Ding dong! We’ve got the best doorbell cameras, tried and tested

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doorbells

by Becky Fuller |
Updated on

A doorbell camera is a great investment for a number of reasons, and they’re surprisingly reasonable to buy. It’s easy to view them as another annoying and intrusive bit of kit – I certainly did before I got one! But they’re incredibly useful and honestly, it’s changed my life.

Below, I’ve rounded up the best video doorbells available to buy, including ones tested by me, other team members, and family. I’ve also spoken to IMOU, the company who make my doorbell camera, to find out the benefits of having a one, as well as learning more about how they work.

Best video doorbells

Top 10 reasons to consider a doorbell camera

  • Easy monitoring of your front door

  • Safe package deliveries, never miss a delivery

  • Enhanced security features

  • A warm welcome for guests

  • Convenience for everyone, including those with mobility issues

  • Keep track of visitors

  • Effortless communication

  • Integrates with home automation such as Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant

  • Stylish accessory for your home

  • Easy to install and use

Why I’m a doorbell camera convert

A few months ago, I was out with a friend. Her smart watch buzzed and she said “oh good it’s my parcel.” She then proceeded to talk to the delivery driver on her video doorbell, via her watch, to request he leave her parcel in a certain location for her to collect when she got home.

I have a lot of deliveries on an almost daily basis. It’s a running joke with my neighbour that the delivery drivers wait until I pop out for a walk, or to the gym, and then they arrive. When my friend did that, I thought how convenient it would be to ask for my parcels to be put in a safe place while I was out.

My sisters and I then decided to get a doorbell camera for my mum (reviewed below). We did this as a means of security – she lives alone and worries when the doorbell goes and it’s dark outside. A video doorbell gives her the ability to see who’s there without having to open her door.

After installing hers (very easily), I then installed one for myself, and it’s a game-changer. No more missed deliveries! I work on the second floor of my house, so have a lot of stairs to get down. I can tell the person at the door that I’m on my way! My mum feels safe and secure and, like me, she can alert people if she’s a bit slower getting to the door.

So, I would highly recommend getting a doorbell camera and, as you’ll see from IMOU’s comments below, you don’t need an expensive subscription to have one either, and you don’t need to wire one in. Many models are wireless, making them simple to install, and they’re a doddle to use. Here’s my top picks.

Doorbell cameras
©Getty Images / Catherine McQueen

Tested

Best doorbell camera overall

Amazon's Ring doorbell is the original and still - in my opinion, the best. This 2nd generation version isn't their most fancy all-singing and dancing version but it's reliable, easy to use and great value for money.
We bought this doorbell for my mum as added security. It's provided her and us with peace of mind. She doesn't pay a subscription to record footage, but our other tester does (verdict below). One thing I'd say about my mum's doorbell is it faces directly onto the pavement so it does pick up everyone walking past, but that's also part of what makes her feel so safe - she can see groups on bikes etc and knows what's going on.
I put the doorbell up for her, and if I can do it then anyone can. The instructions were simple to follow via Amazon and integration to all her Alexa's and her iPhone and iPad was seamless. It's easy for her to navigate the app and see who's at the door, as well as being able to talk to them or provide a preselected message. I would highly recommend this doorbell, and keep an eye out for excellent Prime Day deals.

Reviewed by Digital writer Laura Healy: "We purchased a Ring doorbell after my parents' home was broken into and they were advised that a video doorbell is a great deterrent.
We were pleased with the added security it provided and have found it's useful when we are out and deliveries are left on our doorstep, we can see them, check they are there and message a neighbour to take them in. Alternatively, you can speak to the courier (or whoever is at your door) through the doorbell using the app on your phone.
The doorbell was annoying at first until we adjusted the sensitivity because it was picking up every car, or pedestrian, walking past our house triggering many, many notifications on our phone every day. However, you can alter the sensitivity and now it only picks up people on our drive.
You can also connect it to Alexa, which we find incredibly useful because it will notify you when someone is at your door through Alexa, your phone and your Apple watch, meaning there is no reason to miss the doorbell, even if you are out in the garden.
Our Ring doorbell is powered by battery, although there is an option to wire it in. The battery is reliable and charges quickly, however it does deplete far quicker in colder weather and so we find during the winter you need to recharge it more often.
We pay a subscription fee to record footage which means we can look back at any thing the video picks up, and you can also use 'live' mode which lets you use the app to access the camera in real time. It is simple to set up and use, and the app works on multiple phones. The sensitivity can be annoying as can the poor battery life during cold weather, but overall it is a great device to give us peace of mind and help us keep track of security and deliveries for our home."

Pros

  • Works seamlessly with most smartphones as well as Amazon home devices such as Alexa
  • Easy to install
  • Clear view

Cons

  • Need to pay a subscription to record and store footage

Tested

Best non-subscription doorbell

IMOU doorbell Yours
Price: $139.99

www.diy.com

I was going to buy a Ring doorbell but was asked to test the IMOU instead, so I thought I'd see what it was like. Well, I love it. I set it up with my tech-savvy 16 year old son, but even he struggled to follow the initial instructions as they're quite unclear. However, the actual connecting of the doorbell to the wi-fi and the app on your phone is simple. It works seamlessly with our Alexas too.

The view on the camera is fantastic. It's crystal clear whether I'm looking on my watch or phone, and the audio is good too. I am really impressed with the quality of the bell and its chime - which is easy to hear wherever you are.

We have a relatively short driveway, so set the radius to fairly small - I just want it to pick up delivery people or guests, not everyone walking their dogs at 5am! But I like that you can alter it according to need, and angle the bell to get the best view of your door - ours is angled in.

The thing I love best about the IMOU, and why I'm keeping it, is that there's no subscription needed to store footage. You can either save recordings via an SD card or NVR, or you can subscribe to the cloud service if you wish. We opted for SD card and it's simple. I'd have liked a slightly more user friendly app, but given the overall quality of the bell and its recordings, I think this is a great choice.

Pros

  • Not overly sensitive - you control the pick-up radius
  • Easy to hear the chime through the whole house
  • No subscription needed to store footage

Cons

  • Instructions weren't easy to follow for set-up

Best wide-view doorbell camera

Arlo doorbell Amazon

The Arlo doorbell camera is good value for money - especially if Amazon are running an offer on it so keep an eye out. Its camera covers 180 degrees, so it's great if you need to keep an eye on the front garden or driveway, for example. It's also compatible with most smart home devices, though reviews point out it might be worth also buying a chime for it in case you don't always hear your phone or speaker.

It's easy to install, and comes with a trial of Arlo secure, for recording footage. Just like the Ring, you don't need to pay a subscription if you don't want to, but you won't be able to store footage.

Reviews are really mixed on battery life. Arlo say it lasts around 6 months, but some say it needs charging every 2-3 weeks. On average, a couple of months seems about right. If you're not happy with it, take a look at how to return items to Amazon.

Pros

  • Wide view camera for better vision
  • Good value
  • Works with all smart home devices

Cons

  • Reviews are very mixed on battery life

Best doorbell camera for security

We really like the added security this eufy doorbell offers. It's got a dual camera - one takes images face-on, while the other one covers the ground. For added peace of mind, it can be helpful to be able to see if anything is on the floor - especially if someone you don't know comes to the door at night.

There's also no subscription, so again, although the initial outlay is more than the Ring doorbell, it'll work out cheaper in the long run.

It's easy to install, and can pair with an existing chime if you want. Be warned though, it you want a different chime you'll have to buy one, and not all the eufy ones are compatible so check carefully.

Reviews are mixed on the quality of the motion detection, and how long it takes to alert you of someone at the door. Battery life is similar to other products in the list - not great in cold weather but not too bad overall.

Pros

  • Dual camera for excellent coverage
  • Can work with existing chime
  • No subscription

Cons

  • Connectivity can be weak at times

Best doorbell camera for Apple HomeKit

Netamo doorbell Amazon

The Netamo doorbell is compatible with Apple HomeKit -including its smart speakers and Apple TV. This is especially useful if you struggle to see images on a smaller screen, since the doorbell camera footage will show on your TV screen.

No subscription is required either. Although it's pricey, you do get lifetime access to upgrades and video storage within that price, which makes the initial cost seem more reasonable.

It's not without its issues, though. First of all, the Netamo has to be wired to your existing doorbell, which of course means you need to have a wired doorbell in the first place. And many reviews mention it's not easy to install.

The app can also lag, meaning there's a delay in seeing who's at the door and speaking to them. Given the speed at which some delivery drivers operate, this could be problematic!

Pros

  • Works with Apple HomeKit - including Apple TV
  • No subscription
  • Good picture range

Cons

  • Wired only
  • Can be poor quality connection

Best video doorbell for Google smart home

Google nest video doorbell Argos
Price: $139.99(was £179.99)

www.argos.co.uk

The Google Nest is really easy to set up, and it's also simple to set sight parameters. Everything is controlled via the Google Home app, so it's ideal if you already have one or more of their devices such as smart speakers.

Like the Ring doorbell, it does require a subscription to store footage. One of its biggest selling points is its facial recognition, which is great for anyone worried about security if they're feeling vulnerable, but sadly this too is a subscription-only feature.

The battery life isn't great on the Nest. Like the Ring, it's worse in cold weather, but it's still not great either way - around 3 weeks worth of use from one charge, so wiring it in might be the better option.

Pros

  • Clear, wide lens gives good images
  • Easily compatible with smart speakers
  • Facial recognition (though this is a paid-for feature)

Cons

  • Poor battery life

Frequently asked questions

A lot of people have concerns about privacy surrounding video doorbells and worries about having to subscribe to view footage. With the help of IMOU, hopefully I can allay fears below.

Do doorbell cameras record all the time?

“A battery doorbell is designed to record events and go into a performance mode to enhance battery life,” IMOU say. “This can alternatively be hard-wired for continuous power and the ability to record 24/7. It will still specifically alert you to events and that are triggered and flag them.”

Are doorbell cameras safe, or is my internet data being exposed?  Can the doorbell providers see what else I am doing on the internet?

“Our cameras and doorbells come with bank-level encryption and compliance with ISO international security standards, UK PSTI standards, GDPR, and CSA STAR certification, to ensure that your data remains confidential, and your personal information protected and secure,” IMOU say.

This level of encryption and security is true for all cameras in our list above, so if you buy one of our picks, you can be sure your data is safe.

Doorbell camera

Do you need a subscription for a doorbell camera?

Most video doorbells and cameras do not require a subscription to access the functions of the product,” IMOU say. “Other brands such as Ring, require that customers subscribe and hide basic features (such as recording and playback) behind a subscription ‘paywall.’”

Indeed, this is what we found with some of the doorbells above, but we did feel that the Ring still works well without the subscription.

Only you can decide whether it’s worth paying for a subscription or not. If I felt I lived in an area where my property could potentially be damaged, or my car, I would opt to pay for peace of mind, knowing I could look back at footage if needed.

 Do video doorbells still work if my internet goes down?

“IMOU doorbells will still record to local storage if your internet goes down which can be played back using a hotspot from your phone/device directly to the camera (no internet required) or when the internet connection resumes.  Other brands, such as Ring, require an internet connection and if this goes down, they will work only as a doorbell without any of the video/smart features.”

Can I talk to someone via my doorbell camera, for example if it’s taking me a while to get down the stairs to open the door?

“Yes, absolutely, this is one of the main benefits of a video doorbell,” IMOU say. “A video doorbell is ideal for anyone that never wants to miss someone at the door as most feature a two-way talk using a speaker and a microphone.

If you’re otherwise engaged such as in a meeting and can’t answer the doorbell, with IMOU, you can pre-record your own ‘quick response’ as a greeting (or warning) such as, “I can’t come to door right now, please leave the parcel in the porch.””

IMOU make a series of home security devices such as doorbells, cameras and accessories.

Becky Fuller is a senior digital writer for Yours.co.uk. She is also a fully qualified personal trainer and strength coach, specialising in fitness and wellbeing for over 50s. Prior to joining Yours, Becky was a fitness writer for Saga, and a freelance entertainment and theatre journalist. Becky is passionate about helping people to move well and discover the many benefits of strength training.

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