A video doorbell replaces your traditional doorbell with a device that secures your home and allows you to speak to visitors without opening the door. With a smart doorbell camera, you can monitor your doorstep with 24/7 video surveillance and communicate directly with visitors while you’re busy or away.
To help you determine the best video doorbell for your home, we researched various camera brands and compared their features, functionality, and pricing. In this roundup and review, we compare the best doorbell cameras currently available and provide you with key information to help you monitor and secure your home.
Top 5 Doorbell Cameras
- Best Wi-Fi Connectivity: Ring Battery Doorbell Plus
- Best Field of Vision: Arlo Essential Wired Video Doorbell
- Best Motion Detection: Remo+ Video Doorbell Camera
- Best Night Vision: Google Nest Doorbell
- Best Cloud Storage: eudic Doorbell Camera
Best Wi-Fi Connectivity
Ring Battery Doorbell Plus
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Powered by a rechargeable, quick-release battery pack
- Supports two-way communication with noise cancellation
- Easy to install
Cons
- Ring Protect subscription required to save and review recorded videos
- No package detection
What Customers Are Saying
Arlo Essential Wired Video Doorbell
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Has a built-in siren
- Has a 180-degree viewing angle with a 1:1 aspect ratio
- Allows you to answer visitors with prerecorded messages
Cons
- Priced higher than competitor products
- Reviews mention issues with setup
What Customers Are Saying
This doorbell camera received positive reviews for its straightforward setup, excellent picture quality, and its useful iPhone and Android smartphone app. However, others felt that the settings were not intuitive and had issues setting personal preferences. Others claimed the alarm was triggered too easily.
Best Motion Detection
Remo+ Video Doorbell Camera
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Allows users to select specific areas to monitor
- Works with voice assistants, such as Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa
- Can share the camera’s view with up to five people
Cons
- Some customers said that the installation instructions were confusing
- Have to pay for a plan to get cloud storage that saves your data for more than three days
What Customers Are Saying
Customers liked the free three-day cloud storage that was included with their purchase and the wide angle that the camera could detect motion in. Customers who were unsatisfied said that the push notification system was faulty.
Best Night Vision
Google Nest Doorbell Camera
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Features talk and listen, allowing you to communicate with visitors
- Allows you to call emergency services right from the app when you’re not home
- Has 4:3 video so you can see the full image of a person at your door
Cons
- Not compatible with Google Home app
- Night vision is lacking when compared to other models
What Customers Are Saying
Customers who liked this product were pleased with its motion detection capability, night vision feature, and straightforward installation. However, others felt that the video quality was worse than they expected, and some said that they found it to struggle in extreme temperatures.
Best Cloud Storage
eudic Doorbell Camera
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Doesn’t require a wire connection
- Includes shared viewing for up to four people
- Provides a QR code to download the app
Cons
- A full charge only lasts two months
- The push notifications are sometimes delayed
What Customers Are Saying
Satisfied customers found that the product was both easy to use and install. Customers who were unsatisfied with their purchase said that the product didn’t detect motion like the manufacturer advertised.
Our Conclusion
Whether you’re looking for a DIY doorbell camera or one you can add to your existing home security system, these video doorbells provide simple and accessible surveillance technology to help you secure your home. Our top picks are the Ring Battery Doorbell Plus due to its excellent recording and live view capabilities and the Arlo Essential Wired Video Doorbell for its wide field of view and prerecorded audio features.
To help you determine which doorbell camera is best for you and your home, compare the video doorbells from these top providers.
Compare Top Video Doorbell Cameras
| Compare | Ring Battery Doorbell Plus | Arlo Essential Wired Video Doorbell Camera | Remo+ Video Doorbell Camera | Google Nest Doorbell | eudic Doorbell Camera |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Video | HD+ video in 1536p, color night vision | 1536 x 1536 HD, night vision | 1080p HD video, night vision | 1920 x 1080 HD video, night vision | HD video, night vision |
| Motion detection features | Customizable motion zones | Customizable motion zones | Customizable motion zones, adjustable motion sensors | PIR motion sensor | Smart PIR motion detection |
| Field of view | 150° | 180° | 180° | 140° | 166° |
| Audio | Two-way audio with noise cancellation | Two-way audio, pre-recorded messages | Two-way audio | Two-way audio | Two-way audio |
| Power | Battery pack or hardwired | Hardwired | Hardwired | Hardwired | Hardwired |
| Operating conditions | -5°F to 122°F | -4°F to 113°F | -4°F to 122°F | Not listed | Not listed |
| Install | DIY | DIY | DIY or Professional | DIY or Professional | Professional |
| Warranty | One-year limited | One-year limited | Two-years limited | One-year limited | One-year limited |
| Smart home compatibility | Alexa | Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Google, If This Then That (IFTTT), Samsung SmartThings | Alexa, Google Asssitant, IFTTT | Alexa | iOS and Android devices |
What to Look For in a Video Doorbell
Before purchasing a doorbell camera, consider these important factors:
- Wired vs. wireless: Different doorbells require certain installation requirements. Some doorbells, such as the Ring Battery Doorbell Plus, are battery-powered and don’t require additional power. Others, like the Google Nest Hello, are wired directly into your existing doorbell system.
- Field of view: While field of view may not seem important, it determines how wide and tall your camera records video. Measure the area around your front door. If you have a wide porch, you may want to purchase a video doorbell that has a wide field of view.
- Storage: While some doorbell cameras, like the ADT doorbell camera, record and store video clips, other smart doorbells use local storage and don’t or require a premium subscription to receive recording services.
- Installation: Most video doorbells require professional installation to hardwire the device into the existing doorbell system. Some doorbell cameras, such as the Ring Battery Doorbell Plus, allow for do-it-yourself (DIY) installation and the doorbell is installed using screws and a mounting plate.
- Video cameras vs. video doorbells: While video doorbells record video and allow communication, they are most effective for quick alerts and talking with visitors. If you’re looking for a more extensive video security solution, you may want to go with a home security camera that provides more robust storage solutions and sharper video quality. Security cameras, like Abode’s Outdoor Smart Camera, can be used anywhere, including your front door.
Other Ways to Keep Your Home Secure
Doorbell cameras are an excellent way to keep your home safe and secure by giving you the ability to monitor the outside of your home to fight off porch pirates, detect motion, and even communicate with visitors without ever having to open the door. However, there’s always more you can do to fully secure your home. In addition to adding a doorbell camera, here are some other areas in which you can help keep your home protected.
Add an Indoor Security System
While a doorbell camera can help keep the outside of your home safe, you should also consider installing an indoor security system to help protect the inside of your home. Indoor security systems can trigger an alarm if an unwanted guest makes it inside and can also put an automatic call to the authorities.
Keep Doors and Windows Locked
One of the easiest things you can do to keep would-be burglars away is to ensure your windows and doors are locked and fully closed, even when you’re at home. Over 35% of home burglaries occur due to an unlocked door or window, according to the FBI.
Be Mindful of Spare Keys
While putting a spare key under the doormat may be convenient, it’s also an invite for thieves to easily access your home. If you are using a spare key, consider putting it in a lock box or another secure location that only you can access.
Keep Lights On
Another easy way for you to scare off potential home-invaders are to simply leave lights on when you’re not home, especially for an extended period. Burglars will likely be looking to operate in darkness, so leaving lights on, especially outdoors, is likely to have them looking for a different target.
Don’t Forget Cyber Security
In the 21st century, cyber security is just as essential as keeping your home physically secure. If a bad actor gains access to your Wi-Fi network, they could disable your doorbell camera or security system, allowing them easy entry to your home. Make sure your Wi-Fi password cannot easily be guessed, and enable WPA or WPA2 encryption on your network. You should also install anti-virus protection on your computer and make sure your home’s router is fully secure.
FAQ About Doorbell Cameras
Do all doorbells have a monthly fee?
Not all video doorbells have a monthly fee. For most brands, you can self-monitor your doorbell at no additional charge. However, most video doorbells offer a premium monthly subscription that gives you access to features like video storage, facial recognition, and advanced motion detection.
If you’re looking to use your video doorbell simply to see who is on your doorstep when the doorbell rings, you most likely won’t need to pay a monthly fee.
How much does a video doorbell cost?
Video doorbells range anywhere between $100-$300. Price factors include the model purchased and whether or not the video doorbell was purchased as a standalone product or part of a security system.
Do video doorbells record all the time?
No. Most video doorbells don’t record in real time for live streaming. Typically, recording is triggered when the alarm is rang or motion is detected.
What audio feature is best for a doorbell camera?
You should look for doorbell cameras that have a two-way audio feature. This allows both you and the person at your door to talk to each other. Some video doorbells even incorporate noise cancellation technology, blocking out unnecessary sounds for better communication.
What safety features does a doorbell camera offer?
Doorbell cameras offer a variety of safety features outside of video monitoring and two-way talk. Some video doorbells link to other smart home devices, like floodlights, that can brighten your front porch when a visitor is detected at night.
Many smart doorbells are linked directly to your security system, allowing you to dispatch emergency services if there’s an intruder at your door. If you’re expecting visitors, your doorbell camera’s smart home integration can link directly to your door’s smart locks, so you can let in a friend or family member at the touch of a button.
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