The 10 Best Peephole Cameras In 2023

It’s 8:30 in the evening, and you’re in the middle of watching your favorite show, but someone is at your door. If you are anti-social living in an apartment alone, then this is a good chance to say ‘No’ and keep watching your show. But if you are a people-person or expecting some deliveries, then you have no other option than to get up and look through the peephole of your door. Wouldn’t it be great if there was a way to see who’s there without moving a muscle?

The best peephole cameras are available, so you know what’s happening at the other end of their door. These peephole cameras have exploded in popularity over the last few years. They give the homeowner a chance to see who’s at the door even when they’re away. Besides, their devices can even record intruders during a break-in. For more on the best peephole camera for the front door, keep on reading.

What is a peephole camera?

The best peephole camera should provide you the flexibility to check on your property. Peephole cameras have replaced the existing peepholes that have been around for decades. These devices have become so impressive and innovative that they don’t require drilling into the door or its frame. Besides, the whole camera is battery-operated, so you also don’t have to worry about its function during a power outage. 

Finally, everyone can enjoy the convenience of smart home devices and see who is knocking at their front door at any given time. The process of transforming your existing peephole is quick and easy, but first, let’s get down to buying one of these smart home security cameras.

Buyer’s Guide: Factors to consider 

What should you consider when buying a peephole camera? If you think you need just any peephole camera for your front door, think again. Anything can happen even when you are a few feet from your door at any time of every day. Here are a few things to consider when buying the best peephole camera that’s right for you.

Resolution

The best peephole camera should come with HD video. Most options max out at 1080p, but some go as low as 480p resolution. Premium peephole cameras also come with a wide dynamic range that compensates for the bright background. Above all, getting a clear image in scenes with a lot of contrast is of utmost importance. Besides, a peephole camera that can’t see in low light situations is pretty useless.

Night vision

A lot of things can happen in the cover of night. Some cameras also come with built-in infrared LEDs that deliver black and white imaging at night. That way, the peephole camera works for you no matter the time of day. This feature is even more essential during winter seasons. Since night falls much earlier during the winter, it is necessary to get the best peephole camera that ensures you are not blindsided during the night. The night vision features ensure you get more security 24/7 with a clear view of your door even when it is dark outside.

Field of View

There’s no point in buying a peephole camera only to get a field of view that doesn’t allow you to see past the chest of the person at your front door. The field of view defines how wide the camera on the peephole cam can see. If the peephole camera comes with a field of view of 180-degrees, that means the camera can see everything that’s in front of it. Alternatively, a peephole camera that has a 90-degree field of view can only see what’s in front of it, and a little of what’s on the sides. For the best peephole camera for a front door, a wider field of view is preferred for any scenario.

Motion Detection

Most of the peephole cameras available today come with motion detection capabilities. That means the person approaching your door doesn’t have to knock for you to know they are there. Also, the peephole camera will alert you when someone is leaving using the front door. Some of the best motion activated peephole cameras offer more control when it comes to detecting movement.

For instance, a peephole camera might come with a motion sensitivity adjustment feature that allows you to adjust the level of activity that triggers a notification. As such, you can configure the motion activation feature to be sensitive enough to catch a delivery man but not too sensitive to notify you when a bird flies by. Moreover, you can also exclude some of the areas from motion detection, so that falling leaves do not trigger the camera.

Source of Power

Most peephole cameras are powered by battery power. Others can also be powered by hardwiring from the doorbell. Battery power is currently the simplest option and easiest to install and recharge. Once you receive your peephole camera, you only need to charge the battery pack and install it into your doors viewer to use. So you’ll need to occasionally charge the battery after 20 to 40 days of usage. When the battery is plugged into a power source, the peephole camera will be offline for around five to ten hours. It is wise to have a back-up battery pack that’s sold separately.

Audio Features

Aside from the camera, the audio feature is an essential feature of peephole cameras. The ability to communicate through it is a commendable feature of the best peephole cameras. The two-way audio feature allows you to speak to the person on the other side of the door. Besides, premium peephole cameras don’t just have two-audio capabilities but also have noise cancellation features.

Furthermore, some of the best motion activated peephole cameras come with sound detection. For example, when the sound of a siren is detected, it will trigger a notification to your phone. In most cases, the audio features will be used to give direction to the person at the door.

Cloud Storage

Everyone can benefit from added storage, even your peephole camera. The cloud storage allows you to store hours of footage and motion alerts into a remote server for 30 days so that you can access the video for security purposes. So when vandalization or break-in happens, you have video evidence to present to authorities.

App Support

The biggest advantage of using smart home devices is app support. For most people, it makes no sense to have a smart security device without an app to accompany the device. You’ll want to ensure that the peephole camera comes with excellent app support. When the apps are available, you may get a notification if someone is at the door. So, when you identify the best peephole camera for the front door, check the app reviews to ensure it functions seamlessly.

Best Peephole Camera For Front Door

Here’s everything we found out while trying the best peephole cameras out there.

Ring Peephole Cam

First on our list is the Ring Peephole camera. This piece of innovative tech makes the transition to a smart security device seamless. The Ring Peephole camera is the best because of the kind of integration it exhibits, which makes it so effective. This is an excellent gadget for apartment dwellers and renters. 

This camera is compatible with Amazon Alexa-enabled devices that come with a screen such as Echo Show and Fire TV. The cam provides real-time video feed. The installation of this battery-powered peephole camera doesn’t require any tools and does no damage to the door. When using, this peephole camera functions like the smart doorbells on Ring’s lineup.

Pros

Cons

Brinno SHC1000 Peephole Camera

The Brinno Peephole camera offers an excellent array of features at a competitive price. The peephole camera comes with an optical-grade-lens and a 2.7-inch LCD screen to replace your current viewer. This peephole camera comes with a separate motion sensor unit, which is designed to camouflage and conceal itself from the view of anyone at your door. The motion activation unit comes in a door-knocker casing supplied with the peephole cam and can be mounted separately from the setup. 

The process to mount this camera is as simple as unscrewing the current peephole, inserting the AA-battery pack and motion-sensor before inserting the SHC1000 into the viewer.

Pros

Cons

Home Door Eye Viewer Camera by Sonew

This peephole camera from Sonew is a product designed for indoor and outdoor use. It features an ultra-thin design that fits perfectly into the standard peephole. The camera offers 24/7 monitoring of your front door. The simple installation process makes this model the best peephole camera for its price tag. 

It is several times better than the typical peephole and delivers good picture quality in daylight. For its price tag, this is a good quality product. It includes a 3.5-inch LCD and weighs only seven ounces. Besides, it features an intelligent operating system that comes with a humanized multi-mode design, which is simple and convenient for children and older adults to use.

Pros

Cons

Digitsea digital doorbell peephole camera

The Digitsea digital doorbell peephole camera is a versatile viewer accessory. It boasts a 120-degree field of view and a 3.5-inch TFT LCD that can capture anyone regardless of their height. It also has enhanced features for night vision and a huge array of features that make it the best peephole camera suitable for home security.

The wide-screen provides an automatic high-quality picture and video of your front door. The installation process is simple and straightforward; even your grandpa can complete the setup within three minutes. The Digitsea peephole camera is powered by four AA battery, which is sold separately.

Pros

Cons

Digitharbor Peephole viewer Camera

The Digitharbor peephole camera is a cost-effective peephole camera that provides you a clear picture of what’s going on at your front door. It is a perfect peephole camera for your front door because it integrates security and convenience nicely. This peephole camera has a 90-degree field of view, which is sufficient. 

The 2.4-inch LCD panel allows you to check who is at your doorstep in a clear picture. It’s nothing special but allows you to record videos manually. When it comes to a power source, the Digitharbor peephole camera uses a 600mAH Lithium Battery.

Pros

Cons

Peephole Digital Door Camera by Zerone

The Peephole camera by Zerone is a lot different than other models reviewed on this guide. It is explicitly designed to replace the old peephole with a sleekly design camera and a 3.5-inch TFT LCD. You can use the display to see a video feed of your front door and all the standard-setting to customize your experience. 

The mini HD outside camera portion fits into a typical peephole, and you can mount the LCD screen inside the homes. The video quality is 720p, so you are assured of details on recording footage with a 120-degree viewing angle. This is another excellent peephole camera to protect your family all day and night.

Pros

Cons

Video Doorbell Camera by JeaTone

This Digital Doorbell camera is one of the high-rated peephole cams available. This stylish camera is easy to use for children and seniors. The unit comes with a 4.3-inch screen and an SD card slot to record videos. The video quality is good and makes identification simple both during day and night. 

The motion detection and night vision capabilities of this camera are as good as high-end models. Besides, it also comes with a two way audio function making it convenient to communicate with anyone at the door. It also comes with its own battery that is able to withstand long standby times and will prompt you when the batteries are low.

Pros

Cons

Digital Peephole Camera by H-COME

The digital peephole camera by H-COME takes good quality pictures and videos. You won’t miss anything with its 120-degree field of view. The two Mega CMOS sensors offer a clear picture in the daytime and evening. This model provides peace of mind when making the installation since there is no hardwiring required. 

The 3.5-inch TFT LCD offers high definition footage of your front door. It is powered with a battery pack that can be replaced without dismantling the setup.

Pros

Cons

V BestLife Digital Door Viewer

The V BestLife home viewer cam is the best peephole camera with a 2.4-inch TFT Screen. It is designed to easily take a picture and capture video footage of everyone on your doorstep. This wireless peephole camera offers a better view. When your storage is full, the camera automatically records over your previous photos in chronological order freeing up more space for you automatically.

One of the best things about the V BestLife viewer cam is the 160-degrees viewing angle that leaves nothing out of your view.

Pros

Cons

Simpled Digital Door Viewer

The last peephole camera on our list is the Simpled digital door viewer. It comes with a 2.4-inch LCD screen that allows you to see the faces at your front door. The screen turns on immediately after someone rings the doorbell and takes photos, too, using the power button. 

This is a safer and practical peephole camera because it comes with a 90-degree viewing angle. Another useful feature of this peephole camera is its rechargeable batteries which means you won’t have to keep purchasing new batteries over and over again.

Pros

Cons

FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions

Does Nest have a peephole camera?

No. The Nest Hello is a stylish smart doorbell device that works almost the same as a peephole camera. When someone approaches your door and rings the bell, a notification is immediately sent to your phone. By tapping on the notification, you are launched into the Nest app. There you can access the live video stream. The live view also includes audio that allows you to communicate and see who is at the door. Just like the best peephole camera, you get a clear and crisp sound with vivid footage of your front door.

Can you use a Ring doorbell without a peephole?

No. The Ring peephole cam needs an existing door viewer for installation. Hence, the choice of making such permanent changes to your existing door is entirely up to you. Alternatively, if you don’t want to make such modifications to your door, Ring has a variety of video doorbells that offer similar functionalities. You can install these peephole cameras easily in any environment. Besides, it is so easy to get the wrong circumference for a standard peephole and doing irreparable damage to your door.

Does Ring peephole have night vision?

Yes. The Ring peephole camera comes with night vision and full HD resolution complete with motion alerts. That way, the traditional peephole functionality is not going away but is enhanced to remain functional. The gadget helps when your home is most vulnerable, at night, and during power outages. You can still look at the live images sent to your smartphone, tablet, or smart speaker with a screen, and obtain vivid footage of the person. Besides, the Ring peephole camera still allows you to peer out of a glass lens to see who is standing on the other side.

How long does the Ring peephole battery last?

The Ring peephole battery lasts from 20 days to even twelve months, depending on usage. Most importantly, you should ensure the battery is charged to completion when you receive your peephole camera. The Ring peephole camera uses Quick Release Battery Pack that can be charged using a common micro-USB cable. The USB cable can be plugged into any USB power source to charge the batteries. The power source will determine the time it takes to charge the battery. However, it takes anywhere from five to ten hours, usually.

Conclusion

There are plenty of smart security devices out there, and in this guide, we talked about the best peephole camera. The best peephole camera for front door allows you to see, hear, and speak to anyone who is at the door through your smartphone or tablet. With that said, a peephole camera should not be the only line of security and convenience for your home. Instead, having the best motion activated peephole camera should be part of your home security strategy.