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Owning a home comes with a lot of responsibility. Protecting your home is probably something you’ve thought about. You might want to keep an eye on the people walking past your home, or watch for package deliveries (and stop people from stealing them). You may even want a way to speak to visitors without opening the door, or while you’re away from home.
Doorbell cameras can help you with all of those things and more. They are small cameras that typically have speakers for two-way audio, and they are installed at your front door in place of a regular doorbell to keep track of who’s coming and going. Of course, they can be used as doorbells, too. They offer you a live view of the land in front of your home, and you can even store video footage to catch up later.
Does a doorbell camera sound like a good idea for your home? We think so too! There’s a lot of variety out there, though, and you want to get the best one for your home, right? We recommend thinking about all of the things that affect your day-to-day, including the storage capabilities, the camera resolution, the audio system, and more.
This comprehensive guide will investigate the best doorbell cameras in Canada right now and outline the criteria you should consider while making your purchase decision. Let’s dive right into our top five products.
Top Wired Pick: Eufy Security Wi-Fi Video Doorbell Camera
Top Wireless Pick: Arlo Essential Wireless Video Doorbell Camera
Budget Pick: Kamep Home Security Doorbell Camera
Runner-Up: Ring Video Doorbell 4
Well-Rounded: Aosu Wireless Ultra HD Doorbell Camera
There are so many things to love about the Eufy Security Wi-Fi Video Doorbell Camera. With human detection preventing false alerts, you won’t be pestered with notifications every time the wind changes. For true alerts, you’ll get a snapshot image of the person standing at the door. How cool is that? The 4:3 aspect ratio will let you see all of the important things when you play back the day’s footage.
There are a lot of features working together to bring you an amazing doorbell experience. What are they? Eight chime options (with adjustable volume!), custom detection zones, all-weather functionality, two-way audio with noise cancellation, voice assistant compatibility, and three memory slots for outgoing messages to visitors and delivery folks… there’s really nothing missing!
There’s only one feature that we think could be improved on, and that’s its motion detection. While it does a great job most of the time, it does slack off occasionally with some delayed alerts. Also, the human detection software fails sometimes, so you may get alerts for random things like tree branches.
Reviewers have a high opinion of the Eufy Security Wi-Fi Video Doorbell Camera. There weren’t any problems with getting it installed, and they love how clear the video comes out with the 2K resolution. They enjoy the fun chime options and are really happy with the security of local storage and the lack of monthly subscription fees!
Dimensions: 4.8” x 1.7” x 0.9”
Power Type: Wired
Field of View: 160 degrees
Resolution: 2K HD
Storage: Local 4 GB
Warranty: 1 year
Pros:
Has two-way audio with noise cancellation, custom detection zones, and 3 memory slots for outgoing messages
4:3 aspect ratio provides a full head-to-toe view
Human detection prevents false alerts for animals or vehicles—you’ll get a snapshot of their face to see who’s there
8 chime options are available with adjustable volume
Cons:
Motion detection is delayed sometimes
Human detection is not perfect
Performance: 4.5/5
Usability: 4.5/5
Price: 4/5
Quality: 5/5
All in all, the Eufy Security Wi-Fi Video Doorbell Camera is a one-of-a-kind, high-quality choice that you’ll be happy with. We can all but guarantee it. Not every feature is perfect, but it comes close enough.
We are big fans of the Arlo Essential Wireless Video Doorbell Camera. In our opinion, it’s the best wireless doorbell camera around. Its 1:1 aspect ratio and wide 180-degree field of view make sure that you’ll always have an amazing view of the activity going on around your home. The 2K resolution doesn’t hurt, either. Even at night, your videos will come out crystal clear.
We have a lot of favourite features. One of them is object identification—your camera will be able to distinguish between animals, vehicles, people, and packages, so you get precise alerts for the goings-on at your front door. The magic continues with the notifications—you can quickly sound the alarm, place a call to a friend or emergency services, or mute notifications. No need to open the app!
There’s not much we need to say about this option that can fall in the con column. We just want you to be aware that some of the features, including Cloud storage and smart notifications, are only accessible if you are subscribed to Arlo Smart. Once the trial runs out, you’ll need to pay a monthly fee to continue to use those features.
Reviewers are really happy with the quality of the Arlo Essential Wireless Video Doorbell Camera. Everyone found it easy to install and get connected to their Wi-Fi. The battery charge lasts as long as it’s supposed to, and it’s pretty reliable in extreme heat and cold too. The wider field of view and 1:1 aspect ratio is a big hit.
Dimensions: 5.6” x 1.9” x 1.4”
Power Type: Battery or wired
Battery Life: 6 months
Field of View: 180 degrees
Resolution: 2K
Storage: Local or Cloud
Warranty: 1 year
Pros:
Don’t need a hub to access footage—connects straight to your phone over Wi-Fi
1:1 aspect ratio and wider field of view create perfect head-to-toe images
Notifications provide quick access to options like call emergency services, activate siren, mute notifications, and call a friend
Object identification can distinguish between a person, animal, vehicle, and package
Cons:
Smart notification responses and Cloud storage require Arlo Smart subscription after 3-month free trial expires
Performance: 5/5
Usability: 4.5/5
Price: 4/5
Quality: 5/5
Overall, the Arlo Essential Wireless Video Doorbell Camera is our favourite wireless option. The reasons are clear now, right? There are so many features to love, and they’re all useful in some way. No matter what reason you have for buying a doorbell camera, this one will have your back.
The Kamep Home Security Doorbell Camera is one of the most affordable doorbell cameras on the market. It has several things working in its favour too. It offers two-way audio, which is a must-have for most people these days, and you can even save three 30-second messages to play when you can’t get the door.
You’ll be able to choose one of four chime sounds and one of three volume settings (it’s loud enough for even the biggest houses, so no worries there!). The camera’s housing has a little roof to keep water off, so you’ll get clear, high-quality video at every time of day. Multiple people can access the recordings at the same time, too.
There are quite a few features that just don’t meet our expectations. The motion detection is pretty flawed, so the camera may only turn on as people are leaving (or are already gone). It also isn’t compatible with 5G Wi-Fi, and you’ll need to forget about connecting it to a new Wi-Fi network if you ever upgrade. It will simply refuse to reset.
Also, you won’t be able to use the Cloud storage option unless you pay for a Kamep subscription. It’s best used as a live-check-in type doorbell camera because of the compromises you need to make for the affordable price tag.
Reviewers like the Kamep Home Security Doorbell Camera, but they’ve run into a few problems, too. The most common complaints were slow motion detection (not recording until someone is walking away, or not catching quick delivery drivers at all!) and the inability to connect to a new Wi-Fi. Here’s what they liked: the chime is loud even in big houses, the recordings are high-quality, and the local storage is great.
Dimensions: 5.2” x 2.2”
Power Type: Battery or wireless
Battery Life: 4-6 months
Field of View: 166 degrees
Resolution: 1080p HD
Storage: Cloud and 128G local
Warranty: 1 year
Pros:
Camera housing has a roof to keep water off the camera
Two-way audio can save 30-second outgoing messages
4 chime sounds with 3 volume levels + mute
Multiple users can access the footage at the same time
Cons:
Not compatible with 5G Wi-Fi
Need to pay extra for Cloud storage after 7-day trial
Motion detection is slow—won’t react in time to catch footage of quick visitors
Can only connect to one Wi-Fi in its lifetime—can’t reset
Performance: 3.5/5
Usability: 4/5
Price: 5/5
Quality: 4/5
All in all, the Kamep Home Security Doorbell Camera is the best choice if you’re looking for a budget-friendly option, but it’s not a great choice if you’re looking for the highest quality. You’ll have to compromise on performance to save money with this one.
The Ring Video Doorbell 4 is a pretty good camera. The best thing about it is the 4-second colour previews you’ll get to watch whenever you get a motion alert. This is the main difference between this generation of Ring doorbell cameras and the last one, and it makes things more convenient. The HD video quality day and night is a huge bonus since you’ll always get a clear view of what’s going on.
We love that you’ll have the opportunity to customize your privacy settings, too. You can change the detection range (distance and field of view) to make sure your neighbours get to enjoy their privacy without affecting your security. The two-way audio can also be customized with Quick Replies to make it easier to accept deliveries or invite guests in when you’re busy.
There are a couple of less-than-stellar things we need to talk about too. This is not a great doorbell camera for all-weather use. It won’t be able to keep its charge once the temperature drops below 10 degrees Celsius. Also, to access the video footage, customize settings, or interact with your camera at all, you’ll need to pay for the Ring Protect subscription.
Reviewers have mixed feelings about the Ring Video Doorbell 4. Most of them are disappointed that they need to pay for the subscription to access the video content and have the full functionality of the doorbell camera. They like the customizable privacy zones and two-way audio, and the 4-second previews are a big hit. There aren’t any complaints about video quality, either.
Dimensions: 5.1” x 2.4” x 1.1”
Power Type: Battery or wired
Battery Life: 10-30 days
Resolution: 1080p HD
Storage: Only through Ring Subscription
Warranty: 1 year
Pros:
Motion alerts come with 4-second colour previews
Has two-way audio and you can save Quick Replies for deliveries
Privacy zones are customizable
HD recordings during day and night settings
Cons:
Need a Ring Protect subscription to access all of the features and interact with the camera
Doesn’t work well in -10ºC or colder
Performance: 4/5
Usability: 4/5
Price: 4/5
Quality: 4/5
Overall, the Ring Video Doorbell 4 is a great choice if you buy it knowing you’ll need the subscription, too. The camera quality, two-way audio, and detection system are all great.
We really like the Aosu Wireless Ultra HD Doorbell Camera. It stands out in one major, major way—it’s got the highest camera resolution you’ll find. The 5 MP resolution—which is 40% better than 2K—applies to the daytime camera and night vision mode… you’ll never be left without an amazing image of your welcome guests or a thief that needs to be caught.
You can use voice assistants to answer the bell, which is super cool. And the two-way audio system has a voice changer in place that lets you hide your identity if needed—that’s another pretty unique thing about this one.
The detection system is also something we admire. It’s got human detection to eliminate false alerts from wildlife or stray pets, it’s got motion detection to trigger recording, and it has radar detection that you can customize to set your alert distance. Pretty sweet, right?
Although this is a great option, it does have a couple of low points you should know about. Nothing is perfect, right? You won’t be able to add any custom ringtones, so you’ll have to find a way to be happy with one of the presets. Also, this doorbell camera is only rated for -20ºC, and depending on where you live in Canada, you may need a backup system for those extra-cold winter days.
Reviewers have nothing but good things to say about the Aosu Wireless Ultra HD Doorbell Camera. The only complaint is that there is no way to add custom chimes to the doorbell function. The camera resolution and detection are stellar, and they love having the option of setting their alert distances. The night vision is high quality, too.
Dimensions: 5.1” x 2” x 1.2”
Power Type: Battery or wired
Battery Life: 180 days
Field of View: 166 degrees
Resolution: 5 MP (40% better than 2K)
Storage: 8 GB local
Warranty: 1 year
Pros:
Two-way audio with voice changer to protect your identity
Human detection software reduces false alerts and UHD night vision helps you see clearly in the dark
Has motion detection to trigger recording and radar detection to set custom alert distances
Compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant
Cons:
Not meant for temperatures below -20ºC
Cannot add custom chimes
Performance: 5/5
Usability: 4.5/5
Price: 4/5
Quality: 4.5/5
All in all, the Aosu Wireless Ultra HD Doorbell Camera is a well-rounded option. It’s missing a few of the extras you’ll find on higher-end cameras, but we still think it’s a great fit for every household. You may want a backup if you live in an extra-cold climate, though.
In general, doorbell cameras will be priced around $100-$150. They can be outside of this range, but generally, less expensive models won’t function very well, and more expensive models probably aren’t worth the extra money.
Field of view describes how much of your property the camera can capture. In almost every situation, a wider field of view is better. Many cameras have a field of view around 160 to 166 degrees, but the best will offer 180 degrees.
Video footage from doorbell cameras can be stored locally on SD cards or internal memory, or on the Cloud. Storage on the Cloud is more convenient and accessible from anywhere, but you’ll also have more of a security risk that way. Keep in mind that you’ll pay more for bigger storage capabilities, and many brands require a monthly subscription for Cloud storage.
The resolution of a doorbell camera will generally fall between 1080p and 2K. Either option is great for getting clear images of visitors night and day.
Doorbell cameras can either run on rechargeable batteries or be wired directly to the house. Battery-powered cameras will be easier to install, but you’ll also need to be aware of the battery life and recharge when needed to keep it functional. Many doorbell cameras on the market can be powered both ways, so it’s okay if you haven’t made your mind up yet.
Disclaimer: The prices displayed are accurate at the time of publication. We’ll do our best to keep them as up-to-date as possible, but you may see slight changes. The products in this list are ranked by independent third parties. Rankings are based on both reviews and independent testing.