Key Takeaways
- Wired video doorbells offer always-on power for constant monitoring.
- Wireless video doorbells provide flexibility in placement but require battery recharging.
- Wired smart doorbells are good when you have existing wiring and want advanced features; but wireless doorbells provide an easy setup and flexibility.
A video doorbell is a great addition to any smart home that can keep a constant eye on your front door. We’ll help you better decide between the two major types of video doorbells—a wired or wireless version.
How Does a Wired Video Doorbell Work?
Many modern homes have a traditional doorbell which draws power from low-voltage wires installed behind it. A wired video doorbell uses those wires to provide constant power to the doorbell and usually feeds a chime box inside your home. The chime box is what actually makes noise inside the home when the bell is pressed.
Once installed, the wired video doorbell, just like the traditional model, will always have power. That means that when someone approaches or simply pushes the doorbell, you’ll be notified via a companion app or doorbell.
The large majority of wired video doorbells will work automatically with a chime box, so you will always be able to hear your familiar ding-dong when someone rings the bell. Some wired video doorbells work with the existing chime box directly, while others might require installing a small adapter placed inside where the chime wiring is located.
How Does a Wireless Video Doorbell Work?
A wireless video doorbell brings true freedom to your smart home setup. Instead of depending on the existing doorbell wiring, you can place a wireless version pretty much anywhere around your front door.
That’s perfect in many situations where you don’t want to worry about wiring or can’t—like if you’re a renter or in an apartment. Make sure to take a look at other smart home devices that are perfect for rented homes.
The wireless doorbell models take power from a rechargeable battery. In most situations, you can remove the battery to recharge it. Depending on the model, and how much the video doorbell is used, the battery usually lasts a few months.
Advantages and Disadvantages of a Wired Video Doorbell
The largest advantage of a wired video doorbell is the always-on power supply. With that power, you will always know the device is watching over your front door. The only exception is if the power is ever out at your location.
And since the wired doorbell always has power, it will continue to operate and chime when someone presses the doorbell, even if you have some type of internet connection issue.
Some wired doorbells available on the market can provide 24/7 recording because it always has power. That’s not possible with any wireless model as the battery would be drained in just a few days.
Other wired doorbells, like the Ecobee Smart Doorbell, offer many unique smart home integrations not possible with battery power. If you also have an Ecobee Premium Smart Thermostat, when someone presses the doorbell, a live video appears on the thermostat screen. You can also talk with the person at your front door.
There are some disadvantages to wired models as well. The largest is likely the installation process. For an idea on what’s required, take a look at our primer on how to install a Ring Video Doorbell the right way.
As you might have guessed, the process can take some time, especially depending on your DIY and smart home knowledge. You’ll need to turn off power to the doorbell and remove the old model to install a new wired model. Equipment, like a drill and screwdriver, is also required.
The good news is the majority of video doorbell manufacturers like Ring, Arlo, Eufy, and others, provide comprehensive installation guides online or through the companion app needed to see live video. But if the idea of installing electrical wires concerns you, or if you have an older home with known wiring problems, it’s probably best to avoid wired models.
Most electricians can install a wired doorbell, though. But that means you’ll have to pay substantially more. Another downside with wired models is that they are not easy to uninstall, something to consider if you’re planning on moving anytime soon or always want to keep up with the latest and greatest model.
Advantages and Disadvantages of a Wireless Video Doorbell
With a wireless doorbell, the biggest advantage and disadvantage is the battery. Thanks to the battery, you can install the doorbell almost anywhere you’d like around your front door. That makes it much more useful if you don’t want to try to deal with the existing doorbell and wiring, or even if there isn’t a doorbell.
Many traditional doorbells aren’t located in an ideal spot to record video. While some wired models can use assistance from devices like a wedge to better angle the camera, sometimes the wiring just won’t cut it. That makes a wireless model perfect.
Installing a wireless model is much easier than its wired counterpart. In most instances, you won’t even need to drill. Just install the compatible mount wherever you’d like and then attach the doorbell.
But you’ll also have to recharge the battery. While most wireless models will always let you know the battery status at a glance via the companion app, you’ll still need to remember to recharge it.
This means your doorbell might be out of commission while the battery is charging. You can usually purchase an additional battery, but that does add some substantial cost, usually around $40.
Battery life can vary widely, especially due to usage and even where you are located. Extreme cold or heat can play havoc with a battery’s charge. A poor Wi-Fi signal can also drain the battery faster than normal.
Another issue with wireless video doorbells is that they don’t work with existing home chimes. You’ll likely need to purchase an add-on chime that plugs into an electrical outlet. Those are also around $40.
How to Decide Which Kind of Video Doorbell Is Right for You
While both wired and wireless video doorbells are perfect for improving your home security, there are some substantial differences in installation and everyday use.
If you have a newer home and are fine with some light DIY work required for installation, a wired video doorbell should be for you. The full-time power supply opens up many features not available with a wireless version and will likely allow you to use the existing chime box.
A wireless video doorbell is for you if you don’t have existing doorbell wiring, don’t feel comfortable with wired doorbell installation, or want to have a better look at the front door. While you’ll need to recharge the battery and likely purchase a chime box, that installation flexibility is often worth the hassle.