How Do Video Doorbells Integrate With Smart Home Devices?
Video Doorbells Integrate With Smart Home Devices
For video doorbells to work, they need to be compatible with your existing home Wi-Fi setup. You’ll want to look for a model that supports your home’s primary wireless router, and also check whether it works with any smart-home hubs you may have. You’ll also need to know if the device uses wired or wireless power, and which type of connection it has (ethernet or Wi-Fi).
A Video Doorbells Without Subscription aspect ratio is an important spec to consider, because it tells you what shape the footage will be. A common aspect ratio is 4:3, which will give you a head-and-shoulders shot of the person at your door. You’ll also want to ensure that the doorbell has good app support, so you can connect to it easily and quickly to see who’s there before answering the bell.
Another thing to look for is a feature that lets you record audio or video from the doorbell’s internal microphone, so you can communicate with your visitors without having to open your smart-home app. It’s a great feature to have for when you’re away from your house, and can make it easier to interact with delivery drivers or other people who might be at your door.
How Do Video Doorbells Integrate With Smart Home Devices?
Lastly, you’ll want to look at the camera’s field of view and its resolution. These specs will tell you how wide of an area the camera can cover, and how high of a quality the images will be. A higher resolution can mean better image clarity, but it’s also more expensive.
Most of these video doorbells offer a variety of security features, such as end-to-end encryption to keep your data secure, and local processing to prevent the loss of footage when your home’s Wi-Fi goes down. Some models even have a lock to stop unauthorized access. This is an important feature to have, especially if you live in an unsafe area or are worried about burglars sneaking into your home.
How easy a particular video doorbell is to install will depend on whether it’s hardwired or battery-powered. Wired models will need to be connected to your home’s existing doorbell wiring and chime, which can be difficult for DIYers to do on their own. Some companies offer professional installation, but you’ll likely have to pay a fee for this service. Battery-powered video doorbells, on the other hand, can simply be installed on your front porch and are much easier to set up.
The Eufy Dual is the best battery-powered video doorbell for its combination of features, including local storage that doesn’t require a subscription (about 8GB of storage), a second camera to detect packages, and compatibility with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple HomeKit. It’s also got a sleek design that stands out from the competition, and can be used either with a wired or wireless connection. The only downside is its relatively short battery life of about 4 months, which isn’t too bad considering it has a lot of features.