5 Best Apartment Doorbells for Renters
Are you a renter tired of dealing with the limitations of your apartment’s doorbell? Avoiding any alterations or damage to walls, door frames, and floors can make it difficult to replace a faulty doorbell or upgrade to a device with more features. But fear not! There are plenty of wireless and smart doorbells on the market that are perfect for renters. They don’t need to hook into existing doorbell wiring, offer different sounds and volumes, and can be set up in just a few minutes. In this article, we’ll dive into the best apartment doorbells for renters and what factors to consider when choosing one. Say goodbye to rental woes and hello to a new doorbell camera that meets all your security needs!
Key Points Of This Article
- Renters may face limitations on altering or damaging walls, door frames, and floors, making it difficult to replace doorbells.
- Wireless and smart doorbells are perfect for renters, as they do not need to hook into existing doorbell wiring and can be easily set up in a few minutes.
- The best apartment doorbells for renters include the Ring and Blink Video Doorbells and wireless doorbells made by SadoTech, Avantek, and Secrui.
- Factors to consider when choosing a wireless doorbell include connectivity, camera resolution, range, cost, and mounting options.
- The main advantages of using wireless doorbells in apartments are the ease of installation, portability, and the ability to avoid damaging the existing wall, door, or door frame.
What are the best apartment doorbells for renters?
The best apartment doorbells for renters are the Ring and the Blink Video Doorbells and the Wireless doorbells made by SadoTech, Avantek, and Secrui. These offer a wide range of features at different price points to meet any apartment renter’s security needs.
After extensive research, we’ve narrowed down our wireless doorbell picks to five great options. Here’s what we found.
Ring Video Doorbell
Ring has been a respected wireless doorbell brand for some time now, so if you’ve found yourself wondering which Ring doorbell is best for apartments, we have your answer.
Ring’s Video Doorbell is a high-quality choice for renters in any house or apartment.
The Ring Video Doorbell has a 1080p HD video that lets you see and hear who’s ringing your bell from the comfort of your phone, tablet, or computer.
It easily connects to your in-home wifi through the Ring app.
One of the best improvements to the newest Ring model is its updated motion-detecting technology, sharper night vision, and audio privacy.
Additionally, you can receive mobile notifications when someone rings the bell or triggers the motion sensors.
The main downside to the Ring is that its range is entirely dependent on your wifi signal.
So, if your wifi doesn’t reach your front gate, you won’t be able to mount your bell there.
However, a bonus is that you can pair your bell with any Alexa devices you own to enable in-home monitoring
Pros
- 1080p video camera
- Motion detector
- Rechargeable battery
- Pairs with Alexa
Cons
- Only runs on WiFi
Blink Video Doorbell
Blink is another well-known company that produces high-quality products.
I personally use the blink camera system on my home. It has been great and it replaced a hardwired camera system. I expecially like that it is wireless and I can mount cameras just about anywhere.
The Blink Video Doorbell is no exception.
With its HD video, motion detection, and infrared night vision, this bell gives you a clear view of your front door at all times.
The Blink doorbell comes with the batteries in the box, so all you’ll have to do is connect it to the Blink app, and you’ll be set to go.
You can integrate the doorbell with existing doorbell wiring, but the wire-free option will be best if you’re renting.
In addition to the convenience of an app, the Blink doorbell is also Alexa-compatible.
This gives you more flexibility in how you can monitor your door and communicate with your guests or housemates.
Pros
- Great price
- Wired and wire-free versions
- HD camera
Cons
- Subscription required to save video
SadoTech Wireless Doorbell
If you want a wireless doorbell that reflects your personal style, the SadoTech Wireless Doorbell will be right up your alley.
It comes in several colors and offers more than 50 chime sounds.
What’s more, you can program multiple bells to play different tones.
The SadoTech bell has an extended range of 1,000 feet, so it’s great for larger rentals or properties. It also has flashing LED lights that light up when someone presses the bell.
This makes it a great option if you have light nappers or barking dogs.
Although the SadoTech doorbell doesn’t come pre-paired, it only takes a few minutes to set up.
In addition, it comes with everything you need to get it up and running quickly, so you won’t have to buy any extra equipment.
Pros
- Several colors
- Long battery life
- 1,000-foot range
Cons
- Doesn’t come pre-paired
Avantek D-38 Wireless Doorbell
The AVANTEK wireless doorbell is a sleek, energy-efficient wireless doorbell that offers one of the longest ranges in a wireless bell.
With a range of 1,300 feet, this bell is excellent for larger homes or properties.
Plus, it comes with two installation methods, so you won’t have to worry about damaging the door frame.
This bell is fully customizable.
It offers 52 chimes to choose from and a 40mm speaker that alerts you with crystal-clear tones.
There is also a flashing LED, so if you need peace and quiet in your home, you won’t have to worry about your doorbell breaking the silence.
The AVANTEK is great for outdoor installations.
It sets up in just a few minutes and is completely dust- and water-resistant.
So, whether you live in desert conditions or deal with daily downpours, this bell will hold up to anything.
Pros
- Flashing LED
- 1,300-foot range
- Waterproof and dustproof
Cons
- Doesn’t work well in metal buildings
Secrui Wireless Doorbell
The Secrui Wireless Doorbell is a compact, easy-to-use wireless doorbell that installs in a snap.
It comes already paired, so all you’ll need to do is hang it up, and you’ll be all set.
Better still, it’s made of high-quality, weather-resistant materials that hold up to extreme temperatures.
Adding to its practicality is that the doorbell works long-distance.
It has high-frequency technology that operates on an FM signal and holds a connection up to 1,000 feet.
Since FM is excellent at resisting interference, you won’t have to worry about your bell connecting to your neighbor’s.
A newly-added feature to this version is a larger selection of tones.
Now, you have the option for 58 different songs with five volume levels, including mute.
Pros
- Works right out of the box
- Runs on an FM signal
- 58 songs and five volume levels
Cons
- The button is hard to see in the dark
Why Do You Need Your Own Doorbell?
The main reason you might want to purchase a smart doorbell is that they don’t require you to damage the existing wall, door, or door frame to install.
When you live in an apartment, that can cause you to lose all or part of your security deposit.
The other advantage to using wireless doorbells is that you can take yours with you when you move out.
You can install a doorbell using adhesive, then simply pop it off the wall when your lease is up and reinstall it at your new place.
What to Look for When Buying an Apartment Doorbell
Not all wireless doorbells are created equally.
Some have more advanced features, while others are pretty basic.
Depending on your needs, there are some things you should consider when choosing which doorbell will work best in your apartment.
Connectivity
Wireless doorbells operate on various connections.
Some use your home’s existing WiFi, while others work on an FM signal.
Although WiFi might sound like the best, it has its drawbacks.
Whereas FM is difficult to interrupt and has a long-range, your WiFi is susceptible to disruptions. These can include storms, power outages, and service outages that can leave your bell useless.
That said, WiFi has plenty of advantages.
Among them is the ability to record video, two-way communication, and app connectivity.
Camera Resolution
Not all smart doorbells have cameras, but if you choose one that does, you want to get one that has high resolution.
Since the cameras are relatively small, a higher resolution will let you see clearer images and a greater distance.
480p is the standard, but if you want really high quality, 1080p is the way to go.
Range
Wireless doorbells each come with their own signal range.
WiFi doorbells typically have a shorter range. This is because their connection is dependent on how strong your signal is.
In other words, your router will need to be relatively close to your doorbell for your bell to function.
Other bells have ranges that can reach more than 1,000 feet. A longer-range bell will be ideal if you’re renting a large home.
Cost
Wireless doorbells can range quite a bit in price. You can pick up a basic doorbell for less than $20, while a high-end camera could cost you several hundred.
So if you want all the bells and whistles, be prepared to shell out a hefty sum. However, many fall in the mid-price range and can give you everything you need.
Mounting
Although most smart doorbells don’t require any wired mounting, some might come with screws for installation.
Fortunately, there are a lot of choices that feature adhesive mounting, but that’s not the case for all. When choosing a bell, make sure you find one that you can mount without screws.
Popular Wireless Camera Articles
- Blink Indoor vs. Outdoor Cameras: What’s The difference?
- Ring and Blink Integration: Are Blink Cameras Compatible with Ring?
- Why Is There A Delay On My Blink Camera?
- Will Blink Cameras Work With A Hotspot?
- Why Do Wasps Like My Blink Camera?
- Do Ring Cameras Record Audio?
- Ring Chime vs. Chime Pro: 5 Key Differences
- Does Blink Work With Ring?
- How to Turn off Ring Notification Sound
In Conclusion
When you rent an apartment, the last thing you want to do is cause any damage. However, you might want a bit of extra security or a doorbell that offers a bit more in terms of options.
So, which ring doorbell is best for apartments? Any listed here will give you a flexible tool you can pack up and take with you when you move.
Best of all, they’ll give you the benefit of convenience.
FAQ:
Can renters replace their apartment’s doorbell?
Most of the time renters can replace their apartment’s doorbell with a wireless or smart doorbell that does not require hooking into the existing doorbell wiring. Always check with your landlord before making any changes.
What are the best apartment doorbells for renters?
The best apartment doorbells for renters include the Ring and Blink Video Doorbells and wireless doorbells made by SadoTech, Avantek, and Secrui. I personally use a full Blink video system.
Do wireless doorbells require any installation?
Yes, wireless doorbells require installation, but they do not need to be wired into existing doorbell wiring. They can be easily set up in just a few minutes.
What factors should renters consider when choosing a wireless doorbell?
Renters should consider factors such as connectivity, camera resolution, range, cost, and mounting options when choosing a wireless doorbell.
What are the advantages of using wireless doorbells in apartments?
The main advantages of using wireless doorbells in apartments are the ease of installation, portability, and the ability to avoid damaging the existing wall, door, or door frame.