Video doorbells, also known as smart doorbells, provide an effective way to keep elderly parents and relatives safer and more secure at home. Using video camera and two-way speakers accessible through an app or base set indoors, they are a practical solution for those less mobile who struggle to get to the front door, as well as keeping vulnerable and frail people safer from unknown or unwanted visitors.
There is a wide choice of video doorbells available, from reasonably basic plug-in battery operated entryphone systems, to the more sophisticated wi-fi enabled and app based technology; in this Age Space Guide to the best video doorbells we help you find the most suitable for your parent’s needs by explaining the different features and why they matter.
1. Ring Video Doorbell 2nd Gen
The cheaper 2nd generation is well suited for an older person. Ring is one of the most popular makers on the video doorbell market. The only thing that the basic option misses out on is the storing of video and photos to review later. This feature can be added, among others, by purchasing ‘Ring Protect’ for an additional £2.50 per month.
You can buy the Ring 2 online for £89.
Cloud Storage for £2.50/month
155º Viewing Angle
Motion Detection with adjustable zones
Smartphone Required
Chimes for £29 extra each
Battery Powered
Compatible with Amazon Alexa
2. Nest Hello Smart Doorbell
The Nest Hello Smart Doorbell works slightly differently to other video doorbells on this list as it is always recording, 24/7. You can look through the last 3 hours for free, but to review any further requires an additional payment of £5 for Nest Aware. It also has person detection, meaning that it will only notify you when a person comes up to the door – no more false alarms. You can also respond to a ring with pre-recorded messages at the touch of a button – great for elderly people to reply quickly! The Nest Hello does require wiring to an existing doorbell wiring system, to make use of the power input and chime.
You can buy Nest Online for £205
Cloud Storage – Last 3hrs free
166º Viewing Angle
Person Detection
Smartphone Required
Only works with existing wired chimes
Requires Doorbell Wiring
Compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Home
3. Arlo Video Doorbell
The Arlo Video Doorbell is the only smart doorbell to ring your smartphone when the doorbell is pressed. This is possibly a better option for older people as it is a lot less confusing to answer the phone than to go into an app to answer the doorbell. However, the Arlo Video Doorbell does still require an smartphone and app. This is also another doorbell that requires a wired connection and works with an existing chime, although wireless chimes can also be added so that your parents can hear the doorbell in every room of the house. Another great feature for the elderly is the ‘smart siren’. The Arlo Video Doorbell will emit a loud deterring sound if you want it to, to scare away unwanted guests. If you want to be able to view recorded video clips you will need to purchase a subscription to ‘Arlo Smart’ for an additional £2.49 per month.
You can buy the Arlo online for £180
Cloud Storage for extra £2.49/month
180º Viewing Angle
Motion Detection
Smartphone Required
Extra chimes cost £35 each
Requires Doorbell Wiring
Compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Home
4. Eufy Smart Doorbell
The Eufy Smart Doorbell differs from others on this list as there are no additional extras or monthly subscriptions to worry about. To do this you get a HomeBase with your smart doorbell that not only acts as the chime but also stores recorded video internally. It’s basically a hard-drive; this means no cloud storage to worry about. Eufy also boast up to 180-day battery life and a quick and easy installation! Other features include human and face detection, customisable motion detection zones and pre-recorded responses. A wired version is available, which does not come with the HomeBase, has a smaller memory and requires use of an existing chime wiring – it is £20 cheaper however.
Buy the Eufy doorbell online for £150.
Not Cloud Storage
155º Viewing Angle
Customisable Motion Detection
Smartphone Required
Homebase acts as a Chime
Battery Powered
Compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Home
5. iCreation Video Doorbell and Intercom
The iCreation Video Doorbell and Intercom is great if your parents don’t have a smartphone or iPad but would benefit from being able to see and talk to someone outside the door. This doorbell doesn’t even require Wi-Fi! It is easy to set up as its battery powered and the inside monitor can be carried from room to room – it is basically a moveable intercom. This is perfect for less mobile older people who can’t quickly get up to answer the door, but also don’t/can’t have a smartphone. Downsides to this option include lower quality audio and video, which might be harder for older people to interact with, and the need to replace and charge batteries frequently – not great for the more forgetful.
Buy the iCreation online for £100.
Not Cloud Storage
135º Viewing Angle
Motion Detection
Monitor acts as the chime
Battery Powered
No smartphone required
6. Kamep Wi-Fi Doorbell Camera
The Kamep Wi-Fi Doorbell is another option that is battery-powered for easy set up and includes an indoor chime in the price. This smart video doorbell also uses 32GB of internal storage – so videos can be viewed on the smartphone app without paying for Cloud storage. This is another potential benefit for the older generation. However, if you want to store more than 32GB of video you will need to subscribe to the cloud storage option from Kamep. Multiple users can download the app and be notified that there is someone at the door which means that you can even answer the door for your mum from your own home!
Buy the Kamep online for £65.
No Cloud Storage Required
166º Viewing Angle
Motion Detection
Chime Included
Battery Powered
Smartphone Required
7. ERA DoorCam Wireless Video Doorbell
The ERA DoorCam Doorbell has one Wi-Fi connected chime included in the price. When this chime and the doorbell are connected to the same Wi-Fi, you can plug the chime into a socket anywhere in the house – perfect for the hard-of-hearing. The doorbell itself requires a wired connection, as well as Wi-Fi. As with other doorbells, a notification is sent to a paired smartphone when motion is sensed, or the doorbell is pressed. The home-owner can then talk to the visitor through the app. The ERA DoorCam is another doorbell that relies on cloud storage, however, the first 12months of storage are free!
Buy the ERA doorbell online for £190.
12 months free Cloud Storage
166º Viewing Angle
Motion Detection
Included plug-in chime
Requires Doorbell Wiring
Smartphone Required
8. Ring Door View Cam
The Ring Door View Cam is basically a peephole that you can look through on from you sofa. A camera replaces an existing peephole and it will let you know whenever there is someone at the door. It also then lets you talk to them through a smartphone app. Don’t worry about losing the normal use of your peephole, as you can still see through it when you get to the door. The main downside to this versus other smart doorbells is that it won’t connect to existing chimes, as it is battery powered. However, it will connect to the Ring Chime (£29) over Wi-Fi. The other thing to be aware of with this product is that it requires a peephole and a door between 34-55mm thick. It also has ‘knock detection’ if your house doesn’t have a doorbell! As with Ring Doorbells, cloud storage can be purchased for an additional £2.50 with ‘Ring Protect’.
Buy the Ring DoorCam online for £119.
Cloud Storage for £2.50/month
90º Viewing Angle
Motion Detection
Smartphone Required
Chimes for £29 extra each
Battery Powered
Compatible with Amazon Alexa
Our Tips on Choosing a Video Doorbell
Picking the right smart video doorbell for your elderly relatives means taking a lot of things into consideration. Thinking about their circumstances, house, and what you need from a smart doorbell are good places to start. For example, if they rent or would need to set the doorbell up on their own, a battery powered smart doorbell would be a better option. However, if you or someone else can set it up for them, a wired one would mean they would never have to worry about changing the batteries and it would use their existing chime.
Worried about your parent falling and not being able to get help? Read our guide to best personal alarms.
