The Best Smart Doorbell

Smart doorbell cameras are for people who want to be able to screen their visitors the way they do phone calls using caller ID. These cameras also serve a valuable security function by recording video of whoever (or whatever) comes to your door or crosses your walkway, whether it’s FedEx or UPS dropping off packages or the types of miscreants who like to pilfer them. These devices let you monitor your entryway whether you’re in bed, in the backyard, or on vacation 2,000 miles away. They replace your existing doorbell with one that bundles a ringer button, camera, microphone, speaker, and several sensors. When it’s triggered by motion or a ring of the button, a smart doorbell camera will notify you via an audible chime and smartphone notifications, and it will stream live audio and video to your phone or tablet so you can hear and see your visitors in real time. You can even talk with those visitors or, in the case of solicitors, send them on their way. In most homes with a powered doorbell, you can simply swap out your old doorbell button for a smart one and use the existing wiring; a few models can also run on rechargeable batteries. One practical issue some homeowners will face is not having an adequate power transformer, a device that reduces your home’s 120-volt electrical service to a lower (and safer) voltage required by many smart doorbells.