Best Smart Doorbells of 2021: Home Security for Any Budget

How We Chose & Who This Guide Is For

There are plenty of features to consider when purchasing a smart doorbell. We aimed to find a cutting-edge smart doorbell for all budgets.

Whether you live in a house, apartment, RV, or boat — there’s an option here for you, each one boasting quality construction, sought-after features, and consistently high ratings from verified customers.

Why You Can Trust Us

Our interest in tech, video, and audio systems, paired with our desire to provide our readers with the best products at the right price for them, fuels our work here at Gear Hungry. We take pride in providing our readership with quality reviews that are reliable, thorough, and in-house tested whenever possible.

How We Tested

I put the smart doorbells to the test when my household received a mad influx of packages. Many items that I test are expensive loaners, making it even more important to keep an eye out for deliveries. 

Features to Look for in Smart Doorbells

Video Quality - If you can't discern the grainy outline of your neighbor from the UPS driver, what's the point of your new smart doorbell? Luckily, most smart doorbells offer HD at 1080p, which is more than enough to capture good quality images (and means you won't offend your mom).

Some models enable you to adjust the HD quality to match your WiFi signal strength if the connection is problematic, and several also offer zoom to hone in on your target.

Trespassers do the best of their work at night, hiding under a dark sky. Night vision, available with infrared LEDs, is essential to maintaining your security 24/7.

Depending on your plot size and how much visible distance you'd like to see, some smart doorbells offer black and white footage up to 30ft in front of the unit.

Audio Quality - There are definitely pros to watching or seeing what's going on in front of your home, but being able to talk with your visitors is a whole other ball game.

A quality speaker and microphone are necessary for conversing clearly with whoever is donning your front porch.

Some microphones feature sound-canceling tech to block out wind or passing vehicles. If you have a busy street, it could be worth looking into for an uninterrupted conversation.

Motion Detection - Whether you're at home or not, it's nice to know if someone is trespassing too close to home.

Motion detection is there watching when you're not. Depending on which smart doorbell model, motion detection features can include customizable notification settings, specific areas, and on-demand live streaming to watch the action.

And if you're not around your phone, triggered motion sensors initiate recording and facial capture so you can check back and take action if necessary.

Face Recognition - AI has yet to find its limits. Using AI facial recognition, smart doorbells can add a few more luxury features. Your AI-equipped smart doorbell can 'learn' and remember repetitive faces or neighbors to alert you of their visit.

In tandem with motion detection, facial recognition can distinguish between human motion and an animal or tree moving, resulting in fewer notifications and false alarms.

Most companies offering facial recognition will require users to purchase an AI-specific subscription.

Size - The clunkier models are reminiscent of intercoms and work well in larger spaces, while the smaller slimline models are ideal for small doorways and tend to be more aesthetic.

Most are the size of a large smartphone or smaller, so it won't disrupt your front porch's appeal.

Design - When considering which smart doorbell to go with, consumers shouldn't leave out design; the weather, size, aesthetic, type, and durability are central to the overall structure.

Most smart doorbells have minimal features on the exterior, but all need to be robust enough to endure both doorbell-jabbing visitors and year-round weather.

Features - Features on your new smart doorbell are accessible via a mobile app that you also used to set up the device, configure the wireless settings and set up alerts.

As well as the essential functions, you would expect your new smart doorbell to deliver two-way audio, video, night vision, motion/sound sensors, recording, and playback. Depending on the model you choose, you can get extra features such as full-color night vision, floodlights, facial recognition, live streaming, pre-recorded messages, adjustable motion zones.

For data storage, some companies offer free storage for a certain amount of time to promptly contact the police with footage if there's an incident. Subscriptions are sometimes necessary for storing the photos and data pulled from the smart doorbell.

Types of Smart Doorbells

There are two main ways to power up your WIFI doorbell. When selecting your new device, you will need to decide if you want a wireless smart doorbell that runs on batteries or a model that wires into an existing doorbell power circuit.

Battery-Powered - Battery-powered smart doorbells are great for apartment buildings if your landlord approves. A wireless smart doorbell is the easiest to install as it runs off batteries (usually rechargeable), so it doesn't require any electrical know-how. Do regular power check-ups and have some spares in the junk drawer.

They are a little more susceptible to the weather and could power down when you least expect if used in areas with frigid winters.

Hardwired - The majority of smart doorbells currently require wiring into a power source or current doorbell wiring, which can be more of a hassle.

Most smart doorbells function as add-ons to existing electric doorbell systems so that you can wire them in using the existing connectors. Otherwise, work through the product's installation guide or call in your local electrician.

Q: What is a smart doorbell, and how does it work?

A: A smart doorbell is an electronic doorbell connected to your home's WiFi and paired with a supplemental app on your phone. Using video cameras, motion detectors, two-way audio systems build-in into the smart doorbell, users can monitor their home from their phone, anywhere.

Q: What are the advantages of smart doorbells?

A: Home security without the provider, among other sweet deals. Safety and convenience are two significant advantages. Notifications and live views keep you connected with what's going on outside your house and alert you to any funny business.

And well, being able to talk with visitors and pizza delivery drivers or mail carriers without leaving your desk while you're WFH or getting off the couch while watching a movie.

Q: How do I install a smart doorbell

A: The installation will vary from model to model, and to ensure the warranty — if applicable — stands, be sure to install the doorbell per the manufacturer's instructions. This will increase the effectiveness and longevity of your smart doorbell.

Be sure to install the doorbell where it's convenient for visitors to use and has the most expansive view of the house's front.

Q: Are smart doorbells waterproof?

A: As a gadget intended to be outside, your new smart doorbell is a tough little cookie. Smart doorbells should be able to deal with whatever the weather can throw at it, even the more extreme — some models can deal with temperature variants from -40 to 122 degrees Fahrenheit.

But do check the details of your chosen WIFI doorbell to see if there's a waterproof IP rating, as well as the small warranty print before you buy.

Q: Do smart doorbells have night vision?

A: Pretty much every model has built-in night vision using infrared LEDs. The viewing distance can vary from 10 feet to 30 feet in front of the smart doorbell.

If there is a bright or ample light on the front porch in question, a smart doorbell absent of night vision won't make or break your home security.

Q: How do notifications from a smart doorbell work?

A: Users will always receive a notification if someone rings the doorbell. Typically, users can customize whether they receive just a push notification or whether the doorbell comes through as a video call to their phone.

Other alerts — from triggered motion sensors, for example — will come through as notifications. From there, users can open the supplementary app to watch or engage the visitor.

Users can turn notifications on or off and adjust the sensors' areas and range to avoid false alarms.

Models with AI tech also filter out false alarms by filtering alarms triggered by brush or wildlife.

Q: Are these doorbells compatible with Google Home, Amazon Alexa, and Apple Home?

A: Select smart doorbell models are compatible with smart home devices, but compatibility varies from model to model. Most product descriptions will note whether the product is compatible with Alexa, Android, Apple (iOS), Google, or Windows home products.

Q: What happens if my WiFi or electricity is off?

A: If the WiFi goes out, your smart doorbell will perform as a regular, traditional doorbell. The bell should still ring, but it won’t have access to the internet-based smart features; there's no more peeping who's at the door from your phone until you get WiFi again.

Purely electrical doorbells will not function in the event of a power outage. If you’re worried about losing power, look for a battery-powered doorbell. Even if you opt to hardwire your smart doorbell, many models offer backup battery power capability.

Q: Do smart doorbells make videos or take pictures?

A: Both, depending on the model.

Typically, a triggered motion sensor initiates a video recording. Ringing the doorbell will initiate a live view between the camera and your phone.

Most models will record or take pictures of who is at the door to check later if you do not answer.

Q: Can you pair a smart doorbell with a smart lock?

A: Most smart doorbells should easily pair with a smart lock to give you maximum security and remote accessibility. When purchasing, cross-reference the smart doorbell with the smart lock you have for compatibility.

When combined with a smart lock, you can use your smart doorbell app to open your door remotely to let a wanted guest or visitor into your home. Just speak remotely to your guest to confirm who they are, check their live video or photo then buzz them in.

It is perfect if you’re traveling and need someone to give your cat and succulents a little TLC.

Q: Can the doorbell send an alert if someone is loitering nearby?

A: If the smart doorbell has motion detection sensors and the person triggers the sensor by intruding on your activity zone, your notification will alert you. The person must trigger the sensors, though.

Q: How do I maintain a smart doorbell?

A: Smart doorbell manufacturers take the time to ensure the mounting hardware and unit are as tamper-proof as possible and can withstand the weather. Maintaining shouldn't be a cumbersome task.

If battery-powered, regular check-ups for the battery life will ensure you're not without a doorbell one day.

With wired smart doorbells, ensuring they are installed per the instruction manual will increase the doorbell's longevity.

Otherwise, a quick wipe down of the lens with a microfiber cloth to wipe away dirt or watermarks and a periodic check to ensure the mounting is still secure will be enough to maintain your smart doorbell.

Sources:

1. How To Install A Video Doorbell - Consumer Reports
2. How To Protect Your Packages From Porch Pirates - HowStuffWorks