Storage: Subscription-based cloud storage (with video saved over the internet to a remote server operated by the manufacturer) is the norm these days. Some doorbells store recordings locally on a microSD card or a connected hard drive, but it isn’t of much help if someone steals the camera or you lose power. The only thing Eufy can’t do is ring a mechanical chime. Otherwise, it’s pretty much the perfect video doorbell. Most smart doorbells equip a video camera that sends an alert to your phone along with a live video stream when someone presses the doorbell button. You access those recordings via the same mobile app you use to install the device, configure wireless settings, and set up alerts. Doorbells with features such as 1080p video (or better), motion detection, two-way audio that lets you speak with whoever is out there, and on-demand video streaming tend to cost the most. To avoid false alerts from passing cars, high winds, and any critters that may roam around your property, look for a doorbell cam that offers customizable motion zones.

Image quality is excellent at 2,560 x 1,920 in resolution and we found that notifications came through on our phone almost instantaneously, something older Ring doorbells can struggle with. There’s no facial recognition but you can set motion zones and only send notifications when humans are detected. In terms of image quality and features, the Nest Doorbell (wired) is still up there with the best but given the complications over subscriptions, it isn’t quite the slam-dunk recommendation it once was. It’s also significantly more expensive than other doorbells on this list.Over our two-week testing period, our camera was triggered close to three dozen times recording 10-second clips each time and is currently holding strong at 90% battery life. Extrapolating that data, we’d be looking at around 140 days of battery life, or around four-and-a-half months, which is a significant improvement on our battery-powered Ring that needs to be re-charged every month. You have to add your own storage, in the form of a microSD card slot, but that’s not overly expensive, and you can’t wire this doorbell up to an existing mains supply or chime. But, other than that, it’s a brilliant smart doorbell and our new all-round favourite. After your initial charge, Eufy says to expect about 180 days of battery life – depending on how many events are triggered in a day and how often you’re pulling up a livestream.

Because we’re renting, we opted to install our Eufy Wireless directly onto the wood frame of the door and we were able to complete the job in under 10 minutes. You certainly could install it anywhere outside, but by virtue of being wireless and us being less than capable mason workers, wood works the best and leaves holes that are fairly unnoticeable when it’s time to move out. Now, at first, we hated giving up a port on our router to something as silly as a smart home hub for just one product, but the benefits significantly outweigh the cons. Be mindful of the distance between the DoorCam device and the phone you're connecting it to. We generally recommend keeping them initially close to each other, no more than 20 feet apart. The HomeBase acts as a brain for the whole system. It securely stores all the footage – which means, if your camera is ever stolen, all of the video is still safely stored inside. Even better, Eufy uses a proprietary communication technology that’s more power-efficient than standard Wi-Fi, allowing the wireless camera to work for months without recharging.

That is a massive advantage to other systems that try to squeeze you for a monthly subscription just to see the footage your camera has recorded. Will you be able to hear the doorbell? To hear it in the house (not just on your smartphone), you will need a chime unit. With wired doorbells you can usually connect them to your existing chime, whereas battery-powered doorbells typically need a proprietary unit. With some video doorbells these come in the box; with others, it costs extra. What about smart home features?

Support for Alexa and Google Assistant voice commands is also handy. With these integrations, you can, for example, simply say, "Alexa, show the front door," to launch a live stream on your Echo Show. The other difference is that it records in a 4:3 aspect ratio, which means you can see people’s faces when they’re close to the door and can be crucial when you need to spot little details for a police report should you ever need to give one.

Nest Doorbell (Battery)

Wired doorbells draw power from two wires that connect to a transformer that steps down your household power to between 16 and 24 volts. If your home doesn't have doorbell wiring, you can still wire it yourself using a plug-in transformer or hire an electrician to perform the setup. Either way, the process requires some drilling to run wires from the inside of your home to an exterior location. The app is similarly intuitive and lets you easily tweak variables such as sensitivity, shape detection and notification times. Whenever someone presses the doorbell, your phone will ping and you will be able to interact with the caller remotely, which worked perfectly in our tests.