• Best Budget Smart Doorbells Under $100: Are They Safe to Trust?

    Great security tech typically doesn't come cheap — but companies like Wyze keep proving that wrong. The Wyze Video Doorbell Pro promises to let you answer your door from anywhere in the world, watch packages get dropped off (and picked up), and feel a little safer for under $100. So is it junk, or is it genuinely great? After an 8-month test, here's the honest verdict.

     https://youtu.be/DUJThI5YFYU

    What's in the Box

    The "Pro" is slimmer but larger than the original — mainly because it packs a lithium battery that lasts up to six months per charge. That's the headline convenience: no wiring required if your home isn't set up for it. You also get a separate indoor chime that rings when someone hits the bell (bark, ding-dong, your choice), plus everything you need to mount it.

    Two Ways to Mount

    Wire-free: Snap on the back mount, peel the 3M double-sided tape, and stick it anywhere. Done. A security screw underneath bolts it down so it's harder to yank off the wall.

    Wired: Slightly more technical — two screws for your positive and neutral wires. One catch: it won't activate your existing home chime, so you're still relying on the included companion unit.

    The Features That Matter

    • 1440p resolution — sharper than full HD, 1:1 ratio
    • ~150° field of view — top-to-bottom coverage of anyone at your door
    • 6 night-vision LEDs with passive infrared — clear night footage and fewer false alerts (no pinging you every time a leaf blows past)
    • Dual-band 2.4GHz & 5GHz Wi-Fi
    • IP65 dust & water resistance — hail, snow, and splashes are no problem
    • Two-way audio — talk to whoever's at the door from anywhere

    The Smart Stuff

    Running on the Wyze app, you get package detection (it reads Amazon-style labels), human-vs-motion alerts, adjustable sensitivity, and scheduled notifications (mute it while you sleep). Because it's a true smart doorbell, it also supports rules — press the bell and trigger smart bulbs or other devices in your ecosystem.

    The Drawbacks

    Three honest gripes:

    1. Micro-USB charging in 2022 — one more oddball cable to keep track of.
    2. No microSD slot — no local storage, which nudges you toward their paid Cam Plus cloud subscription.
    3. Theft risk — it can be ripped off, though the security screw, a captured photo of the thief, and the fact that it's useless without the indoor unit all work against would-be grabbers.

    Bottom Line

    For under $100 — with a chime, night vision, weatherproofing, and dead-simple installation — the Wyze Video Doorbell Pro is a solid, trustworthy budget buy. If you're security-conscious but not trying to spend Ring or Nest money, this delivers.