Which Doorbell Security Cameras Are Best?
Doorbell security cameras are excellent additions to any home security set-up. These devices allow you to answer the front door from any remote location inside or outside the house and even chat with the visitors at your doorstep in real-time. If you want to learn more about the way these cameras work, what are their features, their pros and cons, and what sets them apart, keep reading. Our experts have compared some of the best doorbell security camera brands and models on the market for you.
How to Choose the Best Rated Doorbell Security Cameras for 2024?
Before we dive into our recommendations for the best rated doorbell security cameras, here are some insights on these devices.
1. Doorbell Security Cameras Keep Your Packages Safe
If you frequently order online packages and your deliveries reach the front door when you are not home, a doorbell camera with a monitor can add an extra layer of protection to the front door. These devices are excellent deterrents for potential neighborhood thieves and porch pirates who will think twice about trying to take off with your packages before you can do it.
2. You Always Know Who Is at the Door
Whenever someone is at the door, whether it is someone invited or uninvited, a smart doorbell will immediately alert you of their presence and allow you to see and speak to them using your smartphone.
3. Doorbell Security Cameras Are Good for People with Mobility Issues
These devices also work great for elderly or disabled people who might have trouble getting to their front door with ease or in a fast manner. In such cases, these individuals can rely on their smartphones to inform their visitors that they will have to wait a while longer until they can reach the front door to let them in.
4. Doorbell Cameras Improve Access Control
When paired with smart locks, smart doorbell cameras allow you to significantly improve access control by granting access to visitors from a remote distance.
5. Smart Doorbell Cameras Are Cost-Effective Home Security Solutions
If you are not ready to invest in a complex home security system just yet, but you do wish to enhance your protection, such a device will help you do this without having to invest in expensive home security cameras.
Which Is the Best Doorbell Camera for You?
Depending on your exact needs, you may be looking for the best doorbell camera without subscription, the best wireless doorbell camera, or the ideal wired doorbell camera for your home. Here are our top recommendations based on notifications, video quality, and integration with other smart home devices:
The Best Doorbell Camera for 2024: Arlo Video Doorbell
Arlo is a highly reputable brand in the industry, known for its top-quality security cameras and excellent video doorbells. The Arlo Video Doorbell is a smart camera that cleverly distinguishes people from moving objects such as cars or animals, thus eliminating the risk of frequent false alerts. This is one of its main pros and best features, along with the state-of-the-art 1536×1536 resolution and generous 180-degree viewing angle. The latter enables homeowners to enjoy superb video quality in the daytime as well as during the night. Arlo also comes with a two-way audio system which enables users to easily communicate with their guests.
This model can be effectively integrated with a series of popular smart home integration systems including Alexa, Google Assistant, and If This Then That (IFTTT). IFTTT lets homeowners generate a series of desired chain reactions with the help of their phones. The list can include anything from turning the porch lights on when a visitor rings the doorbell or unlocking the front door to let a household member in when they are at the door. In exchange for a small $3 monthly subscription, users can benefit from 30 days of cloud video storage on top of the local storage alternative. One minor drawback of this device would be the fact that it will not allow users to immediately get access to their videos via their smartphones.
Best Doorbell Camera without Subscription: EUFY Video Doorbell Dual
While its price tag might be higher compared to other Eufy video doorbell models released previously, the Dual model is an excellent choice for homeowners looking for the best doorbell camera without a subscription. Among its best pros and top features, we can mention the 2K resolution that creates sharp, well-defined videos and the presence of the dual cameras that will prevent freshly delivered packages or any kind of motion at the doorstep go undetected.
Another excellent pro of this model is the fact that all video footage gets stored locally via the HomeBase 2 which relies on top-tier military-grade encryption. This means that users do not need to worry about paying any monthly subscription while benefiting from some of the highest levels of privacy, confidentiality, and security for their video footage. With a seamlessly engaged monitoring system, motion sensors that simultaneously send alerts to your smartphone whenever someone is at the door, and high mobility that lets homeowners switch the position of the camera to greet and talk to delivery persons or children coming back from school, this model is a good choice. One con worth mentioning would be the quality of the sound which could be slightly improved in terms of clarity and echo problems.
Best Wired Doorbell Camera: Arlo Essential Wired Video Doorbell
This model is not only one of the best wired doorbell cameras we have tested, but it is also an excellent choice for smart home integration. The device is fully compatible with the three main smart home platforms on the market (Apple HomeKit, Google Assistance, and Amazon Alexa) and while it cannot be used without an add-on hub, this still does not make it any less efficient. As compared to Nest Doorbell which is only compatible with Google Assistant, this video doorbell is the better choice. The device generates crisp, head-to-toe images of anyone standing in front of the door thanks to its advanced 12x digital zoom and excellent 180° field of view. The smart doorbell also features infrared night vision and comes with a 1:1 aspect ratio. While it might lack Eufy's 2K resolution, its videos look better than the ones produced by the Nest device.
In exchange for an $8 monthly subscription, Arlo Essential enables homeowners to access more video storage space, enjoy smart detection, and enable the e911 service that instantly connects them to first responders during an emergency. This means that first responders can reach users’ homes instead of the address provided by their phone's location.
Best Doorbell with Camera and Speaker: Nest Doorbell (Battery)
With a 960 x 1280 resolution for videos, 30 frames per second, and a 145-degree field of view, the Nest Doorbell is an excellent choice for many homeowners looking for a top-quality product. The device is fully compatible with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa and offers free person, package, animal, and car detection. It is possible to program the Nest doorbell to stop sending alerts, notifications, and clips from passing neighborhood dogs or cars. While Arlo and other brands can also do this, Nest does it free of charge. The Eufy's brand might be a little better at detecting humans and faces, but the same cannot be said about animals, cars, and packages.
Video Doorbell Systems: Our Final Thoughts
These are just a few of the best doorbell security cameras and smart video doorbells our expert residential locksmiths recommend. Ultimately, the size of your budget, whether you need a wireless or wired device with or without a monthly subscription, whether you would like to recognize visitors’ facial features while on the move, the audio quality you are looking for, or if you would like the camera to automatically record video once it detects movement will help you determine the best brand and model for you.