We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Shopping Home Products The 7 Best Doorbell Cameras, Tested on Our Front Porches Keep an eye on your home from anywhere By Camryn Rabideau Camryn Rabideau Camryn Rabideau is a writer and product reviewer specializing in home, kitchen, and pet products. In her 8+ years of experience as a product tester, she's reviewed hundreds of items firsthand, and her work appears in publications such as PEOPLE, The Spruce, Homes & Gardens, and more. People Editorial Guidelines Published on September 18, 2024 06:15AM EDT In This Article View All In This Article Our Top Picks Reviews Others We Tried What to Know Behind the Scenes Why Trust PEOPLE? What Is PEOPLE Tested? Photo: People / Sarah Naftzger Ever wish you could see who’s at the front door before you answer it? Doorbell cameras let you screen and greet visitors right from your smartphone — even if you’re not home. These high-tech devices also double as security cameras, capturing what’s happening outside your door all day and night (the best doorbell cameras give you good nighttime visuals even if you don’t have outdoor lights). Experts Say "While doorbell cameras are primarily for identifying visitors, people end up using them for all sorts of things, from tracking deliveries to monitoring activity around their homes.” —Kirk Macdowell, home security expert at Batten Safe To find the best video doorbells, we tested eight popular models at our homes, logging over 6,000 hours of video footage in the process. We evaluated each product on its setup process, design, features, and ease of use. The following seven models proved to be effective security tools we’d recommend for any home. Our Top Picks Best Overall Doorbell Camera: SALE Arlo Video Doorbell 2K (2nd Generation) at Amazon $130 $60 Jump to Review Best Budget Doorbell Camera: Blink Video Doorbell + Sync Module 2 at Amazon $70 Jump to Review Best Wireless Doorbell Camera: SALE eufy Security Video Doorbell at Amazon $200 $120 Jump to Review Best Wired Doorbell Camera: Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2 at Amazon $230 Jump to Review Best Wired Doorbell Camera (Less Expensive): Ring Video Doorbell Wired at Amazon $50 Jump to Review Best Doorbell Camera Without a Subscription: Google Nest Doorbell 2nd Gen at Amazon $180 Jump to Review Best Doorbell Camera for Apartments: SALE Eufy Video Doorbell 2K at Amazon $180 $109 Jump to Review Best Overall Doorbell Camera Arlo Video Doorbell 2K (2nd Generation) PHOTO: Amazon $130 $60 at Amazon View on Arlo.com $80 at Best Buy Star Qualities Wired or wireless installation options High-quality video footage Clear two-way audio Extra-wide field of view Red Flags Slight video lag Occasionally flags animals as people Throughout testing, the Arlo 2K Video Doorbell proved to be a versatile and easy-to-use security tool, and, as a bonus, it’s more affordable than many other models. This doorbell camera was easy to set up, and we love that it can either be wired into your home's power or run off batteries, depending on what’s more convenient for you. This doorbell delivered crisp, clear video footage and had the widest field of view of all the models we tested. Its motion detection was able to accurately identify people within the frame, and we were able to clearly speak with delivery drivers using the camera’s two-way audio. We tested it in Florida, where the temperature was often 100 degrees with an average of 90 percent humidity, and the camera had no performance issues despite the extreme weather. The Arlo Video Doorbell does require a subscription for use and plans start at $7.99 per month. We also noticed that the video occasionally lagged, and the app's motion detection occasionally labeled dogs as humans. Dimensions: 1.85 x 1.45 x 5.63 inches | Type: Wired or wireless | Resolution: 2K | Field of View: 180 degrees diagonal PHOTO: People / Sarah Naftzger PHOTO: People / Sarah Naftzger PHOTO: People / Sarah Naftzger PHOTO: People / Sarah Naftzger PHOTO: People / Sarah Naftzger Experts Say “Everyone should have a doorbell camera these days. They provide a significant measure of security and crime deterrence in monitoring your front door and recording suspicious activity.” —Harry Kazakian, Los Angeles–based private investigator Best Budget Doorbell Camera Blink Video Doorbell + Sync Module 2 PHOTO: Amazon $70 at Amazon $70 at Home Depot $90 at Staples Star Qualities Informative, user-friendly app Adjustable motion detection settings Syncs with other Blink security devices Red Flags Limited chime options Slight delay in two-way audio The Blink Video Doorbell performed excellently in our testing — and we love that it's under $100. It’s another option that can be used wired or wirelessly, giving you more flexibility with installation. We also found its app to be user-friendly, offering lots of helpful information. The footage it recorded was smooth and clear, and we loved that you could adjust the motion detection sensitivity so, for instance, it wouldn’t be triggered by car traffic on the street in front of the house. Blink offers two subscription plans for this camera that start at $3 per month and the doorbell cam can be synced up with other Blink security devices through the app. However, because it’s a more basic product, there are limited chime options for the doorbell, and we also noticed a slight delay when testing its two-way audio. Dimensions: 1.7 x 1 x 5.1 inches | Type: Wired or wireless | Resolution: 1080p | Field of View: 135 degrees horizontal, 80 degrees vertical PHOTO: People / Michele Hanson PHOTO: People / Michele Hanson PHOTO: People / Michele Hanson PHOTO: People / Michele Hanson PHOTO: People / Michele Hanson Pro Tip! “Avoid placing the camera in direct sunlight, as it can affect visibility. It’s best to install it at a 45-degree angle facing away from where the sun rises or sets, if possible.” —Kirk Macdowell Best Wireless Doorbell Camera eufy Security Video Doorbell PHOTO: Amazon $200 $120 at Amazon Star Qualities Dual cameras for wider field of view AI motion detection reduces false alarms No subscription fee Red Flags Requires Eufy HomeBase (sold separately) for operation Slightly choppy video The Eufy S330 Video Doorbell has a battery-powered design, so it can't be hard-wired into your home for installation. This wireless model impressed us with its dual-camera design, which provides a wide view of the scene outside your door, as well as a close-up view of packages left on the ground. The Eufy camera also has AI motion detection, and we found that it helps to reduce false alarms that would be triggered by things like cars passing in the distance. Another major selling point of this video doorbell is that it doesn’t require a monthly subscription, but the caveat is that you have to purchase the Eufy HomeBase before you can set it up. We also noticed that the video can occasionally be a bit choppy, but not so much so that it detracts from the footage. Dimensions: 2.1 x 1.1 x 6.5 inches | Type: Wireless | Resolution: 2K | Field of View: Front camera 160 degrees, package camera 97 degrees PHOTO: People / Henry Yung PHOTO: People / Henry Yung PHOTO: People / Henry Yung PHOTO: People / Henry Yung PHOTO: People / Henry Yung Best Wired Doorbell Camera Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2 PHOTO: Best Buy $230 at Amazon $230 at Best Buy View on Pcrichard.com Star Qualities Clear video footage, both day and night Minimal false alarms thanks to advanced motion detection Easy to integrate with Alexa Red Flags Muffled audio from visitors Some features are gimmicky If you already have a doorbell hardwired into your home, the Ring Video Doorbell Pro is our top recommendation. It’s slightly more complicated to install than a wireless option, but the brand offers lots of documentation and hardware to make the DIY process as seamless as possible. Once the camera was set up, it provided impressively clear video footage and we loved that you could zoom in on the images without them getting grainy. The doorbell’s advanced motion detection also proved handy and only sent us push notifications when a person was detected, reducing the number of false alarms. This video doorbell can be integrated with Amazon Alexa for even more features and Ring offers three subscription plans starting at $4.99 per month. While the video quality was great, we were a bit disappointed with the incoming audio, which was muffled unless visitors spoke close to the doorbell. Additionally, some of the features were a bit gimmicky, such as the Bird’s Eye View, which provides an aerial location of people in your yard. Dimensions: 1.9 x 0.87 x 4.49 inches | Type: Wired | Resolution: 1536p | Field of View: 150 degrees horizontal, 150 degrees vertical PHOTO: People / Lucas Peters PHOTO: People / Lucas Peters PHOTO: People / Lucas Peters PHOTO: People / Lucas Peters PHOTO: People / Lucas Peters Best Wired Doorbell Camera (Less Expensive) Ring Video Doorbell Wired PHOTO: Amazon $50 at Amazon $50 at Home Depot $65 at Dell Star Qualities High-quality video footage Minimal false alarms from motion detection Integrates with other Alexa devices Red Flags Doesn’t connect to pre-existing chimes If you don’t mind a doorbell with fewer features, the wired Ring Video Doorbell is a budget-friendly option that delivers high-quality video footage. Similar to the brand's higher-end Pro model, this camera was able to accurately differentiate between people and other sources of movement, resulting in very few false alarms. We also liked that it can be easily integrated with Amazon Alexa devices for voice commands or to monitor the video feed. The biggest downside of this Ring camera is that, despite being a wired model, it doesn’t work with your home’s existing doorbell chime. Instead, it solely sends notifications to your phone if someone is at the door. Dimensions: 1.81 x 0.88 x 3.98 inches | Type: Wired | Resolution: 1080p | Field of View: 155 degrees horizontal, 90 degrees vertical PHOTO: People / Maggie Sperduti-Matesevac PHOTO: People / Maggie Sperduti-Matesevac PHOTO: People / Maggie Sperduti-Matesevac PHOTO: People / Maggie Sperduti-Matesevac Best Doorbell Camera Without a Subscription Google Nest Doorbell 2nd Gen PHOTO: Best Buy $180 $155 at Amazon $180 at Target $160 at Walmart Star Qualities No monthly subscription needed Detailed video footage Clear two-way audio Red Flags More complicated to install Limited smart home integration Many video doorbells require a monthly subscription to access key features, but the Google Nest Doorbell is one of the few that you can use without a recurring expense. Its motion detection alerts, two-way audio, and high-quality live streaming are all free to use, and you also get three hours of saved event history for free. The video quality from this camera was clear and detailed, and the audio was easy to understand even when it was raining. This wired doorbell is a bit more complicated to install than others, as it requires a compatible chime and transformer, which are sold separately. Additionally, while it works with Amazon Alexa, it can’t be integrated with Apple smart home devices — something to keep in mind if you predominantly use the HomeKit ecosystem. Dimensions: 1.7 x 1.1 x 5.2 inches | Type: Wired | Resolution: 1280p | Field of View: 145 degrees diagonal PHOTO: People / Margot Cavin PHOTO: People / Margot Cavin PHOTO: People / Margot Cavin PHOTO: People / Margot Cavin PHOTO: People / Margot Cavin Best Doorbell Camera for Apartments Eufy Video Doorbell 2K PHOTO: Amazon $180 $109 at Amazon $109 at Walmart View on Eufy.com Star Qualities Smooth, clear video feed No monthly subscription fee No delay on two-way audio Red Flags App tries to upsell other products Requires HomeBase device The battery-powered Eufy S220 Doorbell is easy to install, making it well-suited for those living in apartments. If you ever move, you can uninstall the unit in minutes and take it with you. It will allow you to see what’s going on outside your door with its crisp, smooth video footage. This doorbell comes with the brand’s HomeBase, which needs to be hooked up to your internet modem for the camera to operate. This extra device means the upfront cost is a bit higher but it also means there’s no monthly subscription fee. The two-way audio is clear and lag-free, and you can even set up custom activity zones for motion detection. However, the app isn’t the most user-friendly of those we tested — it tends to try to upsell you on other Eufy devices instead of making it easy to access the camera’s features. Dimensions: 2.1 x 1.1 x 5.5 inches | Type: Wireless | Resolution: 2K | Field of View: 160 degrees PHOTO: People / Kelly Lewis PHOTO: People / Kelly Lewis PHOTO: People / Kelly Lewis Other Doorbell Cameras We Tried Wyze Wireless Video Doorbell Pro: This battery-powered camera can be installed without any drilling, which is handy for renters. While you can technically use it without a monthly subscription, its features are limited unless you pay the added fee. Still, the footage it captured was clear and the motion detection accurate, but its battery needed to be recharged every few days and the app wasn’t as user-friendly as others. People / Annabell Canela What to Know About Doorbell Cameras Wired vs. Wireless There are two main styles of doorbell cameras: wired and wireless. Wired models are designed to be hardwired into your home’s electrical system, typically using the wires from an existing doorbell. While still a DIY process, these models are more complicated to install and may require more tools, but they don’t need to be recharged and can usually work with your home’s existing doorbell chime. Wireless doorbell cameras are easier to install and ideal for renters, as they can be taken down in a snap if you ever move. The caveat is that their batteries only last for so long and may run down quickly if there are a higher-than-average amount of motion alerts. Some wireless doorbells have rechargeable batteries, while others use standard-sized disposable batteries like AA or AAA. You'll get alerts on your phone when it's time to recharge or change the battery. Camera Resolution Another factor to look at when selecting a doorbell camera is its video quality. Models with higher resolution may be more expensive, but they’ll capture clearer images that let you keep a close eye on everything within view, from your outdoor furniture and yard decor to packages left on your doorstep: “You want a higher resolution, at least 1080 pixels or better, to ensure clear images and videos, and a good field of view to capture more of the scene, so look for a wide-angle lens of about 160 degrees,” recommends Harry Kazakian, Los Angeles–based private investigator. Monthly Fees One downside of doorbell cameras — and other smart security devices and pet cameras — is that they often require a monthly subscription to access pivotal features like cloud storage for your videos. For video doorbells, you may also need to pay a recurring fee if you want the ability to receive smart motion alerts. These fees are generally a few dollars per month and many brands offer multiple subscription plans depending on the features you want. Don’t want to pay a recurring fee? There are a few doorbell cameras that can be used without a subscription, such as those from Eufy and Google Nest. Price Range You can find budget-friendly doorbell cameras starting around $50. These models tend to be basic with limited features, but they do the job. Mid-priced cameras cost between $80 and $120, and the latest models with high-tech features sell for $150 or higher. Don’t forget to factor in the cost of required hubs, mounting hardware, and other supplies that might not be included with your camera. If you’re installing a wired camera and don’t have an existing doorbell set up, you may also need to hire an electrician to run the appropriate connections into your home. People / Henry Yung Behind the Scenes We tested eight doorbell cameras, which were installed at the homes of our product testers. In total, we logged 6,700 hours of testing and monitored more than 70 package deliveries. In the end, we found that the main differences between these video doorbells boiled down to ease of installation, available features, and how well the system integrates into the user's existing life. Here’s what we looked at for each product: Setup: We tested both wired and wireless doorbell cameras, and our testers installed the units at their homes. We noted how easy the product was to set up, whether any special tools were required, and if the camera easily paired with its app.Design: While testing the video doorbells, we considered how well they stayed in place while mounted, whether the design felt durable and weather-resistant, and how easy they were to use. We also evaluated the quality of their live video feed, stored footage, and motion detection alerts.Features: We compared the features available on each doorbell camera with and without a monthly subscription. We also tested common features like two-way audio, night vision, adjustable motion settings, and virtual assistant compatibility.Value: Finally, we considered the price of each camera — including any necessary accessories or monthly fees — in relation to its overall performance. At the end of testing, we tallied up all our scores, and seven of the doorbell cameras we tested earned a four out of five or higher. Our top performer was the Arlo 2K Video Doorbell, which has the widest field of view and can be installed wired or wirelessly. People / Lucas Peters Why Trust PEOPLE? Camryn Rabideau is a writer and product reviewer specializing in home, kitchen, and pet products. In her over six years of experience as a product tester, she's reviewed many smart security cameras, including several video doorbells. Her work appears in publications such as PEOPLE, The Spruce, and Homes & Gardens. While writing this article, Camryn reviewed the firsthand results from our product testers, using their insights on each product’s setup, ease of use, and performance. She also spoke with two security experts for additional information on the benefits of doorbell cameras and how to best use them for security at home. Our Expert Panel Kirk Macdowell is a home security expert at Batten Safe and the CEO of MacGuard Security Advisors. Harry Kazakian is a Los Angeles–based private investigator and founder of USA Express Legal and Investigative Services. What Is PEOPLE Tested? We created the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval to help you find the very best products for your life. We use our unique methodology to test products in three labs across the country and with our network of home testers to determine their effectiveness, durability, ease of use, and so much more. Based on the results, we rate and recommend products so you can find the right one for your needs. But we don’t stop there: We also regularly re-review the categories in which we’ve awarded the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval — because the best product of today might not be the best of tomorrow. And by the way, companies can never buy our recommendation: Their products must earn it, fair and square. In short, PEOPLE Tested provides recommendations you can trust — every day, every purchase.