With the help of a smart doorbell camera, you'll always know who's at your door whether you're home or not. You can tell the delivery driver where to leave a package, see when guests arrive, and keep tabs on when your kids come and go. Smart doorbells have been around for over a decade now, with a growing number of brands offering a wide range of features at all kinds of price points. Check out the top smart doorbells available today in our handy comparison grid below.

What to Look for in Smart Doorbells

If you don't think you need a video doorbell camera, keep reading!  Crimes happen every day. Yes, even in your neighborhood. So why not take a proactive step to protect your family. There's nothing more important than keeping your family, home, and property safe, whether you are there or not.

Here are a few things to consider that will help you make an educated decision about which video doorbell camera is right for you.

Resolution

Doorbell cameras today typically range from 1080p up to 2K resolution, though some budget models still sit at 720p or lower. The higher the resolution, the sharper and more detailed the image, which is useful when you need to make out a face or read a license plate. That said, resolution alone doesn't tell the whole story. A camera that can't handle changing light conditions won't look great even at 2K, so keep an eye on how each model performs in bright sunlight and low light.

Night Vision

A lot can happen in the cover of night, especially during the winter months when night falls much earlier. Night vision capabilities will allow you to clearly see who is at your door even when it's dark out, giving you a bit more security 24/7.

Field of View

This is how wide the camera can see. 180° means the camera can see everything in front of it, and to the sides, while 90° means it can only see to the front, and a tiny bit to the sides. A wider field of view is preferred for nearly all scenarios.

Motion Detection

Some doorbell cameras have motion sensors that alert you when someone is approaching or leaving your front door. Many newer models take this further with features like person detection, package detection, and customizable activity zones. This way you can zero in on what matters and filter out false alerts from passing cars or blowing trees. If you live near a busy street, these smarter detection options are worth it.

Source of Power

Doorbell cameras are either battery powered or hardwired into the existing wires of your regular doorbell. If you don't have a traditional doorbell on your house or condo, then be sure to only get a battery powered option.

Audio Features

One of the biggest benefits of doorbell cameras is being able to communicate through it. Two way audio allows you to speak with whoever is at the door, such as telling delivery men to leave a package somewhere specific.

Cloud Storage

Cloud storage is a key feature to look for in any doorbell camera. It lets you go back and review recorded footage after a motion event. This is handy if someone tampers with a package or you need video evidence of suspicious activity. Most brands offer a free tier with limited storage and a paid subscription for extended history, ranging from 30 to 60 days. Make sure you understand what's included for free versus what requires an ongoing monthly fee before you buy.

App Support

For most people, having app support is the biggest advantage of a video doorbell. You'll want to be sure the video doorbell you're buying has excellent app support so you can actually connect to it fast to see who is at your door, rather than having a shoddy app that doesn’t load till after the person at your door has left.