See Who's There, From Anywhere: The Best Matter-Compatible Smart Home Video Doorbells
The plain humdrum doorbell has undergone a high-tech transformation. Smart video doorbells combine the familiar chime with a built-in camera, letting you see who's at your door – even when you're not home. Now Matter has jumped into the ding-dong industry.
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The plain humdrum doorbell has undergone a high-tech transformation. Smart video doorbells combine the familiar chime with a built-in camera, letting you see who's at your door – even when you're not home.
Now Matter has jumped into the ding-dong industry. Matter is a new smart home industry standard that promises seamless compatibility between devices from different brands.
Let's delve into the world of Matter-compatible video doorbells, exploring how they work, their advantages and drawbacks, and finally, two good ones currently available on Amazon, and three that are coming soon to an online store near you.
How Does a Smart Video Doorbell Work?
A smart video doorbell is essentially a doorbell with a built-in camera and motion sensor. When someone approaches your door, the sensor triggers the camera to start recording.
You'll receive a notification on your smartphone, allowing you to see a live video feed and even have a two-way conversation with the visitor, while sitting on the toilet. Some video doorbells offer additional features like facial recognition and pre-recorded messages.
Here's a breakdown of the key components:
- Camera - Captures video footage of your doorstep.
- Motion Sensor - Detects movement and triggers the camera.
- Two-Way Talk - Allows you to communicate with visitors through the doorbell's speaker and microphone.
- Chime - Plays a traditional doorbell sound inside your house (optional with some models).
- App - Provides a platform to view live video, access recordings, and configure settings.
- Power Options - Smart video doorbells can be either wired (powered by your existing doorbell wiring) or battery-powered. Wired models offer continuous power, while battery-powered models provide more flexibility for installation but require occasional charging.
Pros and Cons of Matter-Compatible Smart Home Video Doorbells
Before opening your purse or wallet, there are the pros and cons of using a smart home video doorbell.
Pros
- Seamless Integration - Matter compatibility ensures your doorbell works flawlessly with other Matter-certified devices in your smart home ecosystem.
- Enhanced Security - Monitor your home remotely, deter potential intruders, and gain valuable video evidence in case of an incident.
- Convenience - Answer the door from anywhere using your smartphone.
- Peace of Mind - Receive real-time notifications when someone approaches your door.
Cons
- Cost - Smart video doorbells can be more expensive than traditional doorbells.
- Installation - Wired models might require professional installation, especially if you don't have existing doorbell wiring.
- Subscription Fees - Some features like cloud storage for video recordings might require a monthly subscription.
- Privacy Concerns - Video doorbells collect data, so it's crucial to choose a device with robust security measures and clear data privacy practices.
Top 5 Matter-Compatible Smart Video Doorbells on Amazon
If we've now got you interested in a Matter-compatible smart video doorbell, here are two to buy right away, and three to put on your Amazon wishlist. When those three become available, we will update this article.
Aqara G4 Video Doorbell
The Aqara G4 Video Doorbell boasts a 180-degree field of view, 2K resolution video, and dual power options (wired or battery). It seamlessly integrates with Apple HomeKit and is expected to be among the first to offer Matter compatibility.
WeMo Smart Video Doorbell
Priced competitively, the WeMo Smart Video Doorbell offers clear 1080p video, a wide field of view, and night vision. It works flawlessly with Apple HomeKit and is likely to receive a Matter update in the near future.
Ring Video Doorbell Pro 3 (Coming Soon)
Ring, a leading name in video doorbells, has announced a Matter-compatible version of their popular Pro 3 model. This doorbell is expected to offer high-resolution video, advanced motion detection, and pre-recorded message options.
Keep an eye on Amazon for its release. The image above is the Ring Doorbell Pro 2, but the Pro 3 is unlikely to vary much in appearance.
Google Nest Doorbell (Coming Soon)
Google is also joining the Matter party with a new version of their Nest Doorbell. Details are scarce, but it's expected to offer familiar Google Nest features like facial recognition and person detection, all within the Matter ecosystem.
The image above is the current Google Nest Doorbell. It came out in 2022 and has no Matter support. But again, the design of the upcoming Nest Doorbell is unlikely to change very much in looks.
Samsung SmartThings Video Doorbell (Coming Soon)
Samsung is expected to release a Matter-compatible version of their SmartThings Video Doorbell. This doorbell is likely to integrate seamlessly with other Samsung SmartThings devices, offering a comprehensive smart home security solution.
Matter-Compatible Video Doorbells - Here But Not Quite Here Yet
As Matter is a new standard, Matter-compatible versions of some popular video doorbells are still under development or have not yet been officially released on Amazon.
With the smart home landscape constantly evolving, Matter compatibility is poised to become a game-changer. By choosing a Matter-compatible video doorbell, you're future-proofing your home.