Nowadays, one of the best ways to improve your home’s level of security is by getting a smart video doorbell. By having a smart video doorbell installed at their front door, homeowners are easily able to monitor their front door at any time and from anywhere by using their smartphone or tablet. Not only that, but they’re also able to hear and speak with anyone that approaches their door, as most smart video doorbells nowadays also integrate a 2-way talk system. Thanks to that, smart video doorbells can make it much easier to accept packages that are delivered to your front door, and they’re also a great way to prevent those packages from getting stolen by porch pirates, as they’re video recording capabilities allow law enforcement to more easily catch the culprit(s). In sum, smart video doorbells are the perfect Smart Home security solution for homeowners who want an extra layer of home security in their day-to-day lives, and that goes especially for people who want to stay connected to their homes while they’re away from home, whether they’re at work or even while traveling. So, if you’ve been looking for a smart video doorbell for your home that’s reliable, versatile, and easy-to-use, then the Swann SwannBuddy Wireless Video Doorbell is a really nice choice for you to go with.
The Swann SwannBuddy is a smart wireless video doorbell that’s rated to have a IP56 Weather-Resistance rating, while also featuring 1080p Full HD video with a Powerful Vertical View function that works in a 180º Ultra-wide FOV and in a 1:1 aspect ratio, plus a Night Vision function, Heat- and Motion-detection functionalities for accurate person detection alerts, an included 32GB microSD Card for local storage of its HD video recording plus Cloud backup storage, a built-in 2-Way Audio System, and a portable battery-powered indoor chime with 6 selectable melodies, support to either a wired or a wire-free installation with a long battery life, along with Wi-Fi Connectivity, easy-to-use controls via the Swann Security App, and Voice Assistant support to The Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa.
Its many home-security functionalities, its local-storage capability with no requirements to subscribe to a Cloud-based service, as well as its simple installation process all make this smart video doorbell a really good choice for any homeowner to go with, especially when accounting for its super-affordable price-tag.
Now, let’s have a more detailed look at the Swann SwannBuddy and check out everything that this smart video doorbell has to offer you.
DESIGN & SPECS
Starting with the unit’s size, note that this smart video doorbell comes at a reasonably compact size, measuring just 2.1 inches wide by 1.25 inches deep / thick by inches wide by 5.5 inches tall (55 x 32 x 140 mm), and the device is also quite lightweight, weighing just 7.5 oz. (213 g).
Regarding its design, the Swann SwannBuddy Video Doorbell also features a minimalist and super-modern design, which allows it to have a sleek and discrete look when installed at the side of your front-door and also easily blend in within your home entrance.
Moreover, this smart video doorbell also packs a durable weatherproof construction, and is also rated to have a IP56 Weather-Resistance rating that makes it suitable for outdoors use, as that rating qualifies it as being protected against dust and also capable of withstanding harsher weather-conditions such as heavy wind, rain, and snowfall.
Moving on to the smart video doorbell’s different components. Starting with its main component, the Swann SwannBuddy Video Doorbell comes equipped a built-in high-end camera lens (integrated at the top-side of the unit).
Its high-end camera lens makes this smart video doorbell capable of recording video at a maximum 1080p Full HD video-resolution (video recorded in 1920 by 1080 pixels), for which it boasts a Powerful Vertical View function that allows it to have a 180º Ultra-wide FOV for its video-footage, which is displayed in a 1:1 Aspect Ratio, ultimately allowing homeowners to easily see the full picture (unlike lower-end video doorbells that tend to record only in a 16:9 aspect ratio).
On top of its 1080p Full HD video-resolution, this smart video doorbell can also record both during the day and nighttime, as it also boasts a powerful Infrared Night Vision that is automatically activated as soon as the night falls, for which its video-footage can be easily seen in the dark up to 16 ft. (5 m) away.
In addition, the Swann SwannBuddy also boasts both Heat- and Motion-detection functionalities powered by a True Detect technology that make this smart video doorbell capable of sensing the heat and movement of people, cars, and large animals for ensuring the best possible accuracy and the reliability of its person-detection alerts, and consequently, as little false alarms as possible.
It’s also worth noting that this smart video doorbell also comes with a 32GB microSD Card included in its package that’s used to provide it with a local storage option for its 1080p FHD video recording, plus the option to have backup storage via the company’s Secure Cloud service.
Lastly, this smart video doorbell also comes equipped with a built-in 2-Way Audio System, from which users can resort to the SwannBuddy’s built-in microphone and speaker in order to talk with people near the doorbell within a maximum range of 16 ft. (5 m), such as asking a delivery person to place an incoming package somewhere safe, or in worst case scenarios, to scare off potential porch pirates and/or intruders if that’s necessary.
Best of all, the Swann SwannBuddy Wireless Video Doorbell also comes together with a portable battery-powered indoor chime speaker unit (powered by a set of 2 AA batteries) that offers homeowners a total of 6 selectable melodies to choose from as the doorbell’s configured ring-tone.
SET UP / INSTALLATION
When it comes to the set-up / installation process of this smart video doorbell, as said before, the Swann SwannBuddy Wireless Video Doorbell supports both a wired installation (so you can connect it to an existing doorbell wiring for which the unit is rated to have a Rated Power of 5V DC / 12-24V AC) as well as a wire-free installation (for which this doorbell comes equipped with a built-in 6,500mAh Lithium-Ion battery that ultimately gives the device quite a long battery life).
Its installation process is fairly easy to perform, as all you really need to install it is a screwdriver and potentially a drill. The process shouldn’t take you longer than 15 to 30 minutes at most.
Users are provided with all the hardware they need for the doorbell’s installation, including a wall-mounting bracket for the doorbell, a set of mounting screws, and also the doorbell’s dedicated USB to Micro USB Charging Cable (for recharging the doorbell’s internal battery in case you decide to go with a wire-free installation).
Embedded below, we also have Swann’s official video guide for the entire installation process of the Swann SwannBuddy Wireless Video Doorbell:
CONNECTIVITY
For its connectivity method with its Smartphone App (discussed in detail just ahead), this smart video doorbell features Wi-Fi Connectivity (operating in a frequency band of 2.4 GHz), for which it features a maximum wireless range up to 65 ft. (20 m).
COMPATIBILITY
Compatibility-wise, it’s also worth noting that the SwannBuddy Video Doorbell is also fully-compatible with Swann’s very own Swann Security line, which includes all of the company’s other Smart Home security devices.
As such, homeowners can expand their home’s overall level of security by adding other Wi-Fi cameras and/or fully wired DVR or NVR surveillance systems, for which they can then manage everything via the Swann Security App.
THE SMARTPHONE COMPANION APP – The Swann Security App
Finally, for controlling all the different smart functionalities offered by this smart video doorbell, homeowners only require to download the Swann Security App, which is available to download for free for both iOS and Android devices.
Via the Swann Security App, users are offered easy-to-use controls for the SwannBuddy Video Doorbell, including a multi-camera live streaming that’s always on, along with the ability to receive alerts whenever activity is detected by the doorbell.
Additionally, the Swann Security App also lets homeowners see, store, and playback the doorbell’s recorded video-footage at any time.
OTHER NOTABLE FEATURES
Voice Assistant Support to The Google Assistant & Amazon Alexa
On top of everything already mentioned, the Swann SwannBuddy Wireless Video Doorbell also features Voice Assistant support to The Google Assistant and also to Amazon Alexa.
WHAT’S IN THE BOX?
Inside their package, users will find: their SwannBuddy Video Doorbell, a Wall-Mounting Bracket plus Mounting Screws and Hardware as well as some Theft Deterrent Stickers, a USB to Micro USB Charging Cable (to recharge the doorbell’s internal battery) an included 32GB microSD Card for the camera’s local storage, along with the doorbell’s dedicated Chime Speaker Unit and a set of two (x2) AA Batteries for powering it, and also an Operating Instructions Manual.
FINAL THOUGHTS
The Swann SwannBuddy is a smart wireless video doorbell that’s rated to have a IP56 Weather-Resistance rating, while also featuring 1080p Full HD video with a Powerful Vertical View function that works in a 180º Ultra-wide FOV and in a 1:1 aspect ratio, plus a Night Vision function, Heat- and Motion-detection functionalities for accurate person detection alerts, an included 32GB microSD Card for local storage of its HD video recording plus Cloud backup storage, a built-in 2-Way Audio System, and a portable battery-powered indoor chime with 6 selectable melodies, support to either a wired or a wire-free installation with a long battery life, along with Wi-Fi Connectivity, easy-to-use controls via the Swann Security App, and Voice Assistant support to The Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa.
All in all, this smart video doorbell integrates a lot of different functionalities that are all super helpful for monitoring your doorway at all times and ultimately protecting your home from potential intruders.
If you’re interested in buying it, know that each set is currently discounted from its normal price of $149.99, and is now going for just $119.99 each (saves you $30). You can order yours online right now, either directly from Swann’s official shopping page, or alternatively, you can instead get it from Amazon, if you’d prefer.
