The best video doorbells for 2024

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Wired vs. wireless video doorbells

The first thing you need to decide is whether you want a wireless doorbell that runs on batteries or if you need one that is powered by a low-voltage cable. Of course, a wireless doorbell is the easiest type to install because it doesn’t require you to turn off your home’s power or run any wires. The downside to wireless doorbells is that their batteries run out quickly; They last between two and six months. If you live in an area with cold weather, expect to charge or replace your batteries every few months. Battery-powered models also run the risk of your doorbell turning off at an inconvenient time.

Wired doorbells aren’t as easy to install as their wireless counterparts (the process is still not difficult), but you don’t have to worry about them losing power unless your entire house has a power outage. Since most homes already have doorbell wiring, installing a video doorbell is as easy as removing your old doorbell, disconnecting the two wires, connecting your new doorbell to the wires, and attaching it to the outside of your home. In most cases you can also connect the doorbell to an existing doorbell box.

Wired doorbells draw their power from two wires connected to a transformer that steps down your household’s voltage to 16 to 24 volts. If your home doesn’t have doorbell wiring, you can still do the wiring yourself using a plug-in transformer or hire an electrician to set it up. In any case, some drilling is required to route the cables from the inside of your home to the outside.

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What features do the best video doorbells offer?

Video doorbells come in all shapes and sizes. The cheapest models tend to be bulky and only available in a few colors, while many of the more expensive models are unobtrusive and come in a variety of finishes. Battery-powered models are typically larger than their corded counterparts.

Most smart doorbells are equipped with a video camera that, along with a live video stream, sends an alert to your phone when someone presses the doorbell button. You access these recordings through the same mobile app that you use to install the device, configure Wi-Fi settings, and set up notifications. Doorbells with features like 1080p video (or better), motion detection, two-way audio that lets you talk to anyone out there, and on-demand video streaming tend to be the most expensive. To avoid false alarms from passing cars, strong winds, and other critters wandering around your property, look for a doorbell camera that offers customizable motion zones.

Other features to look for include facial recognition technology, which identifies visitors by name; Motion detection technology that detects the difference between people, cars and animals; Color night vision video (most doorbell cameras use infrared LEDs to provide up to 30 feet of black and white video); and a selection of chimes to help you differentiate between a doorbell push and a motion trigger. Some of the latest doorbell cameras even have a pre-buffering feature that records activity several seconds before the triggering event or doorbell press.

Video doorbells typically don’t offer local storage for recordings, so you’ll likely need to subscribe to a cloud service to view your motion and doorbell-triggered video clips. Expect to pay $3 per month or more for a plan that gives you access to 30 or more days’ worth of videos that you can download and share. If you want to watch older footage, make sure you download these clips as cloud storage will overwrite old files after this period.

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Do video doorbells work with other smart home devices?

Many home security systems offer video doorbells as add-on components, but these devices typically do not function on their own and require a system hub. However, they usually interact with other system components such as door locks, sirens and lighting. If you’re looking for a standalone smart doorbell that works with other smart devices in your home, look for one that supports IFTTT. This service allows you to easily create applets that allow different third-party devices and platforms to interact with each other.

Support for voice commands from Alexa and Google Assistant is also practical. For example, with these integrations you can simply say “Alexa, show the front door” to start a live stream on your Echo Show.

For more information, see our story on building your own home security system.

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Video doorbells vs. smart home security cameras

Video doorbells and home security cameras offer many of the same benefits. Both show you what’s happening outside your home, offer motion detection and motion-triggered recordings, and in most cases allow you to talk to anyone who’s out there. However, surveillance cameras lack the doorbell component. If you’re downstairs doing laundry and your phone is upstairs, the security camera won’t tell you there’s someone at the door, but the doorbell will (if someone presses it).

Additionally, unless battery-powered, outdoor security cameras require a GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter) outlet for power, which can limit possible mounting locations. Wired smart doorbells use existing low-voltage wiring and are relatively easy to install (they don’t require conductors, for example).