How high to mount a video doorbell, and at what angle

The standard height: about 48 inches

Two big doorbell makers give the same number. Ring says doorbells “should be mounted 48 inches (1.22 meters) from the ground” and warns that a wrong height can cause inconsistent motion detection. Its placement guide calls “too high” anything above 5 feet and “too low” anything below 3 feet. Another maker recommends a spot approximately 46–48 inches above the ground. That puts the lens at chest-to-face height for an adult, so you capture faces and not just hats.

Ring ties the 48-inch height to optimal motion detection. Check the installation guide of your model, because it overrides any rule of thumb.

Do this before you drill

1. Charge or power the doorbell and open the live view in the app.
2. Hold it against the wall at 48 inches (use a tape measure from the porch floor, not the ground, if there are steps). One maker’s guide says to hold the doorbell at the planned spot and check the view before attaching the base plate.
3. Check from three positions: standing at the door, standing at the bottom of the steps and crouching to place a package.
4. Look at what is behind the visitor. Bright sky, a white driveway or a glass storm door can wash out faces.
5. Check Wi-Fi in the live view. If it stutters, reposition the router or add a mesh node before drilling.
6. Mark and drill. One maker’s wired-doorbell guide lists a 1/4 inch bit for brick or stucco, a 3/32 inch pilot bit for wood or siding and a bubble level. Check your model’s kit, because bits differ.

Fix the view without moving the doorbell

Reading the direction of the sun

Ring’s placement guide lists “facing direct sunlight” as a cause of glare and washed-out video, and suggests trimming nearby branches and reviewing recorded footage at different times of day. A south- or west-facing door is the hardest case: you may see glare at midday or in the late afternoon. Mounting under an eave or on the shaded side of the door helps, and a wedge or corner mount can turn the lens a few degrees away from the sun.

Tall, short and narrow situations

• Door with a screen or storm door. Mount on the wall beside the door, not on the screen frame, so motion detection and the microphone are not blocked by glass or mesh.
• Brick, stone or stucco. Use masonry bits and anchors rather than adhesives. A renter should ask first; see what renters can install.
• Apartment hallway. A camera that sees neighbors’ doors can cause conflict and may break building rules. Read cameras outside an apartment door or consider a peephole camera.
• Door that opens outward. Make sure an open door does not block the lens. Ring’s placement guide also asks you to keep the view clear of pillars and plants.
• Household members who use a wheelchair or have a shorter reach. The video goes to a phone, so the camera height is chosen for faces. If the button itself must be easy to reach, ask the maker whether a separate wireless button is offered, or answer from the phone.

Neighbors, sidewalks and audio

A doorbell that records the sidewalk or a neighbor’s window can cause friction. Aim at your own porch and walkway, mask other zones in the app and mention it to the neighbors if the doorbell faces their entrance. Rules on recording audio vary by state. The Reporters Committee’s state-by-state recording guide is a starting point, and you can also read what the law allows with neighbors. Rules vary by state and city, so ask a local attorney if unsure.

Quick checklist

• About 48 inches from the ground, as the model’s guide says.
• Live-view check done before drilling, from three positions.
• Package visible on the doormat: use a wedge if not.
• No glare at the sunniest time of day.
• Activity zones set so the street does not trigger alerts.
• Wi-Fi is strong at the exact spot.