EZVIZ EP8 Ultra test: Doorbell with innovative AI display

For several years now, EZVIZ has been proving time and again that good smart home technology doesn’t have to be expensive. In our test series, the manufacturer has so far scored particularly well with its surveillance cameras and video doorbells. The manufacturer offers its new EZVIZ EP8 Ultra at an unusually high price. This may put some people off at first. But if you take a closer look, you’ll see that it comes with an impressive range of features for the price: dual camera design, 32 GB local memory, a spare battery, color night vision and an innovative integrated display. Find out how well the whole thing performs in practice in the EZVIZ EP8 Ultra test.

Technical data

Model	EZVIZ EP8 Ultra
General operating conditions	Operating conditions: -20 °C to 50 °C Humidity 95 % or less (non-condensing) Protection class: IP65 Size: 155 × 54 × 35 mm (6.1 × 2.1 × 1.3 inches) Battery capacity: Rechargeable lithium battery with 9,600 mAh (one additional spare battery free of charge) Power supply: 8-24 V AC, type C: 5 V (+-10 %) Power consumption: 3W max Weight including packaging: 650 g
Camera	Image sensor: 1/2.8″ progressive scan CMOS (supports low light sensitivity) Upper camera lens: 2.0 mm at f/1.6 aperture, diagonal field of view 162° Lower camera: 1.8 mm at f/2.4 aperture, diagonal field of view 88° Day and night ICR infrared filter type (max.: 6 meters)
Video	Maximum resolution main camera: 6 MP (2464 × 2464) Lower camera: 2 MP (1920 × 1080) DNR 2D/3D DNR Video compression: H.265 / H.264 Frame rate: 15 frames per second. Fixed frame rate
PIR sensor	Detection angle: 100° Detection distance: Max. 6 m (19.7 feet) Sensitivity: User adjustable (High: 6 meters, Medium-high: 5 meters, Medium: 4 meters, Medium-low: 3 meters and Low: up to 2 meters)
Video memory	Local storage: Built-in 32GB eMMC storage Cloud storage: Supports EZVIZ CloudPlay storage (subscription required)
Audio interface	Audio input: Built-in high-sensitivity microphone Audio output: Built-in high-performance speaker Button: Doorbell button with electronic doorbell Reset button: Yes
Motion detection	Person detection + face detection + parcel detection
Other functions	Dismantling alarm + two-way audio + video intercom + integrated display
WiFi	Wi-Fi standard: IEEE 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n Frequency range: 2.4 GHz ~ 2.4835 GHz Channel bandwidth: Supports 20 MHz Security: 64/128-bit WEP, WPA/WPA2, WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK Transmission rate 11b: 11 Mbit/s, 11g: 54 Mbit/s, 11n: 150 Mbit/s
Price	€ 149.99 *

Scope of delivery

• Doorbell
• Mounting bracket
• Angled mounting bracket
• Drilling template
• Chime for socket
• Battery × 2
• Type C cable
• pin
• Screw set
• U-shaped wire × 2
• Wire connector × 2
• Regulatory information × 4
• Quick start guide
• Sticker for video/audio monitoring

EZVIZ EP8 Ultra Review: Design and Workmanship

In terms of build quality and choice of materials, the EP8 Pro offers the usual EZVIZ quality. Everything feels excellently finished and nothing wobbles or creaks. The housing has a silver-colored case and a glossy black front, which attracts fingerprints almost magically. The sensors and the main camera are located in the upper area of the front. The illuminated ringer button, which impresses with a great pressure point, is located in the lower area. A real highlight sits in between.

Here is an innovative display that not only serves as a gimmick, but is also used for the intercom function. We’ll tell you how later. There is an LED unit on the top that is designed to enable color night vision. There are also two LEDs on the underside. These provide sufficient light for the second camera, which in turn is directed downwards at a 45° angle. If you are familiar with the world of video doorbells, the EP8 Pro might remind you of another model.

The dual camera design is also used in the Eufy Video Doorbell E340(test | € 129.00 *). The back of the video doorbell is unspectacular. This is where you insert the battery or use the two power connections as an alternative. Finally, the EP8 Ultra can also be easily operated via your existing doorbell wire. Thanks to IP55 certification, the doorbell also offers reliable protection against water and dirt.

EZVIZ EP8 Ultra test: Setup and commissioning

Setting up and installing the EZVIZ EP8 Ultra is child’s play. To set it up, simply use the EZVIZ app and add the camera as a new device. This can be done in just a few minutes, even for newcomers. This is not least due to the uncomplicated step-by-step instructions that the app guides you through. Installation is also quick and easy. This is where the advantages of battery-operated video doorbells come into play. After all, you don’t just have to connect the doorbell to a power supply. What’s more, you are flexible when it comes to choosing a location. This is particularly advantageous if the doorbell is not to be installed directly next to the door, but perhaps on the gate pillar of the driveway or the garden gate.

In many cases, there is no power supply here. To install, first attach the mounting plate to the house wall. EZVIZ conveniently includes suitable screws and wall plugs. A drilling template is also included to prevent drilling errors. If you want to mount the camera at a certain angle, you can also use the included angle attachment for the mounting plate. This is practical, for example, if the doorbell is to be mounted in the corner of a house. Once the mounting plate is attached, all you have to do is insert the doorbell and it is ready for use. Of course, using a rechargeable battery always involves the risk that operation could end abruptly due to an empty or defective battery.

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It is all the more commendable that you can also connect the doorbell to your doorbell wire and thus ensure a constant power supply. As soon as the doorbell is in place, you can start up the enclosed chime. This is child’s play as you simply have to plug it into a socket near the doorbell. EZVIZ allows you to use the chime as more than just a doorbell speaker. The manufacturer also installs a WiFi repeater to ensure a stable WiFi supply to the doorbell. Cool trick!

EZVIZ EP8 Ultra test: EZVIZ App

The EZVIZ app is used for setup and control. This is quite clearly laid out, but in my opinion still suffers from a somewhat old-fashioned design. However, this is a matter of taste and in no way detracts from the range of functions. This is once again impressive. A wide variety of settings can be made via the app. It is important to define privacy zones. This allows you to define blind areas of the camera, which promises safe operation in terms of data protection. Apart from this, the software allows you to customize the operation of the EZVIZ to your individual requirements.

Here is an excerpt of the functions and setting options:

• Live view
• Intercom function
• Playback of past recordings
• Push notifications
• Schedules for notifications
• Selection of alarm mode
• Adjustments for motion detection (sensitivity, detection zones, etc.)
• Ringtone settings
• Switch between IR and color night vision
• Management of video storage (local storage + cloud storage)
• Quick answer configuration
• Adjustments to the display
• Light adjustments

EZVIZ EP8 Ultra test: Camera quality

EZVIZ relies on a dual camera, which consists of a 6 MP main camera and a 2 MP downward-facing secondary camera. The main camera impresses with a great image quality that scores with vivid colors and sharp resolution. Only the 15 fps frame rate might bother some people. After all, it makes the images look a little stagnant. However, as this is not a pure surveillance camera, but a video doorbell, this doesn’t bother me too much.

• WDR technology for balancing lighting conditions.
• LDC distortion correction for realistic, undistorted images.

Of course, there is also a night vision function on board. This can be used in either black and white or color. With color night vision, the EP8 Ultra illuminates the surroundings using the integrated LEDs. This works well for recognizing people or objects directly in front of the camera. You can assume that faces can be easily recognized at a distance of just under one metre. At longer distances, it becomes blurred.

Then you should switch to IR night vision in black and white. This works very reliably and offers a pleasingly sharp image. Of course, the secondary camera does not offer the image quality of the main camera. But it doesn’t have to. After all, it is only intended to take pictures of the area under the door. This is particularly practical if you frequently receive parcels in front of the door. Thanks to AI recognition, these are also recognized directly and you receive a corresponding push message via the app.

EZVIZ EP8 Ultra test: motion detection

Of course, the EZVIZ EP8 Ultra also relies on artificial intelligence. This is used in particular for motion detection. The camera can not only detect movements, but also interpret them accordingly. In the test, human movements were reliably distinguished from others. As already mentioned, the AI also recognizes packages. If you wish, you can also use the app to teach the camera to recognize faces.

I saved my face via the app and it was then also registered by the camera. But the EP8 Ultra can not only recognize familiar faces. It can also recognize familiar voices. This is of course practical when using the intercom function. If required, you can also conveniently play back pre-recorded audio recordings. The quick answers that can be played back when you are not at home are also practical.

The EP8 Ultra also offers the pre-roll video feature. If desired, the camera can start recording before any movement has even occurred. The big advantage in practice is obvious: Imagine that an unwanted person is loitering outside your front door. The camera then records the person’s approach, which can be very helpful as evidence later on. The feature is deactivated by default as it is active 24/7 and therefore naturally consumes a lot of energy and memory. If you want to use it, you first have to switch it on via the app.

EZVIZ EP8 Ultra test: AI display

However, AI doesn’t just play a major role in the motion detection of the EP8 Ultra. The video doorbell also has an innovative display. Admittedly, this initially seems like a pointless gimmick that manufacturers from the Far East like to add to their gadgets. But don’t be too quick to judge. Various animated animals can be displayed on the screen on request.

You can choose between a husky, panda or raccoon. These react with gestures as soon as a person is in front of the doorbell. Do you need that? Absolutely not. Is it fun? Definitely! But what is definitely useful is the option of using the display for the intercom function.

As soon as someone rings the doorbell, you will receive a call via the EZVIZ app. You can accept this as a normal call to use the intercom function. Alternatively, you can also tap on the camera icon and open the video function. You will now appear on the doorbell display and the person at your doorbell will be able to see you. A really cool feature that does not yet exist on this scale.

EZVIZ EP8 Ultra test: battery and memory

When it comes to the power supply, all signs point to flexibility. You can either connect the EP8 Ultra in the classic way using a bell wire or you can use the supplied rechargeable batteries. These offer 9,600 mAh each, which ensures weeks of safe operation depending on the intensity of use. Really cool: The spare battery means you don’t have to take a break to charge.

Instead, you simply charge the second battery when the charge level of the battery used is running low. The EP8 Ultra also offers freedom when it comes to memory. The smart video doorbell comes with 32 GB of local memory ex works. This enables operation with the full range of functions without follow-up costs. However, if you prefer to use cloud storage to save video recordings online, this is also possible.

EZVIZ offers its own EZVIZ Cloud for this purpose. WiFi 6 ensures a stable internet connection, although it is a bit of a shame that it only works on 2.4 GHz. However, when it comes to WiFi stability, the included socket chime is impressive. This not only serves as a chime, but also acts as a repeater if required, amplifying the Wi-Fi signal for the doorbell.

Conclusion

With the EP8 Ultra, EZVIZ delivers a video doorbell that clearly stands out from many competitor models. Although the price of around 180 euros seems high at first glance, this impression is quickly put into perspective in practice. The combination of dual camera, local memory, replaceable battery, color night vision and the innovative display makes for a very comprehensive overall package. The good image quality of the main camera, the reliable AI motion detection and the flexible power supply are particularly impressive. The supplied chime with integrated Wi-Fi repeater function is also a clever extra that can ensure a more stable connection in practice. The integrated display initially seems like a gimmick, but it really adds value with the video intercom function: visitors can see you directly at the door – a feature that is rarely found in video doorbells of this size.

The whole thing is complemented by solid workmanship, simple setup and practical local storage, which enables operation even without a cloud subscription. However, there are some minor points of criticism. The frame rate is limited to 15 fps, which makes for slightly jerky recordings, the app looks a little dated and the Wi-Fi connection is limited to the 2.4 GHz band. However, these points only slightly dampen the overall very good impression. All in all, the EZVIZ EP8 Ultra is an excellently equipped video doorbell with some innovative functions and great practical benefits. If you are looking for a particularly versatile smart home doorbell and are not afraid of the asking price, you will get an all-round convincing overall package here.