Should I get a video doorbell or a bullet/dome camera for my front door?

Video doorbells are designed specifically for the front door and offer two-way audio, package detection, and visitor alerts in one device. If your door already has doorbell wiring, a wired video doorbell is the cleanest solution. If not, a battery doorbell is easy to install. A bullet or dome camera positioned near the door is better for wider area coverage or if you also want to capture a driveway — but doesn't include a doorbell function.

Ring vs Arlo for front door — which is better?

Ring Video Doorbell 4 is the most popular choice in NZ. It has excellent integration with Amazon Echo displays, solid motion detection, and good app experience. Arlo Video Doorbell is higher quality video but requires the Arlo SmartHub for local storage. For most NZ homeowners, Ring is the more practical choice at this location — especially if you're already in the Ring or Alexa ecosystem.

Do I need an existing doorbell wire for a Ring or Arlo doorbell?

No — all major video doorbells have a battery version that works without existing wiring. However, wired versions are easier to maintain (no battery recharging) and are slightly more reliable. Most NZ houses built before 2000 have existing doorbell wiring you can tap into. Check your existing doorbell button — if it has wiring behind it, a wired video doorbell is a straightforward upgrade.

Will my front door camera also capture the street?

Depending on your mounting position, yes. This can create privacy implications — cameras that can see a public footpath or neighbouring property are subject to NZ Privacy Act considerations. You should use camera zones (motion zones) to focus on your own property and minimise unnecessary capture of public or neighbouring areas.

Best Front Door Security Camera NZ 2026 | Get Secure | Get Secure NZ

The front door is the most common starting point for any home security camera setup — and for good reason. It's the primary entry point, the place where packages are delivered, and the location most likely to capture useful footage in the event of a break-in or incident.

The good news: this is also the location with the widest selection of well-designed, easy-to-install cameras.

Video doorbell vs front door camera: which should you get?

This is the key decision. Let's be direct:

Get a video doorbell if:

Your main goal is to see and speak with visitors at the door
You want package delivery alerts
You want a cleaner aesthetic (doorbells integrate where your existing doorbell button was)
You have existing doorbell wiring (makes installation even simpler)

Get a bullet/dome camera instead if:

You also want to cover a wider area (part of the driveway, side path)
You already have a doorbell and just want camera coverage
You're adding this as one of several cameras in a larger system (e.g., a PoE NVR setup)

For most NZ homeowners starting from scratch with front door security, a video doorbell is the simpler and more purpose-built solution.

Top picks for NZ front doors

1. Ring Video Doorbell 4 — Best for most homeowners

The Ring Video Doorbell 4 is the most widely available video doorbell in NZ and the easiest to recommend for most situations.

Why it works well at the front door:

Battery or wired operation — choose based on your setup
Pre-roll feature captures 4 seconds of colour video before motion triggers
Two-way talk with noise cancellation
Package and motion zone alerts
Compatible with Amazon Echo Show for real-time door view in your kitchen

The honest caveat: Without a Ring Protect subscription (~NZ$5/month for one device), the doorbell doesn't save recordings — you only get live view. For recording footage, a subscription is effectively required.

2. Arlo Video Doorbell — Best video quality

Arlo's Video Doorbell produces sharper video than Ring at a similar price point. The wider aspect ratio (also captures below the lens — useful for seeing packages on the ground) is a genuine differentiator.

Arlo Essential includes 30 days of free cloud storage, so you get basic recording without a subscription. For person and package detection, Arlo Secure is needed.

Note: Arlo doorbells are less commonly stocked at NZ retailers — check availability before committing.

3. Eufy Video Doorbell Dual — Best for no-subscription buyers

Eufy's dual-camera doorbell has two lenses: one for the visitor's face, one aimed downward to capture packages on the ground. No subscription required — footage stores locally on the HomeBase hub.

Ideal for: homeowners who want a video doorbell with no ongoing monthly cost.

Caveat: Requires the Eufy HomeBase for local storage, adding ~NZ$199 to the upfront cost.

Installation tips for NZ front doors

Battery doorbells

Remove your existing doorbell button (just pull it away from the wall — usually it's just press-fitted or has one screw)
Mount the video doorbell bracket in the same location (covers the existing hole)
Attach the doorbell to the bracket and connect to your app

The whole process takes 15–20 minutes.

Wired doorbells

If you have existing doorbell wiring:

Disconnect the wires from the old button
Connect the wires to the terminals on the new video doorbell
You may need a Ring Plug-in Adapter or Arlo Wired Power Kit if your transformer voltage is outside the acceptable range (check specs — most NZ doorbells use 8–24V AC)

If in doubt, an electrician can handle the wiring in under an hour.

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Positioning tip: Mount the doorbell at 1.2–1.5m height for the best face-level view. Most doorbells include an angled mounting wedge to adjust the viewing angle if your door faces a different direction.

What about smart doorbells and NZ Privacy?

A doorbell camera that can see your street, shared driveway, or neighbouring property creates privacy considerations under the NZ Privacy Act. Use the camera's motion zone settings to restrict detection and recording to your own property where possible.

You don't need a sign for a front door camera — but if your camera is clearly visible and captures public areas, a small "CCTV in operation" sticker near the door is considerate practice.

Not sure which front door setup is right for your home? Take the 2-minute quiz →

Best Front Door Security Camera in NZ (2026)