Ring my bell – Our take on the latest doorbell cameras!
Doorbell cameras work in tandem with your smartphone, allowing you to see whoever is outside, ringing your bell. Not only at they an integral part of your home security system, but if a delivery arrives while you’re out, you can tell the UPS man where to leave your parcel.
Burglars will often check out a property before visiting nefariously, so with a doorbell camera you’ll be alerted to that fact. The incorporated HD camera acts as a similar deterrent to CCTV, but without the imposing equipment.
So, what do you need to consider when choosing a doorbell camera?
- Resolution – the higher the res, the better the image, and doorbell cameras tend to max out at 1080p. The lowest you probably want to consider is 480p.
- Night Vision – with most nefarious activity taking place at night, this is an important feature.
- Field of Vision – rotating cameras are the best option and cover most ground (we recommend full 360 degree cameras, see our favorites here.)
- Motion Detection – the best cameras have easily customizable reactivity – you can set them to ignore next door’s cat, but not the person approaching your house.
- Audio Features – this allows you to communicate to the outside world; most offer two way communication.
Many doorbell cameras have access to Cloud storage (although this usually comes with a small annual charge) in order to store, and replay, recorded videos.
So without further ado, let us introduce our Top 5 Doorbell Cameras of the year:
1) Ring Doorbell Camera
Overview
We love the look of the best-selling Ring doorbell – it gives the impression that it means business and shouldn’t be messed with. It is also available in these equally no-nonsense finishes – Venetian Bronze, Polished Brass, and Antique Brass.
What We Like
This is great. Easy to install, keeps a good connection, excellent video clarity – even at night, and not too pricey. We were very comfortable with the simple-to-use interfaces too. The addition of Alexa, which allows announcements to be sent to your Echo devices when your doorbell is pressed or motion sensed, is a great feature, and the two way communication is clear and true, with everything controlled from your phone or laptop.
What Needs Improving
This doorbell camera doesn’t have its own storage, however with Cloud services so incredibly cheap, this isn’t an issue.
$149.99 in stock
2) UOKIER Video Doorbell
Overview
This neat and super sleek brushed steel door bell camera gives a solid professional look, smart enough for any home or office.
What We Like
This deceptively sized doorbell camera packs a lot into a small package. Dust and waterproof, with a long battery life and a stable wifi connection, we like this diminutive beast of a product. The night vision is clear and easily distinguishable, and the two-way audio makes communicating a breeze. I received the Cloud access code within an hour of signing up. All in all, very impressive.
What Needs Improving
Buying the Cloud membership could be seen as an issue, but with the initial Free Trial and 6-months of free recording, for such a reasonably priced doorbell, it’s not much extra.
3) eufy Doorbell Camera
Overview
This modern video doorbell looks polished and hard-wearing, and arrived well packaged. You get everything you need to get your smart doorbell up and running, including batteries and straightforward instructions.
What We Like
Installation was remarkably quick and simple. The doorbell works well, the video is clear and the audio is plenty loud enough even in a large house. The other features, such as the extra wide angled lens and smart night vision, are great ideas, which make it well worth the price.
What Needs Improving
There were a couple of false rings, initially. But it soon settled down, and with this awesome doorbell, pros far outweigh the cons.
2 used from $126.03
4) Amocam Smart Doorbell Intercom
Overview
This super-smart doorbell camera/full intercom system with HD video is one of Amazon’s best-kept secrets. We were impressed to find such an accomplished product that delivers on technology while still maintaining a more than reasonable price point. For what you pay, you get a fantastic security system for your home.
What We Like
Let’s start with the picture quality. The video here is so clear, and with the wide-angled lens, no one can hide. Even at night, there’s no creeping up on our home or office thanks to the advanced infrared lighting! This intercom is so powerful that it can even do surveillance at a greater distance, leaving you feeling extra secure. The camera is wall-mounted and operates via a push button that triggers a two-way video call between you and any of your visitors. There is also auto turn off for when you don’t want to have the system switched on. There are 16 x ringtones to choose from so there will be something to suit your every mood!
What Needs Improving
Our only observation is that the cables are relatively short. This means that the system needs to be mounted close to your door. For most houses and flats, this shouldn’t be too much of an issue.
5) XTU Doorbell Camera
Overview
This video doorbell is set to impress– its smooth metal looks ultra-elegant outside any home. It also seems well made, with easy to follow instructions and downloadable apps.
What We Like
This robot-like security system performs like clockwork. And it’s packed to the rim with useful features. These include a 2-way 1080p HD audio and video connection, a 166-degree viewing angle, motion detection, a doorbell (of course!), batteries and accessories. You can pair it up with any smartphone, with a user-friendly app to match. The best part is there are no sneaky monthly subscriptions – you only pay for what you want. On top, you get free lifetime Cloud storage. The video clarity is excellent, very smooth and with a great playback. The audio works well, too, and we like that the app is constantly being improved and updated.
What Needs Improving
The main flaw is that the motion detector is quite sensitive. We actually view this as a plus point – ain’t no one creeping up on us!
$59.49 in stock
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