In a world where most of us spend our days fielding various delivery people and packages, the best video doorbells can mean the difference between getting what you ordered and missing that all-important visit. Devices from big brands like Ring, Google's Nest, and others want to solve the problem of unheard knocks or allow you to ignore unwanted visitors and cold callers.
Video doorbells work by connecting to your home WiFi and sending an alert to your chosen device whenever there is a visitor. The built-in camera and microphone mean that you can pull up a live feed of your front porch and speak with whoever is there without even leaving the couch.
In many ways, they operate like the best home security cameras, and smart doorbells are indeed an extra way of protecting your property. As well as telling you when someone has pressed the doorbell, the devices can also detect motion, allowing you to keep an eye on the area from your phone, tablet, or one of the best smart speakers.
The best video doorbells can then record the footage captured during an 'event' and store it for viewing at a later date. However, some brands do require an additional subscription for this feature.
Many of us already have a few smart home devices, and video doorbells are great for integrating with an existing system. You can use devices such as the best smart lights and best smart locks to create a security setup that works seamlessly to keep your home protected. It also adds a ton of convenience, like fielding visitors and checking suspicious activity in the immediate area.
With a growth in popularity, the choice of smart doorbells has also expanded. It is a little overwhelming to choose the best video doorbell for you. For example, wired devices may require professional installation or battery-powered options that are more convenient but require regular recharging.
To help you make the decision, we have tested a wide array of doorbells in our actual homes, testing them on elements that matter to our readers and us. Keep reading to see which ones we rated highest.
The best video doorbells of 2022
How we test video doorbells
To compare the best video doorbells, we review the quality of the footage they capture both during the day and at night. We also judge the sound quality of the video, as well as when conversing in real-time with someone on the doorstep.
We also assess the ease of installation and, if relevant, the battery life, along with how simple the app is to navigate, and the benefits offered by any subscription services, such as secure storage for footage and handy features designed to identify what triggered a motion alert and reduce unwanted notifications about activity in the doorbell’s field of view.
How to choose the best video doorbell
What to consider when buying a video doorbell?
You need to consider some aspects before buying the best video doorbell for you.
Video doorbells are available in both mains-powered and battery-operated options, but your current set-up will determine which option you choose; those with existing wired doorbells will easily be able to switch out their current model for a mains-powered video doorbell and will ensure an existing chime in your home is triggered when the doorbell is pressed. If you don’t feel confident working on your home’s wiring and don’t have the relevant qualifications, it’ll need to be professionally installed.
If you’re renting or don’t have an existing wired doorbell, a battery-operated model powered by rechargeable batteries and requires far less DIY is a better alternative to wired counterparts. However, you may need to purchase an additional chime, so you hear a sound inside your house when the doorbell is pressed or set up a compatible smart speaker or smart display to do this for you. The quality of the video doorbell records video in should also be considered - most record footage in Full HD. In contrast, others offer a higher resolution, which is ideal if you have a long driveway and want to clearly see small details in the field of view. If you get a lot of deliveries, also consider a video doorbell that offers a 1:1 aspect ratio - so you’ll be able to see the full length of someone on your doorstep and if they have a package at their feet too.
Finally, consider how video the camera captures is stored - does it require a subscription to save video in the cloud so it can go back and be reviewed after it has happened. These start from $2.99 / £2.49 / AU$4.49 per month, so remember to factor in this cost. Some video doorbells, such as those from Eufy, offer local storage, so you don’t have any ongoing costs associated with the camera. While others, including the Google Nest Doorbell (battery), provide free cloud storage for a limited time after the video has been recorded.
Can I use a Ring video doorbell without a subscription?
Ring video doorbells, and those from other manufacturers, can be used without a subscription, but this means you only get access to the most basic function, such as getting an alert when the doorbell is pressed and accessing a live feed from the camera. However, if you miss an alert and want to review a video from the doorbell camera at a later date, you do need to subscribe to Ring Protect or the relevant service.
These subscription services also ensure you can access handy features designed to reduce the number of false-positive alerts issued by the video doorbell, such as identifying the cause of the motion and creating activity zones, so you’re only notified about motion in these areas.
How do video doorbells work?
Video doorbells work the same way as home security cameras, connecting to your home Wi-Fi and sending a notification to your smartphone if motion is detected. You can log in and view a live feed from the camera and even converse with whoever is at your threshold. Alternatively, you can ignore the notification and review the footage at a later date.
The higher the resolution of the doorbell’s camera, the more detailed the footage. In addition, some video doorbells offer a wider field of view so you can see the full length of the person at the door and any packages they may have with them. Find out in more detail how do video doorbells work in our article.
Do video doorbells work with Alexa (and other voice assistants)?
Most video doorbells work with Alexa, and other voice assistants such as Google Assistant or HomeKit, so a compatible smart speaker in your home will announce and play an audible alert when someone is at the door and let you converse with them through the speaker. The most comprehensive Alexa integration comes from doorbells from Amazon-owned brand Ring and Blink, which has recently released its first video doorbell, the Blink Video Doorbell. Find out how the two brands compare by reading Blink vs Ring.
On top of that, if you have one of the best smart displays, such as an Amazon Echo Show 10, you can also view the doorbell's feed on its screen. A handful of video doorbells work with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple HomeKit; others only work with one or two of these voice assistants.
- Check out the best ring video doorbell deals and prices