Like others have said, I think that’s largely a matter of personal opinion, application, and goal. I had been considering a video doorbell for a while to replace my “dumb” doorbell button but wasn’t really seeing what I wanted until Wyze released Video Doorbell v2 a couple of years ago, and among its features were two that really appealed to me and prompted my purchase:
- It wires to my current low-voltage AC and can ring my home’s existing built-in mechanical chime.
- It offers local microSD storage with continuous recording without requiring a subscription.
The only thing that has really disappointed me about that doorbell is that it doesn’t provide great coverage of the porch surface, so it’s not always possible to tell in live view whether or not a package has been left there. For a while, I considered adding a second camera up in a corner to look down and provide full porch coverage, but I wasn’t sure how to do this neatly (providing power to that location while keeping the cables out of the way, etc.). I ended up creating and printing a 3D model to give the camera a downward angle, and that worked out really well for me. (Wyze later released the Video Doorbell v2 Wedge Kit, which is probably a simpler solution.)
I think either option (Video Doorbell or Cam) can work, but it really depends on your situation, location, needs, etc.
First off, my understanding in the Wyze world is that “local storage” equals “microSD slot”. Second, I have personal experience with only Video Doorbell v2 and Battery Video Doorbell. The other model with a microSD recording capability is Duo Cam Doorbell.
- Video Doorbell v2 is intended for a wired installation only. Since it’s designed to receive continuous power that way, it gives the user the option of continuous or events-only recording.
- Battery Video Doorbell allows Events Only recording if you’re using it as a battery-powered device. If you try to select Continuous, then the app presents a message: “Not Supported / Continuous recording is not supported in battery mode.” If you have an adequate transformer and wire it to your current doorbell’s AC, then it will allow you to select continuous microSD recording.
- Duo Cam Doorbell I haven’t used. It requires the rechargeable battery pack to be installed even if it’s being used in a wired installation, and I believe that its behavior with respect to microSD recording is the same as that of Battery Video Doorbell.
I realize you wrote this earlier:
One of your take-away messages here should be that you’re going to want to wire whatever you get if continuous microSD recording is a must-have.
I still haven’t decided what I’m going to do about this. I like how Battery Video Doorbell shows more of my porch without requiring a downward-angled mount, but I’m not a fan of the pronounced fish-eye effect, and I think Video Doorbell v2’s colors are better (it has a Wide Dynamic Range option that I hope they add to Battery Video Doorbell).
I don’t know what your lighting situation is on the porch, but that might give you the option of something like Lamp Socket v2 plus Cam OG. I’m currently trying out something like that at my driveway and have been really pleased with it so far.