
Best 10 Smart Video Doorbells
As Of July 2022
We did the
Level Up the Security of Your Home With Best Smart Doorbells
A wired doorbell is a smart home accessory that is used globally. Besides, the new-generation video doorbells are better as they prevent intruders from entering the house and prevent theft. How?
That’s because you can view who is on your door and then decide whether to open the front door or call someone for help. It is usually helpful for families that have older adults or small children as their safety is essential when you are not at home.
Earlier, people watched through peepholes, but it was unsafe as porch pirates might get the sense of someone being present inside the house. On the other hand, homeowners these days have installed HD video doorbells that are on the safer side as it allows them to get a clear view of the person standing in front of the door.
These doorbells have a wide field of view and can provide you with a clear view of the area in front of your door. If you want one, you can get one. But, choosing the top video doorbell is not easy. Don’t fret, though, as we will help you! Read ahead to learn all you need to know about picking the best video doorbell!
What is Video Doorbell?
A smart doorbell acts as a digital receptionist for your smart home. It not only rings like a normal doorbell but also provides you with the ability to see who is at your door. This is done through an HDR quality camera. With this, you also get to have a two-way talk with the visitors via the echo show feature.
Apart from this, you can greet your visitors, and these smart home devices will add wings to your house’s security. Mostly, smart video home security systems such as doorbells are equipped with person detection or motion sensors that detect the activity happening in the motion zones.
So, you will get alerts on your device regarding any unknown motions in your home, and you can take appropriate actions if needed.
How does it work?
The video doorbells work in the same way as your home security monitors work as they capture video day and night with infrared LED sensors. The video recording is also equipped to record the audio so that you can listen to what the person is talking about in front of your video doorbell. The video storage is usually stored in the in-built micro SD card or on a cloud server.
When a visitor approaches the doorbell, the router will recognise the motion and send an alert to the mobile application. This alert is typically sent using a 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi connection. Though, some video doorbells can use a cellular or landline backup for sending motion alerts. It is usually done during power outages to avoid miscommunication.
Lastly, some cameras bring in the use of artificial intelligence for differentiating between people and other moving objects. The camera will alert the user regarding a motion of any kind. It may generate some unwanted notifications too.
What are the different types of Video Doorbells available?
These doorbells are relatively more useful than normal doorbells or peepholes because they can provide you with the knowledge of who is there in front of your door. Hence, it would be better if you know about different types of video doorbells that are available online for purchase.
Wired Doorbell
This doorbell usually comes with a complicated wiring system that usually needs a professional electrician for installation. Whenever wiring is involved in any task, there is a lot of work that needs to be done. Thus, there can be instances when the wiring gets deterred, and you might end up seeking help from a professional.
These doorbells are more affordable in comparison to wireless ones but lack portability. Plus, if your power is cut off, it won’t work, and you might miss someone knocking on your door.
Homeowners have also stated that having doorbell wiring brings in a lot of work when it comes down to maintenance and replacement. Since it uses a complicated wiring system, you might end up hiring someone who has hands-on experience with it.
Wireless Doorbell
The second type of doorbell is a wireless doorbell, and it is available in both battery-operated or electric-operated versions. As it does not need wiring, you can try the DIY installation of this doorbell. Some tenants who repair or remodel their houses usually rely on wireless doorbells due to their multiple benefits.
It is easy to install the wireless facial recognition doorbell as they do not have wires. The major reason why most tenants replace their existing doorbell with a wireless one is that it boosts the security level. It includes features such as night vision, Wi-Fi comparability, video clip recording, two-way audio and smart locks. Also, its smart speakers help you hear and talk to the guests before opening the door.
These video doorbells are usually compatible with Amazon and Google Assistant, so you would not have to worry about the storage of the pre-roll or recorded videos. It will store video in the local storage for some days without charging any subscription. Also, the look is appealing, and they are weather-resistant so that you can use them at any place.
Traditional Doorbells
Last on this list is the traditional doorbells that are being used by people for many years, along with peepholes. These are the simplest form of doorbells available in the market, but the security factor is low with these doorbells. It is not recommended for the users who are seeking to get the highest security among all while they are out.
These doorbells are considered the best that you can install on your front door in terms of adding a layer of safety. But, choosing the one that suits all your needs can be a bit difficult at times. Therefore, you can consider the following features for choosing the best doorbell camera.
1. Connectivity
They are meant to send you an alert notification whenever they detect any motion in their scope. Hence, you should focus on their comparability whether they use a Wi-Fi network, cellular data or landline network. Then you can choose the one that is perfect for fulfilling all your needs as not everyone has access to all of these features.
2. Operation
As of now, we all know that video doorbells are either wired or wireless. Thus, it is completely dependent on a person’s personal choice regarding which doorbell would be best for them. If you are looking at less regular maintenance, then you can choose the rechargeable video doorbells. Most of the rechargeable video doorbells can last for half a year with one charge. While the wired ones need a regular power supply for the required usage.
3. Storage
A video doorbell provides a real-time video viewing option to the user but not every time you can be present there to keep a check on the motion alerts. Thus, to avoid any security breach, it should have a video clip storage feature to store the recorded videos in HDR quality. You can also purchase a ring protect plan to get access to some extra features such as unlimited cloud storage and many more. It is a product-specific thing that may not be in all of them.
4. Installation
The installation of the doorbell camera should not be a task of hassle. It is best to call an electrician for the installation, but calling someone every time for help with its maintenance might not be ideal for you. Therefore, it is advised to look at all types of video doorbells available for purchase and choose the one that has the easiest installation, especially if you are not a handyman yourself.
5. Price
It is one of the important factors that should always hit up your mind when looking for a new doorbell. The basic price range for a reliable doorbell lies between £80 to £300. But, the prices of the doorbells are not limited to the range that has been mentioned above. It can be higher than this depending upon the features of the subscription package you are taking additionally.
6. Additional Features
The considerations are extended to the ones that we will be discussing below. Considering them or keeping a note of these features can be helpful for you:
Mobile App Support: It should support Apple iOS and Android devices to provide you with better control over different features such as give-and-take communication.
- Compatibility: The video camera could be compatible with different devices such as Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa.
- Design: The first thing a guest sees is your door and doorbell. Search for one that is appealing and complements your home entrance. You can look for the one that has a compact and aesthetic design.
- Camera Quality: The camera’s clarity should be HD to provide you with better recognition of the person standing outside.
- Weather-resistant: If you are residing in rainy areas and don’t have a well-covered entrance, purchasing one that is resistant to weather would be ideal for you.
Is a wired or wireless Video Doorbell Better?
There are many factors that you can bring into consideration when choosing the one that is best to fulfil your needs. One of the prime factors is the price of the product. Apart from this, you can consider its features and installation.
If we talk about the product’s price, the wireless doorbells are more affordable than wired ones. But if we consider the pricing and all the safety they ensure, then wireless doorbells take the lead. They are the most loved ones by the users globally. The main reasons are their portability as they have no wires, super easy to install by yourself and require less maintenance.
Can you connect your Video Doorbell with other smart devices?
Yes, you can connect your video doorbell with other smart devices such as Android, iOS, Amazon and Google Assistant. Thus, you can control the functionality of your video doorbell. This will allow you to operate and view the live scene outside your main door without even moving from your place.
Some of the doorbells have specific connectivity features. This means that you cannot use them with every device.
At last, the choice is yours which one would work for you and which one is the product that you are considering adding to your house for security purposes.
Are Video Doorbells subscription-based?
Some video doorbells are subscription-based, while some are entirely free. Apart from this, you can find the ones that provide access to limited features in the free mode and unlimited features in the subscription model. If you are looking for multiple features, you can go for a subscription-based video doorbell.
Some models are both subscription-based and free doorbells. Therefore, you can choose one of them if you are looking to enjoy some amazing features as some have a real-time viewing feature, recording feature, double communication and many more.
What’s the difference between a Video Doorbell and a Security Camera?
A security monitor is a smart house device that can be placed anywhere with the aim to prevent intruders from getting into the house. Most of the time, you need to install many cameras to guard your garden and home’s perimeter. On the other hand, the video doorbell can only be installed at the main door or near it. There would be no use in installing the doorbell in the backyard. If you are looking for a product that provides versatile use and ultimate security all around your home, then do consider purchasing a security camera.
If you are focusing on adding a layer of security to your main door, nothing can work better than a good quality video doorbell. It can help you have a conversation with the person standing outside the door.
Closure
Enhancing the security of your home is always worth it. A video doorbell is a must-have product for most tenants and modern households as it allows them to get access to different security features. If you are looking to purchase the top video doorbell for your house, then having a look over at this comprehensive guide would be a great help. We have also compiled a list of the best doorbells to consider for purchasing online. It's a step forward to making your home smarter along with smart locks, smart bulbs, smart plugs and smart thermostats.
With all this information we are certain that you will make the best decision for yourself and your home! Protect your family and elevate your doorbell with one of the best video doorbells in the market!