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

Best Video Doorbells iMore 2020

Installing a video doorbell is a simple and easy way to keep tabs on the various activities outside of your home. Smart video doorbells can 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 lifetime theft protection, making it an excellent choice. We have gathered all of the best doorbells around to help you decide which one is right for your needs.

Best Overall: Ring Video Doorbell Pro

Ring Video Doorbell Pro installed outdoorsSource: Amazon

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 someone steals your device, 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 Pro offers impressive HDR visuals, 2-way audio, and swappable faceplates. Theft protection adds insurance to your investment.

Best Privacy: Eufy Security Wi-Fi Video Doorbell

Eufy Video DoorbellSource: eufy

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:

  • Local storage
  • 2K image quality
  • Chime included

Cons:

  • Records at a lower resolution
  • Not compatible with HomeKit
  • Requires existing wiring

Best Privacy

Eufy Security Wi-Fi Video Doorbell

Local storage

Eufy's doorbell comes with a handy chime and secure local storage. This affordable option also has gorgeous 2K HD video.

Best View: Arlo Video Doorbell

Arlo Video DoorbellSource: Arlo

The Arlo Video Doorbell offers a unique, taller, 110-degree field of view which looks more natural when answering a call or streaming a live view through an app. 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 can be activated on-demand, two-way audio with custom responses, motion zones, and infrared night vision. If you don't mind paying for a subscription to record, then you can't go wrong with the Arlo Video Doorbell.

Pros:

  • Natural view
  • Built-in siren
  • Fast response times

Cons:

  • Hardwired only
  • Requires subscription
  • Doesn't work with HomeKit

Best View

Arlo Video Doorbell

Familiar view

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

Best Value: RemoBell S Video Doorbell

Remobell S Video DoorbellSource: Remo+

Despite its low price, the RemoBell S Video Doorbell doesn't skimp out on features. This capable doorbell features HD video across a wide-angle 180-degree field of view, fast response times, motion detection, two-way audio, and infrared night vision.

Smart features include motion zones, notifications, and voice controls through Alexa and the Google Assistant. The best part is that it doesn't require a subscription, as three days' worth of cloud storage is included with the purchase price.

Pros:

  • Affordable price
  • Works with Alexa, Google Assistant
  • Free 3-day cloud storage

Cons:

  • Chime not included
  • Hardwired only
  • Doesn't work with HomeKit

Best Value

RemoBell S Video Doorbell

Cost effective

The RemoBell S is a highly capable, affordable option with no hidden costs. Free cloud storage keeps 3-days worth of HD footage.

Best Integration: Nest Hello Video Doorbell

Nest Hello Video Doorbell installed outdoorsSource: Google

The Nest Hello Video Doorbell integrates with other accessories around the home, including the Nest Hub, Chromecasts, and the Google Home. This enables on-demand live feeds on the smart display 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 can send special notifications accordingly. If that weren't enough, this doorbell also packs in high definition HDR video with a 160-degree field of view, and a 4:3 aspect ratio.

Pros:

  • Google integration
  • Smart recognition
  • HD video with HDR

Cons:

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

Best Integration

Nest Hello Video Doorbell

Smart integration

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

Best Compatibility: Ring Peephole Cam

Ring Peephole Cam on a doorSource: Amazon

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 Peephole Cam

Peep this

Ring's wireless option installs in the peephole of a door, perfect for renters. Setup is also a breeze, taking just 5 minutes.

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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