Video doorbells are quickly becoming one of the most popular tools homeowners use to keep their homes safe. With continual improvements to the technology, video doorbells have become increasingly affordable and effective, with a variety of options available to suit the needs of any homeowner or renter. Gone are the days of hefty, conspicuous security cameras that cost an arm and a leg and require extensive electrical wiring to function. Video doorbells offer homeowners an easy and more functional way to protect their homes and their families. As more and more people have packages delivered from services like Amazon, video doorbells are also becoming a front-line tool to combat the rise in porch theft. New users to the technology may be wondering how they work and what they can offer.
A video doorbell usually consists of a simple unit that can be easily mounted on the exterior of your home. The unit is equipped with a doorbell button and high-definition camera that can broadcast a live feed to your phone, tablet or mounted viewscreen using your home's wireless internet connection. Some units use a rechargeable battery for power, while others are plugged in using an AC connection. There are also units which use both a hard-wired power connection and a battery.
You’ll just need to download an app onto your smartphone or tablet in order to operate the doorbell. Once someone rings the bell, you will receive an alert on your device and will be able to quickly activate the video feed to see who is at the door. Many video doorbells are also equipped with a microphone and speaker to enable a two-way voice conversation between you and the visitor.
A video doorbell offers a discreet and affordable way to monitor your home when you're away. With an app, you can monitor activity outside your home anytime. Many video doorbells also offer features like motion detection, which will automatically record the video feed and store it to the cloud for later retrieval. Night mode, which enables the camera to function when it's dark outside, is also a common feature. Some video cameras will send an alert to your device if somebody is standing at your door for longer than a pre-set amount of time. These alerts can easily be customized.
Video doorbells are also much sleeker in design and can blend in seamlessly with the existing look of your home's exterior. A major advantage over traditional security cameras is that video doorbells allow you to have a conversation with anyone who comes to your door, making it easier to scare away potential thieves if you’re not at home. They’re also built to be weather-resistant and able to withstand temperature extremes.
Because they don't require additional electrical wiring or the existence of a traditional doorbell, video doorbells can also be used virtually anywhere. This is ideal for apartment-dwellers who might want to add a layer of security.
There’s a wide variety of video doorbell brands available, each with different features and price points. Ring is a popular maker of video doorbells and frequently receives high marks from reviewers like Consumer Reports. Ring’s doorbell can link with your Amazon Alexa device. Security company ADT also manufactures a video doorbell called Blue. This doorbell features face recognition and is easily set up without professional installation. Nest Hello is also a popular video doorbell, known for its audio functionality. For more budet-conscious users, Zmodo, RemoBell, and ALC offer high-definition video doorbells. Many of these video doorbell manufacturers offer at least some cloud storage for video recordings. Which brand you choose will be based on your budget and the features you need for your home or apartment.
