Complete Guide To Video Doorbells
Useful for communicating with visitors when you can’t come to the door, these devices are also popular for home security and keeping an eye on deliveries. Learn about how these devices work, and how to choose the right one for your home.
In This Guide
What is a Video Doorbell?
Video doorbells enhance a regular doorbell by adding sensors and a video camera, usually connected to your home network via Wi-Fi. All of these smart devices will pair with a smart phone app in order to notify you when someone is at the door, or presses the button.
In most cases, these doorbells will also connect to an indoor chime to provide a similar doorbell experience to a conventional doorbell setup. These can be simple plug-in Wi-Fi chimes, or part of a base station that provides video recording as well. Some can even be connected to old-school wired chimes that may already be present in the home.
The video camera is the biggest selling point. It provides both security surveillance of the area outside your door, possibly your front yard, and keeps an eye on any deliveries you may have had left there. You’ll also be able to talk to someone through the doorbell from your smart phone, even if you are not at home. Any detected motion or doorbell rings can be recorded for later review, or even kept for posterity if you choose.
Related Doorbell Products
How Do Video Doorbells Enhance Home Security
Video doorbells have a lot in common with security cameras. They have common power and networking configuration options, smart notification features, and video recording styles. Where they differ is primarily in their install location. Being design specifically for mounting on or near the front door, you’ll get form factors that fit better in these locations, have more suitable viewing angles - and obviously add the button for ringing the bell.
Today’s smart video doorbells offer a lot more than the older video intercoms that have become common on up market estates and apartment buildings. They aren’t just reactive to someone pressing the button, but can actively monitor the area in front of the door and alert you to any activity they see, much like smart security cameras.
By placing such a security device right at your front door, you can monitor the area in front of your home in a less conspicuous way, keep an eye on packages while you’re out, and communicate with unexpected visitors remotely. Not needing to open the door to do so can be a great security aid for the vulnerable as well, especially when you add in the ability to see that they are who they claim to be with high resolution video.
Types Of Video Doorbells
There are a few configuration options that primarily differentiate the capabilities of video doorbells beyond resolution and app features. These are the more physical specifications that will need to be decided on up front. A good range of models exist in each of these categories and various price points. Learn how we score video doorbells.
Fully Wireless Video Doorbells
To go completely wireless, battery power is required. Thanks to high-capacity rechargeable batteries these devices can run for months on a charge and deliver a very similar experience to hard wired versions. However, most battery-powered models are ‘hybrid’ types that also support wired power, because…why not?
Hybrid Power Video Doorbells
Some models allow the choice of wired or battery power in the same device. These will have the same features and capabilities in either configuration, but using doorbell wiring for the power supply eliminates the need to worry about battery charging.
Ring Video Doorbell 4 - A class leading model with an excellent app, pre-roll video recording, and excellent night vision.
WUUK Smart Doorbell Pro - A strong competitor for Ring and Eufy with crisp 2K video and a built-in voice changer.
Eufy E340 Dual Cam - A fantastic option for package monitoring with good all-round test results to boot. Local storage and AI also mean no ongoing fees.
Wired Video Doorbells
These models still use Wi-Fi for communication but are powered soley by conventional doorbell wiring. Care must be taken to ensure the correct doorbell transformer specifications for each model as voltage and load requirements can vary. Some of these will alow the use of the wired doorbell chime as well, but not always.
Power over Ethernet Video Doorbells
These models are less common. Rather than using a doorbell transformer for power, they use a regular Ethernet cable connected to a PoE switch or power injector. They use the same cable to provide wired network communication, eliminating and concerns and variability due to Wi-Fi signals.
When purchasing a video doorbell, there are several key features and specifications that a new buyer should be aware of to make an informed decision. Here are the most important ones to think about:
Video Quality and Resolution: Look for a doorbell with at least 1080p HD resolution for clear video footage. Some high-end models offer 2K or even 4K resolution for even sharper images.
Field of View (FOV): A wider FOV allows you to see more of your surroundings. Aim for a doorbell with a FOV of 160 degrees or more for comprehensive coverage.
Two-Way Audio: This feature allows you to have a conversation with visitors or delivery personnel through the doorbell. Ensure the audio quality is clear and that there's noise cancellation for better communication.
Night Vision Capability: Opt for a video doorbell with infrared or color night vision to capture clear images in low-light or nighttime conditions.
Motion Detection and Alerts: Motion sensors trigger recording and send alerts to your smartphone when someone approaches your door. Customizable sensitivity settings can help reduce false alerts caused by pets or passing cars.
Storage Options: Consider whether you want local storage (e.g., an SD card) or cloud storage. Cloud storage may require a subscription fee, but it ensures you can always access your recorded videos, even if the camera or recording device is damaged or stolen.
Weather Resistance: If your doorbell is exposed to the elements, ensure it has an IP rating indicating resistance to dust and water. A rating of IP65 or higher will ensure robust protection from water ingress.
Battery Life (Wireless Models): If you choose a battery-powered doorbell, check the expected battery life and whether it's easily rechargeable or replaceable.
Wired vs. Wireless: Decide whether you prefer a wired or wireless doorbell based on your existing wiring and installation preferences.
Mobile App Features: Evaluate the features and usability of the mobile app that accompanies the doorbell, as this is where you'll access live streams and recordings.
Smart Home Integration: Check if the doorbell is compatible with your existing smart home ecosystem (e.g., Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant or Apple HomeKit) for seamless integration. Keep in mind the smart home features you get with doorbells can be quite limited.
Privacy Features: Look for privacy features like the ability to define "privacy zones" to prevent recording in certain areas, ensuring your neighbors' privacy.
Tamper Detection: Some doorbells have tamper alerts that notify you if someone tries to remove or damage the device.
Package Delivery Detection: A few advanced models can detect package deliveries and provide specific alerts.
Facial Recognition and AI Features: Higher-end models may offer facial recognition, allowing you to receive alerts specific to recognized individuals.
Accessibility and Compatibility: Ensure the video doorbell is compatible with your smartphone's operating system (iOS or Android) for easy access and control.
Key Features and Specifications
Installation and Setup
Installing most video doorbells is a fairly simple task that most people can do themselves. A few models do benefit from professional installation, but these tend to be PoE models that are intended for new homes or to be offered as part of a larger smart home package. If you can handle a power drill and a screwdriver, you’ll probably be fine.
Many doorbells provide everything you need for installation
The main caveat to that is if you don’t have doorbell wiring installed yet and are planning to install a wired video doorbell model. This requires electrical work on your home’s wiring and should only be done be an electrician. If you already have the transformer installed, then you’re good to go.
Video doorbells usually have very good instructions for installation, either on a quick start sheet in the box or, more likely, in the maker’s smart phone app. These app-based instructions are actually very good as they step you through the process with animated diagrams and testing tools (eg: for Wi-Fi strength or viewing angle) built in.
The basic process is usually to use the mounting bracket to mark the holes on the wall. Drill those out with the recommended bit, insert the provided wall plugs, and attach the bracket with the provided screws. The doorbell itself will then just snap into place. For wired models you’ll connect the wires to the terminals on the back first, and if installing on wood, you probably won’t need the wall plugs at all.
Once installed, you’ll need to connect the doorbell to your Wi-Fi. Use the smart phone app to initiate the addition of a new device and follow the steps it provides. Once you’ve shared your Wi-Fi credentials with the doorbell it will connect and download any updates it needs.
The next step will be to configure whatever smart features, notification preferences, and motion detection settings you want to use. Don’t worry if you don’t do all this now, it’s normal to dial these things in over times as you get a feel for the device’s performance, the busy-ness of your install location, and the sensitivity of the motion detection.
Choosing the Right Video Doorbell
Aside from deciding on your power source - wired or battery - the key consideration when choosing a doorbell is the video field of view. This can be tricky because different manufacturers use different measurements. You want to pay attention to horizontal and vertical angles, not the diagonal figures given by some brands.
Horizontal field of view will be determined by how much space you need to cover in front of the door. If your porch is enclosed on the sides, then a narrower field will provide better detail across the whole image. For wider coverage you’ll need 160-degrees or more.
Vertical field of view determines how much of the person in front of the camera you can see, and if you can monitor the doorstep effectively. To improve this we’re seeing a lot more models supporting square or 3:4 ratios which dedicate more of the camera’s pixel count to the vertical axis. This doesn’t mean you’ll be able to watch your packages on its own though, the vertical field of view still matters as this is governed by the lens.
If you only have a wall on one side of the front door, you don’t necessarily need a wide angle lens to cover the other side. Most video doorbells will offer, and frequently come with, a wedge kit. This will allow you to mount the doorbell on a slight angle so that it watches one direction more than the other while still fully covering in front of the door itself.
Other important factors to consider are the IP-rating of the doorbell (if it will be exposed to the weather), the smart features on offer to minimize unwanted notifications, and if there are any ongoing subscription costs involved.
You may automatically discount subscription offerings, but if you’re looking to expand into a wider security camera setup you can often get a good deal out of these programs. Not only do you get a unified security system in one app, but these subscriptions add things like insurance discounts, warranty extensions, monitoring services, and even discounts on future purchases from that brand.
High end brands that are subscription based will also give you peace of mind as they often provide better support, better build quality, and provide more assurance they’ll be around for the long term. Cheaper brands that offer subscription-based cloud storage aren’t worth the risk, though. We have no visibility on their security practices, and the risk is simply too great when it comes to such sensitive data.
Not Sure About Video Doorbells?
If you’re still deciding between a doorbell and a camera, or don’t really understand the difference, this comprehensive guide will fill you in.
Maximizing Security and Privacy
Good data security practices are an essential part of using security cameras that are connected to the internet, and video doorbells are no exception. There are a few basic precautions we can take to minimize the risk of someone gaining access to our data:
Use a strong unique password when setting up your account.
Use two-factor authentication with your account if available.
Keep your video doorbell on a separate Wi-Fi network to your personal devices - a guest network will do.
Don’t share you account password with anyone else, use the camera sharing features of the app to add other household members.
Limit who you share the camera with so you can manage access easily.
Beyond data security, we also need to consider privacy factors relating to the setup of the doorbell as well. By configuring motion detection zones so that only activity on your own property is recorded, you can both minimize false alarms, and avoid creating privacy concerns in your neighborhood. Some models now come with ‘privacy zones’ as well. These allow you to mark portions of the image that will be blacked out to avoid capturing things like your neighbors’ windows.
Remote Monitoring and Mobile Apps
An important feature of any video doorbell is the ability to see what’s happening at your front door from wherever you are, at any time. This is done by having the doorbell communicate with your smart phone app via the internet.
By routing the communication through an intermediate server, the app and the doorbell can maintain a consistent connection as your phone moves from one network to another, be it over Wi-Fi or cellular.
Not only will you be able to get notifications when your doorbell detects motion or someone presses the ring button, but you’ll be able to initiate a live stream from the camera any time you want to check in. You can also access any recorded events from the app and review what went down from anywhere.
These smart phone apps are usually part of a larger security camera system, so you’ll be able to add other cameras or doorbells from the same brand under the one app. This makes it easy to keep tabs on what’s going on around the home, or across multiple properties.
If that eco system also has integration with other smart products - like smart locks or lighting - you’ll be able to quickly access those devices from the video playback screen as well. This allows you to respond quickly to events as you watch without having to switch apps.
For these reasons, a good smart phone app is an essential part of the video doorbell experience, so be sure to check out how that looks and feels before choosing a brand.
Smart Home Integration
Being smart, connected devices, video doorbells often provide some sort of smart home integration. While it’s always good to be able to manage all your smart gadgets in one place, the features on offer to smart home platforms are usually very limited. The supported platforms are also often very limited - to Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant only in many cases.
If your doorbell supports Apple HomeKit or Alexa, you’ll be able to use its motion sensor as a trigger for automation routines, and for Alexa and Google Home you might be able to view the camera feed on a compatible smart display, but this feature is often not provided.
Some Apple HomeKit compatible doorbells will support HomeKit Secure Video, which provides a privacy-centric smart camera cloud recording platform. This brings all camera functions, including accessing recordings and using two-way talk into the Apple Home app. This is the most functional option for smart home integration at this point but comes with its own issues as well.
Aside from this option, smart home integration is not recommended as a major decision point when choosing a video doorbell.
Need More Integration Options?
Scrypted integrates almost any video doorbell with Alexa, Google Home, or HomeKit. See this guide to learn how it works.
Maintenance and Troubleshooting
There are three regular maintenance tasks that may arise with a video doorbell:
Cleaning the lens and motion sensors using a damp cloth if they become excessively dirty.
Charing or replacing the battery as required (for battery models).
Keeping the firmware up to date using the video doorbell’s smart phone app.
These basic tasks will vary in frequency, and only take a few minutes of your time. You can expect one of these to come up every month or two.
Keeping the firmware updated is particularly crucial. It is through these updates that any discovered and reported vulnerabilities are fixed, and bugs that may impact operation or battery life are addressed. Most doorbells will handle this automatically, but it pays to keep an eye on any app notifications to ensure they are being installed.
Enhancing Home Security
Depending on the ecosystem your video doorbell exists within, you may be able to take advantage of some additional capabilities beyond the standard motion recording, live view, and notification functionality.
Utilizing Additional Security Features
Using a video doorbell like those from Ring, where the doorbell exists within a more comprehensive security system, you can link the doorbell to smart lighting to have it trigger certain lights when motion is detected. You can also use the camera linking feature to trigger recording on other cameras in the same system. This allows you to seamlessly capture an event that runs across the view of more than one camera which also reduces duplicate notifications.
Setting Up Geofencing for Video Doorbells
If you don’t need to notify yourself that you’ve arrived home, you may be able to utilize the geofencing features of your doorbell’s app to suppress notifications when you arrive within the area of your house for a short time. This is a nice quality-of-life feature that reduces excess notifications that you really don’t need.
You may also be able to change the recording mode on certain video doorbells, like those from Arlo, when you leave or arrive home. Geofencing capabilities will vary by brand and tend to be found only on more advanced systems.
Scheduling Recording and Alerts
If there are certain times of day you don’t want to get notifications about motion events, or you don’t want to record at all, you may be able to use scheduling features in your smart phone app to define when these actions should occur - or not occur. This can be useful for privacy when if there are certain regular times you don’t want recording to happen, or so reduce false alarms by turning off notifications during certain parts of the day that cause issues, like a late afternoon sun shining through trees on a windy day, for example.
Securely Sharing Access with Trusted Individuals
It’s often the case that multiple members of a household will need access to receive notifications from the doorbell, or need to be able to check in on who is there. It’s tempting just to share the one account, but these leaves you more exposed to password breaches and makes it harder to manage access over the long term. Most video doorbell apps will provide a feature to share a specific doorbell camera with another person.
This feature will send an invite via text message or email allowing the other person to set up their own account. The owner of the device will be able to keep tabs on who has access, at what level, and can securely remove it at any time.
Video Doorbell Accessories
You’ll get everything you need for a standard installation right in the box, some models even include tools. Even so, there are edge cases where you might need some extra parts to make the most of your video doorbell.
Mounting Hardware and Brackets
Video doorbells generally need to be screwed to your wall or door frame. That’s great if you own the house, but what if you don’t? There is a variety of no-drill mount options for rentals and apartments for a range of different video doorbell models. These tend to be the bigger brands, as investing in product development for a smaller market share isn’t worth it.
These mounts can come in the form of clamp-style brackets or adhesive backed versions depending on the doorbell. In either case they provide a way to securely attach the doorbell without damaging the walls of the property.
Upgrading to Solar-Powered Options
Recharging the battery of a wireless doorbell can become a bit tedious, especially if it sees a lot of activity. Going with a solar panel accessory or mounting bracket can save you the headache. Obviously, these won’t suit every situation as most doorbells are going to be mounted under cover, but brackets like the solar mount from Ring are designed to capture the sun at lower angles to give the battery a boost. You’ll need to check if your install location can benefit from one of these.
Extended Battery Packs
It’s rare to find a video doorbell that can take a larger battery pack, but there are models with removable packs where buying a second battery allows for faster swap over, avoiding the extended downtime of a recharge. You can also find charging docks for some models that allow you to easily keep spare packs charged and ready to go for when the time comes, making recharging a breeze.
Angle and Wedge Mounts for Improved Viewing
Many video doorbells come with a wedge kit, usually 15-degrees. There are often after-market add-ons that offer difference angles, and even vertical angles to help with watching packages. You’ll need to check what is available for your brand up front if this is of interest as the options vary considerably from one brand to the next.
Future Trends in Video Doorbells
As technology continues to advance, video doorbells continue to take advantage of newer features and innovations. We’re still seeing unexpected features coming to market that enhance the performance and functionality of these devices in new ways.
Advances in AI and Facial Recognition
Several video doorbells already support facial recognition in some form. As the person being identified needs to be known, these are used for identifying regular visitors, friends, and family so as to improve the clarity of motion notifications and recorded video descriptions. This helps to reduce the need to check on a motion event to see if it’s of concern.
4K Video Quality and HDR
2K video cameras are now commonplace in many video doorbells, and 4K is sure to follow, although there hasn’t been much push for it yet. The use case for video doorbells makes this less compelling than in general security cameras that are designed to monitor over a longer distance, but it’s bound to happen as these sensors become cheaper and brands are looking for a competitive edge.
Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Options
We’ve already seen a lot of brands move away from plastic packaging, with many high-end models now using an all-cardboard design. What we haven’t seen yet is the use of recycled materials, or even recyclable models. In the interest of making better use of the materials used in these complex electronic devices it would be good to see more brands take responsibility for recycling their products.
Improvements to Motion Detection
The latest innovation to creep into a handful of models is radar sensors. Traditionally security cameras and video doorbells have relied in tried-and-true infra-red motion sensors to detect moving objects and trigger the camera. With radar sensors also added, doorbells have the added ability to filter out unimportant motion sources like trees, and more accurately detect the presence of a person.
Ring has already taken this further with 3D motion tracking, allowing you to see that path taken by a person as they move through the cameras view on an overhead map. A gimic perhaps? But this technology could well advance to become more useful in identifying tampering with specific areas or objects and alerting you to this up front.
Does a Video Doorbell need internet?
Although they mostly use Wi-Fi to communicate with their recording system, that system can be local, or cloud based. Popular cloud-based systems include Ring and Arlo, which require a subscription to use effectively, while local systems include the likes of Eufy and Amcrest.
Cloud-based video doorbell systems will need the internet to function even if they have some form of local recording capability. The only way to access the cameras of their recordings is via the company’s app and servers. The apps invariable connect to those servers and not directly to the cameras, so without an internet connection you can’t do much with them.
Local recording systems can provide some local control, but this is a much more varied scenario between different recording systems and brands. In some cases, you will still need to go through the company’s servers to access anything through their app. Local Network Video Recorder (NVR) solutions get around this by bringing the control completely in house - so to speak.
In any case, an internet connection will be required to receive notifications from the doorbell and to interact with anyone on the other side if you are away from home.
Battle Of The Giants
Check out the details on what differentiates these two big names in consumer security cameras. It’s not just about the hardware, but a deep dive on their app and cloud platforms as well.
Video Streaming Protocols
All networked video cameras, like video doorbells, will need to stream their video data back to a recorder of some kind, whether it’s in the cloud or in your house. While this data may be carried over your home network by Wi-Fi or Ethernet, there are a number of protocols that need to be used to both route the stream to where it needs to go, and to define how that data should be read by the receiver.
The security camera market is, unfortunately, still quite fractured with many proprietary protocols and closed systems. This is not limited to cloud-based services, but many CCTV manufacturers as well. There are software-based solutions that are pushing to open up compatibility like Blue Iris that can integrate with a wide variety of cameras, and there is a loose industry standard known as ONVIF that provides for some cross-compatibility between brands.
RTSP? ONVIF? SIP?
Learn about the standards and protocols used to connect network connected cameras to recorders and apps.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Many video doorbells are designed for DIY installation and come with step-by-step instructions. Battery-powered models are typically easier to install as they don't require wiring.
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Yes, most video doorbells offer remote access via a smartphone app or web portal, allowing you to see and interact with visitors even when you're not at home.
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Most video doorbells do not offer continuous recording options but are designed to detect and respond to specific types of motion outside your door. This ensures only useful alerts are generated on your phone, and events are easy to review. Some hard-wired models may offer continuous recording as part of a wider security system using an NVR (Network Video Recorder) or cloud storage. Learn More.
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Yes, privacy concerns exist. To address them, be mindful of camera placement, inform visitors of the camera's presence, and use privacy features like motion masking.
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The lifespan varies by brand and usage but typically ranges from 5 to 8 years. Proper maintenance and regular firmware updates can extend its life.
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Most video doorbells are designed for self-installation, but if you're not comfortable with DIY installation, you can hire a professional to install it for you.
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Video doorbells rely on Wi-Fi for remote access, cloud storage, and to send your notifications. However, some models may record locally to an SD card even without Wi-Fi.
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Yes, you can use a video doorbell in an apartment or rented home. Battery-powered models are a good for these situations as they can use no-drill mounting options.
