A missed delivery, a late-night knock, or a parcel left on your doorstep while you’re out…These are small moments, but they can quickly become frustrating or even risky. With doorstep theft affecting millions of UK homes each year, it’s understandable why more people are turning to smart doorbell cameras.
Still, before you invest, it’s worth asking: is a video doorbell worth it? This guide walks you through what these devices actually offer, where they fall short, and how to decide if one fits your needs.
Short Answer: Are Video Doorbells Worth It?
Yes, for many UK homeowners, a video doorbell is worth it. It adds convenience by allowing you to see and communicate with visitors remotely, helps prevent parcel theft, and provides a sense of security. While they can come with monthly costs and privacy considerations, the benefits of monitoring deliveries, deterring potential thieves, and having more control over your front door make them a valuable addition for many people.
Who Should Consider Buying a Video Doorbell?
A video doorbell isn’t essential for every home, but in the right situation, it can be genuinely useful. Here’s where it tends to make the most sense:
- You receive frequent deliveries and want to keep track of parcels or reduce the risk of doorstep theft.
- You’re often out during the day and want to see and speak to visitors remotely.
- You want an extra layer of home security, with a visible camera that can deter unwanted activity, record footage, and alert you when someone approaches your door.
- You prefer to check or speak to whoever’s at the door before answering, especially if you live alone or have mobility issues.
If several of these apply to you, a video doorbell is more likely to feel useful in everyday life rather than just another gadget.
But before deciding, it helps to have a balanced look at the pros and cons of video doorbells:
Advantages of Video Doorbells
A video doorbell is not just a gadget that shows who rang the bell. For many UK households, it helps solve everyday front-door problems: missed visitors, unattended parcels, and unexpected knocks.
1. You can see who is at the door before answering
One of the biggest advantages is simple: you do not have to open the door without knowing who is there. A video doorbell lets you view live footage through your phone, so you can check whether it is a neighbour, delivery driver, salesperson, or someone you do not recognise.
This is helpful if you live alone, work from a back room, have children at home, or simply prefer not to answer unexpected callers. On Mumsnet, one user said their doorbell made them feel safer living alone with children, while another described it as “brilliant” when mobility issues made getting to the front door difficult.
2. It helps you protect parcels and reduce delivery stress
Parcel deliveries are one of the clearest reasons to consider a video doorbell. If you’re out, in a meeting, or upstairs when a courier arrives, you can get an alert, speak to the driver, ask them to leave the parcel in a safer spot, or check later where it was placed.
That matters because parcel theft has become a serious UK problem. Quadient’s 2025 FOI-based parcel theft report estimates that £666.5 million worth of parcels were stolen across the UK in the last 12 months, up from £376.6 million in 2024. It also estimates that 4.83 million homes experienced at least one stolen parcel, while the average stolen parcel value rose to £138.
Police.uk also lists installing a video doorbell as one way to reduce the risk of doorstep theft, noting that it can connect to your mobile and notify you immediately when a delivery arrives.
3. It can add a visible layer of deterrence
A video doorbell is not a guarantee that nobody will approach your property. However, a visible camera can make your front door look less like an easy target.
This matters because a lot of doorstep and vehicle-related crime is opportunistic. In a Reddit discussion, a UK police officer put it bluntly:
“Absolutely a million percent yes… The overwhelming majority of burglars aren’t smashing a window or kicking a door down… They’re addicts, bimbling around trying every door handle they find until one opens… They’re after easy.”
For example, if someone approaches your door and sees a camera, they know their face, movement, or voice may be recorded. That can be enough to make some people move on.
4. It can provide useful footage if something happens
If there is a theft, attempted break-in, vehicle incident, or repeated nuisance caller, footage can help you understand what happened. It may also be useful for neighbours or police, depending on the situation.
Real-world users often point to this community benefit. On Mumsnet, one commenter said police caught a car thief in their village after there was “loads of footage from different householders.”
This does not mean every clip will solve a case. But when several homes on a street have doorbell or security footage, it can create a clearer picture of suspicious activity, especially with incidents involving cars, parcels, or people moving between properties.
5. You can respond even when you are not home
Two-way audio is another practical benefit. You can speak to visitors from your phone, even if you are at work, on the school run, or away for the weekend. That can be helpful when a courier needs instructions, a friend arrives early, or someone knocks while you are not expecting anyone.
It also creates the impression that someone is available, even when the house is empty. You do not have to say where you are; you can simply say, “Please leave it by the side gate,” or “I can’t come to the door right now.”
6. Motion alerts can give you earlier awareness
Most video doorbells do more than record button presses. They can detect motion and send alerts when someone approaches your door.
This can be useful if someone walks up to the door but does not ring, or if a parcel is left without a knock. Many models also offer more advanced AI detection, such as person alerts or package alerts, though these features may depend on the brand, model, or subscription plan.
Disadvantages of Video Doorbells
Video doorbells can be useful, but they are not perfect. Before buying one, you should look at the costs, setup, privacy responsibilities, and day-to-day limitations.
1. Some features may need a subscription
The upfront price is not always the full cost. Many video doorbells let you view live footage for free, but charge for cloud storage, event history, advanced AI alerts, or longer video playback.
Standard video doorbell subscriptions typically range from around £30 to £60 per year, but can exceed £100 if you want longer storage or coverage for multiple devices.
The good news is that many video doorbells offer local storage and on-device AI, which can help you avoid ongoing fees.
2. Poor Wi-Fi can make the experience frustrating
A video doorbell depends on your home network. If the signal by your front door is weak, you may get delayed alerts, frozen video, or missed recordings. This is a common issue in UK homes with thick walls, long hallways, or routers placed far from the entrance.
In practice, that means the device may work well in testing but feel unreliable once installed. Before buying, it is worth checking your Wi-Fi strength at the front door and considering a mesh system or Wi-Fi extender if the signal is weak.
3. Privacy rules matter, especially in shared spaces
While video doorbells can be an invaluable tool for protecting your own property, they come with privacy responsibilities—especially if your camera captures areas beyond your front door.
In the UK, if your doorbell records footage of public areas or your neighbour’s property, you need to follow the rules under the UK General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018 (DPA).
A well-known case, Fairhurst v Woodard (2021), illustrates the consequences of ignoring these rules. In this case, a homeowner installed several cameras, including a video doorbell, that inadvertently captured areas beyond his property.
The dispute escalated when footage was shared back with the neighbour, which the court later ruled as harassment. The homeowner was found to have breached data protection laws, and the court emphasized that such behaviour could result in a fine of up to £100,000.
This case highlights the importance of ensuring that your video doorbell is used responsibly, capturing only what is necessary for security purposes. It’s crucial to check that your camera is correctly positioned to avoid recording shared or public spaces and to notify your neighbours if your surveillance extends beyond your own property.
4. They can raise data security and privacy concerns
While video doorbells offer convenience, they can also expose sensitive data if not properly secured.
Many models store recordings in the cloud, meaning you’re trusting the provider with details about your home, visitors, and routines. If the provider’s security isn’t strong, or if data is mishandled, your footage could be exposed.
For instance, Amazon’s Ring doorbell cameras shared video footage with police at least 11 times without user consent, raising concerns about data privacy and how footage is handled by third-party providers.
5. Alerts can become annoying if settings are poor
Motion alerts are helpful when they are accurate. They are less helpful when every passing car, cat, pedestrian, or tree branch triggers a notification. If your home faces a busy pavement or road, you may need to spend time adjusting motion zones and sensitivity.
Some people love the extra awareness. Others quickly turn notifications off because they become too frequent. This is why alert control is an important feature, not just a nice extra.
Best Video Doorbells Available in the UK
Now that you’ve seen the key benefits and considerations of video doorbells, it’s clear that the right model can significantly improve your home security and convenience.
At eufy, we prioritise your privacy and security. Our video doorbells are designed to give you full control over your data by using local storage, end-to-end encryption, and on-device AI. This means you don’t have to rely on the cloud or pay ongoing monthly fees.
By keeping your recordings closer to home, you can enjoy peace of mind knowing that your data stays within your control, limiting exposure and ensuring greater privacy.
Let’s take a closer look at two of the best options available for UK homes: the Video Doorbell E340.
eufy Video Doorbell E340
The Video Doorbell E340 is a strong everyday choice. Its dual-camera design combines a 2K main camera for visitors with a second downward-facing camera for the area near your doorstep, helping you see both faces and parcels in one setup. That is especially useful for homes where packages may be left directly below the bell or tucked close to the threshold.
At night, colour night vision and dual lights help keep footage clearer up to 5 m, so late deliveries and evening visitors are easier to identify. It can work standalone with 8GB on-device storage, or with HomeBase™ S380 for a wider eufy setup.
Best for: UK households that want reliable parcel protection, clear visitor footage, and flexible battery or wired installation without needing a base station from day one.
Key features:
- Dual cameras: 2K main view + 1080p downward-facing view
- Colour night vision with dual lights up to 5m
- Two-way audio for quick front-door conversations
- AI detection for people, packages, and familiar faces
- 8GB eMMC on-device storage
- Works standalone or with HomeBase™ S380
- 6,500mAh removable battery pack
- Optional hardwired connection with existing doorbell wiring and chimes
Conclusion
When considering, “Is a video doorbell worth it?” the decision often comes down to your lifestyle, security needs, and preferences. If you frequently deal with deliveries, want extra peace of mind, or simply prefer knowing who’s at your door, a video doorbell offers real value. While they do come with some downsides, such as ongoing costs and privacy concerns, the convenience and added security they bring to your home can make them a worthwhile investment.
FAQs
Do all doorbell cameras have a monthly fee?
No, a monthly subscription is not a requirement for all models. While popular brands like Ring and Nest often charge a fee for cloud storage and AI features, many other systems, such as eufy, allow you to avoid recurring costs. eufy video doorbells offer on-device AI and encrypted local storage options, where footage is saved directly onto the doorbell, an internal SD card, or a home hub. This lets you enjoy full security and video history without any ongoing bills.
Do burglars avoid homes with doorbell cameras?
Research suggests that doorbell cameras are a significant deterrent. According to crime prevention data, homes with visible security measures like smart doorbells are up to five times less likely to be targeted by burglars. Most intruders prefer “easy” targets where they won’t be recorded or identified. Even if a burglar is determined, the ability to speak through the two-way audio can trick them into thinking someone is home, often scaring them away before they try to enter.
Is it worth getting a camera doorbell?
For most UK homeowners, the peace of mind and convenience make a doorbell camera a worthwhile investment. They are excellent for monitoring parcel deliveries, screening unwanted callers, and providing vital evidence if a crime occurs. While there are initial costs and potential privacy considerations regarding your neighbours, the added layer of security often outweighs these factors. It’s a simple, effective way to keep an eye on your home from anywhere in the world.
