No peephole? No sweat. These smart doorbells can show you a live stream of who’s at your front door.
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SkyBell HD Wi-Fi Video Doorbell
Product Review: https://www.cnet.com/products/skybell-hd-wi-fi-video-doorbell/#ftag=CAD187281f
CNET rating: 4.0 stars out of 5 (Excellent)
The good: SkyBell’s latest Wi-Fi doorbell has a 1080p high-definition resolution, on-demand clip recording and free video storage, as well as an “If This Then That” IFTTT channel and integration with Amazon’s Alexa Skills Kit and Google/Alphabet’s Nest.
The bad: There’s no Web interface, it doesn’t work directly with Samsung’s SmartThings or Wink, and you can’t tweak push alert settings or the quality of the video resolution in the app.
The cost: $169.65 to $169.75
The bottom line: The SkyBell HD Wi-Fi Video Doorbell’s 1080p resolution and array of third-party integrations set it apart from the pack, including August’s impressive Doorbell Cam.
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Ring Video Doorbell Pro
Product Review: https://www.cnet.com/products/ring-video-doorbell-pro/review/#ftag=CAD187281f
CNET rating: 3.5 stars out of 5 (Very good)
The good: Ring’s Video Doorbell Pro has 1080p HD video resolution and a slimmed-down design that’s more likely to fit on a doorframe than its oversized competition.
The bad: You have to pay a minimum of $3 per month for cloud video storage.
The cost: $199.00 to $249.99
The bottom line: The Video Doorbell Pro is a solid smart buzzer, but its space-saving design is its main selling point.
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August Doorbell Cam
Product Review: https://www.cnet.com/products/august-doorbell-cam/#ftag=CAD187281f
CNET rating: 3.5 stars out of 5 (Very good)
The good: The August Doorbell Cam has on-demand live streaming and a 1,280x960 HD resolution — two features we haven’t found on many other first-gen Wi-Fi buzzers. The video feed and push alerts are responsive and the app is easy to navigate.
The bad: This smart buzzer has to be hard-wired and it isn’t compatible with digital chimes or intercom systems (only mechanical chimes). Its square shape won’t fit on every door frame and its motion sensor and video storage features haven’t launched yet.
The cost: $168.75 to $199.99
The bottom line: August’s Doorbell Cam is the best model we’ve reviewed to date and is especially appealing if you have a Smart Lock or are planning to get one. Just keep in mind that it may not fit in the same spot as your old doorbell.
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Ring Video Doorbell 2
Product Review: https://www.cnet.com/products/ring-video-doorbell-2/review/#ftag=CAD187281f
CNET rating: 3.5 stars out of 5 (Very good)
The good: The Ring Video Doorbell 2’s removable lithium ion battery makes it easy to install — and even easier to charge. It works with Alexa via the Amazon Echo Show.
The bad: You have to sign up for Ring’s optional fee-based cloud storage service to save and review past video clips. The large Video Doorbell 2 won’t fit on most doorframes.
The cost: $199.00
The bottom line: Look no further than Ring’s battery-powered Video Doorbell 2 if you don’t want to deal with electrical wiring.
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The following CNET staff contributed to this story: Senior Associate Editor Megan Wollerton and Senior Editor Laura K. Cucullu. For more reviews of personal technology products, please visit www.cnet.com.
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