Wyze has officially unveiled its latest addition to the growing lineup of smart home security devices—a new, budget-conscious video doorbell equipped with an integrated rechargeable battery. The product, aptly titled the Wyze Battery Video Doorbell, represents a thoughtful evolution of the company’s popular Video Doorbell v2 released in 2023. At first glance, the new model bears a strong resemblance to its wired predecessor in terms of aesthetic design and physical footprint. However, its most notable advancement lies in the inclusion of a built-in power source that can be recharged, dramatically simplifying the installation process. This means users no longer need to rely solely on a wired connection or direct access to household power, which can often pose practical barriers for renters or homeowners reluctant to modify existing wiring. Despite its wireless convenience, Wyze has also ensured that the device retains the option of being hardwired—a choice that allows users to unlock the doorbell’s full feature set and continuous power capabilities if desired.
The Wyze Battery Video Doorbell is available starting today through Wyze’s official online storefront, priced competitively at $65.98. In comparison, the company’s earlier wired-only Video Doorbell v2 made its market debut two years ago at a notably lower price of $39.99 and is currently offered in a bundle with a wireless chime for $59.98. Although the new battery-powered edition has a slightly lower video resolution—1536 x 1536, compared with the v2’s higher 2048 x 1536 output—it compensates for this modest reduction with a significantly enhanced field of vision. With an expansive 150-degree viewing angle extending equally across both horizontal and vertical planes, the camera produces what Wyze describes as a “head-to-toe 1:1 view.” This design ensures users can capture comprehensive, full-body perspectives of visitors as well as a detailed look at packages or objects left immediately in front of the door, an area that often falls outside the frame of narrower-angle cameras.
When it comes to endurance, Wyze estimates that the built-in battery can sustain operation for as long as six months on a single charge, depending on the frequency of motion and activity detected near the entryway. However, as with most battery-powered devices, this figure is influenced by a variety of factors such as the local climate, number of alerts triggered, and the frequency of live view usage. For context, Wyze’s previously released Video Doorbell Pro, introduced in 2022, was marketed with an estimated three to six months of power autonomy. Yet, independent testing by reviewers suggested a more realistic range of four to six weeks under typical usage conditions, highlighting that actual performance can diverge significantly from advertised estimates.
Video footage triggered by events—whether through motion detection or the pressing of the doorbell—is stored locally on a microSD card, with support for storage capacities up to 256GB. For those seeking more robust storage and analytical features, Wyze also offers a subscription-based cloud service. This optional service ranges in cost from $2.99 to $19.99 per month and provides not only offsite video backup but also advanced artificial intelligence capabilities, including person and package recognition. Importantly, the doorbell supports continuous 24/7 video recording directly to a memory card, though this functionality is accessible only when the unit is connected to a wired power source, given the energy demands of uninterrupted recording.
Durability is another area where Wyze has placed considerable emphasis. The Battery Video Doorbell is rated IP65 for weather resistance, ensuring that it can reliably withstand exposure to rain, dust, and other outdoor conditions without requiring the protection of a porch overhang. In addition to standard features like live-streaming and two-way communication, the device allows users to choose from a range of pre-recorded voice responses within the Wyze mobile app. Moreover, for an added layer of deterrence, Wyze has introduced an optional automated response feature that activates a voice prompt to alert visitors that they are being recorded—an element that can help discourage unwanted behavior or potential intruders.
As with many of Wyze’s recent innovations—such as the company’s newly revealed Solar Cam Pan announced earlier in the same week—the Battery Video Doorbell packages together an impressive range of high-end capabilities that rival the offerings of considerably more expensive products from established industry leaders like Google and Amazon. Nevertheless, while affordability and convenience remain the core appeal of Wyze’s ecosystem, the company must continue to address the ongoing challenges associated with data privacy and cloud-connected security technologies. In that regard, Wyze has recently rolled out a series of initiatives designed to bolster user security and enhance transparency. Yet these efforts follow a period during which the brand’s reputation faced scrutiny. In the past year, Wyze experienced an incident where certain users inadvertently gained temporary access to the camera feeds of other customers, raising concerns about privacy safeguards. Prior to that, the company came under criticism for having delayed the disclosure of known vulnerabilities in several older, now-discontinued product lines for an extended period. Taken together, these developments underscore the delicate balance between innovation, affordability, and the responsibility that comes with operating in the ever-evolving landscape of smart home security technology.
Sourse: https://www.theverge.com/news/804394/wyze-battery-video-doorbell-security-camera
