You’re looking at DoorBird’s lineup and there’s D1101V, D2101KV, D1812B… what does any of this mean? And which one do you actually need?
I’ve installed hundreds of these. Let me break down every model and tell you exactly when I recommend each one - and when I don’t.
Jump to Your Situation
- Front door on a house
- Driveway gate or pedestrian gate
- Small building (2-5 units)
- Large building (6+ units)
- I want fingerprint access
Front Door on a House
For a residential front door, you want the D11 series. It’s compact, works on WiFi or wired ethernet, and doesn’t look oversized on a doorframe.
D1101V - Basic Video Doorbell
Best for: Front door on a house, or a business that only wants a bell and doesn’t need to control the door
I would NOT use it for: Driveway gate or pedestrian gate - no keypad means no codes for entry
This is a front door unit. It’s narrow, it does what it does - someone rings, you see them on your phone, you can talk. That’s it. No keypad, no access control.
It can also work for a business that already has a fire system or external access control and just needs a supplement. They don’t want to control the door with this unit - they just want video and communication. The narrow form factor fits in tight spaces.
But for most residential customers? They end up wanting to give PIN codes to their cleaner or guests, and then they wish they got the KV.
Important: Even though it has a relay, never connect it to unlock your front door. The front door is your last line of defense - use this as a doorbell only.
D1101KV - Compact Keypad (Vertical)
Best for: Small office, pedestrian gate with keypad access control
Not for front door. We established that we don’t connect DoorBird to the front door lock - so this keypad unit makes more sense for a small office or a pedestrian gate where you actually want to control access.
Why this one: It’s very compact. Very narrow. Perfect for places where there’s not a lot of room for mounting. Someone who doesn’t really care about the highest quality image - just wants a decent image and keypad access.
The image quality is decent, not premium like the D21 series. But for a small office entry or pedestrian gate where you need PIN codes for access, it does the job well.
D1101KH - Compact Keypad (Horizontal) - The Default
Best for: Single gate (front gate or driveway gate), and honestly most D11 applications
Why it’s the default: It comes complete as a package - has the back box, ready for surface mount right out of the box. You don’t need to purchase anything else. For flush mount, you’d buy the flush mount box separately, but really it fits almost every single-unit application.
The horizontal shape works great on narrow posts and gooseneck mounts.
Limitation: This unit can control only ONE door. You cannot control two doors with it - only one relay. If you need to control multiple access points, you need the D21 series with two relays.
D1101FV - Compact Fingerprint
Best for: Only if someone specifically mentions they want fingerprint
My honest take: If they didn’t mention wanting fingerprint, I don’t really recommend it. And I definitely don’t recommend it in cold places - sometimes the fingerprint doesn’t really work properly in cold weather. The sensor struggles with cold fingers.
D1102V - 2 Buttons (No Keypad)
Best for: Small office with 2 units that just wants doorbell functionality
Rarely recommend. It’s vertical, two buttons, no keypad - just a doorbell for offices with remote access. Most people want the keypad for codes.
D1102KV - 2 Buttons + Keypad
Best for: Small office with keypad and access control, small duplex with two units
This is what I recommend for 2-unit properties. Two call buttons plus full keypad. Great for a duplex or 2-suite office.
D1102FV - 2 Buttons + Fingerprint
Best for: Only if someone mentioned fingerprint AND it’s two units
Rarely recommend this. Same fingerprint concerns as the D1101FV.
Driveway Gate or Pedestrian Gate
This is where I have strong opinions. For gates, you have three solid options.
D1812 Series - My Top Pick for Gates
Best for: Driveway gates, pedestrian gates - especially if you have or had a DoorKing system
This is my top pick for gates. I recommend the D1812 series for pedestrian and driveway gates - mostly for driveway gates, especially if they already have the DoorKing telephone entry system.
About the DoorKing System: The DoorKing 1812 is one of the most common telephone entry systems you’ll find at residential gates. It’s been around for decades. When you press a call button, it dials a phone number inside the house. The homeowner picks up the landline phone, hears who’s at the gate, and can press a button on the phone to open the gate.
The DoorBird D1812 is designed as a direct replacement. It uses the same back box as the old DoorKing 1812. But here’s what makes it special - you can keep the landline phone system AND add app control. So the visitor can still call the house phone like before, AND the homeowner gets a notification on their smartphone. Both systems work together.
D1812 vs D1812B - What’s the Difference:
- D1812 = Panel only. Use this if your existing DoorKing back box is in good condition. Just swap the panel.
- D1812B = Includes the back box. Use this if the old box is damaged, rusted, or you want to replace everything.
Why I recommend it even without DoorKing: I’ll offer this unit for people who DON’T have a DoorKing to replace - it’s that good. Perfect on a gooseneck mount. Professional appearance. Online reviewers call it “professional versus the other brands made of plastic that look more like toys.”
When I recommend it: If someone says pedestrian gate or driveway gate and they want surface mount, this is almost always my recommendation.
When I don’t: Flush mount. Flush mount really requires grinding unless there’s already a flush mount DoorKing, and that’s rare.
D1101KH - Budget Gate Option
If the D1812B is outside budget, the D1101KH works on gates too. Horizontal shape fits gooseneck mounts well. Just know it’s smaller and only has one relay instead of two.
Small Building (2-5 Units)
For multi-unit buildings, you need multiple call buttons. The rule is simple: match the button count, and get the KV version for keypad.
D21 Series Multi-Button Models
| Units | Model | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | D2102KV | Two buttons with keypad |
| 3 | D2103KV | Three buttons with keypad |
| 4 | D2104KV | Four buttons with keypad |
| 5 | D2105KV | Five buttons with keypad |
V vs KV: V is without keypad (just fobs), KV is with keypad. Always get KV unless there’s a specific reason you don’t want codes.
D11 vs D21 for multi-unit?
- D1102KV (D11 series) = Smaller, WiFi option, decent video
- D2102KV (D21 series) = Larger, better video, TWO relays
The two relays on D21 let you control two different things. A door AND a gate. Or one relay for momentary unlock and one for held-open.
View D2102KV → | View D2103V →
Large Building (6+ Units)
Once you’re past 5 units, individual buttons become impractical. You need a directory display.
D21DKV - Display Keypad (Vertical)
Best for: Larger properties, larger apartment buildings, larger commercial buildings, high-end properties that want the screen option and directory
Visitors can scroll through or search for names. Much more practical than rows of buttons.
- D21DKV = Vertical
- D21DKH = Same exact thing, just horizontal
D31TDV / D31TDH - Touchscreen Luxury
Best for: Luxury. Really luxury. High-end commercial with a lot of users.
The D31TD series is the brand new touchscreen line. Full touchscreen interface. This is what you put in Class A office buildings or high-end residential where first impressions matter.
- D31TDV = Vertical touchscreen
- D31TDH = Horizontal touchscreen, better for really a lot of users
The Flagship: D2101KV
The D2101KV is the flagship. One of the main units I will always recommend as a default for commercial and gate applications.
What it has:
- Two relays (control door AND gate, or different commands)
- Keypad for PIN codes
- RFID for fobs
- Excellent video quality
- Back box, flush mount, surface mount, protective hood - all available
Best for: Commercial entries, office buildings, properties needing two relays
Not for: Residential front doors - it’s too big. Use D11 series for front doors.
According to online reviews, the D2101KV starts around $1,295 and offers “high-definition camera with wide-angle lens and night vision” plus “multiple relay outputs to control several doors or gates.”
D2101V - Standard Without Keypad
Best for: Front door if someone wants better video quality than D11 but doesn’t want a keypad. Uses fobs instead of codes.
It’s larger than the D11 series. Better video. Has fob reader but no keypad.
D2101KH - Standard Keypad Horizontal
Best for: Covering a large opening from a previous intercom. Maybe a commercial building.
Honestly? I probably won’t recommend this to most people. It’s square/horizontal. Same as D2101KV but horizontal shape. I don’t really see why I would recommend this unless they need to cover an existing cutout.
D2101FV - Standard Fingerprint
Best for: Only if someone specifically wants fingerprint
Same as I said about the D1101FV - only if they mentioned wanting fingerprint. Otherwise I don’t really recommend it.
D2101IKH - Info Module
Best for: Never. Unless someone wants to engrave their name or number on the unit.
Not for standard customers. Very niche.
About Fingerprint Models
Every model ending in FV has a fingerprint reader:
- D1101FV (compact)
- D2101FV (standard)
- D1102FV (2-unit compact)
- D2102FV (2-unit standard)
My rule: Only recommend if the customer specifically mentions wanting fingerprint.
The cold weather problem: Fingerprint readers can malfunction in cold weather. Cold fingers read differently. I’ve had frustrated customers. If you’re in a cold climate, stick with keypad.
My Decision Logic
When a customer comes to me:
-
I always go with keypad - Everyone ends up wanting to give codes to people
-
I prefer D21 series when appropriate - More room for wiring, nothing crowded, easier to work with. Two relays for future flexibility - even if you don’t use both for gates, you can use them for different commands (momentary vs held open)
-
For driveway/pedestrian gates - D1812B directly. Unless they want flush mount, then maybe not
-
For 6+ units - Always the screen models (D21DK or D31TD)
-
Add protective hood - Every time if there’s extra budget and they want it to look nicer. Surface mount especially.
Locking Recommendations by Entry Type
If I choose to install a doorbell at the front door, I will never connect it to the door. It’s as simple as that.
Here’s how I approach locking hardware for different entry types:
Front Door (Residential)
Locking solution: None - DoorBird is a doorbell only.
The front door is your last line of defense. The DoorBird can be removed with just 2 screws. If someone removes it, they have access to the wiring. If you wired it to your door strike, they can unlock your door.
Use DoorBird as a video doorbell and communication device. Do not connect the relay to your front door lock.
Pedestrian Gate
Locking solution: Electric strike (best option)
Gates are designed for electronic access control. An electric strike is the proper solution - it’s secure and works well with the DoorBird relay.
For decorative pedestrian gates without a standard latch, a magnetic lock with an exit button can work. But it’s not my first choice.
Driveway Gate
Locking solution: None needed
You’re connecting directly to the gate operator. The operator handles the locking and unlocking. The DoorBird triggers the operator to open.
Storefront (Aluminum/Glass Doors)
Locking solution: Electrified panic bar (preferred), electrified lever, or magnetic lock as last resort
For commercial storefronts, an electrified panic bar is the best option - it meets fire code requirements and provides proper security. An electrified lever is the next option.
About magnetic locks: Never use as the only locking system. Magnetic locks are fail-safe - they unlock when power fails. Use only as a secondary convenience lock during business hours. Always add: motion sensor inside, push-to-exit button, and exterior keypad for backup entry. Banks and schools try to avoid magnetic locks for these reasons.
Quick Reference
| Situation | My Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Front door (house) | D1101V (doorbell only, never connect to lock) |
| Small office entry | D1101KV |
| Single pedestrian gate | D1101KH or D1812 |
| Driveway gate | D1812 or D1812B |
| 2 units | D1102KV or D2102KV |
| 3-5 units | Match button count + KV |
| 6+ units | D21DKV or D31TDV |
| Budget | D1101KH |
| Premium gates | D1812B |
| Luxury buildings | D31TDV |
| Fingerprint | Only if they asked |
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Based on real installation experience. Questions? Reach out - I’d rather you get the right model the first time.
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