As well as actively deterring criminal opportunists and making it easy to keep an eye on your home, from any location, a smart doorbell will provide invaluable reassurance if you – or a relative – are nervous about opening the door to a stranger. Plus, it makes the process of receiving parcels easier and more efficient.
Worthy of the top spot on our list, offers everything you need in your next smart doorbell. Here's why it's our top rated product:
Stylish design
Boasting a slim and neat design, this smart doorbell will fit right on to your doorframe, ensuring it does the job without ruining the aesthetics of your entrance.
Wide angle perspective
Providing an impressive 160 degree view of your front door, it's easy to see who's directly outside and around your property, without having to open your front door.
Voice communication
Communicate, verbally, with visitors to your home, thanks to handy two way audio. This is perfect if you're co-ordinating deliveries with your postman – from work, a holiday, or elsewhere – or want to let a visitor know that you're five minutes away from home.
Facial recognition
If you're really concerned about security, it's also possible to set up facial recognition. Perfect for the elderly, or those who find the prospect of strangers at the door, unnerving, this model can inform you when regular visitors are at the door, for peace of mind.
Easy to use
Connecting this video doorbell to a smart phone app is easy, so tech-novices needn't be put off by a complex set-up system.
Factors worth considering
Unlike some smart doorbells, such as Ring Video Doorbell 2, Nest Hello does need to be wired in, which may be an inconvenience for some and especially those who rent their homes. But, in the long-term, at least you'll never have to change the batteries.
It's also worth noting that you will have to pay for add-ons such as facial recognition, but without them the product still becomes quickly indispensable.
Designed with renters in mind, there's no need to worry about wires with our next best pick, the . You'll find everything you need to know about it in our comprehensive Ring Doorbell 2 review. Or, for a quick overview, keep reading:
Does not require hard wiring
Perfect for those who rent, or anticipate themselves moving in the not too distant future, this model does not require hard wiring. Rather, its powered by lithium powered batteries, which can be removed and recharged with ease. Pick up two packs and you'll never have to go without a charge.
If you don't like the sound of having to recharge batteries, it's also worth noting that Ring offer a wired version, too.
Full HD 1080p camera
Equipped with a full HD 1080p camera and an impressively wide field of view, expect high quality video footage delivered straight to your smartphone. So, whether you're at your desk, at the beach or simply lounging, upstairs, in bed, you're guaranteed clear perspective on exactly who's at the door.
Two way audio
This model also features two-way audio, making it a great video intercom system for co-ordinating deliveries or visitors.
Functions as a regular doorbell, too
With the addition of a Chime Pro device, this model acts as a regular doorbell, too, which is ideal for those who don’t always have their phone on them.
Factors worth considering
The design of this model is slightly less sleek and slimline than some of the other options available. But, really, this comes down to personal preference.
Perfect for those who are setting up a comprehensive smart home system, the comes with all the perks of the other video doorbells from Ring, as well as some extra special features. Here's everything you need to know about it:
Alexa compatible
Compatible with smart assistant, Alexa, you no longer need to have your smart phone, in hand, to see who's at the door. Simply communicate via a smart speaker or – if you have the Amazon Echo Show – view your visitor live, on screen.
Answer your door from anywhere
As you'd expect from a video doorbell, it's easy to see who's at the door, wherever you are. But, what sets this model apart is its built-in motion detection, which allows users to be notified if it detects that there's someone outside.
This further enhances home security, as users are no longer reliant on someone ringing the doorbell – or frantically checking their camera – to know if someone is there.
Slimline design
Unlike other offerings from Ring, this model also boasts a sleek and stylish design that won't ruin the aesthetic of your entrance.
Factors worth considering
Unfortunately, unlike other models available from Ring, there’s no option for a rechargeable battery, but reviewers say if you have an existing doorbell connection then setting up is quick and easy.
If you're trying to do smart home tech on a budget, the is the one for you. Here's everything it has to offer:
Simple to set up
Another very welcome wireless video doorbell for those without an existing doorbell connection, the iseeBell is superbly simple to set up, and will cost you less than half of what the Ring Video Doorbell 2 will, too.
Wide angle
Enjoy a 180 degree field of vision, delivered straight to your smart phone. Plus, the option to view content sent to the cloud.
Two way communication
Despite it's price, this model boasts a whole host of high-end features, including two-way audio, which allows users to communicate with whoever should show up at the front door.
Night vision
Perfect for the elderly, or those who are concerned about personal safety when the sun goes down, night vision allows users to see who's outside, however dark it is.
Factors worth considering
Well, the camera quality isn’t the best. At 720p, it’s a bit of a step down from the 1080p of our previous picks, but if that isn’t a deal-breaker for you, we'd more than recommend this handy video doorbell.
The futuristic-looking is certainly an eye-catcher, making it a good deterrent for would-be criminals casing the joint. Here's why it made our top list:
Store video footage
What sets this model apart from the others in our list is its ability to store and play back video captured over the past seven days, which may come in handy should you ever be a victim of crime. The same service with a Ring doorbell is £25 a year, so it’s certainly worth considering.
Full HD 1080p video
As with our top two models, the SkyBell also offers high quality video that's perfect for observing who's outside, both in real time and retrospectively.
Two way audio
Another handy feature that we've seen in the other top performing video doorbells, this model from SkyBell also comes equipped with two way audio, which allows you to communicate with whoever some knocking, no matter where in the world you are.
Factors worth considering
The one thing to bear in mind with this model is that it does require an existing doorbell connection, or for you to factor in the cost of installation if you don't have one.
