Best Video Doorbell Cameras of 2024, Tested by Our Experts
Here are the top picks for front door security from Ring, Arlo, Nest and more.
Our Experts
What to consider
Smart home compatibility
Privacy and security
Video storage options
AI recognition
Wired vs. wireless
Latency
Live view quality
Audio quality
Our Picks
What to consider
Smart home compatibility
Privacy and security
Video storage options
AI recognition
Wired vs. wireless
Latency
Live view quality
Audio quality
Which is the best overall video doorbell camera?
The Arlo Video Doorbell comes with added features you won't get with other devices, such as night vision and a wide, 180-degree field of view.
The convenience of video doorbells can’t be overstated -- their human detection and range of smart features make them an essential addition to your home. They can monitor the front of your home whenever you're away and even communicate with people like delivery drivers if you're waiting for a package. A video doorbell could also be the perfect gift for the tech enthusiast on your list this holiday shopping season.
But with so many video doorbells on the market, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming. Thankfully, our CNET experts have spent more than 120 hours testing models from top brands, including Arlo, Ring, Blink, Nest and more.
Our final pick for the best doorbell camera is the Arlo Video Doorbell 2K (2nd gen). In addition to a higher resolution than most doorbells, Arlo has equipped its model with a broad field of view, excellent two-way audio and great compatibility options (plus it works well with the company's DIY security system).
But Arlo is far from our only favorite. Google’s Nest model has excellent object detection and great free features, and Blink has an especially affordable doorbell. Our list includes options for everyone, plus useful tips on how to install video doorbells, why certain features are more important than others and answers to other frequently asked questions.
Best video doorbell cameras of 2024
As mentioned above, we like the Arlo Video Doorbell for several reasons, including the wide view, night vision and built-in siren. It's also easy to install, performs well and has reasonable cloud storage fees starting at just $3 per month for a single camera and $10 for up to five cameras. With a cloud storage subscription, this wired doorbell gives you access to advanced functionality like custom person, animal, vehicle and package alerts.
The Arlo Video Doorbell also remains our pick for best video doorbell camera because of its many added features, including HD video, a built-in siren, two-way audio and motion detection zones. The 2K resolution is also higher than you can find on many video doorbells (although it's becoming more common). Oh, and if you have an Arlo security system, you can use the newest Arlo fob at the doorbell to automatically disarm it, a neat bit of unique functionality.
Best video doorbell camera without a subscription
Google Nest Doorbell 2nd gen (battery)
The second-gen Google Nest Doorbell (battery) and its wired counterpart typically cost $180 (although we've found plenty of discounts), and they're a breeze to set up, whether you've got doorbell wiring or not. Along with live video feeds, two-way audio and alert notifications, the Nest Doorbell 2nd gen includes event recording for up to 3 hours without a subscription. These features won't match the ones you get with a subscription -- with Nest Aware or another service, like Ring's or Arlo's -- but they're a solid place to start and completely free, a rarity in the video doorbell sector.
The Nest Doorbell works well with Google Assistant and is compatible with Alexa, as well as ADT's Trusted Neighbor permissions which use Nest's familiar face technology (available with subscription only). Google also includes a lot of its AI tech: For free, you get package, person and vehicle recognition. In our tests, we did notice that the doorbell gives frequent warnings when temperatures drop below zero, which can affect battery life, but this is a relatively minor quibble compared with Google's overall pleasant UI (see more about police using video footage here).
A note about Matter: Since Google is one of the foremost proponents of the smart home Matter protocol, you may be wondering if its video doorbell has this all-purpose standard. The answer is complicated. Matter is available for many Nest products, but video support was only recently added, and devices aren't taking advantage of it yet. That means there’s not a lot for Matter to do on video doorbells.
A view through Nest Doorbell via the Google Home app (blurred for privacy).
Best high-end video doorbell camera
Ring Battery Doorbell Pro
The Ring Battery Doorbell Pro, with its $253 price tag, isn't the best value on the market, but if you're more concerned with features than a cost-benefit analysis, this device won't steer you wrong.
The Pro has a super wide field of view, a 1:1 aspect ratio, 1536p resolution and all the basics you'd want your smart buzzer to have. What makes the Pro stand out is its radar sensing, larger field of view and Bird's Eye View mode -- which lets you track the movement of an interloper around your yard, to give a clear sense of their route and general activity. The doorbell also includes Alexa Greetings and prerecorded messages you can use to answer people via the voice assistant.
The Ring Battery Doorbell Pro offers end-to-end video encryption, but to use the video recording feature in the cloud, you'll need a Ring Protect plan, which starts at $5 per month and lets you keep video for up to 180 days, plus enabling personal alerts, alarm notifications, away modes and other features. With no easy local storage options, we consider a Protect plan more or less necessary to get full use of this doorbell.
Finally, note that Ring has recently updated its security policies to limit the ability for police to request footage, fixing a privacy loophole that had previously made some users nervous.
Best value video doorbell camera
Blink Video Doorbell
Currently available for around $30, few video doorbells can match Amazon’s Blink brand when it comes to pricing. Buyers aren’t giving up much in return, either. The resolution is only 1080p, but it’s not the highest priority when doorbell footage is typically close up. The doorbell does have infrared night vision, a 135-degree field of view and the useful custom alerts we’ve come to expect from video doorbells. Amazon has included full Alexa compatibility too, including the ability to answer through Alexa speakers via two-way audio.
Battery management is a little awkward with 2AA rechargeable batteries, but we don’t mind the extra step when everything functions smoothly. A more serious caveat is the video storage: You’ll have to pay $3 per month for a Blink subscription to save video in the cloud under Amazon’s care, or you’ll need to purchase a $35 Sync Module 2 for location storage. We like having options, but it does complicate your setup decisions.
This Ring Doorbell is designed with a battery that's removed from the bottom, but Ring has updated battery models with new designs as well.
Best local storage video doorbell camera
Lorex 4K Wired Video Doorbell
Lorex goes all-in on the free local storage aspect of video doorbells. Without cloud storage, there’s less need to worry about downloading footage, no subscriptions and almost no fears of compromised privacy. But local storage -- which typically uses an SD card or hub to store on a hard drive -- can often be clunky.
Lorex’s solution is to include a 32GB microSD card with your purchase (if you use these cards in your camera or phone, you know what to expect), plus the ability to upgrade it to a 256GB card or just buy your own later. When the card gets full, you can use the Lorex app to manage and delete video footage.
Additionally, the Lorex wired video doorbell has a solid set of features at home on our list. In addition to the high 4K video quality, the doorbell provides two-way audio, a nightlight and quick reply messages. AI detection for objects like vehicles, packages and animals is native to the doorbell without extra fees. It’s wired-only, so be prepared to connect it to 16-24 VAC wiring.
Best dual-cam video doorbell camera
Eufy Security Video Doorbell S330
Does a video doorbell need two cameras? Not necessarily, but Eufy’s 2K cam does create a comprehensive image that can be very useful if you have a large front yard to watch over, while the 1080p cam keeps a specific eye on your up-close packages. That’s not the only dual package in this Eufy doorbell: It also uses a dual motion detection system with radar and PIR (passive infrared) to help increase accuracy. Package, human and waiting-human detection round off the useful doorbell, which is available in battery and wired formats.
While some Eufy devices offer cloud subscriptions, the S330 is a one-time purchase only. Like the Blink video doorbell, it offers a local storage hub, the HomeBase S380, with 16GB of storage to manage. The HomeBase is included in the cost, which is fortunate because Eufy’s doorbell already has a steep price of about $260 (when it is not on sale). If that’s a little high for your doorbell budget, you may want to review the S220 model, available without the dual cam for a lower $200.
Video doorbell cameras compared
| Arlo Video Doorbell 2K (2nd-Generation) | Google Nest Doorbell 2nd-Gen (Battery) | Ring Battery Doorbell Pro | Blink Video Doorbell | Lorex 2K Wired Video Doorbell | Eufy Security Video Doorbell S330 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $130 | $164 | $230 | $60 | $200 | $200 |
| Resolution | 2K | 960x1280 | 1536p | 1080p | 4K | 2K/1080p |
| Field of view | 180 degrees | 145 degrees | 150 degrees (plus bird's eye view) | 135 degrees | 150 degrees | Dual-cam |
| Setup | Battery or wired | Battery (also available wired) | Battery | Battery | Wired | Battery or wired |
| AI Detection | Person, vehicle, and animal with subscription | Person, vehicle, package, facial recognition | Package alerts with subscription | N/A | Vehicles, packages, and animals | Packages, human, and waiting |
| Audio | 2-way with quick replies | 2-way with quick replies | 2-way | 2-way | 2-way with quick replies | 2-way |
| Storage options | $4.99 cloud subscription | Free 3 hours, $8 cloud subscription for more | $5 cloud subscription | $3 Blink cloud subscription or local hub | Included MicroSD card | Local hub (included) |
| Review score | N/A | 8 | 7.5 | 7.6/10 | N/A | 7.5/10 |
Factors to consider when choosing a video doorbell camera
The app view from a Lorex doorbell on a phone.
Does it work with smart home platforms? If so, do the smart features work well together?
Nowadays a smart home device is expected to work with at least one major smart home platform. Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and Apple HomeKit are the main ones you need to look for.
Privacy and security
Video doorbells capture a lot of everyday moments, and many of them store that footage in the cloud. One of our priorities is checking a brand’s track record with privacy practices, digital storage and overall security.
Review our best video doorbell camera picks above and you’ll see we discuss topics like how readily a doorbell maker hands over video to the authorities or how they have responded to data vulnerabilities in the past. This is also the reason why some doorbells didn’t appear on our list: Wyze, with repeated security flaws as recent as the September 2023 video caching issue that let others look through strangers’ doorbells, didn’t make the cut.
This doorbell model has a crazy number of features, but you'll need to enable most of them.
Video storage and subscriptions
Video storage is integral to the video doorbell experience. With so much video automatically captured, we focus on how that video is uploaded, its storage limitations and how easy video is to access or share. Saving video footage is especially important if you want to report a porch pirate to the police or save a similar unpleasant event to take later action (sometimes you also catch animals being cute).
Video storage varies greatly across doorbell devices. Some allow a certain amount of online video storage for free, but many require monthly subscriptions to store video in the cloud or greatly increase storage options with a subscription. Other doorbells have the option to use local storage with a microSD card, a less expensive option that requires significantly more manual video management. We like to see as many free and user-friendly options as possible in video doorbells, with the assumption that you have enough home tech subscriptions as it is.
AI recognition and alerts
AI and video doorbells are a useful -- and increasingly common -- combo. We look for AI software that can correctly identify packages, pets or even the faces of people in your contact lists and send you more accurate alerts about what’s happening (and if a package unexpectedly vanishes). On the other hand, we also like to see smart motion detection that can easily ignore passing cars or falling leaves to cut down on unnecessary alerts.
Wired vs. wireless
Wired versus wireless is largely a matter of preference, but it’s an important preference. Wired doorbells always have power and can often be wired into an existing door chime. Wireless models are far more flexible in terms of placement but you’ll need to recharge them every several months or so and they won’t connect to a hardware chime. One isn’t necessarily better than the other and many doorbells offer both options, but it’s important to think about how you’d prefer to use one.
Latency
If your smart doorbell camera takes a long time to send a push notification after someone rings your doorbell, then you risk missing your visitor completely. You also need to be sure you're getting notifications when something sets off the motion detector, as you can set the motion sensor of most video doorbells to notify you of activity happening near your door, even if no one rings the buzzer. If you have latency problems, start with your Wi-Fi connection. If it isn't strong where the doorbell is installed, you might consider moving it (or, more easily, getting a Wi-Fi range extender). It could also be the way the software works.
Live view quality
Doorbells are often exposed to direct sunlight, but many others are installed under porches, near shady trees and in all sorts of other settings. It's important that the camera has night vision and can handle any of these scenarios so you don't get stuck with a nonfunctioning product that can't see faces under a porch.
Audio quality
If the doorbell's microphone and speaker don't work well, you're going to have a tough time communicating with whoever's there. We tested this out multiple times to see how the doorbell's audio sounds over our phones, narrowing down the best video doorbell camera options for conversation.
How we test video doorbell cameras
Here are two wireless video doorbells, Wyze and Blink, that we installed to the CNET Smart Home for testing.
Testing to determine the best video doorbell is similar to testing any other home security camera. We focus on usability, app controls, motion and object detection and how clearly the camera picks up details with its resolution and field of view. Since doorbells have two-way audio, we also test out clarity, and we keep an eye on battery life too.
To test motion zones, we first determine the motion zone, and then move around it to see when we get an alert and when we don't. The aim is to discover how precise those zones really are. For two-way talk, we'll have a conversation with a partner on the porch via the doorbell to listen for clarity and latency.
Like smart locks and home security cameras, many top-notch video doorbells will allow the camera to be integrated with voice assistants like Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. We download the respective apps, connect the video doorbell and see the ease (or hassle) of using voice commands to control the doorbell camera, plus how easily the doorbell cam integrates into the wider ecosystem of smart devices.
If you want to read more about our review process, check out our in-depth article on how we test home security cameras and video doorbells.
How do I install a video doorbell?
While testing, we always check how seamlessly the video doorbell camera integrates with third-party smart home voice assistants, like Alexa, as well as how usable the brand's app is for installation and monitoring.
Don't treat video doorbells like other security cameras. They need a low position close to the door so they can scan packages, forms and even faces. Usually around four feet from the bottom of the door is the recommended distance. Your installation guide will have more specific instructions.
It may also be necessary to angle the doorbell away from walls or posts to give it a better viewpoint. Most doorbells come with an angle addition to the mount for this purpose.
Can a renter or apartment owner use a video doorbell?
Have an apartment? Ring's Peephole model still allows you to protect your front door.
If you rent an apartment, video doorbells are a bit more complicated. Tenants should ask permission before installing a video doorbell: Usually, security devices like these are owned and managed by the landlord, but sometimes they'll allow exceptions. And if you're in an apartment building, you probably aren't allowed to post a video doorbell outside your door at all. There aren't any adhesive models available so you'd have to drill holes, and it's usually seen as a privacy violation for other tenants. Instead, consider using the Ring Peephole cam as the best video doorbell camera workaround.