The best video doorbells can be a huge boon for your home, whether you want to improve its security or just need a more convenient way to manage entry.
These clever cameras are far more than digital peepholes, offering two-way communication, that allows you to communicate with guests, delivery drivers, and other callers from your phone or one of the best smart displays. Some can even record footage when a visitor is detected and give alerts if there’s a potential break-in, and can even offer a litany of other excellent advanced features; but these are often ringfenced by subscriptions, which is why it’s important to consider the ongoing costs of whatever you buy and perhaps tie it in with one of the best home security cameras from the same manufacturer to make the most bang for your buck. Plus, you have to work on the assumption that subscription prices will rise during the time you have your doorbell: for example in early 2024 Ring, owned by Amazon, upped its UK subscription price by 43%. It’s now twice the price it was in 2022.
Video doorbells are some of the best smart home devices, working alongside devices like the best smart lights and the best smart locks for full-home automation and advanced security features. We’ve tested all of the models in this guide, considering the camera quality, intelligent features, storage and installation as well as subscription costs to help you choose the best video doorbell for your needs.
The best video doorbell 2024
In our opinion, Arlo’s first video doorbell is the best available on the market right now. If you already have other Arlo devices, it’s a no-brainer; if not, it should still be top of the list of considerations.
Slim and stylish, it displays super-detailed footage. Thanks to the camera’s 180-degree field of view and 1:1 aspect ratio, you can view the entire length of the person at your door, including any packages on the ground by their feet.
This is a mains-powered unit, so we’d recommend it’s professionally installed, but Arlo does offer a battery-powered version called Arlo Essential Video Doorbell Wire-Free.
It’s one of a handful of doorbell cameras that integrates with Alexa, Google Assistant, and HomeKit. However, you’ll need to subscribe to the Arlo Secure service to get the most out of the doorbell, including features such as going back and viewing who was at the door if you missed the call and giving callers the chance to leave a message for you.
Read our full review: Arlo Video Doorbell
The Ring Video Doorbell Wired is the brand’s most affordable video doorbell and offers excellent value for money. Like other Ring smart doorbells, it records clear audio and in Full HD video (color by day, black and white by night) but has a slightly narrower 155-degree field of view.
There’s no option to use this Ring Video Doorbell on battery power and to make installation as simple as possible. It will stop any existing chimes you have in your home. Unfortunately, this means they won’t sound when the doorbell is pressed – if you want an audible alert in your home to signal someone’s at the door, you’ll need to either link the doorbell to an Amazon Echo Smart speaker, if you have one or purchase the Ring Chime or Ring Chime Pro. However, while the doorbell offers Alexa integration, there’s no support for Google Assistant or HomeKit.
You’d need to subscribe to Ring Protect to review who was at the door if you missed the original alert. Still, it also offers other smart features, such as setting zones, so you’re only alerted about activity in these areas.
Read our full review: Ring Video Doorbell Wired
Ring’s almost top-of-the-range video doorbell comes a close rival to our number 1 Arlo – with footage that’s just as detailed and in the same 1:1 aspect ratio so you can see the full length of anyone on your doorstep and any packages they might have with them – although, at 150 degrees, it is a slightly smaller field of view than Arlo’s rival doorbell offers.
Where it betters, its rival is with colorized night vision. The camera takes ambient light areas within its field of view and applies a simulated color to them – tinting the sky blue, for example. Of course, it doesn’t create a full-color picture, but in our time with the product, we certainly found that it made night-time footage easier to decipher.
The Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2 doesn’t come cheap (hence the ‘premium’ position), and if you’re on a budget, it’s worth considering its predecessor, the Ring Video Doorbell Pro, which is still available through some outlets. While it doesn’t have as high a resolution or a 1:1 aspect ratio, it’s still an excellent wired doorbell.
Read our full review: Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2
With not one but two cameras, one of which faces the ground, this video doorbell is ideal for anyone that gets lots of deliveries. Not only does the second camera pick up any parcels that might be at the feet of anyone at your doorstep, but handy features, including pre-record messages that can be broadcast when anyone approaches said package, are good for deterring any would-be opportunist thieves.
Like the Eufy Video Doorbell 2K (Wireless), which appears further down in this list, the Video Doorbell Dual is battery-powered, making it suitable for renters or DIY novices. Even better, it ships with a base station that offers 16GB of local storage for videos recorded by the doorbell, so no subscription is required to get the most out of it.
However, it’s bulkier than many doorbells on this list, and the battery isn’t swappable, unlike on the Ring Video Doorbell 4 (below), so the doorbell will be out of action when it needs recharging. Also, while it integrates with Alexa and Google Assistant, Apple fans will be dismayed to hear there’s no HomeKit support. That said, this doorbell could prove invaluable if you get regular deliveries when you’re not at home.
Read our full review: Eufy Video Doorbell Dual
The Nest Doorbell, formerly known as the Nest Hello, sports a similar rounded black-and-white design to the Arlo Video Doorbell. However, where it differs is that not only will it let you view who’s at your door, it will even attempt to identify them through facial recognition.
The Familiar Face function captures the faces of all who approach your door, allowing you to assign names to those you know in the app. So, the next time they arrive at your door, the app will offer up a notification identifying them. The more times a person visits, the more extensive the library of shots, thus enabling facial recognition to improve over time.
Of all the smart doorbells reviewed here, the Nest Doorbell, which is available in mains-powered or wireless versions, records footage at the lowest resolution. Nevertheless, we still found the image detailed enough to see who was at the door. We were also impressed with just how easy the app was to use.
As with most doorbell cameras, a subscription will be necessary to get anything more than the basics. For example, Nest Hello will save video clips of detected motion and people from the past three hours, but it will delete footage older than that unless you subscribe to Nest Aware. Also, the doorbell integrates with Google Assistant, unsurprisingly, but lacks Alexa or HomeKit integration.
Read our full review: Google Nest Hello
The new Ring Battery Video Doorbell Plus brings some marked improvements to camera quality, as well as new intelligent features that make the upgrade well worthwhile. Its new head-to-toe view, in particular, makes a marked difference in everyday use.
The new model is packing a new camera with 1536p resolution, night vision with color, and a snazzy new head-to-toe view thanks to the increased vertical field of view (150 degrees by 150 degrees), and is a noticeable iterative improvement on the Ring Video Doorbell 4 for an ever-so-slightly higher price. Ring also says the Battery Video Doorbell Plus offers up to three times the battery life of previous models.
There are some downgrades among the upgrades, however. There’s no pre-roll (which captures motion four seconds before a motion event is triggered), 5GHz connectivity, or motion alerts on compatible Amazon Echo devices. However, the head-to-toe view, improved overall motion detection and battery life go a long way to making the extra expense worth it.
Read our full Ring Battery Video Doorbell Plus review
Google also offers a battery-operated video doorbell for those who want the facial recognition of the Nest Doorbell (above) but don’t have existing doorbell wiring. It’s more affordable than its wired sibling, but there are compromises as it records footage at a lower resolution and has a narrower field of view than the Nest Hello.
That said, we still found the footage recorded during the day and at night was clear, and the battery operating means it’s far easier to install than the Nest Hello, too, while the facial recognition is just as effective.
The Google Nest Doorbell (battery) will save video clips of detected motion and people from the past three hours, but it will delete footage older than that unless you subscribe to Nest Aware. As you’d expect, there’s more comprehensive integration with Google Assistant than Alexa (and the doorbell doesn’t work with HomeKit at all).
We were also disappointed the battery isn’t swappable, like with some rival doorbells – so it will be out of action when it needs recharging.
Read our full review: Google Nest Doorbell (battery)
This is one of just two video doorbells on this list that doesn’t require a subscription to review footage at a later date. Both are made by Eufy and come with a base station that offers 16GB of local storage, which equates to two weeks’ worth of videos. But the base station does need to be connected to your wireless router using an Ethernet cable, so make sure you have a spare port.
However, Eufy Video Doorbell 2K is more affordable than the Eufy Video Doorbell Dual – partly because it has just one camera – it’s our pick for those looking to keep their bills down to a minimum.
On test, we found the video highly detailed thanks to the 2K resolution, and a 4:3 aspect ratio means you can see the person’s full length on your doorstep. It was extremely simple to install, and we found colors in the footage were more subdued than rival doorbells, and the video could lose detail in very bright situations – but it excelled in darker settings. There’s also no Homekit support, but it does integrate with Alexa and Google Assistant.
Unlike Ring’s battery-operated doorbells, the battery in Eufy’s unit isn’t removable. Instead, you’ll have to physically unmount the camera to recharge the battery for around six hours every six months.
Read our full review: Eufy Video Doorbell 2K (Wireless)
How we test video doorbells
All the video doorbells which you have seen in this guide have been reviewed in the homes of our contributors and editors to ensure we know how they handle real homes and real-world conditions. We take our testing as seriously as we would if we were spending our own hard-earned cash, because we don’t want you to waste yours.
To compare the best video doorbells, we review the quality of the footage they capture both during the day and at night. We also judge the sound quality of the video, as well as how easy it is to have a conversation with someone on the doorstep.
We also assess the ease of installation and, if relevant, the battery life, along with how simple the app is to navigate and the benefits offered by any subscription services. Many such services offer secure storage for footage and more advanced features designed to identify what triggered a motion alert and reduce unwanted notifications about activity in the doorbell’s field of view.
FAQs
Why do I need a video doorbell?
Video doorbells are a great example of tech that seems unnecessary until you have it, at which point it becomes impossible to imagine life without it. The main benefit is that you can see a video of who is standing outside your front door, but there are plenty of other features that you can find just as valuable – and this is one of the few smart home devices that can suit homeowners and renters alike.
Video doorbells’ best feature is that they can answer the door when you are not in. By this we don’t mean they physically open the door; they enable you to tell delivery drivers where to put parcels, for example.
Most video doorbells also sync with other smart home devices such as security cameras and smart alarms, usually (but not always) with the condition that the other devices need to be by the same brand. You’ll usually find that you can connect each of the smart devices to your Alexa, Google Assistant or Apple HomeKit smart home system so you can respond to activity outside or inside the home without having to lift a finger. Essentially, once you’ve got a video doorbell, you won’t go back.
How do video doorbells work?
Video doorbells work the same way as home security cameras, connecting to your home Wi-Fi and sending a notification to your smartphone if motion is detected. You can log in and view a live feed from the camera and even converse with whoever is at your threshold. Alternatively, you can ignore the notification and review the footage at a later date, provided you have a subscription where necessary.
The higher the resolution of the doorbell’s camera, the more detailed the footage. In addition, some video doorbells offer a wider field of view so you can see the full length of the person at the door and any packages they may have with them: the latest Ring Video Doorbell Plus has an unusual full-height view that enables you to see callers from top to toe.
Our article, how do video doorbells work, tells you more.
Do video doorbells work with Alexa (and other voice assistants)?
Most video doorbells work with Alexa, and other voice assistants such as Google Assistant or HomeKit, so a compatible smart speaker in your home will announce and play an audible alert when someone is at the door and let you converse with them through the speaker. The most comprehensive Alexa integration comes from doorbells from Amazon-owned brand Ring and Blink, which has recently released its first video doorbell, the Blink Video Doorbell. Find out how the two brands compare by reading Blink vs Ring.
On top of that, if you have one of the best smart displays, such as an Amazon Echo Show 10, you can also view the doorbell’s feed on its screen. A handful of video doorbells work with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple HomeKit; others only work with one or two of these voice assistants.
It’s very important to check smart home compatibility when you’re looking at doorbells: you shouldn’t assume that a doorbell will work with your smart home platform unless it’s specifically listed as such. That’s particularly true if you use Apple HomeKit: it’s one of the least well-supported smart home platforms here.
How to choose the best video doorbell
What to consider when buying a video doorbell?
There are several key factors you need to consider before choosing the best video doorbell for you and your household.
Battery vs wired: Video doorbells are widely available in both battery and mains-powered options, meaning that your current preferences and setup could help you choose. For example, those who already have existing wiring for an old doorbell might find it easier to choose a hardwired option. At the same time, renters could be better suited to a battery-powered model.
If you do opt for a mains-powered doorbell and aren’t completely confident about working on your home’s wiring, ensure you opt for professional installation. Meanwhile, a battery-powered alternative requires far less DIY and can be a better alternative despite needing to be regularly charged.
Additional extras: However, you may need to purchase an additional chime to hear a sound inside your house when the doorbell is pressed or set up a compatible smart speaker or smart display to do this for you. The quality of the video doorbell records video in should also be considered – most record footage in Full HD. In contrast, others offer a higher resolution, which is ideal if you have a long driveway and want to clearly see small details in the field of view.
Aspect ratio: If you get a lot of deliveries, also consider a video doorbell that offers a 1:1 aspect ratio – so you’ll be able to see the full length of someone on your doorstep and if they have a package at their feet too.
Storage and subscriptions: Finally, consider how the video the camera captures is stored – does it require a subscription to save the video in the cloud so it can go back and be reviewed after it has happened? These will set you back a little extra each month, so remember to factor in this cost. Some video doorbells, such as those from Eufy, offer local storage, so you don’t have any ongoing costs associated with the camera. While others, including the Google Nest Doorbell (battery), provide free cloud storage for a limited time after the video has been recorded.
Can I use a Ring video doorbell without a subscription?
Ring video doorbells, and those from other manufacturers, can be used without a subscription. However, this means you only get access to the most basic functions, such as getting an alert when the doorbell is pressed and accessing a live feed from the camera. However, if you miss an alert and want to review a video from the doorbell camera at a later date, you do need to subscribe to Ring Protect or the relevant service.
These subscription services also ensure you can access more advanced features designed to reduce the number of false-positive alerts issued by the video doorbell, such as identifying the cause of the motion and creating activity zones, so you’re only notified about motion in these areas.
