Top 17 Best Peephole Cameras Available

by | Spy Gear, Featured

Last Updated on December 19, 2022

Getting Started

The days of doing things “the traditional way” are long gone. Technology is taking over in areas where you wouldn’t expect and this is in no way a bad thing. We have a lot of things that used to require a lot of effort on our end, that we now rely on technology to do for us.

What if you have someone ringing your doorbell, but for some reason, you don’t want to go all the way to the door and see who’s there? A regular peephole would require you to be present.

All you have to do is check the display or your smartphone from anywhere in the house and your set. We also made peephole camera instructions for you to check!

RankingModelResolutionWifi/Phone AppMax StorageReviewPrice
#1product imageSTS 4.3'' Wifi Peephole Camera720P HDYes/YesMicroSD Card (32 GB)Read ReviewCheck latest Price
#2Digitsea Digital DoorbellSS Digital Doorbell1080P HDNo/NoMicroSD Card (128 GB)Read ReviewCheck Latest Price
#3product image3.5 inch LCD 120 Degree Color Peephole Camera1080P HDNo/NoMicroSD card (128 GB)Read ReviewCheck Latest Price

Top 17 Best Peephole Cameras This Year

By now, you already know you need a peephole mini camera. You also know why you need it, and what are some important questions to answer before you decide. But, as we said, there are a lot of options out there, and every bit of information helps. Let’s take a look at 11 of our top choices, and see why they’re excellent if you need a peephole camera for your apartment or house.

our pick
2020 08 03 16 55 49

Best Overall

Resolution: 720p HD
Field of View:
155 degree
Motion Detection
Night Vision
Includes alarm
Wall installation
Low energy consumption


The Topvico doorbell camera’s simple app gives you the ability to get remote viewing  from anywhere at a high degree of quality and packed with features.

Let’s talk about the primary feature of any peephole camera, which is the camera. The Topvico peephole camera comes with a 720p HD camera. It excels with a wide-angle view of 155 degrees.

Where this camera makes up for its 720p resolution is the device’s display. The 4.3” inch high-resolution display provides you with a clear picture of what’s going on outside. Equipped with night vision, you won’t have trouble seeing objects at night.

It doesn’t stop there. This device is also Wi-Fi enabled, which makes it very easy to get access to your front door at all times. 

It is necessary to take into account that low energy consumption is combined with a simple and easy installation. Also, the included alarm allows us to offer more complete functionality than other available options.

Considering all of the features this camera comes with, it’s certainly an eye-catcher and we highly recommend it, especially at this price.

PROS

  • Excellent resolution
  • Simple installation
  • Cloud storage

CONS

  • Single color model
runner up
1 Peephole Camera

Runner-up

Field of View: 120 degree
Display size: 3.5 inch
Night Vision
Color video display
SD card holder
Video and photo recording


The SS is a great peephole camera recorder, which requires a very simple installation and works fluidly, although it does not include smartphone integration.

In the peephole camera, you will find four IR LEDEs, which turn on automatically when the lighting conditions aren’t that good. This means that even during the night, you’ll still have a good view of what’s happening outside your door. The sensor is a high definition color sensor with a 120-degree lens, giving you a pretty wide field of view.

It is possible to obtain a very complete and balanced sight glass camera. You will have the possibility to take pictures or record videos at any time. After that, you will be able to view them on a device, or through the high-resolution screen.

The 3.5” display is where you’ll see what’s happening outside, and the image is very clear, making it easy to distinguish faces and people. Whenever a visitor presses the doorbell button, an image is saved to a micro SD card, and you can also record videos on that same card. As far as power goes, the Digitsea runs on four AA batteries, which should be enough for around 1500 peeps. When you take everything into consideration, if you need the basics of a peephole camera, and don’t really need things such as motion detection, the peephole camera is something you should absolutely check out.

PROS

  • Take videos and photos
  • Excellent security camera
  • Poor night vision

CONS

  • Lower screen than other models
2 3.5 Inch LCD 120 Degree

Best Build Quality

Field of View: 120 degree
Display size: 3.5 inch
LCD Display
High clarity vision
Zinc alloy
Color screen


We have the 3.5 inch LCD 120 Degree Color Peephole Camera. It mounts where your regular peephole is, and connects inside with a 3.5” TFT display which shows a really clear image of who’s outside.

It is one of the best components to see who is on the other side. Here, the zinc alloy increases the durability of this object for your home. Also, you will notice that both the color screen and the visibility are very adequate.

The 120-degree field of view is pretty wide, and you’ll get a lot of detail from the 2MP sensor in the camera. It runs on AAA batteries, which are easy to find and install, and you won’t need to replace them very often, as they do last a good while. If you want something that’s affordable and simple, this is one of the better options on this list that you absolutely should consider.

PROS

  • Excellent durability structure
  • Wide field of vision
  • High-quality color display

CONS

  • Time of regular use

Best Camera Quality

Resolution: 1080p HD
Field of View: 160 degree
Motion Detection
Send notifications to a device
Requires a transformer
Compatible with intelligent electronic devices

If you aren’t afraid to spend a few extra bucks for a premium wifi smartphone enabled peephole camera recorder, Ring’s Video Doorbell Pro is one of the best ways to do so. You get plenty of control over what the camera is actually watching, and there’s a lot of customization options.

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The Ring Pro uses direct power, which is excellent if you aren’t a fan of changing batteries. However, it requires a bit more power than a regular doorbell, so you might need a transformer. And, if you’re replacing a regular doorbell, you’ll also need to install the Pro Power Kit which comes included. Once you’re done with that, it’s all easy from then on. The Ring Pro records in 1080p, something only premium peephole cameras do at this point. There’s a wide, 160-degree field of view, and even though its black and white, the night vision is pretty impressive as well.

The Live View from the app will let you listen to audio from the microphone, and there’s also the option to talk to whoever is at the door, through the speaker. Sure, it’s a small speaker, but it’s a peephole camera we’re talking about, so there’s no need for anything big. One interesting feature that you won’t get with many other cameras is the Motion Zones. In the app, you can physically choose which parts of the view you want the motion sensors to be activated. If you have, for example, a tree with moving branches at the front of your house, just exclude it, and you won’t get any notifications for it.

As far as smart features go, you have integration with Alexa, Google Home, as well as IFTTT, which is always handy. There’s an interesting feature within Ring’s app, which lets you share any potentially concerning videos with Ring users nearby. There’s no name or address to identify you, but you can leave comments on your neighbors’ videos if you want to ask for more information on one of their videos. All things considered, if you’re after a budget WiFi peephole camera that doesn’t cut any corners, the Ring Video Doorbell Pro is the way to go. Installation might be a bit tricky, but once you have that done, it’s pretty much set.

PROS

  • Resolution 1080 pixels
  • Compatible with smart devices
  • Constant functionality

CONS

  • Transformer not included

Best Viewing Angle

Resolution: 1280x720P HD
Field of View: 166 degree
Battery: 3400mAh
Waterproof
Infrared night vision
Compatible with smart devices
Highly durable structure

Looking for something that packs a feature rich punch? The SS Smart HD comes with a plethora of features including a smartphone enabled system so you can see who is at your door no matter where you are. Including motion detection, night vision, HD enabled, auto wakeup for power consumption and the list goes on.

Sometimes your just looking for the best product out there. The SS is no slouch. Firstly its important to keep in mind unlike older versions of peephole camers this does not have a display so there is no fiddling with parts and two way door installs, what you see is what you get in a waterproof heavyduty shell.

Where this doorbell camera really stands out is its Android and IOS app integration, it allows quick access via the app and automatically wakes up within 3 seconds of a trigger. The Camera shows a 720p image and supports night vision as well as a wide angle of 166 degrees to make sure you get a great view of whos outside.

The device also supports 2 way audio with noise cancellation and supports video and audio recording to make sure you can record anything that happens of interest.

It doesent stop there. The camera goes on to give you motion detection features to auto turn on and record when someone passes by and give you cloud storage abilities in case you go over its 32gb TF cards limit.

The installation for this camera we found was incredibly easy with just wifi connection. We were incredibly happy when testing this model and highly recommend it.

PROS

  • Pleasant and innovative design
  • High-resolution image
  • Extended shelf life

CONS

  • Limited memory capacity

Best Night Vision

Display2.8″ LCD
Field of View: 165 degree
Night Vision
Rechargeable battery
Video and photo recording
Motion detection

Another one in the budget-oriented options, the Greeter by Eques takes on a somewhat different design. And if you ask us, it does look a bit more professional. You get a very simple, somewhat barebones system which consists of the camera and the display. However, the advantage of it is that it’s incredibly simple to install, taking no more than five minutes of your time.

This unit is one of the easiest to use. That’s why no one will encounter any major drawbacks. Also, motion detection is combined with a lot of efficient functionalities.

The camera has a 165 degree field of view, a touch higher than the competition above, and you can record both photos and videos. What’s impressive is that you don’t need a smartphone for this, there’s built in memory. But if those 2GB of memory aren’t enough, you could always put in a micro SD card and expand it. The display is where you can control just about anything, and you won’t need any apps or difficult setup for it. And yes, it does work at night as well, thanks to the night vision mode on the camera. Battery life isn’t an issue, as the built-in battery lasts for a good while.

If it does run out of juice, you can easily plug it into a wall outlet, and it’ll charge itself. This is oftentimes more convenient than having AA batteries. However, if you don’t have an outlet near the door, you’ll have to use a power bank, or a long cable, because the battery can’t be removed from the unit. The Eques Greeter is an interesting peephole camera, which manages to squeeze in an elegant design, the basic functionality (which works very well), and a few nifty extras into a price that’s within anybody’s price range. 

PROS

  • Easy to use
  • Simple installation
  • Rechargeable battery

CONS

  • Outlets required nearby

Best Night Vision

Resolution: 1080P full HD
Field of View: 166 degree
Night Vision
IP65 Waterproof
166° Wide Angle
2.4GHz WiFi

The MECO 1080P Doorbell Camera is a WiFi-enabled video doorbell. It comes with a free chime and also has a motion detection and night vision system. It’s IP65 waterproof and functions at a field of view of 166 degrees.

The device is rechargeable with a built-in 32GB SD card that can store records for up to 9 months. Its battery functions at 6700mAh. The good thing about this is you can monitor the battery life via an app that you can get from Cloudedge.

Its resolution comes with crisp and clear recording results and image capture as it works with 1080P HD images with night vision enabled making sure that it still has the same quality during low-light or night time. Its motion detection systems send you an automatic notification once the device detects activity within the monitor area.

One advantage for this device is the two-way audio & weatherproof IP65 allowing you maximum benefits when using it.

PROS

  • Rechargeable Batteries
  • Cloud and Local Storage
  • Free Indoor Chime
  • Activated Motion Sensor Alerts & Alarm Plan

CONS

  • Speaker is not that loud
  • Slight delay when the button is pressed

Best Reliability

Night vision
Movement detector
Field of vision: 100°
IP65 Waterproof
Plastic + aluminum alloy
Battery Powered

It is one of the most reliable devices you can install on your front door. The structure is made of plastic, together with an aluminum alloy. This device will be able to monitor what is on the other side of the door. You can connect this digital sight glass with another intelligent device.

To provide excellent use the field of view is 100 degrees and is combined with a camera with 720-pixel resolution.

This device automatically changes the sensitivity of the illumination whether it is day or night. On top of that, the motion detector will give you more security.

You will be able to sync this device to another iOS or Android device. The compatibility gives you the possibility to use an SD card. Its battery provides an excellent 5000 mAh capacity. There is a low battery reminder as well as a battery charger via USB port. After a simple installation, your home will be better protected.

PROS

  • Compact and sleek design
  • Easy to setup
  • Real time notification using the APP

CONS

  • Volume doesn’t have a way to adjust
  • No fish-eye view

Best Value for Money

Resolution: 1080p
Field of View: 166 Degrees
Battery: 6700mAh
Night Vision
2-Way Audio
Motion Detection
IP65 Waterproof

XTU J1 WiFi Video Doorbell Camera is a wireless and waterproof device that will help you in your home’s safety. It has great features that will truly make a difference when it comes to keeping your home secure.

The device is easy to install and is a battery-powered doorbell that is conveniently easy for you to place at your door as the device is 100% wireless. It comes with 1 Video Doorbell, 1 USB Cable, 1 User Guide, 1 Indoor Chime, 1 Screw & Tools Package, 2 Double-sided Tape, and 1 Name Card.

It functions in a 1080P FHD Camera, with a 166-degree wide-angle and has a 6000mAh battery power. It has a PIR Motion which detects any motions at your doorstep and sends a notification via an APP right into your mobile phone telling you someone is at your doorstep. This device can support up to 128G Micro SD (32GB SD card included) storage and Cloud storage, guaranteeing you never miss moments that are happening at your doorstep.

PROS

  • Easy installation
  • PIR Motion Detection
  • Best price

CONS

  • A slight delay on the motion detection

Best Design

Resolution: 1080p HD
Field of View: 122 degree
Night Vision
Motion Detection
Compatible with Alexa
Compatible with tablet or smartphone
High-quality design

Somewhere in the middle, between the budget options and the high-end models, price wise, is SkyBell’s HD video doorbell. Named the best video doorbell by CNET, the SkyBell has quite a reputation.

If you have a smart device or Alexa you will notice how convenient this option is. Also, its design allows it to be complemented with different decorations.

With 1080p video, as well as motion detection, live alerts, and night vision that isn’t black and white, you can rest assured that you’ll be able to see who’s at your door, at any time. As soon as there’s motion, or you press the button, videos are recorded and uploaded to your free cloud account, which is quite handy.

Who is this for? If you want the advanced functionality of the Ring and the VEIU by Eques, but don’t want to spend too much, it just might be ideal.

PROS

  • Excellent level of intelligence
  • Efficient night vision
  • 1080p resolution

CONS

  • The limited-time of use

Top Motion Activated Door Peephole Camera

A lot of people have good reasons to buy a door peephole camera. It does add quite a bit when it comes to security, and it enables you to have a good idea of who’s outside your door whenever someone is moving out there. When you add to that the fact that they’re pretty cheap nowadays, even some of the really good ones, you find that there’s basically no excuse for you not to get one.

Best Budget

Resolution: 480×320P
Field of view: 120 degrees super wide viewing angle
Display : 
3.5 inches LCD Color Display Screen
Portable
Simple Design 

One of the most affordable devices you can implement is this LCD sight glass. The HD quality screen provides a size of 3.5 inches and a resolution of 320p. This is more than enough to get a precise and clear operation when someone knocks on your door. Even here the viewing angle is more than adequate.

A 120° field of view is included for the safety of your family. You will notice that the installation is very easy to perform and no additional screws are needed. This device provides a simple and very practical operation to optimize the protection of the home.

This device has a high resistance protective alloy. This means more than an adequate life span. The structure is created with high-quality zinc and plastic alloy.

Each of the images obtained can provide the best result no matter what the ambient lighting conditions are. The results are the most appropriate both at night and during the day.

PROS

  • HD Outdoor Camera
  • TFT Color DISPLAY & One Button Start
  • Hidden style peephole with wide view angle

CONS

  • Image results are a bit pixilated

Easiest Installation

Battery Capacity: 1800mAh
Field of view:
165 degrees
Display :
2.8 inches HD TFT
Night Vision
5-minute installation
Video and photo recording

Moving on, we’ve got something a bit more premium by Eques. Their Greeter Plus is an excellent option for people who don’t have a peephole, because it doesn’t require you to drill any holes in your door. If this sounds like something you could use, the Eques is a great pick for a door peephole camera.

Kicking things off with the camera, you get a lens with a 165 degree field of view. This is pretty impressive, and we wouldn’t expect something this wide at this price point. The downside, however, is that the resolution of the sensor is pretty low. Unless you’re going to be using this camera in extremely bright scenarios, there’s a pretty big chance of you not being able to distinguish details easily, which could be a problem. There is an IR LED, but it does a mediocre job, and considering the low resolution, it doesn’t do much to make the night time recordings highly detailed.

It does have the benefit of being wireless, however, and unlike other peephole cameras, this camera doesn’t require you to drill holes in your door if you don’t have a peephole. It’s practical, but for many the sacrifice that you have to make due to the low resolution is going to be a bit too much.

If, however, you don’t mind the lower resolution, you will get a camera with a rechargeable battery, which means you don’t have to swap out batteries all the time. It’s pretty simple to install, which adds to the benefits, and it does work pretty good during the daylight.

PROS

  • Rechargeable battery included
  • Easy installation operation
  • Wide range of vision

CONS

  • Low-resolution screen

Best Camera View

Field of view: 90 degrees
Display:
2.7″ LCD
Motion Detection
Micro SD card compatibility
Subtle and pleasant design
Powered by 4 AA batteries

And so, we arrive at our last recommendation. We saved the best peephole camera for last, but you should also know that the SHC1000 by Brinno will set you back quite a bit. If, however, you don’t have a problem with that, you’ll get a terrific camera that makes no compromises.

To begin with, even though there’s no official mention of resolution of the camera, the Brinno comes with some of the highest quality footage we’ve ever seen from a peephole camera. It has a very wide field of view, which means nothing will go unnoticed outside your front door.

Installation is pretty easy, and you also get something we have yet to see from any of the competitors – a knocking sensor and a knocker. Yes, that’s right, you can have a knocker on your camera, and as soon as someone knocks, the camera will start recording immediately. It will save everything on an SD card, and it will also add a time and date stamp to all the pictures, so if something happens, you know exactly when it happened.

Last but certainly not least, we must give a nod to the Brinno’s impressive battery life. This is a very efficient camera, and the batteries it uses will last you for around 1,800 triggers. This translates into roughly six months, which is quite impressive.

PROS

  • Simple installation
  • Simple Functionality
  • Extensive use time

CONS

  • Screen lower than other options

Best Wireless Peephole Security Camera

When it comes to choosing a wireless peephole security camera, things can get tricky. You’ll come across a lot of options, some more expensive than others, and not all of them are worth it. So, how do you choose which camera is the best for you? How do you get the wireless peephole security camera that fits your budget without sacrificing any key features?

Best Wireless Security Camera

Resolution: 1080p HD Field of view: 110 degrees diagonal Frame rate: 30 fps Night Vision 2-way audio recording Works with Alexa Offers cloud storage
Blink is one of the leading brands in the home security industry. In the present market, their Blink outdoor model is the best wireless peephole security camera. However, the camera is expensive because it comes with high-end features that are worth the money.

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Firstly, let’s start with the Blink camera. It can record the video in 1080p HD resolution and comes with a wide field of view of 110 degrees. In addition to that, it has an infrared night vision feature that can capture crystal clear footage in dark areas and during nighttime. The camera has a motion detection function, and it lets you create customizable activity zones. With that, you would not receive any false alerts. When the camera detects a movement in the custom zones, it sends instant alerts through the Blink Home Monitor app. It is compatible with Amazon’s Alexa, and you can use voice commands to monitor the camera and other Alexa-enabled devices in your home. You can see, hear, and talk to the guests with live view in real-time and two-way audio functions from your Blink app. The camera gets the power from two AA lithium batteries, which are included in the package. The long-lasting battery can run for about two years. You can store the footage in the cloud with the Blink Subscription Plan. For saving the recordings locally, you can use Blink Sync Module 2 through a USB flash drive. It is an outdoor camera, which can resist the weather elements such as rain, shine, and more. Besides that, you can set up this camera within minutes by yourself. It does not have any wiring, and you do not need professional help for installing this camera. The device is made from high-quality materials with a durable build. If budget is not a problem, and if you want to buy the best wireless peephole security camera, this Blink camera is the right pick for you.
PROS
  • Made from high-quality material and features a durable design
  • It features speaker output and 2-way audio recording
  • 1-year limited warranty and service included
CONS
  • It always needs a high-speed Internet connection

Easiest Set-up

HD 720P
Field of view:
100 degrees
5000mAh
PIR Motion Detection

This Digital Peephole Door Viewer is equipped with a lot of features. It is WiFi remote-controlled, an HD camera with real-time detection.

If someone rings the door the device will record automatically and it supports up to 64GB SD card memory. Its PIR Motion detection feature is a high-definition sensor that enables you to record an unwanted movement right at your doorstep.

It has an infrared alarm message system to inform you of any intrusion. This sensor can be controlled via an app that supports both iOS and Android devices. It also features multi-users allowing you to view altogether in one device.

The product includes an outdoor unit and an indoor monitor for easy access and monitoring.

PROS

  • Supports 4 mobile APP users at the same time
  • Photos can be stored on cloud
  • It has automatic infrared night vision

CONS

  • Motion detection is not the best feature for this camera
Best Wireless Compact Model
Resolution: 480p Display: 3.5 inch LCD color screen Field of View : 120 degrees 24 Hours Monitoring
Here is another wireless peephole camera, which is easy to install within three minutes and gives a better quality view. You do not need any special equipment to install this small-sized doorbell camera.
The Dioche Home Video Doorbell has a modern, stylish, and ultra-thin design. It comes with an eye hole which is ideal for almost all door thicknesses. This model arrives with a 3.5-inch LCD color screen, and it captures a good quality image, all thanks to OV industrial high definition color image sensor. It is equipped with a practical operating system and humanized multi-mode design. It provides 24 hours monitoring and allows you to watch the view at 120 degrees wide angle. There is no need for professional help to install this camera, which saves some money. In addition to that, the whole installation procedure can be completed in under three minutes.
PROS
  • It is ideal for all door thicknesses
  • Quick and easy installation
  • Provides high-quality recording in wide-angle
  • It offers 24/7 home security
CONS
  • It is a little bit expensive

Best WiFi Peephole Camera

When it comes to getting a wifi peephole camera, things can become rather tricky, pretty easily. If you don’t really know what you’re getting into, you will find yourself buying an expensive camera that you can’t make the most out of, or buying one that’s outright bad.

Best WiFi Peephole

Video Resolution: 1920x1080p Full HD
Field of view:
150 degrees
Motion Detection
Night Vision
300 mAh rechargeable battery
Built-in magnet
Android and iOS support

If you’re on a tighter budget, and can’t really spring for the DoorCam, the AREBI Spy Camera could be a good alternative for you. Yes, you read that right, it’s a spy cam. Even though its main purpose is not to be a wifi peephole camera, it does a great job of being one, especially if you don’t have a peephole in your door already. You can install it pretty much anywhere on your door, and it works admirably.

To begin with, the main selling point of the AREBI is the fact that it’s absolutely tiny, yet packs quite a punch. It records 1080p video, and it comes with a very impressive field of view of 150 degrees. There’s not a lot of noticeable quality drop near the edges, which is nice. You also get night vision, which does help quite a bit if the area outside your door is dimly lit.

Another thing that is very welcome is motion detection. Whether you use it outdoors or indoors, in a building, it can send you a notification on your phone whenever someone is moving outside your front door.

Now, as this isn’t meant to be used as a wifi peephole camera, the main thing you’ll find is missing is two-way audio. Unfortunately, there’s no way for you to talk to whoever is outside, which is a shame. However, you’re getting the AREBI at a very reasonable price, so the compromise is actually pretty acceptable.

If you’re trying to save a bit of money and don’t really need two-way audio, the AREBI is a great way to get a wifi peephole camera that will send you notifications when someone is outside your door, and let you see who it is.

PROS

  • Rechargeable lithium-ion battery included
  • Highly flexible installation
  • Wi-fi connection available

CONS

  • Does not include two-way audio

Why do you need a peephole camera?

Sure, you might be thinking “I don’t really need this”, or “A regular peephole works just fine”. I do understand that you might think that a door peephole camera is a solution to a problem that doesn’t exist. But having a front door peephole camera can be more helpful than you might think. Let’s take a look at a few situations where you’ll appreciate having one.  

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You can choose who to open the door for.

How many times have you had a door-to-door salesman try to sell you something you don’t want or need? How many of those times would you have used your time better? When you look out through a regular peephole, the person on the other side of the door can see it go dark, and knows you’re behind the door. 

Well, that is provided they didn’t hear you coming in the first place. If it’s someone you don’t want to open the door to, you’re creating somewhat of an awkward situation. For a salesman, that might not matter. But if it’s a family member you just don’t want to talk to, that can lead to a bit of tension next time you’re having a family reunion. With a peephole camera WiFi functionality, you don’t even have to go to the door – just check your smartphone.

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You have a much better view compared to a regular peephole.

A peephole will usually give you around half an inch of viewing space, and objects on the outside will be much smaller as well. The angle might be off, or you might need to lean up to see through. Maybe you don’t have the best vision, or maybe you need to wear glasses which interfere with tasks like this.

Maybe you can’t really see well if you’re only using one eye. A door peephole camera can give you a much better view. There’s a decently sized display on it, and if you have a door peephole camera WiFi functionality, you can even use your smartphone. That gives you an even bigger display. And even that fish eye effect is accounted for, as a peephole camera will give you a flat view. Now you can easily see if it’s your aunt, or that guy selling carpet cleaning solutions again.

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You don’t have to adjust to the height.

A regular peephole is placed at the eye level. But whose eye level? If you aren’t an average-height adult, you might have issues. Regardless of whether you’re a bit shorter, or taller, you’ll need to either stand on your toes, or lean over to see through it. And then there’s the situation where your kids need to look out every once in a while – you don’t want them opening the door to strangers, do you?

Everything, from the worst, to the best peephole camera will easily solve this issue. If you have a wireless peephole camera, just look at your phone – that doesn’t require you to be a specific height.

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It adds a touch of safety and privacy.

And we’re sure you’ve seen the movies where someone gets shot through the peephole – but that’s unlikely to happen. Still, there’s always the possibility that the person standing on the other side of the door doesn’t quite have the best intentions. If you live alone, or if you live in an area where crime is an issue, a front door peephole camera can add a bit of safety and privacy.

What to keep an eye out for when buying a peephole camera?

The problem with peephole cameras, as with most tech items nowadays, is that there’s too much choice. There are just too many peephole camera wireless systems out there. On one hand, this is excellent. Regardless of your requirements, you’ll easily find something that suits you. However, for the average consumer, who may not really know what they need, this can easily get confusing.

Do you get an expensive camera? Do you get a 720p one, or is 360p enough? Can your door even accommodate a peephole camera? All of these things are things you must know before you order a camera. Well, we’re here to help. First of all, there are a few factors that are important when we’re talking about a peephole camera, regardless of whether it’s motion activated, hidden, WiFi, etc. We’ll talk about those, and we’ll try to explain which ones matter, and why. Then, we’ll give you a couple of options. Those options are handpicked to be some of the best peephole camera solutions on the market nowadays.

There are ten options, to be exact, so regardless of what exactly you need, chances are you’ll have a choice of at least two or three on that list. Without wasting any more of your time, let’s take a look at the dos and don’ts of peephole cameras, and see our picks.

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How much of a budget should you set aside?

 This is one of the most important questions, and not just for peephole cameras. Fortunately, as these are pretty compact devices, they tend not to be expensive. Some really high end options might get near the $300 range, but chances are you don’t need something that expensive. There are quite a few cameras that are way below that price range, yet do an incredible job. It all depends on your expectations.
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What kind of resolution and frame rate should I expect?

As we said, they’re pretty compact, so only the high end models will come with 1080p HD video. However, do you really need 1080p? You should think about what kind of conditions you have outside your front door. Is it dark, or is there a light above the door? If you have a light above the door, even something like a 360p camera might do the job. If it’s darker though, every pixel helps, so you want to get at least a 720p camera.

This is your home’s security we’re talking about, so getting a camera that’s capable of higher quality video is important. As far as frames per second go, you should be set with somewhere around 24 to 30 fps. Anything more than that is overkill, and anything less than 15 frames per second will result in an image that isn’t that sharp and clear. This will cause more problems than it solves, so try to get something that’s at least 24 fps. You can also take a look at some resolution charts here.

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How do you install one? Is it difficult?

It is absolutely not. Sure, there are professionals that might do that for you, but you won’t really need it. Many of the peephole cameras you can buy are set up in place of your doorbell, so you won’t need to damage your door in order to install one.

There are others, however, that might require you to drill a hole in your door in order to install the camera. Regardless of what the mounting mechanism is, chances are you’ll get a step-by-step instructions to guide in the box, so you can do it yourself. 

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Where does the recorded video go?

There are a few options here. With many higher-end models, you’ll have the wife-enabled, and connected to your home internet network. What this does is it lets you connect to the camera regardless of where you are, and whether you’re even at home.

Other common solutions include a display that comes with the camera, and mounts on the inside of the door, as well as an SD card. A display will let you see in real-time who’s outside with the range of your camera view, and an SD card will record, whether it’s continuously, or with motion-activated recording, so you can see what’s happening, even after it has happened.

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Do you want motion detection?

If you can afford a camera that has it, yes, you absolutely do. Motion detection comes with quite a lot of perks. For example, many motion activated peephole cameras will send a notification to your phone every time they see someone or something moving outside your door. Others will start recording once they notice something, which is also useful if you aren’t at home, or if for example you’re having your mail packages stolen.
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What about batteries?

Batteries are something you actually won’t find in all peephole camera systems. Many do have them, but others actually opt for something like a wired connection. You can avoid batteries all together by running a coax cable.  A detailed coax cable guide for peephole cameras.

You never have to charge it, or worry about changing batteries, and it’s pretty much always on and always working. It will not fail you in a key moment. However, if you’re down with changing batteries every once in a while, that might not be a dealbreaker for you. It’s completely up to you.


Wrapping things up

As we said earlier, choosing a peephole camera for your home can be a tricky ordeal. From the vast majority of choices, to the varying price ranges, finding the one for you is a bit harder than you’d expect.

However, that’s where we come in, and we hope to have helped with both the list, and the buyer’s guide above. If you made it this far, you should already know why you need one, what to look out for in one, and which one to get, so all that’s left is to order, install, and enjoy the added security and privacy. You will no longer have salesmen trying to sell you what you don’t need. 

 

our pick
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1. SS 1080p Digital Doorbell

Our Pick

The SS is a great peephole camera recorder, which requires a very simple installation and works fluidly, although it does not include smartphone integration.

References

(1) AA Bateries – https://uk.rs-online.com/web/generalDisplay.html?id=ideas-and-advice/aa-batteries-guide
(2) Two way audio – https://www.brickcom.com/support/faq_contents.php?id=45

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About Gadgets Spy

Hi, I’m Michael, a security and surveillance expert. I co-founded and write for GadetsSpy and help teach people about new tech and Gadgets.