Practical Guides

Smart Video Intercom 2026: Buying Guide and Top 5 Comparison

Complete guide to smart video intercoms in 2026: Comelit, Legrand Netatmo, Philips WelcomeEye, BTicino and Siedle. Differences with video doorbells, installation in apartment buildings, and smartphone connection explained.

Miguel Serenite

Published 16 April 202616 min read

Connected video intercom for apartment and house with smartphone access

Video Intercom vs Video Doorbell: What is the Difference?

Confusion between a video intercom and a video doorbell is common, but these two devices serve distinct purposes. A video doorbell (Ring, Nest Hello, Eufy Doorbell) is designed for detached houses: it replaces the existing doorbell, mounts on the door frame, and communicates directly with the homeowner via smartphone.

A video intercom, by contrast, is a complete system comprising:

An external panel (street station) installed at the building or gate entrance
One or more internal units (monitors) installed in each apartment or room
An electric door or gate release system
Optionally, a smartphone app to answer from anywhere

For apartment residents in multi-dwelling buildings, a video intercom is the only appropriate solution: a visitor must press your apartment button on the shared street panel, and you can unlock the door from your home or from your smartphone if the system is connected.

Also see our no-subscription video doorbell comparison for detached houses, and our smart lock guide for securing your access.

Comparison Table: 5 Smart Video Intercoms

Feature	Comelit Smart	Legrand Netatmo	Philips WelcomeEye	BTicino Classe 300	Siedle Vario
Type	IP/SIP + App	Wi-Fi + App	Wi-Fi + App	IP + App	Analogue + App
Camera resolution	2MP Full HD	1080p HD	2MP (180° fisheye)	720p HD	1080p HD
Indoor monitor	7" colour touchscreen	None (app only)	7" colour touchscreen	7" colour	7" colour
Smartphone app	Yes (iOS/Android)	Yes (iOS/Android)	Yes (iOS/Android)	Yes (iOS/Android)	Yes (iOS/Android)
Video recording	Yes (cloud/SD)	Yes (cloud)	Yes (local SD)	Yes (cloud)	Yes (local SD)
Max apartments	500+	1-4	1-6	100+	Unlimited
Approx. price (single kit)	£300-500	£130-210	£170-250	£350-600	£450-800

1. Comelit Smart — Best for Large Apartment Buildings

The Comelit Smart is the professional Italian reference solution for large buildings. Its IP/SIP platform supports hundreds of apartments on a single street panel, with centralised access management from an administrator dashboard. The Comelit Smart app allows video calls from anywhere in the world and remote door opening. Full HD 2MP video quality, WDR for backlit conditions.

View Comelit Smart kit on Amazon →

2. Legrand Netatmo — Best for App-Only DIY Installation

The Legrand Netatmo takes a radically different approach: no indoor monitor, everything works via smartphone app. Ideal for people always connected who want simplified installation. Apple HomeKit compatible since 2025. Works with up to 4 dwellings. Free 3-day cloud recording on basic plan.

View Legrand Netatmo on Amazon →

3. Philips WelcomeEye — Best for Houses and Small Buildings

The Philips WelcomeEye is the most versatile solution for detached houses and small multi-dwelling buildings up to 6 units. Its unique 180° fisheye lens covers the entire entrance without blind spots. The 7-inch touchscreen indoor monitor, local microSD storage, and 2-wire compatibility with existing cabling make it a strong DIY choice.

View Philips WelcomeEye on Amazon →

4. BTicino Classe 300 EOS — Best Italian Build Quality

The BTicino Classe 300 EOS (Legrand Group) represents the pinnacle of Italian intercom craftsmanship. The anodised aluminium exterior panel is renowned for durability and vandal resistance. OpenVoice protocol compatibility enables KNX smart home integration — a professional standard used in premium buildings and hotels.

View BTicino Classe 300 on Amazon →

5. Siedle Vario — Best German Premium Quality

The Siedle Vario is the absolute German reference in premium intercoms. Founded in 1948 in the Black Forest, Siedle is renowned for exceptional materials (solid machined aluminium housings) and legendary durability — some Siedle installations have been running for over 30 years. The modular Vario system allows bespoke configuration for architectural projects.

View Siedle Vario on Amazon →

Apartment Building Installation: What You Need to Know

Replacing or installing a video intercom in a leasehold apartment building is not an individual decision — it is a collective one requiring resident agreement. In the UK, for shared buildings, the freeholder or managing agent must authorise any changes to communal entry systems. For houses of multiple occupancy (HMOs), the landlord is responsible for the communal system.

Key considerations for apartment building installation:

Professional installation: Electrical work should be carried out by a Part P certified electrician
GDPR compliance: CCTV panels filming communal areas require signage and data protection compliance
Postal access: The Royal Mail may need a key fob or code to access the building — coordinate with your local sorting office
Insurance: Notify your buildings insurer of any changes to the entry system

Buying Guide: How to Choose Your Smart Video Intercom

Type of Dwelling

Detached house: Philips WelcomeEye or Legrand Netatmo are the most suitable — simple to install and good video quality. For a video doorbell without indoor monitor, see our video doorbell guide.

Apartment in a block: You depend on the building's communal system. To add smartphone functionality to an existing intercom, SIP/IP adapters connect to the existing handset without changing the shared street panel.

Small block (2-6 units): Philips WelcomeEye or Legrand Netatmo, with consent from all residents.

Large block (10+ units): Comelit, BTicino or Siedle, with mandatory professional installation.

Our Final Verdict

For a detached house or small building, the Philips WelcomeEye (£170-250) is our top recommendation: excellent value, unique 180° lens, local storage and possible DIY installation. For app-connected apartments without an indoor monitor, Legrand Netatmo (£130-210) is the most elegant solution. For large apartment buildings requiring a durable professional solution, Comelit and BTicino are the market references.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a 2-wire intercom and an IP intercom?

A 2-wire intercom uses a proprietary cable pair to transmit both electrical power, audio signal and video signal. This is the most widespread technology in Europe since the 1980s, and most existing buildings are wired for 2-wire. Advantages: simple to install, robust, few failure points. An IP intercom uses the Ethernet or Wi-Fi network to transmit signals. Advantages: superior video quality (Full HD or higher), advanced features (recording, motion detection), native smartphone integration, ability to add stations without additional cabling. Most modern connected systems (Comelit Smart, BTicino Classe 300) are hybrid: they can use existing 2-wire cabling while offering IP features.

Can you answer the intercom from your smartphone when you are away?

Yes, this is the main feature that differentiates "connected" intercoms from traditional ones. When a visitor presses your button, a notification is sent to the app on your smartphone (iOS or Android). You can see the visitor in real-time video, talk to them hands-free and open the door remotely — even if you are on the other side of the world, as long as you have an internet connection. This feature is available on all models in our selection. Note: this feature requires an active internet connection in the building and on your smartphone.

How do you add smartphone functionality to an existing intercom without changing the street panel?

There are "retrofit" adapters that connect to your existing indoor handset to add smartphone connectivity without modifying the shared street panel. The best known solutions are: the Akuvox R20 module (SIP/IP, connects to the 2-wire cable), the Comelit MINI WiFi (installs inside the indoor unit housing, compatible with Comelit wiring), or the BPT VR200 (compatible with BPT wiring). For apartment block residents, these adapters are an economical solution as they require no AGM vote or modification of communal areas — you only intervene in your own apartment.

What is the Vigik system and why is it important for my intercom?

Vigik is a French standardised access control system developed by La Poste in 1995. It allows postmen, approved delivery companies and public service agents to access building communal areas with a rechargeable professional badge, without needing to ring each interphone. The equivalent systems vary by country: in the UK, some buildings use a Royal Mail master key system; in Germany, building access for postal services is governed by individual postal service agreements. If your building uses Vigik and you replace the intercom with a non-Vigik model, postal and delivery access will be affected. Verify compatibility before any replacement.

Is it possible to integrate a video intercom with a smart lock?

Yes, integration between video intercom and smart lock is increasingly common, with several possible approaches. The simplest is integration via a smart home platform: if your intercom and lock are both compatible with the same ecosystem (Apple HomeKit, Google Home, or Amazon Alexa), you can create automations such as "if I accept the intercom call AND click Open, unlock the lock." Direct integration solutions exist for some brands: Nuki, for example, offers an adapter that connects directly to the existing intercom via the door opening cables. For new projects, the smart lock + IP intercom combination offers the most flexible solution with smartphone access management. See our <a href="/en/blog/serrure-connectee-guide">complete smart lock guide</a> for more details.