Best Security Cameras & Doorbells that “Work with Alexa”

If you're considering enhancing your home's security and already own an Echo Show, Speaker, or Fire TV, picking a video doorbell and camera that smoothly collaborates with Alexa might come in handy.

While most security camera brands have Alexa Skills, their levels of integration can be poor with missing features, delays in activating feeds, and then latency in the feed itself.

In this article, I talk through the types of features you can get, such as picture-in-picture on your TV when motion is detected, along with my top picks for indoor cameras, outdoor cameras, and video doorbells.

Over the years, I’ve tested a multitude of security cameras & video doorbells from a variety of manufacturers like Ring, Blink, Reolink, and Eufy. I’ve experienced first-hand the cameras where the sync to Alexa-enabled devices “just works” as well as the problems other brands have in integrating. 

What security camera brands work best with Alexa?

Alexa is owned by Amazon so it’s no surprise that Ring and Blink, who are also owned by Amazon, have a seamless integration into Echo and Fire devices. The same is true of Google Nest cameras with their Chromecast compatibility.

Amazon has made efforts to open up the Alexa APIs over the last few years, to improve third-party integration into the Alexa eco-system. There are now more than 100,000 skills in the marketplace which is proof of this.

Their main competitor Google now has an official Alexa Google Nest Skill, which you can install to stream Nest cameras to Echo and Fire devices. Most security camera brands have Alexa skills for their smart camera and doorbell ranges.

However, as of the time of writing, the vast majority of these third-party skills are simply not as good as the Ring and Blink skills, either lacking features or with major delays and latency.

Eufy is a good example of this where in my testing of the wired “Video Doorbell 2k Dual”, the device doesn’t actually show as a “camera” on an Echo Show (It shows as a motion sensor). While you can stream with a specific voice command, you do not have two-way talk and there is around a 15-second delay in showing the feed.

What does “Works with Alexa” mean in the context of security cameras and video doorbells?

“Works with Alexa” is a certification program that ensures smart home devices work seamlessly with Amazon's Alexa voice assistant. A large portion of smart security cameras and video doorbells available have a “Works with Alexa” badge, however, that simply means they offer at least one voice-controlled feature.

Below is a list of all the functionality you can avail of, by choosing a camera with the tightest integration into Alexa.

• Motion Announcement: Alexa can announce that motion has been detected by one of your security cameras or video doorbells.
• Doorbell Press Notification (Chime): Alexa can play a chime when someone presses your video doorbell.
• Person Detection Announcement: Alexa can announce when a person is detected by one of your security cameras or video doorbells. These “camera events” are an improvement on Motion Detection and reduce false alerts.
• Package Detection Announcement: Alexa can announce when a package is detected by your video doorbell. These “camera events” are an improvement on Motion Detection and reduce false alerts.
• Two-Way Conversation: Alexa can facilitate a conversation with someone through your video doorbell or security camera
• Live View: Alexa allows you to view live video footage from your security cameras or video doorbells on your Alexa-enabled device.
• Picture-in-Picture: Alexa allows you to view the live video feed from your security cameras or video doorbells overlayed on what you are currently watching on a Fire TV or TV with a Fire Stick.
• Arm/Disarm System: Alexa allows you to arm or disarm your home security system using voice commands. This can deactivate motion detection alerts from your cameras or doorbell.

Alexa Routines

It’s possible to achieve a lot of the above features through custom Alexa routines. For example, with the Eufy doorbell, there is no option to natively trigger the live feed to show on my Fire TV, when motion was detected.

However I was able to create a custom routine, that would trigger the command “Alexa, show doorbell” when motion was detected by the camera. 

This workaround was pretty unreliable though, only working sometimes. This seems to be the experience for a lot of people online also.

If you’re interested in setting up Alexa routines like this, I highly recommend LifeHackster on Youtube.

Top Camera Brands that Work with Alexa

As of the time of writing, Ring is the only brand that natively offers full integration with all of the above features. However, you will need an active Ring Protect subscription.

Blink comes second, offering everything except Person and Package Detection. However, you really need the Blink Basic or Blink Plus plan as a lot of features are missing without them.

Arlo is the only “non-Amazon” brand that has relatively tight integration with Alexa features. Similar to Blink, it supports all features above except Person and Package Detection. Some features are missing without the monthly Arlo Secure subscription, however, you may be able to live without them, if you’re on a budget.

As for Google Nest, Eufy, Reolink, Wyze, Lorex, or any other camera brands; because of missing features or issues with delay and latency, at this point, I cannot recommend them for seamless integration with Alexa. That may change in the future as the Alexa API opens up a bit more and the manufacturers invest in that integration.

Best Indoor Camera that works with Alexa

The Blink Mini security camera is a good choice for anyone looking for a reliable and easy-to-use security camera that works with Alexa.

From my experience, its 1080P HD video quality is a little on the low side but just enough for an indoor camera.  Its motion detection features allow you to customize motion zones and receive notifications for specific areas.

With two-way audio, you can communicate with your loved ones or pets while you're away, making it a great way to stay connected with your home even when you're not there. The camera is very easy to set up.

Unlike the Ring Indoor Cam, you can store footage locally with the add-on Sync Module 2. Although some users have expressed concerns about the camera's night vision and motion detection, the Blink Mini is still a good choice for anyone looking for a budget-friendly security camera that works with Alexa and displays feeds on an Echo Show or Fire TV.

The Ring Indoor Cam allows you to access live video and audio feeds, receive motion alerts, and interact with visitors using your Echo or Fire devices with ease.  This camera operates on 2.4GHz WiFi with an AC power supply, so no messing around with recharging batteries. 

Video quality is an important factor to consider when selecting your security device. Similar to the Blink Mini, this camera has a 2MP HD resolution, with a wide 140-degree field of view.

The Ring Protect plan, which comes separately, allows you to record all your videos, review what you've missed for up to 180 days, and share videos and photos. There is no local storage option compared to Blinks Sync Module 2, which is a downside.

Setting up the camera is pretty easy and only takes a few minutes. The main positive is the Alexa integration as there are plenty of other cameras with better video quality and night vision.

Best Outdoor Camera that works with Alexa

If you're in the market for a security camera that works with Alexa, the Ring Spotlight Cam is my top outdoor pick.  With its 140° wide-angle 1080p HD video and color night vision, you'll get clear and reliable footage of what's happening on your property, day or night.

Plus, with customizable motion zones and smart notifications, you'll only receive alerts for the events that matter (Ring subscription plan required!)

The Ring Spotlight is a battery-powered camera. In other words, it’s easy to install but a pain to maintain, as you need to get the ladder out and charge it regularly! I highly recommend getting the optional solar panel to avoid this hassle as there are a lot of reports of the camera having a short battery life.

Or get the wired version, which unfortunately comes with its own headaches of wiring a power supply! The Two-Way Talk feature allows you to communicate with visitors (or intruders!) from anywhere.  Similar to the Indoor cam, there is no local storage so you pretty much need the Ring Protect Plan which provides features like video recording and sharing for up to 180 days.

Objectively I think the Arlo Ultra 2 is a better camera than the Ring Spotlight. However, in the context of this article, the Ring Spotlight has tighter integration with Alexa so wins out for that reason.

The Arlo Ultra 2 Wireless Security Camera is an excellent choice for those looking for a high-quality camera with advanced features. With a resolution of 4K and a field of view of 180 degrees, this camera captures crystal-clear video.

It comes equipped with a spotlight and infrared night vision, allowing for clear and detailed footage at any time of the day. It has configurable motion zones, which allow users to customize which areas trigger motion alerts.

Additionally, the camera features advanced motion detection, which can detect people, vehicles, and objects. This helps to reduce false alarms and ensure that users are only notified of the relevant activity.

The camera has two-way audio and an integrated siren/alarm to ward off intruders. It can be powered by a 6-month battery or AC power, giving users flexibility in their setup. The camera also supports data transmission via 2.4GHz or 5GHz WiFi and has optional cloud storage.

While there is some criticism of the motion detection on the Arlo cameras, my main criticism is with their new end-of-life policy which made the headlines recently.

They set the EOL to 4 years since the last manufacturer of that model which means you may need to replace cameras sooner rather than later. Despite searching online, I could not find an EOL for Ring devices.

Best Video Doorbell that works with Alexa

The Ring Video Doorbell 4 is a wireless camera doorbell that comes with some nice features. With a 2MP camera, it offers a resolution of 1080p and HD quality of 1920x1080. The camera has a fixed focus lens and a field of view of 160° horizontally and 84° vertically.

It also has night vision functionality with infrared technology. One of the standout features of this camera is its motion-activated recording, which sends push notifications to your smartphone and Alexa-enabled devices. You can configure motion zones and sensitivity to ensure that you only receive alerts when someone enters specific areas.

The device also comes with two-way audio, allowing you to communicate with visitors from your smartphone, tablet, Echo Show, or Fire TV. Another advantage of the Ring Video Doorbell 4 is its ability to be powered by a battery, hardwired into an existing doorbell system, or plugged into an adapter.

The camera is weather-resistant, making it suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. It can also be integrated with Amazon Alexa and Echo Show for added convenience. Plus, it connects to both 2.4 or 5.0 GHz Wi-Fi frequencies, providing stable connectivity between the doorbell and your home network.

However, one downside of this camera is that some of its features are only available with a cloud subscription. For example, cloud storage is necessary for video playback and image capture. Without a subscription, you may also miss out on some of the intelligent motion detection features, such as person detection.

While the Ring Doorbell 4 has received mixed reviews from customers, its overall performance is still highly praised for its clear video and audio quality, allowing remote communication with visitors. However, some customers have critiqued its limited Wi-Fi capabilities, poor battery life, and high cost due to subscription fees. 

There have also been complaints about the device's delay in recording (despite the advertised pre-roll) and poor clarity in low-lighting conditions. Despite these drawbacks, the Ring Doorbell 4 is still the best video doorbell you can get with Alexa integration.

When it comes to video doorbells that work with Alexa, the Arlo essential series is definitely worth considering. There are wired and wireless options to choose from and most users agree it has a quick and simple set-up process.

With a 180-degree field of view and 1536 x 1536 HD resolution, it captures clear footage of anyone who comes to your door. The camera also features infrared night vision capabilities that can illuminate up to 20 feet, making it easy to see even in complete darkness.

This doorbell is powered by a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, so you don't have to worry about running wires to your door. It uses 2.4GHz WiFi to transmit data up to 300 feet, giving you plenty of range to ensure that you can monitor your front door from anywhere.

The standout feature of the Arlo Essential Wireless Video Doorbell is close compatibility with smart home systems like Alexa, Google Home, and SmartThings. 

You can receive push notifications or email alerts when motion is detected, and you can configure motion zones and sensitivity to help prevent false alarms. Additionally, the two-way audio function allows you to communicate with anyone at your door.

It is designed to work with the Arlo Secure plan for cloud storage or with a SmartHub / Base Station for microSD and USB flash drive storage. It ticks many of the key boxes that most look for when purchasing a device like this. 

Camera “Works with Alexa” FAQs

What are the best security cameras that work with Alexa? 

The best security cameras that you can voice control with Alexa and display on Echo or Fire devices are the Ring Indoor and Spotlight cameras, the Blink Mini and the Arlo Ultra 2. 

What are the best video doorbells that work with Alexa? 

For person and package detection, two-way conversation and picture-in-picture live view on your TV, the Ring Video Doorbell 4 is the best on the market today.

Can Alexa show me the live feed from my security camera? 

Yes, Alexa can show you the live feed from your security camera on an Echo Show or Fire TV by saying “Alexa, show me [name of the camera]”. To do this, you need to have the appropriate Alexa Skill enabled. 

How do I connect my security camera or video doorbell to Alexa?

To connect your security camera or doorbell to Alexa, first, install the camera according to the manufacturer's instructions, then download the Alexa app and enable the appropriate skill for your camera. Then, link your camera account to your Alexa account and discover devices using the Alexa app.

Citations

https://developer.amazon.com/en-US/alexa/devices/connected-devices/business-resources/works-with-alexa

https://www.iottechnews.com/news/2023/jan/03/arlo-criticised-for-new-end-of-life-policy/