I bought the Ring Doorbell 2 a long time ago on a great deal. For various reasons, we never ended up actually installing it, which was totally dumb.
I have started researching, and I think I’m just gonna start fresh with a newer model. Looks like ratings recommend the Arlo for a cheaper option, or the ring Pro two. Any recommendations for video doorbells?
We have the Arlo doorbell at our rental in California and our main home in Hawaii. We’ve loved it and don’t have any issues with it - we’ve even given access to the one in CA to our friends/tenants and there have been no issues so far (about 1 year).
We have a Ring. I wanted it for one reason: to see who was at the door when the doorbell rang. I didn’t want it to video constantly or store video, etc. We didn’t wire it to our electricity so it’s just screwed into the frame and I charge the battery when the doorbell *texts* me to say it’s low (what a time to be alive). I do not pay for a plan.
EDIT - we live in the city and get a lot of solicitation. We would answer the door thinking it was our take out and it was someone trying to change our water provider, for example.
My goal is pretty much just to be able to see who is at the door, and talk to them as needed, without opening the door.
We have a big wooden door with no peephole or eye-level windows, so we can’t see who is outside unless we open the door. Very few people ever come to the door, but once in a while, the doorbell rings randomly, and I don’t know who it is. And then it’s weird.
ETA: usually when that happens, it’s either a friend of one of the kids, or the Jehovah’s Witnesses! But you never know.
We have the Arlo and it's great but we also have other Arlo cameras. I think it was $50ish on prime Day and we pay $3/month for the storage.
Our other cameras are wireless but we got wired for this because it never fails that something needs to be charged and doesn't record when I need it to.
My goal is pretty much just to be able to see who is at the door, and talk to them as needed, without opening the door.
We have a big wooden door with no peephole or eye-level windows, so we can’t see who is outside unless we open the door. Very few people ever come to the door, but once in a while, the doorbell rings randomly, and I don’t know who it is. And then it’s weird.
ETA: usually when that happens, it’s either a friend of one of the kids, or the Jehovah’s Witnesses! But you never know.
Yes! This is all I need my doorbell to do, as well. I have been absolutely happy with my Ring running off a battery and only using video when the bell is rung. The battery lasts a very long time. I do not pay to store video because it’s just not needed. I’d argue that the doorbell you are holding will do absolutely what you need.
We’ve talked to people at our door while in Europe. Lololol. The internet is amazing.
Post by gerberdaisy on Nov 14, 2023 10:26:57 GMT -5
Our house came with nest doorbells installed and no complaints. I like that it hooks up with our google home and will show who is outside. If we had an echo, we would go with the amazon one. I think they are all pretty similar, just depends on what system you use. We don't pay, so don't have access to history, but haven't found we really need it, more just use it to know when people are coming/going/who is at the door. Ours are hardwired, so no advice on battery life.