If you’re looking for ways to improve the security of your short-term rental, a video doorbell should be high on your list. This little device monitors your front door 24/7 and informs you if it detects anything alarming.
We’ve been exploring the options for the best video doorbell for Airbnb, and after extensive research and thorough testing, here are our top picks:
- Best Overall: Eufy Security 2K Video Doorbell
- Best Wireless: Ring Video Doorbell
- Best for Fewer False Alarms: Arlo Essential Wired Video Doorbell
- Best Budget Option: Ring Wired Video Doorbell
Why Should You Get a Video Doorbell for Your Airbnb?
A video doorbell can protect you and your property. If you don’t have security cameras but you want to add another ‘set of eyes,’ a video doorbell can serve that purpose.
For starters, you can monitor guests as they come and go to make sure they’re respecting your check-in and check-out agreement. This especially comes in handy if you have a smart lock or lockbox for self-check-in. On top of that, if a guest forgets their passcode for a smart lock and their phone dies, they can contact you through the video doorbell and solve that situation without hassle.
The video doorbell will also keep an eye on whether the guests are abiding by your policy for a maximum number of visitors, and whether they’re respecting policies about pets.
There’s a benefit to a video doorbell from the guests’ point of view as well. They will feel more secure and relaxed when they know that their front door is being monitored, especially during the night. Even the fact that you’ve invested in a security device will make them feel more at peace.
Factors to Consider When Buying a Video Doorbell for Your Airbnb
Video doorbells come with various functionalities, so keep in mind these key things before you buy one:
Wired vs Wireless – A wired video doorbell needs to be connected to the home’s power supply. This is typically easy with an existing doorbell wiring, but it still might rule out this option for those who don’t want to deal with hard wiring. On the other hand, the wireless version is bulkier and works on batteries which means that there’s the risk of running out of battery life.
Image Resolution – You should decide how important video clarity is for you. Do you want a sharp and clear 2K video that shows every detail, or will a decent 720p suffice? If you don’t have lights on your front porch, you might want to consider a video doorbell that has night vision.
Two-Way Communication – As an Airbnb host, you could get good use out of the two-way communication feature to give your guests some last-minute instructions or give them directions or a password if their phone’s not functioning.
Motion Sensor – You can’t stare at your phone 24/7 to keep a watchful eye on your guests and property, which is why a video doorbell with a motion sensor is a smart choice as it will alert you when it detects movement. The sensor should be good enough to differentiate human movement from an animal or a passing car so you don’t get swamped up with false alarms (plus it will clog up your memory card with unnecessary footage).
Live vs Pre-Recorded Footage – The motion sensor will activate live video or record the activity from the moment it detects movement. However, there are video doorbells that come with a feature that saves video that includes the activity a few seconds before the motion was detected.
Integration with Other Smart Devices – If you have a smart home or you plan to set it up, you should look for a video doorbell that is compatible with Amazon Alexa, Apple Home Kit, or your other preferred home automation products.
Ease of Installation – Wireless doorbells are easier to install for those who want the quickest and easiest set-up, but if you’re equipped with basic wiring skills, you shouldn’t have a problem getting a wired doorbell set up.
Warranty – In case of any problem with connectivity, video quality, or glitches, a warranty will be your safety net so you won’t have to stress about losing money. A warranty of a year or more will give you enough testing time.
Subscription Plans, Add-Ons, and Upgraded Features – Some doorbells require a subscription to save recorded footage to the cloud, and others come with extra costs for add-ons and upgrades. Bear that in mind when calculating the price of the gadget.
The Best Video Doorbell for Airbnb and Vacation Rentals
If you want to make the most out of your money and play it safe with a device that has been tested and praised by tens of thousands of customers, we recommend the Eufy Security 2K Video Doorbell.
Eufy Security 2K Video Doorbell
These are the reasons that justify why we picked the Eufy Security Video Doorbell as the best overall for Airbnb owners:
2K Image – The high-resolution image with advanced HDR and distortion correction transmits a video so crystal clear that it can even allow you to check the guests’ ID cards to establish their identity when they arrive at your rental.
Subscription-Free – There are no extra costs with this doorbell. Once you pay its price, you’ll be all set for eternal use.
Smart Motion Detection – Thanks to AI technology, the camera detects body shape and face patterns to alert you only of human visitors.
Two-Way Communication – The Eufy doorbell offers a microphone/speaker package to allow you to speak with visitors when they approach your home.
Quick Installation – It will take you about 5 minutes to set up this wired video doorbell, as you’ll just need to swap it out with your existing, non-tech one. If you want a wireless one, you can get a battery-powered version whose fully charged battery can last up to four months.
8 New Chimes Included – You can elect to upgrade your chime by choosing among the eight new ones, including holiday-themed chimes.
Other Airbnb Video Doorbell Alternatives
When you think about the expansive variety of video doorbells available, mentioning a few contenders is an absolute must. We’ve singled out three more video doorbells that would also work well for short-term rentals.
Ring is a pioneer in introducing video doorbells to the market, and it still holds its ground in terms of quality. If you want a high-quality wireless device, the best Ring doorbell for Airbnb is the Ring Video Doorbell with 1080p HD video and a rechargeable battery.
This doorbell comes with a great motion detection sensor and night vision, and it is compatible with Alexa-enabled devices. In our opinion, the subscription-based Ring Protect Plan is worthwhile in order to keep video records for up to 6 months, as well as share videos and photos.
You’ll have full control through the Ring app, and whenever someone’s at your door, you’ll get notified instantly. There’s also a wired version if that’s your preference. Newer versions of this doorbell with more bells and whistles are available as well, but ultimately they’re unnecessary for Airbnb owners.
Arlo Essential Wired Video Doorbell
If you want to minimize false alarms, we suggest the Arlo Essential Wired Video Doorbell as the motion detection expert. Its ability to distinguish people, vehicles, animals, packages, swaying trees, or whatever decides to move is on point. There is a monthly subscription, though, if you want that sensing accuracy and video recording (up to 5 minutes).
In addition, it has a crisp 1080p image, a wide, 180-degree viewing angle, and a built-in siren that will ward off unwanted visitors (you can trigger it manually or set it up automatically). When it comes to home automation compatibility, you can connect the Arlo video doorbell with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.
Are these two options over your budget? Don’t worry, as we’ve also included this Wired Ring Video Doorbell as an inexpensive but efficient solution. This video doorbell has 1080p HD video quality, two-way communication, and night vision, and it works with Alexa. If you want add-ons such as video recording and sharing photos and videos, you’ll need to get a subscription to the Ring Protect Plan.
Final Thoughts
Improving security and protection at your short-term rental will give you more peace of mind and provide you with non-disputable proof if guests are so bold as to break some rules. A video doorbell is there to keep an eye on what your guests are doing without interrupting their enjoyment or turning into one of those horrid “snooping” hosts. If you want a simple device with incredible quality and a decent price, the Eufy Security Wi-Fi Video Doorbell stands out as the best overall choice.
