Ring Video Doorbell (2nd Gen)
- Affordable price tag
- Connections for wires and batteries
- Theft protection
- e911 feature
- 180º field of view
- 12x digital zoom
Google Nest Hello
- Facial recognition
- Access to up to 30 days of video
- Intelligent alerts
- Facial recognition
- Access to up to 30 days of video
- Intelligent alerts
- We added some tips about how to get the most out of your video doorbell during the coronavirus pandemic.
Bottom line: Ring cameras deliver high quality at a low budget
There’s no contract or monitoring fee to get the Ring doorbell camera up and running. It sends clear HD video straight to your phone whenever a visitor stops by. And best of all, you don’t need to have an existing doorbell to install one in your house. Swapping your trusty old doorbell for a new one may sound intimidating, but you don’t need to make a lifelong commitment to enjoy this Ring.
Check out our in-depth guide to see our other picks for the best doorbell cameras, gets answers to common questions, and learn about the top metro areas for package theft.
Wireless doorbell cameras are an excellent way to jump into smart home devices and home security because they send push notifications when they detect motion, record video day or night, and have two-way audio for talking with guests at your door. Whether your neighbor or mail carrier presses the doorbell, you’ll be able to tell the difference.
Compare doorbell cameras
| List price* |
| Field of view |
| Power source |
| Pre-recorded messages |
| Extra features with subscription |
|
Best overall
|
Best for emergencies
|
Best extra features
|
Best privacy Features
|
Best cheap doorbell
|
| Ring Video Doorbell (2nd Gen) | Arlo Video Doorbell | Google Nest Hello | Eufy Video Doorbell | Toucan Wireless Video Doorbell |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| $99.99 | $135.97 | $229.99 | $159.99 | $89.95 |
| 155° | 180° | 160° | 160° | 180º |
| Battery or Wired | Wired | Wired | Wired | Battery |
| No X |
Yes ✓ |
Yes ✓ |
Yes ✓ |
No X |
| Yes ✓ |
Yes ✓ |
Yes ✓ |
No X |
Yes ✓ |
| View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Kohl's | View on Amazon | View on Amazon |
| Read review | Read review | Read review | Read review | Read review |
*Amazon.com list price as of 09/28/2020 at 1:50 p.m. (MT). Read full disclaimer.
Our approach
To find out which smart doorbells are best, we compared features, price, reputation, reliability, and customer satisfaction. We pored over technical specs and thousands of customer reviews.
After we narrowed it down to the best of the best, we pitted them against one another—looking for video quality, response time, customization options, ease of installation, and any extra costs required. We also spoke with customers who own these cameras.
Finally, we put our five favorite smart doorbells in order and broke down all the details to help you make the right purchase. Learn more about how we reviewed smart video doorbells and other products in our full methodology.
Doorbell installation
If you don’t already have a doorbell, you’ll need to look for a battery-powered model. They aren’t as common, but products like Ring have two power options that work with wires or batteries.
Reviews: Best smart doorbell cameras
1. Ring Video Doorbell (2nd Gen): Best overall
The Ring Video Doorbell boasts 1080p resolution, a 155° field of vision, noise cancelation, night vision, and customization options through the Ring app. Its flexible power options, theft protection, and low price make it a fitting choice for renters and first-time homeowners alike.
At $99, you won’t need two month’s salary for this Ring. This doorbell cam is budget conscious and environmentally friendly. You can power your new smart doorbell camera with existing doorbell wiring, a backup battery, or even a solar charger (for a little extra).
Pros
- Suitable for renters and homeowners
- Affordable for all budgets
- Equipped with a wide angle lens
Cons
- Required subscription for video history
We also like Ring’s theft protection feature for the security camera itself. While wireless doorbell cameras can deter porch pirates, there’s no guarantee against thieves. In the event your Ring camera is stolen, Ring will replace it for free.
If you want more advanced features or a different type of doorbell, take a deep dive into the family of Ring doorbell cameras for a closer look.
Ring has new doorbells
2. Arlo Video Doorbell: Best for emergencies
We already have a lot of good things to say about Arlo cameras. So we’re excited to see the company now has a video doorbell cam.
The Arlo Video Doorbell produces clear, full images of visitors from head to toe, thanks to the 12x digital zoom, 180° field of view, and 1:1 aspect ratio. And like many other video doorbells, Arlo offers extra features with a subscription.
Pros
- 12x digital zoom
- 180° field of view
- e911 feature
Cons
- Odd answering method
- Limited standout features
The extra that stands out the most is e911—a feature that connects you directly to first responders in case of an emergency. When you use this feature, first responders head to your home instead of your phone’s location. If something happens while you’re out of town, your home is in good hands.
We’ve yet to see this feature in other doorbell cameras, so if you want a device with sharp emergency responsiveness, Arlo is definitely worth a look.
When someone rings the Arlo wireless doorbell camera, you’ll speak with visitors through a phone call instead of the mobile app. We found this odd because you can still use the app to monitor your front door.
But despite its quirks, the Arlo smart doorbell camera still impresses. Its paid subscription offers the standard paid extras like a specialized motion alert and the ability to set activity zones when the motion sensors pick up movement.
Check out our in-depth Arlo doorbell review for more information.
More from Arlo
3. Google Nest Hello: Best extra features
The Google Nest Hello doorbell camera delivers curb appeal and game-changing features to your doorstep (for a price). The catch is that you need a Nest Aware subscription to get the best of Nest.
Without a monthly subscription, you can still capture 160° of footage for up to three hours. This means you can watch a live view of your entire front porch real time or watch the last few hours in case you missed something live.
Pros
- Three-hour playback without a subscription
- Facial recognition
- Captures live video in 2K
Cons
- Steep price tag
- Best features require a subscription
The basic Nest Aware subscription delivers up to 30 days of recorded clips, emergency call services, person alerts, activity zones for the camera’s motion sensor to focus on, and the ability to watch clips and time-lapses of your front porch. These are the features that make the Google Nest Hello worth its price.
The best paid feature is the Nest doorbell’s facial recognition. You can label and name visitors in the smartphone app, so the Nest can learn to tell you the dogwalker’s at your door or Grandma’s here for a visit.
Check out our full review of Nest Hello to get more details on this smart doorbell camera.
The new Nest Aware
4. Eufy Video Doorbell: Best privacy features
If privacy is a concern for you and your family, the Eufy smart doorbell is worth a look.
The Eufy Video Doorbell is the only smart video doorbell on our list that doesn’t send footage over the web. Its 4 GB of local storage gives you access to 30 days of footage without a subscription or broadcasting a feed on the internet.
Local storage keeps your live video private and hidden from prying eyes. This feature is notable because internet-connected security cameras like Ring and Nest have come under fire for privacy concerns.
Pros
- Local storage
- No subscription required
- Person alerts
Cons
- Person alerts can send false notifications
Other doorbell cams require a monthly fee to keep a record of your videos.
Cameras with a Wi-Fi connection are still safe, but they require a few more precautions like stronger passwords and two-factor authentication.
The Eufy doorbell’s people recognition feature distinguishes visitors from passing objects to minimize false alarms. Nest has the same feature but requires a subscription to access it. But even AI makes mistakes sometimes, like one user whose doorbell cam mistook a tree for a visitor.
5. Toucan Wireless Video Doorbell: Best cheap doorbell
The Toucan Wireless Video Doorbell is one of the most affordable video doorbells on the market. We like that this doorbell is battery-powered so you don’t have to mess around with wiring—making it great for apartments.
Unlike other doorbells on this list, Toucan doesn’t connect to existing doorbell wiring. In exchange for occasionally needing to recharge the battery, installation doesn’t require any electrical work just a few screws to mount it. It also comes with a handy wireless chime, so you don’t need to rely on your smartphone to know if a visitor arrives.
Pros
- No wiring necessary
- Affordable
- Two-way audio
- Homes with wireless chime
Cons
- Limited video downloads on free plan
Unfortunately, the free cloud storage restricts you to five video downloads each month. And the entry-level paid plan (despite allowing unlimited devices) isn’t as good of a value compared to Ring’s plan.
While Ring is still a better value in most cases, we think that Toucan has better potential for renters or even as a personal doorbell for specific rooms inside a house like a home office.
More brands we considered
Amcrest Video Doorbell Camera
We like the Amcrest Video Doorbell Camera (about $100) because it supports local video storage on a microSD card for a lower price than Eufy. But user reviews say the software isn’t nearly as polished as the similarly priced Ring Video Doorbell. While it supports Amazon Alexa, it doesn’t offer live video or doorbell notifications on smart displays like the Echo Show.
Blue by ADT Doorbell Camera
The Blue by ADT Doorbell Camera (about $200) offers free 24-hour cloud storage without a subscription. While you can you can use this product in a Blue by ADT security system, it works fine as a stand-alone doorbell. Unfortunately, it’s pretty expensive compared to similar doorbells from Ring and Arlo.
RemoBell S
The RemoBell S (about $100) seems like an attractive alternative to Ring, but the video quality isn’t great. There’s a noticeable fisheye distortion that makes it difficult to make out details in videos. Another big drawback is that the infrared night vision isn’t very powerful and won’t activate at all if there’s an illuminated porch light nearby.
Best video doorbells for home security systems
If you already have a security system, you might be able to get a doorbell camera through your provider. SimpliSafe, Vivint, ADT, and Frontpoint all have quality doorbell cams compatible with the brands’ equipment.
| Price |
| Standout Feature |
| SimpliSafe Video Doorbell | Vivint Doorbell Camera Pro | ADT Video Doorbell Camera | Frontpoint Doorbell Camera |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| $169.00 | $249.99 | Prices may vary | $149.99 |
| Compatible with 8–24 V AC connections | Videos have square aspect ratio | Multiple mounting options | Alerts from motion sensor |
| View Packages | View Packages | View Packages | View Packages |
Info current as of 09/28/2020. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
Final word
The Ring Video Doorbell excels in two ways: it’s one of the most affordable smart doorbells around, and it’s easy to use. Because it has battery-powered and wired options, it’s incredibly easy to install where you need it. Ring made it really hard to find a better deal than that, which is why it’s our top pick for the best video doorbell.
Whether you want to watch for porch pirates stealing your packages or see who’s at the door without getting up, a wireless video doorbell brings an extra touch of security to your front door and is a great companion for a smart lock. There are so many uses for doorbell cameras, but the right doorbell for you is the one that fits your needs.
Doorbell Cameras FAQ
Do all video doorbells have a monthly fee?
No. Whether through a paid subscription or local video storage, most doorbell cameras allow access to your past footage. Having a record of your visitors can help you identify any suspicious characters who stop by.
Video recordings of an incident boost your chances of finding the suspects who stole packages, vandalized your home, or attempted to break in.
Doorbell cameras can record as little as three hours to as much as 60 days. The amount of memory you need for footage depends on how often you check your doorbell app.
What camera quality should a video doorbell have?
Video doorbells have been around long enough to include HD video. Look for a video doorbell camera with at least a resolution of 720p and a 120° field of vision.
What’s the best audio feature in video doorbells?
Two-way audio is a standard feature in doorbell cameras because it’s crucial. This feature allows you to have a conversation with visitors on your doorstep whether you’re home or not.
We also like pre-recorded messages and noise cancellation. Pre-recorded messages are a lot like voicemail for your wireless doorbell camera—an automatic message that plays when you can’t answer the door.
Noise cancellation is also a helpful feature to look for because it boosts the audio quality and makes it easier to understand what the other person is saying.
What do I need to know about video doorbells and the coronavirus?
As many of us hunker down to limit the spread of the coronavirus and COVID-19, video doorbells can play a unique role in social distancing.
Doorbell cameras let you see when someone’s at your door and also allow you to speak to visitors. Not only can you still get food deliveries and packages, but you can also instruct delivery drivers to leave items on the porch.
While it might seem like a small thing, a video doorbell can help protect you and every visitor at your door by giving everyone a little extra space. Just remember to disinfect the doorbell regularly, especially after deliveries, for everyone’s sake.
For more information on how to disinfect your home, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have a helpful article about cleaning and disinfecting your house.
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These are the top 10 major metros for package theft
In a world where people shop online more than ever before, it’s unsettling to know that porch pirates struck nearly 26 million Americans in 2017.2
Last year, the globe saw a whopping 87 billion packages and parcels shipped.3 That’s a lot of booty for porch pirates to go after—but where you live can make a difference.
Some cities run rampant with package theft while others enjoy worry-free package delivery. Find out if your town is a porch pirate favorite or a place they tend to sail past.
Top 10 metros where porch pirates strike most
If you live in one of these metro areas, you’re at higher risk for package theft. To identify the metros where porch pirates plunder the most, we analyzed larceny-theft rates and Google Trends data.
Because the holidays mark an increase in package deliveries, they also see a spike in package theft. To find out how significant that spike is, we compared year-round data with package-swiping during the holiday season. Cities that see an increase in porch piracy over the holidays are marked with a Santa-clad pirate flag.
| 2019 year-round ranking | Metro area | Larceny-theft rate* | 2018 year-round ranking | 2019 holiday ranking |
| 1 | San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose, California | 24.20 | 1 | 2 |
| 2 | Salt Lake City, Utah | 27.50 | 8 | 1 |
| 3 | Portland, Oregon | 20.09 | 7 | 5 |
| 4 | Baltimore, Maryland | 18.04 | 3 | 12 |
| 5 | Seattle-Tacoma, Washington | 22.70 | 2 | 4 |
| 6 | Chicago, Illinois | 22.16 | 12 | 3 |
| 7 | Austin, Texas | 18.19 | 9 | 14 |
| 8 | Denver, Colorado | 20.36 | 11 | 7 |
| 9 | Los Angeles, California | 14.89 | 6 | 11 |
| 10 | Sacramento-Stockton-Modesto, California | 14.50 | 15 | 15 |
*Rate per 1,000 people
A closer look at porch pirates and package plundering
- California has the biggest porch pirate problem—30% of our list hails from the Golden State.
- 70% of the 10 worst metros for package theft made the list for the second year in a row.
- Only three cities are new to the list this year—Chicago, Denver, and Sacramento.
- 60% of the metros with a bad year-round record for porch piracy also make the top 10 for package theft during the holidays—San Francisco, Salt Lake City, Portland, Seattle-Tacoma, Chicago, and Denver.
- The San Francisco area has the most package theft in the nation for the second year in a row, and a larceny-theft rate of 24.2 incidents per 1,000 people.
- Salt Lake City climbed seven spots to become the second-worst metro in the country for porch pirates.
- Even though Salt Lake City’s larceny-theft rate (27.5 per 1,000) is higher than San Francisco, fewer searches throughout the year for “missing or stolen package” kept it from topping our year-round list.
- More than half of the metros where porch pirates strike the most are also high-tech hubs—San Francisco, Salt Lake City, Baltimore, Seattle, Austin, and Denver.
- UPS, USPS, Amazon, and FedEx ship a combined total of 534.2 million parcels every day.4,5,6,7
- The national larceny-theft rate is 15.95 per 1,000 people—and it’s decreasing every year. Between 2019 and 2018, the rate decreased by 22.8%.8
How to prevent porch theft
A video doorbell is a good first step. Here are some other tools and best practices to protect your purchases and make those porch pirates walk the plank.
What to do if your package is stolen
Precautions are a must, but sometimes packages get purloined anyway. If you’re a victim of package theft, here are some things you can do to minimize the damage.
How we identified the metros with the most package theft
To see where porch pirates run rampant, we analyzed 2018 FBI larceny* data in metro areas across the US. Then we compared it to Google Trends data in those areas with the highest search for “missing package” and “stolen package.”
We then compared average search interest over the past 12 months to search interest during the holiday season (November 1–January 5) to find the metro areas that are most vulnerable to package theft during the holidays.
*Larceny includes theft of bikes, cars and car accessories, shoplifting, pocket-picking, and any property that is stolen but not taken by force and violence, or by fraud.
Sources:
- Robert H. Spector, The National Center for Biotechnology Information, “The History, Physical, and Laboratory Examinations 3rd edition. Chapter 116, Visual Fields,” 1990. Accessed July 10, 2020.
- Insurance Quotes, “Study: 26 Million Americans Have Holiday Packages Stolen by Porch Pirates,” November 2017. Accessed July 10, 2020.
- Pitney Bowes, “Pitney Bowes Parcel Shipping Index Reports Continued Growth Bolstered by China and Emerging Markets,” October 2019. Accessed July 10, 2020.
- UPS, “UPS Fact Sheet,”June 2020. Accessed July 10, 2020.
- USPS, “Postal Facts,”April 2020. Accessed July 10, 2020.
- Amazon, “2019 Annual Report,”April 2020. Accessed July 10, 2020.
- FedEx, “Company Structure and Facts,”March 2020. Accessed July 10, 2020.
- FBI, Unified Crime Reporting, “2018 Crime in the United States, Larceny-Theft,” September 2019. Accessed July 10, 2020.
Disclaimers
*Amazon.com list price as of 09/28/2020 at 1:50 p.m. (MT). Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. Safewise.com utilizes paid Amazon links.
Certain content that appears on this site comes from Amazon. This content is provided “as is” and is subject to change or removal at any time.
†Google, Google Nest Hello, and other related marks are trademarks of Google LLC.
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