Video doorbells offer an interesting dual purpose: security and functionality. It’s the benefit of a doorbell with a nifty camera to give you a view of those at the door before you even open it.
What to Look for in a Video Doorbell in 2025
Let’s start with installation. Video doorbells come in two forms: Wired and wireless. A wired video doorbell needs to be wired to your home, which requires an electrician. With a wireless video doorbell, you just screw it on the outside of your home. No wiring is required.
Now, let’s discuss features. Are you hoping to speak with visitors? How many do you want to see, and do you want to see them in the dark? Are you concerned about security?
If you answered yes to any of those questions, you want a video doorbell with two-way audio, head-to-toe viewing angles, night vision, and motion detection. Most video doorbells, especially the ones on our list, have all those features and more.
If you have a smart home device, like an Amazon Echo, it’s also important to pick a compatible video doorbell. Many can still function without a smart home device, but it creates a wider range of app control you wouldn’t otherwise have.
Lastly, storage can turn into a massive headache. With video doorbells saving clips and recording videos, you’ll quickly fill up the doorbell’s internal storage, if it has any to begin with. Cloud storage or, better yet, local storage will make storing much easier.
One more thing: Many video doorbells require a subscription. Otherwise, you miss out on key features. Some will even limit features, like saving clips and security. It’s something to keep in mind when
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Philips
Pros |
Cons |
Head-to-toe view + night vision |
No support for Apple Homekit |
Two-way audio |
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IP65 weatherproof rating |
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Can be wired or wireless |
The Philips 7000 Series Video Doorbell is quite comprehensive, not just in terms of performance, but in terms of features. More importantly, you don’t need a subscription to make use of it.
Take the dual camera, for example. Together, the Philips 7000 Series Video Doorbell gives you a wide viewing angle, from head-to-toe. Not only is that handy for getting a full profile of visitors, but any packages left on the ground are also in sharp 2K resolution.
Additionally, the Philips 7000 Series Video Doorbell doubles as a security system, thanks to its detection precision. What’s particularly great is that you can customize zones, and when said zones are tripped by motion or tampering with the video doorbell, you’ll be notified.
Best Video Doorbell Overall
Philips 7000 Series Video Doorbell
$200 $236 Save
$36
The Philips 7000 Series Video Doorbell has oodles of features: dual cameras for very wide viewing angles, at 2K, motion detection, and 2-way audio. And it doesn’t need a subscription to function!
Arlo
Pros |
Cons |
Two-way audio |
Severely lacking without a subscription |
Very wide 180-degree viewing angle |
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Supports Alexa, Google, and Homekit |
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Color night vision and motion detection |
The Arlo Essential Video Doorbell isn’t just a great deal; it’s one you can fine-tune to work on an even tighter budget. While it does require a subscription to get the most out of the doorbell, the barrier to entry is small in comparison.
For starters, the Arlo Essential Video Doorbell is available in wired and wireless models, with the wired model being nearly half the cost of the wireless model. Additionally, there’s an HD model and a 2K model, the latter being a feature of the second generation.
And yet, even if you go with the most affordable option, you get two-way audio, head-to-toe FOV, color night vision, motion detection, emergency response, video history, and the ability to create activity zones.
Best Budget Video Doorbell
Arlo Essential Doorbell
You’ll still need a subscription for some premium features, but 4K footage, two-way audio, and motion alerts are all included straight out of the box.
Eufy
Pros |
Cons |
Dual cameras with dual motion detection |
Wi-Fi is limited to 2.4GHz |
Bundles with the Homebase 2 with 16GB of storage |
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Easy to install |
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2K resolution with HDR |
While the Eufy S330 Video Doorbell has a higher upfront cost, that’s all you need to pay to access its features subscription-free. The setup is pretty extensive, too, especially with the added Homebase 2, which acts as a hub and storage for the S330.
Together, the dual cameras offer 2K resolution, with one providing the top half of the video and the second camera pointing lower. That gives you a head-to-toe view, just in case you’re looking out for any packages, too. More importantly, if you need to speak with your visitors, there’s two-way audio.
What’s most impressive are the motion detectors, going as far as to use heat and radar to detect visitors. This helps to create a better alert system, whether in the form of unknown visitors or a package outside.
Best Video Doorbell With No Subscription
Eufy S330
The Eufy S330 Video Doorbell is a complete package, even without a subscription. Every feature is accessible to you, and this bundle also comes with the Homebase 2, with 16GB of storage.
Pros |
Cons |
Two-way talk, quick replies, and mobile notifications |
Only compatible with Alexa and IFTTT |
Integration features with Alexa |
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Can create privacy zones |
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Long battery life (and rechargeable) |
If Alexa helps run your home, the Ring Doorbell Plus is hands-down the ideal option. When paired with Alexa, it’ll providelive input and blend seamlessly with Alexa’s smart home ecosystem.
For instance, whenever the Ring Doorbell Plus detects alert-worthy motions, you’ll get real-time notifications, and Alexa will also chime in when you’re home. And if you have an Echo Show, Fire TV, or Fire Tablet, you can quickly switch to live feed and start a conversation with a simple vocal command.
Even without Alexa, the Ring Doorbell Plus is brimming with neat features, including a 150-by-150-degree FOV and color night vision. Privacy zones are a welcomed addition, too, preventing unnecessary recordings and filling up your storage too quickly.
Best Video Doorbell for Alexa
Ring Doorbell Plus (Battery)
The Ring Battery Doorbell is now even better. The latest Plus model features a wider field of view, and you’ll never miss when someone’s at your door, so you can rest assured when you’re home or out.
Pros |
Cons |
Head-to-toe viewing angle |
720p video resolution |
Camera has HDR + night vision |
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Fast at notifying you of visitors |
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Handy clip feature logs important events |
The most obvious pairing choice with Google Home is the Google Nest Doorbell, which offers smooth and simple integration. More importantly, the Google Nest Doorbell is particularly good at giving you a heads-up on the who and when of visitors at the door—unwanted or otherwise.
Take the Google Nest Doorbell’s preview feature, which creates 2-second and 5-minute clips of important events. It’s quite good at distinguishing between animals, vehicles, and people;, if you have a Nest Aware subscription, the video doorbell can save familiar faces.
Best of all, the Google Nest Doorbell lets you know when people show up, sending alerts and notifications to compatible devices. You can even see live feeds and speak with visitors via two-way audio.
Best Video Doorbell for Google Home
Google Nest Doorbell (Battery)
$152 $180 Save
$28
The Nest Doorbell is a perfect addition if you are looking for an excellent wireless option and you use the Google Home app to manage your smart home.
Logitech
Pros |
Cons |
Encrypts data sent to iCloud |
Needs a subscription to make the most of its features |
160-degree FOV, HDR, and color night vision |
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Can create activity zones |
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IP65 weatherproof rating |
If you have Apple Homekit, your choices are rather limited, given that many video doorbells aren’t compatible with it. Luckily, the Logitech Circle View Doorbell is, and it has handy integration features that work directly with iCloud.
With HomeKit Secure Video, anything transferred from the Logitech Circle View Doorbell is encrypted. Whatever the video doorbell uploads is available for 10 days without counting against your storage limit, which is great if you went with the cheapest iCloud+ subscription plan.
What gets recorded? Well, any kind of motion—animals, vehicles, and people—the Logitech Circle View Doorbell will track all of it within range. However, if you want to keep your storage from filling up too quickly, you can create activity zones which only report motion in those areas.
Best Video Doorbell for Apple Homekit
Logitech Circle View Wired Video Doorbell
If you not only like knowing who is at the door and want footage safe and secure, the Logitech Circle View Doorbell is perfect for your Apple Homekit. It’s a whiz at recognizing people, vehicles, and animals.
FAQ
Should I buy a wired or wireless video doorbell?
Both have pros and cons, but you can rest assured that they perform equally.
If you’re considering a wired video doorbell:
- Are you able to wire the video doorbell yourself? If not, do you have a transformer that’s capable of powering it?
- Wired video doorbells are generally more affordable.
- Some wired video doorbells miss out on certain features.
- If it breaks, it’s easier to replace since the hardest part of the wiring is already complete.
If you’re considering a wireless video doorbell:
- Wireless devices are prone to interference.
- It is easier to install since you don’t have to wire anything.
- Wireless video doorbells are generally more expensive.
- They run on a rechargeable battery.
It comes down to what you need and are comfortable with, but if you want a more comprehensive discussion, we have a guide that pits battery versus wired video doorbells!
Why do so many video doorbells require subscriptions?
Depending on which video doorbell you get, it really comes down to feature accessibility and storage. Some doorbells offer a form of security which tends to come at a premium. And if said doorbell also saves clips and whatnot to a cloud storage, the subscription would pay for the cost of storing data on a server.
Are there smart locks that work with video doorbells?
Yes! In fact, the Eufy S330—one of the picks on our list—can be integrated with a Eufy Smart Lock. If that’s something you’d be interested in, you’d have to double-check the video doorbell you want works with smart locks, though. It’s not a universal feature.
How do I install a video doorbell?
There are two ways to install a video doorbell, and it entirely depends on the type you’ve purchased: Wired or Wireless.
Wired video doorbells require that you hardwire the doorbell to your home, either by you doing the wiring yourself (assuming you have the expertise) or by hiring an electrician.
For wireless video doorbells, it’s just a matter of screwing in the baseplate to the outside of your home and fixing the doorbell to said plate. No wiring required.