01 / At your front door
Before you buy a video doorbell.
A sharper picture is only part of the decision. Check these three essentials first.
Wi-Fi coverage
Check signal strength at the door and the Wi-Fi bands the device supports.
Power & installation
Confirm wiring requirements or battery charging needs, and whether your mounting location is suitable.
Ongoing costs
Find out whether saved video, detection features, or alerts require a paid plan.
02 / Recording & privacy
Local or cloud?
Know where your footage goes.
Local storage may reduce recurring fees, but capacity, remote access, and backup options vary. Cloud plans can offer off-device storage; compare retention periods, privacy settings, and the full cost.
Check: storage capacity · retention · access controls
03 / AI camera features
“Smart” should mean something.
Motion alerts, person detection, and AI event summaries are different capabilities. Verify exactly what a model supports, whether processing is local or cloud-based, and which features sit behind a subscription.
Check: supported detection · plan requirements · compatibility