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Video doorbells are the most important smarthome gear you could buy.
They’re incredibly reasonable, too, costing just $99 to $199.
Battery operated doorbells can’t stream continuously, for instance; they’ll lose power too quickly.
When someone approaches your door, the video doorbell will notice and notify you.
you might start watching the stream at that point.
And if they ring the doorbell, you might chat them with them like an intercom.
Thanks to their location, video doorbells act as a bridge to the outside world.
This works whether you work from home, an office, or abroad.
you might see who is at your door, even before they ring the bell.
If you’re not home, you might still see who’s there and even talk to them.
With a smart lock, you could even remotely unlock the door and let your visitors into your house.
Some doorbells likeNest HelloandWisenet Smartcamoffer facial recognition, so you’ll know when family or friends arrive.
That’s a useful security feature, too.
Smart Displays Act Like a Digital Peephole
Voice assistants with displays take this a step further.
With theNest Hello and Google Home hub, the start of the stream is nearly instantaneous.
You’ll even have a quick option to start talking to whoever is at your door.
Quite frankly, nothing comes close to how seamless it is.
The more voice assistants you have, the more rooms you’ll hear this in.
Amazon
If you have enough smart speakers, you might even considerdisabling your house’s chime altogether.
You’ll still get notifications on your phone, your smartwatch, and any smart speakers throughout the house.
But you might want to consider a video doorbell first.
Amazon/Google
Most security cameras come with distinct downsides.
Some are for indoor use only, which means taking steps to make them work through a window.
Others require aground fault circuit interrupter(GFCI) outlet to provide power.
And battery powered cameras can’t continuously record.
Wired cameras require running cable and drilling holes in your house.
A video doorbell neatly sidesteps most, if not all those issues.
It’s already outside for one.
The microphone and speakers built into video doorbells add comfort if not security.
If you aren’t sure about answering a door, you don’t have to.
Instead, you might speak with the person at your doorstep from the safety of your home.
The video doorbell lets you confirm who’s there.
Then, if you want, you might unlock the door and grant access.
No need to hand out extra keys to your house and trust they’re in the right hands.
How Much Does a Video Doorbell Cost?
Those typically cost around $30.
The bigger expense may be doorbell wiring if you want to use your house chime.
If everything is working, then there’s no added cost.
Electrician rates vary, so this might cost you more or less.
Installing a doorbell isn’t difficult, especially if you’re using a battery powered version.
That version may be able to hang from your existing screws (if you have a doorbell).
If not, you’ll need to drill holes and add screws.
And Nest Hello calls for a chime connector to be installed as well.
For most people, installation is probably around a half hour.
But that will add to the overall cost.
But the hardware isn’t the final cost to consider.
Other doorbells, like Nest Hello, are all butuseless without the subscription.
Which Video Doorbell Should You Buy?
Ring not only integrates with Echo devices, but it provides battery-powered options.
Unlike Ring, Nest Hello provides 24/7 recording and facial recognition (with a subscription).
And the integration with Google Home is tighter, providing a quicker result.
It replaces your peephole, is battery operated, and even senses knocks.
Other options do exist, but you’ll lose deep integration with voice assistants by choosing them instead.
TheAugust Doorbellis incredibly wide, and you may trouble fitting it in your home.
If you have aSimpliSafe system, theSimpliSafe doorbellworks well in its system.
But its features aren’t as advanced as Ring or Nest, so we don’t highly recommend it.
What If Your Smart Doorbell Is Stolen?
You might be worried about putting a smart gadget outside of your home.
That’s why some companies, like Ring and Nest, offer replacements if your doorbell is stolen.
It’s hard to state fully the level of convenience a video doorbell introduces to your house.
Like most smarthome gadgets, it’s possible for you to easily live without one.
It’s not a necessity like water or heating.
