Logitech Circle View Apple HomeKit- enabled Wired Doorbell with Logitech TrueView Video, Face Recognition, Color Night Vision, and Head-to-toe HD Video – Black

The Logitech Circle View Doorbell stands out as a top-tier choice for those deeply invested in Apple’s HomeKit ecosystem. At $199.99, this sleek and compact doorbell offers a secure, wired solution with impressive video quality and seamless integration into the HomeKit platform. However, its exclusivity to HomeKit comes with certain limitations worth considering.

Pros:

Cons:

Features & Functionality

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The Logitech Circle View Doorbell is a standout choice for those deeply immersed in Apple’s HomeKit ecosystem, offering seamless integration, superior video quality, and robust privacy measures. Its exclusive compatibility with HomeKit sets it apart, allowing users to manage and control the doorbell alongside other HomeKit devices via the Apple Home app.

At the core of its functionality lies a 5-megapixel camera with a 160-degree view, delivering crisp video quality and a broad perspective, enabling users to identify visitors and packages. Notably, its color night vision distinguishes it from competitors, offering a full-color feed in low-light conditions, though the built-in nightlight’s brightness might be excessive for those approaching the door.

The Circle View Doorbell aligns closely with HomeKit Secure Video, ensuring end-to-end encrypted clips stored securely in iCloud. This emphasis on privacy extends to facial recognition features that integrate with Apple’s ecosystem, allowing the identification and announcement of recognized visitors through compatible Apple devices.

However, while it boasts an array of functionalities, the doorbell’s customization options remain constrained by the limitations of the HomeKit environment. Users face challenges with motion detection customization, lacking fine-tuning options for sensitivity and timing, and the absence of sound customization for the doorbell chime. Moreover, its exclusivity to Apple’s platform alienates Android users and those invested in alternate smart home ecosystems, restricting access and control to Apple devices.

In summary, the Logitech Circle View Doorbell excels within the HomeKit framework, prioritizing security, seamless integration, and impressive video capabilities. Yet, its limited customization and exclusive compatibility may deter users seeking broader cross-platform support or extensive control over their doorbell’s features.

Design & Build Quality

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The Circle View Doorbell’s slim profile, lacking an internal battery, offers a more streamlined appearance than competitors. The camera’s 5-megapixel sensor with HDR functionality provides excellent video quality, especially with its unique color night vision feature.

However, the built-in nightlight, although providing color night vision, can be overly bright for approaching visitors, and the device’s black-only color scheme might not complement all home decors.

Power & Performance

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The Logitech Circle View Doorbell leverages its wired design, ensuring consistent and reliable performance. Its reliance on existing low-voltage doorbell wiring or the option to run wiring from an AC adapter provides a stable power source, eliminating concerns about battery life common in wireless doorbells. This design choice ensures uninterrupted functionality, offering peace of mind to users without the need for frequent recharging or battery replacements.

One of its standout features lies in its swift video feed loading and responsiveness. The doorbell’s support for both 2.4 and 5GHz Wi-Fi bands, coupled with strong mesh networks, contributes to a noticeably faster video feed retrieval compared to many competitors. Quick push notifications upon doorbell activation and nearly instantaneous live feed access on compatible Apple devices showcase its efficiency.

The 5-megapixel camera with HDR functionality captures detailed, high-resolution footage, providing a clear view of visitors and packages. Its tall 160-degree view enables comprehensive coverage, allowing users to see individuals from head to toe and monitor front porch activities effectively. Furthermore, the built-in nightlight, though excessively bright for those approaching the door, enables color night vision, distinguishing it from grayscale night views common in other doorbells.

However, while the Circle View Doorbell excels in promptness and video quality, its functionality is limited by the constraints of the HomeKit ecosystem. The doorbell’s reliance on the Apple Home app restricts the depth of customization available to users, notably in motion detection settings. The inability to fine-tune motion sensitivity, restrict alerts to specific times, or differentiate between objects triggering motion alerts poses limitations compared to other doorbell options.

In essence, the Circle View Doorbell stands out for its unwavering performance, consistent video quality, and swift responsiveness, owed in part to its wired design and efficient connectivity. Yet, its commendable performance is somewhat hindered by the platform-specific limitations imposed by HomeKit, constraining the depth of customization and control available to users.

Compatibility & Connectivity

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The Circle View’s standout feature is its integration with Apple’s HomeKit ecosystem, ensuring enhanced security and privacy. It supports HomeKit Secure Video for encrypted cloud storage and facial recognition. However, this also limits its compatibility to Apple devices, excluding Android users and non-HomeKit platforms.

Conclusion: Should You Buy the Logitech Circle View Doorbell?

The Logitech Circle View Doorbell excels for those deeply embedded in Apple’s HomeKit environment, offering superior video quality, quick performance, and robust privacy features. Its limitations, notably the lack of Android support and sole compatibility with HomeKit, may restrict its appeal to a broader audience.

Consider the Circle View if you prioritize security, seamless integration with HomeKit, and superior video quality. However, if cross-platform compatibility and extensive customization options are crucial, alternative doorbells supporting multiple ecosystems might be more suitable.