The most efficient doorbells let you know if anyone comes by, who it is and if they have anything or have pets with them. Some even have big-screens and birds-eye mode to plot how people got to your door.
There are free smart detection (for car traffic, or nearby cats) and two-way sound; other functions like person and package detection require subscriptions.
1. Ring Doorbell
Ring has video doorbells for every budget, from their $99 Battery Doorbell, which was one of the first video doorbells with full head-to-toe video and package detection. You can wire it in or charge it with a portable battery pack and integrate it with current doorbell chimes.
Quick Replies let you record short audio notes to play when someone rings your doorbell (commands are available in the Ring app). You can enable or disable this as you like.
Upgrade to Ring Video Doorbell Pro with a larger video camera and 3D motion-tracking and radar-based Bird’s Eye Zones for more accurate notifications. It requires professional installation as it does not include diode for false alarm prevention; Ring Protect subscription is needed to store videos.
2. Arlo Smart Doorbell
The company, Arlo, who make the first truly wire-free home security cameras, just launched this awesome video doorbell. Record HD video at 1536x1536px with 180 degree diagonal field of view, so you always know who’s in front of your door.
This smart doorbell offers person and package recognition capabilities on par with models over $100, for a truly price-competitive $100 price tag, and is among the most effective in this class. Not only that but it also, like all smart doorbells, features two-way audio with your guests, as well as pre-programmed quick response if you are unable to answer on the spot.
This unit has to be hardwired, and is not renter eligible. This kit includes: flat mounting plate with wedge for placing wherever angle must be maintained; angle-adjusting chime kit; extension wires and anchors.
3. Nest Hello Doorbell
Google’s smart doorbell is a great product for people who care about its name, already live in wired homes, and are willing to shell out extra for 24/7 recording and face recognition. And since it works with other Google and Alexa devices, it can stream video to screen-enabled speakers and TVs!
Nest Hello has a horizontal camera and it records in 960×1280 video. You can use it wirelessly or wire it into a preexisting chime system; and it saves you an hour’s footage if your internet connection is lost!
Nest Aware doesn’t detect cars or animals like competitors, but does include 60 days of free event history and smart alerts if you have Nest Aware. And it comes with custom activity areas.
4. Vivint Smart Doorbell
Vivint Smart Doorbell: Know who’s outside, chat with them via 2-way audio and discover who’s trying to break in with light and sound anti-theft alarms that will prevent porch robbers from getting your mail. It also has an intelligent motion detection algorithm that considers people-like movement to minimize false alarms, it also can be integrated with the home security systems.
The app Cameras page shows all cameras connected to it, play buttons, Deter, “Rewind,” “Talk,” and “Locks” toggles, and Events tab shows thumbnails of recordings made.
Vivint has 24/7 help desk team which can help with installing and using doorbells.
5. Toucan Doorbell
Toucan Doorbell gives you lots of features in a handy package at a good price. It doesn’t look like Ring or Google products, but Toucan still gets all the fundamentals right.
It’s wireless and powered by a rechargeable 6,500mAh battery that’s good for up to months of use, according to its maker. There are even connectors to run it right to existing doorbell wires, if you want.
The unit notifies your phone as soon as the call button is pressed or motion is detected; and with two-way talk and remote two-way talk, you can take two-way calls from anywhere. You can pick out 6 chimes; prices start at $2.99 per month with 24 hours of free video storage + bookmarking clips, 10 users accounts, siren durations configurable and seven days of history for subscribers.