9 Reasons Every Home Needs a Smart Doorbell

Safety-conscious homeowners have been snatching up smart doorbells. Not only do they help protect your family and possessions by adding a layer of security to your home, but they also offer a level of convenience that a traditional doorbell can't come close to matching.

Also called video doorbells and doorbell cameras, smart doorbells are Wi-Fi-connected devices that activate when the device's motion sensor perceives a visitor's presence or when the visitor presses the doorbell button.

The smart doorbell then notifies you through your smartphone or a smart hub like the Vivint Smart Hub. You can then watch the visitor through a live video feed, communicate with them through the device's two-way audio feature, or even set off an alarm if the device is integrated with your home's security system.

Top advantages of smart doorbells

Smart doorbells offer the following practical advantages:

1. Saving money on your homeowners' insurance

Installing a smart doorbell may help reduce your homeowners' insurance costs. Not only can smart doorbells help deter break-ins, but their motion detection and video storage capabilities can also prove invaluable in gathering useful information for both insurance companies and law enforcement.

Many smart doorbells also offer local storage options, ensuring important footage is securely saved (with or without a monthly fee). High video quality adds further reliability, making the recordings more effective for evidence.

So, insurance companies will often incentivize homeowners to adopt this added layer of security by offering them premium discounts when they install a smart doorbell.

2. Knowing when packages arrive

With so many people shopping online and having packages dropped off at their doorsteps, a new type of crime—perpetrated by so-called porch pirates—has emerged across the country. These thieves lie in wait until a delivery person leaves packages at an absent owner's door and then run up and grab the goods while no one is home.

Homeowners with smart doorbells can thwart these would-be thieves in a number of ways. First, you can set your smart doorbell, like the Vivint Doorbell Camera Pro Gen 2, to notify you of any activity on your doorsteps or front porch through a live view feature. Motion zones can be customized to monitor specific areas, and some doorbells offer battery-powered options for easy installation. You can also use the two-way audio capability to talk to the delivery person and ask them to place your packages in a secure location in real time.

Second, you can rely on the system's Smart Deter feature to send would-be thieves scurrying on their way. Vivint's Doorbell Camera Pro intuitively detects when someone is trying to take a package. It then activates a bright LED ring around the doorbell and a 90 dB speaker, letting the potential thief know they've been caught on camera.

3. Providing video evidence to police

If you do experience a break-in, the high-definition video your smart doorbell recorded could prove to be a valuable piece of evidence for law enforcement.

Because smart doorbell cameras monitor front doors and other areas close to your home—and have the capacity to record and save audio and video of anyone who sets off the device's motion detector—police departments across the country are lauding them as a great help to their crime-solving efforts. Features like HD video, color night vision, and 2K resolution ensure that the footage captured is detailed and clear, even in low-light conditions. Additionally, options like a microSD card allow for secure local storage of important recordings.

Through doorbell camera footage, citizens have been able to assist the police in solving all types of crimes, including kidnappings, car theft, and assaults.

4. Always knowing who is at your door and when

Whether it's a door-to-door salesperson or a neighbor who wants to borrow your lawn mower, sometimes you just don't want to interact with the person knocking at your door.

Before smart doorbells, your only recourse was to tiptoe to the door and look through the peephole, hoping the uninvited visitor didn't see or hear you.

Smart video doorbells have changed all that. When the unexpected guest rings the doorbell, you receive a live video feed on your device with features like HDR and a wide field of view, so you get a head-to-toe view of the visitor and can decide whether to answer the door.

Advanced options like night vision ensure you see every detail, even in low-light conditions. If you are away from home, you'll still get the same notification on your smartphone, allowing you to monitor visitors from anywhere.

These devices also offer flexibility. Many models support compatibility with existing doorbell wiring, while others use a rechargeable battery for DIY installation. Whatever your setup, smart video doorbells provide peace of mind and convenience.

5. Deterring burglars

A smart doorbell can be an important part of your home security system. Burglars prefer unoccupied houses with no security cameras, making smart security solutions essential.

They know that smart doorbells have home security cameras that can record their faces and notify homeowners when someone approaches the house. With added integrations like smart locks and other smart security features, these systems create an additional deterrent. All things being equal, a burglar may bypass a house equipped with a video doorbell in favor of easier prey.

6. Speaking to visitors safely

The two-way communication feature of a smart doorbell, like the Vivint Doorbell Camera Pro, lets you answer the door without opening it. This is particularly useful if you want to avoid going to the door or need to give instructions to someone delivering packages or groceries.

With features like echo and chime integration, you can ensure you hear visitors clearly. If you have a wired doorbell, many smart doorbells are compatible and offer seamless upgrades. Whether you're at home or away, the ability to speak to visitors safely ensures you maintain control.

This feature can also deter burglars—who often knock on doors to check if anyone is home—and offers additional protection for children who may be home alone.

7. Smart home integrations

Another useful feature of a smart doorbell is its ability to integrate with your existing smart home devices. Whether you have a wireless video doorbell or a wi-fi video doorbell, these devices work seamlessly with popular smart home ecosystems.

You can connect them to Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, or Google Home, allowing voice control and smart notifications. If you already have an existing doorbell setup, many models are designed to easily integrate without extensive modifications. With Google Assistant compatibility, you can even use voice commands to access video feeds or check doorbell status, making smart home management more convenient than ever.

8. 24/7 video footage access

You don't have to be on your phone all the time to take advantage of your smart doorbell's security features. The system is always on, ready to record video footage 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Many systems offer cloud storage to keep recordings accessible for days or even weeks, while others provide built-in options like SD cards for fast playback and reliable access.

The Vivint Doorbell Camera Pro, for instance, includes a built-in SD card for quick clip loading and smooth scrubbing, reducing buffering delays. This access lets you monitor unauthorized visitors, check on kids coming home from school, or confirm that the dog sitter arrived as scheduled. With constant video availability, you'll always stay informed and in control.

9. Professional monitoring

One of the greatest advantages of installing a smart doorbell is the option to add professional monitoring. This feature provides an extra layer of protection to your home security system.

You're not always going to be around to hear an alarm, and your smartphone might not be accessible during a break-in attempt. Professional monitoring ensures that trained specialists respond to alarms or triggers 24/7, keeping your home and family protected no matter where you are. This peace of mind is invaluable, especially for families or frequent travelers.

Addressing common smart doorbell considerations

While smart doorbells offer unparalleled convenience and security, you might wonder about potential drawbacks and how to address them. This section explores common considerations and offers practical solutions to ensure your smart doorbell integrates seamlessly into your home.

Video storage can be costly or limited

Many smart doorbells rely on cloud storage, which often involves subscription fees, while others provide local storage, like built-in SD cards.

Solution: Choose a smart doorbell with flexible storage options. Cloud storage is ideal for remote access, but if you prefer to avoid recurring costs, opt for a model with an SD card or other local storage capabilities to keep your data secure on-site.

Connectivity issues can disrupt performance

A weak Wi-Fi signal can delay live video feeds, cause missed notifications, or interrupt video recordings.

Solution: Position your router closer to the doorbell, use a Wi-Fi extender, or choose a wired video doorbell for a more stable connection. Models with dual-band Wi-Fi compatibility can also help reduce interference and improve reliability.

Battery life may require frequent recharging

Battery-operated, wireless video doorbells can drain quickly depending on usage and features like motion detection and night vision.

Solution: Opt for a model with long battery life or energy-saving features to reduce recharge frequency. Alternatively, install a wired video doorbell that connects to your existing doorbell wiring, providing uninterrupted power and eliminating battery concerns.

Costs can add up over time

Subscription services for storage, replacement batteries, and other accessories may increase the overall expense of owning a smart doorbell.

Solution: Select a doorbell that fits your budget and offers the features you need without hidden costs. Look for devices with adjustable aspect ratios to provide better coverage of your entryway, reducing the need for additional cameras to cover blind spots. Choose models with built-in features like a doorbell chime to eliminate the need for extra purchases, keeping your overall costs lower.

Discover Vivint's leading home security system solutions

As a recognized leader in smart home security systems, Vivint offers homeowners a smart doorbell with functionality that provides both safety and convenience.

To learn more about the benefits of smart doorbells and how Vivint's smart home technologies and alarm systems can bring you and your family peace of mind, call us at 855.822.1220 for a free consultation today.