Video doorbells have become essential for modern home security, allowing you to see and speak to visitors from anywhere via your smartphone. After decades of testing technology, I've found that today's models are Wi-Fi-connected, easy to install, and work with dedicated apps. Some are battery-powered, lasting months, while wired options offer continuous use but trickier installation. All can integrate with existing doorbell wiring, and many include chimes that plug into the mains, ensuring you hear the ring indoors, not just on your phone.
Top Picks at a Glance
- Best overall: Arlo 2K Wireless Video Doorbell with Chime – £169.99, Arlo.com
- Best budget: Blink Video Doorbell – £59.99, Amazon.co.uk
- Best picture quality: Ring Battery Video Doorbell Pro – £219.99, Amazon.co.uk
- Best for Apple households: Aqara Doorbell Camera Hub G410 – £129.99, eu.aqara.com
- Best for design: Google Nest Doorbell Battery – £177, Amazon.co.uk
Camera resolution is crucial, with options up to 4K like the Ring Doorbell Pro. Others, like the Google Nest, use HDR to enhance detail. Positioning is a fine balance: too high misses the ground, too low misses faces. All reviewed devices feature two-way audio, night vision (some in colour), and motion alerts. Extra features like video history and facial recognition often require a subscription.
How I Tested
Setup was a major focus—was it simple or annoying? I checked video quality day and night, microphone and speaker performance, and how quickly my phone alerted me to visitors. I also evaluated notifications for people loitering without ringing.
Arlo 2K Wireless Video Doorbell with Chime
★★★★★
Best overall
Excellent performance and intuitive interface. Picture quality is superb with a wide field of view. The battery lasts up to six months. Pressing the button launches a video call to your phone. A built-in siren can be activated via the app. Subscription extras include cloud storage, package detection, and theft replacement. Basic plan is £7.99/month; Secure Plus is £19.99/month.
Specs: 2K resolution, battery or wired, rechargeable, 13.5 x 4.85 x 3.3 cm, subscription from £7.99/month, works with Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Google, Samsung SmartThings. £169.99 at Arlo.com.
Blink Video Doorbell
★★★☆☆
Best budget
Great price and weatherproofing. Three AA batteries last up to two years. HD resolution, with a 2K model available for £10 more. Build quality is less glam. Requires the Sync Module Core for full features. Setup is easy, but only connects to 2.4GHz Wi-Fi. There's a delay in phone notifications, and audio is scratchy. Better weatherproofing than pricier rivals.
Specs: 1,440 x 1,440 resolution, battery (3x AA), 4.7 x 13 x 3.7 cm, subscription from £2.50/month, works with Alexa. £59.99 at Amazon.co.uk.
Ring Battery Video Doorbell Pro
★★★★★
Best for picture quality
Stylish design with 4K video quality. Excellent low-light performance. Setup takes under five minutes. Integrates with Alexa; video appears on Echo speakers. Radar feature provides a bird's-eye view animation. Wi-Fi 6 support. Subscription needed for most features, starting at £4.99/month. Ring Guard Response dispatches a security guard within 30 minutes for £29.99/month.
Specs: 4K resolution, battery or wired, rechargeable, 5.36 x 14.7 x 3.64 cm, subscription from £4.99/month, works with Alexa. £219 at Amazon.co.uk.
TP-Link Tapo D235
★★★★☆
Best value for money
Well-priced and easy to use. Only connects to 2.4GHz. Angled backplate for adjustment. Anti-theft alarm sounds if removed. Local storage via microSD, no subscription needed. Picture quality adjustable, with activity zones. Full-colour night vision uses an LED that drains battery. Chime included. Large 10,000mAh battery lasts months.
Specs: 2K resolution (5MP), battery or wired, rechargeable, 15 x 5 x 3.8 cm, subscription £2.99/month, works with Alexa, Google. £89.99 at Tapo.com.
Eufy Video Doorbell E34
★★★★☆
Best for porch protection
Second downward-facing camera checks for parcels. Built-in 8GB storage reduces subscription need. Night vision uses light for colour. Setup is smooth, but app can be uneven. Package detection works best for items over 10 inches. Features include pre-recording and facial recognition. Motion control can be set to humans only. Notifications instead of video calls, with occasional connection delays.
Specs: Main 2K, angled 1080p, battery or wired, rechargeable, 15 x 5.2 x 2.8 cm, subscription from £2.49/month, works with Alexa, Google. £129.99 at Eufy.com.
Aqara Doorbell Camera Hub G410
★★★☆☆
Best for Apple households
Compatible with Apple HomeKit. Setup involves scanning QR code on chime. Includes mini screwdriver for battery installation. Anti-tamper alarm if back panel removed. Picture quality is 2K, but drops to 1080p with HomeKit. mmWave radar differentiates people from cars. Local storage via microSD up to 512GB. Less weatherproofing than rivals.
Specs: 1,440 x 1,440 resolution, battery (6x AA), 14.2 x 6.5 x 3.1 cm, no subscription required, works with Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Google, Samsung SmartThings. £129.99 at eu.aqara.com.
Google Nest Doorbell Battery
★★★★☆
Best for design
Slim and elegant design. Excellent video quality with HDR. Quick live stream feed. Vertical field of view shows visitors head to toe. Differentiates between cars, parcels, and animals. Free three-hour video history; subscription needed for up to 60 days. No 24/7 recording. Requires Google Home app.
Specs: 1,280 x 960 resolution, battery or wired, rechargeable, 16 x 4.6 x 2.41 cm, subscription from £5/month, works with Alexa, Google. £177 at Amazon.co.uk.
Yale Smart Video Doorbell
★★★☆☆
Basic video doorbell needs
Integrates with Yale security range, including smart locks. Setup is straightforward, but only 2.4GHz Wi-Fi. Battery lasts four to six months. Video quality maxes at 1080p in landscape orientation. Green ring lights when motion detected. Supports up to six chimes. Subscription offers 30 days of cloud storage with vehicle, pet, and package detection.
Specs: 1080p resolution, battery or wired, rechargeable, 14.5 x 5.2 x 3 cm, subscription £3.50/month, works with Alexa, Google. £139.99 at Yalehome.co.uk.
What Are the Best Video Doorbells?
The Arlo 2K Wireless Video Doorbell excels overall. For the best picture quality and features, the Ring Battery Video Doorbell Pro is top, though both benefit from subscriptions. For subscription-free use, the Eufy Video Doorbell E340 offers built-in storage and a second camera for doorstep visibility.
Why trust me? David Phelan has nearly three decades of experience reviewing smartphones, audio, and emerging tech, known for rigorous testing and unbiased analysis.
