Outdoor Doorbells Complete Guide: 3-Point Checklist and Best Picks for You
What’s a good video doorbell that will work in harsh conditions outdoors directly in the weather?
Then you’ll need an outdoor doorbell to brave the rain or shine!
With an outdoor waterproof doorbell, you can install it on your front/back door, porch, or anywhere you want, without worrying about the weather.
In this post, you will get a detailed guide on how to choose the best outdoor doorbell, top picks, as well as useful placement tips for the best weatherproof performance.
Today’s Content Overview:
#1. How to Choose an Outdoor Doorbell: Top 3 Points
#2. Outdoor Waterproof Doorbells Recommendations
#3. Handy Installation Tips for Your Outdoor Doorbell
#1. Outdoor Wired & Wireless Doorbell Buying Guide: Top 3 Points to Consider
Buying the best outdoor wired or WiFi doorbell from thousands of options in the market would be extremely “daunting”.
You can try this point checklist here to purchase your outdoor doorbell camera.
1. Get an Outdoor Doorbell with Weatherproof IP Rating
An outdoor doorbell would come with a resistant casing to protect the inside components from rain or wear and tear.
To check if an outdoor doorbell is waterproof or not, you can try the below tips:
Tip 1. Check the IP ratings of the doorbell in the specification part. If it’s rated over IP4X, this doorbell can protect itself from dust, rain or shine.
You can get more details about waterproof doorbells here.
Tip 2. Check the previous customers’ reviews on the product page. Some of the customers would share the pictures about the position where they installed the doorbell.
You can check if they have installed this doorbell outdoors, like a front door without the shelter. Thus, you can assure if this doorbell is waterproof or not.
Tip 3. Google the doorbell reviews on the specific doorbell brand you are gonna buy.
You can see the editors’ detailed reviews on the doorbell and check if it can be used outdoors.
Tip 4. Consult the doorbell company staff directly.
2. Buy Wired or Battery Powered Outdoor Doorbells
If you opt to wired outdoor doorbells, like including hardwired and PoE doorbells, you’ll need to protect the power wires from rain or shine.
Otherwise, the wires would be damaged, which cannot provide power for your outdoor doorbell.
You can get a junction box to put the wires into it to protect the wires from rain.
If you prefer the battery operated outdoor doorbell, make sure you’ll charge the battery before it runs out of power.
Some of the battery-powered doorbells support solar panel. You can add a solar panel for your outdoor wire-free doorbell so that you don’t need to charge the battery anymore.
Compared with the wired doorbell, the battery-powered type would be easier to install and re-locate. You can take it with you when you move to another house.
3. Focus on the WiFi Connection Range If You Opt to WiFi Doorbells
Battery-powered outdoor doorbell cameras, like Ring Video Doorbell 2, need to connect to your home router via WiFi so that you can access the doorbell with your smartphone remotely.
Make sure the connection between your doorbell and router is smooth so that you can view stable live streaming, and get real-time push notifications when there are motion events or when someone presses the doorbell.
Some of the wireless plug-in doorbell systems have their proprietary network.
The outdoor transmitter and the indoor receiver can communicate with each other without Internet access. They can link to each other even up to 1,000 feet.
#2. Outdoor Doorbell Top 4 Picks of 2020 for You
Through our own experience and reading other customers’ reviews, we have picked outdoor gate doorbells.
Pick 1. Govee Wireless Outdoor Doorbell System with a Chime & Button
- Waterproof Transmitter
- Adjustable Volume & 38 Chimes
- Silent Mode (only LED flash) Available.
- Easy DIY Pairing
- 1000ft/300m Working Range
Labeled as IP66 waterproof ratings, Govee wireless outdoor doorbell can be installed outdoors without worrying about any water jet or dust.
This outdoor doorbell system comes with the transformer acting as the button so that your guests can press the button to let you know he or she is waiting at your doorstep.
This wireless outdoor waterproof doorbell push button can work in the temperature of -15℃ — 60℃ (-4 ℉ — 140 ℉), no need to worry about any harsh weather.
It also comes with an indoor chime receiver to let you know you have a guest.
Pick 2. SadoTech Model C Outdoor Wireless Waterproof Doorbell
- Operating Range of Over 1000 Feet
- IP68 Weatherproof Remote Transmitter Button
- CE, FCC, RoHS certified.
- Wireless for Outdoor Use
SadoTech Model C doorbell kit, with IP68 dustproof and waterproof, can brave all of the harsh weather conditions.
The transmitter is 100% wire-free, so you don’t need to run any wire, which is extremely to install.
This outdoor WiFi loud doorbell also has an indoor plug-in receiver. You can simply plug it into any outlet to get the audible notification when someone presses the outdoor waterproof transformer (the button).
The transformer and the receiver of this outdoor long-range wireless doorbell system can link to each other in a distance of up to 1,000ft.
You can install this outdoor doorbell system near your playhouse.
When your visitors press the button, you can still get alerts when you are playing with your children.
Pick 3. YIROKA Wireless Outdoor Smart Video Doorbell
- IP55 Waterproof
- HD 720P Security Camera Real-Time Video
- Battery Lasts for 3600 Hours
- PIR Motion Detection
- Night Light
With IP55 weatherproof, YIROKA outdoor smart doorbell can stand firm even in the rain.
It can operate in temperature of -13°F — 131°F and protect your home rain or shine.
The 100% wire-free battery-powered design enables you to install this outdoor security doorbell within minutes without hiring any installation expert.
The fully-charged battery can last about 3-6 month so you don’t need to charge the battery frequently.
This DIY outdoor smart doorbell supports an up to 32GB SD for motion-triggered video recordings, so you don’t need to pay monthly fees for cloud storage.
The two-way intercom function in this outdoor doorbell enables you to talk to the visitor with your mobile phone anywhere you are.
Pick 4. Ring Outdoor Video Doorbell 2 with Camera
- Weatherproof
- Sends alerts as soon as motion is detected or when visitors press the Doorbell
- Rechargeable Battery Pack or Connects to Doorbell Wires
- 1080HD Video & Infrared Night Vision
- Works with Alexa
Ring Video Doorbell 2, one of the best outdoor wireless video doorbells in the market, can be placed outdoors, like your front porch, doorstep, without any issue.
For better weatherproof performance, you can add an outdoor cover for this Ring doorbell.
Ring video doorbell outdoor monitoring system can sense the motion events and sends you instant app push notifications, and save the motion-triggered videos to the cloud.
You’ll never miss any important event with this outdoor motion sensor doorbell.
Ring Video Doorbell 2 is powered by a removable battery so you don’t need to do any electrical wiring job for powering this outdoor remote doorbell.
Just insert the battery into the doorbell, set it up with your smartphone and mount it on your front door. All is done!
If you don’t want to charge the doorbell, you can also add a solar panel to it.
Connect the Ring Video Doorbell 2 to the solar panel and just forget it.
#3. Top Tips for Your Outdoor Doorbell Installation
For the best weatherproof performance of your outdoor doorbell, you can take the below handful tips.
Tip 1. Get an outdoor doorbell cover.
Dressing your doorbell with an outdoor cover box can protect it from water or sunshine.
Tip 2. Install your doorbell under shelter without exposing it to the sun or rain directly.
By doing so, you can maximize your doorbell’s lifespan.
Tip 3. If you opt for a wireless outdoor video doorbell, please install the doorbell near your WiFi router.
You can also use a WiFi extender to boost the WiFi connection range.
