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While doorbell cameras may have started as a novelty, they are now vital for home security.
Updated April 22, 2024
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While they were once a novelty, video doorbells are quickly becoming a must-have in terms of home security. Not only do they allow you to keep an eye on your entryways, they help protect you from porch pirates and intruders alike.
As good as they are at protecting homes, though, video doorbells alone aren’t enough. They are best paired with a home security system. Luckily, many are. In fact, most home security systems today have a doorbell camera or two in their product lineups. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the best home security systems out there that offer video doorbells so you can decide for yourself just which one is right for you.
We don’t take our research lightly. We look at dozens of systems, and we’re always testing some new product or service. Each time, we put every component through its paces, testing them ourselves in our own homes for a minimum of one full week. As a result, we’re fully qualified to comment on how well these systems work, what drawbacks they may have, and how they compare to one another.
As the name suggests, for this particular list, we were primarily interested in security systems that offer video doorbells. Of special note, we considered features like how easy these doorbells were to install, what specific features they offer, how well they work day-to-day, and, of course, their price.
It’s no surprise that SimpliSafe takes the number one spot in yet another one of our lists of the best security equipment. Their video doorbell offers reliability, ease of installation, affordability, and scalability. Use it on its own — or integrate it into a comprehensive SimpliSafe home security system, like I did when I tested the system out.
As a complete system, SimpliSafe offers total protection and flexibility. I appreciate that you can choose to self-monitor your system, or you can sign up for their high-tech Fast Protect Monitoring service. When coupled with their new Smart Alarm indoor camera, this monitoring allows a SimpliSafe technician the ability to watch a live feed from inside your home and relay important information to the authorities.
FYI: When I tested the Fast Protect Monitoring for my review of SimpliSafe, the response times were extremely fast (about 20 seconds on average), and the technicians were all very helpful and professional.
SimpliSafe’s video doorbell is exactly what we’d expect from this provider. From the DIY approach to the no-frills, everything-you-need-and-nothing-you-don’t philosophy, this is a simple doorbell that just gets the job done right.
When it comes to features, you won’t be blown away, but you won’t be missing anything, either. Maybe the lack of motion detection zones could disappoint some people, but I didn’t think it was too big of a deal when I tested the SimpliSafe video doorbell. Its wide range of vision, along with the unique pan and zoom feature, helped me see everything I needed to — including packages placed almost directly underneath it on my doorstep. And its smart features limited the number of false positives I received.
One of the primary drawbacks is you have to hardwire the doorbell. Now, before you immediately turn your nose up, I understand that DIY isn’t everyone’s favorite acronym. Trust me, though, even if you’re not super handy, you can install this doorbell pretty easily. Just make sure you follow the instructions provided and turn your power off — you don’t want to get zapped like I did.
And as far as pricing goes, this doorbell is right on the money. At just $169, it’s an option for most budgets; when you consider what you’re getting for that price tag, I think it’s more than affordable. And speaking of pricing…
Another benefit of going with a SimpliSafe system is its affordability. I have more on this in my guide to SimpliSafe’s pricing, but here’s a quick breakdown of their security bundles:
| Package Name | Number of Components | Price |
|---|---|---|
| The Foundation | 4 | $244.96 |
| The Essentials | 6 | $274.95 |
| The Lighthouse | 7 | $464.93 |
| The Hearth | 9 | $394.91 |
| The Beacon | 10 | $669.90 |
| The Knox | 13 | $469.78 |
| The Haven | 14 | $509.86 |
Also keep in mind that SimpliSafe is always running a sale. I’ve been covering the brand for years, and I’ve rarely seen SimpliSafe charge full price for new customers. If none of these bundles work for you, though, you can always build out your own system using individual components. Here’s how the prices look with that option:
| Component | Cost |
|---|---|
| Entry sensor | $14.99 |
| Motion sensor | $34.99 |
| Glass-break sensor | $39.99 |
| Outdoor camera | $189.99 |
| Smart Alarm indoor camera | $139.99 |
| SimpliCam indoor camera | $99.99 |
| Video doorbell | $169.99 |
| Water sensor | $19.99 |
| Smoke and carbon monoxide detector | $59.99 |
| Smoke detector | $34.99 |
| Temperature sensor | $29.99 |
| Panic button | $19.99 |
| Key fob | $24.99 |
| Extra-loud siren | $59.99 |
As far as monitoring goes, SimpliSafe is one of the best no-fee security systems out there; they allow their customers to self-monitor their systems with no additional cost. If you’re looking for professional monitoring, though, there are two options. The Fast Protect Monitoring that I mentioned above is $29.99 per month, and standard monitoring is just $19.99 per month.
Checking out the privacy screen on SimpliSafe’s new wireless indoor camera.
| Monitoring Options | Self or professional |
|---|---|
| Installation | DIY or professional |
| Smart Platform Integration | Alexa and Google Home |
| Equipment Cost | From $249.96 |
| Monthly Monitoring Cost | From $19.99 |
| Contract Length | Month-to-month |
Vivint is another one of our favorite home security providers, albeit for totally different reasons than SimpliSafe. Vivint takes a more white-glove approach to home security; when you use any one of Vivint’s cameras — the doorbell cam included — you’ll see what I mean. They place a heavy emphasis on customer service as well as home automation capabilities, so if you’re looking to live like George Jetson, you might want to check them out.
When I tested Vivint, I really appreciated the professional installation process. While I’m a DIYer at heart, it was nice to kick up my feet and not have to worry about setting the system up. Then, once it was all up and running, I really enjoyed its home automation capabilities. For instance, I paired the system with my Amazon assistant and used my voice to control everything. This made things really convenient — so convenient, in fact, that Vivint is number one on my list of the best security systems for Alexa.
Like I said above, Vivint’s cameras are all well-designed and high tech. One of my favorite features of this particular doorbell is the active theft protection. Specifically, it uses light and sound to scare away would-be porch pirates; I have to say, when I tested it, I could see why. This thing makes quite a racket; if you’re trying to covertly swipe a package, it’ll make you think twice. I have more on this in my pricing section, but for quick context, this doorbell costs about $250. That’s a little expensive, but again, this is a high-tech piece of equipment here.
Another thing I’m not a huge fan of, though, is that Vivint requires professional monitoring; since the equipment is proprietary, it stops working if you don’t pay the bill. That said, they do offer some of the best professional monitoring in the business, so you’re going to see where the money goes.
Ringing the Vivint Doorbell Camera Pro
I’ve kind of hinted at it, but I’ll just come out and say it: The main drawback here is Vivint’s price. Put simply, this is a pretty expensive system. In all, my equipment cost over $1,000 when I was testing everything out, and their professional monitoring costs between $29.99 and $44.99 per month. If you’re willing to pay these prices, though, you’re going to be getting one of the most technologically advanced home security systems out there.
Like I said above, each one of these systems is customized to your needs. However, here’s the price of each individual component to give you an idea of what your final tab might be.
| Component | Price |
|---|---|
| Smart drive (storage) | $250 |
| Car guard | $200 |
| Smoke detector | $100 |
| Carbon monoxide detector | $100 |
| Smoke alarm and carbon monoxide monitor | $100 |
| Smart lock | $180 |
| Garage door controller | $100 |
| Smart thermostat | $170 |
| Lamp module | $50 |
| Doorbell Camera Pro | $250 |
| Outdoor Camera Pro | $400 |
| Ping indoor camera | $200 |
| Indoor Camera Pro | $200 |
| Spotlight Pro | $250 |
| Water sensor | $50 |
| Flood, freeze, and heat sensor | $50 |
| Smart sensor | $50 |
| Panic pendant | $50 |
| Key fob | $50 |
| Tilt sensor | $50 |
| Monitoring Options | Professional only |
|---|---|
| Installation | Professional |
| Smart Platform Integration | Alexa and Google Home |
| Equipment Cost | From $599.99 |
| Monthly Monitoring Cost | From $39 |
| Contract Length | 48 to 60 months |
ADT is one of the most well-known security brands in the industry, having been around for over a century and a half and currently serving more than 6 million customers. Those are impressive numbers, but their reputation is backed up by serious protections.
When I tested ADT most recently, I was really impressed by the quality of the equipment and the service I received. Similar to Vivint, ADT is a more traditional system than SimpliSafe or Ring. I have a little more information about this in my comparison of ADT and DIY home security systems, but the long and short of it is: While you’re going to pay a little more and be committed to a three-year contract, the benefits of ADT often outweigh the drawbacks.
One of those benefits, in particular, is that ADT has partnered with Google to provide their customers access to some of the most advanced security equipment on the market today. I have a complete breakdown in my review of the Nest Video Doorbell, but for now, let’s just say it’s feature-rich and will surprise you with its functionality.
The Nest Video Doorbell provided with ADT’s systems has some of the most interesting features I’ve seen in a doorbell to date. In particular, I’m talking about its ability to recognize faces.
That’s right, facial detection. This doorbell actually learns the faces of people who frequent your home and will alert you when they’re arriving. During my test, the doorbell learned my partner’s face as well as the faces of a few friends who frequently stop by. This led to me getting a message on my phone that said “Brittney is at the front door.” Pretty cool!
Traditionally, ADT’s prices have been the main drawback from investing in one of its security systems. Recently, though, ADT has dropped prices across the board. Below, you can see how each of its professionallyinstalled systems compares and just how much the costs have fallen.
| Feature | Secure Home | Smart Home | Video and Smart Home |
|---|---|---|---|
| Digital control panel | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Contact sensors | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Motion detector | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Smart door lock | No | 1 | 1 |
| Smart plug | No | 1 | 1 |
| Remote arm/disarm | No | Yes | Yes |
| Indoor camera | No | No | 1 |
| Video doorbell | No | No | 1 |
| Remote livestreaming | No | No | Yes |
| Customizable alerts | No | No | Yes |
| New Monitoring Prices | $24.99 | $34.99 | $34.99 |
| Old Equipment Cost | Starts at $599 | Starts at $919 | Starts at $1,049 |
| New Equipment Cost | Starts at $499 | Starts at $778 | Starts at $1,586 |
And those price cuts are just for starters. Right now, ADT is throwing in a free Nest Doorbell and a free Nest Cam (battery). Plus, the company has recently introduced an entirely new line of systems that don’t require professional installation. You save by setting them up yourself, but their up-front prices are also significantly cheaper. A Build-Your-Own system is under $200, though you don’t get the free Nest cameras with that deal.
Testing the ADT Control Panel
| Monitoring Options | Professional only |
|---|---|
| Installation | Professional or DIY |
| Smart Platform Integration | Alexa and Google Home |
| Equipment Cost | From $499.99 |
| Monthly Monitoring Cost | From $24.99 |
| Contract Length | Three years |
As one of the best wireless security systems in the industry today, Frontpoint has always been a bit of an outlier. It bridges the gap between professionally installed and monitored systems with a more DIY ethos, but offers customers the best of both worlds in many respects.
When I tested the Frontpoint system, I was impressed with the quality of the equipment they provide, as well as how easy everything was to set up. They’re one of the best DIY systems out there, after all; setup only took me about 30 minutes from start to finish.
If you’ve worked with video doorbells as long as I have, you know that dialing in the settings can be a bit of a headache. Most video doorbells are extremely sensitive right out of the box — your phone will be buzzing with alerts every few minutes until you tweak some things. Not only is this really annoying, but it also drains the battery in your doorbell. Now you’ll have to recharge it far more often.
Unboxing the Frontpoint Doorbell Camera
When I was testing the system for my Frontpoint review, though, I realized I wasn’t getting all of those annoying notifications to let me know a tree was swaying in the breeze. This is due to Frontpoint’s energy-saver smart video analytics and activity zones that allow you to focus on specific areas of the frame and exclude others. You can also set times and days you want to receive notifications so your phone won’t be buzzing after bedtime.
Similar to SimpliSafe, you can select a Frontpoint package or build out a system from individual components. I have more in my guide to Frontpoint’s costs, but here’s a quick breakdown:
| Name | Equipment | Regular Price | Sale Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ultimate Home Security System |
|
$1,351.83 | $419 |
| Premier Home Security System |
|
$771.90 | $169 |
| Starter Home Security System |
|
$541.91 | $79.99 |
These prices are about on par with SimpliSafe and a little more affordable than Vivint and ADT. And as far as individual components go, here’s a rundown:
| Component | Price |
|---|---|
| Carbon monoxide sensor | $65.49 |
| Door or window sensor | $19.24 |
| Doorbell camera | $109.99 |
| Extra keypad | $30.24 |
| Flood sensor | $24.74 |
| Garage door tilt sensor | $24.74 |
| Glass-break sensor | $41.24 |
| Indoor camera | $65.99 |
| Keychain remote | $17.59 |
| Motion sensor | $38.74 |
| Outdoor camera | $126.49 |
| Outdoor smart plug | $27.49 |
| Premium indoor camera | $109.99 |
| Smart door lock | $109.99 |
| Touchscreen | $82.49 |
Do keep in mind when you’re budgeting, though, that Frontpoint does require professional monitoring; it’s not exactly the cheapest option out there. It costs $49.99 per month, which makes it some of the most expensive monitoring on my list. That can be a pretty major turnoff for some folks.
| Monitoring Options | Professional only |
|---|---|
| Installation | DIY |
| Smart Platform Integration | Alexa and Google Home |
| Equipment Cost | From $219.99 |
| Monthly Monitoring Cost | $50 |
| Contract Length | 1-36 months |
And what list of security systems with video doorbells would be complete without Ring? Ring’s video doorbells are what popularized this category of security equipment in the first place. In the decade or so since that first model hit the shelves, they’ve only been improving their offerings.
They’ve been expanding them, too.
While you might only know Ring for their video doorbells and security cameras, they also offer a full lineup of comprehensive security systems and professional monitoring. If you’re looking to protect your home while keeping a close eye on things inside and out, Ring is a great option.
Up until now all of our providers have only offered one video doorbell, but Ring, as you might expect, has quite a few. The most basic is the Wired Video doorbell, which costs $49.99. The most high-tech is the Video Doorbell Elite, which runs $349.99. You don’t have to select between these two, though. There are plenty of other middle-of-the-road options available, both hardwired and battery-powered. You can read more about that in my guide to Ring’s video doorbells to learn the ins and outs of each one.
Ring Video Doorbell 3, Installed
When I was testing out the Ring Alarm system, I was impressed with the quality of the video doorbell I was working with. I went with the Ring Video Doorbell 2 — one of their higher-priced pieces at $229.99. I appreciated the crystal-clear 1080p HD video and the massive 160-degree field of view. I could see everything I needed to from my stoop out to the street. The two-way talk left a little something to be desired — I thought it was a little laggy. Though, to be fair, I have yet to test a video doorbell where that isn’t an issue.
I have a lot more in my Ring Alarm prices page, but here’s a quick rundown of their most current alarm systems and costs.
| Package | Price |
|---|---|
| Ring Alarm 5-Piece | $199.99 |
| Ring Alarm 8-Piece | $249.99 |
| Ring Alarm 10-Piece | $259.99 |
| Ring Alarm 14-Piece | $329.99 |
| Ring Alarm Pro (Base Station Only) | $249.99 |
| Ring Alarm Pro 8-Piece | $299.99 |
| Ring Alarm Pro 14-Piece | $379.99 |
And for good measure, here’s a list of their current doorbell prices as well:
| Doorbell | Power Source | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Doorbell Pro | Battery | $229.99 |
| Video Doorbell (2nd Gen) | Battery | $99.99 |
| Doorbell Plus | Battery | $149.99 |
| Peephole Cam | Battery | $129.99 |
| Video Doorbell | Wired | $49.99 |
| Doorbell Plus | Wired | $149.99 |
| Doorbell Pro 2 | Wired | $229.99 |
| Video Doorbell Elite | Wired | $349.99 |
Pro Tip: Since Ring is owned by Amazon, the brand is always offering deals, especially on Prime Day. If you’re looking to pick up a video doorbell on the cheap, that’s usually the best time to buy. Check out our roundup of Ring Deals and Discounts to learn more.
| Monitoring Options | 24/7 professional and DIY |
|---|---|
| Installation | DIY |
| Smart Platform Integration | Alexa and Google Home |
| Equipment Cost | From $179.99 |
| Monthly Monitoring Cost | $20 |
| Contract Length | 1-12 months |
While some folks think that video doorbells are a bit of a gimmick, there are actually plenty of real-world security benefits to using them. Here are just a few:
There are several things to keep in mind when you’re shopping for a video doorbell. Here are some of the most important considerations:
Want to get the most out of your new video doorbell? Here are few pointers from installation to day-to-day operation:
With these tips in mind, you’re going to be well on your way to integrating a video doorbell into a more comprehensive security system.
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 log in 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.
Vivint Doorbell recording in the Vivint App
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.
Here I am installing the new and improved SimpliSafe Motion Sensor.
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 set up 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.
Ring Doorbell Camera Night Vision
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 log in 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.
