6. Video Doorbell
Remember the old days when we used to routinely answer the phone without knowing who was on the other end? Very few people do that anymore, so why answer the door before you know who’s out there? With a video doorbell, you don’t have to. A mounted camera allows you to check the front porch via your smartphone before you approach the door, even if you’re not at home.
There are various features available on different brands, so make sure to do your research. You can get motion detection, night vision, and smartphone alerts. Some makes have internal video storage, while others require a subscription fee to store video in the cloud. Others allow you to talk to your guest via a speaker. In any case, a video doorbell is much handier than a peephole, which you have to approach to use. By that time, your visitor knows you’re there. So much for screening!