The new smart doorbell security cameras are taking the market by storm.  This best doorbell camera creates the ability to view people coming up to your door, triggering notifications to any ios and Android smart device.  They bring peace of mind to those who are nervous about answering the door without knowing who is there.  These live video doorbells also serve as a great ‘peephole’ and now those at home don’t have to lift up the blinds to peek at who the visitors are.

Make burglars think twice before stealing packages off the doorstep.
Image:  Burglar being caught by doorbell cam

Pros and cons of having a Security Doorbell viewer at the front door:

Pros

• Crime deterrent
• CBS reports that they drop crime rates by 55% in neighborhoods where installed
• Easy to connect and stream on a mobile device
• Ring video doorbell captures and records live footage
• Add users in an app so any family member can access
• Able to set up ‘smart zones’ 10 to 40-foot perimeters of the doorbell camera
• Talk with people (or the mailman) at the doorstep directly from a smartphone app
• Free app control on each for iOS or Android

Cons

• The ones you buy outright (aside from a security company) still up-sell you a monthly fee for them to store video footage on their cloud storage.
• Depending on your technical skills; can be difficult to install
• Dependent upon steady WiFi connection
• App software can be buggy at times and sometimes miss users at your doorstep

For those looking to buy a new doorbell security camera here are the top 3 reviews:

#1 – FrontPoint Security HD Smart Doorbell

In July of 2017, Frontpoint updated their doorbell camera to the new ‘Slimline’ model shown above. 

FrontPoint recently added a doorbell camera to their lineup in late 2016.  They use a third party product, Skybell, and integrate it with their app so you get a full security system with your doorbell hd camera.  This is a great all around wireless doorbell camera although slightly bulkier than other top picks.  It looks less like a typical doorbell you would ring and more like a camera/tech product. It works when the motion detection is triggered or when someone presses the doorbell.  We rate the appeal a 5 of 5 (previously 3.5 of 5 and ranked 2nd until new version hit) and functionality 4.5 of 5.

To add this to a Frontpoint security system users need to ask for it as they are not adding it to any promotions right now.  They do give you a discount so it is $160 over the $180+ users would pay for it on the internet.

Specifics include:

• 1080p HD video camera
• Frontpoint security app integration
• Night vision
• Text alerts to answer or view history
• Add & manage users
• Made in the USA

The monthly cost is going to be around $50 which will include 24/7 monitoring of the security system and doorbell video camera.  Frontpoint has done a great job at adding this to their lineup. Users who use the Skybell cam through Frontpoint gives them one app to control all home automation and security features.  Better than logging in and out of several apps to see what is going on in the home.

Call Frontpoint at 855-861-8730

Sale

Arlo Essential Wired Video Doorbell - HD Video, 180° View, Night...

• Important installation requirements - Wired doorbell and doorbell chime requires existing electrical wiring with voltage...
• See more at your front door - Arlo's security front door camera and door security devices lets you see a person from...
• Get a clearer picture - HD with HDR quality footage from your video door camera ensures you see the details on your...

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#2 – Vivint HD Video doorbell + Home automation system

Vivint is the only security company (as of 2016) to create their own doorbell camera and not use a third party partner.  It integrates with their app flawlessly.  As soon as someone rings the doorbell, app users are notified and can swipe to answer and then talk to the person on the other end.  When talking to the user, try to have wifi connection with a good wifi network or cell phone data will be burned quickly. It works similar to other models; Video recording starts when the motion sensor is triggered or someone rings the bell.

Part of a full automation security system.

You can get Vivint doorbell smart cam in their automation package.  Monitoring is going to be $59-79 a month but this is a full security system.  The sky panel is touch screen and also connected to the doorbell cam. The system lets you view in real-time high-definition video through the Vivint in-home control panel or the mobile app. To review the videos and images, you can check the company’s Space Monkey local Cloud service device.

This is the costliest option of all, but that comes with great quality.  Vivint has close to 1 million home security users already with a 20-year history so glitches in their app have already been worked out.  This company thrives on innovation so for users that want more than just a doorbell camera then this is your best long-term option.

For a Free Quote call 855-298-7671

#3 – Ring doorbell viewer

A ring is the most well-known, popular and considered one of the best doorbell cameras in the market today. They are the original inventors of this product and re-branded from their original name, ‘Doorbot’.  It is not as slim as Vivint’s but much better looking than Frontpoints above.

They have a The Ring PRO version for $250 (free shipping) with a home security system add-on bundle.  There is also a $195 version which is hard to find the difference between the ‘PRO’ version.  Users download the Ring app and then sync to their wireless doorbell with a camera, add security passwords and users and then it is up and running.  Once the flat fee to purchase has been paid, Ring gives users a free 30 day trial of storing footage to the cloud.  Because it’s not connected to a DVR or any other kind of backup storage it is hard not to feel obligated to do this.  It is $5/mo, so affordable but users essentially can’t use the product for security unless that is paid.

How they work:  

You can set up ‘zones’ on how far out the camera sees and records motions.  For instance, you can set 5-25′ away. Try to get a wifi extender to connect to your wi-fi network to ensure that the signal is strong and all videos will be streamed in real-time without any issues. The farther away, the more pictures and recordings you will have.  Every home is different, try to set it up so that your doorbell cam is not taking pictures of every passing car.

When the user rings the doorbell, your smartphone is notified and you can then view a live stream of who is there. The doorbell can be powered by rechargeable power battery or Hardwire Power Supply(8-24 VAC).

You can also ‘answer’ it and talk through your phone to them at the doorstep.  This is a great feature if you are at work and need to take a package or talk to whoever is at the door.

Recordings and pictures are saved so if needed you can look up the history of who has been at the front of the home.  We recently used this at Halloween (2016) to see the punk teenagers who walked up to the doorstep and smashed our pumpkins on the sidewalk!

(Image: Footage used by LAPD caught from a Security doorbell cam)

Final Thoughts on the Best Doorbell Camera Reviews

Smart door viewers are a great home automation product and if you plan on living at the location for 2+ years should be bought.  These do replace traditional doorbells and are not practical to move with you to the next home, although can be done.  Your ‘ding dong’ noise will stay the same when the doorbell button is pushed (as long as the doorbell wires are installed correctly. Our second choice Vivint will install it for you, with the other 2 products users are on their own.

As long as you don’t buy one that has negative reviews or no support then you are purchasing one that is a ‘best of’ contender.  With the top 2 choices, users can integrate their doorbell camera system with their home security system. With option 3, it acts as a stand-alone device and users can pay for cloud backup storage through the Ring app.

Other things users should consider to keep crime away from the front of their homes are:  keep it clean, have a security sign, use outdoor cameras around the home and put neighborhood watch stickers.  Stay safe and let us know your thoughts and any experience with the new tech security gadgets.

Sale

Blink Video Doorbell (Black) + Mini Camera with Sync Module 2 (White)...

• Experience 1080 HD day and infrared night video, motion detection, and two-way audio with Video Doorbell and Mini.
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• Set up yourself in minutes by following the in-app instructions.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Do people steal doorbells and their cameras?

Usually no. Most thieves give up if you have the camera installed properly, as it is screwed tightly to your wall, door, or whatever. However, in the rare instances where thieves to manage to steal such a camera, you’re in luck because you’ll have a clear recording of the thief in action. This way, you can call the police and make their jobs all that much easier.

Are doorbell cameras worth it?

Yes, they are. Some people might think that they’re worth it only if you live in a bad neighborhood. Far from it. Burglars and thieves have gotten new tactics up their sleeve and they now travel to richer areas as well because they know they have better chances of finding something worthy to steal instead of just getting regular cheap items.

Can burglars disable the Ring doorbell in theory?

If you have no other security device at home, and your Ring camera works via Wi-Fi only, then there are chances that a smart enough burglar might disable it. We recommend you take all the necessary precautions and speak to the manufacturer about backup security measures that you can take in this type of scenario. Though rare, it doesn’t mean that it can’t happen to you, so it’s better to be prepared than to be caught off-guard.

How do I block my neighbors security cameras?

If your neighbor has their camera pointed way too much at your house, then the simplest solution would be to ask them to redirect their camera’s angle. Otherwise, you can try placing object in front of the camera’s view towards your building. Or you can install a special film on your windows if you’re extra paranoid about neighbors spying on you. If all else fails, try installing a powerful light towards their camera.

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If you are ready to move beyond the old peephole in your door as the only way to know who is on your doorstep, but you don’t want a complicated system with wiring and new holes in your door, then the Ring Doorbell 2 may be the answer for you. As you can guess, this is the second generation of an idea that has been getting a lot more popular lately: doorbell cameras, which are the 21st-century answer to the little looking-glass in the front door. The Ring Doorbell 2 gives you a lot more options and accessibility so that you can use the associated app to check in on your front door, wherever you are at.

Pros and Cons of second Ring Doorbell are

Pros

• Simple to install
• Rechargeable battery for power – no wiring or drilling through door or doorframe
• Sends alerts when activated
• Monitor remotely with the associated app
• 1080p video

Cons

• Large size is somewhat bulky
• Subscription is required to view recorded video clips
• No pre-buffered recording (that is, video recorded before doorbell rings)

Quick Facts

What’s this going to cost to get up and running?

Flat product fee of $199 (shop it here).  This is for DIY installation; if you want a tech to wire it for you (not hard to do; about 15 minutes) then expect another $120-180.  If you want to use their cloud services expect another $7+/mo depending on storage plans.

Compared to others such as Ecobee3 this is a good deal and not something that you need to continually upgrade such as a smartphone.  You can rank it to other top doorbell cameras here.

Security Equipment

The Ring Doorbell 2 works independently of any other security cameras or system you may have. It is activated by a motion sensor that detects movement in its field of view and when the doorbell is pressed. It records high quality 1080 pixel video of anyone at your door, letting you view the video on the associated app.

Sale

Ring Wired Doorbell Plus (Video Doorbell Pro) with Level Bolt

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3/5 difficulty.  Harder than a security system but easier than a smart thermostat

The Ring Doorbell 2 seems to be designed around ease of installation, perfect for a simple DIY project to improve your home’s security. All the things you need to install the video doorbell are included, from mounting screws and anchors to two wedges to properly align the angle of the doorbell, and even a mini level so that you can be sure to get it set at the right angle alongside your door.

You have the option to wire the unit into your existing doorbell system so that the Ring will activate your door chime. The app provides detailed video instructions on how to install and set up the system and any wiring you need to do to get it to work with your existing doorbell.

What makes Ring better than the other smart doorbells?

The Ring Doorbell 2 features adjustable motion sensors, so you can be aware of the most important areas around your doorway. It also comes with a couple of choices in appearance, with two face plates included for the lower portion of the doorbell, so you can choose matte black (called Venetian) or silver (called Satin Nickel).

The company has improved the design over the original Ring so that the rechargeable battery can easily be removed from the unit by opening the faceplate. Once out, the battery recharges by plugging into a USB port with a standard USB cable that they provide with the unit.

Who they are and how they ended up watching your doorstep

The Ring company created and marketed their “doorbot” smart videocam doorbell with an appearance on TV’s Shark Tank, starting in November 2013. The company grew rapidly, with investors and great engineers, into the creation of the first Ring Doorbell that sold some 20,000 units shortly after it was introduced. The mission of the company is simple, as stated on the wall of the company’s office: “To reduce crime in communities.”

In the five years since they started, they have introduced new products with better features and improved the original Ring Doorbell. You can now get the Ring Pro or the Ring Doorbell 2, along with a host of other Ring security products, all with the goals of making safer homes and communities as residents have the power to see who is outside without opening the door.

After you buy it; do they care?

Because there is a monthly bill on the (for cloud storage) the short answer is yes; they will give you good support.  We’ve seen bad support with one and done items (such as Swann or Night Owl security cameras) that customers rage about not getting any help.

While Ring is a company that is built on the idea of improving safety, some reviews show that they have not always been as responsive as they could be to customer concerns. Still, thousands of satisfied customers have enjoyed their products and gotten good results from the video doorbell, while many others have reported long wait times to talk to representatives, and technical problems that they had trouble getting the company to resolve. You may want to investigate the company and its responsiveness to customer concerns before investing in their product if you are worried about customer support.

Conclusion

The Ring Doorbell 2 adds some improvements to the original model, which was introduced nearly five years ago. The battery is easier to remove and recharge on the new model, with a simple push to free the button beneath the faceplate. The installation is designed to be smooth and simple with no elaborate wiring needed. The video quality is very good, with 1080p image quality that gives sharply detailed video images in day or night lighting. If you want a fairly simple, stand-alone video doorbell security system, the Ring Doorbell 2 is a good choice.

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William is a tech buff and former corporate security officer turned cybercrime analyst. Computers have few secrets left for him, but home security and alarm systems… Well, those have plenty of secrets for their users, which William is now uncovering and explaining. His articles on home security helped many people take the matter seriously, invest in highly performing systems, and avoid becoming victims of burglaries.

alarm-reviews.net

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The video doorbell technology have evolved well over the years. In the quest to achieve a smart home status, various technologies have been invented but the Yale look door viewer is different. Normally, a person is required to move to the door to check through the peephole to determine who is on the other side.

Note:  This viewer is different from a smart video doorbell.  Think of a standard viewer or ‘peephole’ that you go to the door and look through.  It’s a bit awkward for everyone but they have been around for years.  What Yale did was turn that into a smart device so you don’t have to walk to the door to peek out.  The good part about this compared to a smart doorbell is if someone knocks you can quickly look at it.  With video doorbell cameras, only if someone rings are they triggered as an alert (unless you modify settings to alert on all activity which can turn into too many alerts per day!)

Classic peephole.  Do you feel these are now an ‘old’ device? 

With the invention of Yale look door viewer, a person does not need to move from their couch, you just need your smart phone and you are good to go. The Yale look Door viewer uses a smartphone (iOS or Android application) to enable you see and speak to the person at the other side of the door.

A Peep into the advantages and disadvantages

Pros

• Offers optimal security

It has motion detection capabilities that enable you to view your visitors once they ring your doorbell wherever you are.

• Enhances mobility

The smartphone mobile app supports a live two-way conversation that allows you to speak to your visitors whether you are in the house or not.

• It is easy to install
• It can fit any standard door
• It has a color display panel
• Longevity to it.  Peepholes have been around for decades and this is something you won’t have to update

Cons

• It has a fuzzy night vision
• Not able to integrate with Alarm.com or other security systems
• The 720p HD Camera is not reliable through a storm door.
• It has a very sensitive motion detector that can sound the alarm under a slight movement causing false alarms.

Product features

Camera

• Wide angle view full color camera
• Camera Battery charge indicator
• Micro SD card slot image storage space
• Motion detector on the exterior camera.
• Functions 24/7

Inside the box        

• Micro USB Cable
• Look Door Viewer
• Door Template
• Micro SD card
• Rechargeable Battery
• Mounting Bracket and screws.

The look Door Viewer is very easy to install and connect to the mobile applications using Wi-Fi. For effective internet connection, the look door viewer requires 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi network and an internet speed of 1 mbs.

How to get it into your door and watching

Assembly shown from start to finish.  Image credit unkown. 

3.5 out of 5 on a ‘Hard to install’ scale.

To install the device, a screwdriver and a drilling tool in case you need to drill a hole. The Look Door Viewer replaces current peephole viewer that has a 9/16 and a standard 1.5 to 2.75 door. After removing the old peephole, insert the front part of the door viewer and then insert the wire through the mounting plate. After mounting the mountain bracket, connect the wiring to the back of the look Door Viewer.

What this going to cost?

New From: $179.00

Used From: $152.15

Device Review

The Look Door Viewer comes into two types; the Wi-Fi and Digital Door Viewer. The Digital door view exists in standard and premium packages and does not connect to the smartphones. The camera feature records timed and date stamped videos and images making it easy to retrieve in case reference is needed. The images and videos could also be accessed through the look App. One issue with the device is that images are not clear at night compared to during the day. Also, during communication, there is a slight delay in the two-way communication. Despite the sound being clear, the device has a 2-3 seconds delay before either party hears the other speak. The device also has a distorted image or video in case the device is fitted behind a glass door.

Sale

Arlo Essential Wired Video Doorbell - HD Video, 180° View, Night...

• Important installation requirements - Wired doorbell and doorbell chime requires existing electrical wiring with voltage...
• See more at your front door - Arlo's security front door camera and door security devices lets you see a person from...
• Get a clearer picture - HD with HDR quality footage from your video door camera ensures you see the details on your...

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Final Look on if the Yale Peephole is Worth it            

The credible features of the Look Door viewer brings convenience, availability and flexibility to its customers. The device has a high performance and easy to install. Users are advised to avoid using the video options 24/7 because it drains the battery at a very fast rate. The Look Door Viewer is a good gadget to install in your home to enhance security.

Latest Posts

• 3 Ways to know your Alarm System is Outdated
• Vivint vs ADT
• 7 Best Outdoor Motion Sensor Lights for Homes
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• How to Cancel Your Alarm Contract

William Eames

William is a tech buff and former corporate security officer turned cybercrime analyst. Computers have few secrets left for him, but home security and alarm systems… Well, those have plenty of secrets for their users, which William is now uncovering and explaining. His articles on home security helped many people take the matter seriously, invest in highly performing systems, and avoid becoming victims of burglaries.

alarm-reviews.net

The post Yale look door viewer review appeared first on Alarm Reviews.