Belkin Wemo Smart Video Doorbell review

Most smart doorbells snub Apple’s HomeKit – the Wemo is designed exclusively for it, so does it earn entry into the club?

Belkin Wemo Smart Video Doorbell
(Image: © Adam Juniper/Digital Camera World)

Digital Camera World Verdict

By eschewing the push toward battery power, Belkin’s Wemo can comfortably provide all the features high-end smart doorbell customers want to the under-served HomeKit community, just in time for Apple to have sorted out desirable functions like masking and Package Detection. It is an elegant device, and works well, though high resolution and night imagery would

Pros

  • +

    Facial Recognition integrated with Apple Photo

  • +

    Packaged with everything required for install

  • +

    Dual-band wi-fi

  • +

    Low latency high quality two-way-talk

  • +

    Live View on Apple TV

Cons

  • -

    Dependant on Apple for feature improvements

  • -

    Reset button is on back, requiring Torx screwdriver

  • -

    Apple ecosystem only (no Alexa / Google support)

  • -

    No battery option

  • -

    Expensive (like all HomeKit doorbells)

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While Apple had their own way with the iPod, and got a very big boulder rolling for the phone era, the world of smart homes, digital assistants and their accessories is far more muddled. It’s not that Siri doesn’t have mind-share, but Alexa was created with a very open platform for developers and consequently is compatible with plenty of accessories. In the world of smart doorbells it certainly doesn’t hurt that Amazon own the big name, Ring, either.

Apple have stuck to a walled garden approach, keeping a watchful eye on the options in the toolshed, and so only a few accessory makers have seen fit to make accessories for Siri / HomeKit. In theory, at least, the compliance with Apple’s rules should make for a simple user experience and – in theory – a lot less troubleshooting. Apple’s HomeKit hub establishes itself automatically around a HomePod speaker, AppleTV or iPad (so you’ll need one of these in the home, but might have the hub without knowing it).

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Adam Juniper
Managing Editor

With over 20 years of expertise as a tech journalist, Adam brings a wealth of knowledge across a vast number of product categories, including timelapse cameras, home security cameras, NVR cameras, photography books, webcams, 3D printers and 3D scanners, borescopes, radar detectors… and, above all, drones. 

Adam is our resident expert on all aspects of camera drones and drone photography, from buying guides on the best choices for aerial photographers of all ability levels to the latest rules and regulations on piloting drones. 

He is the author of a number of books including The Complete Guide to Drones, The Smart Smart Home Handbook, 101 Tips for DSLR Video and The Drone Pilot's Handbook