How to Get the Best Smart Doorbell
Unlike the Ring Video Doorbell 2 Pro and Nest, this model doesn’t lock away features behind a subscription. It has great-looking 1080p HDR video, monitoring zones and smart features like person, animal or package detection.
CR says this is one of the best smart doorbells for people who want to keep an eye on packages and other suspicious activities. It has excellent performance, earning a top score for data privacy and an above-average rating for video quality.
Features
For those looking to avoid porch pirates and package thieves, a smart video doorbell can alert you to visitors’ presence and let you communicate with them remotely. Some models work with Alexa, Google Assistant and Apple HomeKit, allowing you to view notifications on your smart speaker or watch live feeds of visitors from a compatible display.
The Lorex LNWDB1 1080P WiFi Video Doorbell is a solid pick for those who want to monitor their front porch without spending much money. It has a solid score for data security and middle-of-the-road score for privacy, and offers performance on par with some of the more expensive options in our tests. It also has a wide range of features, including monitoring zones to cut down on unwanted notifications, a three-hour video history for free and no subscription required, and voice and app control via Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.
If you prefer a wired solution, consider the Ring Pro 2. This model has dual motion detection with radar and infra-red sensors, night vision, two-way talk with quick replies, and smart responses. It can identify people, vehicles and packages (but not possums), and it’s compatible with most existing doorbell wiring. It also includes a homebase unit that plugs in and acts as a signal repeater, and has 8GB of on-board storage for recording videos.
Requires a subscription
A smart doorbell lets you see who’s at the door, even if you aren’t home. You can also set zones so you only get alerted when activity happens in specific areas. These doorsbells usually require a subscription to work, but some options are free. Some offer 24/7 professional monitoring and cellular technology as backup if you lose Wi-Fi connection.
If you’re looking for a wired option without a subscription, consider the Blink Video Doorbell Wired 2K. It’s compatible with Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple HomeKit. It records clear audio and HD video, although it has a slightly narrower 155-degree field of view than our top choice. It is also a bit more expensive than the Ring, but it offers better customer support and a longer warranty.
Another great wired option is the Wyze Video Doorbell Pro. It features two-way communication, motion detection, and automatic recordings. It’s best smart doorbell also a little easier to install than the Nest Doorbell Battery, and it uses existing doorbell wiring. However, it requires a monthly subscription for some features, including pre-roll video and a 5-minute cool-down period between recordings. If you don’t want to pay for a subscription, you can use the Wyze doorbell with its free app and local storage. It will record your visitors in full HD and has a simple user interface.
Requires a chime
Whether you’re curled up on the sofa or sunning best smart doorbell yourself on a beach in the Bahamas, you can keep tabs on what’s going on outside your home with a smart doorbell. This type of device sends notifications to your smartphone that tell you who’s there and gives you the option to talk to them, even if you’re not at home.
However, these devices have their drawbacks. For instance, they can sometimes have issues with chime connection and battery life. Some of them also have trouble with late motion triggers, meaning that they will notify you more frequently than necessary. This is often a result of low-quality chime components and Wi-Fi signal, but some manufacturers have tried to address this issue by providing different chimes and adding features that help to reduce false alarms.
One good option is the Blink camera, which works with existing doorbell wiring and has a nice-looking design. It is compatible with Alexa and can be used with Amazon Echo or Google Nest smart speakers to alert you when there’s a visitor. It also includes a plug-in chime and a Wi-Fi extender that helps boost your connectivity and offers a choice of ringtones.
Another great option is the Nooie doorbell, which doesn’t require a subscription but has some of the best user feedback on the market. It can be paired with any wired doorbell and comes with a free electronic chime that doubles as a video storage unit. It has enough space to record 6 months of video clips with a 20 second clip length and is encrypted for security. It also has a claimed 1 year battery life, but this will vary depending on environmental and usage conditions.
Requires a smartphone
Whether you’re curled up on the couch or sunning yourself on a beach, a smart doorbell can let you know when someone is at your door. Using motion-detection technology, these gadgets can record who’s there and send you a live video of the person. It’s a great way to keep tabs on your home and stop porch pirates or package thieves.
A good smart doorbell should have a high resolution to ensure that the picture is clear. It should also have a wide viewing angle and a color night vision feature. Some even have facial recognition that can identify people, pets, or vehicles. A good doorbell will alert you to a visitor’s presence, and you can talk to them with the device’s microphone.
Another option is a battery-operated doorbell from WUUK that works with both Apple HomeKit and Google Assistant. This device also has a dual-motion sensor with PIR and radar for smarter notifications. It uses an encrypted base station with 32GB of on-board storage space, which is enough for many months of video events. It also has a number of extra features, such as voice changer for two-way talk, customizable quick responses, customizable mode settings, and multi-user sharing.
Lastly, there’s the Nest Video Doorbell (Wired), which builds on the excellent Nest Hello by adding on-device video processing and image classification. It can also record during power loss. However, it doesn’t work with Apple HomeKit and Amazon Alexa, so if you want those functions you should look elsewhere.