There are all kinds of options when it comes to doorbells. This includes doorbells with a camera. If you want to get a doorbell camera though, you’ll find plenty of options to choose from. Discover how to choose the best doorbell camera for your home to ensure quality home security.
What to Know About a Doorbell Camera
Are you unfamiliar with doorbell cameras? If so, there are a few things to know. First, a doorbell camera, also known as a video or camera doorbell, is a handy security gadget that replaces your old-fashioned doorbell and sits snugly on your front door. They have all kinds of features like infrared sensors, spotlights, and microphones, so they can snap pics and record audio whenever someone shows up at your door. All the recordings hang out on a tiny SD card or head to the cloud for safekeeping.
Once hooked up to your home’s Wi-Fi, this camera shoots you notifications through a dedicated app. Depending on what you choose, you can end up with a doorbell camera with an AI that can tell the difference between a human visitor and an object. You can even get one not fazed by power outages – some can even switch to a cellular network. Overall doorbell cameras are your top choice for home security and provide extra reassurance. The question is, how to choose one for your home?
How to Choose a Doorbell Camera: Factors to Consider
Like any gadget, there are different points to consider, especially as an item related to home security. Here are some personal factors to consider:
Home Ownership
Your choice of a doorbell camera depends on whether you own or rent your home. Homeowners have various options, including wireless and wired models for security systems. Renters need permission from the property owner for wired cameras, making wireless ones a hassle-free choice without drilling or electrical work. Knowing your living situation is crucial for picking the right doorbell camera system to boost home security.
Compatibility
When buying a smart doorbell, make sure it works well with your existing home security and smart home systems. Wireless doorbell cameras are a breeze to set up with good connections and batteries, though you’ll have to swap those batteries out now and then. Meanwhile, the hard-wired ones need a hookup to your electrical system to keep going strong. Consider these factors to choose the right doorbell based on your preferences and home setup.
Installation
When putting in doorbell cameras, you’ve got two options: do it yourself or call in the pros. Many wireless smart doorbells are easy to set up on your own with plug-and-play installation, and it’s a good idea to have extra batteries handy. Before installing wireless doorbell cameras, check the Wi-Fi range at the front using another gadget. If the connection is weak, think about moving your Wi-Fi router closer or using a range extender. DIY installation for wired systems needs technical skills and electrical experience. If you’d rather not fuss with it, go for professional smart home installation services for top-notch results.
Budget
When you’re getting a smart doorbell, keep your budget in mind because features like monthly cloud storage can affect the total cost. Make sure to pick a model that fits your budget to get the most bang for your buck. The kind of doorbell camera you go for really depends on what you like. Once you add a smart doorbell camera to your home security setup, you’ll be amazed at how you ever did without it.
How to Choose a Doorbell Camera: Features to Consider
Here are some technical factors to consider when choosing to buy a doorbell camera:
Resolution and Night Vision
Choosing the right resolution matters for doorbell cameras. Many go up to 1080p, impacting how clear your images are. Higher resolutions, like 1080p, usually mean sharper pics, but some cameras have lower ones, like 480p.
However, just having a high resolution doesn’t guarantee top performance, though. Some cameras have trouble adjusting to different light levels. Additionally, night vision is a big deal, especially during dark winter nights. It lets you see visitors clearly even in low light, boosting security around the clock.
Field of View and Motion Detection
Field of View (FOV) is a big deal for doorbell cameras—it’s all about how much they can see. Picture a 180° FOV, and the camera grabs everything in front and to the sides. Scale it down to 90°, and it focuses more on the front with a little on the sides.
Generally, a broader field of view is preferred. Then there’s motion detection, alerting you when someone is near your front door. Advanced doorbell cameras let you customize monitoring zones, making it useful for homes near busy streets to avoid unnecessary motion alerts from passing vehicles.
Power Source
Doorbell cameras can be powered either by batteries or by connecting to your existing doorbell wiring. If your home doesn’t have a traditional doorbell setup, go for the battery-powered option. For those with existing doorbell wiring, a hardwired doorbell camera is the way to go. Make sure to choose the right power source based on your situation to ensure it works seamlessly with your home’s setup.
Audio Features
Doorbell cameras offer a significant advantage with their audio features, particularly the ability to communicate through them. With two-way audio, you can chat with whoever’s at your door, making it convenient for giving instructions to delivery personnel, like specifying a preferred location for leaving a package.
Cloud Storage and App Support
Cloud storage is a valuable feature for security reasons, allowing you to store footage from motion alerts for up to 30 days. This becomes especially useful in situations where there’s vandalism or theft, providing ready video evidence.
Then there’s app support, which is the main advantage of a video doorbell for many users. You want a doorbell with a solid app that connects fast, so you can see who’s knocking without delays. Avoiding a slow app that loads after your visitor’s gone is key for a smooth user experience.
Conclusion
Choosing a doorbell camera ultimately depends on what you need for your home and what is compatible with the existing gadgets inside. Generally, doorbell cameras come with a variety of features and it’s important to keep in mind different factors to ensure the best choice for your home. Overall, when it comes to answering the question of how to choose a doorbell camera, one has to consider the existing home and gadget situation along with the type of features you want in the camera.
Once you have a camera chosen, you have to keep maintenance in mind. For example, you may have to deal with a fogged-over camera. As such, be careful with what you choose.
