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 camera's view, including instances where the doorbell has not been rung. The Ring Video Doorbell Pro offers crisp 1080p video, a compact design, and comes with 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

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 that slims down the bulky, non-traditional design to a more refined, slimmer solution that supports swappable faceplates.

The Ring Video Doorbell Pro captures video at HD 1080p resolution and can 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 many 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 to your home, making it much harder to remove than traditional fasteners. If your device is somehow stolen, replacement is completely 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 offers impressive visuals, 2-way audio, and interchangeable faceplates. Lifetime theft protection adds 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 comes with the video doorbell, allowing optimal placement 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, and it is sent to the app for viewing on-demand. 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 a lower resolution
  • Not compatible with HomeKit
  • Missing cloud backup option

Best Value

Eufy Security Wi-Fi Video Doorbell

Cost effective

Eufy's doorbell provides all the benefits of connected doorbells at an affordable price. A handy chime makes sure you will always hear the bell ring.

Best Compatibility: Ring Door View Cam

The Ring Door View Cam is one of the only smart video doorbells around that installs in the peephole of an existing door. This completely wireless option makes it so that anyone can install it without having to call an electrician.

Ring's camera supports 1080p video resolution, night vision, and sports a 150-degree field of view, allowing you to see all of the action outside of your door. This camera even has a nifty knock detection function, sending you a notification if someone prefers the old fashion way of announcing their presence without ringing your doorbell.

Pros:

  • Peephole design
  • Easy installation
  • Knock detection

Cons:

  • Only works with Alexa
  • Subscription for additional features
  • No hardwire option

Best Compatibility

Ring Door View Cam

Peep this

Ring's Door View Cam is an entirely wireless option that installs in the peephole of a door. This makes installation a breeze, taking just 5 minutes.

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 doorbell button at the forefront, which may help with visitors who are looking for a traditional doorbell button.

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.

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 features hindsight capturing, which includes moments leading up to an event. This device can also unlock your door 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 a replacement if it is 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 that take on the shape of a standard doorbell. SkyBell also offers free recording with no fees after 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 automation. Having the lights on the porch automatically turn on when the doorbell is rung 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 in 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 available option for HomeKit. Keep tabs on things with a 130-degree wide camera that records at 720p resolution.

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 rung, 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 comes with no additional charge. So, if your Ring doorbell is somehow stolen, replacement is free, adding a little insurance to your investment.

Credits — The team that worked on this guide

Christopher Close spends most of his time writing and dreaming about all things HomeKit for iMore. If you wish to join him on his quest to automate everything, you can follow him on Twitter at @itschrisclose.

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