Thanks everyone… really appreciate y’all chiming in on this (pun intended).
Is it the general consensus that the Wyze cubes are quite good… and the doorbells, not so much OR at least they are a bit complicated…
Are these issues similar across other manufacturers?
I can’t believe in 2024, how non-simple it is to get a well working Doorbell in an old brick home 
I wouldn’t say that. I’ve been very pleased with the performance of my Video Doorbell v2, and it prompted me to learn about 3D printing so I could build an angled mount/enclosure for it. Initial setup (swapping it in for my previous non-camera “dumb” doorbell) was easy, and it worked reliably for months…until it didn’t. Troubleshooting with Wyze via e-mail support ticket was easy, and so was their warranty replacement, but I did some additional work on my end and discovered that my home’s built-in chime had been wired incorrectly (probably when it was installed or during repainting) before I moved here, and my Video Doorbell v2 has worked reliably since I resolved that issue.
My only other experience with these kinds of things is with an Arlo I installed for my sister (mentioned at my second link above), and I printed a wedge mount for that one, too. As far as I know, she and her family have been pleased with that one.
Since you mentioned having contacted an electrician, I think a wired doorbell is the way to go if that’s an option you’re willing to consider, because it seems like a more solid, reliable, and permanent installation type, but what you choose is really going to depend on your needs and desired features. For simplicity, I really like @habib’s suggestion, but that may not provide what you seek. It’s good to have options in the marketplace.
Actually, the v1 and v2 had some early hiccups that were cleared up and served me well for 4 years now. No experience with the Pro but seems to get good reviews from users. I have the duo which I am waiting to install and replace my v2. There are issues that need resolution from being rushed to production availability and a fix which broke some features with v3 and later cams. Frankly, there have been issues also with cams but Wyze has been “mostly” good with fixes/updates.
Well… I am now leaning towards getting the duo, hardwiring it in, and using the wireless chime that comes with it.
Do I need to order anything else for the electrician to ensure the power going to the battery to keep it charged is sufficient…??
Is there a good chance they will change the hardware, or am I pretty safe to buy the unit and just wait for software updates…??
You folks have been awesome… envious of your knowledge on this tuff!!
Michael
The one thing I can think of would be the Chime Controller, but I’m not sure that it’d be worth the trouble in your installation (without a built-in chime), because I think the only real benefit you would get from that is some surge protection, which is why Wyze recommends installing it even if your in-house chime is broken. Besides, as far as I’m aware, the Chime Controller is still available as a separate accessory purchase only if you’re ordering through the app (not Wyze’s Web site). If you’re concerned about it and having an electrician do the work for you anyway, then you could ask about putting a fuse into the circuit. Hopefully the transformer (I imagine the electrician will be supplying that and the wire if you’re not planning those purchases) will be placed somewhere with convenient access and any such fuse could be inserted/replaced near there, but that’s probably not necessary: Forum users with working built-in chimes have reported using the Video Doorbell v2 (the first one to use the Chime Controller) without having the Chime Controller installed for a while now.
I don’t know what the chances would be on something like that. The previous doorbell model, Video Doorbell v2, was released during Wyze Week last year, and it took another year for this model to launch, so I think you’re probably safe with the hardware for now, and future fixes would come via firmware, app, and server-side updates. Besides, I think their return policy is decent if you decide it’s not working out for you and want to try something else, assuming you’re ordering directly from Wyze. If ordering elsewhere, then obviously any return would depend on the reseller, but Amazon’s pretty easy to work with, too.
Keep in mind that you should also be able to use your Cam v3s as additional chimes, if you want, and may be able to use your Cam v4 as a chime, as well, at some point in the future (whenever they get around to adding that to the firmware).
Thanks Crease… I will mention the fuse and show this post to the electrician.
Fingers crossed it’s not too glitchy and issues are quickly resolved!!
I recently went through a similar process. Old house, no existing doorbell or wiring at all.
I wanted something with a battery, but also that had an SD card to record 24/7. Wyze didn’t offer both (and still doesn’t, really, see below) in one device so I bought:
Video Doorbell V2 (does have SD card slot)
A plug-in 24VAC/40VA transformer, $20
$5 worth of 18ga lamp cord.
The I posted here and found a number of posters using a similar setup with no existing doorbell wiring or chime. I already had a Cam OG, which could be used as a chime for the V2, and a handy outlet near the front door. I wired it up, everything worked great. The plan was to plug the transformer into the indoor outlet and run the cord through the wall next to the door to the exterior.
Just before I went to drill through the wall, though, they announced the Duo Cam doorbell. Runs off battery, so no need for a hole in the wall, has an SD card slot, and even comes with a chime. Perfect, right? Well…
Pluses for the Duo: I like the down-facing camera and the chime (it’s plenty loud enough for me).
Minuses: To do 24/7 recording, it has to be wired. 
Didn’t find that out until I actually got the device and saw the manual. So with the SD card, you can still record events locally without a Cam Plus subscription, but I still may be making a hole in the wall. I guess I understand it, since it would eat the battery really fast, but I wish it was noted up front like on the web site or outside packaging. You can’t have 24/7 SD recording and be battery operated, still.
As others have noted, it also was released with SW bugs. Mine triggers almost immediately after the cooldown, every time, no matter how the sensitivity and detection zone are set. Kills your battery and sends lots of useless notifications. I’ve just turned event recording off and am hoping for a fix.
Ditto @chipdog:
A plug-in 24VAC/40VA transformer, $20
$5 worth of 18ga lamp cord.
Should be able to get one < $20 on Amazon and possibly with wiring included. Needed to keep duo battery charged which must be installed to work.
Fmills…
Is this necessary for the unit to be hardwired (not the chime)…???
Why wouldn’t Wyze supply this…??
Where does the transformer get installed into the loop…??
Wonder if Elon Musk could figure out a simpler way to have a doorbell… I find this all unbelievable, that it is so difficult!!
If you’re asking about wiring and a transformer, then I think you kind of answered this yourself in your earlier posts when you explicitly mentioned that your home has
and that your
That indicates that you probably don’t have the 16-24 VAC, ≥ 10 VA transformer (with the rating Wyze recommends) necessary to power the doorbell, which is why I mentioned the transformer and wiring in an earlier post. Most homes where a user expects to install a wired doorbell likely already have the transformer and wiring to the doorbell location installed. What @chipdog and @fmills1d are describing are situations where someone might not have an existing transformer and doorbell wiring in place, in which case a plug-in transformer might be an option.
It’s wired somewhere between the home’s 110-120 VAC wiring and the doorbell and is necessary to step the voltage down to 16-24 VAC, which is what the doorbell expects to see for electrical input. Physically, it can be located almost anywhere: a basement mechanical room, attached to a breaker box, a closet, in a wall behind a chime box…. As long as the home’s AC wiring can be connected to transformer’s input and 2-conductor wire can connect the transformer’s output to the doorbell, you should be able to make this work. Again, what’s been suggested in recent posts is a transformer that plugs into an electrical outlet (not permanently wired in, like a traditional doorbell transformer) as another solution, provided you have an outlet convenient to where you want to locate your doorbell camera.
Your electrician will be familiar with all of this.
Thanks… !!! I will go ahead and order the transformer!!
If you’re already consulting an electrician and expecting an electrician to do the installation work, then I’d probably rely on the electrician’s guidance for a transformer, unless you’re absolutely certain about what you need. (The questions you’ve been asking indicate some uncertainty, so I wouldn’t want you to order something and then find out that it’s not what you or your electrician want or need for this particular project.)
Thanks Crease… I have been searching the Wyze site to see if I can determine the exact transformer I would need… with the hope I can buy it on Amazon.
I am in Canada…!!
If you haven’t already done so, you’ll probably want to look at the Tech specs section of the Duo Cam Doorbell product page, which says this:
Additional Specs
Power
- Power: Battery or AC (10-24V AC, 60 HZ)
The Installation Guide says this:
Voltage Requirement
- Your existing circuit must have a minimum voltage of 16V and power output of 10VA.
The Duo Cam Doorbell section of the Help Center should answer a lot of questions.
In that case, I might consider something like…
…or…
…plus…
But I also like local brick-and-mortar hardware stores for things like this.
@mfhumes - Wyze apparently assumes if you want to hardwire, you have the capacity to do so in the form of an existing transformer for a doorbell chime. If you want wireless, then operate on just the battery and deal with the consequences of having to remove the battery and charge it.
The transformer is the solution for keeping the battery charged in the doorbell cam. Hardwired means you are providing a form of ac power to the doorbell. The v1 and v2 must be hardwired and Wyze does not provide a transformer, but the means (terminals) to connect that power to the doorbell. The duo is battery with “option” to hardwire a power source (transformer) to keep the battery charged as a convenience.
You technically don’t need an electrician for your install if you are going to use the duo chime. You buy the transformer, connect it to terminals on the doorbell, plug it into an outlet and it is effectively hardwired. Plug the wifi chime into an outlet, pair with the doorbell in the app and you’re good to go. The electrician is needed if a regular transformer is going to be installed to your electrical panel in the basement for power and you have no experience with electrical and/or wiring to a panel and connecting to a breaker.
This is a simple diy and as I stated before, the challenge would be running the wire to the doorbell from the transformer at the outlet to the doorbell outside by the door. Paying an electrician for this is not necessary.
Hope this helps and by all means continue to tap the forum for assistance. Good luck!
@Crease - I missed your post and must have been typing as you replied. Did not mean to create redundancy with your response. You provide technical and I stay close to layman.
No worries. I think we’re both just trying to be helpful. I try to write with precision, and hopefully it’s not always too technical, especially when @mfhumes seems to have so many questions that those of us with more experience might take for granted.
Interesting that there are fewer transformers with wiring on Amazon.CA than Amazon.USA. Hopefully, @mfhumes is confident enough to run wiring around and thru door frame or drilling a hole thru a wall for access. 1st transformer picture is for an electrician not a novice. I’ve done panel breaker and junction box installs and don’t recommend or suggest anyone without electrical experience attempt such. Just think that a plug-in transformer is basically a “plug and play” diy project and the expense of an electrician can be eliminated.
Fmills1d…
The 1st transformer picture item doesn’t show that it comes with any wire length to speak of… looks like fairly short wires coming out of unit.
Where can I find a plug in transformer… and does this eliminate wiring to the panel…?? Would I just be going from the plugged in transformer to the doorbell unit…??
Sorry about the many questions… and uncertainty… I simply don’t have the knowledge that you folks do… 
I am thinking I will need an electrician because this stuff is beyond me… unless there is a clear guide somewhere on how to do this…
would this one work…???