Skybell HD vs. August Doorbell Cam Pro

There are more options on the market than ever before when it comes to smart doorbells, which gives you a great degree of choice for adding security and convenience to your home. The Skybell HD and August Doorbell Cam Pro each have a lot to offer, although we feel that the Skybell model does a better job as a standalone doorbell.

While Skybell HD may be the stronger product on its own, it’s important to keep in mind that one of the greatest strengths that August Doorbell Cam Pro has to offer is integration with other smart products. If you’re interested in the August Smart Lock, the comparison becomes much less clear-cut due to the great collaboration the lock and doorbell add to your home.

Below we’ll compare the Skybell HD vs. August Doorbell Cam Pro to give you a sense of where these products excel and where they fall short. Feel free to read on for the full picture or use our navigation bar to jump directly to a specific section.

Skybell HD vs. August Doorbell Cam Pro — Differences

  • Difference #1: Power Options – The first difference to discuss when comparing the Skybell HD vs. August Doorbell Cam Pro is the way they handle power. Both cameras need to be hardwired to an existed doorbell kit, but there are some differences in compatible transformers, as well as the existence of a backup battery.

    The Skybell HD has an internal battery that regulates and provides consistent power for all of the bell’s advanced features. However, that battery is just for the day-to-day operation and is not equipped to keep the doorbell powered in the event of a power outage.

    However, one of the advantages that Skybell has over August is the wider compatibility for transformers, with support for 1036 VAC, 10VA, or 12 VDC with an amp rate of 0.5 to 1.0.

    The August Doorbell Cam Pro actually has a very small battery backup that will kick in if the regular hardwired source is interrupted. However, it only has enough capacity to keep the bell charged for a few hours, so it’s not exactly a long-term solution; still, some battery backup is better than none at all.

    The August bell is compatible only with 12-24 VAC transformers, which makes it significantly less flexible than the Skybell.

    If you’re worried about your existing transformer having enough power to support a new smart doorbell, consider investing in the Honeywell Transformer to ensure that you have an adequate supply.

  • Difference #2: Video Resolution – The Skybell HD has a significantly better video quality, which could be important when it comes to accurately identifying visitors and reviewing security footage in the event of a crime. At a 1080p HD resolution recorded at 30FPS, you’ll get a much better picture than the August Doorbell Cam Pro’s 1280 x 920 HD, 30 FPS recordings.

    The August Doorbell Cam still has good quality that is a notable upgrade from the 720p resolution you’ll see on many cameras, but there’s no denying that it falls short of what Skybell brings to the table.

  • Difference #3: Field of View – Another area where the Skybell excels is in its 180° horizontal field of view. That means that pretty much the entirety of the front of your home will be within the view of your Skybell HD, which is much better than most of the other leading brands — especially the August Doorbell Cam Pro with the much less impressive 120° horizontal field of view.

  • Difference #4: Zoom – A zoom feature can be the difference between getting a detailed view of a threat in the distance and being left in the dark. The Skybell HD has a 5x digital zoom, while the August Doorbell Cam Pro doesn’t have any zoom whatsoever. The combination of this zoom and the far-superior field of view means the Skybell HD does a much better job overall at giving a comprehensive picture of your entryway and the front of your property.

  • Difference #5: Cloud Storage & Subscriptions – Both cameras offer cloud storage, but there’s a pretty major difference in the way they handle it.

    With Skybell HD, you have 7 days of rolling storage for your videos for no additional cost. There are no subscriptions or fees to speak of, and you’ll be able to view and download any videos that are currently in the cloud whenever you please. The 7-day limitation can be a little annoying since there’s no option to upgrade, but you always have the option to download the footage to physical storage to keep relevant footage as long as you need.

    The August Doorbell Cam Pro offers free cloud storage for up to 24 hours of video. For $4.99 per month or $49.99 per year, that storage upgrades to 30 days, which should give you more than enough video history to ensure you have access to the recordings you need.

    We definitely feel like Skybell is the better deal since the 7 days of cloud storage should be more than enough for most people and you can skip out on the monthly fee. The August plan isn’t super expensive and is a great option to have if you want to keep videos for longer, but at the end of the day, you’re still paying monthly for something Skybell offers for free.

  • Difference #6: Compatible Networks – Although the Skybell HD pulls ahead in many areas, the August Doorbell Cam Pro does have an advantage when it comes to compatible networks.

    Both cameras work with 802.11 b/g/n WiFi connections, but the August model is a dual-band device while the Skybell is single band. This means that August will communicate on both the 2.4 GHz and 5GHz frequencies, which puts less strain on your home network than the Skybell that sends all of its data over the 2.4 GHz band.

    In addition to that WiFi support, August also works with Bluetooth v4.0 (Bluetooth Smart) which is the primary way that it connects to the August Smart Locks. If you have the two devices working together, the doorbell will work as a bridge between your smart lock and WiFi router, allowing you to see who’s at your doorstep and let them in remotely using the August app.

    All in all, it’s clear that August has the edge when it comes to the underlying communication technology.

  • Difference #7: Operating Temperature – One of the ways that Skybell HD stands out from the rest of the smart doorbells on the market is the huge range of its operating temperature.

    The August Doorbell Cam Pro works in a range of 13° – 122°F (-25° – 50°C), which makes it suitable for the majority of climates. However, its ability to withstand extreme temperatures pales in comparison to the Skybell HD’s 40° – 140°F (-40° – 60°C) range.

    The main reason that the Skybell HD is able to operate at such extremes is that it doesn’t have any removable battery. You won’t find any other brand that has quite the same range on both ends of the spectrum.

  • Difference #8: Smart Home Integration – The last topic to talk about when it comes to differences is smart home integration. As a standalone device, there’s no denying that the Skybell HD has the advantage in the majority of areas. However, as part of a larger smart home, the August Doorbell Cam Pro does a better job.

    With support for Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, SimpliSafe, Google Home, Honeywell, Nest, Xfinity, IFTTT, Wink, August Smartlocks and more, the amount of integration that August has is truly exceptional.

    The Skybell HD, on the other hand, only works with IFTTT, SmartThings, Amazon Alexa, and limited integration with Google Assistant. It covers some of the major smart home controllers and trigger systems but doesn’t have nearly the extent of compatibility that August brings to the table.

    Smart home integration is truly where August shines, and you’ll find that it will fit in nicely with pretty much any existing connected home.


Skybell HD vs. August Doorbell Cam Pro — Comparison Chart

Skybell HD August Doorbell Cam Pro
Power Options Hardwire to existing
doorbell kit only
Hardwire to existing
doorbell kit only
Battery Life N/A Backup battery
Compatible Doorbell Transformers Wired power connection to
in-home mechanical door chime
10-36 VAC, 10VA or 12 VDC with
an amp rate of 0.5 to 1.0
12-24 VAC
Video Resolution 1080p HD 1280 x 920 HD
FPS 30 FPS 30 FPS
Field of View 180° 120° horizontal
Zoom 5x zoom No
Night Vision Full color night vision
up to 15ft.
No, depends on lighting
Free Cloud Storage 7 days of videos 24 hours of videos
Subscription Available No Yes
Compatible Networks 2.4GHz 802.11 b/g/n Bluetooth v4.0,
5GHz, 2.4GHz 802.11 (b/g/n)
Motion Detection Yes Yes
Motion Zones No No
Person Alerts No No
Facial Recognition No No
Live View On Demand Yes Yes
24/7 CVR No No
Two-Way Audio Yes Yes
Prerecorded Responses No No
Silent Mode Yes Yes
Operating Temperature -40° – 140°F
(-40° – 60°C)
-13° – 122°F
(-25° – 50°C)
App Android, iOS Android, iOS
Smart Home Integration Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant (limited),
IFTTT, SmartThings
Amazon Alexa, Google Home,
Apple HomeKit, SimpliSafe,
Nest, Honeywell,
IFTTT, Xfinity, Wink,
August Smart Locks and more
Colors Brushed Aluminum,
Oil Rubbed Bronze
Silver, Dark Gray
Size 2.8 x 2.8 x 0.9 in
(7.1 x 7.1 x 2.3 cm)
2.9 x 0.9 x 2.9 in
(7.4 x 2.3 x 7.4 cm)
Warranty 1 year 1 year

Skybell HD vs. August Doorbell Cam Pro — Things in Common

August Doorbell Cam Pro

  • Live View On-Demand – Both the Skybell HD and August Doorbell Cam Pro offer you the ability to check in on your entryway whenever you please with live view on demand.

  • Night Vision – A lot of cameras will use infrared lights in order to add in night vision. The Skybell and August doorbells use LED-based technology instead, which illuminates the area in front of your home when motion is detected for a full-color picture. You also have the ability to adjust the brightness in order to capture the best video possible.

    This approach to night vision has both advantages and drawbacks when compared to infrared. While having a full-color picture is nice, relying on an external light can sometimes be less reliable than standard infrared technology that provides a clear black and white recording.

  • Motion Detection – Both cameras feature motion detection and will alert you to any activity in the front of your home. However, their detection is more basic when compared to options like the , with a lack of support for Motion Zones, Person Alerts, and Facial Recognition.

  • Two-Way Audio – Two-Way audio is a great way to ward off package thieves, or even just to communicate with your guests as they approach the door.

  • Silent Mode – The silent mode available on both the Skybell and August bells allows you to disable your indoor chime, relying on notifications on your phone instead of the ringing of your mechanical doorbell to be alerted of guests. It’s an excellent way to stay aware of activity at your door without the noise of a traditional chime.

  • App Support – The Skybell HD and August Doorbell Cam Pro have their own dedicated smartphone apps for Android or iOS. However, there is no Web App available — check out the if that lack of that feature is a deal breaker.

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  • Warranty & Theft Replacement Guarantee – Both cameras are protected by a 1-year warranty and a theft replacement guarantee. If someone steals your doorbell, the manufacturer will replace it free of charge — just make sure you keep a copy of your purchase documentation as well as a police report to ensure you have adequate proof.


Skybell HD vs. August Doorbell Cam Pro — Accessories

August Doorbell Cam Pro

Most of the accessories we’d recommend purchasing alongside the Skybell HD or August Doorbell Cam Pro are related to the installation process.

For the Skybell HD, our top picks are a digital doorbell adaptor, video doorbell power supply, and a wedge plate to make mounting the bell a little bit easier.

For the August Doorbell Cam Pro, we suggest purchasing an external Power Supply. The Honeywell Transformer is also an excellent buy if you’re trying to get around the limited transformer compatibility and make installation a little bit easier.


Skybell HD vs. August Doorbell Cam Pro — Our Thoughts

Skybell HD video doorbell

Overall, we think it’s pretty clear that Skybell HD is the better buy when comparing the August Doorbell vs. Skybell HD if you’re only interested in the doorbell itself. However, when you start to consider integration with the smart home as a whole the conversation becomes a little bit more complicated.

While the Skybell HD is the better device when you’re comparing these two bells side by side, the fact of the matter is that a lot of people have a home with at least a few other connected devices. If you’ve already invested in the August Smart Lock or have other technology you’d like to integrate with your bell, the August Doorbell Cam Pro becomes a lot more attractive.

It really all depends on whether you’re looking for the better doorbell or a doorbell that will work in tandem with your existing smart tech setup.


Last update on 2024-03-28 at 02:04 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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