Wireless doorbells have been a part of our modern lives for quite some time. However, they have been rapidly replacing wired doorbells in recent days.
We have created this handy guide that can be used as a checklist because there are so many factors to consider when purchasing a suitable wireless doorbell.
You can read about the various features and determine their relevance to your needs before deciding on which doorbell to purchase.
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Top 11 Features to Look for
Let’s take a look at the top ten features to look for in a wireless doorbell before making a purchase.
Operating Dimensions
This is by far the most important factor to consider when purchasing a doorbell. You should choose an appropriate operating range based on the size and design of your home (as well as any interfering walls). The majority of doorbells have a starting range of 150 feet.
The greater the size of the house, the greater the operating range you will need. So choose a doorbell with enough range to cover most of your home. However, if your home is small and there aren’t many wall interferences, you can opt for a lower-range doorbell.
The sound of a doorbell can be heard from anywhere in your home, which is the entire purpose of a wireless doorbell. You don’t want to lose signals due to a limited operating range. So be very specific.
Technology
The majority of wireless doorbells use Radio Frequency, but there has recently been a slew of products that are WiFi and mobile compatible. You must understand and decide whether you require a smart video doorbell such as Ring Pro or DoorBird.
Installation Simplicity
A wireless doorbell should be simple to set up. These doorbells come with double-sided tape for installation or can be screwed into the wall. A wire bell should also allow you to fix it horizontally, vertically, or in a free position over a desk.
Sound Options for The Doorbell
Nowadays, most wireless doorbells include a variety of sounds. You can play around with different chime tunes and pick the best one for you. If you don’t care about the sound options, you can use the default sound provided by the chime unit.
Options for Adjusting The Volume
It’s always a good idea to be able to adjust the volume of the doorbell. You have the option of changing the volume depending on the situation.
Indicators of Flash Light/Illumination
You should look for visual alerts provided by the door chime unit. If you have a hearing-impaired family member or a young baby who you don’t want to wake up every time someone rings the doorbell, a flashlight provision can be useful.
Doorbell Design and Style – Decoration
Choose a doorbell that complements your home’s or wall’s decor. When it comes to design and appearance, there is a wide range of options available on the market. Choose a color and design that goes well with the rest of your home.
Integration with Home Security Products
A lot of progress has been made in terms of integrating home security features into wireless doorbells. However, if you already have a solid home security automation system in place, this may be unnecessary.
A doorbell can be equipped with motion sensors and multiple push buttons. You can choose whether or not to use these features.
Supported Number of Push Buttons/Bells
Check to see how many push buttons the doorbell has. This is especially useful if you have a large house. Doorbells can support up to six push buttons, and some doorbells can even support an unlimited number of push buttons.
So choose the door chime unit based on your requirement for multiple push-button support.
Options for Batteries
The majority of doorbells come with disposable batteries. However, make sure the doorbell has rechargeable batteries and a charging plug.
Avoiding Interference and Blocking Frequencies
Because wireless doorbells rely on frequency exchange between transmitter and receiver, it’s critical that your doorbell responds only to its own push button and not to others. So check to see if the doorbell has the option of blocking other frequencies, which it usually does.
Top 5 Wireless Doorbell
We’ve compiled a list of our top picks for the best wireless doorbells on the market right now.
1. Ring Video Doorbell (2nd Generation)
The 2nd Generation Ring Video Doorbell is now the oldest Ring Video Doorbell available for purchase. However, it still holds its own as the best wireless doorbell option with all the features, customization, and smart home compatibility you could want.
Specifications
- Battery hardwired powered
- Full HD resolution
- Cloud storage
- 155-degree field of view
- 9 x 2.4 x 1.1in Dimensions
Reasons to Buy
- It can be used wired or wirelessly
- It is less expensive
- It works with Alexa and other Ring products
- Quick responses
Avoidance Reasons
- There is no chime included, but it can connect to an existing one.
- A subscription is required.
- Won’t work with Google Home devices.
Make Contact with Alexa
The ability to connect the camera feed and alerts to your smart speaker, display, or even your Fire TV is one of the best features of video doorbells. Because Amazon owns Ring, connectivity is seamless, making answering the door from the kitchen (or the store!) even easier.
However, users of Google Assistant (or Apple’s Siri) should not buy because many of the best features will only work with Alexa-enabled devices such as Echo speakers and Ring security products.
Ring Safeguard
While the Ring Video Doorbell works well without any additional subscription fees, those who want to save videos and images, or go back to previous motion alerts, will need to purchase the Ring Protect plan. After the 90-day free trial period, you’ll have 60 days of rolling cloud storage.
Quick Responses
Quick Replies, a newer feature that has made its way to all Ring models as a result of automatic software updates, essentially turns your doorbell into an answering machine. Pre-programmed responses can be loaded for visitors, or they can be asked to leave a message.
2. Arlo Essential Video Doorbell Wire–Free
The Arlo Essential, Arlo’s newest wireless doorbell, is packed with security features and extras that will greet visitors, monitor packages, and keep your front porch safe.
Specifications
- Battery hardwired powered
- 2K resolution
- Cloud storage
- 180-degree field of view (1:1)
- 5 x 1.3 x 1.8in Dimensions
- 25-pound weight
Reasons to Purchase
- Video resolution of 2K
- Alexa, Google Assistant, Samsung SmartThings, and other Arlo products are supported.
- Excellent 1:1 field of view
- Integrated siren
- Quick responses
Reasons to Avoid
- Requires a subscription
- Surprisingly large and cumbersome
Field of View From Head to Toe
The field of view refers to how much of the area you will be able to see clearly (and in 2K resolution!) through the camera lens of your doorbell, and the Arlo Essential has one of the best options. Not only does it provide 180 degrees, but the 1:1 aspect ratio allows you to see the doorstep – useful when we’re all getting more deliveries than ever.
Set The Alarm
Unlike Ring’s doorbells, Arlo includes a built-in siren to increase the doorbell’s utility as a security device. Suppose you don’t already have an Arlo security camera. In that case, this is a great feature that can be activated automatically when something suspicious is happening outside, or manually if you see something on the live feed.
Arlo Safe
You will receive a three-month trial of Arlo Secure upon purchase, which allows you to receive personalized notifications for people, vehicles, animals, and packages, as well as store video footage for 30 days. This, like Ring’s comparable subscription plan, will cost you $3 per month.
3. Eufy Smart Wi–Fi 2k Video Doorbell
If you’re looking for the best wireless doorbell with no monthly subscription fees, look no further than the Eufy smart 2K doorbell. It includes a HomeBase hub that both stores your footage locally and acts as a chime, as well as everything you need to get started.
Specifications
- Battery powered
- 2K resolution
- Storage: regional
- 160-degree field of view (4:3)
- 5 x 2.1 x 1.1in Dimensions
- 46-pound weight
Reasons to Buy
- 2K video resolution
- No subscription required
- Works with Alexa and Google Assistant
- Preset responses
Avoidance Reasons
- No cloud storage
- Response times can be slow
- Needs to be removed for charging
Encryption to Military Standards
Though it’s unusual for video doorbells to lack cloud storage, having your footage on the HomeBase (which is located inside your home) is arguably more secure than having it in cyberspace.
There are advantages and disadvantages, with one advantage being the military-grade AES-256 encryption added by Eufy, but a disadvantage is that the link between the doorbell and hub can slow response times.
Correction for 2K Distortion
The Eufy doorbell provides a high-quality image with 2K resolution and distortion correction. It also has a 4:3 aspect ratio, which allows you to see more of the picture when someone knocks on the door.
Ingenious Responses
The doorbell now has the standard smart human detection and customizable motion zones to reduce the number of unnecessary alerts on your phone, but it’s worth noting that these are free in this case.
If you’re too busy to respond directly, you can pre-program responses such as ‘leave the package at the back door.’
4. Ring Video Doorbell 4
The Ring Video Doorbell 4 is the brand’s most recent product, and it has improved features similar to the now-discontinued Ring Video Doorbell 3 Plus. This is a good option if you want to invest in something that supports all of Ring’s latest innovations.
Specifications
- Hardwired Battery powered
- Full HD resolution
- Cloud storage
- 160-degree field of view
- 5 x 2.4 x 1in Dimensions
Reasons to Buy
- It works with Alexa and other Ring products
- It has a longer battery life than older Ring products
- Quick responses
Avoidance Reasons
- Requires a subscription
- No chime included, but it can connect to an existing one
- Won’t work with Google Home devices
Charge Time is Reduced
One of the most common complaints about previous Ring doorbells was their short battery life, which meant that those who lived on busy streets (where the motion detection had to work overtime) had to unmount the device every few weeks to recharge.
The Ring 4, on the other hand, has not only a quick-release battery pack but also promises 6-12 months of battery life.
Pre-roll Color
The doorbell has added color pre-roll to its list of features, which was borrowed from but improved upon in the 3 Plus. Previously black and white, each motion alert now has a clear 4-second preview.
This is especially useful for security purposes, as you will see more of the action if something goes wrong.
Ring Security is Still Required
Unfortunately, most of the best features, such as reviewing and saving footage for later, still require a Ring Protect subscription.
5. Google Nest Doorbell Battery
The Google Nest Doorbell Battery, which adds wireless functionality and a gorgeously sleek new design to Google’s sole video doorbell, was recently updated.
Specifications
- Battery hardwired powered
- Full HD resolution
- Cloud storage
- 145-degree field of view (3:4)
- 2 x 0.94 x 1.8in Dimensions
- 45-pound weight
Reasons to Buy
- Affordable
- Works with Google Assistant
- Power outage backup
- Free intelligent alerts and 3-hour event history
Reasons to Avoid
- No chime included, and if you want one, you’ll need a Nest device
- It will not work with Alexa or Siri devices.
Free and Paid Features
Many of the most valuable features are included with the Nest Doorbell. There is no additional subscription fee if you want intelligent alerts that can distinguish between a person, a package, a vehicle, or an animal passing by.
You also get three hours of event history, which can be expanded to 60 days if you have a Nest Aware Plus account.
The Familiar Face feature, which allows you to name frequent visitors within the app so that the doorbell recognizes them the next time they come around, is also included with a Nest Aware Plus account.
Coverage for Wi-Fi Outages
The footage captured by the doorbell is saved in the cloud. But if there is a signal or power outage that prevents it from connecting to the Internet, the Nest Battery will record events locally for an hour, preventing any blind spots when you need them the most.
Ecosystem of The Nest
The lack of compatible chimes is one disadvantage of the Nest doorbell when compared to those from Ring. That means receiving an alert outside of a notification on your phone will necessitate using a Google smart speaker or display, which is a lot to ask.
