![]() ![]() It also doesn’t boast an impressive 180-degree field of view like you’d get with either Vivint or certain Arlo doorbell cameras. For instance, SimpliSafe doesn’t have AI facial recognition like the Nest Doorbell, and there are no active deterrents (lights and sirens) like the Vivint Doorbell Camera Pro offers. ![]() We found the feature-set to be a little lacking compared to, say, Nest and Vivint. A few screen taps is all it takes to field instant alerts, view live-stream footage, and even tell would-be package thieves to scram! using the built-in two-way talk. In fact, if you can use a smartphone, you’re in good hands - as we found the in-app controls to be intuitive and… well… simple. ![]() Everyday Useįirst things first, you don’t need to be a Harvard grad to use the SimpliSafe doorbell camera (even though it was created by Harvard students, but we’ll get to that). Going up or going down? And the unit isn’t as low-profile as other doorbell cams we’ve used. The big chrome button resembles an elevator button. Installation couldn’t be any easier.įYI: We didn’t love the design of the SimpliSafe doorbell. At any rate, we recommend you do it yourself. So $79 seems a bit steep for a single camera installation, but worth it for a whole system installation. Not a bad price, but we’re used to seeing $100 installation fees for a whole home security installation. Not the DIY type? If you’d rather have an expert install your doorbell cam, SimpliSafe charges $79 for a “partner” to come out and get you squared away. No doubt, this is a main appeal and competitive advantage of SimpliSafe (simple is even in their name!). Also note that SimpliSafe has step-by-step tutorials on their website 1 and inside their mobile app. The Video Doorbell Pro wired directly into our existing doorbell wiring, so the installation was a little more involved than battery-powered setups, but it was still surprisingly simple. Note that you will need a phillips screwdriver and a little patience. SimpliSafe’s doorbell only took us about 5 minutes to install, but we suspect that most folks will have their device up-and-running in less than 15 minutes. If you’re anything like us, you don’t mind rolling up your sleeves, but you always prefer fast and easy DIY installation. Sure, it’s a generous guarantee, but we’re seeing more and more brands offer 30- to 60-day guarantees to stay competitive. If you don’t like it, simply send it back. You should have little hesitation purchasing the product, as it comes with a 60-day money-back guarantee. We purchased a Video Doorbell Pro directly from the company’s website, but you can also find it online at Amazon or in big-box stores like Best Buy. One nice thing about SimpliSafe is that their products are widely available. That being said, if you have multiple SimpliSafe cameras, the $9.99 a month plan would make more sense, as it provides cloud storage for up to five cameras.Įxploring SimpliSafe’s Doorbell Camera Ordering from SimpliSafe Ring, for instance, charges $3 per month per camera or $10 per month for unlimited cameras for 60 days of cloud storage. This is a bit more expensive than some of our favorite cloud recording plans. Note that SimpliSafe’s subscription is optional, but if you want to record and store video for up to 30 days, you’ll need to spring for their $4.99 per month cloud plan per camera. The only other cost to consider is a cloud video storage subscription. So again, we think SimpliSafe falls in that affordable middle ground at $169. At the other end of the spectrum, you could spend $229-$249 for the Nest Hello or Vivint Doorbell Camera Pro, both of which are fully-loaded with smart AI features. Now, if you’re looking for a low-cost video doorbell, we’d recommend checking out Ring’s lineup, as they have highly-rated doorbell cams for as low as $99. Affordably marked at $169, SimpliSafe is right in-line with the industry average here - maybe even slightly cheaper. If anything turns you off about the Video Doorbell Pro, it probably won’t be the price. ![]()
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