More Australians are investing in video doorbell technology than ever, with more homeowners seeking ways to protect against home invasions and break-ins.
Home security and property protection have become increasingly important to homeowners over the last 12 months, with many parts of the country impacted by a spike in youth crime and property theft.
According to last year’s Australian Bureau of Statistics data, Queenslanders are more likely to be robbed, have their home broken into, or have their car stolen than anywhere else in the country.
Victoria saw a 30 per cent 12-month increase in residential burglaries, predominantly caused by young offenders.
Meanwhile, residents of Western Australia faced more than twice the number of property break-ins as NSW, despite having a third of the population.
The influx of offences has seen many Australians turn to social media to express their concerns, joining community groups to seek security updates and share video footage of offenders taken on home surveillance systems, such as video doorbells.
But with so many doorbell security systems now on the market, each with its own set of features, it’s now harder for homeowners to tell the best from the rest.
Build-it has compiled a list of the five best video doorbells to buy in 2024 so readers can make an informed choice when bringing their home security up to date.
5. Swann Buddy video doorbell (battery)
The SwannBuddy video doorbell offers affordability alongside easy, renter-friendly installation without the need to drill or install wires. While it does offer a cloud storage subscription, it can also hold a 32 GB microSD card, which continues to record even during power outages – however, the constant removal and download of footage will quickly make the cloud software more appealing. The doorbell’s most significant issue is its smartphone app with poor quality live view and a sluggish feel, which can lead to long lag times. The Swann Buddy retails for $179.
Pros
No subscription required
Plenty of app features
Reasonable price
Cons
Live view lag
Memory card or subscription needed
App issues
Rating 6/10
4. Eufy Security Video Doorbell S220
Compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Home, the Eufy Security Video Doorbell S220 (Battery-Powered) seamlessly merges impressive performance with a robust battery that lasts approximately four months. This doorbell stores up to six months’ worth of footage for free on its indoor base station, with additional cloud storage available at an additional cost. Unfortunately, the recording time is limited to 60-second clips, and there might be brief gaps between recordings in continuous motion scenarios. The S220 stands out among our list for its crystal-clear 2K image and long-lasting battery, making it the ideal choice for those seeking a wire-free smart doorbell solution. These hardware upgrades do come at a price, however, with the Eufy S220 being one of the more pricey doorbells on our list at $359.00
Pros
No monthly subscription is required to view videos
Battery operated option
2K resolution
Cons
Delay in voice chat and video
Some downtime to recharge
More expensive than most models as it requires a hub
Rating 7/10
3. Ring Video Doorbell Wired
Designed to work seamlessly with Amazon Alexa and Ring’s mobile app, the Ring Video Doorbell Wired is the best budget video doorbell on BuildIT’s list. Priced at under $120, this wallet-friendly device captures crisp HD video and delivers accurate motion and person alerts. While it lacks the detailed information our top choices provide, its compact size and affordability make it an attractive option. However, It’s worth noting that a Ring Protect Basic plan is required to record motion events, making a subscription essential.
Pros
High-quality app software
Budget-friendly
Cons
Subscription needed to record events
Lacks certain motion alert features
Rating 7/10
2. Arlo Essential Wired Video Doorbell
Arguably featuring the best AI integration of all the doorbells on this list, the Arlo Essential Wired is also compatible with the largest number of smart home kits, including Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Google Home, IFTTT, and Samsung SmartThings. Thanks to it’s built-in AI technology it excels at distinguishing between people, animals, vehicles, and packages, reducing the number of unmerited alerts. There is the option to upgrade with an Arlo Secure subscription, allowing access to features such as 5-minute-long video recordings. The footage is saved in HD with a wide 180-degree viewing angle to provide a thorough vertical and horizontal view of any activity occurring. Unfortunately, users are limited to basic motion, bell alerts and live video without a subscription.
Pros
AI filters alerts and footage
Wide viewing angle
Recordings available without a subscription
Cons
Subscription needed to keep recordings longer than seven days
Subscription required for higher video quality
Rating 7.5/10
1. Google Nest Doorbell 2 (Wired)
The second-generation Google Nest Doorbell (Wired) has set the benchmark, emerging as BuildIT’s top recommended video doorbell of 2023. Its exceptional accuracy in identifying different types of motion and its ability to customise alerts using specific activity zones make it our number one choice. This doorbell will even recognise particular individuals and name them on alerts by upgrading to a Nest Aware subscription. The Nest 2 has the highest processing speed of any doorbell on this list, with notifications and live view able to load fast without lag. It also comes with up to three hours of video storage space, which can be extended with a subscription purchase. It is recommended to take advantage of its unique 24/7 recording capability. On the downside, it is one of the more expensive video doorbells on the list at $289.00
Pros
AI filters alerts and footage.
3hrs of recordings available without a subscription
24/7 recording available
Cons
Expensive
Subscription is needed to access 24/7 recording feature.
Overall rating 9/10
