ADT Doorbell Camera Review 2025

ADT Doorbell Cameras

The first thing you need to know is that ADT doesn’t offer its own video doorbells. Instead, if you order a doorbell camera from ADT you’ll get a Google Nest video doorbell. That makes sense since, as of 2021, the two companies are now partners.1

Still, it’s a little disappointing to find that Google seems to be taking the lead in the partnership when it comes to camera manufacturing. It makes us wonder if ADT is up to putting out its own equipment. Plus, it creates some confusion when we want to talk about ADT products. Even so, we have all the details on Google Nest, er, we mean ADT’s video doorbells.

The Specs

• Resolution: Let’s talk about picture quality. While the market now offers doorbell cameras with up to 4K resolution (that’s over 8 million pixels!), ADT’s Google Nest doorbell delivers 960×1280 HD resolution. It’s not the sharpest image available, but it’s adequate for identifying visitors and monitoring packages.
• Field of view: ADT’s doorbell cameras do great when it comes to field of view. The camera can show 145 degrees, which is solid compared to the industry-standard 130 degrees. Just as important, it features a 4:3 aspect ratio, which means you can see visitors’ feet as well as their faces, and you can easily check your porch for packages on the ground and worry less about porch pirates.
• Night vision: Night vision for this camera is also solid. The video doorbell features two infrared LEDs, which can capture activity even in the lowest light levels. Night vision is an important feature to have, as burglars hate to be exposed while casing a home or breaking in.
• Two-way audio: The ADT doorbell succeeds again when it comes to audio. It includes a microphone so you can have two-way conversations with the Girl Scouts who have come by to deliver your cookies. Even better, the mic has noise reduction and echo cancellation, so you can actually understand what they’re saying about your thin mints.
• Outdoor rating: Here’s where things get a bit concerning. The IP54 rating means this doorbell can handle dust and water splashes, but it’s not top-of-the-line protection. For comparison, many competitors offer IP65 or higher ratings. If your doorbell will be exposed to harsh weather, you might want to ensure it’s under adequate porch coverage.
• Activity zones: Like most security cameras these days, you can set up activity zones in your ADT doorbell camera’s field of view. That helps cut down on false alerts when the neighbor’s dog happens by chasing a squirrel.
• AI: This is where ADT’s Google partnership really shines. The doorbell can differentiate between people, animals, vehicles, and packages like most high-end competitors. However, it goes a step further with facial recognition. Once trained, it can alert you specifically when “Mom is at the door” rather than just “person detected.” Studies show that the accuracy of these facial recognition algorithms exceeds 99 percent.2
• Wi-Fi connectivity: The ADT doorbell camera works through a Wi-Fi signal and sends all video to cloud storage so you can review it at your leisure.
• Battery-powered: While the Google Nest Doorbell is available in wired and battery-powered versions, ADT only offers the battery doorbell. It lasts up to six months depending on activity levels (Google reports an average of 2.5 months for typical use).

If you want the maximum field of view in your video doorbell, check out our review of the Vivint video doorbell. It’s one of the most advanced camera doorbells we’ve ever tested. In fact, all of Vivint’s equipment features state-of-the-art technology. So, if you’re a tech geek, take a peek at our review of the Vivint security system to see what else they offer. We’ve also put Vivint up against ADT in a head-to-head competition to help you figure out which best fits your needs.

Additional Details on ADT Doorbell Cameras

You can’t just buy a standalone doorbell camera from ADT. It’s only available as part of a home security package. Every package includes their smart hub, door/window sensors, and motion detectors. If you get your system professionally installed, you’ll also need to sign up for a $49.99 per month monitoring plan with a 36-month contract.

The silver lining? Professional monitoring means trained security experts watch your home 24/7, even when your phone dies or you’re in airplane mode. They’ll contact emergency services if needed, potentially saving precious minutes in a crisis. Plus, you still maintain control through the ADT+ app, which now integrates seamlessly with the Google Home ecosystem for unified smart home management.

ADT Self Setup Doorbell Camera Options

ADT recently expanded their Self Setup line to compete directly with DIY security giants like SimpliSafe and Ring. This isn’t your traditional ADT experience. It’s designed for the tech-savvy homeowner who wants professional-grade equipment without the professional installation price tag (which runs at least $100).

Aside from that, professional monitoring is not required. We recommend getting a monitoring plan, but if you prefer a fully-DIY home security, you can use ADT Self Setup without monthly fees. And even if you add professional monitoring, you won’t have to sign a contract unlike with the ADT security system. See how ADT stacks up against dedicated DIY security providers in our roundup of the best DIY security systems on the market. ADT does surprisingly well given that it specializes in professionally installed and monitored solutions.

Buying From ADT vs. ADT Self Setup

Let me break down the real differences between these two ADT offerings, because the distinction isn’t always clear in their marketing materials. Think of traditional ADT as the full-service restaurant experience, while ADT Self Setup is more like ordering from a high-end meal kit service. It’s the same quality ingredients, but with a different preparation and service model.

Well, there are three things to consider if you’re trying to decide between ADT and ADT Self Setup.

Installation

First is installation. ADT Self Setup is a DIY system, whereas ADT requires professional installation. That said, we tested the Nest Doorbell (battery) ourselves and we can say it’s about as easy to install as any other video doorbell. It’s completely wireless, it comes with all the accessories you need for quick mounting, and the Nest app will guide you through the entire process. It’s a 30-minute job, even if you’re new to video doorbells. Google Nest also sells a wired version of their video doorbell if you’re like me and have a hard time remembering to charge your phone at night, never mind charging your doorbell every few months.

Cost of Hardware

Here’s where pricing gets interesting. ADT doesn’t offer nearly as many deals for their professionally installed systems as their Self Setup systems. That means you’ll likely pay their full retail prices.

The key advantage with traditional ADT? Financing options. You can spread payments over 24, 36, or 60 months with zero percent APR (subject to credit approval). ADT Self Setup requires full payment upfront, which could mean dropping $500-$1,000 immediately for a basic setup.

Monthly Cost

This is where the gap widens dramatically. Traditional ADT with cameras starts at $49.99 monthly, locked in for 36 months minimum. If you break that contract early, you’ll pay 75 percent of your remaining balance. That could potentially cost thousands of dollars.

ADT Self Setup’s professional monitoring maxes out at $39.99 monthly with no contract required. That means you can cancel anytime without penalties. Even better, you can use the system completely free if you self-monitor, though you’ll lose cloud recording and some AI features.

Here’s another thing to note: While there’s a huge difference in monitoring costs between ADT and ADT Self Setup, the doorbell features are actually the same. You’ll get a free subscription to Nest Aware, unlocking features like facial recognition and cloud storage.

Recap

After extensive testing, we found that ADT’s doorbell cameras (really Google Nest in disguise) deliver solid performance with exceptional AI capabilities. However, the real decision isn’t about the hardware — it’s about how much hand-holding you want. Traditional ADT provides white-glove service at premium prices, while ADT Self Setup offers the same smart doorbell for DIY enthusiasts at a fraction of the ongoing cost.