ADT Indoor and Outdoor Security Camera Review

ADT Camera Options

It doesn’t matter if you’re an ADT Self Setup customer or choose to have your ADT security system professionally installed, you’ll get access to the camera lineup. We recommend taking up the professional installation option as ADT technicians know the best places to set up equipment for maximum coverage.

ADT’s camera lineup is made up of Google Nest products. These devices don’t need a separate app or subscription. You can manage them through the ADT+ app. The four models currently available are:

• Nest Cam (outdoor or indoor, battery)
• Nest Cam Outdoor (wired, 2nd gen)
• Nest Cam Indoor (wired, 3rd gen)
• Nest Cam with floodlight

The Nest Cam Indoor (3rd gen, wired) and Nest Cam Outdoor (2nd gen, wired) both feature 2K HDR video quality, 152-degree fields of view, and enhanced AI capabilities powered by Gemini.

Buying ADT Security Cameras

The buying process for ADT has become significantly more user-friendly. Today, you can simply visit ADT’s website, build a custom security system online, and complete your purchase without speaking to anyone. Within days, your system is delivered, so you can set it up. If you want a technician to install the system, you’re better off calling ADT instead of purchasing online.

Buying Professionally Installed ADT Cameras

We usually recommend getting ADT cameras professionally installed. While they are easy to set up, ADT technicians know the best places to install them for maximum coverage. The only issue is that you need to call ADT to arrange a professional installation.

Buying ADT Self Setup Cameras

If you’re looking to buy an ADT Self Setup system with cameras, the buying process is also online. After customizing your kit and checking-out, ADT will send the package to your doorstep for you to install yourself.

The buying process, in our experience, is akin to buying a SimpliSafe package. That’s a good thing for modern DIYers, as you don’t have to talk to a sales agent to get exactly what you want. The downside is that you don’t get as many options. You can read our ADT Self Setup review for a more detailed look at the types of equipment you can buy.

Our Thoughts on the Google Nest Cams

You can read our review of the full Nest Cam lineup, but, we’ll give you a short overview of the hardware here.

The main differences are how they are powered and the video resolution. All models support ADT’s features, like Trust Neighbor, and include smart alerts for people, pets, objects and packages. Here’s a breakdown of each option.

Nest Cam Video Quality

Nest Cam models capture videos in 1080p with HDR and 2K. HDR helps you capture clear shots in high-contrast situations – usually outdoors where there can be extremely bright and extremely dark areas all in one frame.

In our experience, the HDR helps balance the lighting so that the more shadowy areas brighten just enough without causing glare in areas that already have sufficient daylight.

One note we have on the video quality of the Nest Cams has to do with the viewing angle. The 2K models have the widest viewing angle at 152 degrees, while the others have a 130-degree viewing angle. A viewing angle of 130 degrees might be enough for some, but if you want to cover a wider area, you’re going to want to choose the 2K models.

Smart Features

The Nest Cams are known for being some of the smartest cameras around, offering features like facial recognition in addition to the standard person, pet, and vehicle detection. All four cameras are capable of all these features.

These features are included in the ADT Complete monitoring plan, so you don’t need a Google Home Premium subscription. And yes, we were able to test the facial recognition feature.

Using The Cameras with ADT

The key aspect of ADT’s security camera options is that they work with a larger home security system to completely blanket your home. Although effective in protecting homes, security cameras can only protect what they can see. And the cold hard truth is that burglars can sometimes evade security camera detection.

With our ADT system in place, we had the security sensors to fall back on. What we mean by that is, if our cameras fail to catch an intruder – for instance, if they manage to creep through a blindspot – ADT would still detect them through the security sensors. We had door and window sensors installed on our front and back doors as well as every first-floor window, so no matter where they enter through, we’ll get an alert.

Conversely, when our ADT motion sensor alerted us to movement in our kitchen, we used the Nest Cam (wired) to check on our home.

With the ADT Self Setup system and the ADT+ app, we were able to livestream Nest Cam footage through the app itself, so we were able to verify the alert within seconds of receiving the notification. Fortunately, it was just a stray cat that found its way through a window left ajar.

Of course, any security system with security cameras can provide those benefits. Did ADT stand out in any other way?

Video Verification

The answer is “yes.” The standout feature is called video verification, and not every alarm system has this. This feature is now available for both ADT Self Setup and Pro Install systems, though it requires the appropriate monitoring plan.

Video verification can speed up police response. With the ADT Complete plan at $49.99 ($39.99 for Self Setup) per month, ADT’s monitoring center will be able to briefly access your video history if – and only if – there’s an ongoing alarm call. That way, they can determine right away if police dispatch is necessary.

Moreover, the police are more likely to prioritize and respond faster to video-verified alarms, since studies show that up to 98% of non-verified alarms from security systems turn out to be false activations.

Video verification has practical benefits, too. If the monitoring center catches an intruder in the act of breaking and entering, they’d be able to provide the police with descriptions on the spot, which might help in catching the criminal.

Of course, ADT is not the only security system that offers video verification. SimpliSafe also offers this feature through its Fast Protect plan. However, because of ADT’s top-notch monitoring facilities and service, it stands out as one of the best options.

ADT Pricing

Now, let’s get to one of the downsides of using security cameras from ADT: The monthly cost.

ADT requires professional monitoring for its ADT Pro Install system, and although monitoring is optional for the ADT Self Setup system, you’ll need a subscription to enjoy the full benefits. With both systems, you only get security camera features like cloud storage and facial recognition (Nest Cam only) if you sign up for the highest subscription.

ADT recently streamlined their monitoring plans. Now, they have three plans to choose from whether you got a Pro Install system or a Self Setup system. They are called ADT Secure, Smart, and Complete.

Prices start at $39.99 per month, which is steep despite the fact that they include home automation and professional monitoring for your ADT security system. For example, Ring Home subscriptions with professional monitoring and cloud recording costs only $20 per month. And with SimpliSafe, professional monitoring with video verification and cloud storage costs just $32.99 per month. So, even though ADT recently lowered their prices, they still charge a premium compared to the competition.

Still, we believe that ADT’s monitoring plans are worth it. In our experience, they have one of the most reliable monitoring networks, with a total of nine facilities throughout the United States. You can read our ADT pricing page for more information about ADT’s subscription options and why we think they are worth it.

The Final Say: Are ADT Security Cameras Worth It?

ADT security cameras are the perfect partners for the ADT security system, especially now that they’ve incorporated Google Nest Cams into their lineup. There’s been significant improvement in the integration between Nest Cams and the ADT system, particularly with the unified ADT+ app that now works for both Pro Install and Self Setup systems. But as they stand now, the camera options from ADT are worth it.

There’s room for improvement still, particularly when it comes to integrating Nest Cams with the ADT Pro Install system. But as they stand now, the camera options from ADT are worth it.

Of course, ADT is not for everyone. A monitoring plan is required to enjoy its full features, so we only recommend ADT if you’re willing to spend on a whole-home security system and the monthly fee that comes with it. Is it for you? Read our security camera buying guide for help in choosing the right cameras for you.