If you’re going to buy one piece of smart home tech, it should probably be a video doorbell. Among mainstream options, Ring continues to market itself as the No. 1 U.S. doorbell brand by retail sales (citing Circana) on its current product pages (Ring), while ownership research frequently places Ring and Google Nest at the top, with Arlo, Eufy and Wyze forming a strong value tier (Parks Associates; Omdia). Recent models add on‑device AI for person/vehicle/package detection and, on higher‑end units, radar‑assisted motion and clearer two‑way audio (Ring Battery Doorbell Pro; Arlo object detection; Apple HomeKit Secure Video).
Video doorbells keep a vigilant eye on your front door — your home’s central point for arrivals and departures — allowing you to greet guests, identify potential intruders, or just tell the delivery guy where to stash packages. These devices, primarily associated with smart home industry leaders like Ring, Google Nest, and SimpliSafe, now compete alongside Arlo, Eufy, Wyze, and Blink in clearly defined tiers (Arlo investor materials; Omdia). SimpliSafe’s doorbells are most compelling when bundled with a monitored system rather than as standalone retail leaders (Parks Associates). Advances like dual‑camera views for faces and packages (Eufy) and PoE models with local storage and open protocols (Reolink) marry everyday convenience (clearer directions for stash packages) with practical home security options.
Here’s what you should know before – and after – installing one on your front stoop. Doorbells can deter and document incidents, but rigorous, doorbell‑specific evidence of burglary or package‑theft reduction is limited; broader CCTV research shows modest average crime reductions (about 13%) with variation by setting (Campbell review). Use them as one layer alongside lighting and good locks; their footage can meaningfully aid investigations, set against national property‑crime context from the FBI’s latest report (2023, published 2024) (FBI Crime in the Nation).
Battery and hardwired options both have merit
Hardwired video doorbells can be straightforward if you have existing doorbell wiring. Most wired models expect low‑voltage AC with a compatible transformer, commonly in the 16–24 VAC range, and some setups need a chime kit/adapter for legacy mechanical chimes (Ring power requirements). Because power is continuous, you avoid routine battery swaps and often get more consistent responsiveness. As with any connected device, plan for strong Wi‑Fi at the door (2.4 GHz typically penetrates exterior walls better than 5 GHz) and follow the brand’s setup guidance (Google Nest Wi‑Fi tips).
Repurposing existing wiring is one benefit of hardwired installation. Circumventing the need to recharge is another. Battery-powered video doorbells need to be regularly recharged, though the frequency of those chargings vary depending on usage. Manufacturers like Ring anticipate the devices need to be recharged a few times per year, but real‑world patterns span every few weeks to months based on motion volume, settings, and weather (extreme cold shortens intervals). Many reviewers recommend keeping a spare battery for quick swaps and tuning motion/activity zones to reduce unnecessary triggers (Wirecutter; Google Nest Wi‑Fi tips).
While battery-powered options require maintenance, and there aren’t as many to choose from as there are hardwired, they do have the notable benefit of being installable anywhere. Unconstrained by wiring requirements, battery-powered video doorbells can be placed wherever provides the best line of sight — a big plus for irregularly shaped entrances, or ones partially exposed to the elements. Use wedge/angle kits to fine‑tune framing, confirm strong 2.4 GHz coverage at the mount point, and consider alternatives like PoE doorbells when you want wired power/data with local recording via microSD/NVR and open protocols (RTSP/ONVIF) (Nest networking guidance; Reolink PoE doorbell).
Video doorbells aren’t a one-time purchase
Most of the capabilities associated with video doorbells — reviewing, sharing, downloading footage — are only possible with a monthly subscription. Plans like Ring Protect and Nest Aware unlock recorded video history, richer notifications, and features such as familiar‑face or parcel alerts on supported models. Some ecosystems also gate advanced object detection behind subscriptions (Arlo object detection).
While the monthly fees of the majority of video doorbells are low ($10 or less per month for a single camera), they still add up to around $100 per year. For this reason, the decision-making process of which video doorbell to purchase should include data storage specs, rather than just the tech details of the devices.
If you are able to respond to alerts as they happen, you can potentially make use of your video doorbell without shelling out for a monthly subscription. But taking that route potentially cuts the usefulness of your smart doorbell in half. If you miss the phone alert when someone rings, your fancy doorbell is back to being just a noisemaker. In short, everything that makes your video doorbell useful — from finding out who left the flowers to identifying would-be burglars — costs a little extra.
Customize for best results
An alert for every time a leaf falls in front of your home quickly becomes an alert you ignore. Maximize the value of your smart home investment by taking the time to customize your video doorbell’s functionality. Use motion/activity zones, privacy masking, and detection types (person/package/vehicle) where available, and prefer on‑device analysis for faster, more private alerts (HomeKit Secure Video; Arlo detections). Schedule quiet hours or snooze non‑urgent alerts, and align app settings with your phone’s system‑level controls (Focus/Do Not Disturb, notification channels) to reduce noise while preserving urgent events (Apple HIG; Android notification channels; Android permission guidance; Apple interruption levels).
- Set monitoring or motion zones to cut down on extraneous alerts. By establishing an area of the cameras vision that actually matters (say, the welcome mat), the device won’t mistake sidewalk foot traffic or the neighbor’s dog for alert-worthy information.
- Control the frequency and sensitivity of alerts by setting parameters for the type of movement or visitors that you actually want to know about.
