Apple’s HomeKit Doorbell promises seamless smart home integration, but many UK users have found it to be a mixed bag. While it works beautifully within the Apple ecosystem, it demands an iCloud+ subscription and a dedicated Home Hub.
Worse yet, users have reported issues like device overheating and frustrating connection dropouts. If you’re looking for a doorbell camera that offers more flexibility, it might be time to explore other options. In this guide, we’ll review HomeKit Video Doorbell in detail.
Read this article till the end to find some of the best video doorbell alternatives from eufy that are better suited for UK homeowners.
What Is a HomeKit Video Doorbell?
A HomeKit Video Doorbell is a smart doorbell camera that links into Apple’s HomeKit ecosystem for home security. It connects with the Apple Home app and Siri, sending live video feeds and alerts to your iPhone or Apple TV.
While ideal for Apple users, it requires an iCloud+ subscription and a Home Hub to unlock full functionality. Talking about quality, this camera streams real-time video in the 1080p resolution to your Apple devices.
Key Features
- HSV Support: Video recordings are fully encrypted and stored in your iCloud account. So, only you can access the footage, as even Apple cannot view the clips.
- Siri and Smart Home Automation: With this integration, you can check who’s at the door using just your voice. Through this doorbell, trigger HomeKit automations like turning on outdoor lights at night.
- Person and Object Detection: Apple Homekit Doorbell intelligently detects people and vehicles to minimize false alerts. You get more relevant notifications directly to your devices.
- Live and Recorded Video Access: Homeowners will get to watch real time footage or browse saved clips from their device. Plus, a Home Hub allows remote viewing and event-based recording from anywhere.
Benefits of Using a HomeKit Video Doorbell
With the increasing need for security, these camera doorbells are getting pretty useful. HomeKit doorbells do have clear advantages for Apple-centric homes.
● Seamless Apple Ecosystem
They plug straight into the iOS Home app and Siri, making setup and control intuitive for iPhone users. Moreover, homeowners will be able to integrate this bell into other security features without needing any non-Apple app.
● Quality Video and Audio
Many HomeKit doorbells offer crisp 1080p HD video and clear two-way audio for talking with visitors. The live streams and HDR can deliver sharp, reliable footage to your door.
● Secure Encrypted Storage
By design, HSV encrypts all recordings end-to-end in iCloud. This means only you (not even Apple or the camera maker) can view your saved clips, giving strong privacy protection.
● Custom Notifications
You get personalized alerts, such as only for people or packages, directly on your Apple devices. This reduces false alarms and keeps you informed of relevant activity.
● HomeKit Automations
Homeowners in the UK can tie the doorbell into smart home routines. For instance, Apple HomeKit Doorbell can trigger lights or a HomeKit scene when it detects motion. This adds convenience and deterrence, like flashing lights on delivery.
How to Choose a HomeKit Doorbell Camera?
Some of these doorbells have drawn criticism online. For example, one Reddit user reported his HomeKit doorbell kept going offline once or twice a day. Another warned potential customers about its tendency to overheat in hot weather.
These and questions about weatherproofing highlight the need for picking the best HomeKit doorbell. Some key selection factors may include:
1. Device Compatibility
HomeKit doorbells work only with Apple devices. If you have Android phones or Amazon Echo devices, these won’t integrate. Check that everyone in the household uses HomeKit or select other video doorbells from brands like eufy.
2. Video Resolution and Streaming
Apple’s HSV caps the recording quality at only 1080p. Homeowners who want higher resolution live view should consider that limitation. Consider going for alternate brands if you need continuous 24/7 recording, as HSV only saves triggered clips.
3. Power Source and Installation
While installing the Apple HomeKit secure video doorbell, decide between wired and battery options. Wired models need an existing doorbell transformer and chime, which is stable but may require extra installation. Alternatively, battery models are easier DIY but need recharging or changing.
4. Connectivity Reliability
Homeowners also need to evaluate Wi-Fi strength at their door. Some users report HomeKit cameras dropping off the network. A doorbell that supports a wired or mesh system might avoid connection dropouts.
5. Build Quality and Weather Resistance
UK weather can be harsh, so make sure that the doorbell is rated for rain and frost. In this regard, use casing and a high IP rating. This is important, as users report overheating and poor weatherproofing for such doorbell cameras.
Best Alternative to HomeKit Video Doorbell
Such Apple doorbells integrate smoothly but come with trade-offs. Notably, there are very few HomeKit Video Doorbell models on the market. Throughout this section, we will explore the limitations of HSV and its best alternatives.
Why Do You Need HomeKit Doorbell Alternatives?
Some of the major issues users are having with Apple HomeKit Doorbells include:
- Missed Motion Events: HSV has been reported to fail to record some motion-triggered events. This raises serious reliability concerns for home security.
- Frequent Disconnections: Users experience intermittent dropouts, with the service sometimes showing “Home hub not responding.” These can persist until the hub (HomePod or Apple TV) is rebooted.
- Limited to 1080p Resolution: Even if you're using a 2K or 4K camera, HSV is capped at 1080p. This will limit the detail critical for facial recognition or license plate reads.
- Apple Ecosystem Lock‑in: The system works only with Apple devices. Moreover, it requires an iCloud+ subscription and a Home Hub. Therefore, this will exclude Android users or those unwilling to pay an ongoing subscription fee.
Best HomeKit Video Doorbell Alternatives from eufy
eufy’s video doorbell lineup addresses many HSV shortcomings. Their cameras also work with Alexa and Google Assistant. Five notable eufy models all sold in the UK are as follows:
1. eufy Video Doorbell E340 (Battery)
A battery doorbell with a front and downward cameras to see who’s at your door and detect your arrived package at the same time. It also records at 2K resolution, which is missing in HSV. Other than that, it has color night vision with built-in 8 GB storage, so no iCloud subscription is needed.
On a single charge, this best homekit doorbell can last for months. Worth mentioning, this doorbell has been praised by several big media names in the UK as the best overall or best subscription-free doorbell on the market.
2. eufy Video Doorbell S220 (Battery)
As the best affordable HSV alternative, this doorbell has a 2K camera with up to 180-day battery life. It features a Sony 2K sensor and advanced WDR for crisp night images.
As with other eufy doorbell cameras, this one records to local storage without any fees. Yet, it lacks the downward camera to keep an eye on packages.
3. eufy Video Doorbell C210 (Battery and Chime)
The C210 model is a slim 1080p doorbell with a 4:3 aspect, bundled with a Wi-Fi chime. Also, it offers roughly 120-day battery life and stores clips on an SD card in the chime.
This means UK buyers get a budget option with full 2-way audio and motion alerts, without needing iCloud. Its local encryption and no monthly cost are major pluses over HomeKit.
4. eufy Video Doorbell C31 (Wired or Battery)
Available as a hardwired 2K doorbell that records continuously. This HomeKit doorbell alternative also supports wire-free installation, relying on a 6500 mAh rechargeable battery.
Apart from that, this eufy doorbell features live video call; once someone rings your doorbell, a video call will appear on your phone.
Conclusion
Apple’s HomeKit doorbells bring polished integration and privacy features, but they carry significant trade-offs. They work only with Apple devices and need an iCloud+ plan and hub for basic operation.
In practice, HomeKit Video Doorbells max out at 1080p video with complaints about overheating. For UK homeowners valuing flexibility, eufy’s doorbells often make more sense.
Each of its models offers higher-resolution video up to 2K and local encrypted storage compared to HSV. In short, eufy solves many Apple HomeKit doorbell limitations, so buy them now for a more secure home.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a HomeKit doorbell with Android devices?
No, the best HomeKit Secure Video doorbells are designed for Apple’s ecosystem. They only stream to iOS devices or Apple TV via the Home app. Android phones and Google smart displays cannot view or configure HomeKit doorbell feeds.
Does a HomeKit video doorbell require iCloud storage?
Yes, you must have an iCloud+ subscription to record and review HomeKit camera footage. For example, an iCloud 200 GB plan of £3 per month will cover up to five cameras. Without iCloud+, the doorbell will still show a live view, but it cannot save video clips to the cloud.
What video doorbell works with HomeKit?
Only a few brands support Apple HomeKit Secure Video. The leading model is the wired Logitech Circle View Doorbell. Others include the Wemo Smart Video Doorbell and Aqara G4 Video Doorbell, as both support HSV.
