Top 5 HomeKit Compatible Video Doorbells for Your Smart Home
Are you an Apple home lover looking to upgrade your doorbell? Then you need one of these latest HomeKit video doorbells!
A HomeKit video doorbell connects to your Apple Home app, allowing you to see who is at the front door on your iPhone, iPad, or watch. It uses a camera to provide a live video feed. The best models also have a special AI brain to detect people, packages, and more. It can even recognize the faces of family members!
I have researched and found these 5 best HomeKit-compatible video doorbells for 2024.
1. Arlo Pro 5 SmartHub with Doorbell Camera
Features:
- 4K HDR video with 180-degree diagonal field of view
- Color night vision and HDR imaging
- Direct-to-wireless smart hub with local processing and storage
- Person, vehicle, animal and package detection
- Two-way audio and pre-recorded quick reply messaging
Arlo’s flagship Pro 5 system is a top choice for those wanting premium video doorbell performance integrated with HomeKit. The 4K HDR doorbell camera delivers incredible clarity, while the direct-to-wireless SmartHub enables intelligent detection and local storage without fees or relying on the cloud.
Why Should You Buy:
- Unmatched 4K HDR video quality
- Smart hub for local processing and storage
- Intelligent detection powered by AI
- Tight HomeKit integration for live view and recording
Why Should You Avoid:
- Fairly expensive compared to other options
- Requires the SmartHub in addition to doorbell camera
- No option for wired ethernet backhaul to smart hub
2. Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2
Features:
- 1536p HD video with HDR and night vision
- 150° horizontal, 85° vertical field of view
- Dual-band Wi-Fi and wired Ethernet connectivity
- Person detection with 3D motion tracking
- Pre-roll video previews and customizable motion zones
After years of waiting, Ring finally delivered full HomeKit support to their flagship Pro 2 video doorbell. It offers excellent video quality, improved motion detection capabilities, and integrates seamlessly into the Home app.
Why Should You Buy:
- Excellent 1536p HDR video quality
- 3D motion tracking and person detection
- Option for wired Ethernet backhaul
- Deep HomeKit integration for streaming and smart notifications
Why Should You Avoid:
- Requires Ring Protect subscription for video recording
- No support for HomeKit Secure Video (uses Ring’s cloud)
- Lacks local on-device AI processing
3. Logitech Circle View VideoSmart Doorbell
Features:
- 1080p HDR video with 180-degree vertical field of view
- HomeKit Secure Video with on-device AI processing
- Head and body detection with person identification
- Two-way audio with noise cancellation
- Wired or battery-powered installation options
Logitech’s premium HomeKit video doorbell offering stands out with its ultra-wide vertical field of view and intelligent on-device AI capabilities powered by a neural engine. It integrates tightly with HomeKit Secure Video as well.
Why Should You Buy:
- Unique 180-degree vertical field of view
- Powerful on-device AI with head/person detection
- Seamless HomeKit Secure Video integration
- Flexibility of wired or wireless installation
Why Should You Avoid:
- No support for higher video resolutions like 2K/4K
- No package/vehicle detection AI
- Relatively bulky design compared to competitors
4. Netatmo Smart Video Doorbell
Features:
- 4K HDR video with HDR infrared night vision
- Person detection with facial recognition capabilities
- 3D and thermal motion detection sensors
- Two-way audio with noise cancellation
- Supports HomeKit Secure Video recording
Netatmo’s intelligent video doorbell delivers incredible 4K HDR video quality combined with advanced person detection using facial recognition AI. Its multiple sensors also provide enhanced motion sensing.
Why Should You Buy:
- Stunning 4K HDR video with HDR night vision
- Facial recognition for identified person announcements
- Thermal and 3D motion sensors for improved detection
- Local HomeKit Secure Video storage option
Why Should You Avoid:
- More expensive premium option
- Requires existing wired doorbell installation
- No continuous recording mode
5. ecobee SmartCam Video Doorbell
Features:
- 1920 x 1080 resolution with HDR and night vision
- 180-degree field of view
- Person detection and facial recognition AI chip
- Alexa enabled for voice control
- Home and Away routines integration
ecobee’s first video doorbell brings the company’s smart home savvy to your front door. The integrated facial recognition provides intelligent person alerts and visitor announcements.
Why Should You Buy:
- Fast person detection powered by AI facial recognition chip
- Wide 180-degree field of view
- Voice control via Alexa
- Works with ecobee’s Home and Away routines
Why Should You Avoid:
- No official HomeKit Secure Video support yet
- Lower 1080p resolution compared to premium options
- No package or vehicle detection capabilities
Buying Guide
There are many choices out there. How do you pick the best one? Here are some tips:
Video quality – 1080p HD is okay, but 2K or 4K is much better. You want a clear image to see who is at the door. HDR is also good for nighttime.
Check the view angle – A wider angle means you can see more of the area in front of the door. A 180-degree vertical view is very useful.
AI person detection – This feature uses the camera’s AI to alert you when a person arrives, not just any motion. Facial recognition to name people is an extra nice feature.
HomeKit integration – For Apple homes, HomeKit is very important. Look for HomeKit Secure Video for encrypted recording to iCloud.
Wired or wireless – Wireless is easy to install, but the battery runs out. Wired is reliable but requires existing doorbell wires.
Monthly fees – Some brands require a subscription for cloud recording and additional features. It can get expensive over time.
Other features – Check for two-way audio to talk to visitors, a phone app with live view, package detection, and local storage to avoid fees.
FAQ
What features should I look for in a HomeKit compatible video doorbell?
Prioritize video quality (2K/4K resolution), a wide viewing angle, AI person detection, HomeKit Secure Video for encrypted iCloud storage, the choice between wired or wireless installation, and the availability of local storage to avoid subscription fees.
Are there HomeKit video doorbells that don’t require a monthly subscription?
Yes, some models offer local storage options and basic functionalities without the need for a monthly subscription, but advanced features might be limited.
Can I install a HomeKit compatible video doorbell if I don’t have existing doorbell wires?
Absolutely. There are wireless options available that are easy to install and operate on batteries, making them suitable for homes without existing doorbell wiring.
How important is AI person detection in a video doorbell?
AI person detection significantly enhances the usefulness of a video doorbell by alerting you only when a person is detected, reducing false alarms from other movements. Features like facial recognition add an extra layer of convenience.
Can I talk to visitors through my HomeKit video doorbell?
Yes, many HomeKit compatible video doorbells include two-way audio, allowing you to communicate with visitors through your smartphone app, regardless of your location.
Owner and copywriter at Tailored Niche and Local SEO Guy, former SEO analyst.