ZDNET's key takeaways The Lorex 2K Wi-Fi video doorbell is available for $180.
The doorbell comes in wired and wireless installations, communicates reliably, and includes a preinstalled 32GB microSD card for local storage so you can bypass subscription fees.
Although it has a 2K resolution, the image is so wide angle that objects look distorted. $199.99 at Amazon
Video doorbells are among the best ways to start your smart home journey. They are easy to use and often easy to install, and provide much-needed surveillance. Although they may seem intimidating to set up for beginners, there's a video doorbell option for just about everyone, whether you're looking for a budget-friendly option or one that's easy to install.
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Having tested several video doorbell options, I've enjoyed having the latest Lorex 2K Wi-Fi video doorbell. For easy installation, I prefer a battery-operated option, so I got the battery-operated option. More importantly, Lorex ditches the typical paid subscription model for a flat hardware fee. Is it worth it? Let's find out.
Having your phone tell you who's at the door in real-time and being able to talk to them when you can't answer the door is life-changing, I tell you. The Lorex 2K video doorbell does this and more, as it boasts a 2K video resolution with HDR, no monthly subscription fees, and a battery option with an easy-to-install set of brackets to give you the viewing angle you desire.
Setting up the Lorex 2K video doorbell was straightforward, as I opted for the battery-powered model (there's a wired option, too). I charged it for a few hours, paired it to the Lorex mobile app, and installed the bracket where I wanted the doorbell. I already have an Eufy Battery video doorbell, so I set up the Lorex next to it to compare the images captured by both.
Maria Diaz/ZDNET
Once the doorbell is installed, there's not much else for you to worry about. One of my favorite things about this video doorbell is the lack of monthly fees. You can store your video recordings on the 32GB MicroSD card included and offload them whenever you need to bring your doorbell in to charge. If you're using a wired installation, I'd keep an extra MicroSD card to swap out now and then to keep your video doorbell recording the events that matter to you.
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