What you need to know
Do you already have a doorbell?
If you have an existing, working doorbell, the chances are you can install a wired smart doorbell. A wired-in buzzer is a better bet than a battery-powered one, because you don’t need to worry about charging it and it will ring your existing doorbell chime.
Wired-in doorbells are also more reliable for capturing all the action on your doorstep when compared to their wire-free siblings, which have to ‘wake-up’ before they start recording – resulting in the common ‘back of the head problem’ (when all you get is a clip of someone walking away). The downside is the wired-in doorbells have a more complicated installation process, which you might need to call an electrician to carry out.
Video quality matters
You’re likely tired of hearing about how many megapixels the newest smartphone camera has. But when it comes to security camera footage, quality matters. You want at least 1080p HD resolution, or you’ll be left with a barely visible recording. Super HD (1440p and higher, also known as 2K) is a bonus and gets you sharper, clearer images. Digital zoom, 6x or higher, is also something to consider, especially if you might want to zoom in on a licence plate number as it sideswipes your parked car. And unless you have an always-lit front porch, then night vision is a must.
Don’t fall for cloud storage subscriptions
If you just want to see who’s at your door when they’re there, and bark instructions at them from behind the safety of your smartphone screen, then you don’t need to pay a monthly subscription fee. On the other hand, if you like the idea of literal ‘visual voicemail’ for your house, pony up a few quid a month and you’ll get recordings of anyone who comes to your front door (whether they press the button or not).
Consider smart features
There are various features that cut down on how many times you need to pull your phone out of your pocket to check on your front door. These include customisable motion zones to cut out a busy street, and smart notifications that only alert you if there are people or packages on your porch. Some of these require a subscription.
Do you need assistance?
If you have a smart speaker or screen, look out for a doorbell that works with your choice of virtual assistant. Both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant speakers are able to broadcast a message when your doorbell is pressed, and the smart screens act as a video intercom so you can see and speak to your visitor without having to pull out your phone. There are currently no smart doorbells that work with Apple’s HomeKit.
Make sure you have decent Wi-Fi
Streaming video from your doorbell takes a fair bit of bandwidth and if you don’t have strong Wi-Fi by your front door, you’ll struggle to get a good connection and reliable images. Check how strong your Wi-Fi is there before buying, and if it’s weak consider installing a Wi-Fi extender.
Don’t film your neighbours
A video doorbell records audio and video, so falls under CCTV regulations. As it’s likely to see spaces outside your property – such as public streets or a neighbour’s front path – any recorded footage falls under General Data Protection Regulation. If you’re only using live streaming it’s not a problem, but if you are recording video, use the included stickers that come with your smart doorbell to advertise to visitors they’re being recorded. Audio is more problematic in terms of privacy, but some companies – such as Ring – let you disable it completely if you’re worried.