Missing a package delivery or wondering who just rang your doorbell while you’re stuck at work is frustrating. I wanted something that would let me see who’s at the door without paying for a monthly subscription, and that’s what led me to test the WYZE Wired Doorbell Camera v2.
After installing this doorbell using my existing doorbell wiring, I’ve been impressed with the 2K video quality and color night vision. The picture is sharp enough to identify faces and read package labels from several feet away.
The two-way audio worked well for talking to delivery drivers, though there’s a slight delay. I added a microSD card for continuous recording, which means I don’t have to pay for cloud storage to review footage. The doorbell sends instant notifications when someone approaches, and it can even announce to visitors that they’re being recorded.
Installation was straightforward with my 16-24V AC transformer, but I ran into the same compatibility issue others mentioned. If your existing chime makes multiple striking sounds instead of one clean ring, you might need to check WYZE’s compatibility guide first. The IP65 weatherproof rating has held up through rain and cold temperatures without issues.
The biggest downside is that many features require a subscription if you want them. The free version covers basics like motion detection and SD card recording, which worked fine for my needs. Some users in the UK mentioned Alexa skills don’t work there, so voice assistant integration might be limited depending on your location.
Bottom Line
The WYZE Wired Doorbell v2 delivers solid 2K video and local recording without forcing you into a subscription.
If you have compatible existing doorbell wiring and want reliable monitoring on a budget, this is worth considering.
Click here to get the WYZE Wired Doorbell Camera v2 and start monitoring your front door today.
Why I Bought the WYZE Wired Doorbell Camera v2
I needed a reliable doorbell camera that wouldn’t drain my wallet with monthly subscriptions. The v2 caught my attention because it records locally to a microSD card without forcing us into a cloud plan. It effectively serves as a 2K wired smart doorbell that integrates with my broader smart home setup.
What pulled us in:
- 2K resolution that actually shows faces clearly
- Color night vision instead of grainy black-and-white footage
- Works with my existing doorbell wiring (16-24V AC)
- Package detection alerts
The price point made it easy to justify testing. I’d tried wireless options before, but dealing with battery charging got old fast. Having constant power through my existing doorbell wires meant one less thing to maintain. The IP65 weather rating also mattered since my front porch gets direct rain exposure.
Key Features
After setting this up on my front porch, I spent a few days testing what it actually delivers versus what’s promised on the box. Here’s what stood out during real-world use.
2K Head-to-Toe Video & Color Night Vision
The 2K resolution makes a noticeable difference when I’m trying to identify faces or read package labels from the feed. The 1440p capture shows more detail than the older 1080p doorbells I’ve used, especially when zooming into recordings. The wide field of view helps capture all porch arrivals without cutting off heads or feet.
What impressed me most was the color night vision. Instead of the usual grainy black-and-white footage, I got usable color images even after sunset thanks to the award-winning starlight sensor. The sensor amplifies ambient light well enough that I could make out clothing colors and car details in my driveway at night.
The head-to-toe framing worked as described. I could see packages left on the ground and still catch faces at eye level in the same frame.
Two-Way Audio for Easy Communication
The talk button in the app connects quickly when I tap it. I’ve used it to tell delivery drivers where to leave packages and to chat with neighbors who stopped by.
Audio quality is clear enough for normal conversations, though there’s a slight delay of maybe half a second. It features standard 2-way audio (or 2-way audio as some list it), which means you can hear and speak simultaneously. Wind noise can be an issue on blustery days, but that’s typical for outdoor doorbells.
The microphone picks up voices well from about six feet away. Anyone standing at normal doorbell distance comes through clearly on my end.
Smart Notifications & Voice Deterrence
I get push notifications within a few seconds of someone approaching the door. The app lets me customize detection zones, which cut down on false alerts from cars passing by on the street.
The motion-activated voice deterrence feature announces that visitors are being recorded when motion is detected. I enabled it for a week and found it a bit aggressive for regular guests, so I turned it off. It might be useful if you’re dealing with porch theft issues.
Package detection worked inconsistently for me. It caught larger boxes but missed smaller envelopes about half the time. To get the most reliable AI detections, Wyze suggests a subscription like Cam Plus or Cam Protect, but I stuck to the free features.
24/7 Local Recording with microSD Card
The continuous recording option requires you to buy a microSD card separately, which wasn’t included in the box. I added a 128GB card and got about two weeks of footage before it started overwriting.
Having local storage means I don’t need a cloud subscription to review what happened throughout the day. I can scrub through the timeline in the app and find specific moments without paying monthly fees. This continuous local recording is a game changer for privacy and budget.
The downside is that if someone steals the doorbell itself, you lose the footage. There’s no way around that with local-only storage, though you can add Wyze’s cloud service if you want backup copies.
One limitation: this requires existing doorbell wiring at 16-24V AC. I had the right setup already, but if you don’t have wired doorbell infrastructure, this won’t work for you.
Pros and Cons
After installing this on my front door, I’ve gotten a solid sense of what works well and what doesn’t. The 2K resolution really does make a difference when trying to identify delivery drivers or read package labels from the footage.
Pros
The video quality stands out immediately. That 2K resolution captures faces and details much better than the 1080p doorbell I had before. The color night vision actually works as advertised, showing usable color footage even in low light conditions.
Installation was straightforward since it uses existing doorbell wiring. I had it up and running in about 20 minutes. The local recording with microSD card slot means I’m not forced into a subscription just to review footage, which saves money long-term.
Package detection notifications work reliably. I get alerts when deliveries arrive, and the two-way audio lets me talk to drivers even when I’m not home. The weather resistance has held up through rain and cold temperatures without issues.
Cons
The biggest limitation is that it requires existing doorbell wiring with 16-24V AC power. If you don’t have that setup already, you’ll need an electrician or a different model entirely.
Most of the smart features are locked behind a subscription paywall. Basic recording to the SD card works fine, but cloud storage and advanced AI detection require paying extra monthly fees.
I ran into compatibility issues with Alexa integration. The skills don’t work properly in all regions, which was disappointing since I wanted to use it as a chime on my Echo devices. However, if it works in your region, seeing the door on your Echo Show is a great feature.
Motion detection can be a bit oversensitive at times. I’ve had to adjust the settings multiple times to reduce false alerts from cars passing by or tree shadows moving across the porch.
Weatherproof Performance
I mounted the Wyze v2 on my front porch where it faces afternoon rain and morning frost. The doorbell handled light rain without issues during my testing period, maintaining clear video quality even with water droplets on the lens.
The unit is rated for outdoor use and includes weather-resistant housing. During a moderate rainstorm, I noticed the two-way audio remained functional, though wind noise occasionally interfered with clarity. The color night vision continued working in damp conditions without fogging or distortion.
What worked well:
- No water intrusion after several rainstorms
- Video quality stayed consistent in wet weather
- Continued operating through temperature fluctuations
One limitation I found is that the wired design means you need to ensure your doorbell wiring itself is weatherproofed at connection points. The device doesn’t include a protective hood, so depending on your porch overhang, direct rain exposure might be a consideration for long-term durability.
Installation Experience
Getting the v2 wired up was straightforward since it connects to existing doorbell wiring. I turned off the breaker, disconnected the old doorbell, and attached the two wires to the new unit. The whole process took about 15 minutes.
The doorbell requires 16-24V AC power with at least 10VA, which worked fine with my existing setup. If your transformer is older or on the lower end of the power supply spectrum (below 16V), you might see connectivity drops. I appreciated that it reused my mechanical chime inside the house without needing adapters or workarounds.
Unlike the original Wyze Doorbell, the v2 does not require you to install a separate Wyze doorbell chime controller inside your chime box. It connects directly, making it much easy to install compared to systems that require complex rewiring of the chime controller.
One thing to confirm before buying: You need hardwired doorbell infrastructure. This won’t work if you don’t have existing wiring, so apartment dwellers or homes without doorbell systems will need to look at the wireless version instead.
The mounting bracket was solid and the unit feels secure once installed. The IP65 weatherproof rating gives me confidence it’ll hold up outside through different seasons.
Final Verdict
After spending time with the v2, I can say it’s a solid budget pick if you already have doorbell wiring and don’t mind skipping the subscription. The 2K video quality impressed me during daytime use, and color night vision actually works well enough to identify people clearly. Local recording to a microSD card means I’m not forced into monthly fees, which I appreciate.
That said, the useful app features sitting behind a paywall felt limiting. If you’re outside the US, the Alexa integration might not work at all based on what I’ve seen. The 24V wiring requirement also caught some people off guard, so double-check your setup before buying.
I’d recommend this doorbell if you want straightforward monitoring without ongoing costs and have compatible wiring. Just don’t expect all the bells and whistles without paying extra.
Frequently Asked Questions
After using the v2 for a few weeks, I kept running into questions that weren’t immediately obvious from the product page. Here’s what I learned through actual setup and daily use.
How does the Wyze Doorbell Camera v2 installation process compare to other smart doorbells?
The v2 requires hardwiring to existing doorbell wiring, which puts it somewhere between plug-and-play battery models and professional installation systems. I had to work with 16-24V AC power from my old doorbell transformer, which was straightforward since my house already had standard wiring.
The catch is chime compatibility. Not every existing doorbell chime works with this model. I had to check for a Trans terminal in my chime box before installing. Some chimes make repeated metal striking sounds instead of a single ring, which signals incompatibility.
Compared to battery-powered doorbells, this takes more initial effort but eliminates recharging hassles. Compared to pro-level systems, it’s easier and cheaper to install yourself if your wiring is compatible.
Can you differentiate between the Wyze Doorbell v2 and the Wyze Doorbell Pro in terms of performance and features?
I tested both models before settling on the v2. The main difference is power source: the v2 needs hardwiring while the Pro runs on batteries or can be hardwired.
Key differences I noticed:
- The v2 delivers constant power for 24/7 operation without battery anxiety
- Both offer 2K resolution and similar field of view
- The Pro costs more but offers wireless flexibility for apartments or locations without existing wiring
- Video quality felt identical between both models in my testing
For renters or apartments without doorbell wiring, the Pro makes sense. For standard homes with existing doorbell setups, the v2 works better since you never worry about power.
What subscription plans are available for the Wyze Doorbell Camera v2, and what do they include?
The v2 works without a subscription if you use local recording with a microSD card. I’ve been running mine this way and can review footage directly from the card.
The optional Cam Plus subscription adds features like person detection, package detection, and cloud storage. Basic notifications and two-way audio work fine without paying anything extra. It basically comes with cloud and local options depending on your preference.
I found the free tier sufficient for my needs. Motion detection triggers recordings to my SD card, and I get instant notifications when someone approaches. The paid features feel useful but not essential for basic doorbell functionality.
How does the video quality of the Wyze Doorbell Camera v2 hold up in various lighting conditions?
The 2K resolution captures clear head-to-toe footage during daytime. I can easily identify faces and read package labels in good light.
The color night vision surprised me. Using the starlight sensor, it produces color images in low light rather than black and white. On my covered porch with minimal ambient light, I could still see delivery person uniforms and package details in color.
Complete darkness defaults to infrared mode, which works adequately but loses the color advantage. Direct sunlight sometimes causes slight overexposure, though the camera adjusts within a few seconds.
Rain and weather haven’t affected image quality thanks to the IP65 rating. The wide-angle lens captures my entire porch area without blind spots near the door frame.
Can I use Wyze Video Doorbell v2 if my in-house chime is broken?
Yes, you can install the v2 even if your mechanical chime is broken, as long as the transformer and wiring still deliver power (16-24V AC). However, the existing in-house chime will not sound when the doorbell is pressed. Instead, you can rely on notifications on your phone or pair it with Amazon Echo and Google Home devices to act as a digital chime. You can also view live video feeds on smart displays when the bell rings.
Is Wyze Video Doorbell v2 compatible with Alexa and Google Home?
Yes, it works with both ecosystems. You can stream live video to an Echo Show or Google Nest Hub. It also supports voice announcements on speakers, so you hear a chime through your smart speakers when someone is at the door. I tested this with my Echo Dot and the notification delay was minimal.
Does Wyze Video Doorbell v2 support mechanical chimes?
Yes, the v2 is designed to work with your existing mechanical chime or digital chime. Unlike the v1, it does not bypass the chime, so your original wired doorbell sound remains functional. Just make sure your transformer can handle the load.
