Checklist · 12 picks · 4 categories
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Package thieves, surprise visitors, the 2 a.m.
wondering whether the door is locked: a few smart upgrades fix all three. Start with a video doorbell so you can see and talk to whoever's on the porch from your phone, then add an outdoor camera for the driveway or backyard. A smart lock means no more hiding a key under the mat, and a motion light makes the whole setup work better after dark. Every pick here comes from Bob Vila's published tests of doorbell cameras, outdoor cameras, smart locks and motion lights. Before you buy, check two things: whether you have doorbell wiring (or want a battery model), and whether the camera needs a monthly plan to save video. Each card shows the drawback the testers called out.
Who this is not for. Skip this if you just want an indoor cam to check on the dog; the Smart Home Starter list has indoor cameras, plugs and speakers.
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Estimates based on typical prices, checked Oct 30, 2026. Prices change; see the store for today's price.
0 of 3 on your list · tap one to see your options
| Pick | Tier | Price | Best for | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eufy Wireless Video Doorbell S220 | mid | $50-100 | skipping the monthly plan | 1 outlet |
| Blink Video Doorbell | budget | $50-100 | alexa homes on a budget | 1 outlet |
| Google Nest Doorbell | splurge | $150-200 | google Home households | 1 outlet |
Best video doorbellmid pick · Wired or wireless
Best for skipping the monthly plan
Bob Vila's best subscription-free doorbell camera: videos are encrypted and stored locally, a strong pick for added security and privacy.
Heads up. Slight delay when opening the live feed
1 outlet. Bob Vila best subscription-free doorbell camera.
$50-100
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budget pick · Wired or wireless
Best for alexa homes on a budget
Bob Vila's best bang for the buck doorbell camera: a solid choice for those seeking a reliable, budget-friendly video doorbell.
Heads up. The only one Bob Vila reviewed that doesn't include a wedge mount
1 outlet. Bob Vila best bang for the buck doorbell camera.
$50-100
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splurge pick · Wired or wireless
Best for google Home households
Bob Vila's best overall doorbell camera: it offers an unbeatable blend of smart features, with a near-instant video response.
Heads up. Premium price
1 outlet. Bob Vila best overall doorbell camera.
$150-200
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| Pick | Tier | Price | Best for | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eufy Security SoloCam S340 Solar Outdoor Camera | mid | $150-200 | spots with no outlet nearby | 1 outlet |
| Arlo Essential XL Wireless Security Camera | mid | $100-150 | a first outdoor cam that's easy to mount | 1 outlet |
| Ring Floodlight Cam Wired Plus | splurge | $200-300 | lighting up a driveway or backyard | 1 outlet |
Best outdoor cameramid pick · Solar
Best for spots with no outlet nearby
Bob Vila's best pan & tilt outdoor security camera: versatile enough to go in remote spots with no electricity, since it runs on solar power.
Heads up. Battery can run low on a cloudy day
1 outlet. Bob Vila best pan & tilt outdoor security camera.
$150-200
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mid pick · Wireless
Best for a first outdoor cam that's easy to mount
Bob Vila's best overall outdoor security camera: picked for simple installation, high-quality video and customizable features.
Heads up. Heavier than some models, and it needs regular recharging
1 outlet. Bob Vila best overall outdoor security camera.
$100-150
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splurge pick · Wired
Best for lighting up a driveway or backyard
Bob Vila's best with siren outdoor security camera: its tester called the bright floodlights and blaring siren the true standout features.
Heads up. Subscription required for video storage
1 outlet. Bob Vila best with siren outdoor security camera.
$200-300
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| Pick | Tier | Price | Best for | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Schlage Arrive Smart Wifi Deadbolt | splurge | $200-300 | giving codes to roommates and guests | 1 outlet |
| Ultraloq U-Bolt 6-in-1 Smart Deadbolt | budget | $100-150 | unlocking with a fingertip | 1 outlet |
| August Smart Lock + Connect Wi-Fi Bridge | mid | $150-200 | keeping the key you already have | Limited evidence |
Best smart locksplurge pick · Deadbolt
Best for giving codes to roommates and guests
Bob Vila's best with keypad smart lock: an easy upgrade that trades gimmicks for dependable performance.
Heads up. No fingerprint option, and slightly shorter battery life than some
1 outlet. Bob Vila best with keypad smart lock.
$200-300
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budget pick · Deadbolt
Best for unlocking with a fingertip
Bob Vila's best fingerprint reader smart lock: a fingerprint scanner and a keypad that lights up bright green in the dark.
Heads up. Needs a separate Wi-Fi hub for smart-home features
1 outlet. Bob Vila best fingerprint reader smart lock.
$100-150
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mid pick · Fits your existing deadbolt
Best for keeping the key you already have
Bob Vila's also-consider smart lock: it works with your existing keyed deadbolt and installs with just a Phillips screwdriver.
Heads up. Wi-Fi outages mean using the physical key outside
Limited evidence. No outlet has named this one yet. It is here as a reasonable option, not a reviewed one.
$150-200
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| Pick | Tier | Price | Best for | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Urpower SL-002 Outdoor Solar Motion Sensor Lights | budget | $25-50 | lighting a path or side yard | 1 outlet |
| Mr. Beams Wireless Motion Sensor LED Spotlight | budget | $25-50 | aiming light right where you need it | 1 outlet |
| Sengled Smart LED With Motion Sensor | mid | $25-50 | upgrading a porch light without new wiring | 1 outlet |
Best motion lightbudget pick · Solar
Best for lighting a path or side yard
Bob Vila's best overall outdoor motion sensor light: they provided perfect illumination outside its test home, with no wiring needed.
Heads up. The light beam isn't adjustable
1 outlet. Bob Vila best overall outdoor motion sensor light.
$25-50
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budget pick · Battery
Best for aiming light right where you need it
Bob Vila's best bang for the buck motion sensor light: well suited to lighting up specific spots, and it runs on batteries.
Heads up. Narrow light beam compared to other options
1 outlet. Bob Vila best bang for the buck motion sensor light.
$25-50
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mid pick · Standard bulb
Best for upgrading a porch light without new wiring
Bob Vila's best motion sensor light bulbs: they screw into a standard socket and lit up the ground in a wide arc about 40 feet out.
Heads up. Written instructions are not very clear
1 outlet. Bob Vila best motion sensor light bulbs.
$25-50
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means three independent outlets recommend a pick, means one, and limited evidence means none has yet. I research these picks. I have not tested them myself. How I pick · Broken link, wrong price range or an outdated pick? Tell me
Not always. Bob Vila notes that cloud storage usually costs extra and that basic plans can be limited. Its subscription-free doorbell pick, the Eufy S220, stores encrypted video locally, while the Ring Floodlight Cam Wired Plus needs a subscription to save video.
Battery models are easier to install and need no wiring, but you'll recharge them now and then. Wired models can use your existing doorbell wiring; Bob Vila says to check that the old system's voltage matches the new doorbell, and to call a licensed electrician if you need new wiring.
Bob Vila says most smart locks run on four AA batteries that typically last 6 months to a year, and virtually all of them come with backup keys. It says owners will want to carry a traditional house key as a backup.