Consumer Reports

Smart alerts: People onlyOptional storage subscription: YesCR’s take: The Eufy Video Doorbell 1080p (Battery-Powered) is a CR Best Buy because of its impressive video quality, response time, and $100 price. It also performs decently in our tests for data privacy and data security, receiving a Good rating in the latter test. This Eufy doorbell comes with a plug-in doorbell chime and features monitoring zones, person detection, geofencing, voice and app control via Amazon Alexa and Google Home/Assistant, and local video storage when you plug a microSD card into the doorbell chime. Because this doorbell is battery-powered, it also doesn’t require low-voltage doorbell wiring for power.

Best for Most

amazon.com

pcmag.com

theverge.com

techradar.com

bazaarvoice

walmart

Free video storage: Yes, using the included 32GB microSD card.Optional subscription: Not available.
CR’s take: The Lorex 2K QHD B451AJD-E WiFi Video Doorbell claims to offer 2K resolution video, but our tests found its performance isn’t any better than its 1080p sibling below. In fact, it earns almost identical scores in our tests, including a Very Good rating for video quality, strong scores in our data security and response time tests, and middle-of-the-road scores for data privacy and smart features. So what sets this Lorex model apart? It offers more smart features, including person detection, color night vision, high-dynamic range video, recorded messages for when you can’t answer the doorbell, monitoring zones, geofencing (this feature uses your phone’s location to receive alerts when you’re home), and voice control via Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.
This Lorex model stores footage locally on a 32GB microSD card that comes with the doorbell. If you want to store even more footage, the doorbell supports up to a 256GB microSD card. It also requires low-voltage doorbell wiring for power and can ring your home’s existing doorbell chime.

Upgrade Pick

Wirecutter

This affordable smart doorbell packs in a lot of complex features, including a 2K image, person detection, local storage, customizable responses, and a separate wireless chime.

Similar to our runner-up model, this doorbell offers a clear 2K image and options for cloud and local storage. However, it doesn’t need doorbell wiring, as it has a battery that can operate for up to four months on a full charge.

Free video storage: Yes, using 8 gigabytes of built-in memory (Eufy estimates it will store up to 90 days of motion-triggered video clips).Optional storage plans: Through a Eufy Security storage plan, you get 30 days of cloud storage for one camera for $3 per month (or $30 per year) or 30 days for up to 10 cameras for $10 per month (or $100 per year).CR’s take: The Eufy Video Doorbell 2K Dual (Wired) is one of a few video doorbells with two cameras, one pointed straight out to spot visitors (or intruders) and one pointed down to keep an eye on package deliveries. In our lab tests, it receives strong scores for video quality, data security, and response time for alerts and loading live feeds. It offers a decent amount of smart features and its data privacy is middling, receiving a Good rating, which is actually better than many competing doorbells.In addition to its two cameras, this Eufy features high dynamic range (HDR) for more vivid video, monitoring zones, three-second video previews (to show what happened before the camera detected motion), facial recognition, person detection, and package detection. Notably, the last three features don’t require a subscription, which is common for other doorbells.The Eufy doorbell features 8 gigabytes of built-in memory to store footage, but the company also offers cloud video storage subscriptions. You can get 30 days of cloud storage for one camera for $3 per month (or $30 per year), or 30 days for up to 10 cameras for $10 per month (or $100 per year). As its name suggests, the Eufy Video Doorbell 2K Dual (Wired) requires low-voltage doorbell wiring for power, but can’t ring your home’s existing chime. Instead, it comes with a wireless, plug-in chime in the box.If you’re interested in this doorbell, but need a battery-powered model, check out the Eufy Video Doorbell 2K Dual (Battery). It does well overall in our tests, but its video quality and response time aren’t as good when compared with the wired version.

Smart alerts: Packages, people, and facesOptional storage subscription: YesCR’s take: The Eufy Video Doorbell 2K Dual (Wired) is one of a few video doorbells with two cameras, one pointed straight out to spot visitors (or intruders) and one pointed down to keep an eye on package deliveries. In our lab tests, it receives strong scores for video quality, data security, and response time for alerts and loading live feeds. It offers a decent amount of smart features and its data privacy is middling, receiving a Good rating, which is actually better than many competing doorbells.In addition to its two cameras, this Eufy features high dynamic range (HDR) for more vivid video, monitoring zones, 3-second video previews (to show what happened before the camera detected motion), facial recognition, person detection, and package detection. Notably, the last three features don’t require a subscription, which is common for other doorbells.The Eufy doorbell features 8 gigabytes of built-in memory to store footage, but the company also offers cloud video storage subscriptions. As its name suggests, the Eufy Video Doorbell 2K Dual (Wired) requires low-voltage doorbell wiring for power but can’t ring your home’s existing chime. Instead, it comes with a wireless plug-in chime in the box.If you’re interested in this doorbell but need a battery-powered model, check out the Eufy Video Doorbell 2K Dual (Battery). It does well overall in our tests, but its video quality and response time aren’t as good when compared with the wired version.

Budget Pick

yotpo

Free video storage: None.Optional subscription: $5 per month for one camera for 30 days and $10 per month for unlimited cameras for 30 days.
CR’s take: If you’re concerned about privacy, then the SimpliSafe Doorbell Pro SS3 is the doorbell to buy because it’s the only model in our ratings with a Very Good rating for data privacy (the highest of any doorbell in our tests). It also rates well for video quality and data security. The downsides? It lacks many smart features, and it’s slow to send alerts and then load live video feeds. Its few features include monitoring zones, person detection, and HDR video, but there’s no support for voice control via digital assistants.
If you’d like cloud storage for video clips, you can get 30 days for $5 per month for one camera or $10 per month for unlimited cameras. The SimpliSafe video doorbell requires doorbell wiring for power and can ring your home’s existing doorbell chime.

Free video storage:None.Optional subscription: $5 per month for one camera for 30 days and $10 per month for unlimited cameras for 30 days.CR’s take: If you’re concerned about privacy, then the SimpliSafe Doorbell Pro SS3 is the doorbell to buy because it’s the only model in our ratings with a Very Good rating for data privacy (the highest of any doorbell in our tests). It also rates well for video quality and data security. The downsides? It lacks many smart features, and it’s slow to send alerts and then load live video feeds. Its few features include monitoring zones, person detection, and HDR video, but there’s no support for voice control via digital assistants.If you’d like cloud storage for video clips, you can get 30 days for $5 per month for one camera or $10 per month for unlimited cameras. The SimpliSafe video doorbell requires doorbell wiring for power and can ring your home’s existing doorbell chime.

Free video storage: None Optional subscription: $3 per month (or $30 per year) for one camera for 60 days, $10 per month (or $100 per year) for unlimited cameras for 60 days
CR’s take: For a battery-powered video doorbell with terrific video quality, consider the Ring Video Doorbell 3 Plus. It receives an Excellent rating for video quality, though it could offer faster response times for alerts and loading live feeds, as well as more smart features. The features it does have include a removable rechargeable battery, voice control via Amazon Alexa, monitoring zones, alert schedules, privacy zones that let you black out areas you don’t want to film (such as a neighbor’s house), and pre-roll video that gives you a four-second clip of what happened before the doorbell detected motion.
Our tests also show that this Ring doorbell does a good job of keeping your data secure. It falls in the middle of the pack when it comes to keeping your data private, though, when compared with competing doorbells.
With an optional subscription to a Ring Protect Plan, you’ll get a rolling 60 days of motion-triggered video clips and photo snapshots between recordings. If you’d like this doorbell for $30 less, consider the Ring Video Doorbell 3. It receives the same ratings in our tests and lacks only the 4-second pre-roll clips.

Free video storage: None Optional subscription: $3 per month (or $30 per year) for one camera for 60 days, $10 per month (or $100 per year) for unlimited cameras for 60 daysCR’s take: For a battery-powered video doorbell with terrific video quality, consider the Ring Video Doorbell 3 Plus. It receives an Excellent rating for video quality, though it could offer faster response times for alerts and loading live feeds, as well as more smart features. The features it does have include a removable rechargeable battery, voice control via Amazon Alexa, monitoring zones, alert schedules, privacy zones that let you black out areas you don’t want to film (such as a neighbor’s house), and pre-roll video that gives you a four-second clip of what happened before the doorbell detected motion.Our tests also show that this Ring doorbell does a good job of keeping your data secure. It falls in the middle of the pack when it comes to keeping your data private, though, when compared with competing doorbells.With an optional subscription to a Ring Protect Plan, you’ll get a rolling 60 days of motion-triggered video clips and photo snapshots between recordings. If you’d like this doorbell for $30 less, consider the Ring Video Doorbell 3. It receives the same ratings in our tests and lacks only the 4-second pre-roll clips.

Free video storage:Yes, using the included 16GB microSD card.Optional subscription: Not available.CR’s take: The Lorex LNWDB1 1080P WiFi Video Doorbell is one of the more affordable options on this list, and it offers performance on a par with some doorbells that cost significantly more. In our tests, it rates Very Good for data security and earns a middle-of-the-road score for data privacy. It also offers superb video quality and response time, as well as a decent array of smart features. They include monitoring zones, geofencing (this feature uses your phone’s location to receive alerts when you’re home), and voice control via Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.This Lorex model stores footage locally on a 16GB microSD card that comes with the doorbell. If you want to store even more footage, the doorbell supports up to a 64GB microSD card. It also requires low-voltage doorbell wiring for power and can ring your home’s existing doorbell chime.If you’re willing to spend a bit more, you might also want to consider the Lorex 2K QHD B451AJD-E. It performs identically to this Lorex 1080p model in our tests, but adds color night vision and high dynamic range to the mix.

Smart alerts: None availableOptional storage subscription: NoCR’s take: The Lorex LNWDB1 1080P WiFi Video Doorbell is one of the more affordable options on this list, and it offers performance on a par with some doorbells that cost significantly more. In our tests, this Lorex doorbell earns a Very Good rating for data security and a middle-of-the-road score for data privacy. It also offers superb video quality and response time, as well as a decent array of smart features, which include monitoring zones, geofencing (this feature uses your phone’s location to receive alerts when you’re not home), and voice control via Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.This Lorex model stores footage locally on a 16GB microSD card that comes with the doorbell. If you want to store even more footage, the doorbell supports up to a 64GB microSD card. It also requires low-voltage doorbell wiring for power and can ring your home’s existing doorbell chime.If you’re willing to spend a bit more, you might also consider the Lorex 2K QHD B451AJD-E. It performs identically to this Lorex 1080p model in our tests but adds color night vision and high dynamic range to the mix.

Video Doorbell Comparison