A great option if you already use an Abode security system
If you already have an Abode security system monitoring your house - and pay for a premium Abode subscription - then this smart video doorbell is pretty affordable addition to that setup. It's spec sheet doesn't set the world alight and there's nothing here really that could tempt non-Abode users away from the usual contenders though, although installation - which is totally wire free - is as breeze.
Pros
- Works with existing Abode setups
- Syncs with Alexa and Google Home
- Nice design
- Decent price
Cons
- Premium plan needed for extras
- No HomeKit
- Color night vision didn't work
Key features
- Type: Video doorbell
- Connectivity: 2.4GHz Wi-Fi
- Ecosystems: Alexa, Google Home
DIY home security company Abode unveiled the Wireless Video Doorbell back at CES 2022.
The maker of the Cam 2 and the Iota Gateway Security System continues its incursion into smart home technology and is surely hoping its security expertise will give it the edge among more skittish homeowners wary of the Amazons and Googles of the world.
A sub $100 / £100 smart video doorbell, the Abode Wireless Video Doorbell goes up against the likes of the Ezviz DB2 and the 2nd-gen Ring Doorbell in the battery smart doorbell world.
Does it compete? Find out by reading our full review.
Design and installation
A fairly slick looking, but also fairly chunky affair, the Abode Wireless Video Doorbell looks a bit like a curvier black and white version of the Blink Video Doorbell and actually a lot like the lesser-known Toucan Wireless Video Doorbell.
The doorbell button, that’s the big one at the bottom below the motion sensor, actually has a ring of LED lights around it, which glows blue when it’s pressed and amber when the camera detects motion.
(Image credit: The Ambient)
It measures in at 1.3 x 5 x 2 inches, so it’s not exactly massive but is, for obvious reasons, much bulkier than a standard dumb doorbell.
(Image credit: The Ambient)
Unlike some battery-powered doorbells, such as the Ring Video Doorbell 4, the Abode Wireless Video Doorbell is a battery-powered only affair and doesn’t offer the option to connect to an existing doorbell transformer for trickle charging.
Instead you juice it up in advance (and every couple of months or so) via the USB-C port that is located on the back – you can actually do this using the Chime’s USB port.
That means, if you’ve got an existing wired doorbell and chime setup, it’s probably not the smart video doorbell for you, unless you want to just forget you’ve got that setup in place.
And that would be more than possible as you can pretty much pop Abode’s smart doorbell anywhere you want on the outside of your house, as it’s so easy to install.
You only need to attach the doorbell mount to your door, clip the doorbell into place, and plug in the included wireless chime.
Then, it’s a matter of using the Abode app to connect both the doorbell and chime to your account.
You’ll need to make sure that your Wi-Fi (2.4GHz only) can reach the outside of your house as there’s no way of hard-wiring to your home network; but you can plug the Chime in to your router using Ethernet if you wish.
The Chime actually doubles up as a hub for the doorbell, so we’re told, so that could help with any connectivity issues with regards to stretching your Wi-Fi’s reach outside your front door.
The Abode doorbell is IP65-rated weatherproof and you’ll get a 30 degree wedge mount included in the box.
Features
What you get with the Abode Wireless Video Doorbell really depends on what subscription plan you have in place with Abode.
Out of the box, without a subscription plan, you’ll ge motion alerts to your smartphone, and you can answer incoming calls directly on your device.
You’ll also be able to sync up the doorbell to the likes of Google Home or Amazon Alexa, meaning live views of your front door on smart displays such as the Echo Show 5; and you can also create routines or automations related to a button press on the doorbell – think a porch light coming on, for example.
There’s no HomeKit action though, which is a shame.
To unlock the full potential of Abode’s doorbell, you’ll need to have some sort of Abode subscription.
If you’re primarily interested in the doorbell, the Standard Plan at $7.99 / £7.99 per month should be more than sufficient. It provides a seven-day recording history and activates advanced motion detection features, including people, packages, and pets.
One limitation is the absence of activity zones, which means the camera continuously monitors its entire frame. You can mitigate this by enabling object detection to reduce the number of alerts, but more control over monitoring areas would be a welcome addition.
If you have an Abode alarm system, the Pro Plan at $13.99 / £13.99 per month adds extra alarm features and extends cloud storage to 10 days.
Competitors like the Arlo Essential Video Doorbell Wire-Free offer at least 30 days of cloud history for nothing and there are a gazillion smart video doorbells out there now that don’t need any form of subscription plan.
That’s why it only really makes sense, if you want features beyond the standard ones, to buy the Abode Wireless Video Doorbell if you’re already using, or planning to use, an Abode smart security system.
And right you might as Abode’s system is one of our favorites here at The Ambient, and is even more accessible now thanks to the launch of the cheaper Abode Security Kit.
Back to the doorbell itself and video clips are accessible as thumbnails within the live-view screen.
(Image credit: The Ambient)
Unfortunately, there are no filters for motion type or day, so finding specific clips may require some scrolling. With just seven days of history, this limitation is manageable, and you can download clips for longer retention.
In the app you can adjust a number of settings such as saved clip length, motion sensing sensitivity, sound recording and so on.
Performance
The Abode Wireless Video Doorbell has some pretty standard specifications, such as a Full HD 1080p resolution and a 160° field of view in landscape mode.
While it captures a wide area, it may not be the best choice if you prefer to see more vertical coverage, which a portrait camera or fisheye lens provides.
Image quality is good but not exceptional. During daylight, it offers clear visibility and good exposure for people near the door.
At night, there is supposedly color night vision on offer but that requires a certain amount of ambient light, which our installation point seemingly nevert achieved.
That being the case, the camera instead switched to black and white using IR lights. The IR LEDs offer impressive coverage, although the footage may appear slightly softer. For security purposes, it’s functional, but if you require greater clarity, consider other outdoor security camera options.
The battery life, from the non-removable 2,600mAh power pack, is estimated at up to six months, depending on factors such as the frequency of alerts and road activity in front of your house. In my experience, I achieved between two to three months of battery life.
Final thoughts
If you’ve got an Abode security system, or you’re thinking of buying one, then the Video Doorbell is a no-brainer addition, especially if you haven’t already got a smart doorbell in place.
However, if you’re not looking beyond the basic features that you get without the cost of an additional subscription plan on top, you may well be better off looking at the likes of Blink, Ring and Eufy.
How we test
When we publish our reviews, you can rest assured that they are the result of “living with” long term tests.
Smart video doorbells usually live within an ecosystem, or a range of products that – supposedly – all work in harmony. Therefore, it’s impossible to use a security camera for a week and deliver a verdict.
Because we’re testing smart home kit all day, everyday, we know what matters and how a particular camera compares to alternatives that you might also be considering.
Our reviews are comprehensive, objective and fair and, of course, we are never paid directly to review a device.
Read our guide on our review process for smart video doorbells to learn more.
