10 Best Wireless Doorbells in 2020

The humble doorbell has experienced a dramatic makeover within recent years, banishing the old fashioned, beige doorbell which once echoed the traditional doorbell chime.  Today the wireless doorbell is making waves, providing a choice in designs and doorbell chimes, some of which are able to run off standard batteries.

Keep your visitors entertained through choosing a stylish and up to date wireless doorbell, ensuring that you never miss a visitor again. We have reviewed ten of the best wireless doorbells currently available on the market, allowing you to discover which wireless doorbell is perfect for you.

Wireless Doorbell Buyer’s Guide

Features of a Wireless Doorbell

A traditional doorbell provided limitations for its users.  Being wired professionally could become costly, while the design of the doorbell was uniformly a beige color, offering a basic ‘ding dong’ chime tune. However, with advancements in technology, the wireless doorbell offers the user with numerous options in regards to the appearance of the doorbell and the sound of the doorbell chime, while providing freedom with easy installation and maintenance. 

When purchasing a wireless doorbell, you will receive a transmitter and a receiver.  The transmitter will be fitted externally to your home, in an easy to reach and easy to see location next to your front door. 

The fixings required to attach the transmitter to your external wall is usually included with your purchase and may include handy adhesive stickers.  This ensures that you can fix the transmitter securely to the external area of your home independently and yet securely. The receiver will usually be plugged into an electrical socket inside of your home.

When the doorbell button is pushed, the transmitter will send a signal to the receiver, and a sound will be released.  Some wireless doorbells will also emit a visual alert on the receiver which is perfect for individuals with audible difficulties, or if you want to mute the sound when your baby is fast asleep yet still be aware when a visitor arrives. 

A mute feature is also key if you, or someone in your home, sleep during the day, or if you want to mute the wireless doorbell during the nighttime. Additionally, some wireless doorbells provide color changing visual alerts, and customizable LED lights, which would look fantastic in the home. 

Furthermore, look out for a wireless doorbell which is compatible with devices such as Alexa and Echo, or your mobile phone or tablet, enabling your wireless doorbell to slot neatly into your life.

Operating Range

The operating range of a wireless doorbell can range from 150 feet through to over 1300 feet, and provide you with an idea of how well you will hear the chime from your wireless doorbell at different points within your home. 

Of course, the bigger your home will mean that you will require a more significant operating range. When the operating range is measured, however, it is important to note that the range provided related to open space. The location and number of walls and doors between the transmitter and the receiver may reduce this operating range.

Furthermore, if you have any walls or doors made from metal, the wireless doorbell may be very limited in its use and may not work sufficiently at all.  This may be a factor to consider seriously before purchasing a wireless doorbell. However, many wireless doorbells come complete with a refund guarantee for a set period, to allow you to test the product before committing your purchase.

Chime Tunes

Another significant development with advancements in wireless doorbells is the number of chime tunes available with your product.  Some wireless doorbells feature 52 chime tunes, providing you with a different chime tune for every week of the year! Even some of the lower priced wireless doorbells will offer you more than one chime tunes so that you can tailor the wireless doorbell to your tastes.

Adjustable Volume Levels

Many wireless doorbells also provide you with adjustable volume levels, with many wireless doorbells enabling you to mute the sound entirely if you desire.  Adjustable volume levels will allow you to tailor the volume to your needs, particularly if you have audible difficulties, in addition to adjusting the sound to the part of the home where you will be spending more time in. 

Therefore, you may choose a higher volume level if your living room is situated at the back of the home. 

How to Install a Wireless Doorbell?

When you purchase a wireless doorbell, you will receive a doorbell transmitter as well as a chime box receiver.  You should fix the doorbell transmitter to the outside of the home, in a position which is easy for most visitors to see and to press.

You should then place the chime box receiver inside of your home, adhering to the necessary operating range.  It is possible to be able to use more than one chime box receiver with your wireless doorbell, enabling you to place receivers at opposite ends of your house so that you will always hear the chime when a visitor arrives.

Some wireless doorbells are operated by standard batteries, whereas some wireless doorbells are able to be connected to the main electrical system.  Once your wireless doorbell has been fitted, make sure that you test it from the outside as well as the inside to check that it is working.

Do not assume that it is working correctly; your visitor may not hear the chime from the outside and continue to press the button, or you may not hear the chime inside of your home.

How Does a Wireless Doorbell Work?

The doorbell transmitter works by sending a radio signal to the chime box receiver which you have placed inside of your home.  The position and location of your receiver are both very important in order for your transmitter to be able to send a strong signal through your home.  

Expert Tip

The walls and doors within your home can provide an impact on the effectiveness of your wireless doorbell, reducing the operating range.  In particular, if any walls or doors within your home are made from metal, there is a chance that the receiver may not be able to receive a signal from the transmitter, making your wireless doorbell redundant.

Did you know?

Joseph Henry, who was born in New York, USA, to Scottish immigrant parents, created the first doorbell which could be rung at a distance through using an electric wire in 1831.  Joseph Henry would become a key figure in American science and engineering.