Samsung Partners With ADT for New SmartThings Home Security Kit

Innovation and partnership is what drives the home security industry forward, since more competition leads to better products and more affordable deals for homeowners. This development has led Samsung and ADT to bundle their strengths to create a new solution.

Samsung entered the home security sphere with its SmartThings Home Monitoring Kit, a collection of smart home solutions with app-based self-monitoring. However, nothing beats the backup provided by professional monitoring agents, and that’s where ADT comes into the picture. The result of the two companies’ collaboration is a smart security kit with optional monitoring.

Opening the box

Samsung SmartThings proudly presents the ADT home security kit that unites the positives of both sides. Equipment-wise the package includes a seven-inch touch panel that acts as the security hub, two door/window contacts and a motion sensor.

The contents are eerily similar to Samsung’s previous starter kit, but that also came with a smart plug. Of course there is the option to further customize your home by purchasing the home safety expansion pack.

Interestingly, this addition includes environmental detectors by ADT, namely a CO sensor, a smoke alarm and a water leak sensor. This demonstrates the prowess of the system, as it’s capable of handling hardware from both providers. The home security kit currently costs $549, while the ADT expansion pack comes in at $200.

Professional monitoring

One of the biggest setbacks of the original Samsung SmartThings was the lack of professional monitoring. The only viable option was to keep a constant eye on the smartphone app in case an alarm message pops up. Well not anymore. With this new package self-monitoring is still possible, but now the app offers the ability to subscribe to ADT’s monitoring service. By doing so you’ll receive exactly the same treatment as any other ADT customer.

It goes without saying that the security hub forwards any alarm to the monitoring HQ so the agents can perform the necessary countermeasures, but what makes this offer interesting is that you don’t need to enter into any kind of contract and the subscription can be canceled at any time. There is a life safety plan that only monitors the environmental detectors for $14.99 per month, or a full security services plan for $24.99 per month.

Is it worth it?

SmartThing’s ADT home security kit is the most beneficial for homeowners who wish to have an affordable monitoring service protecting their back. Compared to ADT’s own monitoring fees, the monthly plans presented here are much more affordable.

On the other hand, the buy-in for the starter kit is a bit high, especially considering that there is a very slim alarm arsenal within the package. But keep in mind that the system handles hardware from both ADT and Samsung alike, therefore presenting a larger roster of additional tools, like environmental detectors and smart home solutions.