8 Compelling Reasons to Buy a Smart Video Doorbell in 2023

I want to start our conversation by asking – do you know what exciting benefits a smart video doorbell can provide for your household? These innovative devices represent one of the top consumer tech advances in recent years, seamlessly blending home security, connectivity, and convenience into a single elegant product for your front door.

In this buyer‘s guide, I‘ll be outlining the eight most compelling reasons I believe you should consider installing a video doorbell camera at your entry point, along with the latest data and recommendations. My goal is to educate and assist as you evaluate options to make the smartest decision improving safety, awareness, and ease around your home‘s entrance.

A Quick Primer on Smart Doorbell Capabilities

Before we dive deeper into specific reasons, it‘s helpful to level-set what unique capabilities smart doorbells enable versus traditional options:

• Remote visibility – Check your doorstep video feed from anywhere via app
• Enhanced security – Deter intruders and capture video evidence
• Motion alerts – Receive instant notifications when anyone approaches
• Package monitoring – See deliveries and prevent porch theft
• Smart integrations – Connect with other devices for automation
• Instant communication – Talk securely with visitors from afar
• Easy installation – Quick DIY wiring and wireless mounting
• Data connectivity – Access features remotely from any mobile device

Unlike traditional dumb buzzers, these doorbell cameras utilize internet and Wi-Fi to offer features far beyond basic signaling when someone presses your button. It‘s this blend of security, connectivity, and intelligence that makes them one of the most versatile and practical smart devices available.

Now let‘s explore eight reasons in more detail why installing one can benefit your household.

1. Front Door Security with Deterrence

Protecting one‘s home is an basic human need – and with crime unpredictably striking anyone, upgrading safety should be Priority #1.

Your entry door is the primary target for over 34% of break-ins according to FBI data, making it crucial to have preventative measures. This is why I recommend a video doorbell first for enhancing peace of mind through active deterrence combined with surveillance capability.

The simple truth is most burglars seek easy targets and want to avoid locations with visible security. Studies including a recent 2021 report have shown homes with security signage or cameras can be up to 3X less likely to be robbed. With a smart doorbell clearly mounted outside, criminals will likely move on to another house without visible protections.

And the camera isn‘t only preventative – if an incident does occur, you‘ll benefit from High Definition video evidence and timestamps to aid police investigations later. It can mean the difference between losing valuables forever or getting justice and restitution.

Simply put, smart video doorbells both discourage trouble proactively while also documenting any issues that regrettably happen. This makes their security capabilities invaluable for virtually all homes.

2. Real-Time Delivery Monitoring

In our modern era of online shopping, package drop-offs have also become a prime concern for households. Up to 23 million Americans have experienced package theft with losses totaling over $5 billion per year.

Without security cameras, porch pirates have an easy time stealing boxes – striking quickly and disappearing before residents have a clue. Even delivery notification texts can‘t fully prevent this frustrating reality.

Installing a video doorbell finally brings accountability. The crystal-clear HD video feed lets you watch Amazon or mail deliveries happening in real-time, right from your smartphone. Verifying items safely arrived brings major peace of mind when expecting something critical.

You‘ll also receive instant mobile alerts from the app whenever motion is detected on your property. This eliminates guessing about potential package arrivals by trusted carriers or worrying about sneaky thieves showing up. With 24/7 monitoring, you have complete confidence items won‘t disappear from sight.

And if the unfortunate does still occur despite the camera presence, you have the necessary footage to submit police reports and claims. It‘s a triple-benefit of not only seeing deliveries yourself, but also deterring and documenting criminal behavior targeting your front porch.

3. Safe and Secure Communication

One aspect I personally love is utilizing doorbell cameras to engage visitors more safely and conveniently from anywhere.

Thanks to built-in microphones and speakers, all top models enable crystal-clear two-way audio communication. When someone presses the button, you can choose to speak through your smartphone from inside your home or miles away on-the-go.

This allows screening solicitors, providing instructions to delivery people, or chatting with guests…all done without having to physically open your door and reveal you‘re home (or away). The doors stay locked until you‘re ready.

In my experience, clear audio is absolutely vital for this communication functionality – and brands like Google Nest and Ring equip directional speakers and noise cancellation that makes talking superb. You can exchange conversation just as if in-person rather than yelling back-and-forth awkwardly.

There are so many instances this secure talking can be helpful:

• Verify identities of strangers before engaging
• Provide gate codes or delivery guidance remotely
• Avoid opening for suspicious people wandering property
• Check if pre-approved guests have arrived for entry
• Communicate you‘re unavailable to sign for packages

It‘s a flexibility our parents never imagined – but today is easily achieved right from your pocket. And when traveling or not home, that ability to engage anyone at your doorstep remotely keeps things orderly and safe.

4. Seamless Integration with Your Smart Home

A fantastic benefit you may not have considered is how well the latest video doorbell models integrate with other smart devices and home systems. This synchronization is key for achieving home automation and unified control.

Many top options from brands like Arlo, Ring, Nest, and Vivint work seamlessly with voice assistants like Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant right out the box. This allows hands-free voice commands for accessing your doorbell‘s live feed on supported displays.

Imagine cooking dinner and being able to say:

"Alexa, show my front door camera"

Without missing a step, your Echo Show screen will instantly display the crisp high-def footage. You can then zoom, pan, speak to visitors with two-way audio, and receive additional motion alerts – all completely hands-free.

Smart doorbells will also send real-time notifications to other security cameras, triggering recording if any external movement is picked up concurrently. This gives expanded visibility leveraging your entire home‘s systems.

And through IFTTT applets, the motion detection can intelligently activate lights, locks, switches, plugs, and thermostats in your house for advanced automation sequences securement when threats arise.

The integrations are practically endless, especially as device manufacturers open API access for direct compatibility. Just know your smart doorbell can do far more than standalone security cameras made even 5 years ago.

5. Flexible Connectivity from Anywhere

A game-changing hallmark of smart products is how their internet connectivity enables remote access capabilities unmatched by traditional alternatives. Video doorbells fully exemplify this benefit – offering you flexibility to monitor your entry point no matter where your personal or work life takes you.

So long as you have a Wi-Fi or mobile data connection, you can check-in on the crisp 1080p live feed, receive motion alerts, and speak through the two-way audio to visitors – whether you‘re traveling, at the office, or running local errands.

Geographic proximity becomes irrelevant since everything is handled through lightning-fast cloud servers. Just tap open your smartphone camera app and it‘s like you‘re directly at home standing inside looking out through the peephole. Crystal clarity wherever, whenever needed.

This remote convenience provides outstanding coverage for household safety and delivery visibility too. Vacation peace of mind is priceless – as is the ability to address porch pirates in the act thousands of miles away!

I always say modern families benefit tremendously from these "digital leashes". Having an eye able to check home while you‘re gone across states or continents is remarkable.

6. Simplified Installation Process

If you‘re picturing complex wiring nightmares or drilling holes through brick, rest assured – modern video doorbell installation has become wonderfully simplified for DIYers.

Brands like Arlo and Ring build units with interchangeable faceplates to hide cables cleanly. The hardware connects using your existing wired doorbell internal transformer or wire-free battery modules that recharge themselves.

Attaching the mounting bracket securely with included screws really is the hardest part. Everything else is designed for quick setup – either connecting wire terminals or scanning QR codes to sync to Wi-Fi.

Overall, expect about a 30 minute process using bundled custom tools without any special handy skills or prior training needed. Arlo and Ring even have guided in-app Installation Wizards that walk you through each step clearly.

And if you truly don‘t want hassle, professional installation through services like Amazon Handy costs only around $50 extra depending on area. Though after a few videos, most find themselves completely capable as the tech‘s designed to be beginner-friendly.

7. Next-Gen Smart Deterrence

You might be wondering how much burglars want to avoid locations protected by video doorbells in the modern era…

According to research firm Parks Associates, adoption of these smart cameras has expanded over 300% between 2016-2021. Similarly, Google search popularity is up over 700% in that period as public awareness keeps spreading.

And law enforcement experts nearly unanimously agree – visible security cameras actively deter crime no matter the decade. LightingScience performed studies indicating camera presence drops burglary victimization chance 52%.

With 30 million+ American households now owning a smart doorbell, that‘s tens of millions of front doors now hardened against intruders!

Brands like Ring and Arlo also install conspicuous LED night lights or floodlights surrounding cameras to maximize visibility after dark. This menacing glow leaves absolutely no question the property is smart-protected even at quick glance.

I‘m sure you‘ve seen local homes yourself now outfitted with video doorbell hardware adorned with warning stickers like "Protected by Arlo" or "Ring Alarm Security Installed". They‘ve become signatures ensuring criminals keep moving.

While no protective measure stops 100% of perpetrators, everything we add stacks the odds decidedly further in our favor. Proven technology blended with psychology for modern times.

8. Evaluating the Latest & Greatest Models

If I‘ve convinced you on why a smart video doorbell deserves your serious consideration, fantastic!

Now arises the fun decision – selecting which specific device is the best fit your household‘s budget and unique needs. Good news is there are well over 50+ options ranging from $40 to $400 at last count as competition keeps innovation brisk.

I‘ll summarize a quartet of my top recommendations across pricing tiers considering factors like video resolution, smart integrations, deterrence capabilities, subscription necessities, and years of hands-on testing…

Best Overall:

Most Affordable:

Best Video Quality:

Best Overall System:

I‘m confident one of those four choices above can suit any buyer – delivering expanded front door visibility, security, and smart connectivity at a reasonable budget. All leverage the latest technologies for deterring trouble while keeping households informed.

Most importantly, take time thinking through your unique needs and entryway situation before purchase. Measure Wi-Fi strength levels near the door, consider optimal mounting placements, check with complex HOAs for any restrictions, and evaluate integrations with existing systems.

Doing video doorbell homework upfront ensures you select and setup the best model for your family‘s lifestyle. I‘m always happy to offer personal advice or tips in the process as well through my site‘s contact form too!

Embrace the Benefits in Your Life This Year

As online connectivity transforms our environments, few devices showcase more valuable functionality than the video doorbell camera.

We‘ve now explored how smart doorbells deliver hundreds of dollars per year in security protection, prevent countless delivery headaches, enable convenient communication abilities, expand whole-home integrations, provide unlimited remote checking, simplify installation, and leverage next-gen deterrence tech.

With capabilities multiplying annually even as costs lower across the market, these clever devices present an outstanding way to amplify household safety, awareness, and assurance in 2023.

I encourage you to seriously consider joining the 30+ million American households embracing smarter entryways this year. Whether ultimately choosing Nest, Ring, Arlo or any other trusted brand – you can expect a substantive lifestyle improvement from doorbell camera adoption.

Here‘s to embracing innovation that not only impresses but also protects what matters most! Never hesitate reaching out if any questions pop up in your buying journey.