For another great video doorbell option see my Ring Video Doorbell review.
Have you ever wondered who was at the door, but you did not want to get up to look? I work from home, and very rarely am I expecting anyone to ring my doorbell. I am not the “we are just stopping by” type. If you are coming over, I better know about it! When I’m working upstairs in my office, and my doorbell rings I am likely to not go to the door at all. This prevents me having to talk to and turn away landscape and alarm salesman, or Jehovah Witnesses. I don’t want to go to the window because they will know I’m home. LOL. But sometimes I do want to make sure that it is not someone important at the door.
The Skybell is a doorbell replacement. It adds video capabilities to your push button doorbell. It also features a motion detector, so it will alert you when someone is on the porch… even if they do not press the button. You are able to view one-way video which allows you to see who is at your door. You can use your smartphone to talk to them and either say “I’m coming” or “no thank you.” Or, like me you may choose to say nothing and pretend that you are not home. 🙂
Notable Features
- Motion Sensor: SkyBell can detect when someone may be at your door even if the doorbell has not been depressed
- On-Demand Viewing: Turn on the SkyBell integrated camera at any time to view your entry way
- Silent Mode: Remotely turn off your indoor chime and receive notifications only on your mobile device – great for when someone is sleeping
- SkyBell App: SkyBell mobile app alerts you immediate on your Android or Apple iOS smartphone or tablet when the doorbell chimes
- Remote Control: Program and manage SkyBell through the mobile app
- One-Way Video: See who is at the door without them being able to see you, before you decide to answer
- Two-Way Audio: Talk with whomever is at your door using your mobile device
- Photo Snapshot: Take a photograph of who is at your door using the SkyBell app
- Night Vision: SkyBell provides the ability to view in low-light conditions up to 5 feet away
- Multiple Users: Easily set up SkyBell to alert multiple users on their mobile devices
- Weather Resistant: Designed for outdoor use, even in extreme conditions
Installing the Skybell
If you have an existing push button doorbell, installation is super easy. All it entailed was unscrewing the 2 screws that hold my doorbell button to the door frame.
I used the included mounting bracket and screws and quickly attached that to the door frame. I attached the 2 wires from the Skybell to the wires on my house using the included wire connectors. This part was easy.
However, I did have a problem then connecting the Skybell unit to the base once the wires were in the way. I think this will depend on the thickness of the wires coming out of your house, as they did not leave a lot of room between the unit and the base to smash the wires. The only other tricky part of this process was screwing in the included set screw into the bottom of the unit to hold it in place. The set screw is quite tiny, and actually fell out of my package when I opened it. Luckily I was able to find it.
Once the Skybell is installed, the battery will start charging and it will enter Sync mode. At this point you can download and install the Skybell app on your iOS or Android device. You then use your smartphone to connect the Skybell unit to your WiFi network.
Using the Skybell
Using the Skybell is easy. If someone steps onto your porch and rings your doorbell, your home doorbell chimes as usual plus you get an alert on your smartphone.
You can then use the “Hold to Speak” button to hold a 2-way conversation with the person on your porch. I was surprised that even though the Skybell is installed on one side of my porch, it has a pretty wide view. Even when I stepped over to the other side where people usually stand, I was still in camera view.
At 640×480 the video is not great, but it is good enough to tell who is on your porch.
The Skybell is a great addition for anyone concerned with home security and seeing who is at their door.
Skybell can be purchased for $199 from Best Buy, Amazon.com or the Skybell website.
Disclosure: This post is brought to you by Skybell and the One2One Network. All opinions are my own.
Richard Hicks
April 16, 2015 at 7:24 pmI peek out the window and if I don’t know them, then I don’t answer the door!
Natalie
April 16, 2015 at 7:00 pmI am very wary about answering the door because I live alone as a small female.
Briana Dee
April 16, 2015 at 4:51 pmI always go! Unless I’m home alone. My dog acts as a good doorbell, but she can’t tell me who is there, so this would be perfect!
Michelle
April 16, 2015 at 2:58 pmI hate answering the door!
Jennifer J
April 16, 2015 at 1:53 pmI will go and check to see who is there. I will open the door if I know them or it is a delivery. My dogs always check to see who is there!
Bridgett Wilbur
April 15, 2015 at 4:33 pmI always answer the door when the door bell rings to see who it is but with this I might not.
Deb C
April 15, 2015 at 1:16 amI don’t answer the door unless I know who is there or can tell they are someone legit, like the mail carrier, a delivery person that was expected. A doorbell viewer like this would be great.
Nicole Kim The Blogger
April 14, 2015 at 11:26 pmA very creative introduction to a product I actually have never heard of and a nice change from the usual Web cam home monitoring systems sold by Wemo, a brand we carry at Best Buy, offering light control options, Net Cams and more.
Tabathia B
April 14, 2015 at 8:20 pmI go everytime it rings but I peek out the window first.
laura
April 12, 2015 at 12:46 pmI totally shy away if I’m not expecting anyone! This would definitely help.
steve weber
April 11, 2015 at 12:33 pmI usually let someone else get it 🙂
Natalie
April 11, 2015 at 11:01 amI am very shy when it comes to answering the door. I am usually always in my pajamas. Lol
Aaron
April 11, 2015 at 2:43 amI answer the door.
Lisa Sheldon
April 10, 2015 at 9:22 pmI always peek through the window to see who is at the door. This would be much safer.
robyn paris
April 10, 2015 at 7:19 pmI actually shy away and go look out the window before i go to the door.
Colleen Boudreau
April 10, 2015 at 7:18 pmI definitely shy away.
Kelster
April 10, 2015 at 7:15 pmI almost never go to the door. I can tell when it’s a delivery person and I may go for that. Otherwise, I don’t move. I am never expecting anyone to just show up.
Ann Fantom
April 10, 2015 at 5:52 pmI usually go to the door when the doorbell rings
Rita A
April 10, 2015 at 5:10 pmI shy away and let the dogs bark loudly!