A guide to the different types of doorbell cameras

Doorbell cameras have completely upended the home security market. More than a decade after they entered the market, their use is more widespread than previously anticipated. The first doorbell camera made its debut in 2013 and its immediate success among consumers has led to many doorbell cameras entering the market with each offering unique features and user experience.

However, if you are in the market to buy a new doorbell camera then you must be wondering which one is right for you. On one hand, there are wireless doorbell cameras that offer the best flexibility while on the other, there are wired doorbell cameras that need a direct power source. Choosing between the two has a lot of implications for your security, and it is important to understand both types in detail.

Doorbell cameras: What are they and what do they do?

Before we get to different types of doorbell cameras, it is important to understand what a doorbell camera is and what it does for home security. A doorbell camera, as the name implies, is a doorbell with a camera embedded in it. They are installed outside the front door and connect to the owner’s Wi-Fi network to immediately send notifications related to activity at the front of their door.

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In other words, they are security cameras embedded within a smart doorbell to not only replace your traditional door bell but also enhance your home security. Once a doorbell camera is connected to home Wi-Fi, it can send alerts when the camera senses a person in front of the camera via a companion app. They also offer 2-way communication allowing you to talk to someone at your door.

These doorbell cameras rely on motion sensors to detect any movement in front of your door and immediately begin capturing the activity. This activity is then pushed to the owner’s smartphone as a notification. To get that information across to you, they use either a Wi-Fi connection and/or a cellular connection.

How many types of doorbell cameras are there?

There are essentially two types of doorbell cameras available in the market:

1. Wired doorbell cameras

2. Wireless doorbell cameras

This classification is based on connectivity or power source and even doorbell cameras advertised as smart doorbell cameras or battery-operated cameras are sub-categories of these primary types. Here is everything you need to know about wired as well as wireless doorbell cameras.

Wireless doorbell cameras: Easy to use

Wireless doorbell cameras are easy and ready to use right out of the box. They are also the most popular type of doorbell camera in modern home security systems. They can be installed in your front door with little effort and avoid the whole hassle of running bulky wiring to make the doorbell camera work. Their installation flexibility is second to none.

The wireless doorbell cameras available in the market run on batteries and thus they don’t need to be hardwired to a power source. It is not only popular in modern home security but also among renters since the system does not require permanent changes to the home or apartment wiring. The only downside of buying a wireless doorbell camera is that they need to be charged but even that is no longer an issue since most models available last for a long time on a single charge.

Wireless doorbell cameras have motion detection features that detect the movement of a person at the doorstep and provide homeowners with immediate access to live video. They also send an alert to the connected device and easily link to the home Wi-Fi network for seamless communication.

Wired doorbell cameras

When doorbell cameras first made their way to homes, they were wired only. They are harder to install than a wireless doorbell camera but there is no need to charge them. Since they don’t rely on Wi-Fi or a cellular connection, the footage recorded by this type of doorbell camera is seen as more reliable than a wireless camera.

A wired doorbell camera is preferred by homeowners since it is a more permanent solution thanks to the  wiring required to make them work. The downside of a wired doorbell camera is that it needs the expertise to install one and is effectively more expensive than a wireless option. However, many doorbell camera owners feel that wired doorbell cameras are worth it since it is a durable and long-lasting option.

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Whether you choose wired or wireless doorbell cameras for your home, they both offer improved convenience and safety. With a doorbell camera, you can get real-time alerts through two-way communication and remotely monitor the front door of your home for any intruders. Their integration with smart home devices only completes their user experience.