Installing a video doorbell is a quick and easy way to add smart security and convenience to your home. These devices let you answer the door from anywhere via your phone, and double as motion detectors and security cameras. Amazon's Ring dominates the market, but alternatives like Blink, Swann, Eufy, and Philips Hue offer unique features such as integrated voice assistants, secondary parcel cameras, and smart lighting integration.
Video doorbells can be wired, battery-powered, or even solar-powered. All connect to home Wi-Fi and are controlled via a smartphone app. Some store video locally on a microSD card, while others use cloud storage, often with a monthly or annual fee. Basic models alert you to motion or doorbell presses; pricier ones include AI-enhanced alerts, radar motion tracking, and dual cameras.
The best doorbell for you depends on your budget, needed features, and existing smart home systems. For example, if you have a Ring, Yale, or Eufy alarm, stick with that brand. If you already use Hue lights, consider the Hue doorbell. On a tight budget, Blink offers affordable local or cloud storage options.
One standout is the Eufy E340, a flagship model rivaling Ring's best but slightly cheaper at around £160. It features two cameras: a front-facing 2K 160-degree view and a bottom camera angled to monitor parcels. It sends notifications for package delivery and reminders, though it currently works best with rectangular packages at least 10 inches on the shortest side, not envelopes or tubes. In testing, it correctly alerted to a courier but falsely flagged the courier walking away as someone approaching the package.
The E340 also includes a familiar faces feature that recognises you and regular visitors, adding names to notifications. However, it still sends motion alerts for known faces, not just when they ring the bell. Eufy acknowledges these features are in beta. Battery life lasted about three months when used solely as a doorbell without motion detection; using motion detection drains it faster. Eufy has merged cleaning and security apps, but the app suffers from poor translations and occasional bugs.
