Best Video Doorbell Without Wiring
December 14, 2022Ring Video Doorbell 4 is the best video doorbell because it has long battery life, a pre-roll / pre-recording feature, a removable battery, and wire power options. Ring video doorbell 4 also supports dual-band (2.4 or 5.0 GHz) wifi connectivity, Alexa compatible, and includes Quick-Release Battery Pack.
Battery-Powered Video Doorbell Comparison Table
| Name | Battery Capacity/Life | Removable Battery | Wire Options | Pre Recording | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ring Video Doorbell 4 | up to 6 months | Yes | Yes | Yes | $219.99 |
| Eufy Video Doorbell 2K | up to 6 months | Yes | Yes | No | $119.99 |
| AOSU Doorbell Camera Wireless | up to 6 months | No | No | No | $119.99 |
| Morecam Wireless Video Doorbell | up to 3 months / 4700mAh | Yes | Yes | No | $59.99 |
| Google Nest Doorbell | up to 3 to 4 weeks | No | Yes | No | $159 |
| Arlo Essential Video Doorbell | up to 3 to 4 weeks | Yes | Yes | No | $101.84 |
| Wyze Wireless Video Doorbell Pro | up to 6 months | Yes | No | No | $98.07 |
| Kamep Video Doorbell | up to 6 months | No | No | No | $79.99 |
| Towsen Doorbell Camera Wireless | up to 1200 notifications | Yes | No | No | $39.89 |
| GEREE Wireless WiFi Video Doorbell | up to 4 months | Yes | NO | No | $44.99 |
| Dzees Doorbell Camera Wireless | up to 3 months | Yes | NO | No | $65.99 |
Battery Life
Battery life info in the table above is from the product manufacturer. Real battery life may longer or shorter depend on how many notifications you received. Using high-resolution cameras also can drain the battery more quickly.
Removable Battery
The removable battery is very useful when you want to charge it. You don’t need to remove the doorbell and you use your spare battery while you charge the other one. A removable battery also easily replaces the battery when it begins to lose power.
Wire Options
Having a video doorbell with a double power source (battery and wire) has some potential advantages such as:
- Longer battery life: When the doorbell is connected to the electrical wiring, the batteries will be used less frequently, which can extend their overall life.
- Consistent power: A wired doorbell will always have a power source, so it will continue to function even if the batteries run out of power.
- More advanced features: Because a wired doorbell will have a consistent power source, it may be able to support more advanced features, such as high-resolution cameras or multiple sensors.
- Better security: A wired doorbell may be more difficult for a potential thief to disable because the doorbell is connected to the electrical wiring and cannot simply be removed from the wall.
Pre-Recording / Pre Roll
Pre-recording on a battery-powered video doorbell refers to the ability of the doorbell to record a short video clip before the doorbell is activated. This allows the user to capture the moments leading up to the doorbell being pressed, providing a more complete picture of what is happening at the door.
Some potential benefits of pre-recording on a battery-powered video doorbell include the following:
- More complete footage: Pre-recording allows the user to capture the moments leading up to the doorbell being pressed, providing a more complete picture of what is happening at the door.
- Enhanced security: Pre-recording can be useful for capturing potential security threats, such as someone tampering with the doorbell or loitering around the front of the house.
- Improved situational awareness: Pre-recording can provide the user with more information about who is at the door and what they are doing, allowing them to make more informed decisions about whether to answer the door.
However, there are also some potential drawbacks to pre-recording a battery-powered video doorbell. For example, the feature may drain the battery more quickly than other features, potentially reducing the overall life of the doorbell. Additionally, pre-recording may not be available on all models of battery-powered video doorbells.
Battery Powered VS Wired
Pros of Wired Video Doorbell
Reliable power source: A reliable power source means that the doorbell has a consistent and stable power source, which in this case is the wired connection. This ensures that the doorbell will always have the power it needs to operate properly, without the need for batteries or charging. This is important for ensuring that the doorbell can consistently record and detect movements or sounds, without any interruptions or failures.
Consistent recording and detection: Some wired video doorbell camera sensors will always be on and will record 6 seconds will an event happens. This feature will be very useful when someone comes and go so fast to your doorbell, so you still see the event before and after the event. Some doorbell has this feature, but only 4 seconds before vent, and not all battery doorbell has this feature.
No need to worry about battery life or charging: Doorbells will not run out of battery power and will not need to be charged. This is a significant advantage over battery-powered doorbells, which require regular battery replacements or charging to maintain their functionality.
High-Quality Recording: The doorbell with wire has more power to produce better video quality without worrying about affecting battery life.
Cons of Wired Video Doorbell
Can be affected by power outages: One potential disadvantage of a wired video doorbell is that it can be affected by power outages. Because the home’s electrical system powers the doorbell, it will not function if there is a power outage. This can be a significant limitation, as it means that the doorbell will not be able to record or detect visitors during a power outage. This can leave home vulnerable to potential security threats.
Can be more difficult to install than a wireless doorbell: To install a wired video doorbell, you will need to connect the doorbell to your home’s electrical wiring, which may involve drilling holes in walls and running wires through your home. This can be a time-consuming and potentially challenging process that requires some knowledge of electrical systems.
Can be difficult to move or reposition once installed: In order to move a wired doorbell, you would need to disconnect the wiring and potentially make new holes and run new wires to the new location.
Pros of Battery Powered Video Doorbell
Still can record video during a power outage: Video doorbell with local storage (SD Card & HomeBase), can still record during a power outage. You may access your doorbell, but you can view the recorded video when the power is up or wifi on again.
Easy to install and set up: Because they do not require a wired connection to your home’s electrical system, they can be easily mounted to your door or wall using the included hardware. This means that you do not need to have any special knowledge or experience with electrical systems in order to install the doorbell yourself.
Portable: Because they do not require a wired connection to your home’s electrical system, you can easily take them with you when you travel or move to a new home. This allows you to continue using the same doorbell, without having to go through the hassle of installing a new one at your new location.
Cons of Battery-Powered Video Doorbell
Limited functionality: Because they run on batteries, some video doorbells may not have as many advanced features as their hardwired counterparts. For example, they may not be able to support high-resolution video or multiple cameras.
Battery life: One of the biggest drawbacks to a battery-powered video doorbell is that the batteries can run out of power at inopportune times, leaving you without access to your doorbell. Depending on the model, the battery may need to be recharged every few weeks or months.
Cost: Depending on the model, battery-powered video doorbells can be more expensive than hardwired models.
Security: Because they rely on batteries, battery-powered video doorbells may be more susceptible to tampering or theft than hardwired models. This is because a potential thief could simply remove the doorbell from the wall and disable it, leaving you without a way to monitor your home’s front door.
Conclusion
A battery-powered video doorbell has the advantage of being more portable and easier to install. This makes it a good option for renters or for people who do not want to make permanent modifications to their homes. It’s still able to record even during power failures if they have local storage.
Wired video doorbells are superior in terms of features and video quality. Because it is connected to a power source, a hardwired doorbell can support high-resolution cameras and multiple sensors, providing a more comprehensive view of the area around your front door.
