Customer reviews from bestbuy-ca
EZVIZ - Smart Wi-Fi Video Doorbell - Wired - White
Average customer rating
3.7
(33 Reviews)
Rating breakdown 33 reviews
5 Stars
13
4 Stars
8
3 Stars
6
2 Stars
2
1 Star
4
72%of customers recommend this product.
(
21 out of
29)
Customer Reviews for EZVIZ - Smart Wi-Fi Video Doorbell - Wired - White
Customer Rating
2
EZViz DB1 - Would not recommend to a friend
on February 19, 2021
Posted by: Liz
from Edmonton
The good: Picture is good, records everything for 2 blocks in high def if you want it, gives a nice wide angle picture so you really can see the package that’s supposed to be on your doorstep. Response time for Live View seems to be pretty decent (haven't tried it from outside of home, but at home it seems to be good). Support was responsive and quick (I called because it went offline and they told me my voltage – which was well within the range specified in the manual – was insufficient. I don’t know if they could have solved any other issues.)
The things that don't work for me:
1. Tricky to install – my default mode is DIY and usually I get things going reasonably easily. Not happening with this one!
2. Description of electrical requirements and instructions are incomplete or just plain wrong;
3. Software is clumsy and it's impossible to set up so that you don't get recordings of every car and truck within the 2 blocks mentioned above. Haven’t had a plane fly over yet, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it picked up that, too.
4. Support tried hard but so far the only thing they have been able to tell me was that the voltage was insufficient (sounded like they get this one a lot). When I tried to measure the voltage in response to their request and got nothing, they just told me to try again, requiring a flurry of texts and a THIRD visit by the electrician.
5. The “free cloud storage” they advertise may or may not actually be real. I set up an account, but I’m not sure anything is saving on there.
Details:
1. Started off wonderfully: the advertising says installation requires a wired doorbell. I have that! 3 hours free storage! Works for me! I bought it!
My Default mode is DIY but got an electrician to install it anyway - we'll call him Bob - he follows instructions. The book says it requires 8-24VAC current. I have that, too! – my circuit has a 12VAC transformer! So Bob installed it to my 12-V circuit. The DB1 worked just long enough for the Bob to be satisfied and go on his merry way. 2 hours later this thing goes offline and I can't resurrect it (tried all the standard uninstall, re-install, disconnect, reset etc. Nothing!). Several hours of futile search later I finally call Support, and that guy tells me, “oh, you need a 16-24V circuit, so just install a new transformer”! Wait a sec – the instruction manual says 8-24VAC! They took absolutely no responsibility for that, not even to thank me for telling them and saying they’ll update the manual! Anyway, now I need to get Bob back here to change the transformer ($$$) and a new piece of equipment ($$$ for the transformer). There was no hint ANYWHERE that this would be the case: the only reference to voltage was in the instructions (after you buy the thing) and even there it’s just dead wrong. So Not Impressed Incident #1. This all took a couple of days and multiple calls, chats, and emails, by the way.
2. Advertising says you can “combine a wide range of other EZVIZ smart home security devices for the ultimate ONE APP experience” – ah, yes… but you need a subscription – paid – for each and every one of these devices. They forgot to mention that – Not Impressed Item #2.
3. Spent forever trying to set the range (Alarm Area setting) – I DON’T NEED TO HAVE CLIPS OF EVERY VEHICLE THAT GOES BY THE HOUSE!!! Instructions are wrong on that, too. Doesn’t tell you Alarm has to be on to be able to set this. This may set the alarm range (I don’t know yet ) but it certainly does not affect the clips that are recorded. Not Impressed Item #3. You’re getting the gist by now, so I’m going to stop saying that.
4. Even longer trying to set the sensitivity: that setting is described in the support stuff, but it’s nowhere to be found in the actual software. (NII #4. Couldn’t resist.)
5. The cloud storage: this advertised (loudly and with large block letters) as 3 hours free cloud storage. I have several Blink cameras so I thought I knew how that worked (I use the free version, so 3 hours and then it starts overwriting etc – I clear the clips every morning when I know I haven’t been robbed, and this has been working for almost a year). Well, EZVIZ doesn’t work that way. First I think it records pretty much all the time so you only get the last 3 hours of cars driving by the house, and second I couldn’t get ANYTHING from yesterday off the cloud. So the advertising may or may not be correct on that count, either.
My overall impression: this thing is a budget camera with budget features and budget-budget documentation. I would not purchase it again, and I would definitely recommend a friend to avoid it. Still trying to decide if I should keep it or just return it and get something that does what it says it does, with fewer undocumented requirements) to get it going.
The things that don't work for me:
1. Tricky to install – my default mode is DIY and usually I get things going reasonably easily. Not happening with this one!
2. Description of electrical requirements and instructions are incomplete or just plain wrong;
3. Software is clumsy and it's impossible to set up so that you don't get recordings of every car and truck within the 2 blocks mentioned above. Haven’t had a plane fly over yet, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it picked up that, too.
4. Support tried hard but so far the only thing they have been able to tell me was that the voltage was insufficient (sounded like they get this one a lot). When I tried to measure the voltage in response to their request and got nothing, they just told me to try again, requiring a flurry of texts and a THIRD visit by the electrician.
5. The “free cloud storage” they advertise may or may not actually be real. I set up an account, but I’m not sure anything is saving on there.
Details:
1. Started off wonderfully: the advertising says installation requires a wired doorbell. I have that! 3 hours free storage! Works for me! I bought it!
My Default mode is DIY but got an electrician to install it anyway - we'll call him Bob - he follows instructions. The book says it requires 8-24VAC current. I have that, too! – my circuit has a 12VAC transformer! So Bob installed it to my 12-V circuit. The DB1 worked just long enough for the Bob to be satisfied and go on his merry way. 2 hours later this thing goes offline and I can't resurrect it (tried all the standard uninstall, re-install, disconnect, reset etc. Nothing!). Several hours of futile search later I finally call Support, and that guy tells me, “oh, you need a 16-24V circuit, so just install a new transformer”! Wait a sec – the instruction manual says 8-24VAC! They took absolutely no responsibility for that, not even to thank me for telling them and saying they’ll update the manual! Anyway, now I need to get Bob back here to change the transformer ($$$) and a new piece of equipment ($$$ for the transformer). There was no hint ANYWHERE that this would be the case: the only reference to voltage was in the instructions (after you buy the thing) and even there it’s just dead wrong. So Not Impressed Incident #1. This all took a couple of days and multiple calls, chats, and emails, by the way.
2. Advertising says you can “combine a wide range of other EZVIZ smart home security devices for the ultimate ONE APP experience” – ah, yes… but you need a subscription – paid – for each and every one of these devices. They forgot to mention that – Not Impressed Item #2.
3. Spent forever trying to set the range (Alarm Area setting) – I DON’T NEED TO HAVE CLIPS OF EVERY VEHICLE THAT GOES BY THE HOUSE!!! Instructions are wrong on that, too. Doesn’t tell you Alarm has to be on to be able to set this. This may set the alarm range (I don’t know yet ) but it certainly does not affect the clips that are recorded. Not Impressed Item #3. You’re getting the gist by now, so I’m going to stop saying that.
4. Even longer trying to set the sensitivity: that setting is described in the support stuff, but it’s nowhere to be found in the actual software. (NII #4. Couldn’t resist.)
5. The cloud storage: this advertised (loudly and with large block letters) as 3 hours free cloud storage. I have several Blink cameras so I thought I knew how that worked (I use the free version, so 3 hours and then it starts overwriting etc – I clear the clips every morning when I know I haven’t been robbed, and this has been working for almost a year). Well, EZVIZ doesn’t work that way. First I think it records pretty much all the time so you only get the last 3 hours of cars driving by the house, and second I couldn’t get ANYTHING from yesterday off the cloud. So the advertising may or may not be correct on that count, either.
My overall impression: this thing is a budget camera with budget features and budget-budget documentation. I would not purchase it again, and I would definitely recommend a friend to avoid it. Still trying to decide if I should keep it or just return it and get something that does what it says it does, with fewer undocumented requirements) to get it going.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Written by a customer while visiting bestbuy-ca
Customer Rating
4
Great Doorbell
on March 9, 2021
Posted by: Rakesh
from Edmonton
Pros:
- Clear picture
- 2 way communication works great
- Memory card support
- No paid cloud subscription
- Easy to install and configure
- Works with Mechanical/Digital chime.
- Cost effective solution
- Clear picture
- 2 way communication works great
- Memory card support
- No paid cloud subscription
- Easy to install and configure
- Works with Mechanical/Digital chime.
- Cost effective solution
Cons:
- Alarm area setting is not accurate (5ft setting sometime detect nothing and 9ft setting also captures passing vehicle on even more than 25ft away)
- No setting to define a specific area to detect motion
- No setting to detect only human
- Sometimes stays in night vision (black/white) even during bright sunny day with proper daylight.
- Alarm area setting is not accurate (5ft setting sometime detect nothing and 9ft setting also captures passing vehicle on even more than 25ft away)
- No setting to define a specific area to detect motion
- No setting to detect only human
- Sometimes stays in night vision (black/white) even during bright sunny day with proper daylight.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting bestbuy-ca
Customer Rating
3
Decent, but some problems, okay if on budget
on April 13, 2021
Posted by: Deborah
from Winnipeg
This is my first video doorbell, want the Nest but way too expensive for what it is. Installation was pretty simple, even for an old gal like me :-)
The view is good, pretty decent quality, don’t mind the fisheye as it gives a large area to view. Once I set the range to the lowest it no longer picks up every single car driving by, I can see the cars but it no longer alerts me, which is perfect. Also, HAD to turn of the alarm that sounded like a burgler alarm going off at every single movement (so annoying). Now I only get an alert if someone is right at my door which is what most people would want.
Still can’t find a way for it to work with all my Google devices, I have searched high and low, even the Support line and just can’t get it to work with Google, that IS what I wanted AND needed. No matter what any youtube, forums or support say, it just won’t set up. Poor integration with Google Home!
It continually says lower the quality as it keeps disconnecting... all the time. I have it set on “Standard”, there is NO lower setting. I have to reconnect constantly. Doorbell is 10 feet from the transformer and 15 feet from the router. Not much more I can do about that. This doorbell sucks the life out of your wifi thus sucking the life out of your other devices.
Response is super slow when someone rings the doorbell, it take quite a few seconds to alert you in the Ezviz App. Doorbell rings and by the time you get the alert the driver is already driving away.
Software is kinda buggy. Can’t delete vids that I don’t want... I literally have to wait for them to just go away after a few hours.
Decent device, IF you’re on a budget and can get it on sale.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting bestbuy-ca
Customer Rating
3
You get what you pay for
on April 17, 2021
Posted by: Bruinss
from BOLTON
Bought this doorbell when it was on special because of price and I do not want to pay for monthly subscriptions
Overall you get what you pay for if you don't mind reformatting the SD card every now and then and leaving the porch light on for better video quality then I suggest you buy it... I used to use skybell but it kept disconnecting from the Wi-Fi every now and then for no apparent reason so it was time to switch.... it does what it's supposed to do!!
Overall you get what you pay for if you don't mind reformatting the SD card every now and then and leaving the porch light on for better video quality then I suggest you buy it... I used to use skybell but it kept disconnecting from the Wi-Fi every now and then for no apparent reason so it was time to switch.... it does what it's supposed to do!!
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting bestbuy-ca
Customer Rating
3
not as advertised
on April 20, 2021
Posted by: colintd
from victoria
Supposed to work with Google but will not work on any of my displays
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Written by a customer while visiting bestbuy-ca
Customer Rating
3
Do not buy this doorbell
on May 4, 2021
Posted by: Videoguy
from Markham
I like the sound when detection something. The shape is good and instruction is OK, but I can not believe my Android phone can not get the notification when someone pushs the button. And sometimes, when you pushed the button, after many hours the cell phone suddenly ringed. The app is a disaster.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Written by a customer while visiting bestbuy-ca
Customer Rating
4
You'll need some know-how to make this work
on May 15, 2021
Posted by: JP
from Waterloo, ON
I'm a fan of EZVIZ products, to my knowledge they are one of the only companies that don't force you to get monthly paid cloud storage and the only one that offers 3 hours cloud storage for free for a video doorbell.
Good: Great picture quality, can definitely be used to identify faces, excellent nighttime vision, the motion detection which initiates recording is also very good and doesn't capture any false alarms (had it for about a week). Some kids were playing basketball outside my home and it knew not to just record them playing for hours, still captured important things like who drove a car away. Software easy to use, doorbell easy to install in terms of software.
Bad: Install is going to be tricky, simplest thing is to get an electrician. The problem is most wires for doorbells were never made with the intention to have enough power for live video. Once it doesn't have enough power, it shuts off and you have to open the faceplate to reset it again or it won't work. Ours turned off every night until we figured out that it was a power problem. For now, we've temporarily fixed the problem by turning off the AR light (nighttime vision light) so that it reduces the amount of power it needs but that means that it doesn't work at night. Will need to get a transformer to boost the power it receives, but this is not common knowledge that most people know how to do.
It is finicky about WiFi - needs a very strong signal (we had to get another router). You might not have a plug near your front door and therefore you won't be able to place a router nearby.
It is finicky about WiFi - needs a very strong signal (we had to get another router). You might not have a plug near your front door and therefore you won't be able to place a router nearby.
Overall, love it, keeping it, and would recommend. It's the perfect product when it works... just that the initial install might be more hassle than some people will think is worthwhile. The insufficient power thing isn't really EZVIZ's fault but the weak WiFi receptor definitely should be addressed. Their customer service was also pretty awful to help troubleshoot.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting bestbuy-ca
Customer Rating
5
EZVIZ door bell
on July 2, 2021
Posted by: Deepak Suri
from Winnipeg,Manitoba
I am satisfied with the product and excellent and prompt services received fir the queries or installation issues which came up.
It’s a value for money. I recommend it based on my experience
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting bestbuy-ca