Ensure you never miss a delivery again with our pick of the best smart doorbells. It’s worth noting, some doorbell brands offer paid-for plans that provide additional features, such as storing video footage. These can amount to a significant extra cost, so think carefully about whether you need them before you sign up to a monthly subscription.
How do video doorbells work?
Video doorbells allow you to see who’s at the door via your smartphone. When the doorbell rings or the sensor detects movement, you’ll be notified via the app. This enables you to see who’s there and speak to them, even if you’re out. They’re either battery-powered or hard-wired into an existing set-up and can live-stream footage, and save it too.
Best smart doorbells
Arlo Essential Smart Video Doorbell
See who’s at your door the smarter way with this wireless design, which notifies you when a visitor presses the bell or motion is detected. You can interact with whoever is at the door, send auto-recorded responses or even let visitors leave you a voice message if you’re not able to answer. It’s simple to set-up, connects to your home’s wi-fi and is powered by a rechargeable battery, but there’s also a wired version available.
We love: The built-in smart siren, which you can trigger remotely to deter any intruders.
Nest doorbell, from £179.99,
Google
The recently launched wire-free version of Google’s Nest doorbell is a great buy if you’re looking for reliable video security at your fingertips. Powered by a built-in rechargeable battery, it’s easy to install and everything you need comes in the box. Features include a 24/7 live view in the Home app, two-way talk and pre-recorded responses, as well as an HDR-quality camera with night vision and 6x zoom. Its modern design looks smart next to any door and it has a warm light around the button that illuminates whenever anyone approaches.
We love: The advanced intelligence and event-based recordings that show you only the activities you care about, rather than lots of unnecessary alerts triggered by motion detection.
Eufy video doorbell 2K with HomeBase, from £179.99,
Robert Dyas
See your visitors in sharp detail with this doorbell’s Sony 2K sensor and professional-grade lens. You can check the live video feed at any time and even talk to whoever is at the door. It will run off the built-in battery for up to six months, or can be wired in if you prefer. You can also use it with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant so it will work with your existing smart home setup.
We love: The HomeBase hub that’s included, where your video is encrypted and stored in high-resolution so there’s no need for additional
cloud storage fees.
Pro 2 video doorbell, £219, Ring
This premium, wired video doorbell lets you see more of whoever is at your door, wherever you are. Its HD – Head to Toe – video gives you a great view, ideal for checking any packages left on the doorstep. Colour night vision means that you won’t miss a thing, even after dark. You’ll receive real-time notifications on your smartphone or tablet whenever your doorbell is pressed or motion is detected,
giving you total peace of mind.
We love: The free 30-day trial of Ring Protect – a comprehensive service that activates video recording and photo capture, saving and sharing, plus
a few extra perks.
ERA video doorbell
Answer your door no matter where you are in the world with this video doorbell, which activates when the doorbell has been pressed or when motion has been detected by the passive-infrared motion sensor. You can check the camera feed anytime via the easy-to-use ERA Protect app, and the crystal-clear recording offers a 140-degree field of view so you can get a full picture of what’s going on outside. It can be connected to your home’s existing doorbell wiring or plugged into a mains socket. It’s also compatible with smart speakers, such as the Amazon Echo and Google Nest.
We love: The two-way communication system, which enables you to speak to visitors in real time, even if you’re not able to answer the door.
