Doorbells are a necessity! Especially if you want to be alerted to a visitor! Knocking on someone’s door is so last century, but how do you decide whether to go for a wireless doorbell vs. a wired doorbell?
What are the differences? Are there any features you get with one but not with the other?
Here we look at some of the features and benefits you get with a wireless doorbell and compare them to the features and benefits of using a wired doorbell.
As you may have guessed, this website surrounds itself with all things wireless doorbell-related! Although you are likely to have guessed my preference, there are some options where the wired doorbell comes out on top.
Wired Doorbell v Wireless Doorbell
Let’s make a start!
Ease Of Install – Wired v Wireless Doorbell
A wireless doorbell will give you a much better option when it comes to installation.
It involves less drilling, and you are left with fewer holes in your door frame, a bonus!
Sure, you might choose to screw the wireless push button into your door frame instead of sticking it on with adhesive pads.
But you do not have to get the wire from one side of the door to the other as you would for a wired doorbell.
Also, heating your house in cold weather can be pretty expensive. If you need to drill a hole for the cable, you must ensure it is suitably sealed to reduce a cold draft (or even rain) getting in.
Once you have fed the wire through the newly bored hole, you must keep it tidy to the doorbell chime.
For me, it’s a pain in the proverbial!
Installing a wireless doorbell compared to a wired one is much easier and less damaging for your house.
Wireless doorbell wins hands down.
Power Supply – Wired v Wireless Doorbell
This is where the wired doorbell gets the upper hand.
A permanent power supply! No batteries to change.
Awesome stuff!
A wireless doorbell chime is usually plugged into a power supply, and the push button uses a meager amount of electricity to function, so changing the batteries only happens rarely.
There are battery-powered chime options out there, but that means more batteries and more chance of going flat without knowing.
With a constant power supply, and no need to change any batteries, there is only one winner.
The wired doorbell edges it, but not by much at all.
Portability – Wired v Wireless Doorbell
I mentioned earlier in the post that most wireless doorbell chimes are plugged into a power socket.
That allows for a little more portability than a wired doorbell (These need to be in a fixed position), but you can get a wireless doorbell that does not have to be plugged in, like one of these excellent portable doorbell options.
I say almost because we are still limited by distance!
Portability is high on my list of priorities, especially the portability that comes with a battery-powered chime or, even better, a Wi-Fi-enabled wireless doorbell!
You can know you have a visitor from wherever you seem to fit into this age of technology. You can do most things from a phone or tablet, so why not speak to someone outside your house?
Features – Wired v Wireless Doorbell
The features of both a wireless doorbell and a wired doorbell are very similar.
Both options have different chime options, both options have different volume levels, and both options have video integration capabilities.
Instead of comparing the features they both have, let’s have a look at some of the options that are very rare with the wired doorbell options:
1. LEDs
LEDs are a fantastic product feature if you are hard of hearing or want to have some peace! Wireless doorbells often have an LED that flashes when the doorbell chime is pressed.
Look to see if a wired option comes with LEDs; finding them is challenging.
Why? Because the wired options are likely to be plugged in near the front door, where you will not be able to see the LED flash.
If you have a wireless doorbell, you can plug it right next to the TV. If you have a visitor, then you will be alerted visually.
2. Smart Integration
Wireless doorbells, like the Ring Video Doorbell 2, link up to your WiFi AND Alexa. In terms of product features, I rate this one highly.
Not only will you be alerted to a visitor if you are at home, but the integrated mobile app (Available for iOS and Android) will also make sure you are alerted when you are out of the house too! It has options to see, hear and speak to your visitor from afar.
Both of these options scream out WIRELESS DOORBELL to me, and that is not just because I am an advocate of them, either!
Honest!
Stability – Wired v Wireless Doorbell
Wireless doorbells have one battle they must fight that a wired doorbell doesn’t need to.
That is the interference battle!
The only interference that a wired doorbell is prone to is the interference of someone accidentally cutting the wire! Not a common issue!
Wireless, by design, has to get from the transmitter to the receiver for it to work.
This involves smashing through walls and metal and fighting for supremacy in your house full of wireless signals! The vast majority of the time, it will win.
Too many wireless devices and failure to plan the receiver’s position could mean you are left with intermittent transmission issues.
A wired doorbell signal is sent in a secure cable (Unless you have drilled through it!).
The wired doorbell wins here.
Conclusion
OK – so this website discusses various topics regarding wireless doorbells, so you are likely to know the winner already.
However, I took on this comparison with a fair mind and looked at both sides to ensure it was a fair fight.
Having said that, there is one clear winner. If I were in the market for a doorbell, I would be going for the wireless option.
Compared to a wired doorbell, it seems that the product features of a wireless doorbell are much better and much more current. The features that do not come with a wired doorbell option make my life a little bit easier, such as the LED and the WiFi/Video integration.
Also – wireless doorbells are cheaper than their wired counterparts!
There are many options out there, too, we have detailed some of the best doorbells for you to look at.
Have we missed anything? Do you have any questions? Please use the contact us page, or leave a comment below!
I’m glad you made these comments on wired and wireless doorbells! I loved that you talked about doorbells with LED lights! It’s cool to think that doorbells can be made for people with any kind of disability! My grandparents are hard of hearing, so I have them talk to their electrician about LED doorbells!