Whether you’re building a new home, or updating your current one, finding the right doorbell and chimes for your needs can be confusing and stressful. This is due to the overwhelming number of products and types on the market.
Whether you’re building a new home, or updating your current one, finding the right doorbell and chimes for your needs can be confusing and stressful. This is due to the overwhelming number of products and types on the market.
Table of Contents Hide
To help you in your search, we’ve created this guide to help you choose the right doorbells and chimes to suit your needs.
Perhaps historically, one of the simplest devices in your home, doorbells in recent years, has advanced technologically speaking to provide much more than just the sound of a bell or chime when someone visits your front door. Below we’ll give you the scoop on the different types available and the benefits of each.
Wired Doorbells
Typical wired doorbell systems use a switch to make a chime sound via a button mechanism installed beside the door. A terminal is connected to the switch with wires through a transformer that controls the voltage usually between 120 to 240-volt AC – 8 to 24 volts, this conserves electricity and diminishes the risk of fire.
Ultimately, wires run from the switch to a transformer then to a chime unit located centrally so it can be heard in any room. If you are a homeowner, you may want to consider a wired doorbell for its low maintenance, dependability, and long-lasting nature.
Advantages of wired doorbells:
Wireless Doorbells
Wireless doorbells are battery-operated using radio waves to connect to a transmitter from the door-side button to the bell or chime speaker unit inside. This does away with the need for hard wiring and drilling into the exterior facia of the house. These are the best option for renters unless you have special permission from your landlord.
Features and benefits of wireless doorbells:
White Classic Plastic Wireless Doorbell With Chime
White Classic Plastic Wireless Doorbell Kit
White Modern Plastic Wireless Doorbell Kit
White Modern Plastic Wireless Doorbell Kit
Brown Classic Plastic Wireless Doorbell Kit
Black Modern Plastic Wireless Doorbell Kit
While doorbells are a tiny element within the grand scale of decorating your home, there is a decorative nature to them. As such, you can customize your doorbell by selecting a button and plate to suit your style. They come in a variety of shapes, sizes, colors, and materials.
Doorbell buttons are usually are oval or round and set within the center of a cover that is rectangular, oval, round, or other common shapes.
Most plastic doorbell buttons come in standard builder-grade colors of black, white, or off white. However, you can find specialty buttons that are backlit in a wide range of colors to fit your desire.
Doorbell covers come in various materials and finishes. Metal covers can be found in brass, bronze, gold, silver, nickel, and pewter. Covers are also available in wood, plastic, and porcelain.
Be sure to measure the area that will be exposed if you are replacing an existing wired doorbell, so you find a plate to cover any unpainted areas or exposed wiring.
In addition to the traditional chiming or ding-dong sound, you will find doorbell systems in both wireless and wired varieties that play songs, melodies, sound effects, animal sounds, recorded messages, and more.
Sound extenders are available and can extend the range of sound for 300 to 500 feet. Some wireless systems come with multiple speakers for large or multi-story homes to extend the sound to all areas of the house.
These doorbells can range from $20 to $350 depending upon the quality and features included in the doorbell of choice. Plastic models with no bells and whistles will be on the low end. While wired classic wood units with brass chimes can run top dollar.
As with much of today’s smart home technology, smart doorbells are connected to your smartphone or laptop via the internet. In addition to alerting you with a sound when someone visits your front door, many smart doorbells have a security camera feature with a motion detector. Smart doorbells are sold in wired and wireless forms to suit your needs. Wired units easily connect to a junction box with a flush mount.
Many consumers choose smart doorbells with cameras for the security they offer. These devices have recently and very quickly gained popularity as a top seller in home security products. The easiest to install and operate is the wireless Wi-Fi doorbell with a camera. They are battery-powered and portable with an array of options.
The camera doorbells give you the ability to view who is approaching your home or is at your door through the camera positioned within your doorbell. An app you download to your smartphone allows you to view at any time while in your home or away. You will receive an alert when the camera detects motion.
White Black Metal Plastic Smart Doorbell
Black Modern Metal Smart Doorbell
Black Modern Metal Smart Doorbell
Black Modern Metal Smart Doorbell
Black Modern Metal Wifi Video Doorbell
White Black Metal Plastic Smart Doorbell
Depending upon the brand and unit chose some wire features and benefits of smart doorbells include:
Just as with wired and wireless types, smart doorbells range in price depending on quality and features from $99 to $450+.
Doorbell Chime Covers
Patio Door Stops
Fabric Door Stops
Decorative Door Stops
Hinge Door Stop
Modern Door Stops
Security Door Stop
Hubley Door Stops
Magnetic Door Stop
Cool Door Stops
Commercial Door Stops
Novelty Door Stops
Heavy Duty Door Stop
Funky Door Stops
Doorbell Transformer Cover
Animal Door Stops
Vintage Door Stops
Floor Mounted Door Stop
Door Chime Covers
Cute Door Stops
Decorative Doorbell Chime Covers
Wooden Door Stops
Owl Doorstop
Antique Door Stops
Stainless Steel Door Stop
Dog Door Stop
Cat Door Stop
Metal Door Stops
Kickdown Door Stop
Designer Door Stops
Dachshund Door Stop
Elephant Door Stop
Hedgehog Doorstop
Bedroom Furniture Handles
Bedroom Dresser Handles
Bedroom Furniture Drawer Pulls
Desk Drawer Handles
Square Cabinet Pull
Crystal Wall Hooks
Novelty Drawer Pulls
Exterior House Wall Decorations
Oak Cabinets
Corner Tubs For Small Bathrooms
Unique Toilet Seats For Your Home
Maple Cabinets
Ivory Cabinets
Natural Gas Corner Fireplace
Folding Bathtub Doors