If you have an existing doorbell that connects to two wires, adding a smart video doorbell is generally a painless swap, though there are a few things you’ll want to consider first. If you don’t have an existing doorbell, or you aren’t allowed to touch the wiring, you might consider a battery-powered model (see below).
Confirm the power supply. Wired doorbells use a much lower voltage than your wall outlet, so the wiring they connect to goes to a voltage-reducing transformer. You’ll typically find it located near your home’s electrical panel. If not, then it may be located near a wired doorbell chime.
Check what voltage your transformer puts out; this is usually a range, and it should be listed somewhere on the device itself. If you can’t find the transformer, you can use a multimeter to test the voltage of the wires. Then consult your smart doorbell’s manual to confirm the voltage is within a matching range—most video doorbells require a transformer that’s rated for 8-24 VAC, 10-40 VA. If they don’t match you’ll need to replace your existing transformer with a new model. (We don’t have a transformer pick, but you can typically find them at any local hardware or home-improvement store.)
Before fiddling with wires, turn off the power. Whenever you’re dealing with electricity, it’s best to flip the breaker and confirm with a tester that there’s no current; this not only protects you but also prevents you from accidentally frying your smart doorbell. If you’re worried you flipped the wrong switch, try ringing the doorbell, or check the power line with a voltage meter. Once you’ve confirmed there’s no power, you can swap your transformer if needed, and also install the doorbell itself.
Check your chimes. Not all video doorbells will work with standard, preexisting doorbell chimes. Some video doorbells come with, or are compatible with, plug-in wireless chimes, and, depending on the model, you may even be able to have a smart speaker act as a chime. (Some models, like those from Nest, can even announce who the person at the door is, if you have previously identified them.)
If you want to use an existing chime, you’ll need to install a chime kit, a little doohickey that typically comes with the doorbell and that connects to the wires inside your chimes. Otherwise, you’ll need to install the included bypass/jumper cable, which ensures you’ll skip the chime and still get sufficient power to the doorbell.
Consider a battery-powered model. If you don’t have an existing doorbell or doorbell wiring, consider installing a wireless model. A wireless doorbell requires periodic recharging, typically every couple of months. But thankfully they can be installed anywhere within reach of your Wi-Fi. (We like the battery-powered Eufy Security Video Doorbell S220.)
