ADT Blu Review and Cost

What Is ADT Blu?

ADT Blu is a modular, self-installed security system. You can build from prebuilt kits or piece equipment together yourself. ADT offers five core kits — Build My System, Security Starter, Life Safety, Video Essentials, and Outdoor Video — plus the Total Safety Kit, its most comprehensive package. We chose the Total Safety Kit because it includes one of every core component, giving us hands-on time with the full equipment lineup.

ADT Blu isn’t ADT’s first attempt at a budget DIY line. We reviewed Blue by ADT back when ADT acquired it in 2019. We also tested ADT Self Setup, which leaned on a Google Nest partnership and became part of the ADT+ ecosystem (now called ADT Pro Install when professionally installed). ADT Blu is a new attempt at the budget DIY segment. This time, ADT is using its own 2K camera lineup rather than third-party hardware, and based on our testing, it’s noticeably more polished than Blue by ADT.

ADT Blu: How’s the Setup Process?

ADT Blu earned its place among our best DIY security systems thanks to a setup process we finished ourselves in under an hour. The system offers support via the ADT+ app, which walked us through pairing the base station, sensors, and cameras.

>> Compare: ADT Vs. Frontpoint

We timed our own setup against two other DIY systems we’ve tested for comparison:

The base station was the first thing we set up. We paired it to the ADT+ app and connected it to our Wi-Fi network, which took about three minutes including the initial boot-up. From there, we worked through the entry sensors, which use peel-and-stick adhesive. This makes ADT Blu a good option if you’re looking for a security system for your apartment. We made sure to clean each surface with a dry cloth before sticking the sensors down, since dust and residue can weaken the adhesive over time.

Installing our three cameras took the bulk of our remaining setup time. The indoor camera was the easiest — we plugged it into a wall outlet and paired it within two minutes. The outdoor camera, which runs on battery power, required us to charge it for about an hour before mounting. We used the included mounting bracket to angle it toward our driveway. The doorbell camera is also battery-powered. We appreciated not having to deal with internal wiring.

ADT Blu Equipment: A Closer Look

We put every piece of ADT Blu’s core equipment lineup through its paces. Here’s our experience with each device.

The ADT Base

The ADT Base is the hub for your ADT Blu system, connecting your sensors and cameras to Wi-Fi and, on certain monitoring plans, cellular backup. During testing, we placed ours near the front door, next to our router. This was the best spot for a reliable connection, and so we could hear the built-in siren throughout our single-floor home. Like other ADT systems we’ve tested, the siren is fainter from a second floor or behind a closed door. The base includes a 24-hour battery backup, which we verified by unplugging it mid-test. Our sensors stayed connected and active through the interruption.

The Door/Window Sensors

ADT Blu’s entry sensors monitor doors and windows for unauthorized entry, alerting us through the ADT+ app the moment one was triggered during testing. We used the peel-and-stick adhesive, so no tools were required for any of the placements we tried, including a slightly uneven window frame. We worried the adhesive might not hold, but it did, through several weeks of testing.

The Motion Sensor

ADT Blu’s motion sensor is pet-friendly, with adjustable sensitivity. We tested ours with a 40-pound dog walking directly underneath it and didn’t get a single false alarm at the lowest sensitivity setting. We’d recommend placing it away from direct sunlight and heat-emitting appliances, though. During our initial setup, we had a few false alarms near a sunny window before repositioning it.

The Glass Break Sensor

This sensor listens for the specific sound frequency of breaking glass. We tested ours by playing a recording of breaking glass at moderate volume from about 10 feet away, and it triggered an alert within a couple of seconds.

The Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detector

ADT Blu’s combination detector covers smoke, carbon monoxide, and heat. We tested the smoke detection using a controlled smoke source under supervision. The alert reached our phone within seconds of the alarm sounding.

The Water & Temperature Sensor

This battery-powered sensor protects against water leaks and freezing pipes. We placed ours under a bathroom sink during testing and simulated a leak with a damp paper towel. We got an alert almost immediately.

The ADT Blu Indoor Camera

ADT Blu’s indoor camera plugs into a standard outlet, with no battery to manage. We tested its 2K HDR video quality during the day and at night. The smaller details held up well in both conditions, with smart detection correctly flagging people and pets passing through frames. At $69, it’s the most affordable camera in the ADT Blu lineup.

The ADT Blu Outdoor Camera

The outdoor camera is battery-powered, which gave us more flexibility during testing since we could position it without looking for an outlet. We tested its IP65 weather rating using a hose and didn’t notice any performance issues. The video quality and smart detection matched the indoor camera. Smart detection was actually more useful outdoors than it was indoors. There’s way more movement outdoors that can trigger cameras that rely only on motion detection. With person, animal, vehicle, and package detection, ADT Blu’s outdoor camera granular control over what types of movement we wanted to be notified of.

The ADT Blu Doorbell Camera

The doorbell camera offers a 180-degree field of view, which is better than the Nest Doorbell cameras you get with an ADT Pro install. In our testing, the camera consistently captured visitors head to toe, even from close range. The device is battery-powered and weather-resistant, which is handy for renters. At $109, it’s the most expensive camera in ADT Blu’s lineup, but compared to other 2K doorbells, it punches above its weight class. For comparison, the battery-powered Nest Doorbell retails for about $180.

The ADT+ App

ADT Blu uses the same ADT+ app we tested with ADT Pro Install. This was the easiest way to arm and disarm the system, view live and recorded video, and manage connected smart home devices like compatible smart locks and thermostats.

We also tested My Safety, a feature that turns your phone into a portable extension of your security system. This was useful when we were away from the house during testing. We also tried out the customizable illuminated yard sign, which signals your arm status to anyone who walks by. It’s not a gamechanger, but it’s something we haven’t seen from other DIY systems we’ve tested.

ADT Blu: How Much Does It All Cost?

There are two costs to plan for with ADT Blu: the equipment and the monthly monitoring plan.

ADT Blu Equipment Cost

ADT Blu offers five core kits plus a Build My System option for full customization. We tested the Total Safety Kit, listed below alongside the rest of the lineup.

Standalone cameras and sensors are also available if you want to build your own kit:

All ADT Blu kits come with a yard sign and window stickers. Our Total Safety Kit shipped with both. Equipment purchases come with a 90-day limited warranty, and ADT offers a 30-day money-back guarantee on equipment, with the window starting from your order date rather than delivery.

ADT Blu Professional Monitoring Cost

ADT Blu offers five monitoring plans, split between systems with and without cameras, and between self-monitoring and professional monitoring. We tested two of the five firsthand during our review.

• Video Connect ($9.99/month): An option if your security system only uses cameras. You can check out live feeds, receive motion notifications, and access 30 days’ worth of video event history.
• Self-Protect ($14.99/month): A basic plan that lets you arm and disarm your ADT setup, regardless of whether you’re at home or away.
• Self-Protect with cameras ($14.99/month): Self-monitoring for systems with sensors and cameras.
• Pro-Protect ($24.99/month): 24/7 professional monitoring for sensor-only systems, with cellular backup available if your Wi-Fi goes down.
• Pro-Protect with video ($34.99/month): 24/7 professional monitoring plus camera support. We upgraded to this plan partway through testing specifically to evaluate video verification, and found ADT’s monitoring agents were able to view a clip from our outdoor camera within seconds of a test alarm.

None of ADT Blu’s plans require a contract. We switched plans twice during our testing window with no cancellation fee or penalty either time. If you finance your equipment instead of paying upfront, that financing agreement is separate from your monitoring plan and doesn’t lock you into monitoring for a set term.

Find out how ADT Blu compares to other home security systems

We tested ADT and compared it side-by-side with other brands to give you the full picture.

• Cove vs. ADT 2026
• ADT vs. CPI Security
• ADT vs Ackerman Security Comparison
• ADT vs Bay Alarm Comparison
• Vivint vs ADT Comparison

The Verdict: Does ADT Blu Have Any Downsides?

After testing ADT Blu from start to finish, we came away thinking it’s a strong pick if you want ADT’s monitoring reputation without paying for professional installation or committing to a long-term contract. Keep in mind that the equipment lineup is limited compared to ADT Pro Install’s. You’ll miss out on Google Nest integration and facial recognition. The 2K camera quality and flexible monitoring plans held up well in our testing against other DIY competitors we’ve reviewed, though.

Pricing is its main strength. Kits start at $249, well below ADT Pro Install’s installation-inclusive pricing. Self-monitoring starts at just $9.99 a month if you want to skip professional monitoring fees altogether.

If the downsides we mentioned are deal-breakers for you, take a look at our top-rated SimpliSafe DIY security system review, a system we’ve also tested extensively. SimpliSafe has been around for over a decade, offers more equipment options in terms of sensors, and has competitively priced monitoring plans.