SkyBell Reviews
A simple and affordable DIY doorbell cam for homeowners and renters alike
Andrew Garcia Senior Editor Updated October 16, 2019 A simple and affordable DIY doorbell cam for homeowners and renters alike
Andrew Garcia Senior Editor Updated October 16, 2019 SkyBell started in 2013 with a focus on creating Internet of Things devices, and its product line revolves around its video doorbells and accessories. This California company creates affordable and DIY friendly solutions intended for protecting your home and making it smarter. The hardware is sold on its own, without any accompanying contract or monthly plan.
This stand-alone system is excellent for renters wanting to start with a home security system that isn’t going to demand a lot of money or installation effort. You can answer the doorbell through your mobile device and use the two-way talk feature to interact with any guests, expected or not.
SkyBell App
You control the functionality of your video doorbell through the companion app that’s available for Android and iOS devices. You get free video recording and activity history, along with being able to speak with people at your door to give them instructions or to warn them to leave.
If you have a certain time of day that you don’t want the doorbell to ring or send notifications, quiet mode can give you the do not disturb time that you need in your life. You can enable multiple user access to the SkyBell device, giving your entire family the chance to check the live stream or answer the door.
SkyBell Connect
SkyBell is designed to work as a standalone device or as part of a larger smart home automation and security system. The motion detection and button press can both trigger a number of actions throughout the rest of the home automation system. For example, lights could come on when you press the doorbell.
The home automation platforms that SkyBell Connect supports include:
Mobile Alerts
When someone is at your door, you get a mobile notification instantly. Check out the live feed, start a conversation, or take an action that’s necessary to protect your home.
High-Quality HD Camera
The 1080P quality is great, but the fact that you can zoom up to 5x makes it even better.
The installation process is relatively simple for SkyBell, but it is hard wired. You need a bit of home maintenance know-how to handle this on your own, so you may want to opt for a professional installation.
The SkyBell app, on the other hand, couldn’t be easier to use. All of the features have a great layout, and it’s easy to access the video recording history, start a conversation via the doorbell or keep an eye on your home with the live stream.
SkyBell is a small company that’s dedicated to its product line and services. While they may not have the most extensive set of customer service resources in the world, the ones that they do have available are very well done. You have self-help guides and full videos to walk you through all of the major features and the installation of the devices. When you need more help than that, experienced representatives are available via phone support.
The only payment that you’re responsible for with the SkyBell is for the device itself. It’s a one-time fee, and you have no contracts and no monthly plans required for this device to operate. The only other thing outside of the video doorbell models that’s available are the accessories for the video doorbells. These devices are completely stand alone, but third-party integration support allows you to connect them with other home security systems and smart home devices.
Both models cost $199, and SkyBell typically offers free shipping when you order the doorbell security camera from them. They include free cloud recording, live monitoring, and two-way audio features.
SkyBell also offers a theft guarantee. If someone manages to steal your video doorbell, you get a free replacement.
SkyBell HD – $199
This is the standard model of the SkyBell, which includes a number of excellent video doorbell features. The camera is excellent with 1080P HD and color night vision. If you want to see more detail in a particular part of the stream, you can zoom up to 5x. The motion sensor activates the doorbell even if someone doesn’t end up pushing the button on it. If you prefer to take a quick picture of a person who’s at your door, you can do that.
The SkyBell is designed with a durable and robust design that can operate between -40 and 140 degrees F. It doesn’t matter how bad your climate gets, this video doorbell is ready for the challenge.
SkyBell Trim Plus $199
You get all the same features as the standard SkyBell model, but this is in a more compact, traditional doorbell shape.
SkyBell HD Wall Mount $9.95
Get another wall mount if you need to move the SkyBell.
SkyBell HD Hardware Kit $4.95
All the tools you need to install the SkyBell in your home.
SkyBell Digital Doorbell Adapter $12.95
Digital door chimes can work with SkyBell with this adapter kit.
SkyBell Wedge Mount $9.95
Improve the SkyBell’s viewing angle by up to 20 percent with this specialty mount.
SkyBell does one thing and it does it really well. Not only is the hardware solid, but you have a lot of flexibility when it comes to integrating it with an existing home security or home automation system. You only have a one-time payment to worry about and an effective way to keep watch over the people coming and going to your home.
As an user of a Skybell I can agree to this review. They only thing they MUST improve is their customer service; they are hard to reach for European clients and also software updates are applied very slow.
Skybell would not take back my defective doorbell. It never would pair with my internet.
Similar experience; initially it worked (sometimes), got less reliable then quit all together. A real piece if junk. For the same $$ you can buy a ring that works all the time.
We haven’t had any luck wit the sky bell it only works sometimes we even paid experts a few times and it works for little bit. It doesn’t always work to relay on it. Very dissatisfied.
From day one it would never pair with my internet. And it would never blink green it always blinks red
I’m a home security expert and integrator. I have used Skybell in the past and I have to tell you that they’re a major disappointment!
the door bell works when it wants. even had the unit replaced for the same client a few times without any luck.
after opting out of the SkyBell; I started to install Ring. and let me tell you that they’re way better!
it’s a shame that a company like Honeywell is still behind on lots of the home automation integration stuff.
it’s crazy that their IP Lynx and Lyric products are so cheesy looking. unlike their commercial lines.
they really need to step it up a few notches.
The Skybell worked for months. Then I came home and the bell was blinking Red/Blue. I contacted technical support. The only rep. seemed to reading from a script. He say’s the blinking red/blue alternating lights means you have a power outage. I ask what kind of power outage. My whole house has electricity working. He repeats the samething again like a robot. I ask for the issue to escalated because he obviously had no other solutions. He say’s I will escalate the call. The call is disconnected. I guess I’ll have to look for another bell and toss this piece a junk in the trash.
I have had this product for almost two years. Initially it works great, but once it stops working, no amount of re-syncs will help. And forget customer service, they NEVER answer the phone, NEVER return my call whenever I leave a message. A huge disappointment.
My SkyBell has worked perfectly. My only issue was my home is old so my wires are thick. I had to splice a thin wire that would fit with the doorbell’s design to wire it up. Because of that step it took 30 minutes to hook up instead of 15. Works beautifully. Occasionally it will lose connection with my modem and I go on the app and within two minutes it’s reconnected. I called customer service in the beginning because I had an issue with getting the screws out of the back plate and they sent me a new plate in a few days.
My SkyBell also worked great at first, then after about a year it started to loose internet connection. Make a long story short, what I believe happened was with time after many visitors delivery persons etc. pushing the doorbell, it slowly but surely started to loosen the screw at the bottom that holds the SkyBell in place. I believe that it started to loose good contact with the + – terminals that power this device. I completely unloosened and removed the SkyBell and then placed it back on, the yellow light immediately came on and I then tightened it with screw all the way up in the hole. After about a minute it connected to my internet and it has worked flawlessly since then!!
Ive had the SkyBell trim HD installed for over a year and a half. It works occasionally when detecting motion. Some days it sees everything, other days it never responds, regardless of me banging on it. For the last few weeks, it’s a doorbell only. Very good at recording a visitor that has pressed the button. I’m dissatisfied and now shopping ring, or nest. I’d say, if you need it work a year or so, good buy. For the long haul, pass on this doorbell.
This video door bell is a WASTE of money!! Initially things worked flawlessly. Then, I switched Internet providers; it hasn’t worked since. I’ve had my alarm company come out twice to troubleshoot. I was told I needed a range extender. I bought one, still doesn’t work!!!
Not a good investment. Started out great but since, when someone push the doorbell there is a delay and it rings once and if its pushed again within 20 seconds it won’t ring. Good camera but that’s about it. A 2 way conversation is distorted.
I have this doorbell camera. After switching ISPs the camera STOPPED working. I was told I needed to PURCHASE a WiFi extender; I did, it still doesn’t work. It’s frustrating paying for something that doesn’t work. I won’t be recommending this device to anyone.
I have had Skybell for about three years now and it has worked perfectly. I installed it myself, simply replacing the existing old doorbell with the Skybell. I have never had any problems nor have I needed any help.
Terrible. Drops out. If you’re out of town and it drops out it is dead. Cannot reset if you’re out of town
I have to agree with most of the posters here. Bought the SkyBell HD hoping that it would be a great product as it looked promising with its circular design and positive initial reviews.
The initial order was placed in August, but the unit was on backorder and did not ship until September. I wound up needing to order an additional accessory in October because after reading the included documentation discovered it was not compatible with a digital chime without an adapter. Finally got around to installing the unit on my house in March. Worked okay with the occasional glitch here and there. Discovered customer service to be so-so that same month in March when I tried to pair the device with my Alexa.
The unit continued to work for almost a year with an occasional issue here and there that often was resolved by doing a soft reset. For example, sometimes recorded events would not show up in the event history on the SkyBell app. Or, sometimes on a hot day, the motion detector loses sensitivity and does not trigger. SkyBell was able to update their algorithm on their end which helped the motion issue, but it was hit-or-miss for a while.
Eventually, I discovered that the contacts on the mounting plate were bad due to the plastic developing hairline cracks by pressure from people pressing on the button. I fixed this issue on my own and did not even bother with customer service. Then a new issue developed about 2 months later, the little plastic dome that covers the motion detector fell off and the SkyBell began to give false motion detection notifications incessantly. This was in June of 2019, 15 months after installation and just outside of the 12-month warranty period. Not to my surprise, SkyBell was inflexible on warrantying their product.
I am on my second SkyBell HD now, after only 3 months of use, this unit is now useless because the app refuses to launch. Reached out to customer service again and although they are aware of the issue affecting their users they have no idea of when they will resolve their app server problem. It has been 3 weeks now and I am losing hope that they will ever get it right.
Save yourself the headache and go with Ring! I have installed several of these for friends and family over the last 2 years and have noticed they have almost no issues. There is my 2-cents worth.
Skybell have just disabled the original Skybells, only 5 years old, if anyone else is wondering why it’s not working anymore. Not that they ever worked very well anyway. A waste of money, avoid Skybell.
Save your money and save your effort. Had it for 2.5years, works only when it wants to. Reason I kept it thing because I was unwilling to toss $199 away. Don’t rely on this thing at all
Skybell does work for me. I did have the same issues mentioned in the other comments. Whether it be I.P. address or heat in the summer, distance to your router and age. 1. When it was first installed, it worked great. 2. Motion sensitivity could be better. 3. At least I don’t pay a monthly fee for video recordings. 4. I fixed the losing connection issue with dual band extender. I learned not to buy a low end one(1750mb). 5. You have to completely start over on the app if you reset it. Do restarts on your tablet or phone after connecting. I did get a replacement when I called them. I sent them my bad one. They were nice to me. So far so good. Except for some disconnection issues I’m working on because it won’t send a recording, it might be my router. I changed a HTTPS protocol and so far it is still connected. Hope this helps some out there wrestling with this. I know I did. Thank you
My ADT system uses the Skybell. It is cold outside, -35 C. Doorbell does NOT activate the inside door chimes. ADT tech removed the doorbell and warmed it up inside the house. Reinstalled the doorbell – it worked for a couple minutes until the unit got cold again. Does not work. Definitely NOT designed properly for use in Canadian weather.