SimpliSafe Doorbell Camera: Wired Doorbell, Wireless Cameras

Best for
Outdoor coverage without running doorbell wires

The SimpliSafe Wireless Outdoor Security Camera is the closest thing in this lineup to what most people mean by a wireless doorbell camera. The listing says setup takes five minutes with no wiring needed, and it offers a 140° field of view, 1080p resolution with 8x zoom, color night vision with a spotlight, and two Wi-Fi antennas for more consistent coverage. Smart person detection distinguishes people, vehicles and animals, and 2-way audio lets you speak to whoever is at the door.

There are two things to know. First, this listing is Amazon Renewed, meaning a pre-owned or refurbished unit that has been inspected and tested, covered by the Amazon Renewed Guarantee rather than sold as new. Second, the specifications list the power source as corded electric even though the features say no wiring is needed, so the listing does not clearly specify whether it runs on battery or a plug-in adapter. It carries an IP65 rating and an upper temperature rating of 50 °C. Mount it beside the front door for a wide view of the porch; it does not have a doorbell button, so it complements rather than replaces a doorbell.

• 140° field of view, 1080p with 8x zoom
• Color night vision with spotlight
• Person, vehicle and animal detection
• IP65 weather rating, 2-way audio

Best for
Existing Gen 3 owners adding indoor video

The SimpliSafe Smart Alarm Wireless Indoor Security camera is built to work inside a SimpliSafe system. The listing states it is compatible with the SimpliSafe Gen 3 security system, requires Wi-Fi and is for indoor use only. Its signature feature is intruder intervention: with a professional monitoring plan, agents can see and speak to intruders through the camera’s 2-way audio during an alarm, and video verification can lead to priority emergency dispatch compared with non-verified alarms.

On the hardware side, it records 1536p HD video with 10x digital zoom, has a built-in 80 dB siren, an automated privacy shutter and AI motion detection that tells pets under 50 lbs apart from potential intruders. The listing suggests placing it on a shelf at least four feet high, or in a corner six to seven feet up angled 20 degrees down. It suits current Gen 3 owners who want eyes inside. If you do not have a system yet, the 11-piece kit below already includes this camera.

• 1536p video, 10x digital zoom
• 80 dB siren and 2-way audio
• Pet-aware AI motion detection
• Automated privacy shutter

Best for
Starting a SimpliSafe system from scratch

The SimpliSafe 11 Piece Wireless Home Security system is the foundation the doorbell and indoor camera depend on. It is a Gen 3 bundle built around a Base Station, a wireless Keypad, motion sensors and the Smart Alarm Wireless Indoor Camera. The listing says setup needs no wiring or drilling: plug in the Base Station, place the camera and sensors, and control everything from the SimpliSafe app, with Alexa and Google Assistant support for arming. Professional monitoring is optional and there is no contract.

The Base Station has a battery backup rated for up to 24 hours, a loud siren and a built-in network backup for power outages, though that backup requires a professional monitoring plan. The motion sensors cover 35 feet with a 90° field of view and are designed to ignore pets under 60 lbs. The listing has some inconsistencies: the description gives a 100 dB siren while the specs say 95 dB, and the specs list a 30-foot maximum range versus 35 feet in the features. It also does not itemize all eleven pieces, so check the box contents on the product page. This is the pick if you want the doorbell but do not own a SimpliSafe system yet.

• Gen 3 Base Station with 24-hour battery backup
• Smart Alarm Wireless Indoor Camera included
• Motion sensors, 35 feet and 90° coverage
• Smash-safe backlit Keypad

Best for
Homes with doorbell wiring and a SimpliSafe system

The SimpliSafe 2K Wired Video Doorbell Series 2 is the actual doorbell camera, and its title is explicit: it requires a home security system. The specifications list wired connectivity and corded electric power with a doorbell mount, so plan on existing doorbell wiring. In return you get 2K video, a taller field of view that shows visitors head to toe, night vision, weatherproofing and 2-way audio through the SimpliSafe app.

Several smart features depend on a monitoring plan. People and package alerts, face-matching and up to five seconds of pre-roll video are listed as available with select plans, and Active Guard Outdoor Protection lets live agents see, speak to and deter threats at the door. Activity Zones help cut unwanted alerts. This doorbell suits a homeowner who already has, or is buying, a SimpliSafe system and has doorbell wiring. If you need a battery doorbell, this is not it; compare options in our battery video doorbell guide.

• 2K video with head-to-toe view
• 2-way audio and night vision
• Activity Zones, pre-roll with select plans
• Wired power, requires a home security system