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Doorbell cameras have grown in popularity exponentially, and are now seen as a necessity rather than a luxury. When it comes to protecting your family and property, video doorbells are your first line of defense, and can be (in most cases) monitored and controlled from your mobile device. Plus they add convenient two-way communication when you’re not at home (as in, tell a delivery person to leave a package – they don’t need to know you’re talking to them while grocery shopping).
The top reasons why many homeowners fall in love with video doorbells are affordability, ease of use, and the DIY nature of the installation. Plus if you already have a more advanced security system, but didn’t add the doorbell camera, it’s an easy add-on. Keep reading to learn more about the best video doorbells around.
ADT offers two different video doorbells. First, a Google Nest video doorbell is available with either a Build Your Own system or Video and Smart Home system. Both systems require professional installation and professional monitoring. If you are looking for something more flexible, ADT Blue (ADT’s DIY line of products) offers a doorbell camera with DIY installation and optional monitoring. We like that ADT offers customers both options.
ADT is a well-respected home security company that offers a wide variety of equipment including the Google Nest video doorbell camera. Their prices tend to be a bit higher than the industry average, but they give you more for the money so it all washes. Additionally, you can purchase a basic package and continue to add on to it as needed.
For its traditional systems, ADT security packages start at $599, with monitoring plans that start at $45.99 per month. ADT also has plenty of home automation products that you can add to your security system if you want even more convenience and control over your home whether you’re there or not. ADT also offers ADT Pulse, an app that lets you remotely access and control your home security system.
With ADT Blue, the doorbell camera costs $199.99. Remember, there are no additional monitoring or installation costs. You will self-monitor using the free Blue mobile app.
The traditional ADT systems come with a nice perk for customers — a six-month money-back guarantee. They must really trust their products! ADT Blue offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, which is standard for this type of DIY system.
Recently, ADT added facial recognition software to its video doorbells. All you have to do is turn on the Familiar Faces setting. Any time an unfamiliar face shows up on your doorstep, the doorbell asks you if you can identify it. Over time, it learns all the people you know and sends you customized alerts so you know exactly who’s knocking.
Vivint has basic and advanced home security and automation equipment. They offer free professional installation on everything except for their outdoor and video doorbell cameras. Additionally, Vivint has more video doorbell features than most of their competitors. And, they have cellular monitoring and affordable monthly plans, as well as a zero-percent financing option. Here is a quick summary of the Vivint pros and cons.
Vivint is a wildly popular brand with more than a million customers throughout the U.S. and Canada. Vivint has several purchase options, as well as several ways to pay. They have a 42- or 60-month Vivint Flex Pay Pricing option with zero-percent financing (with approved credit) so you can buy your equipment upfront). Or, you can opt for one of their monthly equipment plans that start at $53.99 per month. Additionally, Vivint has monitoring plans that start at $30.00 per month. Either way, you can choose from one of their packages or customize one of your own. One thing to keep in mind is that you cannot order a system or a single camera online. To place an order, you need to speak to a company representative via phone.
The Vivint video doorbell comes standard with 2-way talk, 1-way video, night vision, 30-second video clips on demand, custom alerts, a 180-degree wide-angle lens, and 24/7 continuous video for up to four cameras for up to 30 days. In addition, it includes smart visitor detection; it knows the difference between people, passing cars, shadows, etc. And it has a Vivint app integration feature that allows you to unlock your front door or garage door, turn on your lights, and more.
Frontpoint is a fast growing technology and service company founded in 2007 that has a wide variety of home security/automation features. Frontpoint also offers both wired and wireless video doorbell cameras that you can use to keep an eye on your home from just about anywhere, so you can monitor what’s going on at all times. Their doorbell camera comes with plenty of features to help keep your home and family safe. Additionally, the Frontpoint doorbell camera is an easy installation. Here is a quick summary of the Frontpoint pros and cons.
Consistently rated one of the best in the industry, Frontpoint is a widely used home security and home automation brand that also offers a video doorbell. Their equipment is easy to use and can usually be installed in under 30 minutes without any special tools or skills required.
Frontpoint offers three equipment packages that range in price from $403 to $791. You can also create a build-it-yourself package that includes a hub and keypad for $99. A wired doorbell camera can be added for $66 and a wireless doorbell camera can be added for $125.
The Frontpoint contracts are either one-year or three-year agreements. Their monitoring plans range from $34.99 per month to $49.99 per month. Additionally, they frequently run specials which sometimes include a free Doorbell Pro camera, among other things. Be sure to check their website frequently for the most current specials available.
Brinks is one of the top-ranked DIY home security companies in the industry. Additionally, they have an award-winning alarm response center with one of the best response times (under 30 seconds) in the industry. Brinks offers 24/7 professional monitoring and a 90-day risk-free trial. Brinks also has an HD video doorbell at $240.00 that allows you to see and hear who is at your door at all times. Here is a quick summary of the Brinks pros and cons.
Brinks has a 26-year history, over one million subscribers, and one of the fastest response times in the industry. Additionally, they currently have an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau. They also offer a 90-day risk-free trial and a two-year warranty on their equipment which is compatible with up to 119 smart home devices.
Brinks has two monitoring plans ranging from $29/mo. to $39/mo. and there’s no upfront equipment cost because it’s included in the monthly monitoring price. However, if you want the video doorbell, you’ll have to go with the upper tier plan because that’s the only one that includes the video doorbell.
The Brinks plans include tamper protection, LiveVoice Assist, smartphone controls, and home automation (depending on the plan you choose). Their plans are also flexible because you can buy the one you need now and add-on to them as your needs change.
Ring started out with a video doorbell camera which was the first to hit the market. However, they have since expanded their services into a full suite of home security products. Ring now offers a wide range of video doorbells, security and floodlight cams, full home security systems, and environmental protection sensors, as well as some add-on pieces. Here is a quick summary of the Ring pros and cons.
Ring began life as a video doorbell company, so their equipment is some of the best in the industry. In the last decade, they’ve grown beyond doorbells into a well-respected home security brand with a huge following. Part of that popularity has to do with the company’s commitment to constant innovation. All video doorbells, for instance, let you monitor your own home, but with real-time crime alerts and information on your neighbor’s Ring doorbells, you can monitor your entire neighborhood.
Ring has three plan options. The Free plan is free of charge; however, that plan only offers limited functions. Then they have a Protect Basic plan that costs $3.99/mo. or $39.99 annually which includes the recording for one camera. The Protect Plus plan is $10/mo. or $100 and expands recording to all your Ring devices. Finally, there’s the Pro plan with video monitoring plus full-service 24/7 monitoring.
Your first line of defense, equipment-wise, to protect your home and loved ones is a doorbell video camera. They are easy to install and simple to use, but most importantly, they can be a big crime deterrent. And if the unfortunate happens and a break-in occurs, you just might have video proof to pass onto police and your neighbors.
There are other benefits of doorbell video cameras as well. For example, you can more easily screen your visitors, monitor your kids, confirm package deliveries, and it might even lower your insurance premiums.
The following are some common features found in home security systems that include video doorbell cameras:
Remote Access is a key feature of the best home security systems with doorbell cameras. And it’s incredibly powerful. You can view your doorbell camera’s live-feed, on your smartphone, from virtually anywhere in the world. Just login to the companion app to access, monitor, and control your home security and automation setup. Welcome to the future.
Here’s another value-packed feature of doorbell cameras. Video Recording captures suspicious activity, break-ins and burglaries, and even environmental hazards. Some high-tech doorbell cameras offer continuous recording, while others record intermittently when triggered by activity. A security camera with video recording, combined with a cloud storage plan, is your ticket to a safe home.
Knowledge is power. That’s why Mobile Alerts are so popular. The best home security systems with doorbell cameras include Mobile Alerts in their suite of features. If and when your camera detects activity, it automatically sends you an alert so you can take action. If it’s a good guy, great! But if it’s a bad guy... it’s time to make him pay.
Simply put, entryway sensors make the security system – they secure the perimeter of your home. Without the advance warning of a sensor, anyone could walk onto your property. (Or in reverse, your wandering toddler could escape out an unlocked door.) Magnetic sensors come standard with all systems, and when active in “arm” mode, the alarm will sound the moment a door or window opens. These add to the protection offered by a video doorbell camera.
Now that your entryway is secure with a doorbell camera and sensors, it’s time to round-out your home security system with Motion Detectors. These devices are strategically mounted throughout your home to monitor activity inside. If they detect movement, the alarm sounds and alerts are sent. Rest assured that if there’s any motion or commotion, you’ll be the first to know.
It’s true that doorbell cameras are the foundation of smart home security. But look for a home security system and doorbell camera that supports home automation features. This will allow you to remotely control everything from your door locks and lights, to your thermostat, garage door, and more. Access the controls via mobile app, or setup voice control for a future-forward lifestyle.
Two-Way Voice comes with the best home security doorbell cameras. At work but have a visitor at your front door? No problem. You’ll get a mobile alert, allowing you to open the app and talk with the person remotely. If it’s the mailman, have him hide your package. If it’s a burglar, tell him to skedaddle. If it’s your mother-in-law… you’re on your own.
Night Vision is another great feature that comes standard with many home security doorbell cameras. Some night vision cameras are black and white, while others boast full-color imaging. Both types leverage infrared technology to record crisp and clear video as if it were broad daylight. Impressive tech-forward functionality aside, Night Vision just sounds cool.
Live-View, live-stream, live-feed — whatever you call it, just be sure your doorbell camera has it. This feature lets you tap into a real-time video feed of your doorbell camera. Simply login to your home security system’s companion app, open the Live-View option, and get comfortable. This feature is especially powerful when combined with two-way voice.