A video doorbell shows you who’s at the door and records visitors and parcels you’d otherwise miss. The big decision is power: a battery you recharge, or wiring you may already have. Here are four top-selling video doorbells, how they differ, and the Government of Canada’s advice for keeping a connected device secure.
Quick answer
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Decide on power first. A battery model goes up anywhere and needs recharging. A wired model uses your existing doorbell wiring and never needs charging.
A simple place to start: the eufy Video Doorbell E340, ranked #1 in Video Doorbells when we checked. If your doorbell is already wired and you want a wired model, look at the Tapo D130.
Prefer to watch? Here’s the video walkthrough of how to choose a video doorbell.
Short version: wired or battery, settle the power question first.
Four video doorbells, by how they’re powered
| Product | Best for | |
|---|---|---|
| eufy Video Doorbell E340 | Best overall. #1 in Video Doorbells when we checked. Two cameras (one points down at your doorstep), 2K video, color night vision up to 16 ft (5 m) and an IP65 weather rating. It runs on its battery or wired, and the product page says footage is stored locally with no subscription fee. Skip it if you only want a basic single-camera model. | See price |
| AOSU Doorbell Camera (5MP) | Best if you don’t want to wire anything. #2 in Video Doorbells when we checked. 5 MP video, a 166° view and IP65. The product page says up to 180 days on one charge, with 60 days of loop recording to a base unit that has 8 GB of memory built in. Skip it if you’d rather wire it into your existing doorbell. | See price |
| Tapo 2K Wired Video Doorbell (D130) | Best if your doorbell is already wired. #3 in Video Doorbells when we checked. 2K video, a 180° view, color night vision with a built-in spotlight, alerts for people and cars, and IP65. Skip it if your home has no doorbell wiring: it’s a wired model. | See price |
| Google Nest Doorbell (wired, 3rd gen) | Best if you already use Google Home. #4 in Video Doorbells when we checked. Wired (8 to 24 VAC), 2K HDR video and a 166° view. It needs the Google Home app and a Google Account, and the product page says some features, such as searching your video history, need a subscription. Skip it if you don’t use Google Home. | See price |
Specs come from the retailer’s product pages and can change, so check the current page before you order.
Wired or battery: which suits your door?
- Battery. Easy to install, and it doesn’t need existing wiring. You’ll recharge it now and then.
- Wired. Uses your doorbell wiring. Check the voltage first: the Nest product page says 8 to 24 VAC, and the eufy product page says its wired mode needs 16 to 24 V and more than 10 VA.
- Storage. Find out where the footage is saved. The eufy product page says local storage with no subscription fee, and the AOSU product page says its base unit records locally.
How do you keep a video doorbell secure?
A video doorbell is a connected device, so the Government of Canada’s advice for smart devices applies to it:
- Use a strong, unique password or passphrase for each device and account.
- Turn on multi-factor authentication where an app offers it.
- Review the privacy settings when you set it up.
- Keep the software up to date.
- If your router has a guest network, put smart devices on it.
Common questions
Does a video doorbell need a subscription? Not always. The eufy product page says no subscription fee for local storage, and the Nest product page says some features need one. Check the product page for the model you pick.
Can I use my old doorbell wiring? Wired models are made for it. Match the voltage on the product page to your doorbell transformer before you buy.
Before you buy
- Decide battery or wired first. It narrows the field fast.
- Check the voltage on your doorbell wiring if you want a wired model.
- Look for where footage is stored, and whether any feature you want needs a subscription.
- Thinking about safety at home? Our smoke alarm guide and carbon monoxide alarm guide cover the alarms every home needs.
Sources: Canadian Centre for Cyber Security, Cyber security at home and in the office; Get Cyber Safe, Smart Device Week. Product details come from the manufacturers’ and retailer’s product pages, so check the current page before you order.
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