ADT Indoor and Outdoor Security Camera Review

ADT Camera Options

The first thing you should know about ADT is that they continue to evolve their offerings. Most recently, ADT expanded their camera lineup through strategic partnerships and introduced ADT Self Setup. It’s a DIY home security system, completely different from the traditional ADT system (a.k.a. ADT Pro Install) that is installed professionally.

Regardless of the ADT system, however, your security camera options are the same. ADT partnered with Google Nest to offer Nest Cams as security cameras for their whole-home security system. The three models currently available are:

• Nest Cam (indoor/outdoor, battery)
• Nest Cam (indoor, wired)
• Nest Cam with floodlight

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 ADT Pro Install security system online, and complete your purchase without speaking to anyone. A technician will still install the system for you, but the new online buying process is more streamlined.

Buying Professionally Installed ADT 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.

Buying a security system from ADT has never been easier. In our previous tests, we had to call a local dealer first to get a quote and then eventually get a security system installed by a technician. Today, you can just go to ADT’s website, create a custom ADT Pro Install security system, and checkout. A technician will still install the system for you, but the new online buying process is more streamlined.

That being said, if you buy an ADT system online, you can add only Nest Cams to your cart. If you want the legacy ADT security cameras, you’re going to have to give ADT a call, or talk to an agent through ADT’s chatbox. Since we wanted to test the ADT cameras as well, we went with the traditional buying process.

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. Again, the ADT Self Setup system supports only cameras from Google Nest.

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

Now, we’re not going into too much detail about the three Nest Cam models. We have a separate page for that, our review of the full Nest Cam lineup. Here, we’ll give you a short overview of the Nest Cam hardware.

The three models available are the Nest Cam (battery), the Nest Cam (indoor, wired), and the Nest Cam with floodlight. They differ in how they receive power and in a few minor features like the viewing angle and the built-in floodlight in one of the models. Generally, though, they share the same hardware specifications.

Nest Cam Video Quality

All three Nest Cam models capture videos in 1080p HD, but with a little extra magic called HDR or high dynamic range. 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 in the Nest Cam (battery) helps balance the lighting so that the more shadowy areas brighten just enough without causing glare in areas with already enough daylight.

One note we have on the video quality of the Nest Cams has to do with the viewing angle. The wired indoor model has the widest viewing angle out of the three at 135 degrees, while the other two have a viewing angle similar to the ADT Outdoor Camera at 130 degrees. Those may be enough for some, but if you want to cover a wider area, you’re going to need more than one camera. The Nest Cams tend to be on the higher end of the price spectrum, which means your budget might take a hit.

Smart Features

The main reason one might choose to use the Nest Cams over the ADT cameras is the 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 three cameras are capable of all these features, but there is one catch: You need a Nest Aware subscription to use the facial recognition feature.

Fortunately, Nest Aware is included in the ADT monitoring plan (under Video Security), so when we got the Nest Cams from ADT, we didn’t have to purchase a separate subscription. And yes, we were able to test the facial recognition feature. You can read our full experience in our Nest Cam (battery) review.

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.

Unfortunately, the integration wasn’t as smooth with the ADT Pro Install system and the ADT Control app initially. However, ADT has since improved the integration. The ADT Control app now allows streaming videos from both ADT cameras and Nest Cams seamlessly, making the entire system more cohesive.

In 2024, ADT unified their app experience, allowing both Self Setup and Pro Install customers to use the same ADT+ app for complete control over their systems, including all camera functionality.

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.

Those are steep prices, even considering 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 $31.99 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.