A video doorbell is one of the best ways to keep your home secure, as well as making sure you never miss another delivery. With so many to choose from it can be confusing, but don’t worry, we’ve got your back. Check out our top picks and buying guide below.
1. Ring Video Doorbell 3 (Top Pick)
This video doorbell from Ring is one of the most popular on the market globally and with good reason. It’s easy to use and works well; you can install and set it up in under five minutes. It can be installed into your home’s existing wiring, or it can be powered by a rechargeable battery. The battery-pack has a quick-release feature and a charge lasts more than a month.
The camera records HD video in 1080p and it has infra-red too, so it can record just as well at night. It also has a good field of view with motion detection, and excellent two-way audio, so it covers all the important features you need from a video doorbell.
This can also integrate with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant for voice operation, however, there can be a noticeable lag. Whether that’s from this device or Alexa, it can be annoying. That said, this is still one of the best video doorbells around and our top pick of those on the market in Australia.
What We Like:
- Great features
- Easy installation
- Good video quality
- Long-lasting battery
What We Don’t Like:
- Alexa integration can lag
2. Lifemement Wireless Smart Video Doorbell
The Lifemenent Wireless Smart Video Doorbell is easy to install and set up for your home. It runs on low power and uses three batteries, which enable it to run for eight months or more between charges. It has all the features you’re looking for with two-way audio, motion detection, infrared night vision, and app integration.
The resolution is 720p, which is pretty good for this price range. This is a budget video doorbell, but it delivers where it counts, and the features that come with it are as good as most high-end video doorbells.
As with many door bells, it isn’t fully waterproof, so it will need to be under cover of a veranda or some sort of enclosure. Overall, this is an excellent choice for an inexpensive doorbell camera.
What We Like:
- Low power operation
- Good features
- Inexpensive
What We Don’t Like:
- Not waterproof
3. Ring Video Doorbell – Satin Nickel
The Ring Video Doorbell has most of the features of the Ring Video Doorbell 2 but at half the price. It is easy to install and can run from batteries or be hardwired into your home. It has all the features you need, such as motion detection, infrared night vision, two-way audio, and even a remote activated siren for when there is an intruder in your house.
The resolution is 720p which is pretty good, and the field of view is 180 degrees, so this can cover the whole front of your house if you want. The motion detector is adjustable so that only the areas you want are covered.
Overall, this is a great video doorbell if you want the features of the newer model at a much lower price.
What We Like:
- Easy installation
- Good features
- Inexpensive
What We Don’t Like:
- Older model
4. TMEZON Wireless Wifi Video Doorbell
The Tmezon Wireless Wifi Video Doorbell is both an intercom and a smart doorbell in one. It comes with a seven-inch monitor to install inside your home, and it connects wirelessly to your smartphone as well.
It has a rainproof cover so it is no problem to install at your front door when there is no other covering. Note that this one doesn’t run from batteries, it has to be hardwired into your home which may require a professional if you aren’t tech-savvy.
The features include infra-red night vision, motion detection, two-way audio, and remote unlocking in case you lose your keys or want to let someone in when your not home.
Overall, this is a great video doorbell that can be used with or without a phone.
What We Like:
- Includes its own monitor
- Weatherproof
- Good features
What We Don’t Like:
- No battery option
5. Skybell Wi-fi Video Doorbell
The Skybell HD Wifi Video Doorbell is another high-end doorbell with excellent features and resolution. It records in 1080p HD video and has a five-times zoom, so you can get a really good look at someone’s face if you want to. It is also able to record in full colour at night, so no more black and white nighttime videos.
It has good app integration along with, two-way audio, motion detection, and it allows multiple users to receive notifications when someone rings the doorbell or sets off the motion sensor.
This is a pricey unit but it comes with free cloud storage; there is no monthly cost to save video and photos, so it may be cheaper in the long run.
Overall, this is a great video doorbell for someone who wants the best quality and features without skimping.
What We Like:
- Great features
- High resolution
- Allows multiple users
What We Don’t Like:
- Expensive
Video Doorbell Buyer’s Guide
Video Quality
Video doorbells can have a resolution up to 1080p, with some lower end doorbells going as low as 480p. The higher the resolution the more you will see in the image, so go for the best resolution you can get.
Another important feature is night vision. Many potential problems occur at night, particularly around home security, so a night vision feature is just good sense.
Motion detection is a great feature that will let you know the moment someone approaches your door. Some video doorbells have advanced features that let you set the area to be monitored while ignoring other areas. This way the doorbell won’t be set off by traffic on the street.
It is also important to check the field of view. A good doorbell camera will have a wide enough field of view to cover the area around your door with no blind spots.
Power source
Video doorbells can either be hardwired into your home’s power, or they can run off batteries. If you have an existing electric doorbell, you can simply replace it with a video doorbell as all the wiring should be in place. If there is no doorbell already, you may need a doorbell that runs from batteries.
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Audio
Two-way audio is one of the main benefits of a video doorbell. You can speak to visitors through your phone even when you are not home. This has many advantages. For instance, you can advise a delivery person where to leave your goods.
Software
App support is of key importance. You should look for a video doorbell that has reliable apps that connect fast, not something that loads slowly while the person at your door walks away.
Video storage utilising cloud storage services is also very useful. You can set your doorbell to store footage from any motion alerts on the cloud for a specified period of time.
