ADT Self Setup Equipment and Compatibility

SafeWise experts have years of firsthand experience testing the products we recommend. Learn how we test and review

ADT Self Setup is a no-contract, DIY offering from the world's most recognizable security company. The DIY installation cuts equipment costs drastically and saves you the trouble of scheduling service appointments.

While it doesn't have as many equipment options and services as professionally installed ADT systems, ADT Self Setup offers plenty of coverage for most homes. We're big fans of its support for third-party smart home devices—especially Z-Wave.

Here's a quick guide to the equipment options and prices you can expect from a ADT Self Setup system. Check out our full ADT Self Setup review if you want more information about its monitoring, mobile app, installation, and customer service.



ADT Self Setup hub and sensors

Every ADT Self Setup starter kit comes with a hub that includes a built-in keypad for arming and disarming your system—with more expensive plans including sensors for doors, windows, and motion. All of the kits are customizable with extra sensors to fit your situation (a sensor for every window, perhaps?).

The ADT Self Setup Hub manages your system, tracks connected sensors, and calls professional monitoring for assistance during an alarm event (if you decide to pay for monitoring). It includes a 24-hour battery and cellular backup to keep your system going during a power outage—the cellular backup requires a subscription.

By connecting your hub to Wi-Fi, you can use the ADT+ app on your mobile device and connect your security system to smart home platforms like Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant*, and IFTTT.

Equipment
Price
PurposeControl system and settings, communicate with monitoring center, arm/disarm system, backup batteryWatches for changes in infrared light to detect motionUses magnets to detect when a door or window opens/closesDetects when water leaks and flooding complete an electrical circuit
Learn more

Info current as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.

In addition to the hub, ADT Self Setup sells three sensors: motion detectors, flood sensors, and entry sensors. These sensors are affordable additions to your system and help it cover homes of any size, but you don't have as many options as most other DIY security systems. If you want different types of devices in your system, you can buy one of ADT Self Setup's security cameras or a third-party smart home product.

Notepad
ADT equipment compatibility

ADT Self Setup does not work with other types of ADT equipment.

ADT Self Setup security cameras

ADT Self Setup has several types of security cameras that cover indoors, outdoors, and the porch. These cameras aren't too different from competitors like Ring and Wyze, but the ADT Self Setup Indoor Camera is a bit more expensive than similar indoor-only cameras.

We like that you can use the cameras without paying for professional monitoring. Still, ADT Self Setup doesn't include video storage in the professional monitoring plan (beyond the free 24-hour cloud storage with every camera). If you want extra storage without a subscription, you can put a microSD card in the ADT Self Setup Indoor Camera or ADT Self Setup Wireless Outdoor Camera to keep the local video.

Learn more in our ADT Self Setup Wireless Outdoor Camera review.

Info current as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.

Bell
Security camera accessories

ADT Self Setup sells two accessories for its security cameras: Extender + Chime ($49.99) and an extra rechargeable battery ($39.99) for the ADT Self Setup Wireless Outdoor Camera. The Extender + Chime increases the Wi-Fi range of the cameras, but we like it more for its ability to act as an extra siren or doorbell chime to tell you when a camera detects movement.

Third-party smart home devices that work with ADT Self Setup

Whether you pay for a ADT Self Setup plan or monitor on your own, you can round off your system with smart home devices from third-party manufacturers. You can use some of these devices (Z-Wave) in the ADT+ app, while others work independently to control your ADT Self Setup gear through smart speakers and voice commands.

Z-Wave

ADT Self Setup doesn't sell many sensors and devices compared to other DIY security systems, so Z-Wave devices are the best way to add more gadgets to your system. It works with many Z-Wave devices, including smart lights, smart outlets, smart locks, smart thermostats, and garage door openers.

There are some limitations with Z-Wave on ADT Self Setup systems—you won't find support for door sensors, motion sensors, or flood sensors (basically devices ADT Self Setup already sells, which isn't competitive for other brands but alternatively might eliminate compatibility issues for vital sensors).

Amazon Alexa

Amazon Alexa
Amazon Echo Dot (4th Gen)

†Amazon.com list price as of post date. Read full disclaimer.

By linking Amazon Alexa to ADT Self Setup, you add voice control to your lights and doors. You can also arm your system. This doesn't directly enhance your security system as much as it links it to your Alexa system for a dizzying amount of smart home product possibilities and extra convenience.

Having Alexa control the show is generally the better play for using everything in one app. Still, you need the ADT+ app to add new devices and change settings beyond Alexa's simple voice commands.

Google Assistant

Google Assistant

Similar to Alexa, Google Assistant adds voice controls and compatibility with a variety of smart home devices. The spoken commands are essentially the same, so it mostly depends on whether you prefer Google Assistant or Alexa.

IFTTT

Using IFTTT with ADT Self Setup opens up compatibility beyond typical smart home products, but it's very niche. The main argument for using IFTTT is if you own a product that's not compatible with your system through Alexa or Google Assistant (or if you don't use them at all).

ADT Self Setup's website has several examples of using IFTTT to make your system work with Philips Hue, Lutron, Sonos, and iRobot. We like the idea of a Roomba vacuuming only when your ADT Self Setup system is in away mode.

Light Bulb
Apple HomeKit compatibility

ADT Self Setup says it's working on adding Apple HomeKit compatibility soon—but didn't mention a specific timeline.

Related articles on SafeWise


Disclaimers

*Google, Google Nest, Google Assistant, and other related marks are trademarks of Google LLC.

†Amazon.com list price as of post date. Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. Safewise.com utilizes paid Amazon links.

Certain content that appears on this site comes from Amazon. This content is provided “as is” and is subject to change or removal at any time.

John Carlsen
Written by
John Carlsen
John is a technology journalist specializing in smart home devices, security cameras, and home security systems. He has over a decade of experience researching, testing, and reviewing the latest tech—he was the Smart Home Editor for Top Ten Reviews and wrote for ASecureLife before joining SafeWise as a Staff Writer in 2020. John holds a Bachelor's degree in Communications, Journalism emphasis from Utah Valley University. In his spare time, he enjoys hiking, photography, cooking, and starting countless DIY projects he has yet to complete.

Recent Articles

woman adjusting thermostat in bright home
The Best Home Security Systems of 2024
After thousands of hours of tests and research, we picked Vivint and SimpliSafe as the...
Man and woman couple wife husband set up surveillance security camera
Best Apartment Security Systems
These renter-friendly apartment security systems help keep you safe and require less commitment than your...
diy-security-system-on-ipad
Best DIY Home Security Systems of 2024
SimpliSafe is the best DIY home security system because it's cost-efficient, effective, and easy to...
happy older women sitting together
Best Medical Alert Necklaces
If you find yourself in an emergency, a medical alert necklace can contact trained professionals...