Your front door is your home’s first line of defense. Having a video doorbell mounted next to that door is almost as important as having a deadbolt, because it will not only give your visitors an easy way to let you know they’re there, but it will also know when anyone approaches your home—whether or not you’re home at the time.
In fact, these cameras are so useful you might want to mount one next to every entry point into your home: side entrances, at your garage door, and the door to your backyard, for example.
Whether you’re waiting for friends to visit, watching for trouble-makers, tracking parcel deliveries, or hiding from that weird neighbor who keeps asking to borrow your lawn mower, the video doorbell is an essential security tool.
Ring Battery Doorbell Plus – Best video doorbell for most people
Pros
- High-res video: 1536 x 1536 pixels
- Package detection
- 1:1 aspect ratio shows visitors from head to toe
- Ring’s smart home and home security ecosystems are deep and wide
Cons
- 2.4GHz Wi-Fi connectivity only
- Color pre-roll video is not supported
- Ring Protect subscription required to unlock all features, including recording
Price When Reviewed:
$179.99
Best Prices Today:
$149.99
$149.99
$149.99
$149.99
$179.99
Who should buy the Ring Battery Doorbell Plus?
If you’ve settled on either Ring or Amazon Alexa as your smart home ecosystem–and that goes double if you own a Ring Alarm or Ring Alarm Pro system–the Ring Battery Doorbell Plus is the best mainstream video doorbell you can buy. It’s loaded with features, including package detection and a 1:1 aspect ratio that shows your visitors from head to toe, and it can operate on either battery or low-voltage power if you’re replacing an old-school doorbell.
Ring made significant improvements to video resolution and aspect ratio and added package detection to maintain its position as the best video doorbell for most people. Buying this doorbell camera is a no-brainer if you already own other Ring products, especially if you’re already paying for a Ring Protect subscription.
Ring Battery Doorbell Plus: Further considerations
If your smart home revolves around Google Assistant or Apple HomeKit, it’s best to take a look at our other, more relevant recommendations.
Also, a subscription to Ring Protect is required to unlock the full feature set, including recording. Adding an extra monthly expense might turn some off.
Read our full
Ring Battery Doorbell Plus review
Reolink Battery Doorbell – Best video doorbell for most people, runner-up
Pros
- 1:1 aspect ratio with head-to-toe view of visitors
- Local storage option makes subscription fees truly optional
- Runs on battery power or can be hardwired to power
Cons
- Minor fisheye distortion
- Fixed battery, must be dismounted to recharge
- Chime sold separately
Price When Reviewed:
$145.99 (limited-time launch price: $124.09)
Best Prices Today:
$119.99
Who should buy the Reolink Battery Doorbell?
If you’re not already deep in the Ring smart home ecosystem, and you’re not an Apple user who’s deep into the Apple Home ecosystem, the Reolink Battery Doorbell is a strong runner-up to our overall favorite doorbell.
This mid-priced video doorbell is loaded with features, including a very high-resolution camera that delivers a head-to-toe view of your visitors along with person, vehicle, and package detection. You won’t need a subscription to store video recordings, provided you spring for a microSD card slot (up to 128GB) or one of Reolink’s network-attached storage devices (starting at $100 for up to 1TB of owner-provided microSD storage).
It can run on either its 7000mAh battery or permanent low-voltage wiring and a transformer if you’re replacing an existing doorbell (voltage specs are 8~24VAC, 5VA-40VA). If your 2.4GHz Wi-Fi network is already crowded, this doorbell can also connect to 5GHz networks. It’s a very good value for the price.
Reolink Battery Doorbell: Further considerations
This doorbell can be used with Amazon Echo and Google Home smart displays, and Reolink has a number of other winning indoor and outdoor home security cameras that can be operated with the same app. Unless you want the security of storing your video in the cloud, we strongly recommend either adding a microSD card to this camera or adding one of Reolink’s network-attached storage devices to your network.
Read our full
Reolink Battery Doorbell review
Nest Doorbell (Battery) – Best battery-powered video doorbell for Google Home users
Pros
- Battery powered, so it can be installed anywhere (it can also run on wired power and will integrate with your existing chime)
- Accurate and fast detection
- On-device video processing
Cons
- Subscription required for all but the most basic uses
- Poor integration with Amazon’s smart home infrastructure
- Doorbell must be dismounted to charge its battery
Price When Reviewed:
$179.99
Best Prices Today:
$119.9
$138.99
$139.99
$179.99
$179.99
$179.99
Who should buy the Nest Doorbell (Battery)?
Needless to say, Google Assistant and Nest Aware users will get the most out of the Nest Doorbell (Battery), as will apartment dwellers who lack doorbell wiring and/or have limited installation options. And if you’re dead-set against paying for a subscription, the Nest Doorbell (Battery) does offer on-device people and package detection, although a subscription is required for cloud video storage (there is no local storage option).
Despite its name, Google’s powerful and versatile Nest Doorbell (Battery) can operate on either battery power or your home’s existing low-voltage wiring that powers your current doorbell. This smart home device was supremely easy to install and configure, it delivered crisp and clear video recordings, and it was consistently accurate with its alerts and notifications.
Nest Doorbell (Battery): Further considerations
If you’re firmly in the Alexa or Apple camp of smart speakers and displays, you’ll want to stick with an Alexa- or HomeKit-compatible doorbell.
Also, in order to recharge the battery you’ll need to dismount the doorbell and mount it back on again after charging. It’s a bit inconvenient, but it’s the price you pay for no doorbell wiring.
Read our full
Nest Doorbell (battery) review
Nest Doorbell (Wired) – Best wired video doorbell for Google Home users
Pros
- On-device video processing
- Image classification
- Accurate and fast detection
Cons
- Subscription required to unlock all its features
- Requires low-voltage wiring
- Incompatible with Apple HomeKit
Price When Reviewed:
$179.99
Best Prices Today:
$159.99
$179.99
$179.99
$179.99
Who should buy the Nest Video Doorbell (Wired)?
Google Home and Nest Aware users make up the prime audience for the Nest Video Doorbell (Wired), as it’s not compatible with Alexa or Apple’s HomeKit ecosystem. And since this particular Nest video doorbell relies on wired power, apartment dwellers or anyone who doesn’t want to mess with doorbell wiring should opt for the Nest Video Doorbell (Battery) instead.
Nest’s Video Doorbell (Wired) builds on the excellent Nest Hello and improves it with on-device video processing, recording during power loss, and image classification.
Nest Video Doorbell (Wired): Further considerations
Again, the Nest Video Doorbell is not compatible with Alexa or Apple’s ecosystems so you’ll want to opt for another doorbell that is compatible if you’ve already invested in either of those smart home systems.
A subscription is also required to unlock all of the features. However, opt in to a Nest Aware subscription, and you’ll also get 24/7 recording for up to 10 days, among other useful features.
Read our full
Nest Doorbell (Wired) review
Tapo D225 Video Doorbell Camera – Best budget-priced video doorbell
Pros
- 2K video resolution
- Comprehensive feature set
- Can operate on battery or low-voltage wiring
Cons
- Large, less-than-appealing industrial design
- Must be dismounted to charge its battery
- We encountered occasional but minor bugs
Price When Reviewed:
$99.99
Best Prices Today:
$79.97
Who should buy the Tapo D225 Video Doorbell Camera?
If you have a tight budget for a video doorbell and don’t want to pay for a subscription to store video in the cloud, the Tapo D225 Video Doorbell Camera should be on your short list. It offers a long set of features not found on most other low-priced video doorbells, including the ability to discern between people, pets, and packages in its field of view. The inclusion of a remote chime is another benefit that many other manufacturers charge extra for.
This affordable video doorbell delivers a host of appealing features for a very low price, starting with its 2K video resolution and a field of view that captures your visitors from head to toe. The camera can be powered by either its internal battery or low-voltage wiring and a conventional doorbell transformer, with the one downside being that the battery can’t be removed for charging–you must dismount the entire doorbell first.
Tapo D225 Doorbell Camera: Further considerations
Where a lot of manufacturers expect you to pay a subscription fee to unlock their products’ entire feature set, Tapo merely asks that you provide a microSD card for local storage. A cloud-storage subscription is offered, but it’s truly optional.
Also, while this doorbell supports Amazon Alexa and Google Home smart displays, you’ll need to look elsewhere if you’re building your smart home around Apple Home.
Read our full
TP-Link Tapo D225 Video Doorbell Camera review
Logitech Circle View Doorbell – Best video doorbell for Apple HomeKit users
Pros
- Full support for Apple’s Homekit Secure Video
- Records crisp video with HDR
- Superb motion sensing, facial recognition, and privacy features
Cons
- Will be of no interest to folks outside the Apple ecosystem
- Some competitors offer higher resolution and wider viewing angles
- Slightly more complicated to install than competing doorbells
Price When Reviewed:
$199.99
Who should buy the Logitech Circle View Doorbell?
In short, the $200 Logitech Circle View Doorbell is aimed at a very specific audience: homeowners with wired doorbells who’ve embraced Apple’s rapidly growing HomeKit smart home ecosystem. This is not a cross-platform product: Android users need not apply; nor is there any support for Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant.
That being said, Logitech takes full advantage of what HomeKit has to offer with its Circle View Doorbell, including HomeKit Secure Video, which uses the Apple hardware in your home to process captured video locally, versus uploading it to a server in the cloud that you have no real control over.
Logitech Circle View Doorbell: Further considerations
The Circle View Doorbell also boasts crisp HDR video, terrific night vision performance, and precision motion sensing.
Read our full
Logitech Circle View Doorbell review
Ring Peephole Cam – Best video doorbell alternative
Pros
- Simple wireless installation
- Excellent video quality and motion detection
- Easy integration with the broad universe of Ring smart home products
Cons
- Requires a peephole
- Paid subscription required to save recordings
Price When Reviewed:
$129.99
Who should buy the Ring Peephole Camera?
The Ring Peephole Camera is an excellent choice for tenants who want to install a video doorbell without angering their landlord. It’s also a great solution for anyone who lives in an apartment or condo with an entry door that already has a peephole.
The Ring Peephole Cam gives renters the same peace of mind that homeowners enjoy when they install a video doorbell–all you need is a peephole in the door you want to install it in. There’s no need to drill holes for new screws or cables; instead, you simply swap it for your existing door viewer.
Ring Peephole Camera: Further considerations
Just like most other video doorbells, you’ll need a paid subscription to save recordings. However, at under $150, it’s at the lower end of the price range for this type of security product.
The RIng Peephole’s video quality is also sharp with rich, accurate color, and infrared night vision is enabled automatically when ambient lighting dims.
Read our full
Ring Peephole Cam review
Other video doorbells we liked
The Aqara Doorbell Camera Hub G410 is not only a great video doorbell with 2K video resolution and good presence detection, but it can also double as an entire smart home hub as well. SwannBuddy 4K Video Doorbell provides excellent video quality and unique AI features, but a pricey subscription service holds it back from greatness. The Ecobee Smart Doorbell Camera (wired) is the perfect choice for homeowners using one of Ecobee’s high-end smart thermostats who are also subscribers to that company’s home security system. The Tapo D225 Video Doorbell might not look all that snazzy, but it’s loaded with features and a very modest price tag. The Eufy Video Doorbell Dual (model E340) has a front-facing camera to capture a view of your visitor, and a down-facing camera to capture packages left on your porch. Plus, Eufy is one of few security camera brands that doesn’t tie you to a subscription (though one is available for cloud storage, if you want it).
How PCWorld tests video doorbells
At PCWorld, we put video doorbells through an extensive evaluation process across multiple days to thoroughly assess all aspects of the product. In particular, we pay attention to and guage several key aspects like video quality, motion detection, two-way audio, and ease of use. We also assess features such as the amount of local storage, subscription requirements and pricing, and compatibility with smart home ecosystems.
Why you should trust PCWorld for video doorbell reviews and buying advice
PCWorld’s editors and contributors have been testing video doorbells since 2014, and we continuously evaluate the latest devices along with their accompanying apps. We’ve checked out a wide range of video doorbells, including hardwired and battery-powered models; high-end and budget units; doorbells that can discern between people, animals, and packages; and video doorbells and peephole cameras for apartment dwellers. You can trust us to guide you to the right video doorbell for your needs and budget.
Who curated this article?
Martyn Williams has been reporting on the tech industry for more than 30 years. He started in the UK, writing for European publications, and then spent 16 years in Japan. For most of that time, Martyn was a correspondent for IDG News Service, covering the consumer electronics industries in Japan and South Korea. In addition to authoring many of PCWorld’s video doorbell reviews, he also does TV antenna reviews and can often often be found designing his own antennas and communicating with people around the world.
How to choose the best video doorbell
Here’s a guide to some of the key operation features in the video doorbell market. Be sure to keep these features in mind as you shop.
Aspect ratio
If you want to catch porch pirates in the act, make sure to pick a video doorbell with a square or vertically oriented aspect ratio.
Such a “head-to-toe” view makes it easier for the doorbell’s camera to capture activity on your doorstep–like the theft of a package–that a camera with a wider angle might miss.
Motion detection
Most video doorbells come equipped with motion sensors that trigger video recordings when they detect movement.
The best models, however, will also be able to differentiate between random movement in the frame (such as tree branches swaying in the wind, insects scurrying across the lens, or infrared light-illuminated flecks of dust floating in the air) from movement you might be more interested in, such as that caused by people, pets, packages, and vehicles.
Such advanced, AI-powered motion detection will cut down on the number of nuisance video events you’ll need to wade through. That said, advanced motion detection often (though not always) requires a subscription plan.
Also, while some video doorbells rely on the cloud to detect person, pet, package, or vehicle events, others can process motion events locally; such “on-device” motion detection is preferable both in terms of responsiveness as well as privacy.
Motion and privacy zones
Motion zones allow you to designate only specific areas within the frame where motion would trigger an alert; for example, you might set up a motion zone that covers the area in front of your doorstep but excludes the sidewalk or street beyond.
Privacy zones, on the other hand, let you block out an area of the frame where you don’t want any motion detection or recording at all, useful if you want to preserve the privacy of a neighbor’s window.
Night vision and two-way talk
Porch pirates love to operate in the dark, so night vision is a key feature to look for in a video doorbell.
Color night vision is also nice to have, but it usually requires at least some ambient light, or else the footage will only be in black and white.
Two-way talk is another standard video doorbell feature, which is necessary for speaking to visitors when you’re not home or otherwise can’t come to the door.
Local storage
Some video doorbells can store video events locally rather than in the cloud. Local storage usually involves a removable memory card that’s installed either inside the device itself on a nearby smart hub.
Either way, locally stored videos could save you the monthly cost of cloud storage–although subscription plans usually offer other benefits besides cloud storage, such as advanced motion detection and rich mobile notifications.
Another potential benefit to local storage is 24/7 video recording. (Most cloud storage options only store video from detected motion events, not the time periods between them).
Video doorbell FAQ
What is the best video doorbell?
The best doorbell for most people is the Ring Battery Doorbell Plus. It’s loaded with features, has a good aspect ratio for clear viewing, and can operate on a battery with no wires. It works flawlessly with either Ring or Amazon Alexa smart home ecosystems.
What is the best cheap video doorbell?
The Tapo D225 Video Doorbell Camera is the best cheap video doorbell thanks to its host of appealing features at a very low price. On top of crisp 2K video resolution and local storage options, it also comes with advanced features such as robust object detection and a remote chime feature that are typically offered only on more expensive doorbells.
Do video doorbells record all of the time?
Usually video doorbells do not record all of the time. Most commonly, a video doorbell will only record when motion is detected. Some premium subscription options offer continuous video recording (CVR), but the high monthly cost usually means it isn’t worth it for most people.
Which is better, a wired or wireless video doorbell?
Both have their advantages. A wired video doorbell will offer more reliability in the long term as they do not require recharging. A wireless, or battery operated, video doorbell is easier to install since they don’t require a technician or any technical expertise on the user’s end.
Do video doorbells need Wi-Fi?
Yes, all video doorbells currently require Wi-Fi connections to work properly. Video doorbells rely on Wi-Fi connections to transmit video footage, enable remote access via a smartphone app, and upload data to the cloud.
Can renters use a video doorbell?
Yes, there are non-permanent video doorbell options available for renters. If you’re renting your domicile and can’t install a video doorbell (or if you just want to make sure you can take it with you when you move out), consider one of our video doorbell alternatives that either connect to your entry door’s peephole or hang on top of the door.
Do video doorbells require a subscription plan?
Most video doorbells will work without a paid service plan, but you’ll often miss out on the doorbell’s best features if you don’t pay up.
For example, advanced motion detection (for people, pets, vehicles, and packages) will frequently require a paid subscription plan. The same goes for motion and privacy zones, as well as rich mobile alerts that include a snapshot or a clip of a recorded motion event.
Most importantly (and unless your video doorbell offers local storage), a subscription plan may provide the only way to store and review recorded video events. Depending on the manufacturer, some plans offer anywhere from 30 to 90 days of rolling video storage. The length of each clip may also be capped.
Be sure to check out PCWorld’s comparison of the most popular security camera subscription plans. (The feature focuses on dedicated security cams, but it applies to video doorbells, too.)
