Best video doorbell cameras

Best video doorbell: Reviews and comparison

Do you have concerns about what’s happening at your doorstep when you’re not home or while you’re sleeping? Video doorbell cameras can provide some peace of mind. We’re rounding up information on the five best video doorbells for your home, including details on what to consider when shopping for and comparing video doorbells.

What makes the best video doorbell?

It’s important to choose the right doorbell camera based on how you like to use smart home technology and for your own home security needs and budget. Here are some of the features we considered  when comparing video doorbell options:

• Price: Average prices range between $149.99 and $199.99.
• Customer reviews: Look for reviews covering the product’s ease of installation, quality, night vision, motion detection, etc.
• Customer support: Ensure customer support is available through live chat, phone and/or email.
• Advanced features: The best doorbell cameras have advanced features, including infrared night vision, mobile alerts and two-way audio.
• Warranties/guarantees: Many doorbell cameras feature a limited one-year warranty, but some extend as long as three years.

Our selections for the best video doorbell

Arlo Video Doorbell

Arlo is considered one of the top internet-connected camera brands due to its assortment of products, including indoor/outdoor cameras, indoor-only cameras, mobile cameras and baby cameras. The Arlo company also carries a broad range of accessories, including magnetic wall mounts and security lights.The Arlo video doorbell captures video better than traditional doorbell cameras with high-dynamic-range video (HDR video) and a 180° viewing angle. Not only will you receive notifications when it detects motion, but each time someone presses your doorbell, you’ll receive a phone call or mobile alert.Price: $149.99Average reviews: Arlo’s doorbell camera receives an average of four stars from consumers regarding its motion detection, night vision, ease of installation and technical support. Some consumers have concerns about Arlo’s customer service, wiring requirements and its lack of functionality across multiple platforms.Features:

• Max Video Resolution: 1536 x 1536
• Night vision with high powered Infrared LEDs
• Single motion sensor
• Full Duplex two-way audio
• SIP audio/video call
• Outdoor UV and weather-resistant
• Single microphone array

Warranties/guarantees: One-year warranty

August Doorbell Cam Pro

August aims to ensure their customers are more secure through the control and visibility of their front door. The August Doorbell Cam Pro allows homeowners to answer their door no matter their location. Because it continuously monitors doorsteps, it captures every moment leading up to motion alerts. When subscribing to the free subscription for Basic Video Recording, homeowners can replay videos the doorbell camera captures within the last 24 hours.Price: $199.99Average reviews: The August Doorbell Cam Pro has mixed reviews, with an average three-star rating. It does receive several five-star ratings from consumers regarding the doorbell camera’s quality and value. Some consumer concerns include the length of time before playback video is available, motion-sensing delays and volume inconsistencies.Features:

• Easy installation
• Use your phone to let guests in
• Full-color HD night vision
• Continuous monitoring
• Free 24-hour recording with a live HD video feed
• Requires an Android (5.0 or higher) or iOS (9.0 or higher) smartphone

Warranties/guarantees: One-year warranty

Ring Video Doorbell 2

Ring doorbells were some of the earliest to come to market back in 2013 and the company is now owned by Amazon, meaning they will interact well with other Amazon smart home devices. Ring’s goal is to help reduce the amount of crime neighborhoods experience and increase peace of mind in your homeThe Ring Video Doorbell 2 allows you to monitor your home from any location with instant mobile alerts and is compatible with Android, iOS, MAC and Windows 10.Price: $169.99Average reviews: The Ring Video Doorbell 2 receives just over four stars from consumers for its material quality, motion detection, picture quality, night vision, WiFi signal and sound quality. Consumers have concerns with the lag time between the doorbell ringing and then establishing a video connection.Features:

• Receive mobile alerts instantly
• 160-degree horizontal, 90-degree vertical HD wide-angle views with adjustable motion sensors
• Built-in speakers and microphone with two-way audio with noise cancellation
• Infrared night vision
• Live view on-demand audio and video
• Battery-powered or hardwired

Warranties/guarantees: One-year warranty

Nest Hello Video Doorbell

Nest launched its first product, the Learning Thermostat, in 2011. In 2014, Google purchased Nest and, also during that year, Nest purchased a start-up security camera company by the name of Dropcam. In 2017, Nest developed their first video doorbell, the Nest Hello Video Doorbell.With 24-hour streaming and a three-hour look-back on recording history, the Nest Hello doorbell camera shows everything that’s happening on your doorstep. When subscribing to the Nest Aware service, you can keep an eye on your packages with its package recognition and instant alerts.Price: $199.00Average reviews: Consumers rate the Nest Hello doorbell video camera with nearly five stars. Their reviews include this doorbell video camera’s ease of installation, video quality, camera features, set up and app features.Features:

• 8x digital zoom and a 1/3-inch color sensor
• Captures up to 30 frames per second in HDR
• 160-degree diagonal view
• Built-in microphone and speaker with noise and echo cancellation
• Ambient light sensor
• Infrared night vision

Warranties/guarantees: Two-year limited warranty

SimpliSafe Video Doorbell

SimpliSafe launched in 2006 as one of the first producers of professional-grade home-monitoring systems. In 2019, the company expanded to the U.K. to offer them the same products and level of support. The SimpliSafe Video Doorbell provides video streaming with dual-sensor triggering while ignoring unnecessary motion such as cars passing. Price: $169.00Average reviews: The SimpliSafe video doorbell receives a wide variety of reviews, including five-star ratings for its ease of installation, motion detection, picture quality, night vision and technical support. Some consumers, however, have concerns about connectivity issues and customer service inconsistencies.Features:

• Two-way audio
• Motion alerts
• Pan and Zoom
• HDR imaging
• Infrared night vision
• 162-degree field of view

Warranties/guarantees: Three-year warranty