Best Video Doorbell

mutley74

I dont currently have a video doorbell, just a simple self powered doorbell. 

I have used Ring before at a relatives house which works fine but realise there is a subscription fee. 

I see theres a few makes Eufy, Blink and Ring. 
Which ever I choose like to hook up to my Alexa device and Phone. 

Looking for recommendations. 
Battery or powered? (if powered one that comes with a plug in transformer and cable. 

Do the battery ones need regular charging or are they are as good as they e..g Eufy S200 says the battery lasts 120 days. 

I welcome any feedback. 

Keithy13

We have Eufy battery doorbell. We find it works well, had it about 2 years now with no issues. 120 days battery life is a bit ambitious, I would think it is more like 80 to 90 days, longer in summer less in winter, although you can monitor the battery level in the app. There are a number of configuarable options in the app including geofencing and setting the area from which it will record/alert.
Another advantage of non cloud based storage is only you can access recordings.
We went for the battery model due to not having power supply near the door and also we would have had to drill through the uPVC doorframe. Bear in mind the doorbell transmits its signal to the in home unit which is connected to your wifi and you would also need an SD card for storage. 

Browntoa

I use blink , currently on offer on Amazon.

I don't have a subscription, all videos are saved on a usb drive connected to the sync unit. I can still remote view and answer the door bell .

Mines powered from the existing doorbell wiring and mains transformer 

Rosa_Damascena

Whichever you get Muttles, make sure its well positioned and not overly sensitive.

My Ring doorbell is great but drives me nuts in the winter as it picks up each and every emission from my GCH vent...and that of my neighbours. I can switch it off but that rather defeats the point.

EssexExile

Rosa_Damascena said:

Whichever you get Muttles, make sure its well positioned and not overly sensitive.

My Ring doorbell is great but drives me nuts in the winter as it picks up each and every emission from my GCH vent...and that of my neighbours. I can switch it off but that rather defeats the point.

I wish my boiler was smart enough the press the doorbell.

Futuristic

Eufy. One time fee, no subscription and works well enough. We have the original one hard wired, no issues. They have one with dual cam with one facing down great if you get parcels left at door.

Amaozn have Prime event next week and they prob have discount on those then. 

FFHillbilly

Black Friday is the right time to buy a video doorbell

[Deleted User]

Keithy13 said:

We have Eufy battery doorbell. We find it works well, had it about 2 years now with no issues. 120 days battery life is a bit ambitious, I would think it is more like 80 to 90 days, longer in summer less in winter, although you can monitor the battery level in the app. There are a number of configuarable options in the app including geofencing and setting the area from which it will record/alert.
Another advantage of non cloud based storage is only you can access recordings.
We went for the battery model due to not having power supply near the door and also we would have had to drill through the uPVC doorframe. Bear in mind the doorbell transmits its signal to the in home unit which is connected to your wifi and you would also need an SD card for storage. 

hmm not quite true, Eufy were caught with their pants down on this one.

https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2022/11/eufys-no-clouds-cameras-upload-facial-thumbnails-to-aws/

https://www.theverge.com/23573362/anker-eufy-security-camera-answers-encryption

mutley74

On the Eufy doorbell can one access recordings remotely via the app? As That be a useful feature so I can rewind any recordings when away from home if required or at my parents. 

joeypesci

Avoid Blink, they are awful. 

Exodi

I have a Nest doorbell (though as you use the Amazon Alexa ecosystem, I'd probably recommend the native Blink doorbell. Using doorbell's with non-native systems can cause lag, which can be incredibly frustrating with something as time sensitive as a doorbell.

It's also an incredibly convenient time to buy one, with their Prime event happening across the next few days.

I have a hardwired doorbell (and camera's, I was put off with the idea I'd need to keep changing batteries - or that they could be stolen but appreciate the latter is somewhat irrational). I think this is probably the preferred method for all, it's just obviously inconvenient if you don't have existing wiring - I personally wired mine myself.

I would also say that the preference should not be 'a plug in transformer and cable'. While you do need a transformer (e.g. www.screwfix.com/p/british-general-fortress-8-24v-ac-8va-bell-transformer-module/8707P), I think it's neater if the doorbell is wired into a fused spur instead of a plug. But personal preference, a plug is obviously easier.

I wouldn't lose sleep with having to drill a hole into the uPvC frame of the door, it will permanently be covered by the doorbell whether you use a smart one or go back to a dumb one.

Make sure the WiFi is strong near the doorbell or consider a repeater.

Could never go back from having a video doorbell, incredibly useful, worth every penny of the subscription cost.