly $90 per month for monitoring. I went with ADT rather than SimpliSafe based on a positive experience in a previous house. I also planned to add to this 10-piece starter kit the smoke/heat detectors ADT discusses on the website, that integrate with the system. Or at least, they will, when they exist. They don't yet, which is not what it says on their site. I was assured by a customer service representative that they will be on the market "any day." For now, this is a home security system with no fire detection capability, and that's ridiculous.

Very easy to use , well build, working great with google .

Easy to install. Reasonable Price with professional monitoring.

Easy to install ,great item to have worth the price listed on their website