Household security is becoming smarter and cheaper. From as little as £181, you can equip your home with a video doorbell so you can see who's at the fron door - whether or not you're at home.
Video doorbells - also known as smart doorbells - tend to be Wi-Fi-enabled, and come with a camera (frequently HD), speaker and microphone. Other features can include motion detection and infrared LEDs, so you can get a better picture in the dark.
EASY AS HACK
You can connect your video doorbell to your smart home devices, so you can access your doorbell from anywhere in your home.
At a glance
Pros:
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- Improved security
- Smart home connectivity
- Easy to install
Cons:
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- Can be expensive
- Can be easy to remove
- Can be hacked
What is a video doorbell?
A video doorbell combines a traditional bell button with a video camera. This allows it to work as a normal doorbell but record footage of what’s outside your front door at the same time.
The video footage will go directly to your phone, so even if you’re not in, you’ll still be able to see who’s outside your home.
Benefits of video doorbells
Greet your guests remotely
Knowing who’s at the door without actually having to answer it is the main benefit of a video doorbell. So, whether you’re at work, on holiday or in the bath, you can see whoever comes knocking.
The devices record and play audio, enabling two-way communication. You’ll never miss friends calling, and if you have children at home, you’ll know when they get home safely.
It also means that you can choose not to answer the door to any callers you’d rather not speak to. As the footage from the doorbell goes directly to your phone, you can even see what’s going on outside your home while you’re on holiday.
online shopping
If you’re having a parcel delivered, for instance, you can give instructions to save yourself from those pesky ‘Sorry we missed you’ cards. You’ll also be able to see where the delivery driver has left your parcel.
On the other hand, if you’ve had parcels stolen from your doorstep in the past, a video doorbell could help you catch the culprit.
improved security
Having a video doorbell is likely to put off intruders. For one, you’ll have a saved video of anyone who calls round. Some doorbells can be triggered within a certain distance of your front door, so people don’t even have to ring the bell. And you can also give the impression you’re at home even when you’re not, speaking to your visitor as if you’re there in person.
Some video doorbells come fitted with night vision, meaning you’ll get a crystal-clear picture of nighttime visitors, whether they’re welcome or not.
Smart home connectivity
If you have other smart features in your home, it’s a good idea to check whether you can use your smart doorbell in combination with them. For example, if you want to physically let somebody in – such as a friend or a pet-sitter – you could use your compatible smart lock.
You may also be able to link your doorbell to assistants such as Alexa or Siri, or smart displays such as Google Nest Hub, and access your doorbell through these devices.
potentially cheaper home insurance
When applying for home insurance, providers tend to look favourably on households with a good level of security.
A video doorbell provides an extra layer of security, especially as the footage it captures is stored on your phone. So having a video doorbell could help lower your premiums.
easy to install
Battery-operated video doorbells are easy to install – just a few quick steps. Once you’ve mounted the bell next to your door all you need to do is connect it to your Wi-Fi and download the accompanying app.
Cons of video doorbells
they can be expensive
While it’s possible to get a video doorbell for as little as £18,2 as with most things, you get what you pay for. So it’s probably worth shelling out for decent kit – especially when it comes to home security.
According to Which?, anything that costs less than £50 is unlikely to be worth the money 3. Some video doorbells also have a monthly fee for premium features.
risk of getting hacked
As with all connected devices, there’s a risk that your video doorbell could be hacked. The worry here isn’t so much that someone acting maliciously could access the video, but rather that your network could become compromised. You don’t want anybody being able to open your front door through hacking your doorbell, for instance.
Depending on your setup, hackers may also be able to access other devices through your doorbell, such as an Alexa, and compromise the data stored in it.
Again, for this reason, it’s best to avoid going for cheaper models. Do some research to find out which models have the tightest security.
phantom visitors
If the doorbell you choose is a motion-sensing model – such as a Ring device – then your doorbell could be more active than it needs to be, sending you on a wild goose chase. It’s usually possible to change the sensitivity, but you could still risk getting false alarms now and again.
some models are easy to remove
Ideally, you want a video doorbell which isn’t too conspicuous and blends discreetly into the doorway. Otherwise, rather than deter intruders, your smart doorbell could catch their attention. Some cheaper, battery-powered doorbells might be easily removed or stolen.
It can take some force to remove most video doorbells from their wall brackets. However, it’s possible for someone to unscrew the entire thing quickly.
Again, the solution here is probably to invest in a better model, potentially one that is a wired doorbell. However, you’ll probably need this professionally installed by an electrician, which comes at a further cost.
privacy laws
A court case has led to concerns that owners of smart doorbells could face fines if neighbours say they are a breach of privacy.
In 2021, a judge ruled that security cameras and a smart doorbell that a man had installed in a house in Oxfordshire invaded a neighbour’s privacy.
In response, the Information Commissioner's Office told BBC News4 that owners of smart doorbells “should respect people's privacy rights and take steps to minimise intrusion to neighbours and passers-by."
FAQs
How does a video doorbell work?
Video doorbells work in the same way as security cameras. They capture video 24/7, including audio. The doorbells come equipped with a speaker and microphone so you can have a conversation with whoever is outside your house. Because the doorbell is connected to your phone, you’ll get an alert on the app whenever someone is at your door.
Is it legal to use a smart doorbell?
Yes, it’s completely legal to use a smart doorbell. However, you need to stay within data protection regulations if your camera records outside the boundary of your property.5
Will a video doorbell make me safer?
A video doorbell may make you feel safe and more secure in your home.
Do I need a smart doorbell subscription?
Some smart doorbells offer subscriptions for extra features such as daily event summaries and storage for video clips.
How do I install a video doorbell?
You’ll need to connect the doorbell to your Wi-Fi, mount it outside your door, and set up the app. If your video doorbell is battery operated, you may be able to install it yourself. If it’s wired in you may need to hire an electrician.
For more information about how to protect your home and belongings, go to Solved.
You can find out more about our home insurance here.
Sources
[3] https://www.which.co.uk/reviews/smart-video-doorbells/article/how-to-buy-the-best-smart-video-doorbell-aUBcm4n6bZbE#which-dont-buy-video-doorbells
[4] https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-58911296
