Doorbell Camera Recommendations - Ring, Nest, Arlo, Other?

Hey all,

looking to install a video door bell, but the options are overwhelming.

Needs to have a phone app to be able to see who is at the door both while connected on the home wifi, and when remote.

Needs:
- Compatibility with iPhones and iPads to view the video feed.
- Ease of use for app is a must.
- Relatively hands off once I set it up. I don't want to be on-site tech support because of constantly dropping gateways.

Wants:
- Compatibility with Homekit, either officially or through Homebridge. (If that's not available, then I can hook up a echo dot or google home mini.)

Nice to haves:
- I'll also be looking at window and door senses and security cameras, so if there is one ecosystem that accommodates these as well, that would be handy.

Does anyone have any recommendations, thoughts on things I have missed or other good to knows?

Thanks all.

Poll Options

  • 2
    Arlo
  • 12
    Ring
  • 2
    Nest
  • 7
    Something Else

Comments

  • +4

    With Ring, Amazon admitted last week to giving away recordings to police in USA

    • Yeah, heard about that. While a shitty move, does it affect Australians other than to say you are supporting a company with dodgy practices?

      • +2

        Up to you but I wouldn't expect privacy from these cameras.

      • I don't have any issues with it,
        1) to stop crime
        2) it's out side facing camera (well at least I hope so, thats why i don't like to put indoor cameras)

        • Can I also have access to the camera too? I'll PM you when someone commits a crime.

          I have never heard of cameras preventing crime! Maybe solving it?

          • @orangetrain: “ have never heard of cameras preventing crime!”

            Maybe the presence of cameras increases the likelihood of getting caught so opportunistic would be crooks reconsider?

          • @orangetrain: I was referring to your original comment, cops using the footage, possibly to solving the crime?

            Sure if you in my neighbourhood, I wouldn't mind sharing it 🤷‍♂️

  • +3

    Eufy?

    • Was going to include it, but the first deal i found had comments about how it’s easy to just grab and factory reset.
      Should I still consider it as an option?

      • +4

        There's no cloud subscription with Eufy

        • +1

          I have the battery eufy doorbell with homemade 2. Works very well and I only recharge it 2-3 time a year with 11-15 events a day.

        • I'm going to add it back to my options then. Thanks!

    • Eufy is owned by Anker?

  • I have the Arlo wireless doorbell and the video only seems to connect when at home on the same WI-FI network. Outside that wifi network and with good quality wifi or 5g video feed never connects!

    • Yep I have Arlo

      The connection is laggy when it works

    • I wonder why. My friend just showed me his Arlo security camera feed on his phone while we were out.

      • Can view the arlo cameras on my phone with cellular connection just fine. The issue is when the doorbell rings and it calls your phone. That won’t connect on cellular regardless of how good a cellular connect you have. It’s a known issue. Wifi (same network) works fine.

    • Which ISP and router do you have? Maybe it's NAT and needs a public ip?

  • I have the same know issue with the Arlo will only connect when on wifi and not accept calls when on mobile data. Sent back for a refund

    • It just work, no need to worry about storage hardware, remote back up, etc.

  • just get a cheapo chinese one. i guess they are all made in china anyways, lol.

    • Yes, all is made in China; but what's important is app functionality too; like op said, don't want to be an onsite support all the time

  • Ring Bell 4 is good especially the pre-roll feature.

    Wouldn’t recommend ring spotlight (very average quality)

  • +2

    you got to watch the biggest youtuber who reviews these

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ki3k5rUb3TA

    winner : Eufy

    • Thanks a lot! Looks like I jumped the gun by excluding that!

      • The problem with that guys videos is that he doesn’t talk about how they integrate into smart homes, eufy integrates with nothing, ring/arlo can integrate into different systems such as smartthings, even google doorbell can integrate with nest hub/ google soundbar, if you don’t care about that stuff then yeah go for eufy

  • +1

    My view is…
    If you install only doorbell and don’t want to pay extra subscription then Eufy.
    If you plan to install a system of camera cctv doorbell etc, or may in the future expand the system with extra cctv monitor sensor etc, then pay subscription with Google nest.

  • Orion is good. Battery operated and lasts about a week. Also, the good Bunnings warranty is well worth it.

    • Lasts about a week might as well mean doesn't last at all, I'm afraid. Thanks for the suggestion, though!

      • Ugh right. You can hard wire them by plugging them in at the bottom.

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