You don’t need a whole new video doorbell to get smart notifications. Here’s how to upgrade your classic chime.

You know that classic, two-tone “ding-dong” of a traditional doorbell? It’s a sound that’s been part of our homes for decades. But in a world of smart everything, it can feel a little… left behind. Maybe you don’t want or need a full-blown video doorbell, but you’ve probably wondered if you could teach your old doorbell some new tricks. You’re not alone. The great news is, you absolutely can, and the key is a nifty little device called a smart doorbell chime.

It’s a simple idea that bridges the gap between your trusty old doorbell and your modern smart home. Instead of replacing the whole system, you add a small smart component to your existing, traditional chime. This device connects to your Wi-Fi and acts as a translator, turning that simple electrical signal from your doorbell button into a smart trigger you can use for all sorts of things.

So, you can keep the doorbell button you like and the classic chime, but gain a whole new level of control.

The Search for a Packaged Smart Doorbell Chime

Okay, let’s get straight to it. You’d think there would be a dozen simple, plug-and-play options for this, right? Funnily enough, the market is a little thin on “packaged” solutions that work with any old doorbell.

When you search for a “smart chime,” you’ll mostly find products like the Ring Chime or the Arlo Chime. These are great, but they are designed to work exclusively within their own ecosystems. They act as extenders for their specific video doorbells, not as smart upgrades for a traditional system.

However, there are some clever workarounds using smart sensors. For example, some people have successfully used Z-Wave multi-purpose sensors that can be wired into the chime’s circuit. This requires a compatible smart home hub, which is like a central brain for your devices. You can learn more about how those work in this great overview of smart home hubs from The Verge. It’s a fantastic solution if you’re already invested in a system like Hubitat or Home Assistant, but it’s not quite the simple, standalone product many are hoping for.

The DIY Solution: Your Best Bet for a Smart Doorbell Chime

This brings us to the most popular and flexible option, the one that tech enthusiasts keep coming back to: a small smart relay. Don’t let the “DIY” part scare you; it’s more straightforward than it sounds.

The most common device used for this is the Shelly 1 (or its newer, smaller version, the Shelly Plus 1 Mini). It’s a tiny, affordable Wi-Fi-enabled relay that you can tuck right inside your existing mechanical chime’s housing.

Here’s how it works in plain English:

1. Installation: You wire the Shelly between the transformer and your chime. It’s a low-voltage project, but as with any electrical work, you should turn off the power at the breaker first and be careful.
2. Connection: When a visitor presses your doorbell button, the electrical current flows to the chime as usual.
3. The Magic: The Shelly device senses this electrical pulse. Since it’s connected to your Wi-Fi, it instantly sends a notification or triggers an automation you’ve set up in the Shelly app or your smart home platform (like Alexa, Google Home, or Home Assistant).

The best part? Your original chime still “ding-dongs” exactly as it did before. The Shelly just adds a layer of intelligence on top. You can find detailed guides and documentation directly on the official Shelly website, which is a great resource for getting started.

What You Gain: The Real-World Perks

Why go to the trouble of installing a smart relay? It’s all about adding convenience that fits your life.

• Scheduled Silence: This is a big one. Have a baby napping or work late shifts? You can create a schedule to silence the physical chime during certain hours while still getting a notification on your phone or smartwatch. No more surprise “ding-dongs” waking up the house.
• Smart Home Triggers: This is where the fun begins. You can link that doorbell press to almost anything. Have your smart lights flash in the office if you’re wearing headphones. Get an announcement on your Alexa or Google Home speakers. You could even have a smart display show a camera feed if you have a separate security camera pointed at your door.
• Notifications Anywhere: Get a simple push notification on your phone the moment the bell is rung. It’s perfect for when you’re out in the backyard, down in the basement, or away from home, so you never miss a delivery or visitor.

So, while the dream of a perfect, off-the-shelf smart doorbell chime that works with any system hasn’t been fully realized by major brands yet, the path to a smarter doorbell is clear and accessible. It’s a small project that delivers a surprisingly large impact, making your trusty old doorbell a truly integrated part of your modern home.