9LGHRGRRUEHOOVGRQ¶WR̆HUORFDOVWRUDJHIRUUHFRUGHGYLGHRVR\RX¶OOKDYHWR
subscribe to a cloud service to view your motion- and doorbell-triggered video
FOLSV([SHFWWRSD\SHUPRQWKDQGXSIRUDSODQWKDWJLYHV\RXDFFHVVWR
GD\V RUPRUH RIGRZQORDGDEOHVKDUHDEOHYLGHR7RYLHZROGHUIRRWDJH
remember to save your clips, as they’ll be deleted after the allotted time is up.
INTEROPERABILITY WITH OTHER SMART HOME TECH
0DQ\KRPHVHFXULW\V\VWHPVR̆HUYLGHRGRRUEHOOVDVDGGRQFRPSRQHQWVEXW
these devices typically do not work on their own and must be connected to a
system hub. But they usually interact with other system components such as
door locks, sirens, and lighting. If you want a standalone smart doorbell
compatible with other smart devices in your home, look for one with IFTTT (If
7KLV7KHQ7KDW LQWHUQHWVHUYLFHVXSSRUW:LWK,)777\RXFDQHDVLO\FUHDWH
mini-programs, called applets, that let IFTTT-enabled devices interact with
each other. For example, you can create an applet that tells a Wemo Smart
Switch to turn on when a Ring Doorbell is pressed, or have a D-Link siren
sound when an August Doorbell Cam senses motion.
Alexa voice-command support is another handy feature to look for; it lets you
view a doorbell’s live stream on an Amazon-enabled display. Once you’ve
enabled the skill, simply say “Alexa, show the front door” to launch a live stream
on your Echo Show or Fire TV-enabled TV or monitor. Similar voice commands
are also available using Google Assistant.
VIDEO DOORBELLS VS. SMART HOME SECURITY CAMERAS
9LGHRGRRUEHOOVDQGKRPHVHFXULW\FDPHUDVR̆HUPDQ\RIWKHVDPHEHQH¿WV
%RWKVKRZ\RXZKDW¶VJRLQJRQRXWVLGHRI\RXUKRPHR̆HUPRWLRQGHWHFWLRQ
and motion-triggered recording, and in most cases, let you speak to whoever is
RXWWKHUH7KHEDVLFGL̆HUHQFHRIFRXUVHLVWKDWVHFXULW\FDPHUDVODFNWKH
doorbell component. When you’re downstairs doing the laundry and your
phone is upstairs, a security camera won’t tell you that someone is at the door,
but the doorbell can.
Moreover, unless they are battery-operated, outdoor security cameras require a
*)&, JURXQGIDXOWFLUFXLWLQWHUUXSWHU RXWOHWIRUSRZHUZKLFKPD\OLPLW
potential mounting locations. But wired smart doorbells use existing low-
voltage wiring and are relatively easy to install (they don’t require a ladder,
IRULQVWDQFH