Video doorbells let you take a peek at what’s happening on your doorstep without opening the door. With video and audio streaming directly to your phone, you can let delivery drivers know where to leave a package; tell visitors you’ll be down in a minute; avoid pushy salespeople, or catch package thieves and other pesky criminals in the act. If you like the idea of more convenience and security around your home, a video doorbell is what you need. These are some of the top video doorbells you can get in 2023!
Things to Consider
To choose the best video doorbell for you, these are some factors to consider.
Video quality: It's no good having a video doorbell if the footage is grainy and you can barely make out who is at the door. Look for high-resolution video, as well as night vision capabilities so you can see clearly at night too.
Field of View: A wider field of view allows you to see more of your front entrance area and may even give you view of your driveway and side windows. This will offer you extra surveillance and peace of mind.
Power Source: Decide between a wired or wireless (battery-operated) unit based on your installation preference and existing doorbell wiring. Wireless cameras are quick and easy to install - a great choice for those who are renting or simply want a hassle-free installation. Wired cameras will require more technical know-how or the aid of an electrician.
Two-Way Communication: Choose a doorbell that allows you to speak with visitors remotely. This can be a great way to let the courier driver know to leave the package at the door, let visitors know when you'll be home or scare away intruders.
Storage Options: Consider doorbells with local or cloud storage options, taking into account any subscription fees.
Features & Budget: There are a host of extra features that may benefit you, such as advanced detection, sirens, and more. Ultimately, it comes down to your budget and weather these extra features are worth it. So, determine your budget and compare available features, reviews, and warranties to choose the best option within your price range.
1. RING Video Doorbell 4
Ring kicked off the original Video Doorbell in 2013 and has since protected thousands of homes from unwanted visitors, package thieves, and missed deliveries. They’ve since released a few generations of Ring Video Doorbells that have been upgraded with sharper video, improved night-vision, and better motion-detection capabilities.
The latest - Ring Video Doorbell 4 - boasts 1080p HD video, 160° field of vision, and customizable motion tracking. With better image sensors and sharper contrast, it also delivers crisper night vision; and with improved audio and noise cancellation, you’ll now be able to hear your visitors just as clearly as they hear you. Compared to the predecessor, you can also look forward to improved battery life and performance, enhanced dual-band wifi, and colour video previews to get the whole picture.
When you have a visitor on your doorstep, Ring delivers a real-time notification to your phone, tablet, or PC, and allows you to see, hear and speak to them from anywhere. While you can view footage live on your device, you’ll need a subscription to Ring Protect to record and save it. Luckily, this only costs $4.50 per month/per device and you get the first 30-days free with your Ring purchase!
One of the best parts about the Ring Video Doorbell (apart from its affordable price) is the easy installation, which should only take an estimated five minutes. It’s powered by a rechargeable built-in battery, so no wiring is required. If you want continuous charging, you have the option to hardwire it to an existing doorbell.
The Ring Video Doorbell (2nd Generation) is much cheaper than the Video Doorbell 4 and has a similar feature set, albeit without features such as colour pre-roll and hot-swappable battery packs, so that is also a great choice for those on a smaller budget! On the otherhand, the Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2 offers some notable upgrades such as improved motion detection for those who want the best.
2. Eufy Wire-Free 2K Video Doorbell
The Eufy Wireless 2K Video Doorbell finishes the list off strong with fantastic image resolution and battery life, all while being wire-free and easy-to-install. The Eufy 2K doorbell has a 1920p video resolution, 160° field of view, IR night vision, and a 4:3 aspect ratio for a tall field of view. With WDR (Wide Dynamic Range, a variant of HDR), shadows are illuminated in poorly lit or backlit areas meaning you’ll get consistently clearer shots.
The Eufy 2K Video Doorbell comes with a HomeBase which acts as the brains for the whole system. The HomeBase has 16GB of Solid-State memory, providing more than enough space to store recordings. Plus, it lives inside your home, meaning all your footage is safe and secure, even if someone manages to steal the doorbell. If you do need more storage, Eufy offers a subscription service that allows you to store recordings on the cloud.
Eufy claims that the battery will last six months on a single charge, which is a pretty solid battery life. As with most wire-free doorbells, the Eufy 2K Video Doorbell has fairly simple installation and setup, making it a great choice for renters.
3. Arlo Essential Wire-Free Video Doorbell
Arlo makes some of the best home security cameras, so it should come as no surprise that they’ve got some of the best video doorbells too! The Arlo Essential Wire-Free Video Doorbell has high-resolution HDR video and captures footage at a 1:1 aspect ratio allowing you to see your visitors head-to-toe. The camera has a 180° field of view, 12X digital zoom, and a motion sensor with a 110° field of view. During the day it’ll capture detailed 1536p colour video, and at night it’ll capture clear black-and-white video thanks to an infrared LED.
Recordings from the Arlo Essential are saved to the cloud, with no local storage options. To access the recordings, you’ll need to be subscribed to Arlo’s Smart Plan that gives you 30 days of video history and 2K recording for a single camera. The plan comes with several additional features such as Advanced Object and Package Detection, cloud-based activity zones, and Intelligent Alert.
As with all Arlo cameras, the Essential Video Doorbell is easy to use and set up. It can be controlled via the user-friendly Arlo Mobile app, where you can view a live stream from the doorbell, take snapshots, manual record, speak to your visitors, and access the doorbell’s settings among other things. The Essential’s wireless capabilities make it simple to set up in no time.
4. Lockly Vision Doorbell Camera with Smart Lock
The Lockly Vision is a smart lock and video doorbell all-in-one. Smart locks are one of the best entry points into a truly smart, connected, and secure home; so when you combine it with a video doorbell, it’s a winner for home security. It not only lets you see who comes and goes, but it also gives you the power of opening the door for them too.
The Lockly Vision includes a built-in 720p camera that provides Live View, as well as the option to record and save to Cloud or Internal SD video storage. With 2-way audio, you can communicate with visitors at your door from anywhere. The downside is that there’s no motion detection or night-vision, so it’s not ideal for stopping package thieves or other criminals that wouldn’t actually press the built-in doorbell.
The Smart Lock itself is packed full of features that’ll leave you feeling secure about your front door. These include a Touch-Screen Keypad, Advanced 3D Fingerprint Scanner, Offline Access Codes and eKeys, Vision Connect & Bluetooth, Tamper Notification, Voice Assistant Control, Auto-Lock, Real-Time Door Access Info, and the ability to lock and unlock from anywhere. It also has an iOS and Android Mobile app so you can control it from your phone.
5. Google Nest Wire-Free Video Doorbell
The Google Nest Video Doorbell is another great option that’s wire-free and easy to install. It has a high-definition camera with a 145° field of view, providing a clear view of every face at the door. With the Wire-Free version, when someone presses the doorbell, you’ll receive an alert on your phone. If you'd prefer for your existing doorbell to chime through the house, opt for the wired version. With alerts going to your phone, you can see who's ringing even when you're away from home. And with 2-way audio, you can even speak to them.
The Nest Doorbell uses encrypted video, two-step verification, and enhanced security through your Google Account to help protect your family's privacy. And a green LED light lets you know when the camera is processing or streaming video. The Google Nest is battery powered, so it's easy to install. The battery lasts 2-3 months with general use - meaning you will only need to recharge it 4 or 5 times a year.
If you’re ready to step up your home security, check out PB Tech’s range of Smart Doorbells!
