Navigating the Smart Doorbell Buzz: Top Picks for Upgrading Your Entryway
G'day, folks! As a seasoned repairman with a knack for all things home improvement, I'm here to give you my best insights on one of the home security game changers – the smart doorbell. Now, when you think about doorbells, you might picture the traditional ding-donger on your grandma’s front porch, but I guarantee you, we’re living in the future now and doorbells have had a serious upgrade.
So, What's a Smart Doorbell Anyway?
Smart doorbells are modern day watchers that not only alert you when someone’s at the door, but also let you see, talk to, and in some cases, record whoever is visiting. Think of it as your personal security guard doubling as a concierge! All thanks to a camera, speaker, microphone, and internet connectivity.
We're diving into the top-rated smart doorbells in the market to help you choose the perfect fit for your front door.
Ring Video Doorbell 3 Plus
Pros and Praise
Kickstarting our list is the Ring Video Doorbell 3 Plus – a popular pick among homeowners. This little beast boasts an adjustable motion zone called the “near zone” that reduces false alerts - say goodbye to being notified every time a car drives by. Plus, it has pre-roll technology, meaning it captures four seconds of video before motion detection triggers, ensuring you don't miss a thing.
Cons and Considerations
The only snag is it demands a Ring Protect Plan subscription if you want to record and share videos. For the battery-operated smart doorbells, the Ring 3 Plus is a hi-tech choice.
Google Nest Hello
Pros and Praise
If you’re a fan of our dear friend Google, you can’t go past the Google Nest Hello. It offers high-quality video, quick response time, and face recognition! Trusty Google will tell you who’s at the door if you’ve tagged them in the system before. Pretty snazzy, eh?
Cons and Considerations
However, remember it requires a wired connection, which might need a bit of finagling if your previous doorbell ran on battery. Extra features come with a Nest Aware subscription.
Arlo Video Doorbell
Pros and Praise
The Arlo Video Doorbell stands out with a unique square viewing area. It's like watching a phone screen in portrait mode. This doorbell-come-security-camera can capture footage from top to bottom, allowing you to see your visitor from head to toe or a parcel left on the doorstep. Plus, it’s hardwired - no worries about running out of battery!
Cons and Considerations
One little drawback is that you’d need an Arlo Smart subscription to watch recorded video and to take advantage of richer notifications.
Eufy Security, Wi-Fi Video Doorbell
Pros and Praise
Last but not least, we have the Eufy Security, Wi-Fi Video Doorbell. A real winner for privacy advocates, as it stores videos locally rather than in the cloud. It boasts a high resolution, human detection technology, and doesn't require a monthly fee.
Cons and Considerations
This one also requires a hardwired connection and doesn’t support Apple HomeKit or Google Assistant. Plus, setting it up can be a bit of a tricky task.
Securing Your Verdict
By now, you’ve got a pretty fair idea of what the crème de la crème of smart doorbells offer. As your DIY spirit guide, remember, the best smart doorbell for your home depends on your individual needs and existing set up. Assess all the pros, cons, and the nitty-gritty of installation before you take the leap. Meanwhile, I’ll be here, ready to bring the next exciting home gadget your way. Happy upgrading, folks!