The Best Wireless Doorbells For Every Household Big Or Small
Plug-in chimes and battery-free push buttons that work for any front door.
Our quick verdict
Our pick of the best wireless doorbell is the NOVETE 1300 Long Range Doorbell, because its volume and range carry the chime through several rooms of a large home. For a two storey house, go for the TECKNET Wireless Doorbell, which puts two receivers in the box so you get a chime upstairs and down.
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Our Picks At A Glance
- Check price of NOVETE 1300 Long Range Doorbell
Best Overall
NOVETE 1300 Long Range DoorbellLarger homes where the chime has to carry through several rooms
- Check price of Honeywell DC915N LED Doorbell
Best Quality
Honeywell DC915N LED DoorbellHomes and holiday lets that want a well-made chime with a visual alert
- Check price of TECKNET Wireless Doorbell
Most Aesthetically Pleasing
TECKNET Wireless DoorbellTwo-storey homes wanting a smart look and a chime on each floor
- Check price of KooPower LR Wireless Doorbell
Best Long Range
KooPower LR Wireless DoorbellBig plots and outbuildings where you never want to change a battery
- Check price of Ring Video Doorbell 4
- Check price of AUSEIN Wireless Doorbell
Forget the headline range and count the solid walls between your front door and the room you sit in most, because every one of them shortens how far the signal carries. Then look at the door, since a button facing the weather needs a better IP rating than one tucked under a porch.
We've fitted these across all our properties, with budget chimes in the rentals and dearer models with lights and custom tones in our Airbnbs and own homes. This list covers that spread and finishes with a video doorbell for anyone who wants to see who's calling.
How We Tested These Wireless Doorbells
When a brand releases a new model, we try to upgrade the doorbells we already have where it makes sense. Each one was judged on the job it does day to day, which comes down to a few things:
- Build quality: How solid the push button and receiver feel in the hand and on the wall
- Range: Whether the chime picks up the button reliably from the rooms people actually sit in
- Chime: Volume, choice of tones and how easy they are to change
- Installation: Screws or sticky pads, and how long it takes to pair
- Extras: Lights, weatherproofing, spare receivers and warranty
The Honeywell impressed us the most for quality. Its LED halo is a real help in a noisy house, and setting the tone, volume and light from the buttons on the side of the receiver takes seconds without a manual. For a cheaper doorbell that still feels well made, the TECKNET in the left photo is the one we'd point people to.
Alongside our own use, we compared each model's quoted range, chime output, weatherproof rating, supplied fittings, warranty and value. Those quoted figures come from the brands and are labelled as such in the write-ups below.
The Wireless Doorbells We Recommend
All six go up without any wiring to the mains doorbell circuit. The first five are chime doorbells and the Ring adds a camera.
Best Overall
NOVETE 1300 Long Range Doorbell
Best for: Larger homes where the chime has to carry through several rooms
Check Price On AmazonThe NOVETE 1300 is the doorbell to get when the chime has to be heard from the back bedroom, the kitchen and the garden. It's built for volume, with NOVETE quoting up to 115 dB, and five volume levels let you turn it down in a smaller home. That makes it a strong choice for a bigger house or for someone who's hard of hearing.
The range is generous too, at a quoted 400 metres in open air, and NOVETE says the lithium battery in the push button lasts up to three years. With an IP55 rating, the button copes with rain on an exposed door, and everything you need to fix it up is in the box. Setting it up is simple. Our only gripe from testing is the tones, which lean towards electronic jingles when most people would rather have a traditional ding dong.
What we like
- Chime goes up to 115 dB with five volume levels
- Quoted open-air range of 400 metres
- Push button battery rated for up to three years by NOVETE
- IP55 weatherproof push button
- Mounting hardware included in the box
- Lifetime warranty from the brand
What to know
- The ringtones we heard in testing are short on traditional chimes
Our verdict
Buy the NOVETE 1300 if volume and range matter most, especially in a large or busy home. It's our first choice for most households. If you'd rather have a better-made receiver with a light that flashes when someone calls, the Honeywell DC915N is worth the extra, and anyone after the longest quoted range should look at the KooPower LR.
Best Quality
Honeywell DC915N LED Doorbell
Best for: Homes and holiday lets that want a well-made chime with a visual alert
Check Price On AmazonHoneywell is better known for heating controls such as its smart thermostats for UK homes, and the same solid build carries over to this doorbell. The receiver feels sturdy, and the LED halo lights up in time with the tune, which in our testing worked well in a loud house where the chime alone can be missed.
Honeywell quotes a range of up to 200 metres and a 90 dB chime. There are 11 built-in melodies, and you can load your own MP3 as a custom tone. All the settings are on buttons down the side of the receiver, as our photo shows, so changing them is quick. We've fitted this model at several of our Airbnbs, and guests have asked us where we bought it.
What we like
- LED halo flashes with the chime so you see a caller as well as hear one
- Custom MP3 tones on top of 11 built-in melodies
- Settings changed from buttons on the receiver
- Solid build on both the button and the receiver
- Five-year warranty
- Sold in a choice of colours
What to know
- Costs the most of the non-video doorbells in this list
- Shorter quoted range than the NOVETE or KooPower
Our verdict
Quality is what you're paying for with the Honeywell. The receiver is solid, the LED halo catches your eye when the chime alone wouldn't, and custom MP3 tones add a personal touch. It costs the most of the chime doorbells here and has the shortest quoted range, so the NOVETE 1300 Long Range Doorbell is the better bet for a big house.
Most Aesthetically Pleasing
TECKNET Wireless Doorbell
Best for: Two-storey homes wanting a smart look and a chime on each floor
Check Price On AmazonThe TECKNET kit comes with two receivers and one push button, which saves buying a second chime for upstairs or the garden room. Each part has a glowing blue ring, as our photo shows, which gives the set a tidy, modern look. It's the doorbell we recommend to anyone who wants something affordable that still feels well made.
TECKNET quotes a range of over 300 metres, and there are 32 ringtones with volume adjustable from 25 to 85 dB. The push button is rated IP33, so it's best under a porch or canopy rather than on a door that takes the full weather. You can fix it with screws or the double-sided tape supplied, which is handy on uPVC frames you don't want to drill. If you use the tape, clean the frame and fit it on a dry, mild day, as adhesive pads grip poorly on dusty or cold, damp plastic.
What we like
- Two receivers supplied with one push button
- 32 ringtones to choose from
- Blue light rings on the button and both chimes
- Screw or sticky pad fixing
- Quoted range of over 300 metres
- Available in black or white
- 18 months warranty and lifetime technical support from TECKNET
What to know
- 85 dB maximum is quieter than the NOVETE
- IP33 push button needs a sheltered door
Our verdict
Two receivers in the box is the TECKNET's big advantage, putting a chime upstairs and down without buying extra. It looks smart with its blue light rings and goes up with screws or tape, so it's an easy, affordable doorbell to live with. Keep the IP33 push button under a porch or canopy, or pick the IP55 NOVETE for an exposed door.
Best Long Range
KooPower LR Wireless Doorbell
Best for: Big plots and outbuildings where you never want to change a battery
Check Price On AmazonThe KooPower LR doesn't need a battery in the push button at all. Pressing the button generates the small burst of power needed to send the signal, and the receivers plug into the mains, so there's nothing to replace and no wiring to run.
It also reaches further than anything else here. With a quoted range of up to 500 metres, it's the one for a workshop at the end of a long garden or a large property with outbuildings. There are 52 ringtones and three volume levels running from 50 to 80 dB. All the fixings come in the box and fitting it is straightforward. The catch is volume, as its 80 dB maximum is quieter than the NOVETE, Honeywell and TECKNET, so it won't suit a noisy house.
What we like
- No batteries needed in the push button or the receivers
- Quoted range of up to 500 metres
- 52 ringtones
- Three volume levels from 50 to 80 dB
- All mounting accessories included
What to know
- 80 dB top volume is quieter than most chimes here
- Only three volume settings to choose between
Our verdict
The KooPower LR suits anyone who wants to fit a doorbell and forget about batteries, and its quoted range is the best here for big plots and outbuildings. If you need a louder chime, the NOVETE 1300 goes much higher, and a home where the doorbell gets missed over background noise will get on better with the Honeywell DC915N and its flashing halo.
Best Video
Ring Video Doorbell 4
Best for: Anyone who wants to see and speak to callers from their phone
Check Price On AmazonThe Ring Video Doorbell 4 is the only doorbell here with a camera. Ring quotes 1080p HD video with a 160 degree horizontal field of view, and adjustable motion detection lets you cut down alerts from passing cars or a busy pavement. Our guide to the best video doorbells covers the wider Ring range in more detail.
It runs on a rechargeable battery pack that slides out for charging, or it can be wired into an existing doorbell circuit if you have one. Because it connects over WiFi, the range depends on how well your router reaches the front door rather than on the doorbell itself. A weak signal at the door is the first thing to check before buying.
What we like
- 1080p HD video with a 160 degree field of view
- Removable rechargeable battery for charging indoors
- Optional wired installation
- Adjustable motion detection zones
- Weather-resistant housing
What to know
- The most expensive doorbell in this roundup
- Needs a decent WiFi signal at the front door
- Only a one year warranty
Our verdict
Seeing and speaking to whoever is at the door from your phone is something no chime can do, and that's the reason to spend more here. It suits a holiday let or a busy home with regular parcel deliveries. Check the Wi-Fi signal at the front door before ordering, as everything depends on it.
Best Budget
AUSEIN Wireless Doorbell
Best for: Rentals and flats needing a cheap and simple replacement
Check Price On AmazonThe AUSEIN is a sensible pick for a quick, cheap swap in a rental or a flat. The receiver plugs into any standard socket, the button goes on the frame, and the kit arrives complete. A light on the push button flashes when it's pressed, so visitors know the bell has rung.
The brand quotes a range of up to 300 metres, which is plenty for a typical house, and says it won't interfere with other wireless devices. The push button is rated IP44, giving better rain protection than the TECKNET, and there are 36 ringtones with four volume levels. The trade-off is build quality, which isn't up to the standard of the premium doorbells.
What we like
- Plug-in receiver works from any standard socket
- Quoted range of up to 300 metres
- IP44 weatherproof push button
- 36 ringtones and four volume levels
- Flashing light confirms the button press
- Available in white or black
What to know
- Build quality is a step down from the premium doorbells
Our verdict
For a working doorbell on a tight budget, the AUSEIN does everything a rental or a flat needs. It reaches across a normal house, the IP44 button copes with rain and it plugs in and pairs with no fuss. Spending a little more on the TECKNET gets you a nicer finish and a second receiver.
Choosing A Wireless Doorbell For Your Home
Most wireless doorbells look alike in the listings, so it pays to check a handful of details before buying. These are the details that matter most.
Range Through Real Walls
The range on the box is measured in open air with nothing in the way. Brick walls, stud walls with foil-backed plasterboard, metal door frames and even a large fridge all eat into it. A doorbell quoted at 300 metres will cover a normal house comfortably, but if the chime needs to reach a garden office or a loft room through several solid walls, a longer quoted range gives you headroom. Test the button from the door with the receiver in its final spot before you fix anything to the frame.
Chime Volume And Visual Alerts
Volume is quoted in decibels, and the gap between 80 dB and 115 dB is very noticeable in a busy home. Think about where the receiver will sit and what it has to compete with, such as a TV, a kitchen extractor or children. Flashing lights on the receiver, like the Honeywell's LED halo, help anyone hard of hearing and anyone wearing headphones. Lights on the push button reassure visitors that the bell has worked.
How The Push Button Is Powered
Most push buttons run on a small battery that needs changing now and then, and the life quoted by the brand depends on how many callers you get. Kinetic buttons like the KooPower generate their own power each time they're pressed, so there's nothing to replace. The receivers in this list plug into a socket, so it's worth checking there's a free one where you want the chime. If you're short of sockets in the hallway, our guide on changing a plug socket safely covers swapping a single for a double.
Weatherproofing For Exposed Doors
The IP rating tells you how well the push button keeps out dust and water, and the second number is the one to watch for rain. A button rated IP33 is happiest under a porch or canopy, while IP44 and IP55 models cope better with a door that faces the weather. A doorbell that fails in its first wet winter costs more in the end than a slightly dearer one with a better rating.
Chime Or Video Doorbell
A chime doorbell only tells you someone is there. A video doorbell lets you see and talk to them from your phone, records motion and helps with parcel deliveries, but it relies on your WiFi and costs a good deal more. For a rental or a flat, a plug-in chime does the job. For your own home or a holiday let you manage remotely, a video model alongside outdoor security cameras and motion-sensing security lights gives a much fuller picture of who comes to the door.
Things To Know Before Buying A Wireless Doorbell
How far do wireless doorbells work through walls?
Wireless doorbells work through walls at a much shorter distance than the open-air range on the box. Solid brick, foil-backed plasterboard and metal frames all weaken the signal. A model quoted at 300 metres or more is comfortable for a typical house, while outbuildings or thick stone walls need a longer quoted range. Always test the button with the receiver in place before fixing it.
Do wireless doorbells need batteries?
Most wireless doorbells need a battery in the push button, while the receiver plugs into a mains socket. Battery life depends on the model and the number of callers you get. Kinetic doorbells such as the KooPower LR need no batteries at all, because pressing the button generates enough power to send the signal to the chime.
Can you add a second chime to a wireless doorbell?
You can add a second chime to most wireless doorbells by buying an extra receiver from the same brand and pairing it with the existing push button. Some kits, like the TECKNET in our list, include two receivers from the start. That makes it easy to hear the door from upstairs, a kitchen extension or a garden room.
Are wireless doorbells suitable for rented homes?
Wireless doorbells suit rented homes well because they need no wiring and the push button can be fixed with sticky pads instead of screws. The receiver simply plugs into a socket, so a tenant can take it with them when they move. Budget plug-in models like the AUSEIN suit rentals for exactly that reason.
Which wireless doorbell impressed you most for build quality?
The Honeywell DC915N. Both the button and the receiver feel sturdier than the rest, and every setting sits on a button down the side, so you can change the tone or volume without digging out the manual. It's the one we've chosen for several of our Airbnbs, and guests have asked us where it came from.
What didn't you like about the NOVETE 1300 Long Range Doorbell?
Just the choice of tones. Most of them sound like electronic jingles, and there's not much for anyone who wants a classic ding dong. That's a small price for how loud and far-reaching it is, which is why it's still our first choice for most homes.
Which doorbell is best if I miss the chime over background noise?
Go for the Honeywell DC915N. Its LED halo flashes in time with the tune, so you can see the door's been rung even when the TV or the kids drown out the sound, and it worked well for that in our testing. For sheer volume instead, the NOVETE 1300 Long Range Doorbell goes up to 115 dB according to NOVETE.
Can the TECKNET Wireless Doorbell go on a door that takes the full weather?
We wouldn't put it there. The TECKNET push button is only rated IP33, so it belongs under a porch or canopy. On an exposed door, the NOVETE 1300 Long Range Doorbell or the AUSEIN Wireless Doorbell will stand up to driving rain much better.
Our Pick Of The Wireless Doorbells
The NOVETE 1300 Long Range Doorbell is the one we'd fit on most front doors, thanks to its loud chime, long quoted range and weatherproof button. The Honeywell DC915N is the step up for build quality and a visual alert, while the AUSEIN covers rentals and tight budgets.
If you'd like to see who's calling as well as hear them, the Ring Video Doorbell 4 is the camera option, and a key safe by the front door pairs well with it at a holiday let.
Richard has spent years renovating properties and turning them into rentals and Airbnbs. Like a lot of people he started out as a beginner, and these days there isn't much DIY he won't take on.