It's time to make your dumb doorbell smart

Face it, the front door as we've known it is over. First came the surge of smartlocks, like the Lockitron and August, whose tech'd up innards are replacing traditional deadbolts by transforming your smartphone into a house key. And now, in accordance with our increasingly connected selves, the old-school doorbell is on its way out. Hoping to take its place are a growing number of easily installed virtual doormen. From WiFi-connected systems that allow you to watch and speak with people at the door from afar on your smartphone, to more traditional video intercoms, we broke down the strengths and weaknesses of four similar new products to make your shoparound a bit simpler.

DoorBot
Price:$199
The first device of its kind to make a splash in the space, it requires zero wiring (running on batteries that you'll only need to replace once per year), meaning it installs in just a few minutes on an included mounting bracket (oh, and by the way, if someone walks off with it, they'll replace it for free). It'll beam live video/audio to your phone/tablet any time it's engaged, and activate two-way audio so you can communicate with whoever's there.
Drawbacks: At 6 inches tall and rocking a bulbous camera, it's a bit of an eyesore. Oh, and someone can basically just walk off with it. That would suck.

The Goji Smartlock
Price: $245
While not technically a doorbell, this easily installed (and handsomely designed) tech'd up smart deadbolt, is the only one on the market that snaps and sends a photo of whoever's entering your crib, giving you eyes on that friend/parent/creepy cable guy you've granted access to in real time. Plus, unlike most other smartlocks, it doesn't just indicate activation with colored dots, but actually addresses each "keyholder" by name.
Drawbacks: You're only provided with a still image, and only when the lock is activated. So, if the person in question is someone who shouldn't be allowed inside, it may be too late.

iDoorCam
Price: $165
Significantly smaller and lower profile than the DoorBot (it's half the size of an iPhone), this is the newest player in the game. Like the 'Bot, it sends an alert to your phone/tablet anytime its pressed, with the option to accept/deny the call, and peek at a video feed of the visitor while hearing and speaking with the visitor via the same device. It takes it one step further though, because the video feed is available on-demand even when the button isn't pressed, should you find yourself in one of those tricky Drew Barrymore-home-alone-hiding-from-the-killer-in-Scream situations.
Drawbacks: Installation could prove a bit tricky, as it's meant to be powered through your current doorbell's wiring.

Swann Doorphone 870 Video Intercom
Price:$150
This easy-install system is the type of video intercom you're probably familiar with, and probably only makes sense for businesses, or older folk uncomfortable with rapidly changing modern tech. It enables the same full-color video and 2-way audio as both the Doorbot and iDoorCam when activated, and the camera's even equipped with nightvision. Plus, the outdoor camera/button element is directly wired to the screen inside, so it'll be unaffected if you're WiFi's down or weak.
Drawbacks: Many. Obviously, it's lack of WiFi means you're only able to check who's outside if you're inside near the LCD terminal. And each component must be wired to one another using the included 50ft cable, which could get complicated if you live on a higher floor.

So, now that you know the choices, it's your call. Need a rig that let's you talk to people knocking on your door from half a world away? A secure video intercom with nightvision? Or would you rather pass on these initial market entries for something a little more advanced down the road, say, one that looks old-school, but also scolds and tasers suspected ding dong ditchers? You know someone's designing that.