Ring Pro Video Doorbell installed outdoors on a brick wallSource: Amazon

Best video doorbells iMore 2022

Installing a video doorbell is a simple and convenient way to keep tabs on the various activities outside your home. The best video doorbells can notify you about any motion events in the camera's view, including instances where the doorbell didn't ring. The Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2 offers crisp high, definition video, compact design, and lifetime theft protection, making it an excellent choice for most. Whether you are looking for a doorbell that supports HomeKit or one that works with Alexa and Google Assistant, these are the best video doorbells you can buy today.

Best overall: Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2

Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2 installed on a doorSource: Amazon

When it comes to video doorbells, the first name that always comes to mind is Ring. Pioneer of the product category, Ring continuously adds new features and tweaks designs to enhance the overall experience. The Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2 is the company's latest offering that provides better overall image quality and improves motion detection over previous versions.

The Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2 captures video in high definition with a resolution of 1536p — up from the previous 1080p. The new 3D Motion Detection capabilities increase the accuracy of alerts by pinpointing a subject's location within its view. The new motion detection is so good that our sister site Android Central proclaims that the Ring Pro 2 has the "most accurate motion detection of any video doorbell" in their recent review. Deep integration with Amazon's Alexa allows you to summon video from your doorbell via voice commands and respond to guests through one of the many Amazon Alexa devices.

Ring's Video Doorbell Pro 2 also continues the company's famous lifetime theft protection policy. In addition, the company uses special security screws that attach the doorbell to your home, making it harder to remove than traditional fasteners. So that being said, if someone does steal your device, replacement is entirely free.

Pros:

  • Interchangeable faceplates
  • 1536p image quality
  • Lifetime theft protection

Cons:

  • Expensive
  • Recording requires a subscription
  • Does not work with HomeKit

Best overall

Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2

Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2 - Smart video doorbell

High quality inside and out

Ring Pro 2 offers impressive visuals, two-way audio, and swappable faceplates. Theft protection adds insurance to your investment.

Best features: eufy Security, Battery Video Doorbell wireless Kit

Eufy Battery Video Doorbell in use outdoorsSource: eufy

Although it comes in at a lower price than most competitors, the eufy Security Battery Video Doorbell brings includes all the smart essentials you would expect. In addition, a plug-in chime comes with the video doorbell, allowing optimal placement in your home to ensure you never miss a guest.

eufy's video doorbell features 1080p image quality and records video with privacy in mind. All recordings are kept locally on the doorbell's internal storage and are available through the eufy Security app for viewing on-demand. Since the recordings are local, there are no subscriptions to worry about, and the price you pay is the final price.

Pros:

  • Local storage
  • No subscription is required
  • Chime included

Cons:

  • 1080p maximum resolution
  • Not compatible with HomeKit
  • No wired option

Best features

Eufy Battery Video Doorbell and Chime kit

eufy Security, Battery Video Doorbell wireless Kit

Simple and savvy

Eufy's doorbell comes with a handy chime and secure local storage. This affordable option also doesn't require a subscription.

Best view: Arlo Essential Wired Video Doorbell

Arlo Video DoorbellSource: Arlo

We loved how the Arlo Video Doorbell offers a unique, 110-degree field of view that looked more natural when viewing through an app in our hands-on review. Arlo's doorbell sports high-definition video with HDR, which, when combined with the taller image, makes it easier to keep an eye on your precious packages with plenty of detail.

Other handy features include a built-in siren that activates on-demand, two-way audio with custom responses, motion zones, and infrared night vision. Arlo's doorbell also plays nicely with all major smart home platforms: Alexa, HomeKit, and Google Assistant. So if you don't mind paying for a subscription to record, you can't go wrong with the Arlo Video Doorbell.

Pros:

  • Natural view
  • Built-in siren
  • Works with Alexa, Google Assistant, HomeKit

Cons:

  • Not wireless
  • Requires subscription
  • Doesn't support HomeKit Secure Video

Best view

Arlo Video Doorbell

Arlo Essential Wired Video Doorbell - smart video doorbell

See everything

Arlo's doorbell offers a taller view that looks more natural when viewing remotely. HDR video provides crisp, detailed images.

Best for HomeKit: Logitech Circle View Apple HomeKit-enabled Wired Doorbell

Logitech Circle View Video DoorbellSource: Logitech

With support for HomeKit Secure Video and excellent build quality, we praised the Logitech Circle View Video Doorbell as being the doorbell for HomeKit fans. HomeKit Secure Video integration enables robust privacy, security, and convenience features alongside staples like the ability to summon a view of your front porch with your voice or through an app.

Through HomeKit Secure Video, the Logitech Circle View keeps a rolling 10 days' worth of events securely in the cloud using your existing iCloud storage subscription. The Circle View also uses image analysis features that filter out nuisance notifications from pets or vehicles and supports assigning custom activity zones. The best feature is having a HomePod chime and automatically announcing your guest's name when the doorbell rings.

Pros:

  • Sleek design
  • Tall aspect ratio
  • Supports HomeKit Secure Video

Cons:

  • Expensive
  • Requires existing wiring
  • Only works with HomeKit

Best for HomeKit

Logitech Circle View Doorbell

Logitech Circle View - Smart Wired Doorbell

Secure video

Logitech's Circle View Doorbell is the doorbell for HomeKit fans. HomeKit Secure Video stores events securely in iCloud.

Best for Google: Google Nest Doorbell (Battery)

Nest Doorbell Battery in use outdoorsSource: Google

The Nest Doorbell Battery integrates with other accessories around the home, including the Nest Hub, Chromecasts, and Google Home. This deep integration enables live feeds on smart displays or the big screen and hands-free answering when the bell rings.

With a subscription to Nest Aware, the doorbell can identify packages and people within its view and send special notifications accordingly. If that weren't enough, this doorbell also packs high-definition HDR video with a 145-degree field of view and a 3:4 vertical aspect ratio.

Pros:

  • Google integration
  • Smart recognition
  • HD video with HDR

Cons:

  • Recording requires a subscription
  • Doesn't work with HomeKit
  • Expensive

Best for Google

Nest Doorbell Battery

Google Nest Doorbell - Battery-powered smart doorbell

Smart integration

Nest Doorbell works with Google devices, like the Nest Hub, for easy viewing. Smart recognition can identify packages and people.

Best for value: Blink Video Doorbell

Blink Video Doorbell in an outdoor settingSource: Amazon

Amazon's Blink Video Doorbell is an absolute steal that can be installed in just a few minutes if you go the wireless route. But don't let the low price fool you — the Blink Video Doorbell features high definition 1080p video, two-way audio, infrared night vision, Alexa integration, and a wired installation option if you don't want to hassle with AA batteries.

Speaking of batteries, the Blink Video Doorbell impressed Android Central enough for it to claim that it "will give users better battery life than any wireless video doorbell." The Blink Video Doorbell is also one of the few options available that offer free local recording — if you have a Blink Sync Module 2 and a USB hard drive. Of course, the Blink Doorbell can also store video in the cloud, with pricing starting at just three dollars a month for 60 days of unlimited video history on the Blink Basic Plan.

Pros:

  • Affordable price
  • Free local recording option
  • Wired and wireless installation

Cons:

  • Only works with Alexa
  • Subscription for cloud storage
  • No internal rechargeable battery

Best value

Blink Video Doorbell

Blink Video Doorbell - Amazon smart doorbell

Affordable security

The Blink Video Doorbell offers a lot of bang for the buck with HD visuals, local recording, and wired or wireless installation.

Keep an eye on your home with the best video doorbells

Smart video doorbells offer additional peace of mind for the security of your home and any packages left at your front door. Video doorbells can record at all times, not just when the doorbell rings, which could help to catch someone — or something — snooping around your home. Plus, integration with platforms like HomeKit opens up tons of automation possibilities so you can set your smart speaker to play a chime when someone rings your doorbell.

The Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2 is a fantastic choice for anyone looking for excellent image quality, a thoughtfully designed app, and durable hardware. It also includes lifetime theft protection that comes with no additional charge. So, replacement is free if a thief manages to take off with your Ring doorbell, adding a little insurance to your investment.

Credits — The team that worked on this guide

Author:

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

We may earn a commission for purchases using our links. Learn more.