The Rise of Video Doorbell Devices
Truly, gone are the days when you needed to call up a security company to install a doorbell system that lets you spy on your door guests. I don’t mean they have become redundant, they are in fact reliable and typically caters for a different group of consumers. But if you want a doorbell security device that you can easily install, have access to live-video footage from anywhere via an app, and lets two-way audio conversations all at an affordable cost, then you may consider investing in one of these. So you can see, hear, speak to any person at the door without physically having to be there. Under what circumstances? Maybe you’re at work and nobody’s home to receive your parcel delivery, so you want to instruct the postal man a safe place to put it. Perhaps your children or aged parents are home alone and it ain’t ideal for them to answer the door, well you can take it. It is also a general safety measure where you want to know who is at the door before you give them access through your entrance.
Let’s take a look at the features they offer and whether it will benefit you and your family.
Key Features
A wireless (or wired) camera with built-in microphone and speaker.
Connected to your smartphone via WiFi. Notifies you of real-time alerts when somebody approaches your door/rings the bell. Offer live video feeds and two-way communication capabilities.
Real-time video surveillance. Many devices come with HD cameras and night vision, ensuring clear video quality regardless of the time of day. Some even offer a wide field of view, which captures not only your doorstep but also the surrounding areas, providing a broader perspective on who or what is approaching.
Motion detection alerts. Many are equipped with motion sensors. So even if the person at the door doesn't ring the bell—you’ll receive an instant notification on your phone. This makes it a great tool for monitoring package deliveries and detecting any suspicious activity near your home.
Two-way audio. With built-in microphones and speakers, you can communicate with the convenience of being anywhere. This can help manage unexpected visitors without physically answering the door.
Cloud storage for footage. Some offer cloud storage options where recorded footage is stored. This can be essential if you ever need to review video history or present footage as evidence in the event of a security breach or crime. Some devices store this footage locally, but the ability to store and access recordings remotely adds an extra level of security and convenience.
Smart Home Integration One of the biggest advantages of video doorbells is their seamless integration with other smart home devices. They can be paired with security cameras, smart locks, and even voice assistants like Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. For instance, with a simple voice command, you can ask your virtual assistant to show you the live feed of your front door or lock/unlock the door remotely.
If you want peace of mind and convenience without the higher cost of a traditional home security installation, try a DIY video doorbell. Normally you would be paying a monthly fee to the security company to monitor for you, but instead for a fraction of the cost you can put that into a monthly/yearly subscription for your video doorbell that gives you cloud storage, access to video history and other extra alert features. But you don’t have to. Because not everyone require these add-ons and can operate them without any other ongoing fees.
What To Consider When Choosing
Camera Quality Look for devices offering at least 1080p resolution for crisp and clear footage, along with night vision for monitoring after dark.
Power Source Do you prefer battery or wired connection? Battery-powered options are easier to install but may require regular charging. Wired versions, are more reliable but can be a bit more complex to install.
Field of View Depends on camera technology. A wider angle can see more area in the video feed, useful for monitoring driveways or large front yards.
Subscription Fees Basic features offered are free. But advanced features like video storage, facial recognition, and extended motion detection zones may require a subscription. Factor this into your decision based on your security needs.
Smart Home Compatibility If you already have a smart home ecosystem in place, make sure your chosen video doorbell is compatible with it. Integration with other devices like security cameras, smart locks, or lighting systems can create a more robust and seamless security experience.
TOP recommendations In 2024
I will highlight the top battery-operated devices, which means you don’t need to be concerned about wiring it to an exisiting system.
Ring Video Doorbell Pro or Ring Video Doorbell Plus
These two models share a lot of the same features but with some differences. (Please note that there is a hardwired version of the Pro, just so you don’t get confused if you hear about it elsewhere.)
What do they both offer?
Excellent video quality: 1536p HD with head-to-toe view, HDR support for improved clarity in various lighting conditions, colour night vision, 150° horizontal and vertical field of view.
Audio: Two-way audio with noise cancellation.
Power: Rechargeable and quick-release battery pack.
Connectivity: WiFi connection at 2.4 Ghz.
Smart Features: Works with Alexa home integration.
Alerts: Notify you of person or package delivery through your smartphone app.
Other: Compatible with solar power charger (sold separately), faceplates are interchangeable.
How do they differ?
Motion detection:
Plus | comes with standard motion detection with customisable motion zones
Pro | their most advanced 3D motion detection with bird’s eye view, a radar-powered system that tracks the path of visitors across your property in a top-down view. These lead to better precision and reduce false notifications.Audio: Pro has more advanced noise cancellation for clearer sound in noisy environments.
Power: Plus has the option of being hardwired for continuous power if you decide to do so in the future.
Connectivity: Pro is also compatible with 5 Ghz WiFi.
Smart Features:
Plus | basic Alexa integrations like viewing the doorbell feed on an Echo Show or receiving motion notifications.
Pro | Alexa Greetings (automatic responses to visitors), Quick Replies and Advanced Motion Notifications. Works with Google assistant.Price: Plus is the more affordable option at about USD $100-120. Pro is about USD $50 extra.
Pick Ring Video Doorbell Plus if you want the flexibility of changing your mind to hardwiring the device in the future, don’t need the advanced motion detection and don’t want to spend more for features you don’t need.
Pick Ring Video Doorbell Pro (Battery version) if you live in a noisy environment, would like improved performance in picture and audio quality, more precise motion alerts and take advantage of Alexa’s smart home integration features.
2. Arlo Video Doorbell (2K 2nd Gen)
Best video quality: Crystal-clear 2K HDR resolution, night vision, 180° diagonal field of view.
Compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant.
Weather-resistant for outdoor use. Has rechargeable battery. Can be battery-operated or hardwired.
Slim-line aesthetic design compared to others.
Basic subscription plan for video recording without extra features is slightly more expensive than Ring. Whereas Ring’s basic plan includes person and package detection, Arlo doesn’t.
Known for its excellent motion detection and familiar face recognition. Video quality is lower, 960 x 1280 HD with HDR of 3:4 vertical aspect ratio, so you can see a more complete view of people or packages at the door. Has infrared night vision, 145° field of view.
Seamless integration with Google Assistant and Google Home ecosystem. Does not fully integrate with Alexa or Apple’s HomeKit.
Weather-resistant for outdoor use. Rechargeable battery can last a few weeks depending on level of usage.
Provides 3 hours of free event history. Subscription is needed for continuous recording and longer history. However, no subscription is required for intelligent alerts, person, package or vehicle detection,
