Those who want to make their homes a little smarter often start with the lighting or speakers. However, many overlook the doorbell. A smart doorbell offers many advantages and an upgrade is easy. For example, you can use the intercom function even when you’re not at home. On top of that, you can always keep an eye on what’s going on outside your front door with the help of the integrated camera. In today’s EZVIZ DB1C review, we want to take a closer look at an attractively priced model made in China. Will the good technical data pay off in practice? We’ll tell you!
It doesn’t always have to be Ring
If you are looking for a smart doorbell with video function and intercom, you will certainly come across the usual suspects like Ring. The Amazon subsidiary has emerged as the first choice in smart doorbells for many in recent years. But its success by no means means that you can’t use another doorbell with smart features.
The EZVIZ DB1C also aims to boast a number of exciting features. In particular, the vertical field of view of an astonishing 170° is remarkable. But the option of local storage via microSD card is also anything but a given. Here you can get reliable video storage even without ongoing subscription costs. At a price of 79.99 euros, that sounds quite tempting.
Scope of delivery
The scope of delivery turns out to be quite lush. EZVIZ distributes its Doorbell Kit over a total of three individual small packages. While Chime and Transformer come in a separate package, the package with the doorbell itself is equipped with lots of accessories. Here, in addition to the Smart Doorbell itself, you’ll find matching tools and the two different washers (flat and angled).
EZVIZ doorbell kit test: design and workmanship
- Slim design in a classy white
- Optics seems a little out of time
- Omission of battery makes wiring alternativlos
- Great workmanship
- Protection according to IP65
Unlike many other models on the smart doorbell market, EZVIZ relies on a white body for its DB1C. This is quite unusual, as other manufacturers tend to go for darker colors or even black here. Ultimately, the color is of course a matter of taste. On my white house facade, however, the bell is of course much harder to recognize than a black counterpart. Apart from the color scheme, the case scores with rounded corners and a tidy layout. This means that the camera unit including IR sensor and the microphone for the intercom function are found in the upper area. While the company logo shines in the center, the doorbell button is located at the lower end, which looks like brushed aluminum and offers a great pressure feeling. In general, the smart doorbell makes a pleasingly robust impression, which is also confirmed when looking at the technical data.
With its IP65 certification, the doorbell is much better protected against water and dirt penetration than some competing models. You can determine at which angle the doorbell sits on your house wall by choosing the appropriate mounting plate. In addition to the straight version, an angled one is also included in the scope of delivery. From an objective point of view, the EZVIZ DB1C is undoubtedly a chic piece of technology. However, the competition scores with a bit more elegance in comparison. The large logo and the contrast between the white casing and black camera unit make the model look a bit like a webcam or babycam. However, this is only a subjective impression. Apart from the looks, there is nothing to complain about. It doesn’t crackle or creak at any point. Everything is impeccably manufactured and looks high-quality.
EZVIZ Doorbell Kit Test: Installation
In the field of smart doorbells, we distinguish in different designs. The most uncomplicated are certainly the models with integrated battery. However, the user is always confronted with the risk of empty batteries. Bells that are connected via the classic bell wire are undoubtedly more reliable. The EZVIZ DB1C relies on a wired connection. The manufacturer also includes the appropriate tools in the form of a screwdriver, screws and dowels. You can even find a suitable drill bit for your cordless screwdriver or drill in the scope of delivery. As always with electrical devices, it should be said that you should consult a professional if you are unsure.
Getting help is better than getting electrocuted. One of the things you should note is that the bell requires a 12 to 24 V AC power supply. The bell itself is quickly connected with the two wires and then hooked into the bracket of your choice. Now you have to install the enclosed transformer in your fuse box. EZVIZ explains how to do all this in detail in its user manual. Once the transformer and bell are installed, you can install the included chime. This is interesting for all those who do not have a classic chime.
Finally, the gadget equipped with two antennas outputs the door chime. To prevent the smart doorbell from being easily stolen, EZVIZ provides it with a practical security screw. Once everything is connected and powered, you can continue with the app. Here you are guided step by step through the uncomplicated setup process. Among other things, you have to scan the individual barcode of your smart doorbell. The heart of the setup is the integration into the wireless home network. Here, the EZVIZ DB1C transmits on both 2.4 GHz and 5.0 GHz.
EZVIZ Doorbell Kit review: feature set
- Large field of view of 170°
- Pin sharp videos in high quality
- High-cost boom model
Until you have the assembly and setup once behind you, may well take some time in the country. All the more proud you can be of yourself when you finally get to use the smart doorbell. The first look at the camera recordings within the app clearly shows the large field of view. The lens shows an impressive 170° in the vertical plane. This has the great advantage that even tall people standing directly in front of your door can be recognized very well. Away from the field of view, the images are of high quality. The EZVIZ DB1C offers a very good 1080p resolution. Less impressive is the frame rate of 15 frames per second. However, you have to keep in mind that this is a surveillance camera and not a webcam.
The camera settings in the app are varied. For example, you can change the aspect ratio. While the default view shows the area in front of your door quite evenly, the fisheye view puts more emphasis on the area immediately in front of your door. Like most other smart doorbells, this one also relies on motion detection. As soon as the camera registers a movement, you get a push notification on your smartphone. Thanks to a smart algorithm, it distinguishes between cars, animals, people and other objects. If you don’t feel like receiving constant push notifications from your smartphone, you can simply filter when a motion detection should be reported here.
If it gets dark outside, you don’t have to do without video surveillance thanks to the IR sensor. The night vision of the three infrared cameras is really impressive. Of course, the intercom function is also a real added value. This is reflected in some everyday situations. Especially when you are not at home, it can be very helpful to be able to talk to the person at the front door. Just imagine that the parcel carrier is at the door with a long-awaited package. In this case, you’ll get a notification with motion detection on your phone. Once the app is open, you can then talk to the messenger and ask him to just leave the package on the stairs.
EZVIZ Doorbell Kit review: Google Assistant and Alexa possible
Considering the really good price, I was very impressed when I took a look at the technical specifications of the smart doorbell. Besides the modern WLAN standard and the great camera, it was then especially the compatibility with common smart home systems that convinced me. After all, you don’t necessarily always have to use the EZVIZ app to access the doorbell. On top of that, you can use it via the two voice assistants Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. This means that you can, for example, display the current image in front of the door on a smart screen such as a model of Amazon’s Echo series.
EZVIZ Doorbell Kit review: save to microSD or cloud
Many smart doorbells offer you the option to save recorded videos in the in-house cloud. However, this is always accompanied by subscription costs, which can be quite expensive. EZVIZ also offers storage space on its servers for a monthly fee. You can test the CloudPlay subscription for 30 days free of charge. After that, you have to pay 9.99 euros per month or 99.99 euros per year in the cheapest subscription model. The more expensive subscription model costs 14.99 euros or 149.99 euros. Of course, that’s no small feat. Those who don’t want to pay the high subscription costs but still want to save the videos will enjoy the option of saving them locally.
In fact, inside the doorbell itself, there is an SD card slot where you can place microSDs up to 256GB in size. This step is very commendable and EZVIZ clearly distinguishes itself from competitors like Ring’s products. After all, saving videos is really only possible via the company’s own cloud. Saving in the cloud is not only associated with costs, but also questionable in terms of data protection. After all, the servers of both Ring and EZVIZ are located outside the EU.
It is all the better that there is the option to save locally. If you decide to save on MicroSD with the Doorbell Kit, you actually only have to accept two disadvantages. First, unlike in the cloud, the storage space is not unlimited, but depends on the size of the SD card (maximum 256 GB). Furthermore, there is no permanent recording via the camera when saving locally. Instead, the camera only records when motion is detected. Many users will certainly be happy to accept this in view of the large savings.
EZVIZ Doorbell Kit Test: Practical Test
Now let’s take a closer look at the everyday usability of the EZVIZ DB1C. The EZVIZ app, which is available for AndroidOS and iOS, is the main vehicle for accessing the smart doorbell. It scores with a good overview. You can use the timeline to scroll chronologically through the video recordings made by the camera. The smartphone application highlights important key moments, such as motion detection or the doorbell ringing. In this way, you can switch to decisive recordings in a targeted manner.
In addition, you can also view the collected notifications in the app. Settings such as changing the aspect ratio are easy to make and prove to be extremely helpful in everyday use. The blue ring around the bell button of the DB1C is also helpful. Thus, your visitor can easily recognize the doorbell even in the dark. For friends of sufficient data protection, the manufacturer has small but fine setting options. For example, you can turn off the camera completely if you want to do without this core feature anyway.
Alternatively, you can also regulate that only a motion detection or the ringing at the door is recorded. Furthermore, you can specify in the settings that the doorbell should beep when recording begins. This way, the visitor knows as soon as he is being filmed. Otherwise, the smart doorbell scores with a great performance in everyday use, where there is actually nothing to complain about.
The reaction time of the chime after ringing is pleasantly fast. Furthermore, the intercom function and camera playback always worked reliably and without any real blunders. However, you should always keep in mind that the stability of your wireless network plays a big role in the quality of both features. If you have a poor WiFi signal in your own four walls, you will also have to live with poor quality in the worst case.
Conclusion
In the end, the question of all questions comes down to this: can the EZVIZ DB1C stand up to the dense jungle of competing products? Let’s start with the looks first. Even if the design looks a bit old-fashioned, the build quality is on a high level. The same applies for the robustness, which the manufacturer underpins with IP65 certification. The video quality and the intercom’s acoustics also perform well. The software including AI features like person and object recognition is also impressive. The in-house app convinces with a good overview and many setting options.
At just under 80 euros including the Chime and Transformer, it is also pleasingly inexpensive. However, we still have to complain a bit. For one, there is the lack of a battery. It simply means more flexibility and less effort during installation if no power connection is required. Furthermore, I find EZVIZ’s subscription model quite expensive with at least 9.99 euros per month. It is fortunate that there is the option of local storage. If you are looking for a small, but fine smart doorbell and can live with the small weaknesses, you should definitely take a look at the EZVIZ DB1C.
EZVIZ DB1C Doorbell Kit
Workmanship and design
Hardware
Usability
Smart Home Features
Value for money
91/100
The EZVIZ Doorbell Kit has some weaknesses, but still scores with a great price-performance ratio.
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