A smart doorbell camera offers you the convenience of knowing who’s at your door, even when you’re away, allowing you to filter out uninvited guests before they even ring the bell.
Our top recommendation is the Google Nest Doorbell (Wired), renowned for its ability to minimize false alerts compared to other doorbell cameras on the market. It excels at accurately distinguishing between people, animals, vehicles, and packages, providing you with reliable notifications. Moreover, it offers the added benefit of 24/7 recording capabilities for enhanced security.
For those without existing doorbell wiring, the Eufy Security Video Doorbell S220 (Battery-Powered) emerges as a hassle-free solution. Featuring a high-quality image and user-friendly interface, it provides approximately four months of uninterrupted service on a single charge, ensuring your home remains monitored and secure.
Things to consider
- Storage Options: While storing video footage on a memory card is convenient and cost-effective, models that offer cloud storage provide added security and accessibility to your recordings from anywhere.
- Distance Limitation: It’s important to note the motion detection range of the doorbell camera. While most models can detect motion up to 25 feet away, the clarity of details may diminish beyond 15 feet, so choose a model that suits the size of your property and desired coverage area.
- Power Source: Consider the power source of the doorbell camera. Wired models typically require less maintenance as they draw power from your home’s electrical system, whereas battery-operated models may need regular recharging every few weeks or months, so weigh the convenience against the potential upkeep.
- Specific Alerts: Look for doorbell cameras that offer specific alert capabilities, such as distinguishing between different types of motion like people, pets, vehicles, and package deliveries. This feature ensures that you receive only relevant notifications, reducing unnecessary interruptions.
Wired smart doorbell cameras
Smart Doorbell Cameras: Amazon Alexa and Google Home
In our latest round of testing, the second-generation Google Nest Doorbell (Wired) emerged as the undisputed leader in performance among all video doorbells evaluated. Its precision in identifying various types of motion—whether it be a person, animal, vehicle, or package—was unmatched. Moreover, the doorbell excelled in the implementation of activity zones, allowing users to tailor their monitoring to specific areas of interest.
An impressive feature of the Nest Doorbell is its capability to recognize specific individuals by name, facilitated by a Nest Aware subscription. However, it’s worth noting that this feature requires a clear view of the subject for optimal performance. Furthermore, the doorbell impressed us with its rapid response time, delivering smartphone notifications promptly and providing real-time activity feed without noticeable delay.
One standout advantage of the Nest Doorbell is its provision of complimentary cloud storage, albeit limited to a three-hour window. For users seeking expanded storage options and advanced features like Familiar Face detection, a Nest Aware subscription is available at $8 per month or $80 per year. Alternatively, opting for the $15 per month (or $150 per year) plan extends motion event storage to 60 days and includes 10 days of continuous 24/7 recording, ensuring comprehensive surveillance coverage.
Smart Doorbell Cameras: Doorbell Ring with Amazon Alexa
The long-awaited affordable smart doorbell camera has finally arrived with the Ring Video Doorbell Wired. Coming in at under $50, it’s a compact alternative to its bulkier and pricier counterparts within the Ring lineup. Sporting crisp 1080p video quality, it delivers clear visuals and reliable motion and person detection alerts. However, it falls short in providing the detailed alerts found in our top pick and is limited to integration with Amazon Alexa as its sole smart-home platform. While its budget-friendly price tag is enticing, bear in mind that recording motion events requires a subscription to the Ring Protect Basic plan, starting at $5 per month or $50 per year.
Battery-powered smart doorbell cameras
Compatible with: Amazon Alexa, Google Home
The Eufy Security Video Doorbell S220 (Battery-Powered) offers a winning combination of reliable performance and an impressive battery life lasting approximately four months. With the added convenience of storing up to six months’ worth of footage on the included indoor base station at no extra cost, or the option to subscribe to Eufy’s cloud service for $3 per month per camera (or $30 per year per camera) with 30 days of video history retention. Despite the common limitation of battery-powered models, such as recording time capped at 60-second clips and potential brief gaps between recordings during continuous motion, the S220 stands out with its crystal-clear 2K image resolution and robust battery endurance. It’s an ideal choice for those seeking a wire-free smart doorbell solution without compromising on quality or reliability.
