Skip to main content

New RemoBell S video doorbell is compatible with Amazon Echo, Google Home

Remo+ just launched a new video doorbell model, the RemoBell S. For several reasons — not just its $99 price tag — the RemoBell S stands out in the crowd of new entries in the video doorbell category.

Recommended Videos

As the use of video doorbells proliferates, new models appear frequently. To be competitive, especially with big brands like Ring and Nest commanding major market shares, smart doorbells need to tick off several must-have feature boxes just for starters. On paper, the RemoBell S meets or exceeds the major requirements and does so at a bangin’-low $99 price tag.

Please enable Javascript to view this content

The RemoBell S is a wired device. It connects to your existing doorbell wiring and can ring on an existing mechanical or electronic doorbell chime. The unit has a 1080p full HD video camera with 180-degree horizontal and vertical fields of view. Two infrared LED (IRLED) sensors provide night vision up to 7.5 meters (almost 25 feet). Video-based motion detection features adjustable sensitivity and definable motion zones.

With full duplex audio, aka two-way talk, you can speak and listen to visitors at the same time like in real life, rather than take turns and wait for the other person to finish.

When someone moves into the RemoBell S motion detection area, you receive an alert on a configured iOS or Android smartphone. RemoBell S is also compatible with Amazon Echo (both audio-only and Show devices), Google Home, and IFTTT.

When you get an alert from the RemoBell S, you can immediately talk and view live video. Unlike with many other video doorbells, you can view recorded video stored in the cloud for free for up to three days. Remo+ has paid cloud plans with greater storage capacities and longer storage times, but everyone gets free remote video viewing.

The RemoBell S’s full HD video with wide fields of view, definable motion zones, full duplex two-way audio, Alexa and Google Assistant compatibility, plus free cloud video viewing are desirable features in the competitive video doorbell field. All that tech at $99 is an outstanding bargain. We’ve haven’t tested the RemoBell S, but if it lives up to its specifications and claims, the video doorbell market could have a new major player.

Bruce Brown
Bruce Brown Contributing Editor   As a Contributing Editor to the Auto teams at Digital Trends and TheManual.com, Bruce…
U.S. government to launch a new cybersecurity program for smart home devices in 2024
The US Cyber Trust Mark logo on an off-white background.

Smart home devices are only becoming more popular, and it seems they’ve now piqued the interest of the U.S. government. On July 18, the Biden administration announced a new cybersecurity certification and labeling program for smart devices that will help customers find devices that are “safer and less vulnerable to cyberattacks.”

The so-called U.S. Cyber Trust Mark program is intended to get manufacturers thinking more carefully about the cybersecurity of their products and ensure they’re safe for the general public to have in their homes. It’s not expected to roll out until 2024, but the program would cover a wide range of products, including smart refrigerators, smart microwaves, smart televisions, smart thermostats, fitness trackers, and more.

Read more
How long do video doorbells last?
The Ring Video Doorbell in Satin Nickel, installed beside a doorway.

Video doorbells are much more versatile than traditional doorbells, offering an easy way to see who’s at the front door from the convenience of your smartphone. But all the high-tech gear inside these fancy smart home devices isn’t as low-maintenance as you’d expect. In fact, many of them use batteries that will wear out after just a few years, forcing you to replace them.

But aside from battery life, your video doorbell, as a whole, probably won’t last as long as a traditional doorbell -- which often sticks with a home for decades. Here’s a closer look at how long your video doorbell will be supported by the manufacturer, along with tips to help you decide when it’s time for a full replacement.
How long are video doorbells supported by the manufacturer?

Read more
Is it worth upgrading to the new Google Nest wired doorbell?
Someone presses the Nest Video Doorbell in front of their home.

Video doorbell cameras are often one of the first external pieces of smart home tech consumers buy. Not only do they help keep an eye on our environment, but they double as communication devices for delivery drivers, guests, and others. Google recently released its second-generation Nest Doorbell (wired) and improved the Google Home app, but is it really worth upgrading if you have the base model?
Google's new doorbell

The new Google Nest Doorbell (wired) shares a similar design to the battery variant, although it is shorter since no batteries are required. It has a flat, matte design that comes in four colors to match nearly any home. To initiate a call, there's a big button at the bottom, which is illuminated around the edge. There's also an equally significant and prominent lens at the top of the doorbell.

Read more