Front door cameras or video doorbell should be easy to install
I often get questions from people looking for a front door camera. Most of them want something that’s easy to install, without drilling holes or running cables. Some also prefer a camera that can store recordings locally, so they don’t have to pay a monthly subscription. Unfortunately, many front door cameras require a subscription to access video storage.
With that in mind, I’ve put together a list of some of the best front door cameras based on user reviews. I’ll focus on models that are easy to install and offer practical features for everyday home security.
What Is a Front Door Security Camera?
Front door cameras are also commonly known as video doorbells.
As the name suggests, a front door security camera is designed to be installed near the entrance of a property, such as the front door of a house, shop, or other building.
A front door camera lets you see who’s at your door and capture a clear view of their face. Unlike regular security cameras, which are often mounted high up and may only capture the top of someone’s head or their back, front door cameras are positioned to get a better view of visitors as they approach. This makes it easier to identify who’s coming to your home.
Because of these added benefits, front door cameras tend to cost more than regular security cameras.
What Customers Look for in a Front Door or Doorbell Camera?
Here are the features the customer is looking for in a front door security camera.
I’m renting a house in the UK and looking for recommendations for a reliable front door security camera or video doorbell.
My main requirements are:
- No Drilling: I can’t drill holes or make permanent changes to the door or walls. Ideally, the camera should come with an adhesive mount or a secure, removable mounting bracket that doesn’t require drilling.
- Wireless / Battery-Powered: I’d prefer a battery-powered camera that doesn’t require any wiring or complicated installation.
- Reliable Recording: It should offer accurate motion detection, clear night vision, and instant notifications on my phone whenever someone approaches the door.
- Secure Mounting: Ideally, the camera should have a secure mounting system that makes it difficult for someone to steal or remove.
- Wide Availability: I’d prefer a camera that’s readily available to buy in the world.
- Video History: This is especially important to me. I want to be able to review and download recorded footage whenever something happens, such as a stolen parcel, suspicious activity, or an attempted break-in.
I’d also like to know whether local storage (such as an SD card or hub) or cloud storage is the better option, especially in case someone steals or damages the camera itself.
Best Front Door Cameras in UK—Recommendations Straight from Users
1. Reolink dan Tapo
These two requirements are somewhat contradictory. A camera that’s easy to remove without drilling may also be easier for someone to steal.
I’d recommend Reolink as a good option to consider.
I’d skip Ring. The cameras may be affordable, but in the US, its cloud service starts at $5 per month. You’ll need a subscription if you want to access certain features, such as remote monitoring and downloading recorded clips of specific events.
Reolink could be a good choice, and so could Tapo. I already own some Tapo/TP-Link products, so I’d recommend considering one of their video doorbells. Tapo performs really well when it comes to recording consistency, image quality, and notification speed. You can download individual recordings right away or come back to them several weeks later. There’s no cloud subscription fee either. That said, I’m not entirely comfortable with storing footage in the cloud from a privacy standpoint, although I don’t mind having an off-site backup.
My Tapo doorbell camera operates independently (without a hub) and continues to record even when the WiFi is down or inactive—though, in such cases, I will not receive real-time notifications. Once the WiFi is back online, the recordings can be viewed.
I’d skip Eufy as well. Their video doorbells have been disappointing, and the battery life per charge doesn’t live up to what they advertise. I tried two of their video doorbells, but ended up returning both within less than two weeks.
2. More Secure Against Theft
Regarding the risk of someone stealing the camera, most battery-powered video doorbells store recordings on a memory card inside the device itself. This means that if someone steals the doorbell, the recordings go with it.
However, some models offer a different approach by storing recordings indoors instead:
- Aqara G4 (around $92,85) – The memory card is installed in the indoor plug-in chime, so recordings remain safe even if someone steals the doorbell. There’s no subscription plan required, and it runs on AA batteries, so no wiring is needed.
- Reolink Battery (around $134,57) + Home Hub (around $148,02) – Recordings are stored on the Home Hub indoors, so they’re still available if someone steals the doorbell. Person and package detection are also included at no extra cost.
- Eufy E340 (around $228,76) – It comes with 8GB of built-in storage, and you can add an indoor HomeBase to store more recordings.
If needed, you can make your front door camera more secure and harder to remove by using 3M VHB (Very High Bond) adhesive tape.
Best Front Door Cameras in USA—Recommendations Straight from SafeHome
ADT, SimpliSafe, and Ring are among the leading names in home security, particularly when it comes to professional monitoring services. They’re also considered some of the top home security brands on the market. We’ll also look at some other recommended options to help you find the right security system for your home.
These are some of the recommended video doorbell brands in the US market.
1. Google Nest
Although the Google Nest Doorbell is available as a standalone product, it works best as part of an ADT home security system.
When we tested ADT, we were impressed by how well it integrated the advanced features of the Google Nest Doorbell. Together, they offer a powerful solution for protecting your home against break-ins, intruders, and other potential threats. This combination is one of the reasons ADT earned a place on our list of the best home security systems.
2. SimpliSafe
Like ADT, SimpliSafe’s video doorbell works best when paired with a complete SimpliSafe home security system.
One feature we particularly like is the ability for monitoring agents to speak through the doorbell’s built-in speaker to deter potential intruders. The doorbell’s AI can also trigger this response automatically. However, keep in mind that this feature requires a subscription to the Pro plan, which costs $49.99 per month and includes Active Guard coverage from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.
If you want 24/7 coverage, you’ll need the Pro Plus plan, which costs $79.99 per month.
3. Ring
Ring is one of the biggest names in the video doorbell industry and is widely recognized as a pioneer of the technology.
Since helping popularize video doorbells, the company has grown into one of the most dominant brands in the home security market. Unlike SimpliSafe and ADT, Ring offers a wide range of video doorbells that can operate as standalone devices or integrate seamlessly with a complete Ring Alarm security system.
4. Vivint
Vivint’s video doorbell stands out thanks to its proactive Smart Deter technology, which is designed to discourage suspicious activity and help prevent crime before it happens.
However, this level of security comes at a premium. According to Vivint’s pricing information, its home security systems start at around $599 for the initial equipment package, while the video doorbell camera alone can cost upwards of $250. Most systems also require a professional monitoring subscription and a long-term contract.
Do You Really Need a Video Doorbell?
Doorbell cameras can be a valuable addition to your home security system, offering benefits that go beyond what many other smart home devices can provide. Unlike gadgets such as smartwatches or smart TVs, a video doorbell serves a practical security purpose by helping you see who’s approaching your home and keeping an eye on activity around your front door.
A video doorbell can be particularly useful if you:
- Have experienced package theft before, or have neighbors who have dealt with it.
- Frequently receive visitors or deliveries.
- Travel often for business or vacation.
- Live in a larger-than-average home.
- Enjoy using smart home devices and automation.
- Want to know who’s approaching your home, even when you’re away.
It’s always better to be prepared for the unexpected. You never know when someone might approach your property with bad intentions. A visible video doorbell can also discourage potential thieves or intruders from targeting your home.
So, do you really need a video doorbell? Not necessarily. However, if home security and peace of mind are important to you, it’s certainly a worthwhile investment.
Conclusion
A video doorbell or front door camera does more than simply show you who’s at your door. It also lets you monitor people approaching or passing by your property, even if they don’t ring the doorbell. The best models can integrate with other smart home devices, connecting activity outside your home with your indoor security system.
More importantly, a video doorbell can serve as your first line of defense, helping protect your home and family from potential security threats. In my opinion, it’s a worthwhile addition to any home security setup.
If you’re renting an apartment, I’d recommend a battery-powered video doorbell with a no-drill mounting option. Since rental properties often have restrictions against drilling holes or making permanent modifications, you can attach this type of camera using an adhesive mount or a removable bracket. It’s also much easier to take down and reinstall when you move to another apartment. Just choose a model that fits your budget and installation requirements.