The Best Wireless Doorbell

Buying Guide

As with everything else consumers use, doorbells have come a long way in recent years. Smart doorbells have revolutionized the market, doubling as security cameras and two-way speaker systems. But even simple wireless doorbells have improved, offering affordable pricing and multiple speakers that you can place throughout the house.

There are multiple benefits of wireless doorbells, ranging from ease of use to peace of mind.

“Wireless doorbells are one of the best investments you can make in home security as it’s a great way to monitor your home but is also a visible active deterrent that criminals try and avoid,” says James Both, founder and CEO of One Hour Smart Home.

The first decision you’ll need to make before you start shopping for a wireless doorbell is whether you want a full-featured smart doorbell or you want a simple, straightforward doorbell that merely chimes when someone presses it. If you want a smart doorbell, Ring is the way to go. But for a chime-only doorbell, you’ll still have some options to consider.

Volume is an important feature in a doorbell, as you likely know if you’ve ever had one that you couldn’t hear unless you were in certain areas of the house. If you choose a smart doorbell, you’ll be alerted of rings on your phone, wherever you are. But for doorbells that rely on sound only, you’ll need to make sure it comes with adjustable volume. As a fun “bonus” item, many of today’s doorbells also let you choose from a wide variety of chimes, letting you customize your doorbell the way you set a ringtone for your phone.

Another important thing to consider is how your doorbell will be powered. If the electricity goes out, smartphone-enabled doorbells can be challenged since your Wi-Fi will likely go out as well. Some wired doorbells come with a battery backup to keep you alerted even if you suffer an outage.

When considering your budget, be sure to research whether your doorbell requires a monthly or yearly subscription for recording video, Both says.
You’ll also want to consider whether your specific doorbell model requires any regular maintenance.

“If you have a battery-powered doorbell, expect to recharge the batteries every 6 months to a year,” he says. “If you have a wired smart doorbell, typically the only maintenance you would need to perform is occasionally cleaning off dust and pollen from the camera every few months with a damp towel.”

The look of your doorbell is likely also important, especially since it plays such a prominent role in the entryway to your home. Many of today’s doorbells have a high-tech look, but some Ring doorbells come with multiple faceplates to let you find the design you want.

• When someone arrives at your front door, video doorbells go beyond simply alerting you to the person’s presence. This model starts with a two-way conversation where you can see your visitors, but they can’t see you. The best thing about this is that you can answer the door using your smartphone, no matter where you are, giving the illusion you’re home even when you aren’t.
• With some doorbells, you’ll get security camera functionality, as well. This type of doorbell lets you set up motion zones so that when movement is detected in those areas, the camera is activated. When the motion sensor triggers, the camera starts recording and you’ll be able to see it on your screen.
• Always check the video quality before choosing a model. You want one that provides 1080p HD resolution.
• The difference in video quality is even more noticeable at night, so look for a doorbell that can deliver much better images in night vision mode.
• Some options simply require that you pull all of the components out of the box and put them in place. You’ll spend some time with other models, especially if they need to sync with a smartphone app.
• Hearing your doorbell can be an ongoing issue, especially if you live in a larger house. Look for  model that lets you adjust the volume levels from 25dB to 110dB. If you live in a sprawling house, you’ll love that it comes with two different plug-in chimes to let you cover separate ends or upper and lower floors.
• There are some wireless doorbells that ring to your phone, which can be an issue if you don’t always have your device with you. Many of the models are fast, so you’ll usually have instant results as long as your mobile device and Wi-Fi network have decent speed.
• You’re no longer stuck with a standard doorbell sound. Many of today’s models let you choose from 50 different chimes to find the one you like best.
• Though wireless doorbells can vary in terms of price, you’re sure to find one that fits your budget.
• If you haven’t shopped for a doorbell for a while, you may be surprised at how much they’ve changed. Some models come with four different faceplates to let you customize your look for your home. Other wireless doorbells have a more traditional design.
• One issue with some wireless doorbell models is that they rely on your home’s Wi-Fi. So during a power outage, your doorbell won’t be able to connect. Some don’t have a battery backup, either, so if your power is out, nothing will happen when someone presses the button.