How to Choose the Best Smart Doorbell for Your Home
Whether you’re curled up on the couch or sunning yourself on the beach, you can keep an eye on what’s going on outside your front door with a smart doorbell. These gadgets send alerts to your phone when they detect motion and can show you who’s there.
CR’s pick for best smart doorbell offers excellent video quality, good data security, and quick response times for alerts and loading live feeds. It also has monitoring zones, person detection and facial recognition, and a night light for color night vision.
1. Ring Doorbell
Ring’s doorbell camera is a popular way to add security to your home without spending much money. It uses motion sensors to detect movement in its coverage area, and it sends a notification to your smartphone when someone approaches. You can then view and interact with the person via a live video feed.
Ring can also record a clip of anyone who rings your doorbell, and you can use its two-way audio feature to communicate with visitors. This is useful for warding off package thieves and other suspicious activity, as well as for letting in deliveries while you’re away.
Its latest model, the Ring Pro 2, has an enhanced suite of features, including color pre-roll and Bird’s Eye view. However, it doesn’t have the option to record on demand, a key feature for some users.
2. Arlo
Arlo offers both wired and wireless video doorbells as well as a full lineup of security cameras. Its smart features include two-way audio, object detection, motion sensors, and more. The company also offers a mobile app for centralized control and support.
Arlo’s subscription plans offer cloud recording, rich notifications, and a spotlight and siren for a greater level of home security deterrence. Its integration with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant is a big plus. However, its lack of Apple HomeKit compatibility holds it back from being the best smart doorbell for some customers. A monthly subscription is needed for Arlo’s e911 feature to call emergency dispatchers, but the company has a 30-day free trial period. Arlo’s pricing is competitive with Ring. However, it does not have the same voice assistant integrations that allow for easier use and more functionality.
3. SimpliSafe
The SimpliSafe home security system combines do-it-yourself appeal with live monitored peace of mind. It’s the top pick by several highly respected publications and offers a number of affordable starter packages.
The white base station links wirelessly to the sensors and, if you get a monitoring package, to a team of dispatchers in case of an alarm. It also has a loud 95-decibel siren that can scare intruders away and alert neighbors to the situation.
You can add sensors for doors and windows, a door camera, smoke and water detectors, and other equipment. The basic package, The Foundation, costs $245 before discounts and includes a keypad and one entry sensor. If you want 24/7 professional monitoring, the Essentials package is a better value at $275 before discounts.
4. Wemo
Belkin’s Wemo brand has always been a smart home leader, and its $250 Smart Video Doorbell with HomeKit Secure Video support is no exception. It works with Apple Home, has good 1200 best smart doorbell x 1600 HD video, and a simple installation process.
But its tight integration with Apple means you must have an iPhone to view live video and access advanced features like automatic quick replies, local storage for videos, and changing the digital doorbell chime. You also need a HomeKit hub in your house to use some of its other features, such as syncing with an Apple TV or HomePod.
Moreover, it relies on Thread, which is an emerging connectivity standard that promises to make smart devices fast, reliable, and more secure by cutting out your Wi-Fi router as the middleman. Apple is pushing Thread for its own smart-home products, and several other companies have started to incorporate it into their products, too.
5. Eufy
Eufy is a popular brand in electronics that is owned by Anker, and the company’s security products offer some unique features. Its wireless video doorbell and Homebase storage device eliminate the need for a subscription fee, which makes it more cost-effective than competing options.
Eufy’s camera also offers high-definition recording in 2K resolution, a key feature that is missing from the more expensive Nest Hello and Ring Pro models. This is especially important if you plan to use the doorbell for video chats or to monitor your porch or driveway.
Another plus is that the Eufy security camera keeps recordings for five best smart doorbell days. This is a bit shorter than the seven days offered by Arlo or Ring, but still a solid amount of time.
6. Ezivz
EZVIZ offers a range of smart doorbells that suit all types of homes. There are indoor and outdoor models, along with wired and wireless options. You can also find an extensive selection of AI-powered cameras to help protect your property.
Like other EZVIZ products, the C8PF can detect and send alerts to your phone as soon as it sees movement in the area. You can also set the camera to ignore specific areas or change the motion sensitivity so it only triggers on humans rather than insects and cars.
The EZVIZ app is straightforward to use and makes it easy to manage multiple devices. You can connect the camera via Wi-Fi or ethernet and it’s easily hardwired to power. It also includes two-way talk to communicate with anyone outside your home, even at night.
7. Blink
Blink’s cheaper video doorbell is a solid wired option for those who want to avoid the subscription fees. It works with Amazon Alexa and has an excellent app with pages of settings to tinker with. But it’s not a good choice if you use Apple Home because it doesn’t support HomeKit secure video.
The model we tested uses a dual motion sensor that pairs PIR and radar, which helps reduce false notifications. It also offers free activity zones, a light up ring button and 3 hours of event-based recordings.
It also has a strong performance in our tests with great data security and a quick response time for alerts and loading live feeds. It doesn’t have the bells and whistles of our top picks, but it’s a great choice for those looking to start small with a home security set up or if you are worried about Ring’s Neighbors app or controversial police partnerships.
