If possible, move your router closer to your door to help strengthen the signal, or consider a Wi-Fi extender or mesh router system to fix the problem. The downside to wireless doorbells is that their batteries tend to deplete quickly; they last anywhere from two to six months. Modern video doorbells can alert you of someone’s presence via your smartphone as well as allow you to record your front door area to use as evidence against thieves.

We tested battery life, and also took into account any additional features, such as weatherproofing, alert settings, and any hidden extras such as cloud video storage charges. The reason behind this is unfortunately quite simple; they usually can’t react in time, something that thieves can easily take advantage of.

The basic three hours of free video event storage isn’t much, so if you want to get the most out of your Nest Hello, you’ll need to subscribe.

The models in the table below are slightly more friendly on your wallet, but without sacrificing on quality.This allows the doorbell to start recording, and then send you an alert letting you know someone is there. Would you please share this guide with others who might find it useful while purchasing a video doorbell? The Enway doorbell uses passive infrared (PIR) motion detection technology to pick up on movement in the given range.

This Arlo model is ideal for SmartThings platform users who want a battery-powered doorbell that installs in minutes, despite its slightly bulky design. You have to add your own storage, in the form of a microSD card slot, but that’s not overly expensive, and you can’t wire this doorbell up to an existing mains supply or chime.It offers dual-band Wi-Fi; can distinguish among people, animals, and cars in motion events; and even alerts you to package deliveries. It records 1,440p videos, integrates dual-band Wi-Fi, and should last up to six months between charges in its wireless mode. This plugs directly into your Wi-Fi router and also acts as an internal chime – something Ring charges extra for. Netatmo doorbells: French smart home company Netatmo's smart doorbell is one of the more expensive models we've tested. Convenience: With two-way audio, you can speak to whoever is at the door, whether you’re on the sofa or the other side of the world.