Video doorbell FAQ
How does a video doorbell work?
Wireless video doorbells are essentially internet-connected security cameras, equipped with a push button to trigger a bell or a smart notification to your phone. They also have specialised lenses, designed to better capture motion in front of a porch.
When somebody rings the doorbell or – if you have activated the feature – when its motion-sensing spots movement, an alert is sent to your phone.
Wireless video doorbells allow you see who’s at your front door without opening it, as well as recording footage of visitors. Video can be recorded on memory storage within the doorbell or in the cloud. Cloud storage requires a subscription.
The majority of wireless video doorbells are battery-powered, though many can also be connected to an existing doorbell’s wiring. Solar-charged models (like the EzViz), and even PoE (Power over Ethernet) doorbells are also available.
What to consider when buying a video doorbell
There are a few aspects to think about before narrowing down a shortlist. The first is to decide whether you want your doorbell to be battery-powered or hardwired. “Battery-powered doorbells offer greater flexibility, with battery life usually lasting up to 12 months,” says Argos’s Andy Dean. “All you need to do is plug them in to charge and you’re ready to go. However, you will definitely need to recharge or replace the batteries at some stage, so bear in mind the doorbell will be inactive for the duration”.
“With powered wireless doorbells, however, you won’t need to worry about battery life,” he continues, “though they need hard-wiring to a power source and – potentially – a paid for professional installation.”
The second key question you’ll need to answer is whether you want a doorbell with built-in video storage, or one that uses online cloud storage. “Many video doorbells actually work great without a subscription,” says Dean, “you can still see who’s at the door, talk to the delivery driver, and so on.
“The advantage of a subscription is that it saves all the captured footage to the cloud, so you can refer back to old recordings if need be. Some video doorbells take memory cards, as an alternative to subscriptions, though, of course, you’ll lose recordings if your doorbell gets stolen.”
Beyond that, you should also consider whether you want a doorbell that supports some level of smart home integration, most likely Alexa, Google Assistant or IFTT-based. Depending on the system you choose, you can get doorbell alerts on a host of displays and speakers that may be dotted around the house.
In truth, though, many people are just happy if there’s an audible chime, of some sort, that makes a sound when somebody is detected or rings the doorbell, accompanied, of course, by promptly delivered smartphone notifications.
How much should you spend on a video doorbell?
Entry-level ‘no-name’ wireless video doorbells start at around £30, rising to between £160 and £200 for premium, all-singing, all-dancing models. But heavy discounts on wireless video doorbells are very common, so it’s worth keeping a keen eye out for price-drops on your shortlisted models.
Do doorbell cameras record all the time?
“Most video doorbells do not record continuously,” says Dean. “They typically start recording when the doorbell button is pressed or when motion is detected. Some models offer continuous recording as an optional feature, but this often requires a subscription to a cloud storage service.”
Which doorbell camera is best without subscription?
“Eufy’s wireless video doorbells are a great subscription-free option,” advises Dean. They offer excellent video quality, local storage via a microSD card and don’t require any ongoing fees to access your recordings.”
Which doorbell has the best night vision?
“Ring’s wireless video doorbells are well known for their night vision capabilities,’ says Dean. They use infrared technology and low-light sensors to capture clear footage, even in dimly lit conditions.”