A sophisticated smart home naturally also includes a smart doorbell. A look at the market of helpful technology gadgets quickly makes it clear that there are now many different models here. This is complicated not only for manufacturers, but also for consumers. While companies have to think about sales arguments, buyers are faced with a sometimes difficult purchase decision. In today’s Netatmo Smart Video Doorbell review, we want to take a look at a smart doorbell that wants to convince by not offering a paid subscription model. In practice, this means that you do not have to accept monthly fees to enjoy the full range of features. Does that make the Smart Doorbell a no-brainer or does it possibly suffer from other shortcomings? We’ll check it out!
Scope of delivery
- Smart Video Doorbell
- microSD card with 16GB storage (inserted in the doorbell)
- 1x chime module
- 1x wall mount bracket
- 1x optional end plate
- 1x 25° bracket
- 1x additional fuse
- Screws and dowels
- Safety screwdriver
- Instruction manual
- Warning sticker
Netatmo Smart Video Doorbell review: design and workmanship
- Modern look with unique selling point
- Division into camera, intercom unit and bell button
- Mainly plastic, but high-quality workmanship
On the market of smart doorbells, many a person can not see the forest for the trees. This is not least because many models are visually alike. Netatmo takes a refreshingly different approach with its Smart Video Doorbell. The manufacturer divides the modern angular housing into three sections. The camera unit including an IR sensor for night recordings is located in the upper part. Netatmo supplies not only the camera lens itself, but the entire unit with a protective glass cover.
In the middle again sits the unit, which is elementary for the use of the intercom function. This is where Netatmo places a speaker with an integrated microphone. Last but not least is the bell button, which can be identified by the bell symbol. I like the combination of black, gray and brushed aluminum very much because it makes the gadget look pleasantly modern. The rest of the case doesn’t distract from this either, thanks to the use of understated black.
Measuring 135 × 45 × 29 mm, the Smart Video Doorbell is made almost entirely of plastic. The only exception here is the doorbell button, which is made of aluminum. Nevertheless, the smart doorbell scores with a high-quality feel, which is likely due to the high build quality. However, you can expect that in view of the RRP of 299.99 Euros. The only thing that takes a bit of getting used to is the pressure point of the doorbell button. Its feedback is so minimal that visitors tend to press it several times to be on the safe side.
Netatmo Smart Video Doorbell Test: Protection only according to IP44
- Protection against splashing water according to IP44
- Rubber cover provides moisture protection
- Operating temperature between -10° and 40°C
Most users install their smart doorbell outdoors. Thus, the front door should be effectively monitored and the intercom function can be used. It is therefore essential that the doorbell also works outdoors without suffering any damage. The Netatmo Smart Video Doorbell could definitely offer a bit more resistance here. According to the manufacturer, the operating temperature of the doorbell is between -10° and 40°C. The device can therefore be used in extreme conditions. Thus, the device can definitely reach its limits in extreme winters.
Since the proximity to the house wall as well as the winters, which are now quite mild in our climes, significantly minimize the risk of corresponding damage, this should not be too much of an issue. On the other hand, I find the IP44 certification much more problematic. The protection against water and dust could definitely be better. If you want to be on the safe side when operating the Netatmo, you should at best look for a small cover or even a canopy over the door. After all, heavy rainfall could, with a bit of bad luck, lead to damage to the doorbell.
Netatmo Smart Video Doorbell review: a look at the technology
- Separate chime module included
- Radio via 2.4 GHz
- WiFi standard 802.11 b/g/n
- Aspect ratio 9:16
The Netatmo Smart Video Doorbell does not rely on wireless operation, but is connected to your power grid via the existing bell wire. But here you should clarify in advance a few important requirements. For example, 230 volts should be available at the connection. Apart from the power connection, the WiFi signal also plays an important role in the operation of the doorbell. A weak wireless network can quickly lead to blurry and shaky video transmissions. The Smart Video Doorbell transmits via 2.4 GHz and unfortunately leaves out 5.0 GHz. The WLAN standards 802.11 b/g/n are supported.
Of course, camera technology also plays a big role. The chime from Netatmo offers a resolution of 1,080p (Full HD). What I find really handy is the aspect ratio that the camera records. So you don’t get a 16:9 here. Instead, Netatmo kind of reverses the standard and offers a 9:16 image. The portrait format ensures that people standing in front of the door can be recognized better than with the other aspect ratio. However, those who like to use their doorbell to keep an eye on the entire street section in front of the front door will have to accept a little loss of overview for this.
When it comes to field of view, some competing models are ahead of the game. For example, Netatmo’s smart home gadget only offers 140° here. Even if some manufacturers offer more in this regard, it should still be sufficient for most. I am pleased with the support of High Dynamic Range (HDR). This is not only reflected in wonderfully high-contrast pictures. On top of that, the camera’s image standard enables a well-recognizable image in almost all lighting scenarios.
Netatmo Smart Video Doorbell review: saving without subscription costs
- Local storage on microSD
- No subscription costs
- Save also possible to cloud (Dropbox)
Who buys a smart doorbell, must usually expect follow-up costs. Here I do not mean the electricity costs that the gadget causes. If you want to enjoy the full range of functions, you often have to include subscription costs in addition to the purchase price. The subscription usually includes access to a cloud where past video recordings are stored. Want to see who rang your doorbell two hours ago or why a motion alarm went off in the middle of the night? Then this will definitely benefit you. Netatmo enables these features at no additional subscription cost. So the recordings are not stored in a cloud.
Instead, the device stores them locally on a microSD. Netatmo emphasizes here that the files are encrypted to meet a high data protection standard. But the manufacturer also provides physical protection. The memory card cannot be removed just like that. If you want to take it out, you first have to loosen the security screw and remove the casing. A 16 GB microSD from Verbatim was installed in our test model ex-works. If you want more, you can alternatively insert a memory card with up to 32 GB. Should you additionally want to store the data in a cloud, you can also conveniently link the doorbell to your Dropbox.
Netatmo Smart Video Doorbell review: motion detection and intercom function
Smart doorbells actually only have the chime in common with a classic doorbell. Thanks to the built-in camera, speaker and microphone, you get a lot more features here. For one thing, there’s the intercom function. You can use it to communicate with the person at your door at the touch of a button. To do this, you use the Netatmo Security app. This is particularly practical, for example, if a delivery service is at your door and you want to ask them to simply put down the food or a parcel delivery. While the intercom system is primarily intended to provide convenience, the person or motion detection fulfills a completely different purpose.
At this point, the smart doorbell turns into a real surveillance camera that keeps an eye on your front yard. You don’t have to worry about getting a push message on your smartphone every time a branch wobbles. With the help of an algorithm, the camera processes its recordings and recognizes whether it is a person or an object. In practice, the person recognition worked very well. If you still want to be on the safe side, you can of course have all movements reported. I find it a bit unfortunate that the sensitivity cannot be adjusted. Thus, the detection already reacts when a car drives over the adjacent road.
As an alternative, Netatmo offers the possibility to set alarm zones in the app. Hereby you can regulate, so to speak, the area in which the detection should take place at all. Unfortunately, setting the zones proved to be a bit complicated. Many users will probably prefer to accept one notification too many. To be in line with data protection, you should also restrict the detection range of people to your property. You should also receive a notification if someone tries to remove or turn off the doorbell. We’ll clarify whether this really works later.
Netatmo Smart Video Doorbell Test: The Full Pack Smart Home?
Anyone who talks about the smart home cannot avoid the topic of automations. This is, so to speak, the interaction of individual gadgets. Classic example is certainly a separate motion detector, which ensures that your home lighting is switched on. The Netatmo Smart Video Doorbell enables interaction with Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. For example, you can make your home smart speakers automatically act as a chime when the doorbell rings. You can also display the current live image from the camera on a suitable device such as a monitor from the Amazon Alexa Echo Show series by voice command.
Netatmo Smart Video Doorbell Test: Quick Installation
If you want to give your classic doorbell an upgrade, the Netatmo Smart Video Doorbell is the perfect choice. After all, you can use the existing doorbell wires here best for installation. The manufacturer explains how this works in detail in the included user manual. By the way, the manufacturer also includes the gong control module needed for the control box. This is not a matter of course! Before mounting, it should be said that you should only dare to do this if you really feel confident. However, anyone who has already mounted a lamp will not have to be afraid of this. Nevertheless, you should not disregard basic safety instructions such as flipping the circuit breaker during installation. If you don’t trust yourself or your friends with the whole thing, you should get an electrician on your side. For our test, Netatmo included a practical power supply.
With its help, I was able to test the doorbell without the module. Whom the cable does not bother, can go the same way. Once the gong module has found its place in your power box or the power supply has found its way into the socket, it’s time to install the actual doorbell. For this you have to drill two holes in your wall. The shim serves as a practical template. The bell wires are then fed through the two rubber seals of the rear flap. This may be a bit fiddly, but in the end it protects the power lines from water damage. You can then screw the bracket into place. You can choose between a straight and an angled bracket. Now you screw the wires into a connector provided for this purpose and place it on the bracket as well. Once you’ve done that, all you have to do is attach the doorbell itself to the back using the security screw.
Netatmo Smart Video Doorbell Test: Setup via the App
Once you’ve completed the handy work, you can release the security again. Should you have connected the doorbell with your gong, can be checked directly whether everything works. Finally, the old gong should sound after pressing the bell button. The main argument in favor of installing the smart doorbell on the old gong is reliability. A smart doorbell can be as clever as it is – without the Internet, nothing works. So if your provider has problems or your router goes down for other reasons, you won’t get a ring signal. If you continue to use the old chime during installation, you don’t have to be afraid of this. If the Smart Video Doorbell is powered, you can put the tool away and pick up your smartphone instead.
Now go to the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store and download the Netatmo Security app. All you have to do now is follow the clear instructions for the final setup of the doorbell. The main focus here is on feeding the device into your own Wi-Fi network. Once you have gone through all the steps, you can already make the first settings for the smart doorbell. Data protection usually plays a major role for smart doorbells. To inform neighbors and other outsiders about the integrated video camera, a corresponding notice for third parties must be placed. The manufacturer includes a suitable sticker. But that’s it for the support that Netatmo provides its users.
Thus, the manufacturer merely advises its users to keep local privacy regulations in mind. A different approach would be desirable. Even if it means a lot of work, the company should rather give its buyers location-based hints. At least there is the hint that one should switch off the personal recognition in case of doubt. If one already takes the trouble and gives tips, then in our opinion one should also point out that filming public areas outside of one’s own property is to be refrained from. Otherwise, users will only inadequately comply with German data protection law. While many competing models allow limiting the range of the camera, this is unfortunately not the case with Netatmo. Therefore, if you want to comply with data privacy laws, you have to install the camera in advance in such a way that no recordings are possible from public spaces. This is unfortunately very cumbersome.
Netatmo Smart Video Doorbell review: practical test
Now it’s time to take a look at the everyday usability of the Netatmo Smart Video Doorbell. Let’s start with the chime itself. I noticed within the app that it cannot be disabled for specific periods of time. Instead, you have to set the “do not disturb” mode anew every time. This annoys you at the latest when you have a small child and unexpected visitors come ringing late at night.
Intercom function with great sound quality
Here, the smart doorbell scores without any limitations. Thus, not only the speaker quality is beyond reproach. The microphone also records with a high intelligibility. However, it should be pointed out once again that a weak WLAN connection can also have an impact on the quality.
Fortunately, we didn’t suffer from any connection problems in our test, which meant that everything was forwarded quickly and understandably. However, if you have visitors late at night, you should use the intercom function with caution. After all, you unfortunately cannot regulate the volume of the bell’s speaker here, which can definitely annoy the neighbors.
Camera images in 1,080p
The camera also does a good job. You get consistently good image quality here thanks to Full HD resolution and HDR. Of course, there are a few picture problems here and there, but no doorbell with video function is protected from that. Here, you always have to keep in mind that minor blunders do not limit the basic usefulness of the doorbell.
There is a good image both during the day and at night. Thus, the infrared sensor scores with a good performance. Away from the quality of the picture, the aspect ratio in particular also caught my eye positively in practice. The 9:16 is simply much more suitable for everyday use than the 16:9. After all, you primarily want to use the camera to recognize people who are standing right in front of the door.
Data security even with local storage
The local storage of the recordings via microSD card may initially be difficult for data protectionists. After all, it makes it seem like it could reveal sensitive data in the wrong hands. With external storage in the cloud, there would be no need to fear this – unless there is a cyberattack on the server system.
But Netatmo has thought along and ensured data protection for local storage as well. After all, the microSD cannot be read out easily on the computer thanks to extensive encryption. You can only access it via the app. Here you can not only play the videos, but also download them if desired.
Smart Home Features
Compatibility with Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant allows you to conveniently monitor your front door when using the Netatmo Smart Video Doorbell. Here, you can simply use the corresponding voice command. Some people might miss more advanced features of the smart doorbell. In particular, the inclusion of other smart home gadgets is only possible to a limited extent.
Personally, this doesn’t bother me. On the other hand, those who like extensive automations might be out of place here. While the person detection algorithm always worked fine for me in the test, this was unfortunately not the case for the theft detection. When I checked this, I only received a message after quite some time. However, it only said that the doorbell was offline. In my opinion, this is not a real theft warning.
Conclusion
The Netatmo Smart Video Doorbell sets itself apart from other manufacturers’ models in one crucial aspect. Unlike other smart doorbells, it offers its full range of functions without any follow-up costs. You do not have to accept a subscription with monthly costs if you want to view past video recordings. You can access the recordings stored locally on microSD via the app at any time. In addition, the doorbell’s modern, elegant and somewhat different design is exactly to my taste. Not only the look, but also the feel is right here, which is due to the high build quality. Furthermore, the installation and setup via the app is quick and uncomplicated. The existing chime can be used, which allows the device to work even in case of a power failure. The quality of the camera and intercom function cannot be faulted either.
Both recognizability and intelligibility are at a high level. The algorithm also plays along and reliably provides information about person recognitions. I particularly like the unusual aspect ratio of 9:16 – it ensures good recognizability even of tall people. There is probably some catching up to do in the area of automations and settings. The cooperation with other smart household gadgets is usually much more versatile in other smart doorbells. On top of that, essential things like the speaker’s volume or lock times for the chime cannot be activated. The information about data privacy and the corresponding setting options are also more rudimentary than adequate. Whether this bothers you in practice, you have to know yourself. Should this not be the case, you get a chic, high-quality and useful smart doorbell here at a price of currently € 144.26 * (RRP: 299.99 euros).
Netatmo Smart Video Doorbell
Design and workmanship
Hardware
Features
Value for money
85/100
Netatmo convinces with great picture and sound quality, as well as a lack of hidden costs. However, the competition is ahead in terms of features and settings.
