Four Video Doorbells to Protect From Package Theft

Four Video Doorbells to Protect From Package Theft

It’s the most wonderful time of the year for a porch pirate.

  • By Sydny Shepard
  • Dec 07, 2017

In the weeks following the biggest shopping weekend of the year (Black Friday through Cyber Monday) porches of homes around the country are being visited by mailmen dropping off packages. While online shopping brings convenience to holiday shopping it also brings the stress of package theft.

There are many ways to avoid package theft, like scheduling deliveries for when you know someone will be home or asking your delivery person to hide the packages in a specific spot, but sometimes you just can’t have control over what happens when you finally get your package.

My solution for you is to invest in a video doorbell. These motion activated, two-way communication devices allow you to see who is at your front door from the comfort of your smartphone screen. If a suspicious porch pirate is around, you’d be able to talk to them and nab video evidence of the culprit.

Here’s the top five video doorbell’s I’d recommend to protect your porch this holiday season and all year round.

Ring Video Doorbell

Ring is one of the most known video doorbell devices. The product comes with two-way audio, motion sensing, live/cloud storage for video, night vision and color options. Ring allows you to customize your motion sensors, so you’ll always be the first to know when you have a visitor. The infrared night vision and weather-resistant design gives users the ability to monitor their home day or night, rain or shine.

SkyBell HD Wi-Fi Enabled Video Doorbell

The SkyBell Video Doorbell gives users a ton of options, you can watch live video, anytime, and take a snapshot if you want. While the SkyBell doesn’t have cloud storage, you can download videos from the device itself. The smart doorbell comes with motion sensing, two-way audio and night vision. It can be hardwired to your home so there is no need for a battery.

August Doorbell Cam

The August Doorbell Cam offers motion sensing alerts, video recording options, and On-Demand viewing as well as the option to connect it to the August Smart Lock, so you can lock and unlock your door depending on who’s knocking. According to reviews, this smart doorbell is a little more difficult to install as it requires mounting brackets and a drill, but they seem to think it is worth the effort for the amount of security it adds to the user’s home.

Zmodo Greet

The Zmodo Greet is one of the cheapest smart doorbell on our list at only $150, but that doesn’t mean it is lacking any features. The Greet comes with self/cloud storage, call alerts, motion detection and night vision. When motion is detected, the user receives a notification through the app. From there, the user can decide to watch live video, record footage, or upload video to the cloud for later use.

About the Author

Sydny Shepard is the Executive Editor of Campus Security & Life Safety.

Featured

  • New Report Reveals Top Trends Transforming Access Controller Technology

    Mercury Security, a provider in access control hardware and open platform solutions, has published its Trends in Access Controllers Report, based on a survey of over 450 security professionals across North America and Europe. The findings highlight the controller’s vital role in a physical access control system (PACS), where the device not only enforces access policies but also connects with readers to verify user credentials—ranging from ID badges to biometrics and mobile identities. With 72% of respondents identifying the controller as a critical or important factor in PACS design, the report underscores how the choice of controller platform has become a strategic decision for today’s security leaders. Read Now

  • Overwhelming Majority of CISOs Anticipate Surge in Cyber Attacks Over the Next Three Years

    An overwhelming 98% of chief information security officers (CISOs) expect a surge in cyber attacks over the next three years as organizations face an increasingly complex and artificial intelligence (AI)-driven digital threat landscape. This is according to new research conducted among 300 CISOs, chief information officers (CIOs), and senior IT professionals by CSC1, the leading provider of enterprise-class domain and domain name system (DNS) security. Read Now

  • ASIS International Introduces New ANSI-Approved Investigations Standard

    • Guard Services

  • Cloud Security Alliance Brings AI-Assisted Auditing to Cloud Computing

    The Cloud Security Alliance (CSA), the world’s leading organization dedicated to defining standards, certifications, and best practices to help ensure a secure cloud computing environment, today introduced an innovative addition to its suite of Security, Trust, Assurance and Risk (STAR) Registry assessments with the launch of Valid-AI-ted, an AI-powered, automated validation system. The new tool provides an automated quality check of assurance information of STAR Level 1 self-assessments using state-of-the-art LLM technology. Read Now

  • Report: Nearly 1 in 5 Healthcare Leaders Say Cyberattacks Have Impacted Patient Care

    Omega Systems, a provider of managed IT and security services, today released new research that reveals the growing impact of cybersecurity challenges on leading healthcare organizations and patient safety. According to the 2025 Healthcare IT Landscape Report, 19% of healthcare leaders say a cyberattack has already disrupted patient care, and more than half (52%) believe a fatal cyber-related incident is inevitable within the next five years. Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • Mobile Safe Shield

    Mobile Safe Shield

    SafeWood Designs, Inc., a manufacturer of patented bullet resistant products, is excited to announce the launch of the Mobile Safe Shield. The Mobile Safe Shield is a moveable bullet resistant shield that provides protection in the event of an assailant and supplies cover in the event of an active shooter. With a heavy-duty steel frame, quality castor wheels, and bullet resistant core, the Mobile Safe Shield is a perfect addition to any guard station, security desks, courthouses, police stations, schools, office spaces and more. The Mobile Safe Shield is incredibly customizable. Bullet resistant materials are available in UL 752 Levels 1 through 8 and include glass, white board, tack board, veneer, and plastic laminate. Flexibility in bullet resistant materials allows for the Mobile Safe Shield to blend more with current interior décor for a seamless design aesthetic. Optional custom paint colors are also available for the steel frame.

  • HD2055 Modular Barricade

    Delta Scientific’s electric HD2055 modular shallow foundation barricade is tested to ASTM M50/P1 with negative penetration from the vehicle upon impact. With a shallow foundation of only 24 inches, the HD2055 can be installed without worrying about buried power lines and other below grade obstructions. The modular make-up of the barrier also allows you to cover wider roadways by adding additional modules to the system. The HD2055 boasts an Emergency Fast Operation of 1.5 seconds giving the guard ample time to deploy under a high threat situation.

  • ResponderLink

    ResponderLink

    Shooter Detection Systems (SDS), an Alarm.com company and a global leader in gunshot detection solutions, has introduced ResponderLink, a groundbreaking new 911 notification service for gunshot events. ResponderLink completes the circle from detection to 911 notification to first responder awareness, giving law enforcement enhanced situational intelligence they urgently need to save lives. Integrating SDS’s proven gunshot detection system with Noonlight’s SendPolice platform, ResponderLink is the first solution to automatically deliver real-time gunshot detection data to 911 call centers and first responders. When shots are detected, the 911 dispatching center, also known as the Public Safety Answering Point or PSAP, is contacted based on the gunfire location, enabling faster initiation of life-saving emergency protocols.