Best Video Doorbells iMore 2019
Installing a video doorbell is a simple and easy solution for keeping tabs on the various activities that go on outside of your home. Smart video doorbells can instantly notify you about any motion events that happen in the cameras view, including instances where the doorbell has not been rung. The Ring Video Doorbell Pro offers crisp 1080p video, a compact design, and is backed by lifetime theft protection, making it an excellent choice. We have gathered all of the best video doorbells around to help you decide which one is right for your needs.
- Best Overall: Ring Video Doorbell Pro
- Best Value: Eufy Security Wi-Fi Video Doorbell
- Best Image Quality: Nest Hello Smart Wi-Fi Video Doorbell
- Best Integration: August Doorbell Cam Pro
- Best Design: SkyBell Trim Plus Wi-Fi Video Doorbell
- Best for HomeKit: Robin ProLine Video Doorbell
Best Overall: Ring Video Doorbell Pro
When it comes to video doorbells, the first name that always comes to mind is Ring. Pioneers of the product category, Ring is continuously adding new features and tweaking their designs to enhance the overall experience. The Ring Video Doorbell Pro is the company's latest offering which slims down the bulky, non-traditional design to a more refined, slimmer solution that can be customized through swappable faceplates.
The Ring Video Doorbell Pro captures video at HD 1080p resolution and is able to do so by being powered directly to your home's existing doorbell wiring. Deep integration with Amazon's Alexa allows you to summon the video from your doorbell via voice commands, as well as respond to guests through one of the plethora of Amazon Alexa devices. This includes video devices such as the Echo Show.
Ring's Video Doorbell Pro also continues the company's famous lifetime theft protection policy. The company uses special security screws that attach the doorbell your home, making it much harder to remove than traditional fasteners. If your device is somehow stolen, it will be replaced for free.
Pros:
- Interchangeable faceplates
- 1080p image quality
- Lifetime theft protection
Cons:
- Expensive
- Recording requires subscription
- Does not work with HomeKit
Best Overall
Ring Video Doorbell Pro
High quality, inside and out
Ring's Video Doorbell Pro offers impressive visuals, two-way audio, and interchangeable faceplates. Lifetime theft protection adds a little insurance to your investment.
Best Value: Eufy Security Wi-Fi Video Doorbell
Although it is one of the newcomers to the connected doorbell market, the Eufy Security Wi-Fi Video Doorbell brings with it all of the features that you would expect, just with a lower cost of entry. A plug in chime is included with the video doorbell, and it can be placed in an optimal spot in your home to ensure that you never miss a guest.
Eufy's Video Doorbell features 2K image quality, and records video with privacy in mind. All recordings are kept locally on the doorbells internal storage, where it is transferred to an app for viewing. Since the recordings are local, this means that there are no subscriptions to have to worry about, and the price you pay, is the final price.
Pros:
- Low cost
- 2K image quality
- Chime included
Cons:
- Records at lower resolution
- Not compatible with HomeKit
- Missing cloud backup option
Best Value
Eufy Security Wi-Fi Video Doorbell
Cost effective
The Eufy Security Wi-Fi Video Doorbell provides all the benefits of connected doorbells with a cost effective price. An included chime makes sure you will always hear the bell ring.
Best Image Quality: Nest Hello Smart Wi-Fi Video Doorbell
The Nest Hello Smart Wi-Fi Video Doorbell offers the best image quality around for connected doorbells. HDR imagery produces stunning low light viewing and a 160 degree field of view may make you forget that you are looking through a doorbell.
The Hello doorbell also features artificial intelligence to help distinguish what is going on outside your home. This prevents you from being notified if a pet or car happens to cross paths with your cameras view, and will allow you to only be notified if a person is walking by.
Pros:
- HDR image capabilities
- 160 degree field of view
- AI image detection
Cons:
- Only works with Google Assistant
- Subscription for additional features
- 4:3 aspect ratio
Best Image Quality
Nest Hello Smart Wi-Fi Video Doorbell
Impressive image quality
The Nest Hello Wi-Fi Video Doorbell is the only device on the market that supports HDR video. Combined with AI that can determine who or what is at the door, makes the Hello a solid option.
Best Integration: August Doorbell Cam Pro
The August Doorbell Cam Pro makes no mistake when it comes to identifying itself as something other than a normal doorbell. The square, modern design, puts the actually doorbell button at the forefront, which may help with visitors who are not accustomed to seeing a video doorbell.
August's Doorbell Cam Pro can integrate with the company's famous smart locks, enabling the ability to have a complete conversation plus granting entry all without having to walk to the door. This is a nice feature to have when your hands are full, or if you want to ensure that your delivery is safe and sound as it can be placed inside of your home by unlocking the door.
Pros:
- Hindsight capturing feature
- Works with Alexa
- Works with August locks
Cons:
- Non-traditional design
- Subscription required after 24 hours
- Expensive
Best Integration
August Doorbell Cam Pro
Welcome them in
August's Doorbell Cam Pro features hindsight capturing, which includes the moments leading up to a motion event. This device can also unlock your door when paired with an August lock.
Best Design: SkyBell Trim Plus Wi-Fi Video Doorbell
The SkyBell Trim Plus Wi-Fi Video Doorbell combines modern technology with a traditional doorbell design. The slim design allows the SkyBell Trim Plus to go somewhat under the radar as it does not scream video doorbell from a distance.
Included with the purchase of SkyBell's Trim Plus is theft protection, which guarantees replacement of the doorbell if it happens to be stolen. Additionally, SkyBell does not charge for video recording capabilities, and does not include any hidden fees at all after your initial purchase.
Pros:
- Theft protection service
- No monthly fees
- Compact design
Cons:
- 15 fps video
- 4:3 aspect ratio
- No battery backup
Best Design
SkyBell Trim Plus Wi-Fi Video Doorbell
No hidden fees
The SkyBell Trim Plus is one of the few doorbells that take on the shape of a standard doorbell. SkyBell also offers free recording with no additional fees after the initial purchase.
Best for HomeKit: Robin ProLine Video Doorbell
Robin's ProLine Video Doorbell has the distinction of being the only HomeKit enabled doorbell currently on the market. While it comes with a hefty price tag, HomeKit integration opens up a world of possibilities through automations. Having the lights on the porch automatically turn on when the doorbell is rang is just one of many examples that HomeKit has to offer.
Despite the non-traditional, industrial design of the ProLine Video Doorbell, Robin's offering includes a custom nameplate, which helps your visitors to know that they are at the right place. A built in 130 degree wide angle view allows the doorbell to get a better view of not just your front door, but of your property in general.
Pros:
- Works with HomeKit
- 130 degree wide angle
- Custom nameplate
Cons:
- Expensive
- Only works with HomeKit
- Industrial design
Best for HomeKit
Robin ProLine Video Doorbell
The only HomeKit doorbell
Robin's ProLine Video Doorbell is the only video doorbell available for Apple's HomeKit. Keep tabs with this doorbell featuring a 130 degree wide camera that records at 720p video.
Keep an eye on it
Connected video doorbells offer up additional peace of mind for the security of your home and any packages left at your front door. Video doorbells include the ability to record at all times, not just when the doorbell is rang, which could help to catch someone or something snooping around your home. Two-way audio capabilities enable conversations when someone arrives at your door, which is a convenient way to welcome your guests or to provide instructions for the delivery company.
The Ring Video Doorbell Pro is a fantastic choice for those looking for good image quality, a thoughtfully designed App, and durable hardware. Lifetime theft protection is included for no additional charge, which means that if your Ring doorbell is somehow stolen, it will be replaced for free, adding a little insurance to your investment.
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