Ah, the front door. It’s what first greets guests as they arrive on your property, and it’s the first thing you see when you leave in the morning. It’s also where you can learn an important lesson in home security and home theater technology, since smart doorbells are the latest must-have accessory for any home.
If you have a doorbell, you’ll also have a set of speakers to go along with it. Where exactly are those speakers? Doorbell speakers in the house can be found on the side of the door, but near a power source for the chime to ring.
The doorbell is one of the last holdouts of the wired home—but that’s quickly changing.
Though the term “smart doorbell” may sound like the stuff of science fiction, this technology is already here, and it’s easy to use.
Gone are the days of clunky bells that require a wired connection to the nearest wall jack, replaced by all sorts of wireless solutions that connect to your home WiFi to deliver a smart ding-dong to your phone.
Some of these are part of the smart speaker market, like the Ring, while others are gateways to the wider smart home like the Nest Hello.
However, not all wireless doorbells are created equal.
Some use WiFi, others Bluetooth, and some even use a proprietary wireless protocol that makes them easier to install (though slightly less convenient to use).
Do doorbells have volume controls?
Did you know that some doorbells have volume controls?
You probably did, but you definitely don’t spend your time thinking about doorbells, the way I do here in this blog.
For example, I recently discovered that doorbells have volume controls especially the wireless ones, and now that I know this, I find myself wondering what other pieces of information I’ve been missing out on all this time.
I’m pretty certain I know the answer: none.
Even if you live alone and don’t have to worry about waking up your spouse or children, it can be irritating to be woken up in the middle of the night when someone is at your door.
Unfortunately, there are many people who choose to ring doorbells at all hours, even in the middle of the night, and there’s little you can do to stop it.
Turning the volume down can help you avoid being woken up by an unwanted doorbell, and ensure you never miss an important visitor during the daytime.
Doorbell volume controls are nearly as varied and sophisticated as the doorbells themselves.
When you buy a doorbell, you’re not just buying a device, but also an entire service package.
Some companies offer simple doorbell services that include one volume control—but, it’s a control for the entire system.
From there, you may choose to buy a volume control separately, which is an additional control for just one doorbell.
Wireless doorbells offer a lot of advantages over wired doorbells—they’re easier to install, more portable, and make it possible to hear the chimes from inside—but all wireless doorbells aren’t created equal.
Some doorbells, while wireless, still have volume controls, while others do not.
Some have just one volume setting while others have multiple settings.
Are wired doorbells better than wireless?
As you plan your next home improvement project, you might be wondering whether a wired doorbell is better than a wireless one.
The answer depends on your priorities, but fortunately, there are pros and cons to each type that can help you make a more informed decision.
Even if you don’t know where to begin, you can get help from the information I share here.
The wired doorbell is a more traditional option, since it’s been around for decades and is still the norm in most homes.
It’s also more affordable (retailers are quick to point out that the cost of the wireless doorbell is offset by the elimination of the need to replace batteries).
The wireless doorbell is newer, but it does offer some distinct advantages.
They eliminate the need for the house to have a doorbell wire run: a contractor simply fits the bell with a small transmitter, and then wirelessly transmits the sound to the bell.
The bell itself is also wireless, eliminating the need for the house to have an electrical outlet nearby.
If you’re like most homeowners, you want to avoid inconveniences like missed deliveries, potential burglars, and over-eager neighbors.
With a wireless doorbell, all you have to do is push a button, rather than walking to the end of your driveway to check for deliveries.
So, it offers more flexibility when it comes to where you place it on your property.
For example, you can set up a wireless doorbell at the front door, and then also have one for your back door, for your garage, and even for your mailbox.
You can also get doorbells that can connect to smartphones, making it easy to see who is calling at your house.
Not only will this allow you to hear the doorbell from anywhere in your home, but it will also give you the freedom to answer it from any location.
Another most prominent feature of the wireless doorbell is a camera with the ability to capture sharp images and videos.
The built-in camera allows one to see who is at the doorbell.
This important feature is especially useful for those who live in areas where criminal activities are common.
The homeowner can keep a close watch over the doorbells with cameras and record videos of any suspicious activity.
This security feature is especially useful for those who cannot be at their homes during the day.
Today, many doorbells are equipped with motion sensors that inform you of the presence of an intruder outside of your home.
Most motion sensors will contact you through your smartphone, although some high-end doorbells will still chime the tune of an old-fashioned doorbell.
