How many times have you missed a package because you weren't there at the right time? Or wondered who was at the door before opening it? A video doorbell solves both problems at once, and does much more than that.
With a connected video doorbell, you see and hear what's happening at your front door in real time, from your phone, whether you're in your living room or on the other side of the world. You can talk to whoever rings, see packages delivered in your absence, and receive an alert if someone approaches, even without ringing.
What to Check Before Buying
Wired or battery: wired doorbells use your existing installation (generally 8-24V AC). They don't need recharging. Battery models are easier to install but need recharging every few months. If you have an existing installation, wired is more convenient long-term.
Field of view: a doorbell with a wide viewing angle (160 degrees and more) lets you see not just the person at the door, but packages placed to the side, and people approaching from the street. Some models use a vertical sensor to show packages on the ground, not just faces.
Video resolution: 1080p is the reasonable minimum today. 2K or 4K models are noticeably sharper for reading license plates or identifying details.
Smart detection: the best doorbells distinguish between people, vehicles, animals and packages. This significantly reduces false alerts (leaves in the wind, passing cars).
Installation
Most video doorbells are designed to be installed by a handy person without electrical training. The general process:
- Cut power to the existing doorbell circuit
- Remove the old doorbell and note the wires in place
- Connect the wires to the new doorbell according to instructions
- Attach the bracket, install the doorbell
- Configure via the app
If you don't have an existing doorbell or prefer to avoid electrical installation, a battery model installs with two screws and configures in minutes.
Video Storage
Two main options: cloud or local. Cloud (monthly subscription) is accessible from anywhere and keeps videos even if the doorbell is stolen. Local (SD card or NAS) has no recurring fees but videos are only accessible from the local network.
Check the retention period included in the basic subscription before buying. Some models include free access to the last 24 or 48 hours.
Integration with Your Smart Home
Alexa-compatible video doorbells can automatically display the video feed on your Echo Show screens when someone rings. You're cooking, the kitchen screen shows you who's at the door without you having to take out your phone.
With Google Home, integration is similar on Nest screens. You can also create automations: when someone rings, entry lights turn on and a voice announcement sounds throughout the house.