How to Choose a Video Doorbell

Easy 10 min read

Video doorbells let you see and speak with visitors from anywhere—whether you are upstairs, at work, or on vacation. They have become essential for package security and general peace of mind. Here is what to consider when choosing one.

Wired vs. Battery-Powered

This is your first and most important decision:

Wired Doorbells

Connect to your existing doorbell wiring (16-24V AC transformer).

  • Pros: No battery charging, continuous power enables better features, slimmer design
  • Cons: Requires existing doorbell wiring, installation is more involved
  • Best for: Homes with existing doorbell wiring, those who want reliability

Battery-Powered Doorbells

Run on rechargeable batteries, mount anywhere.

  • Pros: Install anywhere including rentals, no wiring needed, easy DIY
  • Cons: Need to recharge every 1-6 months, some features limited to save battery
  • Best for: Renters, homes without doorbell wiring, side/back doors

Video Quality

Higher resolution means clearer faces and details:

  • 1080p (Full HD): Standard quality, sufficient for most needs
  • 2K: Noticeably sharper, easier to identify faces
  • 4K: Best detail but requires more storage and bandwidth

Also consider:

  • HDR: Handles bright sunlight and shadows better
  • Color night vision: More useful than black-and-white for identification
  • Field of view: 160-180° captures more of your porch

Detection and Alerts

Motion Detection

All video doorbells detect motion, but quality varies:

  • Basic motion: Triggers on any movement (including cars, trees, animals)
  • Person detection: AI identifies humans to reduce false alerts
  • Package detection: Alerts specifically when packages are delivered or moved
  • Customizable zones: Define areas to monitor or ignore

Storage Options

Cloud Storage (Subscription)

Most brands offer cloud storage plans:

  • Ring Protect: $4/month per device or $10/month for unlimited devices
  • Nest Aware: $6-12/month depending on history length
  • Arlo Secure: $5-15/month depending on features

Without a subscription, most doorbells only show live view—no recorded history.

Local Storage

Some doorbells offer local storage alternatives:

  • microSD card: Store footage locally (Eufy, some others)
  • Home base storage: Eufy and some brands offer local NVR options

Great for privacy-conscious users and avoiding subscription fees.

Smart Home Integration

  • Amazon Alexa: Ring has the deepest integration; can show video on Echo Show, announce visitors
  • Google Home: Nest doorbells work best; can show on Nest Hub displays
  • Apple HomeKit: Limited options—Logitech and some others support HomeKit Secure Video

Top Brands Compared

Ring

Amazon-owned, widest product range, best Alexa integration. Requires subscription for most useful features. Various models from $100-250.

Google Nest

Excellent detection AI, good design, seamless Google Home integration. Subscription needed for video history. Wired and battery options.

Eufy

No subscription required—local storage included. Good video quality, competitive pricing. Less polished app than Ring/Nest.

Budget Guidance

  • $100-150: Entry-level Ring, budget options
  • $150-200: Mid-range Ring/Nest, Eufy with local storage
  • $200-300: Premium models with best video and features

Remember to factor in subscription costs: $40-100/year adds up.

Our Recommendations

Best for Alexa users: Ring Video Doorbell 4 or Pro 2—excellent integration, reliable performance.

Best for Google users: Nest Doorbell (wired or battery)—smart alerts and seamless Google Home experience.

Best without subscription: Eufy Video Doorbell—local storage, no monthly fees, solid performance.

Best for Apple users: Logitech Circle View—one of few with HomeKit Secure Video support.