In the bustling world of smart home security, the Annke Whiffle video doorbell carves out a niche by prioritizing essential functions over flashy extras. This in-depth review breaks down the Whiffle's design, setup, performance, and features to help you decide if it's the right choice for your front door.
Design and Build
The Annke Whiffle takes a minimalist approach, similar to the Reolink Battery Doorbell, it's a sleek black monolith, with a front face that seamlessly integrates the camera, motion sensor, microphone, and a single round button which doubles as a status indicator. Its understated design allows it to blend discreetly with virtually any home exterior. It has an IP65 weatherproofing rating, ensuring the unit is dustproof and protected against water jets from any direction.
Installation Steps
Setting up the Whiffle is a three-stage process. The initial step involves connecting the doorbell to your wireless network through the VicoHome app, a quick process that takes just a couple of minutes. The app immediately recognizes the powered doorbell and guides you through the network configuration. The second phase involves synchronizing the doorbell with its chime, a small USB dongle that communicates via radio frequency. This requires plugging the chime into a 5V/1A~5V/2A power supply and following a simple pairing sequence. The final step is to mount either a flat or angled bracket to your doorframe using the included hardware, and then snap the doorbell into place. The installation process is user-friendly while offering enough flexibility to accommodate different home setups.
Performance Analysis
The Whiffle's 1080p camera captures crisp, detailed footage across a wide 148-degree field of view (112 degrees horizontal, 62 degrees vertical). While some models offer 2K resolution, the Whiffle's video quality is more than adequate for identifying visitors and monitoring deliveries. In low-light environments, infrared LEDs provide black-and-white night vision up to 33 feet. Motion detection has two tiers. General motion alerts come standard, but advanced capabilities require a cloud subscription, which enables intelligent detection to differentiate between people, vehicles, packages, and pets. Two-way audio is clear, making conversation with visitors easy. The speaker delivers clear, intelligible sound that serves its primary purpose well.
Storage Choices
The Whiffle offers flexible storage options. Local storage supports a microSD card (not included) with capacities up to 128GB, providing a subscription-free option. Cloud storage is available through a subscription, with monthly and annual plans. The premium tier includes 60-day video history, three-minute recording lengths, intelligent alerts, and motion zones. Budget-conscious users can opt for basic plans with shorter video history durations. A 30-day free trial allows users to evaluate advanced features before committing.
App Experience
The VicoHome app provides a clean, intuitive interface for managing the Whiffle's features. Live view loads quickly, and motion detection settings are easily accessible. While it lacks Google Assistant integration, it supports Amazon Alexa, allowing users to view the feed on Echo Show displays and receive announcements through Alexa-enabled devices. The app excels at delivering prompt notifications, providing clear video feeds, and managing device settings. Navigation through recorded clips is straightforward. The ability to define motion zones and adjust intelligent detection features adds value for subscribers, minimizing irrelevant alerts.
Final Verdict
The Annke Whiffle offers a compelling proposition. It may not have all the features of premium models, but it delivers where it matters: clear video, dependable monitoring, and solid weatherproofing. The easy setup and storage choices make it appealing. The optional cloud subscription unlocks useful features like package detection and smart alerts, but dependable performance for basic monitoring needs is provided even in the base model.
