When comparing August Doorbell Cam vs SkyBell HD, the Slant community recommends SkyBell HD for most people. In the question“What are the best smart doorbell cameras?” SkyBell HD is ranked 9th while August Doorbell Cam is ranked 25th. The most important reason people chose SkyBell HD is:
Unlike its competitors, the SkyBell HD includes free storage for all video clips and recordings, with the option to download them locally to your smart device.
Specs
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Pros
Pro Live streaming
The August Doorbell Cam allows you to get a live video feed whenever you open the app.
Pro August lock integration
If you're already using an August Lock as a smart home door lock, the August Doorbell Cam integrates extremely well with it, and allows you to use the same app to monitor who's at your door, as well as lock and unlock your door within the same screen.
Pro Free clip storage
Unlike its competitors, the SkyBell HD includes free storage for all video clips and recordings, with the option to download them locally to your smart device.
Pro Full HD support
The SkyBell HD comes equipped with a Full HD 1080p camera, assuring crisp and clear video and images.
Pro Third-party integration
Allows you to integrate with services such as IFTTT and Amazon's Alexa, providing for a more cohesive smart home experience.
Pro Live streaming
The SkyBell HD allows you to manually activate the camera, and show's you a live feed whenever you open the application.
Pro Handle's hotter temperatures
Where the Ring Doorbell Camera can only handle temperatures up to 118°F, the SkyBell HD can handle temperatures up to 140°F, so if you live in a hotter region, this may be a big selling point for you.
Pro Night mode
The SkyBell HD supports night mode, and the included LED lights around the camera do a great job of illuminating the area, assuring a clear image even in dark conditions.
Cons
Con Unclear whether motion detection is supported
August's marketing material and advertisements for the device claim to support motion detection. Recent verified reviews, as well as Amazon customer reviews, state that the feature has not yet been activated, but will be in an upcoming software update. So that's something to keep in mind.
Con Prevalent delays and lag
Customers have reported that the August Doorbell Cam chokes, even on good internet connections, and tends to have a few seconds of delay from when the bell is pushed, to the user being alerted.
Con Low viewing angles
Where its competitors provide a higher viewing angle, the video from the August Doorbell Cam provides a more narrow viewing angle, similar to the video one would get off a smart phone.
Con Not full HD
The August Doorbell Cam comes equipped with a 960p camera, which provides a better quality compared to the Ring, but pales in comparison to the SkyBell HD.
Con Video recording requires a subscription
In order to save video clips, you have to pay a monthly or yearly fee.
Con Single source of power
The August Doorbell Cam can only be powered by an existing doorbell's power connection, so if you're current set up doesn't have traditional power for a doorbell, you are out of luck.
Con Single source of power
The SkyBell HD can only be powered by an existing doorbell's power connection, so if you're current set up doesn't have traditional power for a doorbell, you are out of luck.
Con Lower field of view
The field of view or viewing angles on the SkyBell HD are not as wide as the Ring, meaning it sees less of its surroundings.
Con Less control over motion detection
Where you could set specific motion zones in the Ring, the SkyBell HD can only detect general motion and cannot be limited to specific areas around the device.