"Blue by ADT is a solid DIY alternative to expensive security systems, but Amazon Ring and Google Nest have better apps."
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Two-way audio with noise reduction
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face recognition
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Multiple privacy features
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Works with LifeShield systems
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Further components will follow shortly
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Bad motion detection
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Slow app
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Bulky design
DIY security systems are becoming more and more attractive as they offer both homeowners and tenants affordable home security options that they can customize. LifeShield (now "Blue by ADT") has become a household name in DIY security systems. Blue by ADT announced three new cameras at CES 2020.
These cameras can work alone or as part of a LifeShield system. But Blue by ADT will release additional components in the coming months. I tested three new Blue by ADT cameras – the inside camera ($ 200), the outside camera ($ 200), and the video doorbell ($ 200). I also tested the Chime and Extender accessory ($ 50).
Here is my full review of the Blue by ADT security system.
Bulky but attractive
The indoor and outdoor cameras are both rectangular with a gray and black color scheme. The indoor camera is 4.3 inches tall, 2.6 inches wide and 1.8 inches thick. It comes with a stand that you can place on a table, desk, or bookcase. or you can mount the camera on a wall.
While the outdoor camera is completely wireless, you need to connect a power cord to the indoor camera, although it has a temporary backup in the event of a power failure. The outdoor camera is similar in size to the indoor camera, but is shorter and thicker (3.7 x 2.8 x 2.7 inches).
The video doorbell corresponds to the aesthetics of the surveillance cameras with the same color scheme. It has a thicker profile than other popular video doorbell options on the market because it measures 4.9 x 1.7 x 1.4 inches. The doorbell button is surrounded by a blue light ring, so your visitors know where to press. Each device – both the cameras and the video doorbell – has red lights that are activated when the cameras detect motion.
DIY installation
Setting up the cameras, doorbell, and chime wasn't the worst experience, but it wasn't as seamless as I expected. The carillon gave me a bit of trouble. To connect the carillon, you need to connect it to Bluetooth so that the app can find it and then connect to your Wi-Fi network. The app couldn't find the carillon when I tried it for the first time, but finally made a connection after performing a factory reset.
The outdoor camera was easy to assemble.
Setting up the indoor and outdoor cameras was relatively painless. However, the app made me re-enter my Wi-Fi credentials for each connected device instead of just letting the camera choose from my phone's Wi-Fi settings.
A positive note is that the outdoor camera was easy to install, stays securely in place, is IP65 waterproof and can withstand temperatures between 14 and 122 degrees Fahrenheit.
The doorbell has battery support, but is not permanently operated with battery power. You must therefore connect the device to the electrical wiring of your doorbell (alternating current / 16-24 VAC transformer). However, the installation process is no more difficult than with most video doorbells on the market.
Once you've completed the installation process, you'll need to connect the doorbell to the app and re-enter your Wi-Fi credentials.
After you've connected all of your devices to the app, you can set your preferences and which features you want to use.
Functional, with a few quirks
Since the system contains several components, I will go through each one individually.
The outside camera
The outdoor camera battery lasts a long time. After two weeks, the camera's battery was still over 90 percent. It withstands different weather conditions because I placed it in the middle of my garden and the heavy rain and moisture did not affect the operation. However, the lens can become foggy. Therefore, you may want to spray an anti-fog spray on the lens.
The outdoor camera battery lasts a long time.
It has a 1080p picture with a 130 degree field of view. HD night vision works well, but night vision isn't as good as some other cameras on the market (it's not comparable to the Arlo Pro 3). The outdoor camera offers other advantages such as face recognition, bidirectional speaking and compatibility with Alexa and IFTTT. It comes with a month of free video storage. However, there is also an SD card slot for local storage. The camera has motion detection, but the motion detection function has some special features. It appears that the sensitivity to movement adapts to the sensitivity of the camera to the proximity of the movement, as opposed to the type or severity of the movement.
The inside camera
The indoor camera offers many features that we all expect from a modern surveillance camera – 1080p video, bidirectional speaking, motion detection with zones and night vision. It also has facial recognition.
A cool feature is the ability to watch out for smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and send you a notification in response. It has an SD card slot and battery support in the event of a power failure. When you buy the camera, you also get free video footage for one month. The inside camera is a bit bulky, but works reliably overall.
The video doorbell
The video doorbell offers night vision, face detection, bidirectional speaking, motion detection with zones and much more. You can set the video doorbell to ring the chime and extender, or you can have it ring on your existing doorbell.
The doorbell has a 1080p image, a wide 180 degree field of view and IP65 water resistance. The doorbell has an excellent picture and you can see a lot of your porch and front lot if you place it properly.
The carillon and the extender
Another device that is an optional component of the Blue by ADT camera system is the carillon and the extender. This device plays motion signals and video doorbell chimes and at the same time extends the WiFi range and the battery life of the cameras.
It is an approximately 5-inch box that is connected to an electrical outlet. Two antennas protrude so that the cameras get a better Wi-Fi signal. It has the same color scheme as the cameras and the doorbell. Once you plug it into an electrical outlet, you don't really notice it.
The blue from ADT App
In the app, you can customize all kinds of settings, set your notification preferences, view video feeds and clips, communicate through your cameras, and more. You can activate a data protection mode for both surveillance cameras in the app and set a security question.
The app is not always fast, but it works well with the main functions of the cameras. The biggest problem I've experienced is the accidental disconnection of the outside camera. Some of the features, like the invite user feature, are also a hit and miss.
Blue from ADT and LifeShield
Additional components for the Blue by ADT system are expected to be released in 2020. Blue by ADT will come out later this year with a base and keyboard. The indoor camera can also serve as a base, so you can add a keyboard and sensors to your DIY security system.
The Blue by ADT cameras are backwards compatible with LifeShield systems.
You can currently use or purchase existing LifeShield products, and the Blue by ADT cameras are backward compatible with LifeShield systems. If you want professional monitoring, you can pay $ 20 a month (the first month is free) and there is no long-term contract.
Overall, this new DIY push is a welcome effort and is establishing itself as a competent offering in the same room as other players such as SimpliSafe, Nest Secure, Abode and Ring Protect. Even better, the company's website has been updated to reflect upfront prices for its products and services, as opposed to the "call us to get a quote" approach that has served many security system companies in the past .
Data protection functions
I asked ADT to explain some of the data protection functions of the cameras in detail. In addition to being able to put the cameras into data protection mode, Blue by ADT uses password security measures such as blocking login errors and enforcing password strength to reduce the risk. However, I haven't seen an option for two-factor authentication in the app.
The blue cameras are encrypted throughout.
The blue cameras are encrypted throughout. ADT's security features include service-wide encryption, which improves security for communication between devices, the ADT cloud and the Blue by ADT app. ADT agents cannot view live video or saved Blue videos from ADT cameras, and the cameras have an SD card slot that allows customers to use local storage.
warranty information
Blue by ADT cameras are guaranteed for one year.
Our opinion
The cameras in the Blue by ADT system are brand new and like many new products there are a few kinks. However, each of the cameras and the video doorbell offer useful functions, the integration of additional safety equipment and compatibility with assistants such as Alexa.
Is there a better alternative?
If you just want a surveillance camera or just a video doorbell, better and less expensive options are available. For example, the Wyze Cam V2 is a good choice for those looking for an affordable surveillance camera as it sells for just $ 20. And despite recent safety concerns, the Ring 2 is still an excellent video doorbell that offers easy installation and battery power. You can find a refurbished Ring 2 for under $ 100.
How long it will take?
The cameras and doorbell are robust and should last for several years if properly cared for. The doorbell and the outdoor camera are both waterproof and should be suitable for outdoor use. In addition, the cameras will become more powerful in the coming months as Blue by ADT is expanding the system and launching new products.
For example, the indoor camera will be given the ability to become the basis for a more complete system. Although the cameras are currently compatible with Alexa and IFTTT, they still need to be certified for Apple HomeKit and Google Assistant, so they should get additional features later this year.
Should you buy it
No. For those looking for a complete security system, Blue by ADT may be worth a look if budget is your main concern. However, if you only need a standalone surveillance camera or a video doorbell, Ring and Nest does better.
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