Wyze Video Doorbell Pro Review

What the Wyze Video Doorbell Pro actually is

This is Wyze's wireless smart doorbell, sold mostly through Amazon in the $50 to $80 range depending on whether it's bundled with the chime. It records in HD with a tall 1:1 aspect ratio, which is the real selling point. Instead of seeing a stranger's forehead, you get a full head-to-toe view, so you can actually tell if a package is sitting on your step or if the person is holding one.

It runs on a rechargeable battery, so you're not splicing into doorbell wiring unless you want to. The included plug-in chime acts as the Wi-Fi bridge, which matters because the doorbell talks to that, not directly to your router. For most people that's a feature, not a bug, since it sidesteps the patchy connections that plague wired doorbells in older homes.

How it performs day to day

Video is the standout. The tall view and decent low-light performance punch well above what $60 should buy. Daytime clips are crisp, night clips are usable, and the wide vertical field means you rarely miss the bottom of the frame where packages live.

Notifications are quick enough, though not Ring-or-Nest instant. Owners widely report a slight lag between someone pressing the button and the alert landing, plus the usual smart-home reality that loading the live feed can take a few seconds. Two-way talk works fine for telling a delivery driver where to leave a box. Battery life lands in the months-between-charges territory for normal traffic, less if your street is busy or it's cold out, since batteries hate winter.

The subscription situation

Here's the part that trips people up. You get a short rolling window of free event clips, but to actually save and review recorded video properly you'll want Wyze's Cam Plus subscription. It's cheap as these things go, a few dollars a month, but it's not optional if you care about reviewing footage after the fact.

Skip the plan and you still get live view and motion alerts, which is enough for some. Just go in knowing the doorbell is the cheap part and the recurring fee is where Wyze makes its money. That's the whole budget-doorbell business model.

Pros and cons

Pros: excellent head-to-toe HD view for the money, genuinely wireless install, includes a chime that doubles as the bridge, and one of the lowest entry prices in smart doorbells. The app is straightforward and the hardware looks clean on a door frame.

Cons: notification and live-view lag can annoy, full recording history needs a paid plan, the chime-bridge means you have a single point of failure, and Wyze's history of security and privacy stumbles is worth knowing before you trust any camera brand with your front door.

Who should buy it, and who shouldn't

Buy it if you want a capable doorbell on a tight budget and you're already comfortable in the Wyze ecosystem or just want package alerts without a $200 outlay. Renters love the wireless install. It's a great first smart doorbell.

Skip it if you're deep into Apple Home or want HomeKit Secure Video, since Wyze doesn't play there. Skip it too if instant alerts are non-negotiable, or if you refuse subscriptions on principle. People wanting tight Alexa or Google integration with zero lag should look at Ring or Nest and pay the premium.

The verdict

The Wyze Video Doorbell Pro is the easy budget pick. The tall video view is the best argument for it, and the wireless setup makes it friendly for renters and anyone who dreads wiring. You're trading a little speed and some peace of mind on the privacy front for a price that undercuts almost everyone.

For most people who just want to see who's at the door and whether their stuff arrived, that trade is worth it.

Frequently asked questions

Does the Wyze Video Doorbell Pro require a subscription?

No subscription is required for live view and basic motion alerts. But to save and review recorded video clips beyond a short window, you'll want Wyze's Cam Plus plan, which runs a few dollars a month.

Is the Wyze Video Doorbell Pro wired or wireless?

It's wireless, running on a rechargeable battery, and includes a plug-in chime that also acts as the Wi-Fi bridge. That makes it a good fit for renters or homes without existing doorbell wiring.

Does it work with Alexa and Google Home?

It works with Alexa and Google Assistant for live viewing and announcements, though integration isn't as deep as Ring or Nest. It does not support Apple HomeKit.