Author: Travis Young
Last Updated: April, 2019
Having a video doorbell can help you find out who’s at your door without you having to get up and open it (what a brave new world we live in). With some of them, you can even see who’s at the door when you’re out and about, or at work.
A video doorbell is great for security purposes as you can see and talk to the people at your door while the doorbell records the footage. So if you’re looking to install a video doorbell for some extra security around your home, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve reviewed the best video doorbells you can get in Australia to help narrow down your options.
Best Video Doorbells – Reviews
1. Ring Video Doorbell 2
Amazon actually owns Ring now, they saw the quality of the products these guys were building and went for it. These products are the most popular ones at the moment, and with good reason! The Ring Video Doorbell 2 has a sleek, clean design and allows you to see, listen and speak to people at your door from your smartphone, PC, or tablet. The video doorbell is compatible with iOS, Android, Mac, and Windows devices so you can use it no matter what system you operate with.
It is easy to set up as it runs off a rechargeable battery pack so you do not have to worry about connecting it to any wires. The quick-release battery pack lasts up to six months, can be easily removed, and is charged through a USB port.
With 1080p video and two adjustable motion sensors, you will have a clear view of the front of your property. When the motion sensors are triggered or the doorbell is pressed, the Ring Video Doorbell 2 will send an alert to your phone, tablet or PC immediately so you can answer the door from anywhere or see who is loitering outside your house.
The Ring Video Doorbell 2 also allows for on-demand video streaming so you can monitor your property whenever you like. It has a weatherproof design and night vision sensors so you can easily see what is happening outside at any time of day or night, no matter the weather.
The Ring app has many useful functions that link with the Ring Video Doorbell 2, including enabling, disabling and snoozing alerts, check the battery level, view a live stream, share recordings with neighbours who have the app, and many more.
The Ring Video Doorbell 2 is a high-quality video doorbell that you can rely on for extra security and adjust to suit your preferences.
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Main features
- 1080p video resolution
- 160˚ field of view
- Infrared night vision up to 30 feet
- Customizable motion sensors
- Two-way talk
Pros
- Easy to install
- Comes with 4 interchangeable faceplates
- Adjustable to suit your home
- Very useful smartphone app
Cons
- More expensive than other video doorbells
2. August Doorbell Cam Pro
The August Doorbell Cam Pro is a small, simple, video doorbell which has an excellent quality design and helps you to see and interact with whoever is at your door through your smartphone. This video doorbell can replace your current doorbell by using the existing wiring for the installation. The August Doorbell Cam Pro has a metal, weatherproof finish to ensure longevity and keep it looking good as new as time goes on.
With a built-in motion-activated floodlight the August Doorbell Cam Pro allows you to see any visitors in full-colour HD video at any time of the day or night. It also features two-way audio so you can hear and speak to the person on the other side of your door to find out why they are there before you open up.
The August Doorbell Cam Pro sends real-time alerts to your smartphone whenever someone approaches your door even if they do not physically ring the bell. The Hindsight feature on the doorbell starts recording as people approach your house so you know who comes and goes even if they do not press the doorbell button. This allows you to always keep track of who is at your door or loitering outside so you can identify suspicious activity even when you are not at home.
Its rechargeable battery and USB charging dock ensure that the August Doorbell Cam Pro will keep functioning even when your power is out. This video doorbell is an excellent choice if you are looking to replace your existing wired doorbell and mechanical chime as it will make installation neater. The August Doorbell Cam Pro offers a great extra layer of protection for your house and its simple, neat design will look great next to your door.
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Main features
- Full-colour HD video
- Two-way audio
- Built-in, motion-activated flood light
- Hindsight feature
- 120˚ field of view
Pros
- Easy to charge with the USB dock
- Thorough installation instructions on the app
- Durable build
- Connects with the August Smart Lock
Cons
- Installation is tricky
3. TMEZON 7 inch Wireless Video Doorbell
The TMEZON Video Doorbell is a doorbell device that comes with a camera as well as a seven inch LCD monitor which you place in your home so that you and anyone else in your house can see who is at the door. You can also view the video feed from the doorbell camera via the app on your phone so that even when you are not at home you can see who is visiting.
When the TMEZON Video Doorbell is pressed, an alert will immediately be sent to your smartphone so you can see, hear and talk to the people at your door. If you have a smart lock you can also use the app or the monitor to open the door without having to get up or come home if you are out.
The monitor has a sleek design with a touch-screen interface for easy use and connects to your home’s WiFi. The TMEZON Video Doorbell has a sturdy, waterproof build and features an infrared sensor, 1200 TVL camera resolution and night vision. You can connect two doorbells and up to four monitors in your home to act as multiple spots from where you can see and communicate with visitors through the dual-way communication function.
The TMEZON Video Doorbell will start recording or snap a picture when the doorbell is pressed or the motion sensor is triggered. The doorbell and monitor are both wired so they have a constant connection to power and will provide stable footage.
Overall, the TMEZON Video Doorbell is great value for money and comes with a monitor which is useful for the whole household so that both you and any family members can check out who is at the front door without having to open it first.
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Main features
- 1200 TVL camera
- 100˚ field of view
- Comes with a 7 inch LCD monitor
- Two-way audio
Pros
- Can connect up to 2 doorbells and 4 monitors
- Can view the video on both your phone and on the monitor
- Instant alerts to your smartphone
Cons
- Need to purchase a MicroSD card separately
4. Ring Video Doorbell Pro
The Ring Video Doorbell Pro is considered one of the top video doorbells on the market and its many features and excellent quality build make it worth every cent. It has a slim design and looks a lot like a regular doorbell. The Ring Video Doorbell Pro is one of the most customizable video doorbells as you can specify different zones in the field of view that should trigger its alerts.
With 1080p resolution, you can see who is at your front door in crystal clear picture so you can easily identify them and be alerted to any strangers. The Ring Video Doorbell Pro can connect to your smartphone, tablet, or PC no matter what operating systems you have so you can see, listen, and speak to the person at your door from anywhere.
It also features three infrared LED lights for night vision to help you see who is at your door no matter the hour. The Ring Video Doorbell Pro comes with four interchangeable faceplates so you can choose which finish suits your personal preference and the style of your house the most. It is easy to set up and requires a wired connection so that it has stable power and will not run out of charge.
The Ring Video Doorbell Pro begins recording when its button is pressed and will send an instant alert to your smartphone, tablet, or PC so you can immediately be notified when someone is at your door. The Ring app has many useful features such as the Neighborhood feature, Live View, as well as various doorbell settings that can be used with the Ring Video Doorbell Pro.
Overall, the Ring Video Doorbell Pro has everything you need in a video doorbell and will provide you with years of reliable use. While it may be one of the more expensive options on the market, it offers many useful features and customizable settings to ensure that it works for you and functions seamlessly.
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Main features
- HD 1080p wide angle camera
- 160˚ field of view
- Night vision and advanced motion detection
- Two-way audio with noise cancellation
Pros
- High quality picture
- Customizable alert zones
- Cloud based recording
- Modern design
Cons
- Price
Video Doorbells: Our Buyers Guide
There are numerous important features to consider when purchasing a video doorbell and all the specifications can seem quite overwhelming (like wired vs wireless doorbells). So here are some of the key features of video doorbells that you should have a look at when making your decision.
Video Resolution
Video resolution refers to the quality of the camera’s recordings. A higher resolution camera will record better quality footage with a clearer picture so you can see more details compared to footage from a camera with lower resolution capabilities.
A higher video resolution is an important feature in a video doorbell as you need to be able to see and identify people’s faces or other detailed items captured by the camera.
Field of View
The camera’s field of view is how wide of an angle they can see and record. A larger field of view will allow the doorbell camera to see a larger area of your property and capture the faces of people at your door no matter how tall or short they are.
Night Vision
Night vision is the ability to see details in low light conditions. Most video doorbells will use Infrared lights to be able to see who is at your door, even at night.
Night vision is an important feature to consider in a video doorbell as it can add extra security and help you see who is approaching your house or ringing your bell late at night. Seeing a clear picture will help you be able to identify suspicious people or activity so you can take further action.
Power Requirements
Video doorbells will generally use either a wired connection for power, or the wireless doorbells run off batteries. Some video doorbells come with their own rechargeable batteries that last a long time before needing to be charged.
Wired doorbells have a constant stream of power so you never have to worry about them running out of battery. However, wired video doorbells do not work if you have a power outage.
Battery powered video doorbells are generally much easier to set up as they do not have to be connected to anything. Wired doorbells, on the other hand, connect to your existing doorbell’s wiring or require you to install wiring into your home.
The power requirements of the video doorbell you choose are up to your own personal preference as there are pros and cons to each type.
Storage
While you do not need a subscription or good storage plan to view a live stream, get instant alerts, and speak with your visitors from your video doorbell, you do need cloud storage or a memory card if you want to store video footage and review it later. There are some very affordable cloud storage subscriptions available and certain brands may offer good deals with their products.
Having a storage subscription or a big memory card is useful to have if there has been any suspicious or criminal activity in your area because you can then review your footage and see if you can identify any helpful details from the video.
However, if you are simply looking for a way to check out who is at your door before you open it, then you do not need to worry about the storage specifications of a video doorbell.
Software
The software that is used in conjunction with a video doorbell is also very important to consider. Video doorbells will generally function with an app so it can connect to your smartphone, tablet, or PC. Make sure the video doorbell you pick has an app that can be used with your operating system whether you use Android, iOS, Mac or Windows devices.
Video doorbell apps allow you to answer your door even when you are not home. When the doorbell is triggered an alert is sent to your smartphone to notify you so that you can immediately see who is at your house and answer the bell. Most apps facilitate two-way talk so that you can communicate with your visitors.
Apps that function with more expensive video doorbells will generally be more sophisticated and will have more useful functions for you to use.
Key Takeaway
After all things are considered, the video doorbell that you choose to purchase should suit your needs and preferences the best.
If you are on a budget and looking for something simple and reliable then the Digoo Video Doorbell or the TMEZON Video Doorbell would suit you the best, but if you are looking for something more sophisticated with advanced features then perhaps the August Doorbell Cam Pro or either of the Ring Video Doorbells would be the better option for you.
All the video doorbells will allow you to see and speak to people at your door so no matter which one you pick you will have that extra bit of security for your home.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does a video doorbell work?
When the button on a video doorbell is pressed, video footage will be sent via Wifi or Bluetooth to the app on your smartphone or to the monitor it comes with. From the app or monitor, you can then press a talk button to communicate with the person who rung.
What is the difference between a video doorbell and a security camera?
Both video doorbells and security cameras are used to see who is outside your house and, nowadays, they can both alert you immediately when motion is detected. However, video doorbells are usually only placed in one spot, at your front door, and allows you to see and talk to the person outside.
Security cameras can have multiple placements and are usually placed in higher spots for a better field of view. Security cameras are used to see all around your property and alert you when there is any movement so you can take further action.
Why do I need a video doorbell?
A video doorbell can add an extra layer of security for your home as you can see who is at your door without opening it. This is helpful as you can immediately take action without having to interact with your unwanted visitors if you feel insecure or threatened.
It can also be used to remotely answer your door so you can talk to your visitors and tell your friends you are not home if they stop by. In addition, wireless doorbells are generally very easy to install.