Recommendations for a subscription free video doorbell please

Ady2009

Ady2009

Ady2009

Associate
Joined
4 Feb 2009
Posts
115
Location
Derbyshire
Hello all

I desperately need your help please! I live in an area that has seen a recent rise in anti-social behaviour from youths and the police recommended getting a good video doorbell urgently. I read a few reviews and bought the Tapo D210 based on what were good review for it but it is proving to be very hit and miss and not as good as the reviews. The main problem with it is that it takes too long for it to wake up and start recording when somebody comes down the driveway. Yesterday, I only caught the back of somebody running away because of the thing. I have got all the settings turned up very high and as a result the battery only lasts 1-2 weeks if I am lucky.

Does anyone have any personal recommendations for something better? From what I have read, Tapo and Eufy seem to be the most common subscription free video door bells. I just do not have the money to keep buying these things to keep trying them.

Thank you
 
Ubiquiti ones but not cheap and you’d need something to run unifi protect as well as something to store the recordings on.

Most of the ones that don’t permanently record, and only record on motion, record to the cloud and so that’s why there’s a monthly fee. Also as there is a monthly fee they can be a lot tighter with their margins on the hardware because they recoup the profit on the subscription.
 
I have a eufy one its fine.

It does have a slight delay although nothing like you describe.

Buy it on Amazon and if you don't like it just send it back.
 
SoundsGood said:
Reolink is another subscription free one.
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Yea I have a Reolink camera (not door bell) although effectively doing the same function and it is good.

If the door bell is the same then there basically isn't much in it between the Reolink or eufy.

If anything I'd probably go Reolink for no real reason, seems a bit more responsive maybe?
 
I would try Reolink next, as said they are subscription free. Reolink products are generally good quality.

There's a battery one:

Reolink Video Doorbell (Battery) - Battery Powered Doorbell Camera

Reolink Doorbell (Battery) is a 2K wireless doorbell camera with 1:1 expansive head-to-toe view, featuring person/vehicle/package detection, visitor notification, easy installation, dual-band Wi-Fi network, local storage, and two-way audio.
reolink.com reolink.com

Or two wired ones (one PoE and one WiFi):

Smart 2K+ Wired PoE Video Doorbell with Chime | Reolink Official\t

Smart 5MP PoE doorbell camera with night vision, person & package detection, easy installation, two-way audio, and intuitive smartphone App.\t
reolink.com reolink.com

[Official] Reolink Doorbell WiFi - Smart Video Doorbell Camera

Smart 2K+ 5MP Wi-Fi doorbell camera with clear night vision, person & package detection, easy installation, two-way audio, 24/7 recording, and waterproof rating.
reolink.com reolink.com
 
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Recently switched ring to Reolink and happy. Integrates well with Reolink app and other cameras. I record 24/7 to ftp and micro sd and seems solid.
 
Thanks, I have been reading so many reviews all day that my head is spinning. I like the look of the Eufy but some people are complaining about the app keeping stop working etc. I tried to upload a snapshot of my footage to this message but am struggling as it asks for an http link?
 
Am now with Tapo due to the Reolink giving up after 2 years, which I am surprised at tbh as it has been a solid performer.
 
I'm having a similar hunt for a doorbell, it sounds like you're limited to a battery doorbell, as I am.

I'd initially suggest a proper, mains powered, 24/7 camera for the security part. The doorbell camera is best doing that job, it's FOV is around the door which might not be ideal for security, and it would either trigger on motion (too many events) or button push (less likely for security).

I'm on the verge of getting a reolink battery doorbell. Issues are the battery life (I'm trying to figure out a wired solution) and integration (battery doorbell doesn't work with home assistant without their hub). Integration might not be an issue as I need it to be wife friendly, the doorbell doesn't need the hub for their own app to work. I'm getting 2 other cameras for security and they have good home assistant integration.
 
I have a unifi g4 pro poe. It's ******* awesome, integrates with HA, and I then trigger alerts via alexa when people ring it, etc.

I didn't have wiring at the (upvc/composite) door for it when we moved in but managed to remove trim and hide a cat5 cable in the frame.
 
I’ve punted my Ring pro2 into touch, well as far as the annual sub is concerned and have been reading about the Reolink WiFi doorbell.

It support ONViF and from what I’ve read works with Blueiris so that specific event can be triggered.
 
FerretBoy said:
Reolink Doorbell -> Frigate -> Homeassistant. Works awesome for me.
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I'm using the 'basic' Reolink setup (doorbell+back garden camera) just integrated with Google Home, and using their own free subscription to get rich notifications. My only complaint is that the rich notifications often take a while to come through. Although it is cool seeing them on my Apple Watch. I'm assuming HA notifications are instant? This will be my upgrade eventually... when I get a NAS to run it.
rtho782 said:
I have a unifi g4 pro poe. It's ******* awesome, integrates with HA, and I then trigger alerts via alexa when people ring it, etc.
Click to expand...
I like the little screen they have on there. That's actually a great idea. I can't be the only one that rarely uses the speaker to talk to delivery drivers. It's so cringey. Having a written message would make it way easier. Could also leave a message saying where to leave packages etc.

Anyway, to the OP -- another vote for Reolink. Mine's faultless, bar the delay on rich notifications but that's to be expected.
 
I have ordered a eufy c31 with Chime. Will report back after setting it up. Personally not a fan of everything subscription based and eufy appears to bypass that.Will use it with Homebase.
 
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