Stroll along almost any residential street in the UK and you’ll likely spot several video doorbells, but choosing the best video doorbell for UK homes means looking beyond the obvious brands. Acting as both a bell and a security camera, they instantly open a video call between visitors and owners, wherever they are in the world.
Many video doorbells feature the tell-tale silver button surrounded by a blue light of market-leader Ring, but there are plenty of other options available too. Companies like Yale, Eufy, Simplisafe, Blink and Swann all produce smart doorbells of their own, and many integrate with security cameras to become part of a larger home security system.
Often wireless and battery-powered, most video doorbells are quick and easy to install. They usually come with all of the mounts, screws and wall plugs needed to fit them to a wall or fence, then they just need to be connected to the internet via your Wi-Fi network.
With that done, a press of the button alerts you via a smartphone app. From there, you can quickly open a two-way video call between you and the visitor, no matter where you are. This can be handy for telling the courier where to leave a parcel if you’re away, or for telling a visitor that you’ll be there in a minute. Video doorbells also double as security cameras, ready to alert you if movement is detected nearby, and record any would-be trespasser.
Despite all performing the same basic function, video doorbells vary greatly in terms of price and performance. Some only cover the basics, while others use radar and colour night vision to perform as a high-end security camera too. Some models have camera lenses wide enough to view the floor and a visitor’s face at the same time, and can even use artificial intelligence to tell you when a package has been left on the doorstep.
As with the best security cameras, many video doorbells require a monthly or annual subscription to unlock all of their features. In some cases, like all of Ring’s doorbells, this includes cloud video storage. Without paying, you’ll be notified when someone presses the button, and you can have a video call with them, but the doorbell will not save any footage, and so doesn’t double up as a security camera.
Some companies, like Simplisafe, offer a video doorbell as a way of expanding an existing security system, while others, like Eufy, store video locally and require no subscription fee at all.
How we tested the best video doorbells
I installed and used each of the video doorbells featured in this guide, before awarding a star rating and coming to a conclusion. Key factors to consider are the ease of installation and general use, but also how quickly a video call is created when a visitor presses the bell, and how well the product works as a security camera. This means checking out every security function, but also analysing video quality both day and night.
A key factor is whether the doorbell requires a subscription, and if the extra functionality unlocked by an ongoing fee is truly worth it.
Why you can trust us
The Independent is committed to providing unbiased reviews and expert shopping advice across a range of home improvement products. Our team of experts has spent years testing and rating the latest smart home tech in our homes, gardens and under real-world conditions, so you can be sure our verdicts are authentic and based on personal experience with each product featured. When it comes to video doorbells, our expert testers consider everything from app features and ease of setup to ongoing subscription costs.
The best video doorbells for 2025 are:
- Best overall - Eufy E340: From £159.99, Eufy.com
- Best budget video doorbell - Blink Video Doorbell: From £49.99, Amazon.co.uk
- Best subscription-free video doorbell - Eufy C210: From £99.99, Eufy.com
- Best video doorbell with AI - SwannBuddy 4K Video Doorbell: From £169.99, UK.swann.com
- Best Ring video doorbell – Ring Battery Video Doorbell Pro: From £199.99, Amazon.com
Eufy E340
Best: Overall
DIY installation: Yes
Resolution: 2K
Field-of-view: 160 degrees (main), 120 degrees (secondary)
HDR: No
Night vision: Yes, colour
Two-way audio: Yes
Removable battery: Yes
Local storage: Yes, integrated (8GB)
Power source: Battery or existing doorbell wiring
Why we love it
- 2K resolution
- Dual cameras
- Local storage
- Package detection and monitoring
Take note
- Chime not included
- Occasional software hiccup
- Storage expansion requires HomeBase
The E340 is Eufy’s flagship video doorbell, and is a worthy rival to the best Ring has to offer – while also being slightly cheaper, at about £160.
The most impressive trick up the E340’s sleeve is how it has two cameras. One is mounted on the front in the usual way, recording in 2K resolution and providing a 160-degree view of visitors. The second is fitted to the bottom of the doorbell, angled forward and perfectly positioned to spot packages left on your doorstep. You’ll receive a specific notification when a package is left in view of the camera, along with periodic reminders so you don’t forget about it. The doorbell also sends notifications to alert you when someone approaches the package.
The system works, but is fairly limited for now. Eufy admits it works best with rectangular packages where the shortest side is at least 10 inches long, and that it doesn't work with envelopes, tubes, or food and takeaway deliveries. I found it correctly notified me about a visitor (the courier) and a package. But then wrongly said one person had approached the package after delivery, when that was actually just the courier walking away.
More AI smarts are found in Eufy’s Familiar Faces function, where it aims to recognise you and your family, or other regular visitors. This works, and their names will be added to notifications when they’re spotted or ring the bell. However, this doesn't stop motion alerts being delivered every time known faces are in view. I’d prefer the system to ignore familiar faces passing by, and only alert me when they ring the bell.
To its credit, Eufy says Familiar Faces and uncollected package alerts are in beta, so should improve over time.
Eufy recently combined its cleaning and security products into one app. This is a welcome move, but the process feels like it was rushed, with the app containing some poor translations into English and the occasional bug. All that said, the E340 is a high-quality video doorbell, and is part of one of my favourite home security systems.
Buy now, Eufy
Ring Battery Video Doorbell Pro
Best: Ring Video Doorbell
DIY installation: Yes
Resolution: 2048 x 1536 (2K)
Field-of-view: 159 degrees
HDR: No
Night vision: Colour or infrared
Two-way audio: Yes
Removable battery: Yes
Local storage: No, subscription only
Power source: Battery (solar optional extra)
Why we love it
- Easy to set up and use
- High-quality video and audio
- 3D motion detection a clever use of radar
Take note
- No option for internal or local storage
- Subscription required for video storage
- Expensive
The first Ring doorbell to carry the ‘Pro’ name, this is the current flagship of the range. It arrived in 2024 and features radar-powered 3D motion tracking and a clever bird’s eye view mode that plots the route of a visitor (or trespasser) on a satellite image of your property. That way, you can see if someone loitered around your car or checked out the garden shed, regardless of whether they pressed the bell; these features turn what was a simple video doorbell into a powerful security camera.
This model looks and functions just like every other member of the Ring Video Doorbell family. It is battery powered, although you can connect it to your existing doorbell wiring if you prefer, and it alerts you via the Ring smartphone app. Any Amazon Echo smart speakers you have can act as chimes, or Ring also sells a plug-in chime separately (from £29.99), which rings like a regular doorbell.
The Ring Video Doorbell Pro has the same 2058 x 1536 video resolution as its siblings, and a lens wide enough to see a visitor’s face and the doorstep in the same shot; the latter helps this doorbell notify you when a parcel has been left outside. There’s full-colour night vision (or regular greyscale if you prefer), and a pre-roll function where a short clip of video is saved from before the bell was pressed, or motion was detected.
I particularly like how easy to install this video doorbell is, taking just a few minutes to set up, and their video quality is always a strong point. I also like the extra features of this Pro model, but they could be seen as overkill by some shoppers. If you only need a video doorbell, and not an advanced security camera too (or you already have a camera at the front of your home,) then a cheaper Ring might be the better option for you.
As always, the usual Ring caveats remain. This is a product that practically requires you to pay a monthly subscription, since video recordings are not saved without paying the fee for cloud storage. Paying Ring’s subscription also unlocks extra features, like AI-powered person and package detection.
Ultimately though, if you want the best Ring doorbell on the market, the Ring Video Doorbell Pro is the one for you.
Read the full Ring Video Doorbell Pro review
Buy now £199.99, Amazon
Blink Video Doorbell
Best: On a tight budget
DIY installation: Yes
Resolution: 1920 x 1080 Full HD
Field-of-view: 135 degrees
HDR: No
Night vision: Yes, infrared
Two-way audio: Yes
Removable battery: No, replaceable lithium AA x2
Local storage: Sync Module 2 required (sold separately)
Power source: AA batteries (x2, included) or existing doorbell wiring
Why we love it
- Very low price
- Optional local storage
- Alexa integration
Take note
- Powered by disposable batteries
- Local storage requires Sync Module (sold separately)
- Narrow field-of-view
Ring isn’t the only video doorbell company owned by Amazon. The retail giant also operates Blink, which specialises in budget home security products – such as cameras, and this video doorbell.
This doorbell carries a regular price of just £49.99, and is sometimes even less than that, making it half the price of the cheapest alternative from Ring. Another bonus is how the Blink can record footage locally, instead of uploading it to the cloud and requiring you to pay a monthly fee, as is the case with Ring.
However, local storage requires Blink’s Sync Module, which costs about £40 on its own, but is often available as a kit with the doorbell for £60. The Blink doorbell’s performance is limited; video quality is average, and the 135-degree lens is noticeably narrower than many rivals. But this is all to be expected at such a low price. I also wish it were powered by a rechargeable battery instead of lithium AAs, but it can at least be powered by your existing doorbell’s wiring, if you have one.
Ultimately, this is a budget video doorbell that won’t wow like a Ring costing three or four times the price, but still gets the job done and, given there’s a prominent camera on the front, should act as a burglar deterrent, regardless of actual video quality.
Buy now £49.99, Amazon
Swann SwannBuddy 4K Video Doorbell
Best: Video doorbell with AI voice
DIY installation: Yes
Resolution: 4K
Field-of-view: 165 degrees
HDR: No
Night vision: Yes, infrared
Two-way audio: Yes, plus AI voice assistant
Removable battery: No, integrated
Local storage: Yes, 32GB microSD card included
Power source: Battery (integrated) or existing wiring
Why we love it
- AI voice assistant
- 4K resolution
- Included chime
- Included microSD card
Take note
- Non-removable battery
- Chime isn’t mains powered
- Expensive
Australian security company Swann is among the first to add an AI-powered voice assistant to its doorbells. This particular model is the company’s flagship, thanks to its 4K imaging sensor. It comes with a battery-powered chime in the box, records through a wide, 165-degree lens for a good, head-to-toe view of visitors, and has a microSD card slot for integrated storage. A 32GB card is even included, so there’s no need to pay an ongoing fee for cloud storage.
The doorbell works just like any other, with smartphone notifications arriving quickly and video quality being good (once you dig into the settings and crank it up from the lowest default resolution). I think the app could be better, especially when you’re talking to a visitor and the screen is cluttered with unlabelled icons instead of resembling a simple video call.
I thought the AI voice, called SwannShield, would be a gimmick, but was surprised by its functionality. It was often a little slow to respond, but delivered various takes on my pre-written request (for couriers to leave parcels on the doorstep) using natural language. Pretending to be a delivery driver, I tried saying everything from “I have a parcel for delivery” to a blunt “Amazon!” and the doorbell seemed to understand. It also knew to say the resident (which it referred to using my surname) wasn’t home when I said I was there to read the meter. It even suggested I call Mr Charlton, then when I asked for his number it said it couldn’t give out personal information.
When I tried asking more questions, in a bid to confuse the AI, it responded in a variety of ways. It often said something like “not interested, got to go”, but also suggested the visitor try “two doors down on the left”. It all felt natural enough, although still obviously the voice of a computer, and was often a few seconds slower to respond than I’d like. Swann labels the AI as a preview, so hopefully it’ll improve over time. Already, there are eight distinct voices and three different demeanours (polite, assertive, disinterested) to pick from.
Buy now £169.99, Amazon
Ezviz EP3x Pro
Best: For dual view and solar power
DIY installation: Yes
Resolution: 2K (main camera), 1080p (secondary camera)
Field-of-view: 162 degrees
HDR: No
Night vision: Yes, colour
Two-way audio: Yes
Removable battery: No
Local storage: Yes, integrated (32GB), non-expandable
Power source: Battery and solar, or existing doorbell wiring
Why we love it
- Included solar panel
- Dual cameras
- Internal storage
Take note
- Solar performance depends on location
- Battery is not removable
- Some durability concerns
This doorbell from Ezviz has the same dual-camera design as the Eufy E340, and the same 2K resolution. This means there’s a primary 2K camera facing forwards and a secondary, 1080p camera mounted to the bottom of the unit, ready to capture a view of parcels delivered to the doorstep.
Video quality is good, but the Ezviz app has room for improvement. The setup process isn’t as simple as other video doorbells, and its approach to encryption – where you have to create a new password for the device which can’t be recovered if lost – is a little convoluted. Ezviz could benefit from having a proofreader tidy up the app and streamline the setup process.
That aside, the doorbell works well once it’s set up. Pressing the button quickly starts a video call with your phone, which connects right away. Volume levels are high, arguably a little too loud by default, and I was impressed by the quality of the doorbell’s audio. Couriers should have no trouble understanding when you tell them where to leave a parcel.
The EP3x Pro uses AI to help tell the difference between humans, parcels and other types of movement, so it won’t alert you when it sees a car passing by, or tree branches blowing in the wind.
The included solar panel means you’re unlikely to ever need to charge the doorbell’s integrated battery. Alternatively, while the battery can’t be removed, the EP3x Pro can be powered from your existing doorbell wiring. The solar panel adds some bulk, naturally, and you’ll have to work out where best to put it (especially given it’s attached by a short cable), but the convenience of constant power will outweigh the drawbacks for most buyers.
Another benefit is internal storage, so while Ezviz offers cloud storage for a monthly fee, this can be sidestepped by letting recordings save to the doorbell itself. These can then be viewed through the app as normal, since it’s connected to the internet via your Wi-Fi network.
Buy now £129.99, Amazon
Ring Battery Video Doorbell
Best: Budget Rung doorbell
DIY installation: Yes
Resolution: 1440 x 1440 HD
Field-of-view: 150 degrees
HDR: No
Night vision: Yes, colour
Two-way audio: Yes
Removable battery: No
Local storage: No, cloud storage only
Power source: Battery or existing wiring
Why we love it
- Low price
- Head-to-toe view
- Easy installation
Take note
- No storage without ongoing subscription
- Angled mounting plate not included
- Chime not included
Ring’s entry-level battery doorbell is half the price of its Pro model, yet it looks the same and performs in a very similar way. A key difference is how the battery of this model is not removable, so you can’t buy a replacement and swap between them when one needs charging. Instead you have to take the doorbell down, plug it in, and do without it while the battery charges.
On the plus side, this doorbell still packs plenty of tech. It records at 1440p, which is a resolution slightly above Full HD, and has colour night vision. It also has a lens wide enough to see visitors’ faces and parcels on the doorstep at the same time, and it works with Ring’s optional solar panel (sold separately) for a constant power supply. Alternatively, it can be powered from your existing doorbell wiring.
Just like pricier Ring doorbells, this model lacks internal storage. Instead, Ring charges a fee to access its cloud storage service. So, while you can still view a live video stream from the doorbell on your phone (and interact with visitors when they press the button), footage captured when the doorbell detects nearby motion is not accessible unless you pay for a Ring Home subscription, which starts at £4.99 a month or £49.99 a year.
A chime is not included in the box (although they are available separately from £29.99), nor is the angled mounting plate found with Ring’s other video doorbells.
Despite its shortcomings, this is still a good quality product and offers strong performance for the price. For many homeowners this will be all the video doorbell they need.
Read the full Ring Video Doorbell Pro review
Buy now £99.00, Amazon
Eufy C210
Best: Budget video doorbell with chime
DIY installation: Yes
Resolution: 1920 x 1080 Full HD
Field-of-view: 160 degrees
HDR: No
Night vision: Yes, infrared
Two-way audio: Yes
Removable battery: No, integrated
Local storage: Yes, chime accepts microSD cards (not included)
Power source: Battery
Why we love it
- Chime included
- Local storage via microSD card slot
- Eufy security among our favourites
Take note
- Non-removable battery
- Lacks package detection
- MicroSD card not included
I’m a big fan of Eufy’s security cameras and home alarm systems, so it wasn’t a surprise to see the company’s video doorbells perform well too. That said, the setup process was more frustrating than most, with the chime twice failing to connect, then failing to format a blank microSD card. Once I’d overcome these issues, by working through the setup process a couple more times, everything ran smoothly.
This entry-level model is the same price as Ring’s cheapest battery doorbell, yet comes with a plug-in chime, so you don’t have to rely on hearing your phone when a visitor rings the bell.
Other positives are the Eufy’s Full HD video resolution and wide-angle lens, its integration with Amazon Alexa – so live video can be streamed to an Echo Show smart display – and how integrated storage means there’s no ongoing fee. I also like how Eufy doesn’t block extra features like person-detection behind the paywall of a monthly subscription, as Ring does. Instead, the C210 fully works right out of the box. It also comes with an optional angled wall mount, unlike Ring’s closest rival.
The C210 lacks a removable battery, so your doorbell is out of action for a couple of hours whenever it needs charging, and you need to provide your own microSD card (which slots into the chime) for video storage. I also found the sound quality to be fairly average, with speech not coming through the doorbell’s speaker as clearly as I’d like. It’s perfectly serviceable for a quick “hello, I’ll be there in a second” or “leave the parcel on the step”, but more detailed instructions to a courier might be lost.
Another slight annoyance is how the C210 charges with a microUSB cable instead of the newer and more commonplace USB-C standard. On the whole though, the Eufy C210’s included chime and lack of ongoing cost make it a fantastic video doorbell for buyers on a budget.
Buy now £99.99, Amazon
Arlo 2K Wireless Video Doorbell
DIY installation: Yes
Resolution: 2K (1944 x 1944)
Field-of-view: 180 degrees
HDR: No
Night vision: Yes, greyscale
Two-way audio: Yes
Removable battery: No
Local storage: No
Power source: Battery or existing doorbell wiring
Why we love it
- 2K video with HDR
- Compact design
- Tall field-of-view
Take note
- No local storage
- No Apple HomeKit support
- Person and package detection require subscription
Arlo’s video doorbells is one of the few to record in 2K resolution. This makes its footage a little sharper than lesser 1080p (Full HD) models, with a bit more detail too. I also like how this doorbell has a wide lens and records square video that is as wide as it is tall, since the tallness helps include visitors’ faces and parcels on the doorstep in the same shot. Other doorbells manage this by installing a second camera facing downwards, but Arlo’s single, wide lens works just as well.
Like all the models we tested, it’s a smart doorbell with two-way audio, so you can talk to visitors from your phone wherever you are.
The doorbell is available on its own or with an included plug-in chime. This is powered from any wall outlet and can be set to play a variety of doorbell sound effects when a visitor presses the button. The doorbell itself is sleek, simple and relatively compact, although I found the black plastic front picked up scratches incredibly easily. Another negative is how the battery is not removable, so you can’t quickly swap a fresh one in when the other needs charging. Instead, you have to take the doorbell down and charge it, putting it out of use for a few hours.
Since Arlo also makes a range of indoor and outdoor security cameras, this doorbell makes a good starting point from which to build a larger security system. Doing so while staying within the same ecosystem – instead of mixing an Arlo doorbell with Eufy security cameras, for example – is always a good idea.
But buyers need to be aware that, like Ring, Arlo’s doorbell has no internal storage. Instead, you must pay for Arlo’s subscription service, which includes cloud video storage. This starts at £5.49 a month or £54.90 per year, rising to £11.99 for four cameras (or a doorbell and three cameras), and £16.99 for unlimited cameras. Subscribing also unlocks the doorbell’s ability to tell the difference between people, packaging and other forms of movement.
Buy now £184.98, Amazon
Yale Smart Video Doorbell
Best: For Yale customers
DIY installation: Yes
Resolution: 1920 x 1080 (Full HD)
Field-of-view: 154 degrees
HDR: No
Night vision: Infrared, up to six metres
Two-way audio: Yes
Removable battery: No
Local storage: Yes, two to four days' worth
Power source: Battery or wired
Why we love it
- Internal storage means no cloud storage fee
- Alexa and Google Home integration
- App works well
Take note
- Recordings can’t be backed-up automatically
- Chime not included
- Video tightly cropped by default
Yale is best known as a maker of door locks and home alarm systems, but its latest range of smart home products is worthy of your attention. Yale’s video doorbell is battery powered (or it can use your existing doorbell wiring) and records 1080p Full HD video through a 154-degree lens.
It has all of the usual video doorbell features, like greyscale night vision and a microphone and speaker for two-way audio. But what helps set this doorbell apart – especially from Ring – is its internal storage. This means recordings are stored on the doorbell itself, ready to be streamed or downloaded to your smartphone. And, best of all, because this doorbell doesn't rely on cloud storage, there’s no subscription fee. This is a video doorbell that doesn’t require a subscription to save recordings, making it a very cost-effective choice.
The doorbell has enough storage for between two and four days’ worth of recordings, Yale says, so you’ve plenty of time to download anything significant, like a clip of someone loitering by your door in the middle of the night to your phone for safekeeping.
I like how this doorbell integrates with both the Alexa and Google Home smart home platforms, and although simple compared to its feature-packed rivals, the app works well.
Although it isn’t required, Yale offers 30 days of cloud storage for £3.50 a month. This also unlocks extra AI-powered functions, like the ability to differentiate vehicles, pets and packages from other types of movement.
Read the full Yale Smart Video Doorbell review
Buy now £129.99, Amazon
Swann EVO Video Doorbell
Best: AI doorbell in a budget
DIY installation: Yes
Resolution: 1.7MP (1296 x 1296)
Field-of-view: 140 degrees
HDR: No
Night vision: Yes, infrared
Two-way audio: Yes
Removable battery: No, integrated
Local storage: Yes, microSD (not included)
Power source: Integrated battery or existing wiring
Why we love it
- AI voice assistant
- Included chime
- Integrated storage
Take note
- MicroSD card not included
- AI clever but slow to respond
- Doorbell battery not removable
A budget model compared to Swann’s 4K doorbell above, the Evo still ticks a lot of boxes – and it does so at a sub-£100 price tag. It records at HD resolution through a 140-degree lens, which is just about wide enough to see visitors from head to toe, and also features Swann’s clever AI voice feature.
Called SwannShield, and explained in more detail in the SwannBuddy review above, the feature uses artificial intelligence to serve up replies to visitors’ questions and statements. If a courier says they have a parcel, the doorbell will tell them where to leave it (based on what you’ve previously stated in the app). It works surprisingly well, but can be a little slow to respond.
It works best if you’ve given it basic instructions, like to leave parcels on the step, but it’ll also ad-lib. The AI suggested I leave a parcel behind a plant pot (despite not knowing if there’s one by the door), and it later suggested leaving a parcel with a neighbour two doors down. “They’re usually in,” it added, without knowing they even exist. If you spend too long forcing a conversation, the AI gets fed up. “Can’t help you further, bit tied up at the moment,” it said, adding: “Tough luck; guess you’ll have to reattempt delivery another time.”
Is any of this truly helpful? It’s fairly clever, for a doorbell, but I doubt your average delivery driver will wait around long enough for a full conversation to play out. It’s handy for saying where to leave a package, but also strongly implies your home is unoccupied.
The Swann Evo comes with a wireless, battery-powered chime in the box (something no Ring video doorbell has as standard), and the doorbell itself can be powered by its integrated rechargeable battery or your existing doorbell wiring.
Although not required, Swann has a subscription that includes 60 days of cloud storage, device insurance, rich notifications and the ability to see alerts caused specifically by people, pets, cars and packages. This is free for 90 days, then costs £4.99 a month for one device or £11.99 a month for multiple devices – if you have a Swann doorbell and other Swann security cameras, for example.
Buy now £90.00, Amazon
Ezviz HP3 Pro
Best: Budget video doorbell with solar power
DIY installation: Yes
Resolution: 2K
Field-of-view: 162 degrees
HDR: No
Night vision: Yes, colour
Two-way audio: Yes
Removable battery: No
Local storage: Yes 8GB (not expandable)
Power source: Battery and solar, or existing doorbell wiring
Why we love it
- Solar powered
- Low price
- Local storage
Take note
- Solar performance depends on location
- Battery not removable
- 8GB storage not expandable
A more budget-friendly option from Ezviz, the HP3 Pro video doorbell has the same basic design and included solar panel as the EP3x Pro above, but misses out on the second camera. That’s a loss if you need a doorbell to keep a watching eye on your parcels, but otherwise the cheaper model performs well.
It records video at 2K resolution and at 162 degrees, the lens is plenty wide enough. There’s also colour night vision, not just the black-and-white sort offered by lesser video doorbells, and 8GB of internal storage.
This isn’t expandable, unfortunately, but should be plenty for holding recordings of visitors or suspicious activity before you get a chance to download it from the doorbell to your phone. That also means you can do without paying a monthly fee for cloud video storage, as is necessary with Ring video doorbells. I also love how this doorbell comes with a solar charger, so if it gets enough sunlight the battery should never need recharging.
Buy now £79.99, Amazon
Video doorbell FAQs and buying advice
What is the best video doorbell?
The Eufy E340 is currently my favourite video doorbell. I like any video doorbell that stores footage locally, instead of asking you to pay a monthly fee for cloud storage. But what makes the E340 especially good is how it packs two lenses, with one used to spot and monitor deliveries on your doorstep.
The main camera records in sharp 2K resolution, plus there’s colour night vision and the option to integrate with Eufy’s excellent home alarm system, complete with security cameras and the company’s HomeBase, which uses AI to increase the doorbell’s abilities and acts as a central video storage unit.
My favourite budget video doorbell is the Blink Video Doorbell. It costs just £50, yet is easy to set up, records good-quality video, and works very well. In fact, it has all the features you really need from a video doorbell, without the unnecessary extras and increased costs of others. Buy it with Blink’s Sync Module 2 and you get subscription-free local storage too, so there are no ongoing costs.
Finally, my favourite video doorbell from Ring is the company’s latest Battery Pro model. It’s more expensive than most, at £200, but includes 3D motion tracking powered by radar, which effectively turns a doorbell into a fully-fledged security camera. It even plots the motion of trespassers on a satellite view of your land, and provides a time lapse summary of everything it has seen each day. Just remember that Ring doorbells have no local storage, so you’ll need to pay monthly or annually for Ring’s subscription service, which adds extra features and unlocks cloud video storage.
How do video doorbells work?
Video doorbells work as both a doorbell and a security camera. They mount to a flat surface like a wall, fence or door frame, connect to your Wi-Fi network, and have a button for visitors to press, which then sends an alert to your smartphone. You can then either answer the door as normal, or tap on that alert and a video call will begin between your phone and the doorbell. You can then chat with the visitor, telling them you'll be there in a moment, or that you’re not home and the courier should leave the parcel with your neighbour.
As for being a security camera, video doorbells can also be configured to alert you and start recording when they detect motion nearby. So if someone is loitering by your door, footage of them will be saved either to the doorbell itself or uploaded to a cloud storage service depending on the make and model of video doorbell you buy.
How are video doorbells powered?
Almost every video doorbell has the option for connecting to your home’s existing doorbell wiring. Most come with a couple of connectors that simply screw into place and draw power from the old wiring. They generally do not work with your old doorbell’s chime.
Many video doorbells also have a rechargeable battery, which lasts for between several weeks and several months (depending on usage) before it needs to be taken out and charged. Some video doorbells can top up this battery with a solar panel (usually sold separately but occasionally included in the box), meaning you might never need to charge the battery yourself.
Lastly, some video doorbells are, very occasionally, powered by Ethernet. This is a great option if you want to install the doorbell a long way from your Wi-Fi router – by the gate at the end of your drive, for example – since it won’t be reliant on a wireless internet connection.
Should I install it myself or get professional help?
In almost all cases, video doorbells are easy to install, requiring just a screwdriver and possibly a drill. They come with a mounting plate and all the screws and wall plugs you need (usually four) to install on a flat surface like a wall or door frame. You’ll need a screwdriver and potentially a drill, but that’s it.
Do I need a subscription with my video doorbell?
This depends on which make of video doorbell you buy. Ring is the most popular brand, and while its doorbells perform very well, they do not save any video recordings unless you pay a cloud storage subscription. Ring’s products still work like a doorbell, buzzing your phone and opening a video call when a visitor presses the button, but don’t function as a proper security camera unless you pay a monthly or annual fee.
Other doorbells, like those from Eufy, Ezviz and Swann, store recordings locally, either on the doorbell itself or a microSD card installed in the doorbell, or in a separate unit inside your home. Paying for cloud storage is often still an option with these models too, but not the practical necessity it is with Ring. That said, if you plan to install a full Ring security system, with an alarm and multiple cameras, the same subscription provides cloud storage and extra features for all of these too.
What are the key features to look for in a video doorbell?
Video resolution and the field-of-view of the lens are key attributes to look out for. While the former is obvious – a higher resolution generally means better video quality – the latter is vital for a video doorbell. A wider lens means a broader view out from your door, with the best video doorbells giving a view that stretches from the visitor’s head to their feet, and to parcels left on the doorstep.
On that note, some video doorbells also have a second camera, installed specifically to focus on the doorstep and used to alert you when a parcel has been left there. Some models even use AI to issue a warning (and send you a message) when someone approaches the parcel. Speaking of AI, some new video doorbells from Swann have an AI voice capable of having a real-time conversation with visitors.
Another key feature is night vision. All video doorbells have it, but while some make do with an infrared system that produces black-and-white footage in low light, others have full-colour night vision. Useful for capturing evidence like the colour of a car that drove off after crashing into yours late one night.
