Newhouse Hardware BT1W Unlighted Doorbell Button, 1-Pack, White

Why I reached for this simple button

My entryway project wasn’t glamorous: the old doorbell button had cracked and gone chalky, and the chime had become intermittent unless you pressed the sweet spot at a funny angle. I wanted a straightforward, wired replacement—no cameras, no app, nothing that would argue with my existing transformer or chime. The Newhouse BT1W fit the bill: a plain, surface‑mount, unlighted button in a rectangular plastic housing. It promises broad compatibility and quick replacement without drilling in most cases. That’s exactly how it played out at my door.

Design and build

This is a basic, low‑profile rectangle with a centered plunger, done in white plastic. The aesthetic is utilitarian rather than decorative: clean but clearly plastic. In a traditional trim stack around a front door, it disappears in the best way—no odd curves, logos, or bezels. There’s no illumination, which I actually prefer for a few reasons: fewer parts to fail, fewer compatibility edge cases with chimes, and no dim glow to attract bugs at night.

The housing is a surface‑mount design that sits flat against wood or stucco. The footprint is large enough to cover the paint outline from my old button, but if your previous button was wider or had an escutcheon plate, you might still see a “tan line.” There’s no gasket in the box, so if you’re mounting on textured stucco or an uneven surface, plan to add a thin bead of exterior‑grade sealant around the perimeter after installation to keep water out of the wall cavity.

The plunger has a light, positive action. There’s a definite “click,” and the throw is short, which helps prevent guests from leaning on it. The screw terminals are the familiar two‑post design with slotted heads—nothing fancy, but secure.

Installation experience

Replacing an existing doorbell button rarely gets simpler than this. My process took under ten minutes, including cautious prep:

• Turned off power to the transformer at the breaker. Doorbell circuits are low voltage, but I still treat them with respect.
• Removed the old button and gently pulled the two bell wires out of the wall. A small piece of painter’s tape on the wall held them in place so they wouldn’t slip back into the cavity.
• Loosened the BT1W’s terminal screws, looped each wire under a screw, and tightened them. Polarity doesn’t matter for a simple momentary switch like this.
• Reused the existing mounting holes; in my case, everything lined up. If you’re replacing a similar rectangle, odds are good you won’t need to drill. If you’re mounting on new wood trim, a small pilot hole prevents splitting. For stucco, pre‑drill with a masonry bit and use anchors if needed.
• Snugged the housing to the surface—just enough to sit flush, not so much that the plastic distorts.
• Restored power and tested.

Bell wire isn’t included, which is typical. If you’re running new wire, 18‑ or 20‑gauge doorbell wire works well. All told, this is an accessible DIY task—even if you’ve never touched a doorbell before.

Compatibility notes: mechanical vs. digital chimes

The BT1W is just a momentary switch, so it plays well with almost any standard doorbell transformer and wired chime. I tested it with a mechanical two‑tone chime (the classic physical striker and metal bars) and it worked exactly as expected.

If you have a digital/melody chime (a speaker that plays tunes), you may need to add a diode across the button terminals to ensure the chime plays fully and doesn’t “ghost” or cut off. There’s no diode in the package; check your chime’s manual for the correct orientation and spec. A common 1N400x series diode will usually do, installed across the two screws at the button as directed by the chime manufacturer. With purely mechanical chimes, a diode is not required.

Because this button is unlighted, you avoid the extra trickle current that some illuminated buttons use to power their backlight—one less cause of buzzing or partial rings with sensitive chimes. That’s a quiet advantage if your system has been finicky.

Day‑to‑day use

In use, the button feels consistent and resilient. The face cleans up with a damp cloth and hasn’t scuffed under normal contact. My chime triggers reliably with light presses and doesn’t double‑ring, which tells me the spring and contacts are tuned properly. There’s no audible hum, and the switch doesn’t “stick” in humid weather.

The lack of a backlight is a tradeoff. On a dark porch, guests won’t get that glow to guide them. If you have a porch light on a sensor, or a fixture near the door, you won’t miss it. If you rely on the doorbell itself to be a beacon, you might prefer a lighted model (or a separate low‑profile light near the doorway).

Durability and weather

Surface‑mount buttons inevitably live outdoors. The BT1W’s housing is plastic with a simple mechanical switch inside. That’s a plus for weather resistance—no LEDs or tiny electronics to fail from moisture. The fit between the plunger and bezel on my unit is snug enough to keep wind‑driven rain from reaching the contacts. If you have heavy exposure (no trim, fully open to the elements), I recommend adding a tidy bead of sealant around the perimeter and ensuring your wire entry hole is caulked. Over time, UV will age white plastic; expect a gradual matte finish rather than a glossy sheen. Functionally, that shouldn’t matter.

What I like

• Fast, no‑drama replacement. Two wires, two screws, and you’re done.
• Unlighted design minimizes compatibility issues and buzzing with various chimes.
• Broad transformer/chime compatibility, especially with mechanical two‑tone units.
• Positive, short‑throw button feel with reliable contact.
• Low profile that looks clean on wood or stucco.

Where it could be better

• No illumination. If you want a backlit target at night, this isn’t it.
• Plastic looks utilitarian. It’s tidy but won’t pass for metal from up close.
• No gasket included. A thin foam or rubber backer would help on rough stucco.
• Diode not included for digital chimes. Not unusual, but you’ll need to source one if your chime requires it.

Who it’s for

• Homeowners and landlords who need a quick, inexpensive fix for a broken button.
• Anyone with a conventional mechanical chime looking for maximum reliability.
• Rentals or secondary entries where you want something tidy and dependable rather than decorative.
• Situations where lighted buttons have caused buzzing or half‑rings.

If you’re building a decorative entry with brass or oil‑rubbed hardware, you might prefer a metal‑faced button. If you need visibility in the dark, consider the lighted version or add a small porch light on a dusk sensor. And if you’re on the hunt for “smart,” this isn’t that—pair it with your existing chime and transformer, not a Wi‑Fi app.

Practical tips for a clean install

• Kill power at the breaker. Even low voltage deserves safe habits.
• Tape the wires to the wall while you work; losing them into the cavity is a pain.
• Pre‑drill pilots in wood trim; use anchors for stucco.
• If your chime is digital, consult its manual for diode placement across the button terminals.
• Seal the wire entry hole and the perimeter if mounting on textured or exposed surfaces.

The bottom line

The Newhouse BT1W is the kind of part I appreciate as a tool reviewer: unassuming, well‑sorted, and honest about what it is. It’s a simple, unlighted, surface‑mount doorbell button that installs in minutes and works with the broad universe of wired chimes and standard transformers. It doesn’t try to be smart or stylish; it just delivers a crisp press and a reliable ring.

Recommendation: I recommend this button for anyone who wants a straightforward, dependable replacement, especially if you’re running a mechanical two‑note chime and value compatibility over cosmetics. It’s budget‑friendly, easy to install, and avoids the common quirks that illuminated buttons can introduce. If nighttime visibility or premium finishes are priorities, look at a lighted or metal‑faced alternative; otherwise, this is exactly the quiet upgrade a tired doorbell needs.