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The Best Smart Video Doorbell Camera for Every Home

If you want a smart home security device, perhaps the most important place to monitor is your front or back door. In a lot of cases, that’s the first-place thieves or vandals are going to approach. So, how do you keep your front or back door safe? Install a smart video doorbell and smart outdoor camera. These smart home devices are great security tools that allow you to see who’s on the other side of your door via a built-in camera, and talk directly to them from your phone, even when you aren’t home.

Our top pick, the Arlo Video Doorbell, delivers fewer false alerts than our other choices, with a $3-per-month Arlo Smart subscription plan that can distinguish between people, animals, vehicles, or packages. But the Eufy Wireless Video Doorbell Camera blows them away in terms of reliability, performance, and price. Eufy also offers local storage to store up to 30 days of motion-triggered video for free. However, the Arlo Video Smart Doorbell shows a more complete view of your doorway.

Here are the best smart video doorbell camera

1. Best smart doorbell camera: Arlo Video Doorbell

This slick doorbell by Arlo lets you see who is at your door from your phone. It produced a remarkably consistently alert when the motion was attributable to people, packages, animals, and cars.

For $125, you get a solid hardwired and fast response doorbell that works exceptionally well, though it lacks some of the features from our premium pick, the Google Nest Hello. It’s still a reliable and affordable choice for anyone looking for a smart doorbell, especially if you already have Arlo security cameras.

It has many advanced and essential features, like stunning HD video, motion alerts, two-way audio, cloud storage, smart home integration, and much more. However, the square aspect ratio is my favorite feature because it reduces blind spots so you can see people or packages been delivered.

Pros:

  • Easy to install
  • 180-degree viewing angle
  • Sharp, high HDR video
  • No hub required
  • Built-in siren and 911 connectivity
  • Works with Alexa, Google Assistant, and other Arlo devices.

Cons:

  • Requires subscription for many features
  • Requires wiring

2. Best without subscription: Eufy Security, Wi-Fi Video Doorbell

The Eufy Video Doorbell is a Wi-Fi-enabled smart doorbell that allows you to see who is at your door. It is the best subscription-free option, but as a trade-off: It does require a hub, which makes it a little delay when watching a live stream and also make it slightly expensive.

Eufy Video Doorbell is loaded with tons of features, such as a high-resolution camera and HDR image, smart motion detection, and a separate wireless chime. It also offers features most companies charge for, like local storage to store up to 30 days of motion-triggered video for free. Although it cannot interact with other smart home IoT devices like the Google Nest Hello

Compared to other smart doorbells, the Eufy Smart Video Doorbell blows them away in terms of reliability, performance, and price. Making it a reliable choice if you are looking to beef up security.

Pros:

  • Setup is straightforward
  • Local video storage
  • No monthly fees are needed.
  • Battery operated
  • Smart alerts
  • 4:3 ratio at 2K high resolution
  • Works with Alexa, Google voice commands.

Cons:

  • Wiring required
  • Slight delay in voice chat and video

3. Best wireless doorbell camera for UK users: Ring Video Doorbell 3 Plus

The Ring Video Doorbell 3 is our top pick of smart doorbell camera for UK users. It’s a complete package that offers HD live streaming, motion detection, good night vision, intelligent alerts, adjustable motion zones, and two-way audio. It also features Ring’s own Pre-Roll tech meaning no significant lag times or other streaming issues.

The Ring Doorbell 3 Plus is one of the most easy-to-install video doorbells on the market. That is because it’s a wireless and battery-powered model with improved connectivity, unlike Nest Hello and the Arlo Video Doorbell that are hardware-only.

Unlike Eufy Security Video Doorbell, which offers free storage, the Pro 3 requires a paid subscription to access the video. But it’s still a smart choice, especially for does who don’t feel comfortable working with cables.

Pros:

  • Completely wireless
  • Sharp 1080p video
  • Customize smart alerts
  • Pre-Roll tech to see more of an event
  • Hardwired or battery-powered
  • Alexa and IFTTT support and integrate with other smart home devices.

Cons:

  • Pricey
  • No preview notification
  • No package detection
  • Subscription needed for many features

4. Best budget video doorbell UK: All-new Ring Smart Video Doorbell (2nd Gen)

Ring smart doorbells are among some of the best video doorbells today. They deliver fantastic video and image quality and have a DIY installation. Ring’s latest intelligent video doorbell, at £90, is an affordable option from their line of smart doorbell. It’s a reliable option for anyone seeking an intelligent doorbell that doesn’t require wiring.

It delivers sharp 1080p video, improved two-audio, night vision, a 155-degree field of view, and a few new features, including people motion detection, an upgrade over its predecessor. It also integrates with many different smart home devices, including Amazon Alexa voice commands, smart locks, smart lights, and much more.

Like the Pro 3, we like that you can use this model either hardwired or battery-powered, and you can adjust the motion zones. Plus, Ring offers very reasonable subscription plans starting at $30 a year.

Pros:

  • Affordable
  • DIY installation
  • HD video
  • Wired or wireless
  • Perfect for renters and homeowners
  • Compatible with Alexa, Google Assistant, Nest, and IFTTT

Cons:

  • Bulky design
  • Nonremovable battery
  • Required subscription to view video

5. Best No Contract Option: SimpliSafe Video Doorbell Pro

SimpliSafe Video Doorbell Pro is a compact, functional smart doorbell camera that works independently or as part of a SimpliSafe security system. SimpliSafe impressed us with its premium features, including sharp 1080p HDR video, clear infrared night vision, motion-triggered alerts, 162-degree field of view, and two ways audio to interact with visitors, especially for deliveries. 

The SimpliSafe app is simple and easy to use and lets you monitor your doorbell for free. However, you’ll need a cloud storage plan for accessing recorded videos. Installation is pretty straightforward, and it’s also easy to pair with your WiFi or router. The hardware is of high-quality, the design is beautiful and modern compared to our other picks.

It doesn’t offer the support for Alexa, Google, and IFTTT that you get with our other picks. Aside from that, the SimpliSafe Video Doorbell Pro is an affordable option, simple to use, and complimentary SimpliSafe security system.

Pros:

  • Easy setup -even in tighter spaces
  • Crisp HDR video quality
  • Affordable cloud storage
  • Works with SimpliSafe security devices
  • Compatibility with most wiring
  • Smart sensors reduced false alarms.

Cons:

  • Audio/Video delays
  • Wiring required
  • Required subscription to record video
  • Doesn’t offer support for Alexa and Google, and IFTTT applets

6. Best cheap doorbell: Toucan Wireless Video Doorbell

The Toucan Wireless Video Doorbell Camera is a wire-free and battery-powered smart doorbell that offers a wider viewing angle than all our other picks. A large viewing lens on the front of the doorbell lets you monitor almost 180 ultra-wide angles of the front and back of your house, depending on where you place the doorbell.

The doorbell can record full HD video when someone comes within the motion range. But we found the motion detection a little lacking. Although the doorbell is still packed with numerous features, including a companion chime unit, two-way talk, siren & pre-recorded responses, the most attractive part is the price. It’s also compatible with your smart home assistants like Alexa and Google.

Plus, you don’t lose any significant functionality if you don’t subscribe to the Toucan paid plan. Overall, I think you’re getting good value for $69 for all of Toucan Smart Doorbells’ features.

Pros:

  • Easy Install/Setup
  • Good video quality
  • Free cloud storage
  • Weatherproof design
  • Battery-powered
  • Pre-programmed responses
  • 180-degree view, vertical and horizontal

Cons:

  • Sensitive PIR Motion Detection
  • Occasionally glitchy app
  • Siren Alarm not loud enough
  • Limited motion detection

How to buy the best smart doorbell camera

Most wireless video doorbells cameras available offer basic features. They all provide two-way audio so you can communicate directly to them from your phone even if you are not home. These smart doorbells are capable of recording videos at resolutions of 1080p and up. They’ve night vision, although some are better. They are also compatible with one and more smart home systems like Amazon Alexa, Google, and IFTTT applets.

But they actually differ in quite a few ways that matter a lot:

Here are a few features to consider when choosing the best video doorbell camera:

Installation and power:

While some smart doorbell cameras are easy to install in minutes like the wireless ones, some require a bit of electrical knowledge. Although, it all comes down to the type of power source the video doorbell camera requires.

Wire-free and battery-powered smart video doorbells don’t require wiring. This makes it perfect for many apartment renters because they can be easily placed anywhere.

Cloud storage and subscription:

Most of the models we reviewed require a subscription, which is understandable because they’re generally more secure. This allows you to access videos even when the video doorbell is down or stolen (what happens when your video doorbell itself goes missing entirely?)

Suppose you’re getting the basic plan, which starts at $3 per month. In that case, you’re also getting excellent premium features like live streaming, smart motion detection, recording, custom motion activity zones, time-laps, smart alerts, and it may also keep false alerts. Though some video doorbells offer some of these features for free.

1080p HD video”

Smart doorbell camera max out at 1080p resolution, with some at 720p. Though, the higher the resolution, the better. We prefer a 1080HD video or higher resolution because it provides a comprehensive view of what is going on the front porch.

Field of View:

A viewing angle is how wide the camera can see everything in front and side of it. All the video camera we recommend boast view angles from 160-degree to 180 ultra-wide-angle even our cheaper pick is 180 degrees of viewing pleasure. A wider field of view is preferred if you have a broader area to cover

Conclusion

If you want to weed out ‘porch pirates’ stealing packages from your front door or see who’s on your front porch without getting up, a video doorbell camera brings extra security to your front and back door. Smart doorbell camera can be used for different reasons; however, the best smart video doorbell should fit your needs.

Most of our reviewed smart video doorbell cameras can be had for $100, though advanced doorbell camera with motion sensing and facial recognition, such as the Ring Video Doorbell 3 Plus, run up to $200.

Interested in discovering other smart devices? Check out The Best Outdoor Smart Home Devices for Making the Most of Your Backyard and Garden.

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