A video doorbell and a video intercom both let you see who's at the door and talk to them from your phone. They're built for different homes, though, and choosing the wrong one usually means replacing it later.
The video doorbell
A video doorbell is a camera and a button at your front door. When someone presses it, your phone rings and you can see, hear and talk to them from anywhere.
- Best for: most homes with one main entry and a typical front porch.
- Tip: choose a wired model. It never needs charging, responds faster and records more reliably than a battery doorbell.
The video intercom
A video intercom adds more: indoor screens in the kitchen or office, multiple outdoor stations, and the ability to unlock a door or open a gate for a visitor.
- Best for: larger homes, gated driveways, homes with several entries, and properties where the front door is a long walk from the gate.
- Bonus: family members can answer from an indoor screen without reaching for a phone.
Questions to ask yourself
- Do visitors come to more than one door or gate?
- Would you like to buzz someone in without walking to the door?
- Does anyone in the house prefer a screen on the wall to a phone app?
If you answered yes to any of these, an intercom is probably worth it. If not, a good wired doorbell will do the job well.
Make it part of the system
Either option works best when it's tied into your cameras and smart locks, so you can see the porch, talk to the visitor and unlock the door from one app.
See a real install
In this recent project, the video intercom is set right into the stone at the front entry. Learn more on our video doorbells and intercoms page.
Not sure which one fits your home?
We'll look at your entries and recommend the right doorbell or intercom setup.
Get a Free Estimate Call 216-232-9424
