Apartment Buzzer Systems – Buyer’s Guide and Checklist (2025)

Apartment buzzers are creating quite the buzz this year as the go-to solution for safe and seamless access to multifamily buildings. But today’s buzzers have evolved far beyond their humble beginnings. No longer just a simple button that lets visitors “buzz” an apartment. These modern systems can now route calls, including live video, directly to residents’ mobile phones. Now, they would never miss a visitor, whether they’re home or not.

Better known as apartment intercom systems, these high-tech buzzers bring a swarm of smart features. They include remote access management, mobile unlocking, and even automated keyless entry for visitors and residents.

In this ultimate apartment buzzer guide, we break down everything you need to know about these modern intercom systems—plus, we share our comprehensive checklist of what to consider before you buy. So, let’s get buzzing!

Table of Contents

• What Is An Apartment Buzzer
• Smart Intercoms Are Today’s Standard for Apartment Buzzers
• Apartment Buzzer Sound – Annoying?
• Apartment Buzzer Replacement Checklist
• Consider Swiftlane for Your Apartment Buzzer Replacement

What Is An Apartment Buzzer

An apartment buzzer is a type of door entry system commonly found in multi-unit residential buildings–including condos, apartments, and co-ops. It allows visitors to request building access by pressing a button on an intercom panel located outside the building or in the vestibule.

The buzzer can also provide access control for the building’s residents. It can replace ordinary metal keys with tools like key fobs, PIN codes, mobile device entry, and even facial recognition.

Types of Apartment Buzzer Systems

Fixed Line Apartment Buzzer

Early door buzzer systems operated through dedicated electrical wiring connecting the front door panel to a substation unit in each apartment or condo. The first generation simply triggered a buzzer inside the apartment when its corresponding button was pressed, giving rise to the term “door buzzer.” Over time, people integrated audio intercoms to allow communication between residents and visitors. However, installing fixed-line intercom buzzers in large multi-tenant buildings was costly and complex. These systems lacked the ability to call local or mobile numbers. They did not offer remote unlocking capabilities for when the resident is not at home.

Telephone Entry Systems / Call Boxes

To buzz numerous units without dedicated in-building wiring, telephone entry systems, also known as call boxes, became the solution.  They remain common in many buildings. These systems allow residents to receive visitor audio-only calls and grant access using their landline phones, eliminating the need for in-unit substations. While some legacy telephone entry systems have been upgraded to support mobile calling and remote unlocking, they still have significant drawbacks compared to modern video intercom systems—including complex programming, high landline costs, and the absence of video surveillance.

Wireless Intercom Systems

These door buzzer intercoms use wireless communication between the visitor and the resident. Early wireless systems relied on radio frequency (RF) signals, which had several limitations. Now, most wireless intercoms relay communications over the Internet to a resident’s mobile device so the resident can respond to the call from anywhere. These contemporary buzzers, also known as Smart Intercoms or IP Intercoms connect to the internet via WiFi, cellular networks, or ethernet connection to a modem. These advanced systems usually offer flexible connectivity, including video, a variety of different entry methods, and remote management via a cloud-based platform.

No matter which type of buzzer is used, apartment buzzers provide convenience and security, helping to control who enters the building. 

Smart Intercoms Are Today’s Standard for Apartment Buzzers 

Due to the limitations of older systems, we recommend modern wireless smart intercoms for all new apartment buzzer system installations, whether upgrading an older system, renovating the building, or planning new construction. Today’s buildings have unique needs compared to the past, including managing higher foot traffic, handling more deliveries and in-home services, deterring increased package theft, and providing the conveniences residents have come to expect in the digital age. 

When choosing an apartment buzzer system, consider smart video intercom devices, whether your building is a condo, co-op, or multitenant apartment building. Models are available that cater to as few as one residence per building to up to 10,000 residents across an entire residential campus.

Benefits of a Modern, Smart Video Apartment Buzzer System

Upgrading an apartment buzzer to a modern internet-enabled video intercom offers numerous benefits for residents, property managers, and building owners. Here’s why it’s a smart move.

• Visual Verification: Make sure that the person at the door is who they say they are.  This helps deter porch pirates who pretend to be a delivery person, but just want to get inside the building to take packages. 
• Keep a Record: Internet-enabled video intercoms can keep a visual record of everyone entering the building. This helps deter crime and keep occupants safe. 
• Improved Communication – High-definition video and two-way crystal clear digital audio improve visitor verification compared to outdated audio-only buzzers. Visitors can reach residents directly on their mobile devices, reducing missed deliveries and visitors.
• Remote Unlock: Internet-enabled intercoms let the resident answer calls even when they aren’t home, straight from their mobile device. Using these, you can provide remote access to delivery people, nannies, dog walkers, cleaning personnel, and other staff.
• Keyless Entry: No more locked-out residents who have misplaced their keys. The intercom can provide access control with various modern methods, including PIN codes, QR codes, mobile device (NFC, Bluetooth, app), key fobs and ID cards, or even biometric tools like facial recognition or fingerprint scanning. It’s easy for property managers to add or remove users.
• Impress Prospective Residents: Sleek and convenient video intercoms help raise property values by investing in the resident experience, providing convenience, mobile flexibility, and a tool to increase building security. A smart video intercom adds value to the property, attracting tech-savvy tenants and buyers.
• Lower Operating Costs: Depending on building size and market, video intercoms can provide capabilities that replace in-person building staff. Because they typically connect to the Internet and a remote management platform, they are easier for property managers to program and maintain from a central office. Modern systems replace the need for a dedicated landline telephone.

Apartment Buzzer Sound – Annoying?

If you’ve been in an older apartment building, you’ve probably heard the somewhat grating sound of a legacy apartment buzzer. Old systems can range from the sound of a classroom bell to a quiet chainsaw.

Today’s apartment buzzers are much more friendly on the ear.  With some systems, the front door intercom will ring your telephone or a wall-mounted tenant console in the apartment, and you can choose a pleasant ringtone. With intercoms that connect to an app on your mobile device, you can even receive a call from the front door while on silent mode with a vibration or silent pop-up notification.  Through these modern options, you’re not limited to the old-fashioned chainsaw-like buzz of yesteryear’s systems. 

Apartment Buzzer Replacement Checklist

As you start to explore models of intercom hardware for your apartment buzzer system, you’ll need to decide which features will benefit your building the most. We suggest running through the following checklist to determine if a particular model caters to your building and residents’ needs.

1. System Type & Features

• Audio-only or video: Due to the rising prevalence of package theft, we suggest intercoms with video, though audio-only systems are still available.

• One-way video or two-way: You can see who is at the door using one-way video calls. However, many younger tenants prefer two-way video, which is also a standard for residents with hearing impairments and sign-language users.

• Mobile app:  When the intercom is paired with a mobile app, residents can answer and unlock the door even when they’re not at home. They can also usually program temporary PIN or QR codes for houseguests or service workers like a dog walker.

• Video recording and storage options: This helps provide an added layer of security by creating a log of who came into the building. The log is usually hosted on the intercom’s cloud platform.

• Multiple access methods: Most modern intercoms let you replace traditional metal keys.  Choose whether your residents will use PIN codes, key fobs or keycards, QR codes, or enter by tapping their mobile device. These tools are all easier for property managers to enable and disable without keeping track of keys.

• Biometric access: Today’s state-of-the-art intercoms can verify residents’ identities with biometrics. Facial recognition has become a preferred method for hands-free access control. Unlike key fobs or PINs, which can be misused by unauthorized users, only your authorized tenants can get in with facial recognition. More rare, some intercoms can work with a fingerprint reader.

2. Compatibility

• Scalability: Make sure your device can scale to the maximum potential number of residents. Many systems can expand to up to 10,000 users, while others can only handle 1 residence.

• Door lock compatibility: Check with the intercom manufacturer or a security services company that your new buzzer will integrate with your existing electronic door locks, or if you’ll need new locks to work with your buzzer system.

• Smarthome integration:  Some tenants like to be able to control the door using smart home devices like Alexa or Google Home – check to see if these are compatible with your chosen system.

• Building system integration: Many intercoms can integrate with other building systems for a holistic access control and security solution. If your building has elevators, surveillance cameras, and doors to sensitive areas like a gym, mailroom, or common room, look for intercom systems that can integrate with the access control for these locations.

3. Installation Requirements

• Wired vs. wireless installation: Wired systems are hard to install except during new construction.  Wireless systems are usually cheaper, but then may involve ongoing subscription fees.

• Professional installation or DIY-friendly: Nearly all systems for multi-unit buildings require professional installation into the building’s power supply. Some battery-operated intercoms for a single unit are easy DIY projects.

• Power requirements: Intercom systems vary in their power needs.  Some require a full 120-volt power supply, while others can use lower voltage cables, including Power over Ethernet (PoE).

4. Connectivity

• Internet requirements: Smart intercoms connect to the Internet. You may want an intercom that offers both a primary and backup connection. Intercoms can often connect to a building’s WiFi, Ethernet, or mobile service provider using LTE or 5G networks.

• Cloud-based vs. local storage options: Many apartment buzzer system products connect to the cloud to store resident IDs and a photo or video log. If a cloud-based platform is not offered, the intercom may need some form of local storage, such as being hooked up to a computer located on-site.

5. Security and Durability Features

• Data Encryption: Encrypted systems are harder to hack. They’re ideal when using key fobs and ID cards, which are easy to clone or copy with equipment from the Internet.

• Automatic recording on motion detection: With this option, the intercom camera will activate and take a photo or video log whenever there is motion. This can be useful for identifying criminal activity.

• Antivandalism protection: Some devices are hardened against attacks – they can even be smashed with a hammer. Hardware that is rated IK10 is the most protected against vandalism and is best for outdoor use. 

• All-weather housing: Especially for outdoor mounted intercoms, the waterproof and dustproof rating of the device is critical to protect your investment. IP65 and higher devices are dust and water proof for conditions except total flooding.

6. User Experience

• Intuitive interface: Ask the manufacturer for a demo or a video of how the intercom works for both the tenant and visitor experience to ensure it is easy to use.

• Touchscreen or traditional buttons: Like today’s smartphone devices, many apartment buzzers offer fully interactive color touchscreens with a user interface that adapts to each person’s needs. These can provide fully searchable tenant directories, which is ideal for large buildings. 

• Multi-language support: Depending on your location or building size, you may want an intercom that lets users select their language.

• Easy management via mobile or web interface: Modern apartment buzzer systems are not just about resident convenience; they’re about property management convenience as well. Ask your manufacturer to demonstrate the online management platform, if available. 

7. Maintenance & Support

• Warranty period and coverage: A new apartment buzzer system can be a considerable investment in new hardware, so a manufacturer warranty against hardware defects is recommended. 

• Availability of customer support: Building access is critical to your tenant’s satisfaction – so we recommend going with hardware manufacturers that offer 24/7 customer support for technical problems. 

• Regular software updates and patches: Smart intercoms should be able to get software updates over the Internet from the manufacturer. Check if this is provided, and for how long.

8. Cost Considerations

• Initial purchase cost: Buzzer system costs vary based on intercom features, from $200 at the low end for simple single-button audio systems to as much as $5,000 for some high-end video devices.  However, full-color, two-way video intercoms with touchscreens can be found for around $2,500.

• Installation: Although there are some simple battery-powered buzzers on the market, most multi-resident buildings require professional installation. Ask the manufacturer if they provide a list of installation partners in your market and what the typical installation cost is for your chosen device. 

• Ongoing subscriptions:  Ongoing monthly fees, often $3-$5 per unit per month, are common among smart intercoms that operate with a cloud-based platform and a tenant smartphone app. However, these fees are offset by lower maintenance and management costs and no need for a dedicated telephone line. 

By carefully evaluating these factors, buyers can ensure they select an intercom system that meets their needs, enhances security, and provides convenience for all residents.

Consider Swiftlane for Your Apartment Buzzer Replacement

Swiftlane is ideal for multitenant residential buildings that are looking to enhance tenant convenience and security while streamlining property management operations and cutting operating costs. Our devices feature today’s state-of-the-art hands-free facial recognition access control.

• Key Features:
  • 720p video camera
  • Large 8” full-color touchscreen provides 2-way video calls
  • Built-in HID reader for card and keyfob access
  • Also works with Siri voice activation, mobile devices, and QR Codes
  • IP65 and IK10 ratings – top anti-vandalism rating great for outdoor use
  • Mobile access control via personal device apps
  • Power over Ethernet (PoE) connectivity
  • Two-year limited warranty and 24/7 technical support

We’d be happy to set up a demonstration of our intuitive intercom user interface, cloud-based management platform, and installation process.