Video doorbell
Discussion
Depends what your goals are, as well as what the rest of your cameras/home tech looks like.
I've had Ring, and have recently transitioned to Reolink POE doorbell and cameras, but have a slightly more niche setup with NVR and pretty extensive Home Assistant and wallpanel/smarthome config. It's worth considering Reolink IMHO, if only to avoid paying for monthly Ring subscriptions.
I've had Ring, and have recently transitioned to Reolink POE doorbell and cameras, but have a slightly more niche setup with NVR and pretty extensive Home Assistant and wallpanel/smarthome config. It's worth considering Reolink IMHO, if only to avoid paying for monthly Ring subscriptions.
I have a full Eufy setup ranging from fixed CCTV with add on solar panel to the newer integrated units, plus a remote control cam + doorbell.
Apart from some initial faff in setting up, I've been pleased with both the day time and night vision.
I went with Eufy due to the size of the company, and subscription free element.
Not perfect, but does the job.
Apart from some initial faff in setting up, I've been pleased with both the day time and night vision.
I went with Eufy due to the size of the company, and subscription free element.
Not perfect, but does the job.
My only experience is Ring. Video quality is good and you only need the subscription if you want it to save the video. If you just want to look at the camera when someone rings the bell you don't need the subscription. It links nicely to Alexa so rather than separate ringers, all the Alexa's in the house tell us there's somebody a the door, as well as our phones buzzing. The battery lasts a couple of months between recharges but I've now wired ours up to permanent power.
I suspect most of the subscription based ones are similar.
I suspect most of the subscription based ones are similar.
RizzoTheRat said:
My only experience is Ring. Video quality is good and you only need the subscription if you want it to save the video. If you just want to look at the camera when someone rings the bell you don't need the subscription. It links nicely to Alexa so rather than separate ringers, all the Alexa's in the house tell us there's somebody a the door, as well as our phones buzzing. The battery lasts a couple of months between recharges but I've now wired ours up to permanent power.
I suspect most of the subscription based ones are similar.
Our Nest is exactly the same - works fine without subscription but only saves the video for 24 hours. Subscription saves it for 30 days and turns on face recognition, which is pretty useful. If you've got a Google One 1Tb subscription it comes with Nest, and Fitbit as well which is seriously good value. I suspect most of the subscription based ones are similar.
So, not on the list but I'd happily advocate for the Nest doorbell. No issues with delay and video quality is pretty good, integrates nicely with Google Home stuff as well.
Currently have a Eufy. Video quality is great and if you only want a record of activity to look at later it's very good. However, if you want to interact with whoever's at your front door look elsewhere. By the time the signal's bounced to the recording device, cloud and back to your phone you can often make and drink a cup of tea while you're waiting - and I have a solid 300Mbps up and down FTTP connection.
Beetnik said:
Currently have a Eufy. Video quality is great and if you only want a record of activity to look at later it's very good. However, if you want to interact with whoever's at your front door look elsewhere. By the time the signal's bounced to the recording device, cloud and back to your phone you can often make and drink a cup of tea while you're waiting - and I have a solid 300Mbps up and down FTTP connection.
I'd put a healthy bet on the fact that's not your internet connection but your WiFi. We barely get above 38Mbps but have a Mesh device near the front door, talking to people through the doorbell works absolutely fine. 
Another vote for Ring. Easy to install and configure, excellent video quality, and the microphone/speaker is very good too! I've had a conversation with my parents through the doorbell when I was in Japan! 
As said, you need a subscription in order to save and review video footage, but it's not particularly expensive. I'm also surprised at how long the battery lasts too.
As said, you need a subscription in order to save and review video footage, but it's not particularly expensive. I'm also surprised at how long the battery lasts too.Was Ring for four years and their customer support was great but as you may have guessed I could not recommend them. Wifi issues, poor motion detection. Last doorbell was starting to play up but now put of warranty (was upgraded twice for free with warranty replacements).
Went to Euphy with an E340. Better camera, but then it is newer tech. Does not require a contract to store videos, but actually low light view is not as good. Motion detection far superior, but battery life about the same. Response time to ringing also about the same.
Went to Euphy with an E340. Better camera, but then it is newer tech. Does not require a contract to store videos, but actually low light view is not as good. Motion detection far superior, but battery life about the same. Response time to ringing also about the same.
Failing to read the question I know, But I've recently fitted a Tapo doorbell (Under the same TP-Link umbrella as Eufy)
Generally satisfied so far; Onboard recording with the hub is nice rather than having to pay for a subscription.
The video call upon doorbell ringing is very quick and effective.
Quality is very good in all conditions experienced so far; It is under direct afternoon sunlight but this appears to have had no adverse effect.
The battery life isn't amazing, about the same or slightly worse than the Ring I had before - This is facing a road and with all the battery killing features turned to max mind you.
Generally satisfied so far; Onboard recording with the hub is nice rather than having to pay for a subscription.
The video call upon doorbell ringing is very quick and effective.
Quality is very good in all conditions experienced so far; It is under direct afternoon sunlight but this appears to have had no adverse effect.
The battery life isn't amazing, about the same or slightly worse than the Ring I had before - This is facing a road and with all the battery killing features turned to max mind you.
bodhi said:
I'd put a healthy bet on the fact that's not your internet connection but your WiFi. We barely get above 38Mbps but have a Mesh device near the front door, talking to people through the doorbell works absolutely fine.
I think you'd lose! - doorbell is ~ 3m from the router and there's very little, if any degredation, of the WiFi signal and a ping of ~8ms. Plus no issues with previous Arlo setup.Edited by Beetnik on Tuesday 28th October 08:20
Beetnik said:
bodhi said:
I'd put a healthy bet on the fact that's not your internet connection but your WiFi. We barely get above 38Mbps but have a Mesh device near the front door, talking to people through the doorbell works absolutely fine.
I think you'd lose! - doorbell is ~ 3m from the router and there's very little, if any degredation, of the WiFi signal and a ping of ~8ms. Plus no issues with previous Arlo setup.Edited by Beetnik on Tuesday 28th October 08:20
dapprman said:
Could still be the router - I had exactly the same issue with my Ring door bell and one other device (forget which). Next to the router on testing still the same issues, but everything else using WiFi was fine. An upgrade to FTTP meant a chance in router (several generations newer than the old one) and suddenly the two troublesome devices were fine (well the Ring was better, but a lot more reliable connection wise). Only thing I can think of is newer tech/coding behind the wifi even if in theory there should be no difference.,
Granted, it could be any number of things and I've tried several, also including a new, different router, but the issue persists - and tellingly it doesn't with the Arlo device. IIRC the record is a 38 minute delay between someone pressing the doorbell and the notification on my phone. Looking on other forums, it's a common issue and the only support offered from Eufy is 'reboot the device'.I'm not overly concerned as I want it for the record and not to speak remotely to someone at my door and it's fine for this (and no subscription cost which is why I switched from the Arlo - it's the Yorkshireman in me!)
Used a Ring doorbell initially but then switched to Nest/Google as the Ring doorbell was patchy and missed a couple of parcels due to it not alerting.
Have used the Nest hello doorbell for over five years now (gen 1) and it's still going strong, one thing that's decent is that it has a built in heater for winter time to keep the battery in good health.
The Gen 3 has just been released so may upgrade as it's got better video quality but currently I'm not too bothered.
I've got the Google One 2TB storage plan and one of the things that come with it is 30 days of storage for the Nest cameras which is pretty decent value for money.
Have used the Nest hello doorbell for over five years now (gen 1) and it's still going strong, one thing that's decent is that it has a built in heater for winter time to keep the battery in good health.
The Gen 3 has just been released so may upgrade as it's got better video quality but currently I'm not too bothered.
I've got the Google One 2TB storage plan and one of the things that come with it is 30 days of storage for the Nest cameras which is pretty decent value for money.
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