This affordable smart doorbell is under $100 and lets AI answer the door for you

There are plenty of video doorbell options to pick from, but most can set you back hundreds – and that’s before the monthly subscription. You can opt for some more affordable options, but they often offer fewer features. This Swann video doorbell offers plenty of features for a price under $100/£100, but that’s not its most impressive trick.

Swann’s Evo video doorbell has an AI feature that can talk to your visitors on your behalf, and it might be one of the most impressive features I’ve ever seen.

• Read more: Best Ring doorbell 2025: which one is best for your home?

SwannShield is an AI voice assistant that actually talks back. It uses generative AI to engage with whoever’s on your doorstep – whether it’s a courier or someone with dubious intentions. You get to pre-programme responses ahead of time, and it delivers them with a surprisingly human-sounding voice. There are 8 accents and 3 moods to pick from, so your doorbell can sound however you’d like. It understands 100 languages, auto-detects what it’s hearing, and responds in kind.

Under the hood, Swann’s Evo doorbell comes equipped with a 1.7MP camera that shoots in 2K HD. That’s paired with a 140-degree wide-angle lens. Night vision’s crammed in as well, with infrared capturing everything up to 5 metres away when the sun’s long gone. Plus, there are True Detect sensors to spot movement and heat instead of being fooled by a gust of wind.

You also get the usual 2-way audio, a rechargeable battery that won’t conk out after a week, and an indoor chime that lets you know someone’s at the door. Storage is refreshingly straightforward – just pop in a MicroSD card (up to 256GB), and you’re good to go without forking out for a monthly cloud fee.

The Evo Video Doorbell is available now directly from Swann and third-party retailers like Amazon – it’ll set you back $99/£89.

• Related: Nest vs Ring Doorbell: which is best for you?

Connor Jewiss

About

Connor is a writer for Stuff, working across the magazine and the Stuff.tv website. He has been writing for around nine years now across the web and in print too. Connor has attended the biggest tech expos, including CES, MWC, and IFA – with contributions as a judge on panels at them. He's also been interviewed as a technology expert on TV and radio by national news outlets including France24. Connor has experience with most major platforms, though does hold a place in his heart for macOS, iOS/iPadOS, electric vehicles, and smartphone tech. Just like everyone else around here, he's a fan of gadgets of all sorts. Aside from writing, Connor is involved in the startup and venture capital scene, which puts him at the front of new and exciting tech - he is always on the lookout for innovative products.

Areas of expertise

Mobile, macOS, EVs, smart home