ADT is a commonly known company with connections all over the US. It has now gone international to other locations such as Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. Monitoring and providing security for 145 years, it is a crucial part of the security industry. In this post, we will talk about self-monitoring with ADT.
Nowadays, ADT has since seen its most extensive number of competitors. Speaker devices such as Alexa, Google, and Siri can alert you to potential noises such as glass breaking and barking.
Companies that make home security cameras user-friendly are vast. To name a few, Arlo, Nest, Ring, Blink, Eufy, Wyze, etc. These are incredibly simple to use, affordable, and can be self-monitored through apps on mobile devices.
But no one can watch over their home 24/7. On the other hand, it is also difficult to be tied to contracts and obligations with companies. So once your ADT contract is over with, is self-monitoring the next best thing to save you some money?
Keep in mind that ADT makes most of their money through subscriptions and contracts to keep their house secure. Therefore, older ADT models might not be able to be self-monitored, but new ones can.
Is it possible to self-monitor with ADT alarm?
ADT control panel is a popular device used in many households throughout the country, and it can work with self-monitoring; however, it depends on the manufacturer and how old the device is.
Furthermore, though devices such as cameras won’t record or store footage into the cloud; other devices like door and window sensors can easily be monitored by one’s self.
It is extremely unfortunate that the ADT cameras cannot work without the monitoring service that is done professionally by the company. This only further ties you down to the company through a contract for a set amount of time and drags on the cost of the camera with the contract for a long time.
Will other cameras work with ADT?
There are other cameras in the market that are now available to work with ADT contracts. Allowing you to go back and forth through ADT monitoring or self-monitoring; giving you more freedom to pick and choose what works for you.
Google’s partnership with ADT opened many doors for the Google devices to fall under ADT monitoring contracts if you so wish for. However, it can also work as a self-monitoring camera when using Google Hub Max.
There is a catch, though, as most things do. The Hub Max can only fully work if your ADT service is over. You will essentially have to own two different security systems; one including the Google cameras and the other having ADT system devices such as the command panel or the door/window sensors.
If you turn on the ADT contract, it will cover everything, including the cameras; but to self-monitor, you would need the contract to be over.
Here is a quick list of different Google and Nest cameras that work under the ADT monitoring system.
- Nest Outdoor Camera: Includes 24/7 video, has night vision via infrared light, includes smart alerts through the Nest app, is waterproof, and has a 130-degree view.
- Google’s Nest Indoor Camera: Wired indoor camera that uses night vision via infrared light, includes motion alerts, and has a snapshot history of 3 hours.
- Nest Doorbell: Great vertical field of view, night vision, and smart alerts.
- Google Hub Max: Gives ADT customers complete control over their security systems and allows notifications for the cameras connected to the system.
Self-monitoring ADT devices
The opposite is true; you can still purchase ADT products without a contract and use it with self-monitoring. Since you are not tied down to an agreement, you get to utilize the best parts of the ADT system with complete freedom.
ADT now offers packages and bundles that have an optional subscription. They will all start with the ADT Smart Home Hub, and you can pick one of the following packages:
- Build Your Own System: Much like building your own burger at restaurants, ADT gives you the freedom to add what you want in the package, but it will always come with the base station.
- Starter System: Apart from the base station, it also includes door and window sensors, a wireless keypad, and a 30-day professional monitoring subscription.
- Starter Plus System: Comes with the base station, two motion sensors, 4 window/door sensors, and a 30-day professional monitoring subscription.
These packages are just the tip of the iceberg; there are plenty of other things that can be included in your home security system from ADT.
The brand is known for its chimes, smoke alarms, indoor and outdoor cameras, motion sensors, doorbell cameras, CO alarms, and window/ door sensors. Furthermore, they have Wi-Fi extenders, keypads, and Google Nest devices that can be paired with ADT.
You can always build up from the ground and start adding to your home over time. There is plenty to secure in a home, and ADT provides that one step at a time.
The Bottom Line
Whether you like being tied down with ADT for a two to three-year contract or want to have your freedom by self-monitoring, you can go both ways by investing in ADT. Trying self-monitoring with ADT is definitively recommended to anyone reading this post.
So you can have it how you want it while still investing in a good company because ADT has been providing home security for decades.
