If you recently bought a home or if you want to improve your home’s security, the thought of adding a video doorbell or security camera has likely crossed your mind. Though you could buy a large dog for home security, there are more than a few reasons a security system is more advantageous. These days, most people choose to add a video doorbell or home security camera to monitor their home and contact the police if a threat is present. There are good arguments to make for each in the video doorbell vs security camera discussion.
Your decision between a video doorbell and a security camera will ultimately come down to your unique preferences and budget. Let’s take a closer look at the ongoing debate between video doorbell vs. security camera to help you determine which is ideal for your home.
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The Case for Video Doorbells
There’s a few reasons video doorbells are a favorite for some homeowners. For example, some find them much easier to use and more affordable than security cameras. Video doorbells are essentially two-in-one devices. The camera informs everyone in the house when someone is at the door. The camera makes it that much easier to determine who, exactly, is at the door without having to venture over to the door itself to pull back the curtain, roll up the blinds or open the door. Some of the latest video doorbells even empower homeowners to monitor activity around the front door if you are not in or near the house.
Here are a few other benefits of video doorbells:
- Advanced Technology. Video doorbells have advanced to the point that they can send notifications to homeowners through smartphones. These notifications can share important information, such as a person at the front door or near the front door. Such notifications are transmitted in real time, meaning you will be notified right away if someone is in front of your door or near it. The industry’s best video doorbells even detect motion at the front door and record video. You can save this video footage remotely. Doing this means you will not lose footage even if someone takes the doorbell. Police can also use such footage as evidence in a court of law.
- Easy to Use and Install. Some homeowners favor video doorbells because they are comparably easy to use and install. Most video doorbells are not included as a component of overarching home security systems, so they do not need specialized installation or renovations. Even if you are not comfortable with technology, you will find using a video doorbell is quite easy. A doorbell runs independent of other devices inside the rest of your home. A video doorbell also features an intuitive user experience design and proves quite easy to maintain.
- Wide Field of View. Plenty of homeowners favor video doorbells as they have a wide-angle lens. An expansive field of view facilitates the observation of people as they approach the home. This is the wide view you need to identify people, animals, cars, bike riders and others who venture near your door.
- Cost. Let’s talk about money. Video doorbells are typically cheaper than full surveillance systems. If you were to opt for a security camera, you would likely choose to add more than one. This means the total cost will be higher and more ongoing maintenance will be necessary.
Are There Any Problems With Video Doorbells?
While video doorbell cameras have quite a few benefits, they do have their own set of cons.
Cons of Video Doorbells:
- Easy to Steal. The placement of your video doorbell is of the utmost importance. Unfortunately, unless your camera is hard-wired, it can be easy for a thief to destroy the device.
- False Alarms. Video doorbell cameras can be overly sensitive to movement. Therefore, you may receive alerts from your device when nothing alarming is actually happening. This is not a deal breaker. In fact, some might argue that it’s good to be overly cautious. However, if you’d rather get alerts about the important stuff, make sure you read reviews about the video doorbell you’re eyeing. Check to see if anyone is talking about the false alarms.
- Image Distortion. Some people aren’t fans of the doorbell camera’s wide angle lens. This lens captures an expansive field of view, which has the potential to create some distortion.
- Slow Down Internet. The good news about doorbell cameras is that they connect to Wi-Fi. The bad thing about this is that it can slow your internet connection. Depending on the type of camera, there may be settings you can adjust to reduce the space it uses.
- Monthly Fees. Finally, some of those who choose video doorbells complain this tech safeguard typically requires the payment of a monthly fee. Without a monthly fee, homeowners can not store the video footage captured by the doorbell for review. Additional fees might also include video clip sharing or professional monitoring.
Security camera or a doorbell camera? With ONIT Home’s customizable packages, you can have both. Bundle the products and enjoy the security!
The Merits of Security Cameras
A standalone security camera provides homeowners with security, reliability, and flexibility.
Some key benefits of security cameras include:
- More Installation Possibilities. Smart security cameras are advantageous because you install them in several positions throughout the house. This ensures the video coverage is thorough and personalized.
- Difficult to Steal. Security cameras are more difficult for burglars to access. You can install the camera high from the ground to prevent damage or stealing. There is no need to worry about a miscreant damaging or stealing the camera, as with video doorbells.
- Sharp Night Vision. Security cameras often have stronger night vision capabilities. This lets you detect important movements at all hours of the day.
- Clear, Crisp Video Footage. A security camera’s system can record footage that’s clear and crisp.
- Wider Range of View. A security camera has a wider field of view than doorbell cameras. This lets you see more than just one direct section of your home.
Most of the companies that provide security cameras also provide protective containers along with mounting equipment for additional security.
The best video surveillance cameras capture high-quality video with clarity. Some cameras even feature night video capabilities for enhanced views at night.
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The Cons of Security Cameras
Here are some examples of potential issues with security cameras:
- Monthly Subscription. Video surveillance cameras often require a monthly subscription to store clips. In some cases, this monthly fee can also include professional monitoring.
- Difficult Installation. Some video cameras are challenging to install. Ideally, the video camera you elect for home security will be wireless so you can install with ease. Other security cameras offer professional installation for ease.
- High Price Tag. Some complain about the comparably high price of video surveillance cameras. If you need several video surveillance cameras at your property, the cost will add up quickly.
- Difficult to Use. Others complain that video surveillance systems are that much more challenging to use, as they are more intricate than video doorbells.
- Lack of Privacy. Some homeowners don’t want to install several video surveillance cameras inside and outside their home. They fear this will interfere with their personal privacy.
Video Doorbell vs Security Camera: Which is the Better Choice?
There is no concrete answer to this question. If your primary concern is capturing video footage of your property rather than just the area by your front door, video surveillance systems are certainly worthy of your consideration.
Security cameras are much more versatile than video doorbells. You can alter camera angles to suit your unique preferences and needs. You can also install security cameras in more locations.
Video doorbells are comparably limited even if they have wide-angle lenses. If your primary concern is preventing a criminal from accessing your video device, opt for a surveillance camera. A security camera will prove difficult, if not impossible, to access. Additionally, your surveillance footage provides superior resolution than that available through most video doorbells.
Doorbell cameras are excellent for scaring away package thieves and monitoring activity near your entryway.
There is no harm in adding a video doorbell to your front door and using surveillance cameras along the back and sides of the home for a truly comprehensive view of your property.
When in doubt, consult with our smart home security experts and we will help you make the best decision about your unique property and your nuanced preferences. We have all the smart home security solutions you need to safeguard yourself, your family, your pets, and all of your possessions.
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