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Following my review of the excellent Aqara Smart Video Doorbell G4, I thought it would be a good idea to see what video doorbells support Apple HomeKit in the UK.
I am not personally an Apple user, so it isn’t really something that I have paid too much attention to in the past.
While there are a lot of excellent video doorbells on the market, the choices are much more limited if you want HomeKit. Considering the dominance Apple has in the mobile market, you would think more brands would be eager to support their smart home ecosystem.
Best HomeKit Video Doorbells in the UK
Aqara Smart Video Doorbell G4 – Supports HomeKit Secure Video
| Preview | Product | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aqara Video Doorbell G4 (Chime Included), 1080p FHD HomeKit... |
£119.99 | Buy on Amazon |
The Aqara Smart Video Doorbell G4 currently seems to be the best option by far for anyone that wants to use Apple Homekit, both in the UK and beyond. It is also much cheaper than the Netatmo, which is the second-best option.
The Aqara doorbell has free 7-day event recording, but you can also record to microSD or network storage with SMB. It is also one of the few options that support HomeKit Secure Video.
This can run off AA batteries, or you can wire it up for continuous power. If you wire it up, you can enable 24/7 recording. The HomeKit Secure Video support also works when you are using battery power.
This has motion detection and face detection natively, or when you integrate it with HomeKit, you get various object detection features, such as person, car and animal.
This comes with a chime, which the doorbell connects to. You can then use Alexa devices as chimes, and I set up an automation with the other Aqara hubs with speakers to use a chime.
I also like that you can set up complex home automation actions with this, which you can’t do as effectively with most other video doorbells.
I’d say the main downside is the relatively poor IP rating of IPX3, but it is worth noting that Ring doorbells don’t have an official rating, and I have never had any water ingress issues with these.
Netatmo Smart Video Doorbell – Does not support HomeKit Secure Video, has local storage
| Preview | Product | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Netatmo Smart Video Doorbell, 2-way audio, Person Detection,... |
£269.99 | Buy on Amazon |
The Netatmo Smart Video Doorbell has more of a premium build and appearance than the Aqara.
The premium build also includes a superior IP rating of IP44, giving you a bit more reassurance with the British weather.
The Netatmo Smart Video Doorbell does not use a battery and is powered using either your existing doorbell wiring, with voltage compatibility of 8 to 24 VAC or 230 VAC. If you buy this directly from Netatmo, you also have the option to select a plugin transformer or an in-wall transformer.
As for a chime, this will trigger the wired chime if you have one, or it works with Alexa and Google products.
One advantage it has over the Aqara is the 9:16 portrait video format lets you see your visitors from the ground up, including packages left on the doorstep.
Netatmo doesn’t require any subscription fees, and the footage is stored via a microSD card on the device. At the moment, this doesn’t support HomeKit Secure Video, but Netatmo has previously said this is an update they will roll out in the future.
I still use the Netatmo floodlight, which has been working reliably for years, so I am happy to recommend Netatmo as a brand in general.
Arlo Essential Wired Video Doorbell + Arlo Smart Hub – Does not support HomeKit Secure Video
| Preview | Product | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arlo WIRED Video Doorbell Security Camera, HD Video, 2 Way... |
£72.24 | Buy on Amazon | |
| Arlo Certified Accessory, SmartHub Add-On Unit, USB Local... |
£119.99 | Buy on Amazon |
Arlo doesn’t natively support HomeKitwith most of their products, but if you have the Arlo SmartHub or Base Station, this will enable HomeKit support on compatible products.
As far as the doorbells go, it is only the Arlo Essential Video Doorbell (Wired) that is one of the compatible products. I have no idea why they need to make it so difficult. Most of the battery-powered cameras support it, so I am unsure why the other doorbells don’t.
With this solution, you can’t use Apple HomeKit Secure Video. To integrate with HomeKit Secure Video, Arlo cameras would need to share and directly record content to Apple servers allowing content to be stored in iCloud. This goes against the commitments to privacy Arlo has made.
That being said, I loved the Arlo Essential Video Doorbell Wire Free when I reviewed it, and the wired doorbell looks like a good option if you are committed to any other Arlo products.
Robin ProLine Doorbell
I am mainly listing the Robin ProLine Doorbell because there are so few other options. This is more of a commercial intercom and is priced like one at over 800 Euros.
Because it is more of an intercom than a doorbell, it doesn’t have some of the features you’d likely want. There are no motion sensors, human detection, no IR LEDs for night vision or any way to set up automations.
Furthermore, it’s probably not that practical to install on a house because it has a flush mount design.
On the plus side, this uses POE for power and data, so you will have superior connectivity and no need to charge it every few weeks.
Homebridge Alternative
A popular workaround is to use Homebridge. This allows you to integrate with smart home devices that do not natively support HomeKit. There are over 2,000 Homebridge plugins supporting thousands of different smart accessories.
Similar to HomeAssistant, this is software that runs on a server and can easily run on a Raspberry Pi, but it also runs on MacOS, Windows, Linux and Docker.
There are also guides to get it running on many NAS platforms like FreeNAS, Unraid, and Synology DSM.
There are specific guides on getting Homebridge working with Ring devices, including their doorbells. Another plugin will get it working with the Nest Doorbell.
Another alternative for Nest products is the Starling Home Hub, which will cost you $99 and can connect all Nest Cam, Doorbell, Thermostat, Protect, Secure and Nest × Yale Lock products to Apple HomeKit and Siri.
Not available in the UK
Logitech Circle View Doorbell – Supports HomeKit Secure Video
On paper, the Logitech Circle View is one of the best HomeKit options on the market. It was launched long before the Aqara and was the only doorbell to support HomeKit Secure Video.
It has a decent camera spec with a 5 MP Sensor with 1200 x 1600 HDR-enabled video. It even has colour night vision, automatically triggered based on the ambient light sensor in front of the camera.
It is also IP65 rated, which should make it perfect for the UK weather.
Sadly, it doesn’t have a battery, so you need to wire it into an existing doorbell system using 8-24V AC 10 VA or higher. It will then connect over WiFi using either 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz.
Unfortunately, it is a bit difficult to recommend. First and foremost, there is no official availability in the UK. You can buy it from Amazon US and pay the shipping and import fees, but it is $249, which I think is overpriced (especially compared to the Aqara), then another $66.61 shipping & import fees to the United Kingdom.
That is not the only problem either. The doorbell has very mixed reviews. The Logitech website has it rated at just 2.5 out of 5 with 61 reviews with a large number of 1-star reviews. Professional reviews are mixed as well; Macsources rated this at just 20%. It might be worth risking if you had free shipping and returns, but not if you are paying $60+ getting it imported.
Originally posted on mightygadget.com – Follow on Twitter – Instagram – Facebook – Mighty Gadget Latest Reviews
I am James, a UK-based tech enthusiast and the Editor and Owner of Mighty Gadget, which I’ve proudly run since 2007. Passionate about all things technology, my expertise spans from computers and networking to mobile, wearables, and smart home devices.
As a fitness fanatic who loves running and cycling, I also have a keen interest in fitness-related technology, and I take every opportunity to cover this niche on my blog. My diverse interests allow me to bring a unique perspective to tech blogging, merging lifestyle, fitness, and the latest tech trends.
In my academic pursuits, I earned a BSc in Information Systems Design from UCLAN, before advancing my learning with a Master’s Degree in Computing. This advanced study also included Cisco CCNA accreditation, further demonstrating my commitment to understanding and staying ahead of the technology curve.
I’m proud to share that Vuelio has consistently ranked Mighty Gadget as one of the top technology blogs in the UK. With my dedication to technology and drive to share my insights, I aim to continue providing my readers with engaging and informative content.
Last update on 2024-05-08 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
