If you want to stop porch pirates and package thieves, one of the best video doorbells could be the answer. If someone’s at your door, a smart doorbell can alert you to their presence, and let you see and talk to them through your smartphone. In these times of social distancing, it’s also a handy feature if you want to talk to a visitor, but want to keep your door closed.
Smart video doorbells are also helpful for those with mobility issues. So, for example, if you can’t get to your front door easily or quickly, you can use your smartphone to tell your visitor to wait until you get to the front door.
From Ring to Nest, we’ve tested dozens of video doorbells to bring you what we think are the best.
What are the best video doorbells?
Check out our other smart home guides
After testing all of the top models, we think that the best video doorbell is the Nest Doorbell (battery). It has the highest video quality, can recognize individual faces and can even announce them, too. And despite its name, you can also hardwire it. But what we like most is that Nest is now offering a few features for free, such as rolling three hours of video and person, package, and vehicle detection.
If you’re looking for something less than $100, the Ring Video Doorbell (2nd gen) is your best bet. It has a 1080p camera, you can use this model either wired or on battery power alone, and you can create custom motion zones, and also see what’s going on in your neighborhood. It now has package detection, too; here’s how to set up package detection on the Ring Video Doorbell.
For a deeper dive, be sure to check out our comparison of Ring vs. Nest video doorbells, as well as our Ring vs. Ring Pro vs Ring 3 page, which examines every Ring video doorbell in depth.
Read on for our picks of the best video doorbells.
The best video doorbells you can buy today
The Nest Doorbell (battery) gets almost everything right. Its 3:4 vertical aspect ratio means you can see more of your front door; it can work either wired or on battery power alone, and it has a lot of great features, such as the ability to recognize familiar faces, packages, animals, and vehicles.
Even better is that the camera also offers some of those features for free, as well as three hours of rolling video storage — things that used to require a subscription. If you want longer storage, you can still sign up for Nest Aware, which starts at $6/month.
Read our full Nest Doorbell (battery) review.
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If you’re looking for the best video doorbell under $100, the Ring Video Doorbell (2nd generation) is your best option. It has a 1080p camera (up from 720p on the original), as well as improved night vision and better motion-tracking capabilities. It’s still the best video doorbell for those on a budget.
Like the Ring Video Doorbell 3 and 4, we like that you can use this model either wired or on battery power alone, and you can create custom motion zones, and also see what’s going on in your neighborhood. Plus, Ring offers very affordable video storage plans starting at $30 a year. Ring also added package detection for this model, bringing its feature set more in line with the competition.
Read our full Ring Video Doorbell (2nd gen) review.
Like the Ring Video Doorbell gen 2, the Wyze Video Doorbell Pro is another great option for those looking for one of the best video doorbells under $100. For the price, you get a doorbell that can be wired or run on battery power alone, as well as package detection. We also liked that the Wyze’s camera has a 150 x 150-degree field of view, which means you see as much vertically as you do horizontally — this also means you see more of your front stoop.
However, to use package detection, as well as save recordings, you’ll need a Wyze Cam Plus subscription, which at $1.99 per month is cheaper than the competition. Also, you need to remove the entire unit when you need to recharge its battery — which means you’ll be without a doorbell for an hour or so. The Wyze Video Doorbell Pro doesn’t look as nice as some of the other models, but for $89 — which includes a wireless chime — it’s something we can overlook.
Read our full Wyze Video Doorbell Pro review.
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The Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2 is the first from the company that has a square aspect ratio, which means the video is as tall as it is wide. What that means is that it can show much more of your front stoop than other Ring doorbells — so you’re more likely to see when a package has been dropped off. Better yet, Ring added package detection, so you know when something arrives. It also has customizable motion zones and a new “radar” feature that helps cut down on unwanted notifications.
The Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2 delivered excellent video quality, was very responsive, and wasn’t too hard to install. Just know that it’s not battery-operated, and you’ll also need to subscribe to a Ring Protect plan (starting at $3/month or $30/year) if you want to get the most out of the video doorbell.
Read our full Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2 review.
Package theft is an all-too-common problem, and the best video doorbells have adapted with cameras that can better see more of your front porch. The Eufy Video Doorbell Dual takes things one step further, with a second camera that points directly downward, giving you the clearest view possible. What’s more, it also comes with package detection, so you’ll get an alert when something gets dropped off. In our tests, it worked flawlessly.
Even better: You get all this without needing to pay a monthly subscription fee, which is a rarity among the best video doorbells. We also liked that the Eufy saved video to a local, secure base, so that it can continue to record video even if your internet connection goes down. Yes, the Eufy costs more upfront, but it could save you money in the long-term.
Read our full Eufy Video Doorbell Dual review.
Arlo makes some of the best home security cameras, so it should be no surprise that the Arlo Essential Wireless Video doorbell is one of the best video doorbells, too. It delivered high-quality video and audio both day and night — though not as good as the Nest — and features both person and package detection. Arlo’s video doorbell also works with Alexa and Google Assistant, so can receive notifications on smart speakers, and livestream video from the doorbell to an Amazon Echo Show or Google Nest Hub smart display.
Arlo’s app has a ton of features, but some of them, such as motion sensitivity, are difficult to find. And, for most of the smarter features, including video storage, you need to sign up for a subscription. But, if you have Arlo’s security cameras, its video doorbell will make an excellent addition, as you can add up to five cameras for $10 a month.
Read our full Arlo Essential Wireless Video Doorbell review.
The Ring Video Doorbell 4 can run on battery power or as a wired unit, making it easy to install just about anywhere. This 1080p doorbell camera offers good customization for motion alerts, although it’s not as robust as the Ring Pro 2. Also, its field of view is more limited than the Ring Pro 2, the Arlo, and the Nest, and like other Ring doorbells, it lacks package detection. However, its new color Pre-roll feature does make it a lot easier to see visitors.
If you have a lot of other Ring devices, this video doorbell will work well within the Ring and Amazon ecosystem. But, it’s not compatible with Google Home or HomeKit.
Read our full Ring Video Doorbell 4 review.
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The Nest Hello (now known as the Nest Doorbell (wired) produced some the best-looking video we’ve yet seen, and its microphone and speaker were excellent, too. This is one smart video doorbell, too: The Nest Hello can also recognize people’s faces, and announce them via a Google Assistant compatible device when they come to your door. (It also works with Alexa).
While the Hello needs a hardwired connection, it continuously records video, so you’ll never miss an event. You can also set up specific zones, so you’ll only be notified when a person or object appears in that area of the frame. To get most of these features, you’ll need to subscribe to the Nest Aware service (starting at $6/month or $60 year for 30 days of video), but they’re worth it.
Read our full Nest Hello review.
If you’re an Apple HomeKit user, you don’t have many choices when it comes to video doorbells. The Logitech Circle View is one of the few options, and fortunately, it’s pretty good. We liked its 3:4 aspect ratio, which shows more of our front porch, as well as its sharp video quality both day and night. It also has very secure cloud storage and it can identify people by face if they’re in your iCloud photos.
However, the setup process — which is done entirely in the Home app on your iPhone — could be easier. And, the cloud storage plan ($2.99/month for 10 days of video storage) isn’t as generous as other companies. But, if you’re on HomeKit, this is one of your best — and only — options.
Read our full Logitech Circle View Doorbell review.
The low price of the Ring Video Doorbell Wired — just $60 — is very tempting for those looking for a budget video doorbell from a reputable brand. However, there are a few caveats that will make the total cost a bit higher. That’s because this video doorbell does not work with your existing doorbell chime, so you’ll need to tack on an extra $20 or so to purchase a Ring Chime if you want to hear the familiar ding-dong in your home.
Otherwise, the Ring Video Doorbell Wired works well, produces a quality image, and has a slim profile. You’ll need a Ring Protect subscription (starting at $3/month) if you want to save recordings, which also adds to the overall cost. But, this is a good video doorbell with a comparatively low entry fee.
Read our full Ring Video Doorbell Wired review
While many video doorbells claim to have a wide field of view, virtually none of them can see what’s happening right at your doorstep—where the majority of your packages are dropped. The Maximus Answer DualCam solves this problem by packing two cameras: one that looks straight out, and one that looks directly down. That way, you can see if there’s a package at your door—and if someone tries to steal it.
The dual-camera setup worked well, though this video doorbell has a few rough edges. Its speaker is pretty quiet, and there’s a delay between the time you talk and a visitor hears you. Plus, the Maximus doesn’t work with any other smart home system, such as Alexa or Google Assistant.
Read our full Maximus Answer DualCam review.
The Eufy 2K Video Doorbell records good-quality video over a 150-degree field of view. While you can sign up for cloud storage (which starts at $30/year for 30 days of storage), the Eufy 2K also has a microSD card slot, so you can save footage locally, too.
However, the Eufy 2K Video Doorbell has a few drawbacks: It’s a wired-only device, only supports one user (so you can’t share it with family members), and has limited smart-home interoperability. But for around $150, it’s not a bad deal.
Read our full Eufy 2K Video Doorbell review.
How to choose the best video doorbell
Battery vs. Wired
Video doorbells come in one of two varieties: Wired or battery powered (Some, like the Ring Video Doorbell 4 and the Nest Doorbell (battery) can do both). If you’re replacing a traditional doorbell, a wired video doorbell makes the most sense; you just have to make sure that there’s enough power going to the doorbell. Typically, there will be an 16-24V transformer providing power, which should be enough for most video doorbells.
If you’re planning to install a video doorbell where there is no existing wiring, buying a battery-powered model is far easier (and cheaper) than hiring an electrician. Just remember that a battery-powered video doorbell will have to be recharged occasionally. Some, such as the Ring Video Doorbell 4, have a replaceable battery, so there’s no downtime while you’re juicing it back up. Some companies also sell solar panels that can help keep the video doorbell’s battery charged.
Doorbell placement
Your choice of doorbells will also depend on whether you’re replacing an existing doorbell or installing a doorbell where there isn’t one already. In general, though, you want the doorbell to be about 4 feet off the ground, so it’s high enough to see everything well, but not too high so that its button is hard to push for shorter individuals.
Field of View
Do you want a narrow view of just the person at the door, or do you want to see everything around your entryway? Some video doorbells will offer a wide, landscape view, while others have a portrait orientation; the latter is especially useful for seeing packages dropped off close to your door.
Video Resolution
The higher the resolution, the sharper the image, which will make it easier to identify people at your door. Most video doorbells now have at least a resolution of 1080p, but it’s also worth checking the framerate of the video – the higher the number, the clearer the video should be.
Package, person, and animal detection
It’s good to know more than just that there’s something at your door; better video doorbells can tell you if a person is approaching, if there’s an animal, or if a package has been left at your doorstep. Only a few video doorbells — including the Nest Doorbell (battery), the Arlo Video Doorbell, the Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2, and the Ring Video Doorbell (2nd gen) — offer this feature.
Audio
When the first video doorbells came on the market, they had what’s called “half-duplex” audio. That means that when someone is speaking, the other person has to wait until they can be heard. Newer video doorbells now have “full duplex” audio, so you can carry on a conversation as if the person were right in front of you.
Night Mode
The video doorbells we tested take different approaches to capturing video at night. The August Doorbell cam uses motion-activated LEDs to light the area in front of the camera, so it can capture colors a little better. Ring’s doorbells use infrared night vision to see in the dark, but the result is monochrome video.
Design
Aesthetics may be a concern. After all, you’re bolting this thing to the front of your house! The Ring Pro looks the most like a traditional doorbell, and Ring even includes four faceplates, so you can choose which matches your house’s trim or paint one exactly the shade you like.
Video doorbells vs. security cameras
Video doorbells don’t necessarily make the best home security cameras. While the apps let you choose to receive motion alerts as well as doorbell alerts, motion-triggered events often resulted in video of a person or car just exiting the frame.
A dedicated home security camera may be a better choice if you’re looking for actual security, because you can position such a camera in more places. And when you get a motion alert, you can back up the video and see what happened before the alert came in.
How we test video doorbells
To test video doorbells, we self-install the devices on houses and tested in real-world conditions with friends and family ringing the bells day and night.
To start, we evaluate the ease with which the video doorbell can be installed. This includes the physical installation — are the instructions clear? Are all the necessary tools included? — as well as the process of connecting the video doorbell to our home Wi-Fi network, and to the app itself.
Nest, we examine the video doorbell app itself. How many features does it have compared to the competition? How easy are those features to set up and configure? For instance, many video doorbells let you adjust their sensitivity, so you’re not bombarded with notifications every time a car drives by your house.
Of course, we also look at video and audio quality, both during the day and during the night. Is it easy to recognize a person’s facial features while they’re moving? How clearly can we hear them, and how clearly can they hear us? And, how quickly does the camera start recording video once it senses movement?
Many video doorbells also require a subscription to access features and save video recordings. We factor in the cost of the subscription, as well as what you get for the price. (Our guide to the best security camera storage plans breaks everything down in detail).
We also factor in interoperability and compatibility with other smart home devices and security systems. For a video doorbell to be truly part of a smart home, it has to be able to talk to your other smart home devices.
For more details on our reviews process, please check out the Tom’s Guide How We Test page.
