Video doorbell buying guide – image quality, storage, app and privacy

A video doorbell lets you see and hear who is at the door, even when you are not home. When choosing one, there are four things to look at: image quality, where the footage is stored, the app and controls, and privacy. In this buying guide we walk you through each point, so you can pick a video doorbell that genuinely suits your needs.

What types of video doorbell are there?

Broadly speaking, there are three types: wireless over Wi-Fi (battery-powered or running off your doorbell transformer), wired via PoE with a network cable, and conventionally wired to your existing doorbell wiring. Wi-Fi is quick to install, while PoE is the most stable and suitable for continuous recording. You will find the full range in our intercoms and doorbells collection.

Image quality: resolution, field of view and night vision

Image quality determines whether you can actually recognise a face or a parcel. Here is what to look for in a video doorbell:

• Resolution: 2MP (Full HD) is a solid baseline; higher resolutions give more detail when you zoom in.
• Field of view: a wide angle also shows the doorstep and any parcel on the ground. Some models even capture an almost full vertical view.
• Night vision: infrared (IR) or colour night vision for a sharp image in the dark.

Storage: local, recorder or cloud

Where your footage ends up affects both convenience and cost. With local storage on an SD card or a recorder, there are no monthly fees and you keep full control of your footage. Cloud storage is handy because you can access your footage from anywhere, but it sometimes requires a subscription. If you want to avoid recurring costs, make sure the model supports local storage.

App and controls

The app notifies you when someone rings the bell and lets you watch and talk to your visitor. Check whether the app delivers notifications reliably, whether multiple people can view the feed and whether you can open the door remotely. With a wired system you can also connect the doorbell to an indoor monitor, so you can open the door without your phone.

Privacy and GDPR (AVG)

A video doorbell records at your front door, so you need to take privacy rules into account. Under Dutch privacy rules, you may film your own door and property, but keep the public road and your neighbours' garden out of shot as much as possible. Set the field of view or a privacy mask so that you only record your own property, and let visitors know that recording is taking place. That way you stay within the GDPR (AVG).

Installation at a glance

Most models are easy to install yourself. Choose a mounting height of roughly 1.20 to 1.50 m, fit the bracket, connect the power (battery, doorbell transformer or PoE cable) and pair the doorbell in the app or with your indoor monitor. For a PoE model, first run a network cable to your switch. We don't offer on-site installation, but we will support you remotely with documentation and via WhatsApp.

Our recommendations and where to start

Looking specifically for the outdoor unit? Take a look at our door stations. Not sure which video doorbell suits your home? Send us your situation via WhatsApp (Wi-Fi quality, number of doors, existing cabling or not) and we will help you decide. Need more help? Feel free to contact us.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a subscription for a video doorbell?

Not always. Models that store footage locally on an SD card or recorder work without monthly fees. If you opt for cloud storage, the manufacturer sometimes charges a subscription for storing footage. If you want to avoid recurring costs, make sure the model supports local storage.

Can I open the door from the app?

Yes, with systems that support it. You connect the doorbell to an electric lock or an indoor monitor and open the door via the app or the panel. Not every model can do this, so check before you buy that door release and app control are supported.

Is a video doorbell GDPR-compliant?

You may film your own door and property, but keep the public road and your neighbours' garden out of shot as much as possible. Set the field of view or a privacy mask so that you only record your own property, and let visitors know that recording is taking place. That way you stay within the rules.

What is a good resolution for a video doorbell?

2MP (Full HD) is a solid baseline and shows faces clearly at the door. A higher resolution gives more detail when you zoom in, for example on a licence plate or house number. More important than megapixels alone are a wide field of view and good night vision, so you get usable footage in the dark.

Does a video doorbell work without internet?

A wired system with an indoor monitor works locally, even without internet. If you want notifications on your phone or to view footage while you are away, you will need an internet connection. So choose based on whether you want to be able to watch and open the door remotely.

Wi-Fi or PoE for a video doorbell?

Wi-Fi is quicker to install and fine for a single home with a good signal at the front door. PoE provides a stable cable for both power and data, with no battery to run flat, and is better for continuous recording or multiple units. For homeowners' associations (VvEs) and businesses, we usually recommend PoE.