ADT Blu Review 2026

ADT DIY Security 101

If you’ve been following ADT’s DIY story, you already know it’s been a bumpy ride. Blue by ADT launched in 2020 and never quite landed — the hardware was mediocre, and the platform always lagged behind ADT’s main ecosystem. ADT Self Setup came next, ditching ADT’s own cameras in favor of Google Nest hardware and tying everything together through the ADT+ app. For a while, that was the right call: Google Nest cameras are some of the best security cameras available.

ADT Blu is the latest chapter, and it takes a different approach than either predecessor. It no longer works with Google Nest Cams — They’re now exclusive to ADT Pro Install, the professionally installed side of the business. In its place, ADT Blu uses ADT’s own 2K camera lineup. That’s the same approach Blue by ADT took, but with better hardware this time around. When we compared the ADT Blu cameras to what Blue by ADT shipped back in 2020, there’s no comparison: the new cameras are sharper, smarter, and considerably easier to set up. The rest of the equipment also matches ADT’s Pro Install lineup.

What hasn’t changed is the ADT+ app, which ADT Blu shares with Pro Install. That’s a good thing — the ADT+ app is one of the best home security system apps we’ve used, and having the same platform across both product lines means the app has had years of refinement behind it by the time ADT Blu launched.

ADT Blu’s Equipment Packages

ADT Blu offers six pre-made equipment packages, including a Build My System option starting at $199 for just the essentials which you can then customize. We tested the Total Safety Kit because it gives hands-on time with the complete hardware lineup — every sensor type and all three cameras.

Here’s a quick overview of each ADT Blu system, what it includes, and how much it costs both for equipment and monitoring:

>> Read About: ADT Security Systems 2026 Packages, Plans, Cost & Pricing

On top of professional monitoring, ADT Blu also offers a self-monitoring plan for each package. It costs $14.99 per month regardless of which system you choose and includes full access to the ADT+ app as well as the full suite of features for any cameras in your system.

ADT Blu: Build It Yourself

Our ADT Blu security system came with the same entry sensors as the ADT Pro Install system we tested earlier this year.

One of the things we’ve always appreciated about ADT’s DIY platforms is that you’re not locked into whatever the package includes. ADT Blu carries that forward. Every kit is a starting point, and you can add individual cameras, sensors, and smart home accessories at any time — before or after purchase.

When we set up our Total Safety Kit, we added an extra outdoor camera specifically to test the add-on process. Pairing it through the ADT+ app took about two minutes, which is about as frictionless as it gets. That kind of expandability is one reason ADT Blu works well for homeowners who want to start small and grow.

For reference, here’s the standalone pricing on ADT Blu’s most commonly added components:

>> Learn About: ADT Window, Door, Glass Break & Motion Sensors

To put ADT Blu’s camera pricing in context, here’s how a mid-range setup — one doorbell, one outdoor camera, one indoor camera, one motion sensor, and three entry sensors — compares in total equipment cost across three DIY systems we’ve tested:

ADT Blu isn’t the most affordable option on paper, especially if you factor in SimpliSafe’s frequent sales that lower prices by up to 70 percent. However, both SimpliSafe and Ring outsource their professional monitoring, one of the differences we note in our ADT vs Ring comparison. ADT keeps it all in-house with six redundant monitoring centers in the U.S. that run 24/7. That alone makes it worth the premium in our opinion.

About ADT Blu’s Cameras

ADT Blu’s camera lineup is entirely ADT Blu-branded: an indoor camera ($69), outdoor camera ($89), and doorbell camera ($109). All three deliver 2K HDR video with smart detection for people, animals, vehicles, and packages. During our tests of ADT’s cameras, we found the smart detection accurate and reliable. The outdoor camera impressed us with how well it distinguished between a person walking by and a car pulling into the driveway.

The doorbell camera stood out in our testing for its 180-degree field of view. That’s something we normally only see from companies that specialize in cameras like Lorex. Even the Google Nest Cams don’t offer 180-degree fields of view. From close range near the front door, our ADT Blu Doorbell Camera captured full-body shots of visitors rather than just their face and shoulders. We go over our full experience in our ADT Doorbell Camera review.

While the specs are solid, ADT Blu cameras do not offer facial recognition. The Google Nest Cams that came with the ADT Pro Install system we tested offer Familiar Face Alerts which told us who was at our door if they were a regular visitor that the Nest Cams learned. It’s surprisingly accurate with detection rates that can surpass accuracy rates of 99 percent.1 If facial recognition is a must-have for you, go with ADT Pro Install instead. Here’s an overview comparing ADT Blu’s cameras with Google Nest Cams:

>> Read More: ADT Doorbell Camera Plans and Prices for 2026

It’s worth noting that you can buy ADT Blu cameras as standalone devices, unlike brands like SimpliSafe and Cove that require a full system. With ADT Blu, there’s even a self-monitoring plan specifically for users who only purchase cameras. It costs $9.99 per month and supports unlimited cameras. For comparison, SimpliSafe’s self-monitoring plan that costs the same amount limits you to ten cameras. We go into more details in our SimpliSafe vs ADT comparison.

Monitoring With ADT Blu

Every ADT Blu monitoring plan includes full access to the ADT+ app that we found capable and easy-to-use

ADT’s monitoring network is the main reason to choose ADT Blu over a cheaper DIY alternative. It’s managed entirely in-house with six redundant monitoring centers across the U.S., staffed around the clock. When an alarm triggers, ADT first sends a text in an average of 10 seconds. Then, if you don’t respond within 30 to 60 seconds, they call you before dispatching police if needed. On average, police take 18 minutes to arrive at your house after they’re called.2

ADT Blu offers four main monitoring plans structured around whether your system includes cameras and whether you want professional monitoring:

• Self-Protect ($9.99/month): Self-monitoring for camera-only setups. Real-time alerts, live view, and cloud video through the ADT+ app, with no professional monitoring center involved.
• Self-Protect with or without cameras ($14.99/month): Adds sensor monitoring to the above for systems with both cameras and sensors. Systems with only sensors pay the same $14.99 per month as systems with sensors and cameras.
• Pro-Protect ($24.99/month): 24/7 professional monitoring for sensor-only systems. Cellular backup keeps your system connected if Wi-Fi goes down.
• Pro-Protect with video ($34.99/month): Full professional monitoring plus camera support. On this plan, ADT monitoring agents can briefly access your camera footage at the time of an alarm to verify whether it’s a real emergency before dispatching.

On top of these main plans, they also offer a Pro-Protect with Life Safety plan that costs $29.99 per month. It adds professional monitoring for any life safety sensors such as smoke detectors. Similarly, you can add life safety monitoring to the Pro-Protect with video plan for a total of $37.99 per month.

We switched between Self-Protect and Pro-Protect with Video and Life Safety during our testing period. The plan-switching process took about two minutes in the app, and there was no cancellation fee either way. That’s consistent with ADT Blu’s no-contract structure across all plans. This flexibility makes ADT Blu one of the best security systems for apartments.

One thing worth noting: canceling your plan removes access to cloud storage and most ADT+ app features tied to your camera footage. That’s not unique to ADT — SimpliSafe and Ring Alarm work the same way — but it’s worth understanding upfront, especially if you’re evaluating ADT Blu as a self-monitoring system.

The Verdict: Is ADT Blu Worth It?

We rate ADT Blu 8.6 out of 10. Here’s how we got there:

• Customer Service (8.6/10): ADT’s size means you’re dealing with a large organization, which can feel impersonal. That said, we found ADT’s video call support through the ADT+ app responsive and helpful when we were installing our system.
• Value (7.9/10): More affordable than ADT Self Setup’s old pricing. The camera gap (no Nest) will bother some buyers, but the 2K ADT cameras are solid hardware at a fair price.
• Equipment (8.2/10): Good coverage across sensors and cameras. Missing facial recognition and Google Home integration compared to ADT Pro Install.
• Features and Technology (8.9/10): The ADT+ app remains one of the better home security apps we’ve used. Smart detection is accurate, and the monitoring platform is best-in-class on the Pro-Protect plans.
• Ease of Use (9.5/10): Setup was the fastest part of our testing. We had our Total Safety Kit up and armed in under an hour, which puts ADT Blu comfortably in the upper tier of DIY systems for installation speed.

We’re convinced that ADT Blu is the right call if you want access to ADT’s monitoring network without paying for professional installation or signing a long-term contract. The hardware is a step up from Blue by ADT, the monitoring plans are flexible, and prices are lower than ADT Pro Install. The big trade-off is the lack of Google Nest Cams, which means you won’t get facial recognition or Trusted Neighbor. If those features are what make ADT appealing to you, we recommend ADT Pro Install. Where ADT Blu wins based on our testing is on value and flexibility. There’s no doubt that it’s one of the best DIY home security systems.

If you’re still weighing your options, our SimpliSafe review is also worth a read. SimpliSafe starts at a lower price point after discounts, offers a free self-monitoring tier, and has been one of the most consistent DIY performers we’ve tested year over year.

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