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.
