The current cost of living climate is forcing a lot of households across Australia to reconsider their current subscription charges and look to alternatives that are instead a once off cost rather than being a slow bleed on your bank account. In essence subscriptions have become a “death by a thousand cuts”.
The Lorex 2K Battery Video Doorbell aims to simplify home security without compromising on essential features, and based on our evaluation, it largely succeeds. This wire-free doorbell offers a convenient solution for keeping an eye on your doorstep, boasting impressive video quality and a user-friendly experience. While it may not break entirely new ground, it provides a reliable and feature-rich option for homeowners seeking enhanced peace of mind in a more cost effective way as you don’t have to deal with monthly subscriptions to access the footage.
One of the standout features of the Lorex 2K Doorbell is its sharp 2K resolution, allowing for the capture of fine details. This higher resolution makes it easier to identify faces and other important elements in the footage, a crucial aspect of any security device. Complementing the clarity is colour night vision, which leverages ambient light to provide colour images even in low-light conditions. For truly dark environments, the doorbell also utilizes infrared night vision, ensuring round-the-clock surveillance.
Installation is designed to be straightforward, thanks to its battery-powered operation. The package includes a mounting bracket and wedges to help achieve the optimal viewing angle. For those who prefer continuous power, the doorbell also offers the option for a wired connection. Setting up the device involves charging the battery, installing the bracket, and adding the doorbell to the Lorex Home app. The setup was easy. The inclusion of a quick start guide and stickers further aids the initial setup process.
The Lorex 2K Doorbell is equipped with Person Detection, a valuable feature that helps filter out unnecessary motion alerts and focuses on human presence. This reduces the number of notifications you receive, ensuring you’re only alerted when it truly matters. The doorbell also features two-way talk, allowing you to communicate with visitors remotely via the Lorex app. For added convenience, Quick Response messages are also available, enabling you to send pre-set or personalized voice replies when you’re unable to answer directly.
Privacy is a key consideration, and Lorex addresses this with local storage via a pre-installed 32GB MicroSD card. This eliminates the need for recurring monthly subscription fees for basic storage and keeps your video recordings private and under your control. The microSD card is also upgradable to 256GB for extended recording. It’s worth noting that when the microSD card is full, older recordings will be automatically overwritten, so it’s important to either upgrade your storage or check it regularly.
The Lorex 2K Battery Video Doorbell integrates seamlessly with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. This smart home compatibility allows for hands-free voice control to access certain features. However, it’s important to note that two-way communication is not available via Alexa.
Battery life, as with any battery-operated device, is a crucial factor. Lorex claims up to 600 events of battery life per charge, though this is dependent on various factors such as the number of events, recording length, and environmental conditions. Recharging is a simple process, requiring the temporary removal of the doorbell from its bracket and connection to a power source via the included USB cable, this gives you some downtime from security but it’s a rare occurrence.
The Lorex 2K Battery Video Doorbell presents a compelling package for those seeking a reliable and easy-to-install video doorbell. Its impressive 2K resolution, colour night vision, Person Detection, and local storage provide a strong foundation for home security. The added convenience of battery power, two-way talk, and smart home integration further enhances its appeal. While there might be minor areas for improvement in user experience particularly around setting up multiple users.
This gadget stands out as a solid and worthwhile upgrade for enhancing your home’s security at a more cost effective way given that some of it’s competitors are making your pay large sums for the device and then a regular subscription charge that feels a lot like double dipping.
