Thinking about installing a video doorbell? If so, one of the first choices you will have to make is between a wired and wireless device. There is a lot to love about wired video doorbells, including the fact that they are consistently powered by your home’s electrical system. But they do have one major flaw: power outages.
Before you assume that this fatal flaw is sufficient reason to choose a wireless video doorbell instead, understand that a power outage is likely to impact a wireless video camera too – just in a different way. All other things being equal, the potential for power outages probably isn’t sufficient reason to completely reject the idea of a wired video doorbell.
What Is a Video Doorbell?
If you do not keep up with technology, you might be wondering what a video doorbell is. Think of a traditional doorbell but with onboard video and audio capabilities. A built-in video camera lets you see people as they approach your house or stand in front of the door. The audio system lets you communicate with those people using your phone.
A wireless video doorbell is powered by batteries. It connects to the internet by way of your local home network. A wired video doorbell connects to the internet the same way, yet it draws power from your home’s electrical system. It is hard wired into your home just like a traditional doorbell.
When the Power Goes Out
The big concern with wired video doorbells is loss of function during a power outage. It is a legitimate concern in the sense that a wired unit cannot operate without power. An outage renders it useless. But guess what else goes out with the power? Your Wi-Fi router and modem.
Some wired video doorbells are equipped with battery backup. That is great during a power outage, except that a video doorbell unable to connect to the local Wi-Fi network isn’t of much use. You still don’t have access to video and onboard audio if your doorbell cannot connect to the internet.
The one possible exception is a video doorbell with both battery backup and LTE capabilities. When the power goes out, batteries provide the electricity and LTE provides the connection through a nearby cell tower.
Invsting in a Video Doorbell
Now that we have settled the issue of wired video doorbells and power outages, let us talk about actually investing in one. Whether you choose to go wired or wireless, have two options in terms of control:
- A Standalone Device – A standalone video doorbell is intended to work outside of a home automation or security ecosystem. You install it as a separate device and access it through a companion mobile app.
- An Ecosystem Device – An ecosystem device is part of a larger home automation system. Popular ecosystems include those from Apple, Amazon, and Google.
A number of nationwide home security companies offer their own ecosystems as well. Vivint Home Security is one of them. They carry their own branded video doorbells that appear to be similar to products made by Ring. Without seeing the actual specs though, I cannot be sure.
For my money, investing in an ecosystem makes more sense. Why? Because a successful experience with a video doorbell would encourage me to purchase additional smart home devices. As long as I’m going to invest in a multi-device system, I might just as well choose an ecosystem and stick with it.
I don’t think power outages are sufficient reason to go wireless. But wireless models do have their benefits. Perhaps that’s another post for another time.