ADT Secure Home Connected DIY security system review

If you visit any town in the US, you’re bound to see a sign on every other lawn proclaiming that the property is protected by 24/7 professional monitoring. And, chances are, that sign bears the letters “ADT”. Although ADT Security has had a presence in Australia for years, it’s only recently that the company launched its first DIY solution down under. Designed for “flexibility and affordability”, the solution can be tailor-made to fit your home or business, with a combination of sensors, cameras, video doorbells and more to create an all-in-one security solution.

I was fortunate enough to put the ADT Secure Home Connected DIY system to the test over the last few weeks, but while it has its merits, I’m not completely sold.

And keep in mind that this is the most basic (a.k.a. cheapest) option. If you want to add a few extra sensors (like leak sensors or glass break detectors), throw in a security camera or two, or grab a panic button, you’re looking at an even higher upfront cost.

Of course, there is one thing that ADT offers that no DIY smart security brand does (at least in Australia), and that’s professional monitoring. Priced at $42.50 per month for full professional monitoring and $19.90 per month for lite (a.k.a. self-managed) monitoring, it’s surprisingly decent as far as ongoing fees go—with some DIY smart home security brands, you’ll pay up to $30 a month simply for multiple-device cloud recording.

Another thing to keep in mind is that buying this system isn’t as simple as selecting the equipment you want, adding to cart and waiting for delivery. You’ll have to fill out a quote form and wait for an ADT representative to get back to you.

As a modular home security system, the time it takes to install the ADT Secure Home Connected DIY solution depends on how many sensors and devices you get. Installing the basic kit took me about 15 minutes in total. Simply plug in the security panel, connect to Wi-Fi, log in to your ADT account, and then add each sensor and device directly from the touch screen.

There’s not much drilling involved, either. Although the touchscreen security panel can be wall-mounted, you can also simply rest it on a surface with the included stand. All the sensors include 3M adhesive for easy installation. Only the video doorbell requires drilling, and even then it’s simply two small holes for the bracket.

Although the box comes with a few QR codes that link to installation videos and device specs and manuals, there is a distinct lack of information about how to use your devices after installation, and there’s no in-app onboarding to help you out either. It’s true that most of the devices are straightforward enough not to really need any assistance, but for those less tech-savvy, I can see it being an issue.

In addition to the devices included in the basic setup, I also tested a leak sensor, glass break detector and wireless security camera. All of the sensors I got to try were great quality and worked exactly as you’d hope.

On the other hand, the video surveillance devices were a bit of a mixed bag. The video doorbell, though only 1080p resolution, offers an expansive 160-degree field of view with a 1:1 aspect ratio, meaning you can see your entire front door area and you can spot any deliveries left at your doorstep. As for the wireless security camera, I have no idea about the specs as ADT provides absolutely no information. From what I have seen, it’s very capable, with about 1080p resolution and a wide horizontal viewing angle. Unfortunately, the battery life on both devices is pretty poor, so expect to recharge every couple of months.

Despite being a “connected” security system, this system isn't actually compatible with any of the major smart home platforms yet, although ADT confirmed to SafeWise Australia that Alexa and Google Home integration is expected by the end of the year.

There are also mentions of Z-wave device setup and “automations” in the ADT Smart Secure app and on the alarm panel, but no information as to how to set it up or what it’s compatible with.

Still, there is something to be said about being able to manage every single sensor and security camera in the same app. Many smart home security brands offer smart sensors but no cameras (or vice versa), while others do offer both, but require different hubs to operate different devices within the same ecosystem.

Having seen the popularity and pervasiveness of professionally monitored DIY security systems in the US (just ask our American team), I was intrigued to see if ADT’s first Aussie DIY foray would convert me from the self-monitored system I’d cobbled together over the last few years. Unfortunately, the ADT Secure Home Connected DIY system wasn’t the slam-dunk I expected. Strictly as a value proposition, it’s simply not worth it unless you plan on staying subscribed to one of the professional monitoring services. If professional monitoring isn’t your thing, there are better (and cheaper) options out there.