Recent statistics show that a shocking number of residential burglaries and home invasions occur all through the year, and a lot of these crimes happen in the middle of the day. More and more people are therefore choosing to invest in security systems and tools to protect their homes, and one of the first lines of defence you can use is a video doorbell. These devices let you see, speak with, and even record the people who come to your door.
We’ve prepared a list of the best video doorbell models you might like to choose. There are many different makes and models of video doorbells, and we had to think about a lot of different factors like budget, resolution, dimensions, resistance, features, and storage capacity when creating this list. Only the best rated video doorbells made it, all rated highly by both users and critical experts – overall, we found the Ring Video Doorbell Pro to be the best all-round model. So if you’re looking for a fantastic video doorbell for your home, you might find it in the list below.
Top 6 Video Doorbells Review 2020
Beneath this text, you’ll see a comparison table with the names and ratings for each model on our list, complete with nominations that highlight the best feature or aspect of each model. After that, for more in-depth information, you can read through full reviews of every single product, pointing out all the pros, cons, dimensions, features, and need-to-know details. Finally, at the bottom of the page, you’ll find a buying guide for video doorbells, noting all the features you need to look out for and answering some common questions about these devices too.
HD video doorbell that connects to Alexa, features a 160° horizontal & 90° vertical field of view
Fantastic video doorbell with night vision, 24-hour video footage storage and a 120-degree field of view
High-resolution video doorbell that is compatible with Alexa, this unit sends automatic alerts as soon as motion is detected
Compact video doorbell with an easy installation and a great image quality – even at night
Weatherproof doorbell with a wide 180-degree viewing angle, wireless charging, and access to the past 7 days of footage free of charge
Inexpensive video doorbell with HD video streaming and 2-way audio, comes with a 3-year warranty to protect your purchase
Ring Video Doorbell Pro – Editor’s Choice
- Resolution: 1080p HD
- Night vision: yes
- Wi-Fi connectivity: yes
- Dimensions: 4.5 x 1.8 x 0.8 inches
Extra features: works with Alexa; connects to existing doorbell wiring; 160° horizontal & 90° vertical field of view; hardwired
We begin with the Ring Video Doorbell Pro. Available at quite a high price, this device might seem like a big investment at first, but it’s easily one of the best rated video doorbell systems you can hope to buy right now. Stylish and elegant at first glance, the Ring Pro offers superior performance and capabilities when compared to almost any other video doorbell on the market, starting off with 1080p HD resolution and night vision capabilities.
At any time of day or night, the Ring Video Doorbell Pro can be the first line of defense for your property, keeping an eye out in front of your home and boasting a very wide angle lens with 160° horizontal and 90° vertical field of view. The quality of the visuals you get from this video doorbell is highly impressive and it’s fair to say that the Ring Pro features one of the best video doorbell camera models around right now.
This device is fully compatible with Alexa and Echo devices around your home as well, so it’s ideal for homeowners who have already invested in various smart home products and want to add a doorbell to their collection. It’s easy to install and connect with your other systems, and it comes with a lot of great features like the ability to see, hear, and speak with any visitors directly from your phone or other connected device. It even comes with a lifetime theft protection warranty. You will, however, have to pay a subscription to access stored videos.
- 1080p recording
- Night vision capabilities
- Compatible with Alexa
- Easy to connect
- Wide field of view
- Lifetime theft protection
- Subscription required
- High price
August Doorbell Cam Pro – Best Video Doorbell with Free Storage
- Resolution: 960 x 1280p HD
- Night vision: yes (full color HD)
- Wi-Fi connectivity: yes
- Dimensions: 0.9 x 2.9 x 2.9 inches
Extra features: works with Alexa; free 24hr video storage; 120° field of view
The third entry on our list is the August Doorbell Cam Pro. Measuring up at just 0.9 x 2.9 x 2.9 inches, this is one of the smallest and most minimalistic video doorbells available right now. It’s sleek and stylish, fitting perfectly on any door and offering strong functionality and decent value for money, despite a few minor flaws like quite a high sensitive rating and some difficult with installation, which can vary from user to user.
In spite of these minor issues, the August Doorbell Cam Pro has a lot of plus points and is easily one of the best video doorbell without subscription options you can choose. It offers fully free 24-hour video storage to all users, or you can choose to upgrade and pay extra for more storage if desired. Either way, the free storage capabilities of this video doorbell give it an edge over much of the competition, especially when combined with its strong resolution and night vision recording.
The August Doorbell Cam Pro is also very well-suited to homeowners who already own other smart home devices. It pairs easily with Alexa for voice control and it works perfectly with other August devices too, so if you’ve already invested in this brand, you’ll find a lot to love in the August Doorbell Cam Pro. It comes with a somewhat steep price tag, but its smart features, built-in floodlight, and two-way audio make it a great device to own.
- Small
- Alexa compatible
- Free storage
- Minimal, low-profile design
- Pairs with other August devices
- Can be a little sensitive
- Not always easy to install
Ring Video Doorbell 2 – Best Smart Video Doorbell
- Resolution: 1080 HD
- Night vision: yes
- Wi-Fi connectivity: yes
- Dimensions: 5.0 x 2.5 x 1 inches
Extra features: works with Alexa; sends alerts as soon as motion is detected; 160° horizontal & 90° vertical field of view; battery/hardwired
The Ring Pro featured earlier in this list, and now we come to the Ring Video Doorbell 2. These two devices aren’t quite identical, with the Ring 2 being a little more affordable overall but still offering many of the same features and advantage of its sibling. It comes with total Alexa compatibility, for example, connecting easily to Alexa and giving you simple voice control and easy communication with your guests.
In terms of the camera performance, it’s clear to see that the Ring Video Doorbell 2 has some of the best doorbell video camera capabilities of any device out there right now. It offers full 1080p resolution, night vision capture, and a huge field of view both horizontally and vertically. It also comes with the unique feature of being wired up to your existing system or running off a rechargeable battery, giving you a lot of flexibility in terms of how you want to use it.
Of course, no video doorbell is perfect, and the Ring 2 does have a couple of flaws worth pointing out. Like many Wi-Fi video doorbell models, it comes with a subscription model, so you’ll need to pay an annual fee to get access to video storage of recent events. It also has a tendency to be overly sensitive, according to some users, activating and alerting you in cases of minimal movement like cars going past in the distance. Overall though, it performs very strongly.
- Alexa compatibility
- Wide field of view
- High resolution
- Good night vision performance
- Lifetime theft protection
- Subscription
- Can be quite sensitive at detecting motion
Honeywell SkyBell – Most Resistant Video Doorbell
- Resolution: 1920 x 1080p
- Night vision: yes
- Wi-Fi connectivity: yes
- Dimensions: 6.5 x 4.8 x 2.4 inches
Extra features: 1-year limited warranty; frame rate – 15 fps
Made with durability and performance in mind, the Honeywell SkyBell is one of the most resistant video doorbells on the market and can handle even the toughest conditions and climates. It can continue functioning at top capacity in frosty temperatures or blazing hot sunny days and stays strong and solid even in stormy conditions, so it’s a great video doorbell Wi-Fi model to choose if you live somewhere with harsh weather conditions.
Offering free video storage up to 500MB, the Honeywell SkyBell is also one of the best video doorbell systems without any subscription fees and you don’t have to worry about paying extra just to get access to your recordings. This is a great bonus and really helps the Honeywell offer a lot of value to the user, especially when we add in the fact that this video doorbell records at a resolution of 1920 x 1080p and a frame rate of 15fps. The overall quality of the image captured by this video doorbell is always excellent, regardless of the conditions or time of day.
The Honeywell SkyBell is very easy to install too in the vast majority of cases, but it does have a couple of minor flaws to consider. The accompanying smartphone app for this device can sometimes be a little slow to actually alert you of people at the door. In addition, the motion sensing can be somewhat inconsistent, with some users reporting that they didn’t always receive alerts straight away when they should have.
- Strong and resistant design
- High resolution
- No subscription fees
- Excellent image quality
- Easy installation
- Motion sensing can be inconsistent
- App can be a bit slow
Zmodo Snap True Wire-Free Security Camera System – Best Wireless Video Doorbell
- Resolution: 1080p HD
- Night vision: yes
- Wi-Fi connectivity: yes
- Dimensions: 3 x 2 x 3.1 inches
Extra features: IP65 weatherproof; 180° viewing angle; wireless charging; free cloud storage (stores past 7 days of footage)
If you’re looking for a truly wireless video doorbell, look no further than the Zmodo Snap True Wire-Free Security Camera System. A full wireless video doorbell system with a lot to offer, the Zmodo Snap True is one of the easiest options to install as you don’t need to worry about hooking it up to wires or pre-existing chimes and bells. It simply fits wherever you need it and is ready to go within just a few minutes.
Highly resistant and weatherproof, the Zmodo Snap True Wire-Free Security Camera System can work well in cold, sunny, rainy, or stormy conditions and is able to record video and detect motion at any time of day or night. Speaking of motion sensitivity, this device has been reported to be a little overly sensitive at times and may send you alerts just due to cars passing by in the street outside, especially if your home isn’t too far back from the road.
This is only a minor issue, however, and doesn’t detract from the overall excellence and quality of this video doorbell intercom system. Offering 1080p full HD and ultra wide view recording, the Zmodo is able to capture absolutely everything, recording instantly, saving the footage for your perusal on the cloud without any need for subscription fees, and quickly charging back up to full capacity when the battery dies down.
- Weatherproof
- Wide viewing angle
- Wireless
- Easy to set-up
- Free cloud storage
- Needs to be charged
- Sensitive to cars
Zmodo SD-H2101 Smart Video Doorbell – Budget Pick
- Resolution: 1080p HD
- Night vision: yes
- Wi-Fi connectivity: yes
- Dimensions: 2.1 x 1 x 4.2 inches
Extra features: adjustable brightness; 2-way audio; 60-day return policy and 3-year warranty
Sticking with Zmodo for our final entry on the list of best home video doorbell systems, we have the Zmodo SD-H2101 Smart Video Doorbell. This is our Budget Pick, so it’s the most affordable wired video doorbell and offers a lot of value overall, coming with some relatively impressive tech specs like 1080p HD capacity, night vision recording, and easy Wi-Fi connectivity, plus 2-way audio to let you chat to visitors and a strong 3-year warranty.
Of course, when compared to some of the more expensive and cutting edge models on our list, we can see that the Zmodo SD-H2101 Smart Video Doorbell does have a few flaws. The quality of the recordings from this device doesn’t always live up to the promised resolution, especially in dark conditions. Despite being easy to set up, the Zmodo SD-H2101 also comes with only a very short power cord, so you’ll need an outlet nearby to set it up easily on your door. It’s quite a basic design too, but it does come with great features like on-demand live view and an included chime.
All in all, if you’re just looking for the best budget video doorbell, the Zmodo SD-H2101 Smart Video Doorbell isn’t a bad one to choose. It has a few drawbacks, but that’s to be expected at this kind of price range, and it does more than enough things right to be worthy of inclusion on our list of best video camera doorbell models.
- Very affordable
- Two-way audio
- Full HD video
- On-demand live view
- Easy to install with included chime
- Relatively poor video quality
- Quite basic
- Short power cord
Buying Guide
We’ve seen some of the best video doorbells you can buy, so now let’s take a closer look at the individual factors, features, and aspects you need to look out for when actually buying these devices. Video doorbells can be quite expensive and are designed to last a long time, so they’re a big investment and need to be considered carefully. Here’s all you need to know about buying your next video doorbell.
Why it’s worth installing a video doorbell
There are plenty of benefits to having your own Wi-Fi doorbell video camera system. Here are just some of them:
- See Your Guests - Obviously, the best advantage of this doorbell and its primary function is to show you who is at the door without needing to actually open it up or even be in the house. This is ideal for so many different situations, whether you’re expecting company, waiting for a package to be delivered, or trying to keep an eye on your property while you’re not around.
- Deter Criminals - The presence of a video doorbell on your home will definitely act as a deterrent to any potential criminals. Statistics show that burglaries are occurring all over the world at every time of day, and all homeowners can benefit from taking precautions. When a prospective burglar sees that camera on your door, they’ll think twice about approaching.
- Easy Communication - Maybe someone knocks at the door right as you got out of the shower and need to get dressed. In these kinds of situations, you usually have to rush around and head to the door or miss out on deliveries or visitors altogether. With a video camera doorbell with 2-way communication like the Zmodo SD-H2101 Smart Video Doorbell, you can talk to your visitors without needing to rush to the door.
- Total Security - Many doorbell video camera systems come with video recording technology, able to identify any motion of people coming up to your house and then recording them for your security and safety. Many models, like the Ring Video Doorbell Pro, also come with night vision capabilities, offering total security for your family day and night.
Features to consider when choosing a doorbell camera
There are several different features to think about when trying to choose the best video doorbell camera for your home. Let’s take a closer look at the most important things to look out for.
Resolution
The resolution of your video doorbell system tells you the quality of the camera inside and how much detail you’ll see when people come to your door or when the system records motion outside. Naturally, higher resolutions result in better quality images, so it’s wise to invest in models like the Ring Pro, Zmodo Snap, and Ring Video Doorbell 2, which feature 1080p HD video functionality for the clearest, smoothest, most highly detailed images.
Field of view
The camera inside your video doorbell can only record and ‘see’ a certain space, and the field of view effectively tells you how large that space is. The bigger the field of view, the more the camera will be able to capture. The Ring Video Doorbell 2, for example, offers a 160-degree horizontal and 90 degree vertical field of view. Models like this are stronger overall, especially if you have a large home or wide porch area, as they’ll be able to catch any possible intruders trying to sneak by.
Night vision
Many models of video doorbell systems come with night vision capabilities. Some feature built-in lights, while others make use of cutting edge infra-red technology to see in the dark. The Ring Video Doorbell Pro is a great example of a doorbell video camera system with powerful night vision technology, and doorbells like this can provide a lot of peace of mind and reassurance to homeowners, letting you know that your property is safe, even when the sun goes down.
Wi-Fi connectivity
Most high quality video doorbell systems will feature Wi-Fi connectivity, hooking up to your own home Wi-Fi system to connect with other devices like Alexa or Echo devices, as well as connecting with your smartphone to send alerts, record data, upload videos to the cloud, and more. You need to find a system with strong Wi-Fi capabilities, as a weak signal could cause delays in alerts or prevent videos from being recorded and stored.
Cloud storage options
A big feature of video doorbells is their ability to record video and then store those videos in the cloud. Some will offer much longer and better storage than others. The Zmodo Snap True Wire-Free Security Camera System, for example, stores videos from the previous 7 days, whereas other models will only offer storage from the previous day or two. It’s also worth looking into whether or not you’ll have to pay to access these videos. Some models will charge subscription fees to users who want to playback their recorded clips, while others, like the Honeywell SkyBell, give you free storage.
Power source
Typically, video doorbells will be either hardwired or battery-powered. Hardwired systems are trickier to install in general, but you don’t need to worry about them ever running out of power and needing to be charged up. Wireless, battery-powered systems, meanwhile, like the Zmodo Snap True Wire-Free Security Camera System have the benefit of easy installation. Some models, like the Ring Video Doorbell 2, can be either hardwired or battery-powered.
Camera features: motion detection, face recognition
Some cameras featured in video doorbell systems are much more fully-featured than others and you can find options with super smart technology to differentiate between people and objects, so it won’t alert you unnecessarily if a car goes by. Some are trained to recognize individual faces and people you know, while others have highly sensitive motion detection in order to not miss out on any possible intrusion.
Warranty
Some video doorbells will come with better warranty plans than others. Since these devices are typically located on the outside of your home, they can be at risk from the elements and even theft, so it’s wise to choose a model with strong resistance and a good warranty. The Ring Video Doorbell Pro comes with lifetime theft protection, insuring you against any thieves.
Ease of installation
Some video doorbells are very easy to install, and the wireless models like the Zmodo Snap True Wire-Free Security Camera System are usually easier than the wired alternatives. You often won’t need to call in any experts or have any special skills to install these doorbells, but certain models are trickier than others, so it’s always wise to read user reviews and manufacturer details/recommendations to learn more.
FAQ
This will depend on the model of video doorbell you choose. Some, like the Zmodo Snap Security Camera System, can be set-up in a matter of minutes, while others might require holes to be drilled and wiring to be connected, so can take longer. Check out individual reviews of each product and read all the details from the manufacturer to find out more before making a purchase.
Video doorbells don’t necessarily even have to be placed outside your home and can even be set-up indoors, but the best place for them is usually beside or on the door itself, in the usual doorbell position. Be sure to try and place the doorbell at a good height so you can see the face of the person approaching the door and avoid placing it in a way where its field of view might be obstructed.
This depends on the model you buy, but yes, there are plenty of video doorbells like the Ring Video Doorbell Pro that allow you to see the camera food directly from your phone, tablet, or PC whenever you want.
Our Verdict
Overall, the Ring Video Doorbell Pro stood out as our favorite video doorbell. Its incredible technical capacities, night vision recording, HD streaming, and listen, see, and speak functionality, as well as its compatibility with Alexa and other devices, make it a big winner in every category.
Next up on our list of best video doorbell models was the August Doorbell Cam Pro. Offering free video storage, impressive resolution and recording capabilities, and some great compatibility features, all in one super small device, this doorbell has a lot to offer.
Finally, our third favorite option was the another Ring model, the Ring Video Doorbell 2. With its sleek, chic design and impressive features, this video doorbell is a lot of fun to use. It does so much all on its own, alerting you to the presence of visitors with amazing precision and offering 1080p HDR functionality too.
