Doorbell cameras are great security devices to have in your home especially if you live alone on the crazy side of town. You don’t want a stranger sneaking up on you while you’re chilling in the comfort of your home. However, the word out there is that they are no child’s play. Video doorbell cameras are not the cheapest thing to buy especially for someone who’s on a budget.
Various tech companies manufacture doorbell cameras, including ADT, Ring, Google Nest Arlo, SimpliSafe, and a host of others. The cost of these doorbell cameras varies from $99.99 to $499.99. The new models are valued at higher prices. Some would say they cost almost a fortune. Prices usually depend on certain variables; the manufacturing company, available features, and your installation plan.
So, how much does a typical doorbell camera cost? Before we go on, let’s take a look at the factors that determine the cost of a doorbell camera.
Factors that Affect the Cost of Doorbell Cameras
As earlier mentioned, the cost of doorbell cameras is largely influenced by the features you are looking for. Let’s take a look at some key features of these cameras and see how much they will cost you.
Video Resolution
This is the first thing you may want to consider when purchasing a doorbell camera. What is the use of recording a video when you can’t see the images clearly? That’s why high-quality image resolution is an essential feature for your doorbell camera.
Doorbell cameras with an image quality of 720p are reasonably cheap while those of 1080p cost above $99.99. To be honest, if you’ve never used a spy camera before, you won’t notice much difference between the 720p and the 1080p. You can choose to go for HD image quality, but I don’t need to tell you that would cost more.
Power Source
Power source options also contribute to the cost of your doorbell camera. The cheaper models come with options for hardwired or battery-powered doorbells. Some other models allow you to use hardwire connected to an Ethernet power source.
This is called the PoE doorbell camera. It supplies power and an internet connection through a single Ethernet cable. This type of doorbell camera picks signals faster and can easily connect to your viewing device. They are more reliable than the cheaper models and are valued between $199.99 to $499.99
Field of View
This refers to the extent your doorbell camera can capture which determines what you will see on your mobile phone or any other viewing device. Spy camera models that cover 180 horizontal degrees of view and 160 degrees vertically cost about $99.99. Those of higher prices cover 160-degree horizontal views and up to 90 vertically. I don’t think having a wide view is much of a deal as long as you can see the face of the person standing at your door.
WiFi Connection
Your doorbell camera needs an internet connection to work effectively. If you want to build a smart security system in your home, then you should consider investing in a strong WiFi connection. You can get a subscription plan for one with an average speed at $19.99 per month. A faster internet connection will naturally cost more money, say about $99.99 per month.
With a 5 GHz WiFi connection, you have access to faster data connection and more bandwidth capacity. Some routers give you the option of running 5 GHz and 2.5 GHz simultaneously. This will come in handy if you’re using other smart home devices alongside your doorbell camera. You can connect the doorbell camera to the 5 GHz network and the other devices to the 2.5 GHz network. That’s more internet connectivity for all your devices.
Motion Detector
Some doorbell cameras come with motion detectors that send a notification to your phone once it senses a movement at your front door. Cool right? Such models fall within the ranges of $99.99 and $499.99. The more expensive models have advanced motion sensors that allow you to select a particular area for your doorbell camera to monitor movement.
Installation Options
If you’re going for the cheap models, then you have nothing to worry about as they are quite easy to install. It will take at most 5 minutes to self-install a $99.99 doorbell camera. But the more expensive models will give you a hard time if you try installing it all by yourself. Remember they are powered by an Ethernet cable and a bunch of wires that can be a little tricky. If you need the assistance of a pro to install your doorbell camera, it’s going to incur an extra cost. But if you can’t afford it, you’d better start watching DIY videos.
Service and Monitoring Fees
The cost of getting professional monitoring for your doorbell camera and other smart devices varies between $19.99 to $49.99. If you don’t want to spend all that money on monitoring fees, you can always design your smart home security system and do the monitoring yourself.
As technology advances, more improved models of doorbell cameras are being produced. Each with a range of amazing features. Yes, they can be quite expensive and this can raise a lot of questions as regards their importance. Video doorbells may be quite expensive, but they are worth it.
Imagine all the perks that come with having a spy camera at your front door. You get to see whoever drops by your house even when you’re away. You don’t have to walk to the door to know who is knocking. Don’t forget that they secure your house from intruders. Plus they are super convenient and help to reduce your insurance bills. If that’s not convincing, then check out our post on the benefits of doorbell cameras.
A doorbell camera will be a great addition to your home security system. If you want one, you can always save up and buy one when you’re ready. But before you make a purchase, be sure to look out for the specs and features that suit your needs.