How to Choose a Smart Doorbell

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Gone are the days when you had to peek through your peephole to see who was at your door. More homeowners are opting for smart doorbells, which allow you to see and talk to visitors no matter where you are. But there are so many options out there that you may not know which one is right for you. In our guide, we’ll explain how to choose a smart doorbell as This Old House Home technology expert, Ross Trethewey, discusses the many special features of these alert systems in our video.

Understanding Smart Doorbell Features

Before we help you decide which smart doorbell to choose, we’ll cover all the different capabilities these devices offer for advanced security and convenience. Keep reading to learn what these user-friendly devices can do.

Video and Audio Capabilities

So many smart doorbells on the market today have high-quality videos and two-way audio communication that links to your smartphone. This means you can see and talk to a visitor at your door whether you’re in your kitchen or running an errand. A few elements to highlight about these capabilities include:

1080p resolution for clear video quality
Night vision for visibility in low-light conditions
Two-way audio for real-time communication
Wide-angle lens to capture a more comprehensive view of your entryway

These features make it easy to monitor and interact with someone who is at your door.

Motion Detection and Alerts

Smart doorbells also come with motion detection. They have sensors that catch activity near your door even before someone rings the bell. Once the smart doorbell recognizes motion, it sends an alert right to your phone. From there, you can check the live video feed and communicate with your visitor.

Homeowners can customize their notification settings and decide how sensitive they want their alert system to be. For example, if you live on a busy street, you can adjust the settings so the system only alerts you when someone is closer to your door instead of every time a car drives by your home.

Cloud Storage and Local Storage Options

Smart doorbells store footage from motion detection or a doorbell ring. This footage can be stored in two ways:

Cloud Storage: Footage is uploaded to the cloud for longer-term storage and easier access. The cloud storage is subscription-based, which means you pay a monthly fee for extensive storage capacity.
Local Storage: The device has built-in memory to store a limited number of recent events, which is helpful if you aren’t interested in paying ongoing subscription costs.

Choosing between these storage types will depend on your budget and whether you really need ongoing access. Keep in mind that cloud storage provides better data security, but local storage is free although limited in capacity. Local storage may also overwrite older events to record new ones.

Power Sources for Smart Doorbells

Smart doorbells need a power source to provide you with videos, two-way audio, and storage. There are two options to power your smart doorbells.

Wired Installation

You can use the low-voltage wiring from your existing doorbell. Since the power source is already set up, you’ll have an easy time transitioning to a smart doorbell. Wired devices offer these advantages:

Continuous power supply for reliability
No need to recharge batteries, reducing maintenance
Often slimmer design due to lack of internal battery

Battery-Powered Options

If your home doesn’t have existing doorbell wiring, you can choose a battery-powered model. These devices provide:

Ability to place the doorbell anywhere near your door
Easy installation without the need for wiring
Rechargeable batteries that typically last 1–6 months

In the video, Trethewey explains that the battery-powered smart doorbells are much larger and the battery life varies depending on how often you use it and how cold it is outside.

Wi-Fi Connectivity and Signal Strength for Smart Doorbells

Smart doorbells aren’t very effective if you don’t have a strong Wi-Fi connection outside your house. Before you buy one, evaluate your current connection and consider boosting it to accommodate a smart doorbell’s needs. We’ll explain how you can test your Wi-Fi and improve the signal in this section.

Testing Wi-Fi Signal Strength

To check your Wi-Fi signal:

Use a speed test app on your smartphone.
Stand at the location where you plan to install the doorbell.
Run the test to check your connection speed.

As Trethewey mentions in the video, a speed of 2–3 megabytes per second isn’t going to give you enough of a signal for smooth video streaming. You’ll need a higher speed for video recordings and a crisp response. Otherwise, your video will be choppy and the doorbell could disconnect.

Improving Wi-Fi Coverage

Having adequate bandwidth will prevent lags and interruptions, providing you with smooth and reliable service from your smart doorbell. If you’ve tested your Wi-Fi and discovered that there’s a weak signal near your front door, consider these solutions:

Add a Wi-Fi extender to boost your signal.
Move your router closer to the front of your house.
Upgrade to a mesh Wi-Fi system for better overall coverage.

Remember that brick, stucco and other building materials can interfere with Wi-Fi signals, so you may need to take extra steps to get a strong connection. Making sure that you have a strong signal in place before you install your smart doorbell will reduce frustrations linked to connectivity issues.

Smart Doorbell Privacy and Security Considerations

Although smart doorbells provide you with enhanced security, there are some privacy concerns. If someone hacks your device, they might gain access to recordings and conversations or if you’ve linked it to a smart doorlock, they could enter your home. There are a few ways to protect your footage and home, which we cover below.

Encryption and Authentication

Look for devices that offer robust security features:

256-bit encryption to protect your data from unauthorized access.
Regular software updates to address security vulnerabilities.
Two-factor authentication to prevent unauthorized access.

Data Handling Policies

Before purchasing a smart doorbell, make sure you review the manufacturer’s privacy policy and look for information regarding:

How your data is stored and used.
The company’s policy on data breaches and notifications.
Whether data is shared with third parties.

As Trethewey advises in the video, read the fine print regarding data handling and privacy policies so that you understand how to protect your personal information from third-party intrusions.

Addressing Common Smart Doorbell Concerns

While smart doorbells offer several advantages, they do come with some potential drawbacks.

False Alerts

You may receive false alerts if the sensor detects animals, cars, or even changes in light. To minimize this issue:

Adjust the sensitivity settings of your device.
Set up specific motion zones to focus on important areas.
Use AI-powered features that can distinguish between people, animals, and vehicles.

You can fine-tune settings to decrease the number of alerts, but they aren’t foolproof so you still could receive unwarranted notifications every so often.

Integration with Other Smart Home Devices

As we continue to use advanced technology throughout our homes, you must consider how a smart doorbell will fit into your existing smart home ecosystem. Many devices can connect to:

Smart displays to show live video feeds
Smart locks for convenient entry management
Voice assistants for hands-free control

Just remember that you may have increased security risks if you connect multiple devices and aren’t properly monitoring them.

Smart Doorbell Pricing and Value Considerations

Smart doorbell prices have become more competitive since the technology has matured. You can find a basic model for around $50 while more advanced options can cost $500*.

When evaluating price, consider:

Long-term costs, including potential subscription fees for cloud storage.
The device’s expected lifespan and warranty coverage.
The features that are most important to you.

Although paying higher prices probably means you’ll get more features, it doesn’t always mean the smart doorbell is more reliable. We recommend you read reviews and check the manufacturer’s policy before choosing your smart doorbell.

*Cost data in this section sourced from Angi

Our Conclusion

Answering your door has never been easier thanks to the advanced technology of smart doorbells. Figuring out which one is right for your home depends on features, connectivity, security, and budget. Consider your specific needs and Wi-Fi connection, so you can select a device that enhances your home’s security and convenience.

Resources

Trethewey explains how smart doorbells work, and displayed five different models:

Expert assistance with this segment was provided by Ring.