The humble video doorbell was a game changer when it first hit the market. Years later, it still represents a favorite first device for people just getting into home security and automation. But of course, there are choices. The first choice many homeowners need to make is between wired and wireless models. Is it worth going with a wired device?
Every homeowner needs to answer that for himself. Wired video doorbells have their pros and cons. Likewise for their wireless counterparts. My personal preference is a wired model, but only as long as a house is already wired with a traditional doorbell.
Wireless Has Made a Big Difference
It is difficult to honestly assess the state of the home security market without acknowledging the impact wireless technology has had on things. Wireless home security systems make home security more affordable and easier to deploy. They put home security within the grasp of average homeowners who could never have afforded the wired systems of years past.
Wireless technology could also be credited with making the video doorbell as popular as it is. People afraid to mess with their home’s wiring were thrilled to have access to a simple home security device they could install with just a screwdriver.
Installing a Video Doorbell
Installing a video doorbell may or may not be easy, depending on your choices. Let us begin with a wireless model. It is designated as such because it operates on battery power. You basically have two installation options:
- Screws – Most video doorbells come with two screws in the box. Use a drill or a hole punch to get things started, then screw the doorbell in place with a screwdriver. Installation can be completed in minutes.
- Adhesive – For homeowners who want to avoid even screwdrivers and drills, there are models that rely on adhesive strips. Just peel the plastic backing away, press the doorbell to the wall, and hold it for a minute or two. That’s it. You are done.
Choosing a wired model could make for easy or difficult installation. If your home is already equipped with a standard wired doorbell, video doorbell installation is easy. You follow a simple step-by-step process:
- Turn off the power at the breaker.
- Remove the old doorbell and disconnect the wires.
- Connect the video doorbell to the same wires and install it with screws.
- Turn the power back on at the breaker.
It really isn’t difficult to install a wired video doorbell if the electrical wiring already exists. The real challenge is installing one where there is no wiring present. You need the wires, a low-voltage transformer, and the necessary tools to drill holes, run wires, etc.
Look of the Advantages and Disadvantages
Deciding between a wired and wireless video doorbell boils down to looking at the advantages and disadvantages of each. A wireless model’s biggest advantage is ease of installation. Physically mounting the doorbell on your house is a piece of cake. And if you are handy with smartphones and apps, getting the doorbell connected to your Wi-Fi shouldn’t be difficult.
The big downside to the wireless video doorbell is having to change batteries. If the batteries die, you are out of luck until you can replace them. As a side note, you also don’t get access to physical chimes. When someone rings your doorbell, you only hear it through your smartphone or a smart speaker.
As for wired video doorbells, I can only think of one disadvantage: installation is a bit more difficult. On the other hand, there are quite a few advantages. Check out what the National Association of Realtors (NAR) has to say about wired models:
- They are continuously powered.
- They tend to offer better quality video.
- They offer reduced lag and immediate motion detection.
- They are more reliable in providing real-time video.
Having constant access to power means that a wired video doorbell is ready for action at all times. A wireless doorbell might not be. In order to save battery power, wireless models ‘go to sleep’ to some degree. That’s why there is a lag between motion and activation.
Leave It All to the Professionals
Homeowners uninterested in making the decision between wired and wireless video doorbells have a third option: leave it all up to professionals. Companies like Vivint Home Security offer complete installation with every package purchased.
Let the professionals worry about wiring. Let them deal with connecting a video doorbell to your home network. If a professional installer does his job correctly, he’ll even spend time teaching you how to use your new equipment.
How It All Works
Setting aside the choice between wired and wireless models, I find it fascinating to dig into how video doorbells work. A video doorbell is essentially an electronic device that combines a small video camera with onboard audio technology.
When someone approaches the front door, their motion triggers the video camera. The camera then begins recording and/or streaming footage. Meanwhile, the homeowner receives an alert or their phone. They might get an email as well.
On board audio allows the homeowner to talk to the visitor. As for the visitor, he has no way of knowing where the homeowner is. She could be on the other side of the door or hundreds of miles away. Not knowing puts a visitor at a disadvantage, which is important if a homeowner hopes to use a video doorbell to deter crime.
No Shortage of Choices
This post has provided plenty of food for thought. Now that you’re thinking, bear in mind that there is no shortage of choices when it comes to video doorbells. All the biggest names in home security offer at least one model. There are also plenty of off-brand video doorbells to look at.
As for whether going wired is worth it, you need to decide that for yourself. Wired is my preference. However, I could easily make the case for installing a wireless model. There is no right or wrong answer here.
