When it comes to home security and smart doorbells, the first names that often come to mind are Ring and Nest. And while they maybe among the more popular options, they can also be among the more costly ones, too.
As 2020 draws to a close we’ve seen the rise of other brands in the area of connected home, security cameras, and smart doorbells. In the thick of it now are names like Eufy, Arlo, Simplisafe, and Wyze.
Eufy, a division of the Anker brand centered around smart homes (cameras, security, robot vacuum, etc) has a few products in the video doorbell space. Available now are both wired and wireless options, with kits starting as low as $159.99.
We were recently provided a review sample of the eufy Video Doorbell 2k (Battery-powered), on sale for $199.99. After having it in place for about two weeks we’re happy to share our impressions of the product.
Eufy Video Doorbell 2K
Offered in black and white color options, this bundle is comprised of two key pieces: the doorbell and a Homebase. The former goes on your outside wall, of course, while the latter connects to your router and houses the captured footage.
Features include real-time notifications for pressing the doorbell or activity detected within a particular zone. Want to know the moment someone steps on your porch? No problem. Prefer to wait until someone rings the bell? Easy peasy.
Should you want to interact with someone at the doorbell, it’s as simple as responding in the mobile application. Moreover, you can record some preset messages that can be played at the tap of a button.
Other details include an AI that knows the difference between a human or animal, interoperability with Google Home or Amazon Alexa, and military-grade encryption for footage.
Setup and Configuration
As far as setup goes it doesn’t get much easier. There’s plenty of documentation and help, but it’s essentially plugging the Homebase into your router and mounting the doorbell wherever you want. An app guides you through it, but it ought to be a matter of minutes before you’re good to go.
We really like the wireless aspect because it lets us add a doorbell to entryways that otherwise did not have one. Speaking of which, eufy makes extra doorbells available for just $119.99.
You can opt to mount the doorbell straight out or at a slight angle; it’s a matter of screwing an insert in between the wall and the doorbell. This is handy if you have a spot where you’d prefer to capture a corner of the porch or driveway.
Other Details
The camera is capable of capturing full-color 2K HD video at a 4:3 aspect ratio. Should you find the camera faces direct sunlight, you can opt for Wide Dynamic Range (WDR).
The app provides a number of customizable options, including whether you want to be notified when someone steps in range. Or, maybe you’d prefer to just know when someone presses the button.
You can also configure the notification sounds on the phone and Homebase. Indeed, you can have your hub ring so you hear when someone’s at the door. There are numerous chimes to select with personalized volume levels.
One of our favorite features was recording messages that can be played at the press of a button. This is a convenient way to let solicitors know you’re not interested without having to open the door. It’s also a handy option for those times you might be unable to speak to the person on the other end.
Conclusion
We’ve enjoyed having the extra eye on our property as it captures an area of our yard and porch otherwise unwatched. The app has worked as expected each time we’ve been prompted or go manually playing around.
The eufy Video Doorbell 2K (wireless) is a great option for people looking to add smarts to their home. It’s priced affordably enough and is part of a growing portfolio of products. In other words, you’re not taking much of a risk on a brand that hasn’t done very much.
With this and its other devices the eufy brand has established itself as more than an “up and comer” in the space.
Availability
Learn more about the eufy Video Doorbell line at eufy’s website where this model is currently available to purchase for $199.99.