• The best smart doorbells don’t just let you know there’s somebody at the door, they also enable two-way conversations, and can stream or record live video.
  • With a blend of desirable features, security smarts, and reliable performance, the Nest Hello is our top pick of the best smart doorbells right now.

Simple doorbells have done a decent job of letting us know that somebody is at the front door for decades, but that’s all they do. The best smart doorbells let you know somebody is at the door, even if you’re not at home. They connect to your Wi-Fi network and send alerts to your smartphone. They also have built in microphones, speakers, and cameras, so you can see who is there without opening the door, and even have a conversation with them.

There are lots of interesting options when you shop for a new doorbell. To find the right smart doorbell for your home, you’ll need to ask yourself a few questions.

Do you want a wired or wireless doorbell? Some smart doorbells take batteries, some can use your existing doorbell wiring, and others require a new power connection. Even if you have wiring, older doorbell chime transformers that are 16V or less often won’t work with smart doorbells. Check your existing setup and the smart doorbell requirements before you buy.

What video quality do you need? It’s a good idea to look for smart doorbells that support at least full high definition (HD) video; we’d recommend 1080p as a minimum, rather than 720p. It’s also important that they have some sort of night mode, such as infrared, so they still work after sunset.

Do you need a subscription? Many smart doorbells require you to pay a monthly subscription in order to access advanced features and store video footage in the cloud. If you don’t want to pay monthly, then make sure you’re clear on precisely what’s included without a subscription to avoid disappointment.

What security features do you need? Smart doorbells run the gamut, from simple doorbell replacements that stream live video, to major security enhancements that will guard the front of your property, sense motion, trigger intelligent alerts, and even recognize repeat visitors.

What about connectivity? All smart doorbells are designed to connect to your home Wi-Fi network, so you will need Wi-Fi connectivity in range. Some smart doorbells support both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequencies, while others are limited to 2.4 GHz. In general, 2.4 GHz has better range, but offers slower speeds than 5 GHz.

We've been poring over smart doorbell reviews from major tech publications, reading up on user reviews from verified owners, and compiling our findings into this guide. These are the best smart doorbells you can buy right now, and we'll break down each one, and explain all the pros and cons, to help you find the best smart doorbell for you.

Here are our top picks for the best smart doorbells:

Updated 04/20/20 by Simon Hill: Added in Nest Hello, Ring Video Doorbell 3, Arlo Video Doorbell, Ring Peephole Cam, Ring Video Doorbell Pro, Eufy 2K Video Doorbell.

The best smart doorbell overall

Easy to install, Nest Hello supports streaming video and two-way conversations. A Nest Aware subscription adds video recording, AI-powered motion detection, and facial recognition.

Google's Nest Hello is a very smart doorbell with a wide range of features. It's well built, offers advanced security, and can be fitted quickly and easily using your existing doorbell wiring. It is on the expensive side, both in terms of the upfront cost and the ongoing subscription that you'll need for the advanced features. But, it's the complete package, and the best smart doorbell for most people.

Installation is a breeze, thanks to a set of simple, easy to follow, step-by-step instructions. If you have an existing doorbell and chime with the right transformer (16-24V AC), then you can fit the Nest Hello yourself in less than an hour. Alternatively, professional installation starts from $99.99. The Nest Hello is relatively compact, and lozenge shaped, like a traditional doorbell. Everything you need to install it, including a special drill bit, is included in the box.

Video quality is very good. The Nest Hello captures color video at a 1600 x 1200-pixel resolution at 30 frames per second, and switches to night vision in black and white when the light is low. It has a 160-degree field of view and supports high dynamic range (HDR), which improves daytime clarity. Provided your Wi-Fi network is stable, you can see a live feed of your doorbell camera at any time, and there's a 3-hour snapshot history of video clips you can review. The Nest Hello supports 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequencies for Wi-Fi.

When someone rings the doorbell, you can also listen or talk through the Nest Hello. There's a triple microphone array, offering echo cancellation and noise suppression, so audio quality is generally good. There are some handy pre-recorded messages in the app for quick responses, such as "You can leave it" and "We'll be right there". You can also set quiet time, so the Nest Hello won't disturb you during your chosen hours.

If you want to record 24/7 video, and unlock advanced security features, you'll need a Nest Aware subscription, starting from $5 per month for five days of video. You can also pay $10 for ten days of video, or $30 for 30 days of video. The Nest Aware subscription enables intelligent alerts, so your Nest Hello can detect motion, recognize regular visitors, and tell you when a package arrives. You can also set activity zones to reduce the risk of false alarms.

Nest Hello works nicely with Google Assistant or Amazon's Alexa, and you can use it in concert with your smart TV or smart locks, as well as any other Nest devices you own.

With excellent review scores at Wired, CNET, TechRadar, and Digital Trends, among others, the Nest Hello is a top-rated smart doorbell.

The big downside is the relatively high price at $229, with Nest Aware subscriptions -- an essential extra to unlock the smart features -- ranging from $5 up to $30 per month.

Pros: Easy wired installation, good quality video night and day, two-way conversation, motion detection, facial recognition

Cons: Expensive, some features require Nest Aware subscription

The best wireless smart doorbell

Foto: Source: SadoTech

With motion detection, two-way audio, and streaming video support, the Ring Video Doorbell 3 is a full-featured option that doesn't have to be wired in.

If you want a smart doorbell that doesn't require any wiring at all, then the Ring Video Doorbell 3 could be ideal for you. This smart doorbell is very easy to fit, offers good quality video streaming, and supports two-way audio. You'll need a subscription to record video, but the Ring Protect Plan is relatively affordable.

The Ring Video Doorbell 3 is very easy to install. It comes with a quick release battery pack, so there's no need to tangle with wires or remove your existing doorbell, though you can wire this in using standard doorbell wiring if you want to. Almost everything you need is included in the box, and you can choose a silver or bronze face plate. It is quite wide, so you'll need to find a suitable spot to install it, and it may not fit on the door frame.

If you decide not to wire it in, then you'll need to charge up the battery periodically. The manufacturer suggests average battery life of between six and 12 months, but much depends on how you use it and how busy your front door is.

It's capable of recording color video at a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels, and there's HDR support, and a night vision mode that records in black and white. The camera has a 160-degree field of view. The big upgrade for the Ring Video Doorbell 3, over its predecessor, the Ring Video Doorbell 2, is the support, not just for 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi, but also for the faster 5 GHz frequency.

With motion detection, you'll get real-time notifications on your phone when someone approaches your door or rings the bell. You can jump straight to a live video feed and you can listen and talk to visitors. The app is very easy to use. You can also set motion zones to reduce false alarms.

If you want to record video, so you can review it later, then you need to subscribe to the Ring Protect Plan, which costs $3 per month per device (or $30 for the year). That gets you video history for 60 days with the ability to save, share, and capture snapshots.

Ring Video Doorbell 3 works seamlessly with Amazon's Alexa and any Echo devices you have in the home.

At the time of writing there are no reviews of the Ring Video Doorbell 3, but as it's a slight upgrade over its predecessor, we can highlight our own positive Ring Video Doorbell 2 review and reviews from TechRadar, Digital Trends, and CNET.

What we don't like about the Ring Video Doorbell 3 is the complete lack of any video storage unless you subscribe. If you miss an alert at the time, you can't go back and check the video without a subscription. There have also been some high-profile Ring camera hacks that may leave you concerned about how secure the Ring Video Doorbell 3 is, though the company has stepped up its security as a result of this.

The Ring Video Doorbell 3 costs $199.99 and there's the Ring Video Doorbell 3 Plus for an extra $30, which adds four seconds of pre-roll to the video recording function, provided you have a subscription, to let you see the lead up to each alert.

Pros: Easy installation, can be wired or wireless, decent quality video, two-way conversation, motion detection

Cons: No video stored without subscription, quite large

The best value smart doorbell

Foto: Source: August

Good quality video and two-way audio comes as standard with the reasonably priced Arlo Video Doorbell. You can add advanced motion detection and video recording with a subscription.

Despite matching its competitors on features, the Arlo Video Doorbell comes in a lot cheaper. It's large, but well-designed, and offers good quality video streaming and two-way audio. It is suitable for most existing doorbell setups, so it's quick and easy to wire in. You do need a subscription to record video, but the Arlo Smart subscription plan is also relatively affordable.

Everything you need for installation, apart from tools, is included and the instructions in the app are clear. It should work using the wiring and chime from your existing doorbell, but if you're not confident doing it yourself, you can always hire an electrician. It is lozenge-shaped, but it's tall and a fair bit bigger than the Nest Hello, so you'll need to find a spot that's suitable for it.

The Arlo Video Doorbell can record color video at 1536 x 1536-pixel resolution and it has a 180-degree field of view. There's also a night vision mode that records in black and white, and support for HDR. One of its strongest features is that it records all the time, so when it detects motion or is pressed, it can include a few seconds before the event. Unfortunately, it only supports 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi.

When you get an alert, you can jump into the live feed and have a two-way conversation with whoever is on your doorstep. There are pre-recorded replies for your convenience.

If you want to record video and access advanced features, like smart object detection, customized activity zones, and intelligent alerts, then you're looking at paying $3 per month for an Arlo Smart subscription. That gets you 30 days of video recordings in the cloud, the ability to detect people, vehicles, packages, and other objects, and the option of choosing activity zones to reduce false alerts.

You can arm or disarm your Arlo Video Doorbell, and you can set it on a schedule, so it doesn't disturb you when you're sleeping. It also has a built-in siren, which is an interesting option for emergencies that could come in handy to scare away suspicious characters.

While it does work with Alexa, there's no integration with other smart devices and assistants yet.

You'll find very positive reviews of the Arlo Video Doorbell at CNET, Digital Trends, and Tom's Guide.

Downsides here include the limited smart home integration, and the need for a subscription to record any video. Some user reviews on Amazon also complained about difficulty with the installation.

Overall, the Arlo Video Doorbell is a bargain at $149.99 and the subscription plan is relatively generous for $2.99 per month, offering access to a full 30 days of recordings.

Pros: Good video quality, wide field of view, two-way conversation, motion detection

Cons: Some features require Arlo Smart subscription, limited smart home integration

The best smart doorbell for apartments

Foto: Source: SkyBell

With a clever design that replaces your door's peephole, the Ring Peephole Cam is ideal for some homes, such as apartments.

If you live in an apartment, rent from a strict landlord, or just want to avoid an invasive installation, then the Ring Peephole Cam could be perfect for you. This smart doorbell is designed to fit into the existing peephole in your front door. You can still use it as a peephole, but it also detects motion, allows you to stream a video feed, and enables you to carry on two-way conversations via your smartphone. If you want to record video and review it later, you'll need to sign up for a subscription.

Perhaps the easiest smart doorbell to fit, the Ring Peephole Cam slots into the existing space that your traditional peephole occupies. There's no need to drill, mess with cables, or do anything else that will leave a lasting mark. The camera goes on the outside and connects to the battery on the inside.

Your battery life will vary depending on how you configure the Ring Peephole Cam and how busy your front door is, but you should get at least three weeks from a full charge. It charges via USB, and a spare battery that you can swap in will cost you $30.

The Ring Peephole Cam records color video at 1920 x 1080 pixels and has a night mode that records in black and white. It has a 155-degree field of view, and there's support for HDR, which boosts video quality at the cost of shorter battery life. The Ring Peephole Cam only supports 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi.

Functionality is very similar to the Ring Video Doorbell 3, so you can carry on two-way conversations, customize the motion detection, and jump to a live video feed from your phone. One unique feature for the Ring Peephole Cam is the knock detection, which is designed to alert you if someone knocks on the door rather than presses your bell.

Once again, if you want to record video, you need to subscribe to the Ring Protect Plan, which costs $3 per month per device (or $30 for the year). The subscription gives you video history for 60 days with the ability to save, share, and capture snapshots.

Naturally, the Ring Peephole Cam works with Alexa and Echo devices, but that's it for assistant support.

The Ring Peephole Cam has positive reviews at CNET, Tom's Guide, and Digital Trends. While it doesn't score quite as highly as the other entries on our list, the unique design makes it the right choice for some people.

The fact there's no video storage without a subscription is an obvious downside. Reviews also complain about the flimsy construction of the plastic mount on the inside, the need to charge the battery, and the lack of Google Assistant or Siri support.

The Ring Peephole Cam costs $199 and it comes with a free 30-day trial of the Ring Protect subscription, which costs $3 per month thereafter. If you're unable to fit a different kind of smart doorbell, this may be your only choice.

Pros: Compact design, fits into peephole, motion and impact sensors

Cons: No video stored without subscription, limited view, false positives

The best smart doorbell to fit on your door frame

Foto: Source: Ring

Superior smarts in a more svelte package, the Ring Doorbell Pro is also pricier and requires mains power, but it boasts every feature you could want in a smart doorbell.

Smart doorbells can be quite bulky, and that's a problem if you're replacing an existing doorbell that's fitted to a door frame. The Ring Doorbell Pro is smaller than most of the other entries here, and it also potentially blends in better with a choice of four different faceplates. You still get two-way audio, high quality video, and features like advanced motion detection, though video recording requires a subscription.

To install the Ring Doorbell Pro, you'll need an existing doorbell with the right wiring and transformer. If you're lucky, and confident enough, it should be straightforward to install yourself, but some people will prefer to hire an electrician. It is lozenge-shaped, and measures 4.5 inches tall, 1.8 inches wide, and just 0.8 inches deep, which is relatively compact. It also comes with four faceplates in the box, so you can choose from Satin Nickel, Pearl, Venetian, and Black.

The Ring Doorbell Pro records color video at 1920 x 1080 pixels, has a 160-degree field of view, and records black and white footage at night. It also supports HDR. You can connect to Wi-Fi on the 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz frequencies.

Much like the other Ring cameras on our list, the Ring Doorbell Pro alerts you to motion or someone ringing your bell. It allows you to stream live video to your phone and carry on two-way conversations with people at your door. One thing that sets the Pro apart, is the advanced motion detection. While you can customize motion detection zones on other Ring cameras, with the Pro you can create your own custom zones, which can reduce false positives dramatically.

The Ring Protect Plan is a requirement if you want to record video, store it in the cloud, and review it later. You get 30 days free, then it costs $3 per month or $30 for the year, which gives you video history for 60 days with the ability to save, share, and capture snapshots.

You can command the Ring Video Doorbell Pro with Alexa, it works seamlessly with Echo devices, and there is some smart home integration, so you can link it to some smart locks.

There are positive reviews of the Ring Video Doorbell Pro at Tech Hive, TechRadar, and Tom's Guide.

At $249, the big drawback of the Ring Video Doorbell Pro is the price, and you must factor in installation and a subscription if you want video recording. The extra $50 over the Ring Video Doorbell 3, gets you tighter control over motion detection and a slimmer design.

Pros: Slim design, good video quality, two-way conversation, motion detection

Cons: No video stored without subscription, expensive

The best subscription-free smart doorbell

Foto: Source: Zmodo

Offering high quality video and desirable features at a reasonable price, the Eufy 2K Video Doorbell can also be used without a subscription, as it stores video locally.

Smart doorbells that can record video are rare, unless you sign up to a subscription service, so the Eufy 2K Video Doorbell is sure to be of interest. Not only does this smart doorbell record video locally, it also features a strong set of features including high resolution video, two-way audio, customized detection zones, human detection, and an indoor chime.

There are currently two different versions of the Eufy Video Doorbell. The cheaper model must be wired in, but can likely use your existing doorbell wiring. You get everything you need to fit it, but it is quite large, and it only comes in black. The more expensive model has a built-in battery, which makes it even bigger, but it can also be wired in if you prefer.

Before we go further, there's another important difference between the two models that leads us to recommend the more expensive one with the built-in battery. While they both store video locally, the cheaper version only has 4GB of storage and it's on the doorbell itself. This seems like a potential security issue, in that someone could steal the doorbell and take the video with them. The battery model offloads video wirelessly onto a HomeBase device you keep inside your home, which offers 16GB of storage.

The HomeBase also doubles up as a chime that sounds when the doorbell is pressed. The cheaper model comes with its own plug-in chime.

Video quality is excellent, with a top resolution of 2560 x 1920 pixels and support for HDR. It records at 1600 x 1200 pixels by default, which keeps bandwidth and storage requirements down and is likely good enough for most people. The video is color during the day and black and white at night. The camera has a 150-degree field of view. Sadly, the Eufy 2K Video Doorbell only supports 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi.

You can get alerts to the app on your phone triggered by motion or by someone ringing the bell, drop into the live feed, and have a two-way conversation with whoever is there. The Eufy Video Doorbell has human detection, so it should be able to distinguish between a cat and a person, for example. You can also mark out specific activity zones to reduce false alerts.

The big-selling point here is the local storage of video, which means no subscription is necessary. The smaller, 4GB model can record video for up to 30 days. How much video you have recorded, and how far it stretches back, depends on how you configure it, and how busy your front door is. The good news is that you can connect via the app wherever you are, provided the doorbell is powered up and connected to your Wi-Fi.

The Eufy 2K Video Doorbell works with Alexa and Google Assistant, but functionality is limited, and there isn't much smart home integration either.

You can find positive reviews of the Eufy 2K Video Doorbell at Digital Trends, Tom's Guide, and Tech Hive.

Potential cons, beyond the risk of losing footage if the cheaper model is stolen, include the lack of smart home support, and the fact that only one person can be logged into the app and connected to the doorbell at one time. Some reviews also mention reliability issues with streaming to the app.

The cheaper version, which must be wired in, and has 4GB of storage in the doorbell itself, costs $159.99. The model with the built-in battery, and 16GB of storage in the separate HomeBase, costs $199.99. If you don't want a subscription, the Eufy 2K Video Doorbell is a great option.

Pros: Local storage, low price, very high-quality video, two-way conversation, motion detection

Cons: Limited integration, software issues

What else we considered

Foto:

The smart doorbell market is still expanding, so there are lots of other options that might be worthy of further investigation. Here are a few smart doorbells that just missed out on a more prominent place in our guide.

  • August Doorbell Cam Pro ($197.98): Offering decent quality video, two-way audio, and motion detection, as well as comprehensive smart home integration, the August Doorbell Cam is a strong contender. It also has a built-in floodlight for color video at night. Unfortunately, you can't set activity zones, and if you want more than 24 hours of video, you must pay $5 per month.
  • SkyBell HD ($199.99): You can record 1080p resolution video with this smart doorbell and access seven days of video for free, provided you get the SkyBell branded version and don't buy through Alarm.com. However, many reviews mention questionable build quality and motion detection.
  • Ring Video Doorbell ($99.99): The original Ring Video Doorbell offers two-way audio, motion detection, and an affordable subscription service for video recording, but video quality is limited to 720p. It's also quite large and only supports 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi. The newer versions are much better.
  • SimpliSafe Video Doorbell Pro ($169.99): Support for 1080p HDR video, two-way audio, motion detection, pan and zoom, and a 162-degree field of view make this sound tempting at such a low price. The downsides are that it lacks smart home and assistant support, only connects on 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi, and 30 days of video requires a $4.99 per month subscription.

Check out more great smart home products from our guides

Foto: Source: iRobot

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