Smart doorbell options

Forums › Gadgets, robotics, home automation, electronics (including wearables) › Smart doorbell options

xpd

aka Fast Raccoon !
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#310778 21-Nov-2023 12:02

Looking to get a smart doorbell for the new house, so looking for options.

Want :

Wifi

No subscription required

Standalone (No 2ndary device needed)

Battery

Don't need anything over the top, just something basic that works well for the price.

TIA

Gavin / xpd / FastRaccoon / Geek of Coastguard New Zealand

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Amanzi
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#3162003 21-Nov-2023 12:08

I'm still happy with my Eufy doorbell camera. I have it connected to the Eufy Homebase but I don't think you need that.

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richms

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#3162014 21-Nov-2023 12:27

I got a $15 wifi one on aliexpress, it has a USB powered indoor dingdong unit, but even without that its app will ring when its pressed and it saves pictures and claims to let you talk to the person, but I have not tried that part of it.

My 15 year old plain one with a plug in internal ding dong part fell off the wall and filled with water before I noticed it and died. I have minimal expectations for the cheap one but really who uses a doorbell thesedays other than sales people and religions.

Its gone up since I got it, but heres the link https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005959912363.html

Richard rich.ms

boosacnoodle

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#3162034 21-Nov-2023 13:02

Aqara Doorbell G4. Cannot recommend anything Eufy given how locked down their app and is how they try to lock people out from third-party integrations.

Chippo

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#3162061 21-Nov-2023 13:58

I replaced Ring with Eufy because i wanted a downward facing Package Camera + I was sick of paying a monthly subscription. I wouldn't buy Eufy again.

Something I would caution with your requirements though. Without either a cloud subscription or a second indoor unit - your recordings must be on the device itself. Which is easily stolen or reset. This is a problem with the Eufy device, where you can hold the button on the back of the unit to erase all recordings.

We're building a new house at the moment so took the opportunity to run wiring to the new doorbell and I have a Unifi G4 Doorbell Pro waiting to be installed. I'm installing a Dreamwall as well, which will handle the recordings.

I recommend checking out the Youtube Channel "The Hook Up" that does comprehensive and unbiased reviews on this sort of thing:

https://www.youtube.com/@TheHookUp/search?query=Doorbell

I work for a global Data Protection Software company - But my opinions are my own.

mattwnz

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#3162118 21-Nov-2023 14:24

I did a review of the Eufy doorbell at https://www.homespace.nz/2022/08/eufy-security-camera-and-doorbell-review.html which doesn't require subscription. . I did have an issue with the camera lense after about 18 months, where it started delaminating and got it replaced. The replacement appeared to be refurbished and was faulty as it didn't hold it's charge and had to be charged every week or so, so got the store to replace it with a brand new one, and that new replacement has been fine since then. Still think it is the best option if you don't want a subscription. I think you may need the hub to store recordings on, but that also acts as the internal doorbell sound.

fearandloathing

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#3162132 21-Nov-2023 14:44

No subscription required, if you are not paying someone for a cloud service. Then they will be selling your data, using your data for other purposes.

Rushmere

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#3162142 21-Nov-2023 15:02

I've got one of these:

It's smart (never fails), standalone, looks great, no subscription required and the batteries never seem to need changing.

mattwnz

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#3162148 21-Nov-2023 15:27

fearandloathing: No subscription required, if you are not paying someone for a cloud service. Then they will be selling your data, using your data for other purposes.

With Eufy the videos are stored on the hub, so not in the cloud. But the purchase price would build in the cost of remote access as they are not cheap devices to buy. Eufy do have a subscription you can sign up for cloud storage.

mattwnz

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#3162149 21-Nov-2023 15:28

Rushmere:

I've got one of these:

It's smart (never fails), standalone, looks great, no subscription required and the batteries never seem to need changing.

Can't see the video recording functionality though.

SteveXNZ

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#3162395 22-Nov-2023 13:29

I went Eufy plus Homebase. Been in operation for over a year and no issues. And no subscription!

Remote access and viewing from my phone at work all operates as expected. Battery needs to be recharged over a few hours every six months.

Yes there's a minor security risk in that there's no cloud storage. But overall I'm happy and would consider again.

Obraik

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#3162491 22-Nov-2023 17:15

I went with a Reolink Doorbell. It has a wired PoE and a Wifi version, but I went with the PoE variant so I didn't have to worry about batteries. It has 0 subscription requirement and is not cloud dependant. I personally have mine integrated with Frigate/Home Assistant which handles my NVR requirements.

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angski

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#3164097 26-Nov-2023 20:26

Chippo:

We're building a new house at the moment so took the opportunity to run wiring to the new doorbell and I have a Unifi G4 Doorbell Pro waiting to be installed. I'm installing a Dreamwall as well, which will handle the recordings.

Hi Chippo,

you said that you are running a wire to the new doorbell. Are you running the ethernet cable from the ceiling down to the door bell?

Chippo

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#3164099 26-Nov-2023 20:32

angski:

you said that you are running a wire to the new doorbell. Are you running the ethernet cable from the ceiling down to the door bell?

We just added a traditional wired doorbell into the house build - I don't actually know what cable the electrician will have run, presumably it's Cat 6 network cable but doesn't really matter for this purpose.

I work for a global Data Protection Software company - But my opinions are my own.

boosacnoodle

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#3164313 27-Nov-2023 08:58

Typically doorbells are 12/24 volt.

Obraik

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#3164358 27-Nov-2023 10:46

For my new build, we ran an ethernet cable to where the doorbell will be from the roof, with the idea of using a POE doorbell.

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