ADT Equipment Guide: Sensors, Cameras, and More

ADT dominates the industry because it's the oldest security company on the block. The company has a good selection of  equipment, and the mobile app is easy to use, but the higher costs might turn some folks away. We also like its compatibility with home automation devices.

The company has a good selection of ADT Command equipment, and the Google Home app is easy to use, but the high costs might turn some folks away. We also like its compatibility with home automation devices.

We’ll teach you about ADT equipment, what it costs, and what it works with. For information about ADT's professional monitoring, customer service, and installation, head over to our full ADT review.

Each ADT plan comes with a home security starter kit that includes a touchscreen control panel, a motion detector, and three contact sensors. (Additional motion detectors and contact sensors are available for $100 and $50, respectively.)

Depending on the monitoring plan you choose, some upper-tier plans also come with options to add a smart door lock, security camera, and video doorbell.

You'll get the most out of the ADT touchscreen panel with a cellular connection and mobile compatibility. It connects with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant^*, so you can control it with your voice to arm, disarm (Alexa only), or make adjustments in the sensors or your smart equipment.

The alarm panel is multilingual and connects to your other smart home devices. We also like the 12-hour battery backup that kicks in when the power goes out, keeping your home safe during storms or other power outages.

Depending on the plan you choose, you'll have access to additional ADT equipment like various sensors, a security camera, video doorbell, smart thermostat, a panic button, smart locks, and lighting.

ADT also sells security cameras and a video doorbell. The company's partnership with Google Nest means you have access to Nest's excellent cameras from your ADT account.

ADT's top two monitoring plans offer Nest Aware video monitoring with ADT security cameras, and you can watch your home live or check recordings in the backlog.

When your ADT security system's sensors or cameras detect motion, you'll get a notification so you can tune in and see what the camera sees. This way, you can tell if it's just your pooch prowling around the house or a real emergency.

Learn more in our ADT security camera guide.

Provided you pay for ADT's home automation as part of your monitoring service—$49.99 a month for ADT Smart, $59.99 a month for ADT Complete—it's compatible with plenty of smart home devices that help your alarm system move beyond its security roots. Plus, you can control the devices in one place from the Google Home app—except Alexa, for obvious smart home rivalry reasons.

While most smart home platforms use your Wi-Fi network, Z-Wave uses a different technology specifically for smart home security devices like smoke detectors, door sensors, smart plugs, and smart locks. The beauty of Z-Wave devices is that they work with many security systems like Vivint, Frontpoint, and Abode.

This means you can switch Z-Wave devices you already own to a new system to save a little cash. Your ADT specialist installer needs to put the system into "learn mode" for you to add these devices, so they're not something you can add on your own like Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant.

ADT smart equipment works with the free IFTTT app. The premise of IFTTT is that of a central control module for all smart home automations. 

Read our full guide to IFTTT to learn more.

• ADT Home Security Review
• ADT Cameras Guide: Indoor vs. Outdoor vs. Video Doorbell Cameras
• ADT FAQs
• Is ADT Monitoring Worth the Cost?
• How to Cancel Your ADT Contract
• ADT Self Setup Home Security Review
• ADT Security vs. Frontpoint Home Security
• Best Home Security Systems

1. ADT, "A Comprehensive Guide to Smart Home Device Compatibility." Accessed September 15, 2022.