Best Video Doorbell Cameras of 2024
After ranking video doorbells on picture quality, field of view, night vision, and audio, we found Ring is the best one for homes.
- Features 1080p HD video resolution
- Utilizes radar for 3D motion detection of your entire yard
- Set Alexa to greet visitors with customizable greetings
- Includes two-way audio
- Costs under $55
- Hardwired to your existing doorbell so no batteries to change
- Facial recognition available
- Utilizes infrared for crystal-clear video, even at night
- Wide 160-degree field of view
You probably think burglars aren’t bold enough to try simply walking through your front door, but you’d be wrong. According to an old study, about a third of burglars gain entry through the front door – either by breaking in or opening a door that’s left unlocked. That shows the importance of securing the front door in keeping our homes free of burglars. It’s also why video doorbells were invented.
Ring, one of the companies that kickstarted the video doorbell industry, still reigns as our number one pick. That’s after we tested over three dozen doorbell cameras. But unlike 10 years ago, Ring now has competition. We saw some good doorbell cameras from Wyze, Google Nest, Arlo, Logitech, and even Lorex. Yes, that Lorex brand with those rugged and hardy outdoor cameras. So today, let’s look at the best video doorbells in 2024.
What’s A Video Doorbell?
Video doorbells are essentially a security camera, doorbell, and intercom rolled into one device. This device, often placed in the front entry in lieu of a traditional doorbell, allows users to monitor their front doors and answer guests through their smartphones. They can also detect motion to help catch intruders and package thieves. Video doorbells can either be hardwired to an existing doorbell setup or powered using rechargeable or replaceable batteries.
Not all video doorbells are created equal, though, so in this guide, we’ll discuss the six video doorbells that stand out the most and what types of settings they are best suited for.
Our Minimum Standards
Video quality | 1080p HD resolution |
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Field of view | 120 degrees |
Night vision | Infrared |
Audio | Two-way |
The Best Video Doorbells: YouTube Video Review
Find out more about the best video doorbells of 2024 with our handy YouTube video.
Pro Tip: Ready to step into the bigger world of home security? When choosing a security system, these are the three alarm companies you should definitely avoid.
Comparison of the Best Video Doorbell Cameras
System |
Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2
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Wyze Video Doorbell
|
Nest Doorbell
|
Arlo Video Doorbell
|
Logitech Video Doorbell
|
Lorex Video Doorbell
|
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Ranking | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th |
Ratings | 9.2/10 | 8.7/10 | 9.0/10 | 9.1/10 | 8.4/10 | 7.5/10 |
Price | $249.00 | $54.98 | $179.99 | $149.99 | $199.95 | $129.99 |
Recording | Motion-activated | Motion-activated | Motion-activated | Motion-activated | Motion-activated | Motion-activated |
Storage | Cloud | Cloud | Cloud | Cloud | Cloud | Local |
Field of View | 160 degrees | 110 degrees | 160 degrees | 180 degrees | 160 degrees | 160 degrees |
Video Quality | 1080p HD | 1080p HD | 1600p HD | 1536p HD | 1600p HD | 1080p HD |
Night Vision | Infrared | Infrared | Infrared | Infrared | Infrared | Infrared |
Two-Way Audio | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Smart home compatibility | Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant | N/A | Google Assistant | Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant | HomePod or Apple TV | Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant |
Artificial Intelligence | Person detection available with Ring Protect plans | Person detection with Cam Plus | Person detection, facial recognition | Person, pet, package detection with Arlo Smart | Person, pet and vehicle detection | N/A |
Installation | DIY | DIY | Professional recommended or DIY | DIY | Professional recommended or DIY | DIY |
Read Review | Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2 Review | Wyze Video Doorbell Review | Nest Doorbell Review | Arlo Video Doorbell Review | Logitech Video Doorbell Review | Lorex Video Doorbell Review |
Summary of the Best Doorbell Cameras
- Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2 - Best Overall
- Wyze Video Doorbell - Most Affordable Video Doorbell
- Nest Doorbell - Best Facial Recognition
- Arlo Video Doorbell - Best for People/ Pets/ Packages Detection
- Logitech Video Doorbell - Best Video Doorbell for Siri
- Lorex Video Doorbell - Best Video Doorbell with Local Video Storage
Detailed List of Best Video Doorbells
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1. Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2 - Best Overall
Ring started the whole doorbell camera industry, and a decade later, it’s still one of the top brands. The flag bearer for Ring is the Ring Wired Video Doorbell Pro, formerly called the Video Doorbell Pro 2.
What we loved most about the Wired Video Doorbell Pro, besides its sleek form factor, was the video quality. Ring is yet to release a 2K or 4K video doorbell, but the Wired Pro comes close with its 1536p resolution. It also boasts a 150-degree viewing angle both horizontally and vertically. That’s almost wall-to-wall coverage on either side. It was able to capture our six-foot-nine neighbor as he stood about three feet from our door.
We also liked the digital enhancements it makes to recorded video, particularly HDR. Since our door faces East, we get glary videos from video doorbells in the afternoon. But Ring’s HDR helped keep glare to a minimum, allowing us to better see our guests. On top of that, it kept videos colored at night instead of black-and-white.
Here’s some more quick specs:
Resolution 1536p with HDR Field of view 150-degrees (horizontal and vertical) Night vision Color or infrared Dimensions (in inches) 4.49*1.9*0.87 Power source Hardwired Audio Noise and echo cancellation What We Liked
- Wide field of view
- Two-way audio
- Birds-eye view feature
- 3D motion detection
What We Didn’t Like
- Subscription required to save recorded video
- Not compatible with Google Assistant
- Pricey
- Ring’s ongoing privacy concerns
3D Motion Detection
The Wired Video Doorbell Pro boasts some of Ring’s latest technology, including 3D motion detection. It’s a step-up from the PIR motion detection we see in most doorbell cameras, because instead of infrared lights, it uses radar to detect movement. That allows the Wired Video Doorbell Pro to detect, map out and track the movement incoming guests quickly. And if a doorbell can do that, it can start recording as soon as a guest – especially an unwelcome one – crosses a threshold you’ve set. We personally want our doorbell camera to record as soon as someone is about 10 feet away from the door.
Bird’s Eye View Feature
Now, about the ability to track a visitor’s movement, the Wired Video Doorbell Pro can offer a simulated birds-eye view of your front yard to offer more insight on the comings and goings of guests.
In our tests, Ring mapped out our Amazon delivery guy’s journey up the driveway, reflected as a dotted line on a map. These details can come in handy in case of an attempted break-in, as it paints a clearer picture of how the culprit got all the way to your front door. You can use that information to address weak points and blind spots to spoil future break-in attempts.
Alexa Greetings
A video doorbell that lets you speak to guests through your smartphone is useful, but one that greets guests for you is even better. Thanks to Ring’s close ties with Alexa, the Wired Video Doorbell Pro offers Alexa Greetings.
When someone rings your doorbell, Amazon’s Alexa voice assistant will greet them after a short delay. Alexa can either take a message or deliver instructions on where to leave packages. Unfortunately, those are the only two things Alexa can do for now, but they can be immensely useful in combating package theft.
To enable Alexa Greetings, you’ll need a Ring Protect plan, which is the same subscription for Ring’s cloud storage service starting at $3 per month.
FYI: The Ring Wired Video Doorbell Pro is a hardwired video doorbell. If your home doesn’t have doorbell wirings ready, you may opt for the Battery Doorbell Pro. It has a stockier design than the Wired Video Doorbell Pro, but it offers the same internal features.
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2. Wyze Video Doorbell - Most Affordable Video Doorbell
Next to our feature-packed top pick, the Wyze Video Doorbell looks like an amateur. But it has a different advantage – the price. Whereas the Ring Pro 2 costs over $200, the Wyze Video Doorbell starts at $35. And don’t think that it’s low quality. It packs a punch – within its 3.25-inch frame comes an IP 65 water resistant case, clear night vision powered by Starlight CMOS sensors, a 1080p HD resolution camera, and a 120-degree viewing angle. It’s not a Ring Pro 2, but it’s more than decent.
Another thing to like about the Wyze Video Doorbell is that it costs nothing at all to use it. It comes with a 14-day free cloud storage. All clips from up to 14 days ago will be stored securely. That’s one of Wyze’s advantages over Ring doorbells, which all require a cloud subscription to record. Of course, Wyze offers optional subscriptions for extended cloud storage, starting at only $2.99. Again, it’s our budget pick. Don’t expect much feature-wise, but it can get the job done.
What We Like
- Affordability
- Stellar image quality
- LED light built-in
- Continuous power
What We Don’t Like
- Need to pay extra for person detection
- Does not control your existing doorbell
- No local storage
- Narrow field of view
Cost
At just $35, the Wyze doorbell is one of the most affordable video doorbells on the market. However, unlike some other bargain doorbells we’ve tested, Wyze performed relatively well.
There are two options for cloud recording: A basic free subscription, and Wyze Cam Plus. The former gives you 14 days of cloud storage for 12-second motion clips. That’s the maximum it can record, so if your interaction with a guest lasts for more than 12 seconds, it won’t be able to capture the whole thing. There’s also a five-minute cooldown before it can record again, so it’s not like you can piece together back-to-back 12-second clips to playback everything.
If you want improved cloud recording abilities, as well as added features like person detection and package detection, a paid subscription to Wyze Cam Plus is required. But don’t fret, it’s inexpensive. It costs $2.99 per month for each camera you have, but if you have more than four cameras, it makes more sense to buy the $9.99 per month option that can cover unlimited cameras.
Features Basic Plan Cam Plus Monthly price $0 $2.99/camera or $9.99 for unlimited cameras Sound-triggered alerts Yes Yes Motion-triggered alerts Yes Yes Back-to-back recordings No (5-minute delay) Yes Smoke + CO sound-triggered alerts Yes Yes Cloud storage duration in days 14 14 Person detection No Yes Package detection No Yes Pet detection No Yes Vehicle detection No Yes Event fast-forwarding No Yes High-Quality Images
The Wyze doorbell may not be as fancy as the other doorbells on this list, but it more than meets our video quality standards. Its 1080p HD resolution impressed us, much like when we reviewed the Wyze security cameras. The color night vision, provided by its LED light, was also a nice touch, although we much better preferred using the infrared night vision.
The 3:4 aspect ratio was also noteworthy, as it gave us a full head-to-toe view of anyone standing in front of our door. The girl scout selling cookies who couldn’t have been more than four and a half feet tall was captured from head to toe in the frame, and so was our six-foot nine-inch friend who visited from Florida.
Our one gripe, however, was the side peripherals. Unlike the Ring Pro 2, Wyze had blindspots, so if someone were to creep to our front door very close to the wall, it would be easy for the camera to miss it. Our advice is to supplement the doorbell with another affordable camera from Wyze, the Wyze Cam v3. It can record through a window or even live outdoors thanks to IP 67 weatherproof rating. And fortunately, Wyze Cams are some of the most affordable security cameras, so you can use multiple cameras without breaking the bank.
Continuous Power
Let’s face it: Recharging your video doorbell every six or so months is not fun. And since video doorbells play a vital role in home security, you wouldn’t want dead batteries to be the reason you lose critical video evidence in case of a break-in. With the Wyze Doorbell, which connects right to your existing doorbell setup, you wouldn’t have to worry about running out of juice. Yes, you might have to spend a few extra minutes setting up the doorbell’s wiring, but it’s set-and-forget once it’s there.
If you really want a battery-powered doorbell, though, the Wyze Video Doorbell Pro is a good option from Wyze. It’s more expensive, retailing for $93.99, but it runs on battery with up to six months of battery life, and it features a 1440p Full HD camera. It also boasts a wide viewing angle (150-degree) with a 1:1 aspect ratio, which means it’s similar to the Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2.
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3. Nest Doorbell - Best for Google Assistant
Video doorbells help you monitor the front door, but in our experience, there’s still human interaction required. If someone rings your doorbell, you still need to see who’s at the door using the doorbell camera’s app. That is, if your doorbell camera doesn’t have facial recognition.
The Nest Doorbell offers person and package detection out of the box, but if you use it with a Nest Aware subscription, it also includes facial recognition. There’s a lot you can do with that. For example, you can set the camera to alert you only when a stranger is spotted, or to let you know when it sees a certain person. We use the latter to know when our pet sitter arrives so we can open the door using our smart locks.
The Nest Doorbell comes in two models. We opted for the Nest Doorbell (battery) because it’s plug-and-play, courtesy of the built-in battery. The wired version is just as good though. The two models share the same features, so if you prefer a video doorbell you never need to charge, go with the Nest Doorbell (wired).
We recommend the Nest Doorbell particularly to those who prefer Google’s AI assistant over Amazon’s. Being from the same company, the Nest Doorbell integrates seamlessly with Nest products, including the Nest Hub Max that can display video doorbell live footage.
What We Like
- Innovative facial recognition feature
- Sleek, stylish design
- Worked seamlessly with Google Assistant and other Nest products
- Users set custom home and away rules
What We Don’t Like
- Tricky to install and setup
- Subscription required to store video
- Relatively expensive device
- Required chime box to function
Google Functionality
Our Nest Doorbell worked great as a standalone device, but because it’s from Nest, it also worked as part of our larger Nest camera system, including, for instance, our Google Nest Hub smart display and our Google Nest Mini smart speaker. And because Nest is part of the Google family, it’s set up to work seamlessly with Google Assistant voice commands. All we had to tell our phone was “Google, what’s on our doorbell?” and the app popped open with streaming live video.
Facial Recognition
Nest may not have pioneered the invention of video doorbells, but it did pioneer the use of facial recognition in security cameras. The Nest Cam IQ was one of the earliest cameras to offer facial recognition, and since then, every Nest camera comes with the feature, including the Nest Doorbell.
Nest uses facial recognition not just to tag whoever’s at your front door, but to deliver insightful notifications. You can create custom alerts based on facial recognition. For instance, we set our Nest Doorbell to alert us when an unfamiliar person approaches our front door, but not when a household member walks in. For parents, it’s also possible to set up notifications when their children get home so they know if their kids are safe and sound.
The downside is that you need a Nest Aware subscription to enjoy facial recognition. Nest Aware is Nest’s cloud service, which also enables cloud recording. And since the doorbells don’t record video without Nest Aware, we strongly suggest getting a subscription. Your options are the Nest Aware for $8 per month or Nest Aware Plus for $15 per month.
Nest Aware Nest Aware Plus $8/month or $80/year $15/month or $150/year 30-day event history 60-day event history No continuous recording 10-day continuous recording Familiar Face Alerts Familiar Face Alerts Tip: Privacy advocates have raised concerns about facial recognition software in video doorbells. To protect your own privacy, you should avoid using cameras in any sensitive areas such as bedrooms and bathrooms.
Clear Day and Night Vision
We were impressed by the Nest doorbell’s video resolution of 1600p HD, above the industry standard. It also had a 160-degree field of view. But the video wasn’t just clear in the daytime. The Nest Doorbell’s infrared night vision uses 850 nm LED sensors allowing us to see whatever was happening, no matter what time it happened.
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4. Arlo Video Doorbell - Best Smart Motion Detection
They may not be as popular as the Nest Doorbell, but Arlo Video Doorbells rival the former in terms of smart detection. The Arlo Video Doorbells can tell the difference between your next door neighbor stopping by, that tabby cat that likes to lay on your porch, and the box of chocolates you ordered from Godiva.
We’d like to point out though that to access those features (person, animal, and package detection), you’d need a subscription to Arlo Secure. Arlo Secure is the brand’s cloud subscription service, and it isn’t the cheapest. Unlike the Nest Aware subscription that covers all cameras for as low as $8 per month, Arlo Secure covers only one camera for $7.99. If you want all cameras covered, you’ll have to pay $12.99 monthly. We think it’s worth it though if it means protecting your front door.
What We Liked
- Integration with both Alexa and Google Assistant
- 1536 x 1536 pixel resolution
- Free seven days of cloud video storage
- Wired and wireless models available
What We Didn’t Like
- People, pets, and packages detection is only available with a monitoring subscription
- Confusing app interface
- Not IP rated
- No professional installation option
The Three Ps
The Arlo Doorbell has artificial intelligence that allows it to detect what we like to call the three Ps: people, pets, and packages. Thus, real-time alerts didn’t just let us know the camera had detected movement but also identified exactly what kind of movement it detected. That’s infinitely better than getting random alerts throughout the day and having to pull up footage to find out what’s going on at home. Plus, we always knew when a package had arrived, so we could take measures to outwit porch pirates, like having our neighbor store it until we got home.
Doorbell Options
Arlo actually offers two video doorbell options – the Essential Wired Video Doorbell and the Arlo Video Doorbell. The Essential model is cheaper, but it requires a wired setup and only offers a 1080p HD resolution. On the other hand, the Arlo Video Doorbell can either be wired or powered by batteries. You can also choose between the HD model (1080p HD resolution) or the 2K model.
We like the Arlo Video Doorbell HD version in particular because it costs only $79.99 – the same as the Essential Wired Video Doorbell – but offers wired or wireless setup. If you’d rather go with a higher-resolution doorbell, just add $50 for the 2K version. In any case, you’ll enjoy a wide field-of-vision, up to 180 degrees.
Do It Yourself, Even With the Wired Model
The installation process will depend on whether you wire your new doorbell camera to your existing setup or use battery power instead. But no matter the setup, we’d say that Arlo’s doorbells are easy to install. Even wiring the doorbells is easy. Pop out your existing doorbell, twist a couple of wires together, and you’re done. Just make sure to read up on electrical safety, but if you’re not confident you can do it, better call the pros. Safety first always!
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5. Logitech Video Doorbell - Best Video Doorbell for Siri
The Logitech Video Doorbell has it all, nearly: great video quality, increased privacy, and a smooth app experience. If you’re an Apple loyalist like we are, you’ll want to add this to their collection.
What We Like
- Secure cloud storage
- Easy installation process
- 1600p HD video quality
- Facial recognition
What We Don’t Like
- Cannot view the feed from Androids
- No battery option
- Narrow viewing angles
- Only works with HomeKit
Straightforward Installation Process
Though we had the option to have the Logitech Video Doorbell installed professionally for an additional $100, we went for the DIY option. First, we connected the doorbell’s powerline using a micro-USB cable and a 5V 2A AC adapter. Then, we paired the doorbell to our Wi-Fi network. Next, we attached the chime kit to our existing transformer and our door chime, snapped the doorbell onto its mounting plate, and voilá! We were cooking with gas.
Color Night Vision
When we looked at night footage from the Circle View, we were impressed with the detail captured. Infrared night vision is the norm, but sometimes that footage looks grainy and blurs out important details. The Circle View used an LED light at night, which illuminated our whole front porch and even parts of our driveway. The feature turned on automatically there was motion and shined a bright beam of light onto visitors. We got quality footage in color, even when the sun had set.
Specific Motion Detection
We were most impressed with the Circle View Doorbell’s advanced motion detection. We pulled our car into the driveway just as a stray cat darted through our yard and a branch fell out of our neighbor’s tree. The Circle View reacted quickly and accurately to the series of events. It could tell what was a vehicle, an animal, and an inanimate object. We saw the series of events mapped out on a scrolling timeline within the app. We thought the mapping feature was really neat, and understanding an event in such detail would definitely come in handy for something more serious, like a burglary.
NOTE: The Circle View can’t pair with Alexa or Google Home.
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6. Lorex Video Doorbell - Best Video Doorbell with Local Video Storage
The Lorex Doorbell Camera is great for anyone who prefers a hardwired system that’s also completely DIY. Oh, and it also happens to be about half the price of most other video doorbells, costing just $129.99. That meant that we could secure our house without having to break the bank.
What We Liked
- Affordable price
- Local storage of up to 64 GB
- No monthly fees
- Infrared night vision
What We Didn’t Like
- No professional monitoring available
- No cloud storage
- Requires hardwiring
- No person detection
Low Price
A Lorex Video doorbell can be had for just $129.99, about half of what the more expensive examples on this list cost. It’s true that Lorex doesn’t come with some of the high-priced extras you might get elsewhere like cloud storage. But its 1080p HD video resolution matches the industry standard, and it offers a wide 160-degree field of vision. It also includes infrared night vision, two-way audio, and free local storage. That’s a heck of a lot of features to get for such a low price.
Sleek Design
The Lorex Video Doorbell is small and fairly unobtrusive, four inches by 1.7, and only one inch wide. That meant it didn’t give our front door a cluttered look. In fact, it didn’t look all that different from a traditional doorbell. The faceplate is a stylish black and silver, with rounded features within a rectangular casing. All-in-all, it told visitors we like our technology, but we also like it to blend well with our signature style.
Hardwired Setup
In general, we prefer hardwired video doorbell systems for one simple reason: no batteries required. Unfortunately, purchasing a wired system often means hiring a professional installer. Lorex, however, was completely DIY. We connected a few wires, attached the faceplate, and were done. It was hardwiring without the hassle!
Video Doorbell Methodology
What qualities do we look for in a video doorbell, and how do we know if something is up to par? In this section, we discuss exactly how we put this list together.
Design
We know that our doorbell is one of the first things visitors see at our home, so it is important to us that we like the aesthetics as well as the technology. The next thing we look for is durability. We want to know each video doorbell’s temperature range and then make sure that it doesn’t get any hotter or colder than where we live. Sometimes, IP ratings1 are also available. Those are very helpful in giving us an idea about how resistant it is to liquids and solids.
IP Ratings | Solids | Liquids |
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0 | Not Protected | None |
1 | A large body surface like the back of a hand, but no intentional contact with a body part | Dripping water falling vertically |
2 | Fingers or similar objects | Dripping water falling from 15-degree tilt |
3 | Tools, thick wires, etc. | Spraying water |
4 | Most wires, screws, etc. | Splashing water |
5 | Dust protected | Water jets 6.3mm & below |
6 | Dust tight | Powerful water jets 12.5mm & below |
7 | N/A | Immersion up to 1m |
8 | N/A | Immersion over 1m |
The next factor we consider is whether the video doorbell is battery-powered or hardwired. While hardwiring is certainly a more complicated process, we like that we don’t have to worry about changing the batteries if we go that route. If our video doorbell is battery-powered, on the other hand, we want to be sure that the battery life is six months or longer. We also prefer devices that notify us if the battery is low. Finally, we like to learn about the circumstances that trigger the doorbell to record, which is typically either when it senses motion or people, or when the doorbell is pressed. Sometimes there is also an option for 24/7 continuous recording.
Features
Of course, the main feature of any video doorbell is its camera, and we are sticklers for our security camera necessary features test. We review the cameras in terms of technical specifications as well as our own experience using them, judging them based on their video, audio, night vision, storage, smart platform integrations, and artificial intelligence capabilities. Keep reading for more detail about each.
Video
1080p HD is the industry standard for security camera video display. We also look for fields of view that are 120 degrees or wider. Finally, it’s nice if the camera can zoom optically or digitally, although it isn’t a deal-breaker if it can’t.
Audio
All of the video doorbells we review have built-in speakers and microphones which enable two-way audio. Two-way audio means that we can actually speak to whoever is in front of our doorbell camera, whether we are in the house or across the world.
Night Vision
We prefer infrared night vision over color night vision from a bright white light because it is way less conspicuous. LED sensors are hardly noticeable, and if we are recording an intruder at night, we want to make sure that they don’t know. Most video doorbells have infrared night vision. The strength of the LED vision depends on the amount of LED sensors, but there are no hard and fast rules.
Storage
There are a number of reasons to store our recorded footage. If we have an intrusion, we want some footage to show to the police. Sometimes, we like to store footage for sentimental reasons, like when we brought our dog home for the first time. Whatever reason, we always back up our footage in two ways, locally on a hard drive or device, as well as on the cloud.
Companies differ when it comes to local and cloud storage. Some offer cloud for free, some offer local for free, and some charge for both or give both for free. We also saw 60 days of cloud storage offered for $3 per month and 30 days of cloud storage offered for $6 per month, so there is some variance. The point is, storage is something we take very seriously and factor into the overall cost when choosing a video doorbell.
Smart Platform Integration
We know we want to purchase a video doorbell that integrates with the same smart home ecosystem we have. For us, that is either Amazon or Google. That way, we are able to control our doorbell camera, hands-free. And we can use it to trigger all our other smart home devices from light bulbs to televisions. For more on setting up a smart home, read our home automation guide.
Voice assistant | Compatible smart displays and speakers |
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Alexa | Echo Show, Echo Dot |
Google Assistant | Nest speakers, Nest Hubs |
Artificial Intelligence
Artificial intelligence is key when it comes to video doorbells. They all work through motion detection; when they detect motion, we receive a mobile notification. But a lot of motion detected usually isn’t from people but from other moving objects. For example, we have some energetic squirrels pass through now and then. That’s where AI comes in handy. Person detection differentiates between people and other moving objects, while facial recognition tells us exactly who is at our front door. Unfortunately, the majority of video doorbells we review don’t have any AI capabilities, but these kinds of capabilities can be a huge advantage in giving us smarter, more specific notifications.
Installation
Depending on our video doorbell design, we either hardwire it into our home or operate it with batteries. It is always important to make sure that our home matches the video doorbell’s requirements before buying the doorbell. For example, some video doorbells require an existing doorbell setup while some don’t. If we don’t feel confident in hardwiring or otherwise installing our video doorbell, we hire a professional. Doing so usually costs us $100 or more,2 but at least in those cases, we know it is done correctly. The cheaper option, of course, is DIY installation, so we always make sure that we know what we are getting into before we purchase a video doorbell.
App
Finally, we thoroughly check out the apps. First, the app we use to control the video doorbell and its storage needs to be highly rated on either the Apple or Google Play store, depending on our mobile device. We prefer ratings of three stars and above and make sure to check out the most recent reviews to see the most current updates. However, we also run each app ourselves to see how easy it was to set up, how intuitive its controls are, and whether it allows us to fine-tune its features.
Best Video Doorbells FAQs
For more information on the best video doorbells, check out our FAQ below.
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Which is the best video doorbell?
Through our research, we’ve found the Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2, the Nest Doorbell Video Doorbell, the Wyze Video Doorbell, the Logitech Video Doorbell, and the Lorex Video Doorbell to be some of the best video doorbells.
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Is there a monthly charge for Ring doorbell cameras?
Ring does not require monthly fees for its video doorbells. However, we recommend signing up and paying for a Ring Basic protection plan for $3 a month ($30 a year) which comes with 60 days of video storage. Or upgrade to the Ring Plus protection plan for $10 a month ($100 a year) and get professional monitoring as well.
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How does a video doorbell work?
Video doorbells connect to a mobile application so we can see and speak to whoever’s at our front door from anywhere in the world. The camera comes with a speaker and microphone so we can have two-way conversations. Many video doorbells are motion-activated, notifying us whenever they detect motion, and some can even differentiate between people and other moving objects to make our notifications more relevant.
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What is the best video doorbell available without a subscription?
The best video doorbell available without a subscription is the Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2. Among its many features, it comes with high-quality 1080p HD video, two-way audio, infrared night vision, compatibility with smart home devices like Alexa and Google Home, and customizable motion zones.
DSM&T. (2021). IP Rating Chart.
dsmt.com/resources/ip-rating-chart/Porch. (2021). How Much Does It Cost To Install A Doorbell?
porch.com/project-cost/cost-to-install-a-doorbell