When it comes to your home’s security, doors are your first line of defense. If you don’t already have a video doorbell–at your front door at the very least–you should consider adding one. In addition to making it easier for your visitors to let you know they’re on your porch, a doorbell camera lets you safely see who is on your porch, even if you’re not home at the moment. In fact, these cameras are so useful you might want to mount one next to every entry point into your home: side entrances, at your garage door, and the door to your backyard, for example.
Whether you’re watching for trouble-makers, monitoring for parcel deliveries, waiting for friends to visit, or hiding from that weird neighbor who keeps asking to borrow your lawn mower, the video doorbell is an essential security tool.
Why you should trust us
TechHive’s editors and contributors have been testing video doorbells since 2014, and we continuously evaluate the latest devices along with their accompanying apps. We’ve checked out a wide range of video doorbells, including hardwired and battery-powered models; high-end and budget units; doorbells that can discern between people, animals, and packages; and video doorbells and peephole cameras for apartment dwellers. You can trust us to guide you to the right video doorbell for your needs and budget.
Updated TK 2025: We’ve added a link to our Tapo D225 Video Doorbell Camera review, which is our new top pick in the budget video doorbell category.
Our top picks in video doorbells
Ring Battery Doorbell Plus — Best video doorbell for most people
Pros
- High-res video: 1536 x 1536 pixels
- Package detection
- 1:1 aspect ratio shows visitors from head to toe
- Ring’s smart home and home security ecosystems are deep and wide
- Operates on either battery or low-voltage power
Cons
- 2.4GHz Wi-Fi connectivity only
- Color pre-roll video is not supported
- Ring Protect subscription required to unlock all features, including recording
Why we like the Ring Battery Doorbell Plus
Ring made significant improvements to video resolution and aspect ratio and added package detection to maintain its position as the best video doorbell for most people. Buying this doorbell camera is a no-brainer if you already own other Ring products, especially if you’re already paying for a Ring Protect subscription. If your smart home revolves around Google Assistant or Apple HomeKit, on the other hand, take a look at our more relevant recommendations.
Who should buy the Ring Battery Doorbell Plus
If you’ve settled on either Ring or Amazon Alexa as your smart home ecosystem–and that goes double if you own a Ring Alarm or Ring Alarm Pro system–the Ring Battery Doorbell Plus is the best mainstream video doorbell you can buy. It’s loaded with features, including package detection and a 1:1 aspect ratio that shows your visitors from head to toe, and it can operate on either battery or low-voltage power if you’re replacing an old-school doorbell.
Reolink Battery Doorbell — Best video doorbell for most people, runner-up
Pros
- 1:1 aspect ratio with head-to-toe view of visitors
- Local storage option makes subscription fees truly optional
- Runs on battery power or can be hardwired to power
Cons
- Minor fisheye distortion
- Fixed battery, must be dismounted to recharge
- Chime sold separately
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