Aosu Video Doorbell Ultra Review – An affordable alternative to Ring and Eufy

The Aosu Video Doorbell Ultra was launched a couple of years ago and is one of the best-reviewed video doorbells on Amazon. However, it is a brand that I overlooked due to the sheer volume of random Chinese brands on Amazon.

I have used the video doorbell for the past couple of weeks and have come away surprised at how good it is.

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Specification

Features

• 60 Days Loop Recording: Equipped with 8GB built-in memory, offering no monthly fee. (Optional cloud recording and AI facial detection are available)
• 180 Days From 1 Charge: Reduced power consumption by 58% with a low-power wireless connection.
• 166° Field of View: Provides a full head-to-toe view of a person.
• 5 GHz/2.4 GHz Wi-Fi: Ensures easy and flexible connectivity.
• Triple Motion Detection: Utilizes radar, PIR motion detection, and advanced human object detection.
• Enhanced Night Vision: Features 8 built-in 850nm infrared lights for detailed night-time visibility.
• Thumbnail Real-Time Notification: Get snapshot notifications for quick door checks.
• Quick Reply to Direct Video Calling: Use preset messages for instant replies when busy.
• Smart Playback: Includes event type filters, fast forward, and rewind features for easy access to important moments.
• Compatibility: Works seamlessly with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.

Unboxing

Inside the box, you’ll find:

• A mounting template
• Window sticker
• Quick start guide
• Chime/home base
• Doorbell with a 15-degree wedge
• Phillips head screwdriver
• Mounting screws and plastic anchors
• USB-C cable
• Push pin for doorbell removal
• Extension wires and wire nuts

Set Up and Aosu App Settings

The IOSO video doorbell is easy to set up.

1. Set Up Home Base: Plug in the chime, open the IOS app, add the device, scan the QR code, and connect to Wi-Fi.
2. Sync Doorbell: Press the sync button on the chime and doorbell. The app will generate a QR code for the doorbell to scan.
3. Mounting: Screw the mount into place and snap the doorbell in. Use the push pin to remove the doorbell if needed.

Subscription Fees

You can use this camera without a subscription and have access to most of the features free of charge. This includes advanced object detection and human detection, but it does not include facial detection.

There are various subscription options including:

• Basic Plan for 1 device: £5.58 PCM or £55.80 annually, and this gives 14 days of recording
• Face AI for 1 device: £5.58 PCM or £55.80 annually

Motion Detection & Facial Detection

This camera supports motion detection, human detection, and facial detection but doesn’t seem to support cars, animals, or packages.

Human detection works without a subscription, and I think that is all most people really need.

This then uses three different technologies for detection:

• Radar Motion Detection: Scans for distance and movement
• PIR Motion Detection: Scans for body heat
• Human Motion Detection: Scans for human shape

Then, if you subscribe to the Face AI, you can upload a photo of someone, and it will use this to identify the person.

The Face AI is good, but not as good as the Eufy cameras that utilize the HomeBase 3. The Eufy cameras allow you to select strangers’ faces and add them to the recognition, and it will also ask to confirm similar faces to improve accuracy.

Overall, I found human detection to be good, and in my opinion, it is really all you need for video doorbells in most scenarios.

Day Time Footage Quality

Footage captured during the daytime is typically good. The video starts off very dark for a fraction of a second but brightens up to reveal plenty of detail about who is at the door.

The video has a 4:3 aspect ratio and a resolution of 2560×1920. It claims to have a 166-degree field of view with head-to-toe coverage. That isn’t the case from my experience, the vertical field of view is nowhere near as good as Arlo or the dual camera design of the Video Doorbell E340, but I found that the coverage was still good enough for my needs.

Night Time Footage Quality

Footage shot at night is in black and white, like most video doorbells. The video quality of the footage is average, and while it is usable, black and white mode loses some detail.

Battery Life:

After using the doorbell for a couple of weeks, I was pleasantly surprised by the impressive battery life. It seems to lose less than 1% per day, and I expect it to last over 3 months, which is better than expected for most brands.

Price and Alternative Options:

The Aosu Video Doorbell Ultra is priced at £105 on aosulife.com, with the lower-spec Video Doorbell Pro costing £73. It is also available on Amazon for £150, but with discounts available.

Alternative options include the Ring Video Doorbell (2nd Gen) for £100 with a subscription required, the Blink Video Doorbell for £60 without a subscription but with mixed reviews, and the Tapo 2K 5MP Smart Wireless Security Camera Doorbell for £120 with better low light performance and free local storage.

Overall:

The Aosu Video Doorbell Ultra is a great choice for those looking for an affordable option. It offers good video quality, motion detection, and impressive battery life without the need for a subscription. Facial detection is available but as a paid feature. Overall, it stands out as one of the best options in its price range.

Review:

The Aosu Video Doorbell Ultra is a superb choice for anyone looking for an affordable and reliable video doorbell option.

About the Author:

James is a UK-based tech enthusiast and the Editor and Owner of Mighty Gadget. With a background in technology and a passion for fitness, he offers a unique perspective on tech blogging. His expertise and dedication to staying ahead of technology trends make Mighty Gadget one of the top technology blogs in the UK. Can you please rewrite this sentence for me?