ADT Doorbell Camera Plans and Prices for 2026

ADT has partnered with Google to bring Nest doorbell cameras into their home security ecosystem, and honestly, it’s a pretty smart move for both companies. If you’re considering an ADT doorbell camera, you’re looking at two solid options: the Nest Doorbell (battery) and the Nest Doorbell (wired, 3rd gen). But with two big names behind these options, are ADT’s doorbells expensive?

Unlike buying a standalone doorbell camera from Best Buy, getting one through ADT means you’re entering its professional monitoring ecosystem. That means you’re not just paying for the hardware. You’re also looking at installation fees, monthly monitoring costs, and potentially long-term contracts. In this guide, we’ll help you understand the financial side of ADT’s doorbell camera offerings. We’ll walk you through every cost consideration so you can make the right decision for you.

>> Read More: The Best Video Doorbell Cameras of 2026

Our Google Nest Doorbell unboxed and ready to install.

ADT Doorbell Camera Pros and Cons

Pros

• Professional 24/7 monitoring included in all plans
• Seamless integration with ADT security systems
• Reliable Google Nest technology and features
• Battery option eliminates wiring requirements
• Package deals reduce overall equipment costs

Cons

• Higher monthly fees than standalone options
• Long-term contract required for professionally installed systems
• Professional installation adds upfront cost
• Only two doorbell camera models available

ADT Doorbell Camera Pricing Overview

When you buy an ADT doorbell camera, you need to factor in multiple costs, including equipment prices, installation fees, and ongoing monthly monitoring charges. The doorbell cameras themselves cost less than $200, but the total initial investment typically ranges from $300 to $1600, depending on your ADT system.

We also find that ADT differs significantly from DIY alternatives when it comes to monthly fees. A standalone Google Home Premium subscription runs $10 to $20 monthly, while ADT’s monitoring plans start around $24.99 per month and can reach $49.99 for professionally installed systems. That’s because you’re paying for professional monitoring services, not just cloud storage.

Over a three-year contract period (which is required for ADT professionally installed systems), you’ll spend around $1,800 just on monitoring fees, plus your initial equipment and installation costs. That’s substantially more than a DIY system, but you’re getting award-winning professional monitoring and the ADT brand backing your security setup.

Nest Doorbell (Battery) Details and Costs

The Google Nest Doorbell (battery) is easy to set up yourself if you have a drill and a screwdriver.

The Nest Doorbell (battery) is ADT’s flexible option for homes without existing doorbell wiring. Through ADT, you’ll pay $179.99 for the device itself, which is identical to Google’s retail pricing.

What makes the battery version attractive from a cost perspective is installation flexibility. If you decide to do it yourself, you can save on professional installation fees. The device comes with a mounting bracket and all necessary hardware. If you can use a drill and a screwdriver, you can handle this installation yourself. If not, ADT is one of the best professionally installed security systems around.

The battery itself is rechargeable and lasts up to six months depending on activity levels. In our testing, we got about three to four months per charge. Feature-wise, you’re getting 960 x 1280 resolution video (3:4 aspect ratio), HDR support, night vision, and person detection with ADT’s monitoring plan. The 145-degree diagonal field of view captures head-to-toe views of visitors, which we found useful when packages were delivered. We also set up motion detection zones to reduce false alerts from passing cars, pedestrians, and our neighbor’s pets.

Nest Doorbell (Wired, 3rd Gen) Details and Costs

The Nest Doorbell (wired, 3rd gen) is also $179.99 and a better alternative if you already have existing doorbell wiring and don’t want to deal with recharging batteries. We recommend professional installation unless you’re comfortable working with your home’s electrical system and existing doorbell wiring. We’re not, so we paid ADT’s installation fee, which starts at $100. The total amount depends on whether you have other security equipment that also needs to be installed.

The main benefit of the wired model is that it offers continuous power, which improves in important areas. You can opt for 24/7 continuous video recording (with the appropriate monitoring plan), compared with the battery model’s event-based recording. The video quality also increases to 2K resolution with HDR and night vision, delivering noticeably sharper images, especially in challenging lighting conditions.

We also found that the wired version provides faster notification speeds. In our testing, alerts typically came one to two seconds faster than the battery version. That might not sound like much, but when someone’s at your door, those seconds matter. The device also includes a larger field of view at 166-degree diagonal and improved person, package, animal, and vehicle detection through Google’s AI algorithms.

>> Learn More: Nest Doorbell Review 2026

ADT Monitoring Plans and Subscription Costs

Our Nest doorbell (battery) night vision is impressive, even if it’s not in 2K like the wired models.

Here’s where ADT’s pricing structure differs significantly from buying a Nest doorbell from Google. ADT doesn’t offer standalone doorbell monitoring. It’s always part of a broader security package. While ADT has multiple professional monitoring tiers, only one includes video support, and it’s $49.99 a month for professionally installed systems.

These costs include professional monitoring services where ADT’s call center responds to alerts 24/7 and contacts emergency services on your behalf. We think it’s a worthwhile offering, considering over 58 million packages were stolen in 2024.1 ADT plans are significantly different from Google Home Premium’s $10 to $20 a month subscription, which just provides cloud storage and advanced detection features without professional monitoring.

Package Deals and Bundles

If you don’t already have an ADT system, you’ll need to set one up to be able to buy doorbell cameras from ADT. At a minimum, you’ll need an ADT Base and an entry sensor. This bundle starts at $269 and is fully customizable with additional components. In our computations, these bundles can provide significant cost savings compared to buying components separately.

If you’re mainly interested in a doorbell camera, we recommend the Front Door Protection bundle. It includes the ADT Base, three entry sensors, a motion detector, a Yale Smart Lock, and a Google Nest Doorbell (battery) for $738.98. These are some of the other bundles you might like.

We’ve also seen ADT deals and discounts run regularly throughout the year, and they sometimes offer free doorbell cameras with new security system purchases. We recommend keeping an eye out during Black Friday and Cyber Monday for the best deals.

Installation and Additional Fees

We paid for ADT professional installation to ensure our Nest Cam Doorbell was set up correctly.

Professional installation through ADT is another expense to consider. Costs start at $100, which is cheaper than the Vivint system we reviewed. We paid around $150 for our ADT system, though, since we bought a bundle including entry sensors, motion detectors, and another Nest Cam to review.

If the upfront costs are too much, ADT offers financing to ease the burden. You can pay off the cost over 36 months, which adds a small amount to your monthly payments. For example, if you decide to go with the Front Door Protection bundle, you would pay about an extra $20 a month on top of your professional monitoring subscription.

Which Option Saves You Money?

Let’s talk about real-world cost comparisons. If you buy a Nest doorbell directly from Google, you’ll pay around $179.99 for either model, install it yourself (free), and subscribe to Google Home Premium for $10 to $20 monthly. Over three years, that’s roughly $540 to $900. With ADT, you’re paying for equipment and installation for an entire security system, plus $49.99 a month for monitoring. Over three years, that can cost several thousand dollars.

The critical distinction is you’re not comparing apples to apples. ADT provides professional monitoring where trained operators respond to alerts and dispatch emergency services. Research proves that homes without a security system are three times as likely to be the target of a forcible entry.2

For budget-conscious buyers who want only a video doorbell without professional monitoring, buying directly from Google is more cost-effective. We recommend opting for professional monitoring, though. ADT’s pricing is competitive compared to other professionally monitored services like Vivint or Brinks, though still more expensive than self-monitored alternatives like SimpliSafe or Ring Alarm.

>> Compare: The Best Monitored Home Security Systems in 2026

Wrap Up: Is an ADT Doorbell Camera Worth It?

The Nest Doorbell installed on our front door.

ADT’s Nest doorbell cameras deliver solid technology backed by professional monitoring services. We think the battery version makes sense for rental properties, homes without existing doorbell wiring, or anyone seeking installation flexibility and lower upfront costs. In our opinion, the wired version offers better performance and continuous recording but requires professional installation and existing electrical infrastructure. Neither option is cheap, but both deliver reliable performance when integrated into ADT’s broader security ecosystem.

If you want professional monitoring and are committed to a long-term security system, ADT’s doorbell cameras provide good bang for your buck. The equipment is high-quality, the monitoring is reliable, and Google Nest technology is among the best available. Before signing anything, get complete pricing documentation including equipment costs, installation fees, activation charges, monthly monitoring rates, and contract terms in writing. Calculate your total three-year cost and compare it against your budget and security needs to see if it’s right for you.

Frequently Asked Questions