Best Smart Video Doorbells: 2022 Update | Reviews + Buyer’s Guide (2022)
Smart doorbells first arrived with the 2015 release of Ring, and they’ve continued to grow in popularity ever since. One of the key benefits to a smart doorbell is to allow people to see and talk to visitors in a different way than they currently can – video. All the video doorbells listed below support HD video, while several also offer other video formats. If you do not see a model below that does, most of them offer wide-angle night vision, which gives you an excellent view of your doorstep even during the nighttime hours.
What Makes a Smart Doorbell Different from a Free Video Doorbell
Many people have been hesitant to invest in a smart doorbell for one main reason – it requires an internet connection. While video doorbells are relatively inexpensive, even the more basic ones, you’re always at the mercy of your internet provider, so if the signal is down or there’s a connection outage, you’re out of luck. The best solution is to have a separate home router for your internet connection. When a smart doorbell connects to your home’s Wi-Fi network, it also has the ability to send you alerts, so you’ll be notified if the doorbell detects activity on your front porch.
Smart doorbells also come equipped with chimes, which makes ringing them a bit quieter than traditional doorbells – as long as you have a decent-sized home, you shouldn’t experience much of an issue with this. Things get a little tricky with smart doorbells that are wireless. While they are considerably more convenient than wired models, if your power goes out, or your Wi-Fi is suddenly unavailable, you’re out of luck. Wireless doorbells rely on a physical connection, meaning that if the Wi-Fi goes out, you will also lose connectivity with the doorbell. Most of the smart doorbells listed below have their own dedicated apps, which can be used with a smartphone or tablet to allow the owner to remotely see and respond to activity.
These apps also enable you to set up alerts so you’ll be notified when a visitor rings the doorbell. If you’re looking for the best smart doorbell with Wi-Fi, it’s hard to go wrong with a Ring Video Doorbell 2, our top pick. It offers HD video, smart alerts, and an easy-to-use app that allows you to remotely access your doorbell. Ring is also a leader in video doorbell technology, which means the doorbell has fast and easy detection that prevents the doorbell from ringing or chimes from being heard. Let’s review other smart video doorbells of 2022:
1. Ring Video Doorbell Pro – The Best Feature-Packed Smart Video Doorbell
Topping our list is the Ring Video Doorbell Pro, which is a smart doorbell that includes all of the bells and whistles that you’ll need. This device is compatible with smartphones and tablets, has an HD, motion-detecting camera, and can even be installed outside of your home, which is always a nice touch. This doorbell also has an HD speaker that lets you speak with visitors, and a chime that lets you know when a visitor rings the doorbell.
This Ring doorbell features live video streaming, and you can view that footage on your smartphone or tablet. It has a rechargeable battery and has a wireless range of up to 100 feet, meaning it can be installed almost anywhere. The doorbell has night vision and night-switching, which means it can switch between day and night vision, which is very helpful if you have pets or children who are always making noise.
2. August Smart Lock Pro – The Best Smart Lock
August is another smart doorbell that makes it easy for you to see who’s at your door. This doorbell has a built-in camera that enables you to see who’s at your door, and you can even set up alerts so you can check on activity at any time. It also comes with a Bluetooth keychain with the August Connect™ app, which allows you to lock and unlock the door remotely. With August, you can also remotely activate your porch light, turn on lights and open doors, and even remotely close the garage door.
It also has a built-in microphone and speaker, so you can answer and make calls, or even listen to music on your smartphone through the August app. The August Smart Lock Pro also features two key fobs, and one of them is a backup if you lose the other one. August smart lock comes with three wireless keys so you can replace one of the three if you lose or damage the spare. The August Smart Lock Pro is compatible with iPhones, iPads, and even Androids.
3. Skybell HD Smart Doorbell – The Best Wi-Fi Video Doorbell
If you want a Wi-Fi video doorbell that’s compatible with Android and iOS devices, the Skybell HD Smart Doorbell is the best option on our list. This doorbell can be set up in seconds and easily syncs with your smartphone and tablet. This Wi-Fi video doorbell allows you to see and speak with anyone that comes to your door, and the doorbell has the option to send live video and alerts to your phone. This doorbell has a 1080p HD camera with night-vision and a motion-detection system that won’t let the doorbell ring or chime once it’s been triggered.
The doorbell has a rechargeable battery that lasts up to four hours on standby and lasts for about 20 days on a full charge. The Skybell HD is also the top choice among our reader’s, earning an Editors’ Choice award. One reader said, “I bought it for a friend, and she loves it! We’re in separate towns with separate doorbells, so she’s now getting used to the system. The motion detection is even triggered if we get up, enter the room, and pass in front of the camera.” Another said, “Very convenient. I can use it from anywhere.”
4. Vivint Smart Home Doorbell – The Best for Cybersecurity
The Vivint Smart Home Doorbell is a Wi-Fi doorbell that features built-in cameras that make it easy for you to see who is at your door. This doorbell comes with a rechargeable battery that is good for around two hours on a full charge, but you can easily get around three hours of video with just the power of your USB charger.
It has a 5MP camera that has night-vision and HDR recording, and if someone presses your doorbell, it will connect to your smartphone and allow you to speak to them through the app. You can also disable the camera and receive alerts if someone enters your property, and you can even check footage directly through the app. The Vivint Smart Home Doorbell also comes with a HD, rechargeable battery that lasts up to six months and lasts for about 18 hours on standby.
5. Kidde Digital Wireless Smoke Alarm
If you want to protect your family from fire or carbon monoxide hazards, the Kidde Digital Wireless Smoke Alarm is the best choice. This alarm system has two different keypads, one that allows you to create a password and lock the alarm in case you need to leave your home and the second one to activate an alarm. It is a wireless alarm that is easy to install. This smoke alarm has an extremely loud, 12-decibel alarm, and it sends a voice notification to your phone to alert you when the alarm is triggered.
The alarm also comes with two external, 2-hour battery packs that you can use to replace the battery if you ever need to. The Kidde Digital Wireless Smoke Alarm has more than 1,000 reviews on Amazon with a near perfect 4.2 out of 5-star rating average. One reviewer said, “Really loud, too. Other alarms are similar but quieter. Two batteries last quite a while. There is a keypad that allows you to set a password and lock the alarm in case of emergency. Did we mention it is loud?”
6. Honeywell Total Connect Wi-Fi Security Camera
The Honeywell Total Connect Wi-Fi Security Camera is an indoor, 720p HD security camera that works with your Android or iOS smartphone or tablet. It is a Wi-Fi camera that allows you to set up live video from your mobile device, view all of your security cameras at once, and create an indoor and outdoor map. So, it comes with two-way audio and night vision and motion detection and is sold in red, white, or blue. It is one of the best choices for outdoor security cameras. The Honeywell Total Connect Wi-Fi Security Camera is one of the best home security cameras, earning an Editors’ Choice award.
One reader said, “It’s easy to use, and the connection speed is great. I could watch the view on my tablet while I was talking on the phone and the image stayed smooth. I don’t have any issues with sound either. It has multiple options, including a night vision mode.” Another said, “Smart home security cameras can be hit or miss, but Honeywell’s Total Connect Wi-Fi Security Camera is an exception to that rule. Its intuitive app and clever, effective features make it a great purchase. It includes 1080p HD video and two-way audio that works with the app or through a mobile device with a mic. And, its smartphone and tablet apps allow you to manage and view all of your Honeywell security cameras from one location. It’s a premium product for a premium price, and it offers a whole lot more than the competition in a great, simple package.”
7. Samsung SmartThings Home Monitoring Kit
The Samsung SmartThings Home Monitoring Kit is a Wi-Fi smart home monitoring system that you can control from your smartphone. You can use it to arm and disarm the alarm system and check live footage from your cameras using the SmartThings app. It also works with Amazon’s Alexa voice assistant and a collection of other SmartThings connected devices. The kit is sold in bundles with the SmartThings Switch, which allows you to turn appliances on or off.
You can purchase it alone as well as the SmartThings Hub, which comes with one smart plug, two switches, a motion sensor, and a contact sensor. One of the best things about this system is that it can work with third-party services, including Amazon’s Echo Plus and Fire TV, enabling you to control your smart home using your voice. The system and devices are compatible with a variety of Samsung SmartThings gadgets.
8. Ring Floodlight Cam
The Ring Floodlight Cam is a Wi-Fi outdoor security camera that mounts on your home’s exterior or is installed inside your home. It works with your existing Ring doorbell, allowing you to view live footage of activity around your home. It has a range of up to 100 feet, night vision, two-way talk, and free lifetime cloud recording of 1080p video. The camera is also waterproof, so it can be installed in an outdoor environment.
Ring offers a variety of accessories for the Floodlight Cam. One of the best things about this device is its price. One of the longest lines we have encountered while shopping for an outdoor camera is for the Ring Floodlight Cam, but it is affordable and highly effective. As we said, it provides some of the best features we’ve seen in an outdoor camera.
Conclusion
With so many wireless cameras on the market today, it can be difficult to choose one, but there are plenty of good options. Our selections are based on whether the camera is primarily designed for indoor or outdoor use, how easy it is to install, whether it works with other smart home devices, and how well it does at delivering clear, crisp video in high-quality, no-lag streaming.
We are also paying attention to how easy it is to setup, how easy it is to use, and how easy it is to upload footage to the cloud. You will also want to think about your budget, as most of the above-mentioned cameras are more expensive than the average residential security camera, but we think you get what you pay for.
Must Read: Best Smart Home Hubs in 2022