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Digital doorbells are becoming more and more popular. Ring, which is owned by Amazon, is the “Walkman” of the market, but other companies, like security company Swann, are also starting to pay attention.
The big internet companies seem to have made it so that doorbells, security cameras, and even chimes depend a lot on their own cloud services and gadgets like Alexa. The SwannBuddy lets people keep control of records made by their doorbell even if they don’t pay for a subscription. It does this by having a MicroSD card built in. At the same time, the box comes with a simple wireless chime, just like many cheap push-button doorbell kits. This makes installation easy and doesn’t require a smart home helper, either.
You’ll have to stick or, more likely, screw a plate that holds the button to the wall. There is also a small anti-tamper screw, so thieves can’t just pull the camera off the wall. This is a good feature, but Arlo does the same thing with a hole that looks like a SIM card tray.
SwannBuddy Video Doorbell Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Resolution | 1080p |
| Field of View | 180 degrees |
| Power Source | Rechargeable battery or hardwired |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi |
| Night Vision | Yes |
| Two-Way Audio | Yes |
| Motion Detection | Yes |
Installation and Setup
Setting up the SwannBuddy Video Doorbell is simple, although the supplied instructions may use some clarification. If you don’t have the option to hardwire the doorbell because of where you live (an apartment) or because your doorbell doesn’t have a C-wire, you can simply stick it to your door using the adhesive provided.
Before you can use it, the battery must be charged, which can take up to six hours. Simply plugging in the USB charger that comes with the SwannBuddy will charge it, and a light on the front of the camera will indicate when it is fully charged. After a week of heavy use with near-hourly triggers, the SwannBuddy’s battery was still at 75%.
Price and availability
SwannBuddy Video Doorbells can be purchased from the official SwannBuddy website for a starting price of $150 USD, £120 GBP, or AU$180 AUD. Check out the sidebar widgets for information on where to purchase one near you.
There are a few key details worth emphasizing here. The first is that this video doorbell doesn’t require any wiring whatsoever because it runs on a rechargeable battery. You can buy this from its official website
Final Words
So close to being the right video doorbell, especially for someone who wants to install it themselves, but the software is too slow and can’t tell the difference between a doorbell and a security camera. It’s a good choice if you want to keep your budget in check, avoid extensive drilling, and get a discreet porch security camera at the same time, but the software needs more work and may yet get it.
SwannBuddy Video Doorbell review: The good and The bad
The Good
- Color night vision
- Built-in battery
The Bad
- Install still requires screwdriver
FAQS
When fully charged, how long does the portable battery last, Answer: You can use the battery normally for up to two months.
Your Ring Video Doorbell 2’s portable battery can last for months without being charged. This depends on a number of things in your home, like the weather and how many actions are being recorded.