SkyBell Doorbell Camera Review

SkyBell isn't a bad Wi-Fi doorbell camera by any means, but it hasn't been updated in several years. Even though SkyBell still offers crisp, clear video footage, you can find some extra features (like activity zones) in more affordable cameras. If you don’t need the latest and greatest tech, you’ll be happy with SkyBell’s quality and wide field of view.

The main hiccup? Purchasing it from the wrong site could render your SkyBell useless without a monitoring subscription. Where you buy SkyBell also dictates which app you use to control the camera. We’ve researched all the options and spoke with SkyBell Technologies, Inc. to clear up the confusion.

• SkyBell video doorbell
• Quick start guide
• Flat mounting bracket
• Anchors and screws

An optional wedge mount is sold separately and comes with its own mounting hardware.

Customers consistently praise SkyBell’s video quality:

• Clear 1080p full HD video 
• Possible to see visitors and street activity up to 10 feet away
• Built-in LED lights offer a crisp, color video feed in dimly lit areas 
• Full-color night vision
• 180° field of view with little to no fish-eye distortion
• 5x zoom

In practical terms, the SkyBell video doorbell does its job and does it well. Instead of alerting you to the fact that “someone” is on your property, it lets you see who that person is. 

In the event you need to send photos or recordings to the police, SkyBell’s HD camera is also more likely to capture details that low-quality competitors might miss, like distinctive tattoos, scars, or hairstyles. 

SkyBell offers two-way audio, a standard feature on Wi-Fi doorbell cameras. You can speak through the camera by tapping and holding the Talk button on the app. 

Audio from the SkyBell itself transmits automatically when you view the live feed, so you’ll hear everything going on outside. That means you might also hear your own responses echoing through the doorbell speaker, which can be distracting. 

Aside from that, audio transmits clearly through SkyBell. You can adjust the speaker volume through the app if someone talks too loudly or softly.

When this smart doorbell button is pressed, SkyBell chimes inside and outside your home. Each chime has separate volume control. That way, you can lower the indoor volume if someone’s trying to sleep, or increase the outdoor volume if you plan to do yard work. 

We love SkyBell’s quiet mode, which shuts off both the indoor and outdoor chimes for those moments when you need total peace and quiet. (We’re talking to you, new parents and migraine sufferers.) Keep your phone on you; a push notification is the only way you’ll know someone’s at the door after activating quiet mode.

The SkyBell doorbell camera automatically starts recording a video when it senses motion. This lets you passively monitor the camera rather than pouncing on every phone alert to check the live feed.

If you live in an area with extreme temperatures, you need a doorbell camera that won’t conk out in such conditions. SkyBell delivers on that front: it continues to work in temperatures as low as -31° F and as high as 122° F. 

SkyBell also has an IPX4 weather rating, which means it can withstand “water splashes,” but won’t necessarily survive being blasted by a fire hose or make it through a hurricane unscathed. We’re pretty sure that the integrity of your doorbell camera will be the least of your concerns in the event of a hurricane or house fire, though, so this weather rating seems fair.

SkyBell’s installation requirements and limitations are standard compared to other wired doorbell cameras:

• You should already have a hardwired mechanical doorbell.
• If you have a digital doorbell, you need to install an adapter. 
• If you have a battery-operated doorbell, you’ll need to call an electrician to set up the correct power supply. 

However, we hesitate to agree with other reviews that say the SkyBell installation process is DIY-friendly. Installing a battery-powered stick-and-peel doorbell is absolutely DIY-friendly, but wiring a doorbell like SkyBell? It depends. There’s always a risk of electrical shock, among other hazards, if you don’t know what you’re doing.

Check out SkyBell’s wiring guide to see what’s involved. 

Beware of another potential installation hiccup: the round SkyBell HD camera doesn’t fit on all door frames due to its wide design. Measure the location of your current doorbell before deciding which SkyBell model to purchase. Door frames less than 2.8 inches wide can only accommodate the SkyBell Trim Plus. 

Before you hop on Amazon and purchase the most affordable SkyBell model you find, take note: some SkyBell dealers require a subscription. Without a subscription, you won’t be able to activate the doorbell and view it through an app. 

If SkyBell is the only piece of home security equipment you have, a monitoring subscription may be too expensive. Fortunately, it can be purchased as a standalone product if you know where to go. 

It took us far too long to decipher the different purchase options, and we can only assume that consumers are equally confused by the conflicting information available on the web. We give the brand a solid thumbs-down for setting unclear expectations. 

If you do want the SkyBell doorbell camera, here are your purchasing options:

• SkyBell: Use the free SkyBell app on the App Store or Google Play store. This requires no monitoring plan.
• Honeywell (via Amazon): Use the free SkyBell app. This requires no monitoring plan.
• Amazon.com: Sign up for an Alarm.com interactive residential services plan starting at $12.95 per month.
• Frontpoint: Pay a $49.99 per month monitoring fee.
• Brinks: pay a $39 per month monitoring fee.

Keep in mind that your experience with this doorbell camera depends on how well the provider’s app works. For example, if the app is slow, the push notifications might arrive 30 seconds after the doorbell rings. Pay attention to app reviews and warranties before choosing a SkyBell dealer.

SkyBell is a good option for people who already have (or are interested in) home security systems through Frontpoint or Brinks. Otherwise, it’s an impractical and expensive option for people solely interested in a doorbell camera. Competitors offer more accessible cameras with similar (or better) features and video quality for about the same price. 

Like when we review other security cameras, we read hundreds of SkyBell reviews and spent hours researching SkyBell’s specifications and functionality. We used our knowledge of other doorbell cameras to determine whether SkyBell offers an exceptional, standard, or sub-par product. We also called SkyBell to clarify the purchase process and evaluate their customer service.

Check out our methodology page for more information about SafeWise’s review process.

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