Installing a peephole camera is a great way to increase your home security and allow you to see who is at your door. These devices are motion-activated, work in low light conditions, and record footage of any activity.
What happened to the Ring Peephole Cam?
Unfortunately, the Ring Peephole cam which was the best available, is no longer for sale. Ring stopped selling it on their website in April 2021 and today you can't find it on other online stores either. Ring has replaced it with their standard video doorbell which you can find here. Their official statement on the discontinuation of the Peephole cam is here.
Alternative Option to a Peephole Camera
If you would prefer to use a Ring doorbell (or Nest, Eufy etc), then you could use one of these anti-theft mounts which wrap around the door. They are pretty ugly however could be useful if you prefer a more mainstream brand than the ones listed in this article!
There are currently two types of peephole cameras available.
1. Peephole Camera with Smartphone Alerts
This type of peephole camera allows you to see who is at your door when you are not at home. It doubles as a doorbell and allows two-way audio so you can speak to the person without being there. An example of this is the Brinno Duo.
2. Upgraded Peephole with LCD Screen
This device upgrades your existing peephole. You no longer need to strain your eye through a fisheye lens as it comes with an LCD screen which is mounted on the inside of your front door. These devices record video footage or images on to a local SD card and have motion sensors and night vision capabilities. Unfortunately, they do not have an app to view remotely or two-way audio.
Best Peephole Cameras
The Brinno SHC500 Peephole Camera is a simple, yet effective security solution that helps you keep an eye on unwanted people.
- Records a 10-second video clip and saves it to the microSD card whether you want to see the person or not.
- Four AA batteries can keep it running for up to six months.
- Eliminates fish-eye distortion for a clear view of the person standing at the door.
Instead of a tiny fish-eye view, this security peephole camera from Brinno produces clear images of the person standing at your front door. It brings along a clear digital resolution and enables you to record the visitors.
Featuring an advanced lens, it effectively eliminates the fish-eye effect and helps you identify the visitors with its wider field of view. Unlike the traditional home security systems, installation is easy and cheap. Besides, you get a high-resolution imaging system.
Recorded data is stored in a log that can be accessed to view images and video clips. You can easily sort out and track these images and videos as they are time-stamped with the visitor arrival at your home.
Local Storage
With a single push of a button, you can save or replay these videos. You can use a microSD card with a capacity of up to 32GB to save the data.
As for low light scenarios, the peephole camera allows you to take a good look at the person at the door. You can see them even if it’s completely dark outside.
The camera doesn’t need any permanent installation, meaning no complex wiring is required. Therefore, you can easily install it in your apartment or dorm room, and take it with you if you are moving to the next location.
- The camera unit features a clear 2.7-inch display.
- Setup and installation is easy and quick.
- Allows you to keep video logs of the visitors.
- Lacks Wi-Fi so you won’t be able to check the video remotely.
- Image quality is not amazing in low light conditions.
If you are on a budget and looking for a peephole security camera that won’t burn a hole in your pocket, this device is for you.
- Features a 3.5-inch TFT LCD monitor on the inside of your home.
- Uses a lens with a 120-degree viewing angle.
- Takes a snap once the visitor presses the bell button.
As you can see, the Digitharbor’s door peephole camera incorporates some impressive features. It will capture the visitor’s image once they hit the bell. At 3.5 inches, the display size is good and offers decent image quality.
The user interface is well-designed and ensures nice and smooth accessibility to the captured images and videos.
Although the video resolution is less than what we’d recommend, it still produces a decent result. Also, the night vision feature makes it a capable peephole camera considering the price factor. The viewing angle of the lens is also pretty good.
Power
This peephole security camera is powered by four AA batteries that provide it enough juice to last for a few months. However, the camera doesn’t come without flaws.
For instance, it doesn’t allow you to use your smartphone as a display. Sadly, that means you won’t be able to communicate with the visitor remotely. To put it simply, there is no two-way audio.
Similarly, the camera takes the snap when the guest presses the doorbell button situated under the camera, which is not an ideal position for the capture and would fail in most cases.
- Impressive night vision capabilities for a clear view in the dark.
- Works better than other competitors with the same viewing angle.
- Easy installation and the interface is user-friendly.
- Video resolution is only 480p.
- Doesn’t trigger automatic recording until someone pushes the ring button.
- Lacks motion detection capabilities for a better experience.
- No remote viewing capabilities.
The Brinno Duo SHC 1000W peephole camera is built with security in mind, from design to functionality.
- Automated phone/email alerts and notifications
- Dual storage options
- Dual screen notification
The Brinno Duo SHC 1000W peephole camera stands out in design and performance. The peephole door camera features a concealed matte black finish with tiny gold details, allowing it to blend easily with any décor. The design also makes it difficult for visitors unaware of the camera to spot it.
Motion Detection
The theft-proof camera is also fitted with knocking and motion sensors which help to enhance its functionality and accuracy. Equipped with the motion detector and knocking sensors, the camera begins to automatically record footage when the two are triggered.
Notifications
Unlike other door cameras that pack intelligent features and functions, using this camera is burden-free as it comes with no extra hidden or subscription fees. However, this is not all the camera offers. The smart WiFi camera is also built with an accurate automatic alert system, with dual screen notifications. Any activity warrants photo alerts sent to your smartphone via app and email.
Playback & Storage
You can also live view and playback the activity at the front of your door on the smartphone app. The best part is the camera doesn’t use any servers to share the information, upping your security further.
If you want to, you can also take advantage of the dual storage options. The camera automatically sends visitor log files to your email and the included device SD card, so you don't have to worry about any mysterious cloud service.
Installation
Installation of the peephole camera is pretty easy and requires no professional help. You can opt for either of the two setup methods. The first one is the door knocker mode which uses a knocker casing for installation on the actual front door.
Alternatively, the portable mode lets you set up and even conceal the motion sensor anywhere near the front door.
Here is a video about what you’ll find inside the box.
Tech Specs
- Size: 2mm
- Door width: 28-58mm wide
- Viewing angle: 90 degrees
- Screen: 2.4” LCD TFT screen
- Power: 4x AA batteries
- WiFi Connectivity: Yes, 2.4GHz
- App control: Yes
- Voice control: No
- Concealed design allows front door mounting without being too obvious
- Knocking and motion detectors enhance its functionality
- Two versatile installation modes add convenience
- Zero subscription or other hidden fees
Other Peephole Cameras
The JeaTone WIFI Digital Peephole Viewer features built-in IR LED lamps to make it great for day and nighttime use
- Automatic video and picture recording
- WiFi PIR motion detection
- Night vision IR LED lamps
The JeaTone WIFI Digital Peephole Viewer is intelligently designed to complement your home’s security needs. The digital peephole viewer integrates a 120-degree wide-angle build, allowing it to cover more viewing space compared to regular 90-degree cameras.
Resolution and Night Vision
TMoreover, the door camera boasts a clear 1080p camera lens with a CMOS sensor equipped with IR LED lamps to unleash its night viewing ability. The camera’s night vision ability extends to about 6.6 feet from the door.
On the other hand, the camera’s WiFi PIR motion sensor allows it to automatically pick up on body motion, automatically sending notifications/alerts to your smartphone via the Tuya app.
Storage and Connectivity
It live streams the ongoing video footage while also taking still pictures and sending them to your mobile phone. To help you accurately track video footage and images from your home’s front door, the peephole camera features a larger 4.3-inch screen.
You can also store the footage and images sent to your phone via the device’s SD card or the Jeatone cloud storage with support of up to 64GB of space.
The peephole smart camera also features a family-friendly design, giving the proprietary app access to up to 4 smartphone users in the house simultaneously. Plus, installation is pretty easy, taking you only minutes to set up.
Tech Specs
- Size: 95.3mm x 132.8mm x 17mm screen/60mm x 60mm x 20mm peephole
- Door width: 35-130mm wide
- Viewing angle: 120 degrees
- Screen: 4.3” LCD TFT screen
- Power: 4x AA batteries
- WiFi Connectivity: Yes, 2.4GHz
- App control: Yes
- Voice control: No
The VIDEW Peephole Camera is housed in a zinc alloy casing to deliver anti-theft and anti-intrusion protection.
- 2-way intercom communication with noise cancellation
- Automated wake up
- Multi-language user support
The VIDEW Peephole Camera is housed in a zinc alloy casing to deliver anti-theft and anti-intrusion protection.
It also has a pretty wide range, extending its reach to 160 degrees diagonally and 140 degrees horizontally.
Sensors
Moreover, the wide-view camera is built with night vision capacity thanks to the IR LED lamps. However, what makes this feature special is that the camera is automatically fine-tuned to switch from day and night, ensuring high image and video clarity.
Motion Detection
It also has a PIR motion detector sensor accurately built to pick up on even the smallest movements.
The motion detection feature automatically triggers video recording and picture taking when the sensor is triggered. The footage produced is then sent to the camera’s screen and connected to the smartphone via the app.
Storage & Connectivity
You can choose to save the footage on the device’s SD card or cloud storage. On the other hand, the camera’s family-friendly design gives the camera’s app access to up to 6 members of the household.
- Comes with a 3.5-inch screen for a clear footage.
- Its lens features a 120-degree field of view.
- Camera offers a decent 480×320p resolution.
The Zerone door peephole camera is one of the most affordable security solutions for your home. The inside unit has a wide screen and decent resolution to facilitate smooth and precise recording when a person knocks on your front door.
The installation process is easy and can be done without any additional tools. The operation is simple and effective for the protection of your home. The viewing angle is more than adequate and the security camera can produce appropriate results both in daytime and nighttime.
Peephole Camera Features to Consider
Answer Door Remotely
Some peephole cameras look exactly like the older peepholes. They allow you to look through the door without letting the outside person know. With a single press of a button, you can view the visitor’s profile on a clear LCD.
Likewise, you can also answer the door and communicate with your guests remotely on your smartphone if you are not home.
Increased Security
When it comes to a home security system, peephole cameras are also a simple and effective solution. They are loaded with several features that help you monitor suspicious movements outside.
For instance, they are equipped with motion detection sensors and automatic recording features that can send you alerts if there is an intruder.
Video Quality & Field of View
Good video quality and a wide field of view mean your peephole camera can capture clear footage of the events and allows you to see a good area around the door.
Modern peephole cameras provide HD footage and up to a 170-degree field of view. Some of them are also equipped with advanced lenses to remove the fish-eye effect.
Stylish Design
Not only are peephole cameras loaded with smart features, but they are also incredibly stylish. They feature an ultra-slim design that looks stunning and fits into a variety of door types.
Two-Way Audio
The two-way audio is another useful feature that these peephole cameras offer. Using this communication system, you can talk to the visitor at your door even when you are not home.
The device makes use of a mic and a speaker that make it possible. Since the visitor can’t see you, they won’t be able to tell whether you are home or not.
Live Video Feed and Recording
Peephole cameras can provide live video feed if you wish to monitor or track the visitors. They can also record the footage and save it to a microSD card or cloud storage.
Night Vision & Motion Alerts
If your friends or guests often visit you at nighttime, it’s vital to look for a peephole camera that offers night vision capabilities. Most of the modern peepholes come with this feature and use infrared sensors to produce the image in the dark.
These devices also include motion sensors and send alerts to your smartphone if they detect any movement.
Mobile Integration
Today, many of the peepholes have their own mobile app that can be downloaded for iOS or Android devices. It enables you to monitor your visitors while you are away from your home.
This can be quite useful if you travel a lot. Sometimes it even allows you to talk to the visitor via the app.
Local vs Cloud Storage
You can usually store your video files in two ways: save it onto a microSD card or using cloud storage. While storing the data on a memory card is easy, you will always have to remove and re-plug it if it runs out of memory.
Cloud storage, on the other hand, requires a paid subscription which has some extra benefits such as viewing and sorting the recorded files through the app, sharing the footage with friends, and more.
Smartphone App
Some of the peepholes also come with app support which is quite an advantage. You can install it on your phone and enjoy a number of features.
For instance, you can directly monitor your visitors, communicate with them, receive notifications, access files in the cloud storage, and a lot more. If you want to benefit from these features, make sure your peephole camera has Wi-Fi and app support.
Common Questions About the Best Peephole Cameras
Most of you wouldn’t want to spend all day installing your new security peephole camera, so you might want to consider those that are easy to install. There are a lot of cameras that simply take the place of the doorbell and don’t need drilling a hole in the front door.
Usually, manufacturers provide video tutorials or user manuals that explain the installation process step by step. Some of these cameras also include an indoor panel, which can simply be mounted onto the wall.
As mentioned, these devices are simple to use and the installation process is also incredibly easy. The wireless peephole cameras simply take the place of your existing peephole and don’t need any sophisticated tools for installation. Also, some are theft-proof.
So yes, these wireless peephole cameras can certainly be used for your apartment's security.
Wireless peephole cameras usually come with rechargeable batteries, and they last for several months on a single charge. Also, there are several advantages to battery-powered cameras – they are easy to install and can keep monitoring the activities outside even during a power outage.
However, it is recommended to keep an extra pack of batteries that can replace the old ones when they are out of juice.
It has been a concern for many that their new shiny camera could be stolen. So, you will have to take some measures to secure your device. The only effective way is to buy a camera with a theft-proof design that keeps the camera on the inside and reduces the risk of theft.
The Verdict
As mentioned earlier, choosing the best peephole camera for your home security can be a daunting task as you may feel overwhelmed by the wide variety of options. As such, this guide has presented some of the best peepholes that offer a range of security features at very reasonable prices.
The Brinno SHC500 Peephole Camera is a simple, yet effective security solution that helps you keep an eye on unwanted people.
- Records a 10-second video clip and saves it to the microSD card whether you want to see the person or not.
- Four AA batteries can keep it running for up to six months.
- Eliminates fish-eye distortion for a clear view of the person standing at the door.