By Ann Young 4 days ago Photography Gear
Find the best doorbell camera to ensure the safety of your house.
Doorbell cameras are basically doorbells with security cameras attached. They haven’t been on the home security market for long, but they’ve proven to be a huge hit already. Whenever people are ringing the doorbell, this device sends an alert to your smartphone, which will show a real-time feed from the camera, allowing you to check out, who is at your door even if you’re away from home.
Regardless of whether you’re wary of mischief-makers, expecting a delivery person, invited some friends or family members over, or trying to avoid an annoying neighbor, the doorbell camera reviews featured in this post will help you find the perfect tool for keeping an eye on your doorway.
FixThePhoto’s choice
Size: 0.9 x 2.9 x 2.9 in | Video Resolution: 1280 x 960 | Field of View: 120° degrees | Starting Storage Fee: $49.99/year
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Rating
⊕ High-resolution color night vision
⊕ Simple installation
⊕ High-quality two-way sound
⊕ Live alerts
⊕ Remote door unlock function
⊖ Not found
The August Doorbell Cam Pro 2 deserves the title of the best doorbell camera more than any other product in this review. Installing this camera is very simple and doesn’t pose any difficulty even to complete newbies.
This model is supplied with a high-resolution video camera and 2-way sound. The device sends live warnings whenever a person enters the surveilled area.
Another reason why this camera deserves to be called the best smart doorbell is the integrated floodlight paired with high-res full-color visual feed. This feature is perfect for nighttime monitoring and recording since most other models produce infrared videos with a lot of grain, making it nearly impossible to understand what’s happening.
You can integrate this doorbell with Smart Locks that can be paired with Alexa, Siri, Google Assistant, or most other smart security programs.
When purchasing this doorbell, you receive free storage space for 24hours, but you can increase that number by subscribing to the premium plan. It offers a months’ worth of recordings for $4.99 each month.
Smart doorbell camera with high resolution
Size: 4.8 x 1.69 x 0.94 in | Video Resolution: 2560 x 1920 | Field of View: 150° | Storage Fee: $3.99/month or $29.99/year
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Rating
⊕ Top-notch video quality
⊕ Compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant
⊕ Reliable weather protection
⊕ Doesn’t require a subscription
⊖ Lacks smart lock integration
The Eufy Video Doorbell provides simple installation and all the functions you can expect to find in a contender for the best doorbell camera title, while being significantly cheaper than the majority of competitors.
The most notable features include high-resolution 2K video, HDR, face recognition, 2-way sound, and a ring that receives the signal anywhere inside the house, guarantying you’ll always hear it.
You get alerts on your connected gadgets instantaneously whenever motion is detected, and the real-time feed offers terrific performance, turning on within seconds.
This camera doorbell doesn’t demand a subscription and offers 4GB of internal storage that is enough for about a month of footage. It’s compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant, allowing a user to view the video feed via the assistant’s enabled gadgets.
The only drawback that should be mentioned in this ring doorbell review is the absence of smart lock integration. This means you can’t open and close the lock using the application when talking to a visitor. However, this feature is also missing in most competitors.
Smart doorbell camera with motion tracking
Size: 5.05 in. x 2.50 in. x 1.08 in | Video Resolution: 1920 x 1080 | Field of View: 160° | Storage Fee: $3/month or $30/year
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Rating
⊕ Rechargeable battery
⊕ AI movement detection
⊕ High-quality sound and visual feed
⊕ Comes with an anti-theft feature
⊖ Requires subscription to view the footage
⊖ Bulky design
This feature-packed model is the perfect choice if you’re looking for smart doorbells that work on batteries and don’t involve messing around with wires.
Setting up and installing this doorbell is simple and can be done with no prior experience. Keeping the device in prime condition is also easy as the app can take care of troubleshooting and all software updates are downloaded automatically.
Another upside of the Ring Video Doorbell 2 is the battery life, which is enough for about a thousand alerts, and you get a notification warning you about the need to charge it way ahead of time.
The most impressive feature of this model that is often omitted in other ring doorbell reviews is the Theft Protection, which guarantees that in case someone steals the doorbell, the manufacturer will send you a replacement for free. The motion sensor of this model is highly sensitive and even saved house from fire, so you can be sure your home is secure with this device guarding it.
However, this device isn’t perfect. One drawback that needs to be mentioned is the large size of the doorbell, which might make it impossible to install in some households. The second downside is that all recorded videos are saved in the cloud that requires a monthly subscription if you want to access it.
Best budget doorbell camera
Size: 5.1 x 1.8 x 0.84 in | Video Resolution: 1536 x 1536 | Field of View: 180º | Storage Fee: $3/month or $30/year
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Rating
⊕ Reasonable price
⊕ Movement detection
⊕ Two-way sound
⊕ 3-day free cloud storage
⊖ Fisheye footage recording
This model gets a lot of praise in most video doorbell reviews. The RemoBell S is a simple-to-install device that offers all expected functions minus the large price tag and subscription fee.
By ordering this product, you get HD video, night-time vision, two-way sound, movement zones, and free cloud storage, which is everything someone being on a budget can ask for.
Despite being offered at such an attractive price, the RemoBell S comes with tools required to set it up and a convenient user-friendly app that doesn’t have any ads promoting its premium services.
You’ll receive movement and ringing notifications moments after they occur, and the real-time feed offers a clear picture of who’s standing in front of your door.
Even though the video quality and some of the features aren’t exactly similar to those the best doorbell camera offers, the RemoBell S is a terrific option for users looking to save money while still receiving a reliable device that will keep their entrance monitored.
Best doorbell camera for people living in apartments
Size Indoors: 2.26 x 4.40 x 1.16 in; Size Outdoors: 1.85 x 3.83 x 0.78 in | Video Resolution: 1080 p HD | Field of View: 155° | Storage Fee: $3/month or $30/year
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Rating
⊕ Smart design
⊕ Movement detection
⊕ Straightforward installation
⊕ Amazon Alexa compatibility
⊖ Unreliable plastic mount
⊖ Requires subscription
Regardless of whether you live in an apartment, mansion, dorm room, or any other building with a front door, this smart doorbell camera will prove to be the perfect replacement for a traditional peephole. It allows you to see who’s on the other side of the door with your smartphone wherever you are.
Installing the doorbell is as simple as possible, with no wires or screws required.
The device sends a notification when being pressed, detecting movement, and when a visitor knocks on the door while recording footage of the event.
However, to access the recorded videos, you need to sign up for a Ring Protect plan.
This doorbell offers plenty of options for customizing the settings, depending on the user’s needs. When setting it up, you’ll be asked to answer some questions so that the device can pick the appropriate parameters.
If you don’t have complete freedom to install any smart home device you’d want, this is the option for you.
Stylish smart doorbell camera
Size: 4.3 x 1.4 x 1,2 in | Video Resolution: 1080p HD | Field of View: 162° | Storage Fee: $4.9 –9.99/month
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Rating
⊕ Stylish look
⊕ Compatible with SimpliSafe gadgets
⊕ Newbie-friendly application
⊕ Smart sensors minimize the chance for false warnings
⊖ Doesn’t have smart home integration
⊖ Requires a subscription
This slick, handy Wifi doorbell can be used either as a standalone device or as a part of your SimpliSafe house security setup if you have one.
This model allows you to access the live feed for free, but if you’d like to check out the recordings, you’ll have to purchase a cloud storage subscription.
The doorbell’s sensors are programmed to react only to people and ignore passing by vehicles or pets running around your yard. Such functionality is essential for people living in busy areas or if their door is right next to the street.
This device is noticeably cheaper than the majority of doorbells included in this review, but it can only be connected to a SimpliSafe security system, while other options have compatibility with IFTT, Alexa, and Google Assistant.
The two pleasant extras that come with the Simplisafe Video Doorbell Pro include a pair of faceplates (black and mint) that will make it easier to fit the device into your décor, and the adjustment wedge, which is a lifesaver if you have angled siding.
Smart doorbell camera with control over motion alerts
Size: 4.50 x 1.85 x 0.8 in | Video Resolution: 1080p HD | Field of View: 160° | Storage Fee: $3/month or $30/year
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Rating
⊕ Faceplates are interchangeable
⊕ Advanced Motion Detection
⊕ Compatible with IFTTT and Alexa
⊕ Includes Lifetime Theft Protection
⊖ Video storing by subscription
⊖ Barrel distortion
Ring Video Doorbell Pro undoubtedly deserves your attention if you are looking for the best doorbell camera. This device is rather compact, has a sleek design, and boasts 4 interchangeable faceplates so you can pick the one that matches your house best of all.
The installing is intuitive and fast. Regardless of the time of a day, be it early morning or dead of night, this smart doorbell camera provides remarkable video quality with precise face detection.
However, there may appear a barrel distortion, which is a weak point of this model. In general, Ring Video Doorbell Pro is praised for having saved people from potential home invasions numerous times.
Operating on the pre-buffering technology, this camera shows you what has happened prior to a motion trigger and allows you to watch a video in a live view mode on an Amazon Echo Show device, which is controlled by Alexa voice commands.
Ring Pro is one of those smart doorbells that let you define the space in the wide, 160-degree field of view that will be monitored. There is a special Ring app that you can use to mark those areas.
This way, you can direct a camera at the walkway, a yard or any other important territory, without capturing a street, for instance.
Video storing requires a subscription. But the cost of cloud storage space is rather moderate - $3 monthly or $30 annually. The footage is saved for 60 days.
Best smart doorbell with dual camera
Size: 4.5 x 1.8 x 1.6 in | Video Resolution: 1080p HD | Field of View: 160° | Storage Fee: $4.99,$9.99,$19.99/month
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Rating
⊕ Dual camera and lights
⊕ Two-Way Talk
⊕ Advanced Motion Detection
⊕ Simple installation
⊖ Doesn’t support Alexa
⊖ Limited free recording time (2 hours only)
Maximus Video Doorbell has some interesting features, which make it one of the best doorbell cameras on the market. The first striking peculiarity is a mix of 2 cameras in one set.
The first camera offers a regular in-the-face view, so you can see your guest, while another one is fixed at the foot level giving you a clear picture of the packages left in front of the door. This helps a lot in case they have been pinched.
Quite often people buy smart doorbells just to keep an eye on their packages and Maximus definitely offers the utmost control in this case. Of course, the camera comes with all the basic features as well – 1080 live view streaming, monitor sensor alerts, etc.
The top camera is also advanced with IR night vision, while the bottom one has package lights. Developers tried to embed all the necessary features to reduce the possibility of breaking-in. However, some features are available on a paid basis.
For example, you need to pay for intelligent motion detection, custom greeting features, and to view more than 2 hours of recorded footage. Besides, the camera doorbell has limited voice commands and lacks support for third-party integrations.
Best doorbell camera with free seven days of storage
Size: 2.8 x 0.9 x 2.8 in | Video Resolution: 1080p HD | Field of View: 160° | Storage Fee: Free
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Rating
⊕ Rugged weather-resistant body
⊕ Free Storage
⊕ Understandable app UI
⊕ Supports Alexa and Google Home
⊕ Color Night Vision
⊖ Doesn’t support Windows desktop and mobile versions
If you are on the lookout of high-quality WiFi doorbell cameras, have a closer look at this model. SkyBell Wi-Fi doorbell offers color vision at night, supports high-definition 1080p video and motion detection.
The compatibility is quite broad, so you can easily pair it with third-party devices. I think the biggest argument in favor of this model is free video storage. In case the doorbell has been stolen, the company will send you another one for free.
The app is easy to use, providing you with a detailed history report, so you can see who has come to your place and whether there have been doorbell alerts.
This smart doorbell has a quiet mode, so you can turn the sound off if anyone in the house is sleeping.
Those already using SkyBell Wi-Fi really appreciate the possibility to use cloud storage for free. You can save your active history for a week and then it will be automatically deleted.
Best doorbell camera with free local storage
Size: 4.9 x 2.2 x 1.2 in | Video Resolution: 1080p HD | Field of View: 166° | Storage Fee: Free
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Rating
⊕ Batteries are rechargeable
⊕ Free Indoor Chime
⊕ No monthly fee
⊕ Weatherproof design
⊖ Poor battery life
MECO video doorbell is often called a good value for money in doorbell camera reviews. The device is easy to mount and install, which is an absolute advantage.
Using this doorbell camera, you get 166-degree coverage of your premises, so the percentage of blind areas is reduced.
An integrated RIP & motion sensor help monitor the activities near your house and filter out false alerts. The camera features 2 sensitivity levels, but, as practice shows, you can switch them off.
You can choose between 3 day-night modes – Auto, Daytime (color image) and Night (b&w image). There is also a 2-way communication. It is possible to speak, hear and even see a doorstepper regardless of where you are.
You can use the 32GB microSD kit card and save on the storage. Of course, you can access a cloud-based one, but it is paid.
Developers offer a well-programmed smartphone app to manage the MECO best doorbell camera. Another nice feature is the possibility to pre-record a 30-sec message for your visitors.
Best doorbell camera with no monthly fee for extra features
Size: 1.44 x 4.8 x 0.65 in | Video Resolution: 1920 x 1080 | Field of View: 180° | Storage Fee: Free
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Rating
⊕ Free cloud storage
⊕ Supports Alexa
⊕ Quiet mode
⊕ Camera replacement in case of theft
⊖ Lower frame rate as compared to other cameras
I was really surprised when I learned that SkyBell Trim Video Doorbell offers all the features and even cloud storage free of charge considering how well-developed and effective this device is.
If you are planning to use this camera doorbell for at least several years, you will eventually save a good sum of money, since other manufacturers charge from $3 to $5 monthly. Besides, the cost of this camera is few bucks lower if you compare it to similar models with an analog set of features.
SkyBell can please you with a color night vision option and a quiet mode, which is a real finding for families with small children. You may not worry that your camera will get damaged in bad weather, since it comes in a weatherproof case.
The device supports Alexa and can be used with Echo or Echo Dot.
Best doorbell camera with unlimited live streaming
Size: 4.7 x 2 x 1.1 in | Video Resolution: 1920 x 1080 | Field of View: 140° | Storage Fee: $6/month
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Rating
⊕ Instant alerts
⊕ No cloud subscription
⊕ User-friendly
⊕ Unlimited live streaming
⊖ No customization options
This smart doorbell camera is powered by the existing doorbell wiring and enables you to view all front door activities in HD 1920x1080p resolution. It offers extra-wide 140-degree viewing, which is enough to monitor what is going on near your house in detail.
The device supports two-way communication, so you can talk to a visitor whenever you are. There are 2 interchangeable faceplates (black and silver) and you can select the one that matches your house façade better.
Night vision mode provides a clear image of up to 16 feet away.
The instant motion detect alerts are sent via email or in a form of push notifications and you can quickly watch the recorded video right on your phone using the Amcrest Smart Home app.
The footage is stored either in the cloud or on a MicroSD card (up to 128GB) – it is up to you to decide.
It would be great if Amcrest Video Doorbell had more customization options, so it could be rightfully called the best doorbell camera in this price range.
Image | Name | Features | |
---|---|---|---|
August Doorbell Cam Pro
OUR CHOICE |
Check PRICE → | ||
Eufy Video DoorBell
BEST RESOLUTION |
Check PRICE → | ||
RemoBell S Video Doorbell
BUDGET |
Check PRICE → | ||
SimpliSafe Video Doorbell Pro
STYLISH |
Check PRICE → | ||
Ring Peephole Cam Video Doorbell
FOR APARTMENTS |
Check PRICE → |
There are some features that differentiate poor-quality doorbell cameras from advanced devices. I’d like to talk about them below.
Connection type. A camera doorbell may be powered either by the existing wiring or by a battery. The latter is a perfect option if you don’t have a regular doorbell. Besides, wireless models are easier to install. However, battery doorbells work uninterruptedly for 2-6 months and then you need to change the battery.
Auto-theft detection. A decent doorbell is typically mounted with a security screw so it isn’t so easy to remove and steal. If it happens, an owner immediately receives a notification. Many companies guarantee free replacement.
Motion detection. Some smart doorbells come with an integrated motion sensor that notifies an owner when somebody approaching the front door, while others monitor predefined areas. The second variant is ideas for houses on busy streets.
Night vision. I highly recommend investing in a camera doorbell with night vision, so you can be safe even in the dark period of a day, as well as in gloomy weather. Night vision operates on IR technology, which makes a frame look as if it is recorded in a daytime.
Weather resistance. The best doorbell camera is the one that has a weatherproof body. It can work flawlessly in heavy rain, fog and even extreme temperatures.
Video storage. Typically, developers produce cameras with 2 storing options – on a memory card or cloud storage. If you choose the latter variant, you are likely to pay a monthly fee, while a memory card is a one-time investment. The best smart doorbell is supposed to feature both options.
Two-way audio. It makes sense to purchase a camera doorbell that enables you to see and communicate with your visitors whenever you are. Thus, you can ask a delivery man to leave a package in a specific place when you aren’t at home, so it will be safe until you come back.
Field of view. The wider the field of view, the better. If you choose a camera with a 90-degree angle, you can only see a person in front of your door. A 180-degree device adds some space from the sides. This matter a lot, because experienced thieves may break in your house just staying in a blind zone, so make sure you use a camera with a wide field of view.
Ann Young
Hi there, I'm Ann Young - a professional blogger, read more