Everything you need to know about buying or replacing a video intercom for your home

A video intercom is no longer just a luxury, but an essential security component. Watching who is outside the door can be useful both for welcoming guests and for protecting the home from intruders.
Today, video intercoms offer innovative features that increase their usefulness. In particular, Wi-Fi connectivity allows remote control via smartphone, making the video intercom even more practical and versatile.
Index:
- Replacing or choosing a new video intercom system
- Which video intercom system to choose
- Difference between single-family and two-family video intercom
- WI-FI Video intercom
- Choice between Hands-free or handset video intercom
- What are the best video intercom brands?
Replacing or choosing a new video intercom system
Choosing or replacing a video intercom involves several considerations depending on requirements.
When replacing a defective video intercom, it is important to assess compatibility with the existing system in order to avoid invasive structural work. A model must be selected that integrates smoothly with the existing system. If you are purchasing a video intercom for the first time or during renovation work that allows for a free choice, you have a wide range of options to choose from with no constraints related to the existing system.
Which video intercom to choose
A system comprises several components, including the outdoor intercom, the indoor video intercom and the wires connecting the two devices. It is important to note that if you have an older, pre-existing 5-wire, 7-wire or coax system, you will not be able to use a more modern 2-wire or 2 voice intercoms, as they are not compatible.
In this case, the entire system will have to be replaced. Before purchasing a video intercom, it is essential to find out about the type of system already installed.
- 5-wire, 4+n or 7-wire system: These are older systems in which 5 or 7 wires ran from the outdoor intercom unit to the inside of the house and then to the device.
- Coaxial system: very old. It basically consists of 2 wires that accompanied a coaxial cable, like that of the TV aerial.
- 2-wire system: These are the most modern systems, used by all brands. They always have the same feature: just two wires connecting the outdoor station to the indoor intercom.
- 2 voice system: It is a two-wire system that can only be used with Urmet video intercoms.
Difference between single-family and two-family video intercom
The distinction is fundamental in order to make the most suitable choice for one’s living environment.
We therefore distinguish:
- Single-family video intercom: ideal for flats, detached houses or cottages.
- Two-family video intercom: to be installed where two families share one outdoor gate.
Wi-Fi Video intercom
The choice in this case is entirely personal and also depends on the nature of the expense one wishes to incur: a Wi-Fi enabled device certainly costs more than a traditional one.
However, it offers the advantage to be controlled remotely via apps developed by the various brands for mobile devices.
Have a look at our catalogue of Wi-Fi video intercoms available in our warehouse.
Choice between hands-free or handset video intercom
As with WI-FI, the decision here is equally subjective and depends mainly on the available budget.
Using a hands-free device offers greater freedom of movement, eliminating the need to hold the phone. However, there is a risk that others may overhear our conversations with whoever is outside the gate, and it may entail an additional cost to the purchase.
What are the best video intercom brands?
Today, there are dozens of brands that manufacture and distribute video intercoms in our homes. Here is our ‘Top 3’ of brands that have distinguished themselves over the years for the quality and durability of their products.
- BTicino
- Urmet
- Comelit
BTicino
BTicino is a historic brand that never hides bad surprises. If you choose a BTicino kit, satisfaction is guaranteed. However, unlike other brands, there is less flexibility if you want to make changes to the system once you have purchased the kit.
We recommend the purchase of the following BTicino video intercom:

BTicino Smart Video Door Station Class 2 Wi-Fi handsfree
- 2-wire
- Handsfree
- 5 inches
Urmet
Urmet is one of the best known and most popular brands. It has products with a high quality standard in its product basket, but with a higher than average price.
We recommend the following device from Urmet:
Videocitofono Urmet vModo 7″ Vivavoce Soft Touch Sistema 2 Voice
- Colour Video intercom
- Soft Touch
- Push to Talk

Comelit
We recommend the following device from Comelit:

Comelit Handsfree Vip 2-Wire Wi-Fi Video Door Phone Monitor
- 2-wire
- Colour monitor
- Wi-Fi vip system
Related posts:
- Intercom replacement: How to replace your intercom system
- Best video intercom: Top 5 of 2024
- Definition of home automation: Meaning in 2024