Skip to main content

21OAK may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

An honest review of the Logi Circle View Wired Doorbell

Some of the most common ‘smart home’ upgrades are security cameras and connected doorbells. Where much of the connected home gadgets fail, these seem to have resonated with homeowners.

All have quirks. We reviewed the Lorex QHD Wired Video Doorbell recently and found its lack of HomeKit support an issue. The Logi Circle View Doorbell doesn’t have that issue; it’s all-in on HomeKit.

But does HomeKit make the Logi Circle View Doorbell a winner? Here’s our honest review.

Pros

  • HomeKit support
  • Great iOS app
  • Sharp night vision
  • Facial recognition
  • Familiar doorbell form-factor
  • Mounting template makes install much easier

Cons

  • HomeKit support requires a hub
  • No Android support – at all
  • May increase your iCloud subscription cost
  • Could use a few additional mounting options
  • Setup is a bit tedious

Delivery and unboxing

No issues. The Logi Circle View Doorbell comes in a small box, easily deliverable via any service.

Setup

Because it’s a wired doorbell, you’ll need to cut the power to your doorbell so you can wire the Logi Circle View Doorbell to your home. You will also need basic knowledge of electrical wiring; Logitech includes detailed installation instructions and a website dedicated to a more thorough walkthrough.

For those uneasy about self-installation, Logitech has a website for finding a professional to do the work for you.

Pairing hardware with software happens via the Home app on your iPhone or iPad. There’s no clunky app to download; just wire the doorbell up and pair it to the HomeKit platform via the Home app.

Along with the doorbell you get a few mounting pates, hardware, and a small box to install in your home’s existing chime box. All-in it took me about an hour to install, but I’ve done this before. If wiring, mounting, and power management are daunting, hire a professional.

What others say

Our sister site Digital Trends notes the Logi Circle View Doorbell is an overall great connected doorbell but knocks its lack of Android support and need for a HomeKit hub (more on that in a bit). Apple-centric site iMore underscores the HomeKit feature set, adding “it isn’t for everyone, the Logitech Circle View Doorbell is the doorbell for fans of HomeKit.”

What users say

Apparently, nothing. The Logitech website doesn’t list user reviews and the doorbell is not available via Amazon, WalMart, Best Buy, or Target. We poked through the Logi Circle View Doorbell’s support pages but couldn’t find any considerable issues to report.

Initial impressions

The Logi Circle View Doorbell is a sharp looking all-black chunk of plastic. Very much a piece of technology. When unboxing, the various components – hardware, mounting brackets, ‘chime kit’ for your home’s chime box – are all in their own boxes, which makes it nice when staying organized during installation.

It also looks like a doorbell. The August unit it replaced on my home didn’t look like a doorbell, so people didn’t use it. A plastic rectangle may not improve your curb appeal, but visitors use it and that’s the main point.

Below the camera is a night vision light, motion and light sensors, and LED notification, and the doorbell button circled by a light strip so people know where to press.

I do wish the Logi Circle View Doorbell had more mounting options. There’s a sort of cradle included for mounting straight-on, or a 15-degree mount for angling the unit left or right. No options for tilting it upward, downward, or any other way you may need. Logitech assumes its wide-angle camera will catch everything, it seems.

After one week of use

The camera’s 160-degree field of view captures in 3:4 aspect ratio (portrait mode) and 1200 x 1600 HDR. You can also set up activity zones – a great option if your home is close to a street or sidewalk and you don’t want to be alerted for cars driving by or someone walking a dog.

Night vision was also great, though I can’t say the Logi Circle View Doorbell’s was remarkably better than top competitors. In daylight, the Logi Circle View Doorbell has sharp video quality and using it as a two-way video chat was seamless. Some ding the fisheye view at the edges of the camera, but it’s much less annoying than a lot of other doorbells.

Because I utilize HomeKit, the Logi Circle View Doorbell was always interesting. A caveat: you also have to have a HomeKit “hub” for video recording and remote access to your doorbell camera, which can be one of the following:

  • Apple TV HD
  • Apple TV 4K
  • HomePod
  • HomePod mini
  • iPad running the latest version of iPadOS

At best, this means an added $99 (HomePod mini). I already had a few of these devices, so no issues here. You will also need to subscribe to a 200GB or 2TB iCloud storage plan; $3 or $10 per month, respectively, or up to $30 per month via the Apple One bundle.

So why all the added gadgetry and subscriptions? Logitech went all-in on HomeKit and iOS, and those requirements speak to HomeKit’s limitations. You need a hub so devices like the Logi Circle View Doorbell can communicate with iCloud and route services to your iPhone when you’re away. It also uses your iCloud storage plan to house video recordings: you can record up to ten days’ worth of video.

Video recordings don’t count towards your iCloud monthly data allotment, which raises a few questions. Why do we need the $3 per month plan if it doesn’t count towards the limit? As for that $10/2TB plan, you are required to have that that if you use five or more Logi cameras in your home. Again, if it doesn’t count towards the full data limit, why?

Getting real about HomeKit

We still think HomeKit is the best connected/smart home platform around due to its deep integration with associated hardware. This opinion is an absolute truth for those ensconced in the Apple ecosystem as HomeKit is deeply embedded in all Apple hardware and software.

With HomeKit, the Logi Circle View Doorbell is a champ. Notifications are rich; you can play clips from the iPhone lock screen, and the Apple TV shows you who’s at the door in real-time via picture-in-picture notifications.

You can also disable your doorbell chime and opt to have HomePods alert you when someone is at the door. Silly as it may sound, I love this feature. My home is laced with HomePods (stop laughing, please) so having the Logi Circle View Doorbell notify me everywhere is sublime.

Let’s be honest: the Logi Circle View Doorbell is essentially third-party Apple hardware for HomeKit. Because it’s wholly dedicated to the HomeKit ecosystem, it’s specifically for people who are HomeKit users like myself. You don’t even need to download a Logitech app: you set it up using the built-in Home app on your iPhone or iPad.

We can only assume Logitech did as much because it was seeing most of its users in the iOS ecosystem back when a unique app was required for its smart home hardware. As-is, Logitech is outright avoiding Android, Amazon Alexa, and Google Home; not a big deal for me, but a curiosity, nonetheless.

The 3:4 portrait video viewing/recording is sort of odd since most other doorbells shoot in landscape, but I get it. Logitech is making the Logi Circle View Doorbell about your doorstep, not recording your neighborhood. Portrait mode provides a fuller view of who is at the door, and it may just help you see when kids are at the front door because the video is essentially head-to-toe for an adult.

Conclusion

Those with modern Apple TVs or HomePods will want to pounce on the Logi Circle View Doorbell. Those items serve as HomeKit hubs for the connected doorbell, making it the best option for those deeply invested in the Apple ecosystem. We’d like to think people reading this review have those items or are willing to make the Logi Circle View Doorbell their excuse to get extra kit.

Android users, Google Home fans, and Amazon Alexa devotees needn’t apply. Logitech has nothing here for you.

After using the Logi Circle View Doorbell for better than a week, I think it might be my favorite smart home gadget – and I’ve tried far too many. It looks like a doorbell, the video quality is excellent, the front-facing light only illuminates as someone approaches, the night vision is sharp, and two-way video is lag-free on my (admittedly speedy) home WiFi network.

HomeKit integration is sublime. I stream all content via an Apple TV, and the popup notifications letting me see who is at the door on the TV is just one of those little touches that make the Logi Circle View Doorbell feel like a more integrated piece of my home, and the HomeKit platform.

I don’t like the requirement to carry more iCloud storage. It feels like a subscription cost if you don’t already have 200GB if iCloud or better. More mounting options would be nice, too. Portrait mode recording is fine, but if you want to use your doorbell cam to record more than your doorstep, this may not be the unit for you. (It’s worth noting Logitech also has some great home security cameras if you want whole-home security.)

All told, the Logi Circle View Doorbell is an easy recommendation to make for anyone looking to upgrade their existing doorbell hardware. It’s as good a doorstep video device as there is, night vision is great, and facial recognition makes choosing when to answer (or ignore, no judgement) your front door much simpler.

Editors' Recommendations

Nate Swanner
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Nate is General Manager for all not-Digital-Trends properties at DTMG, including The Manual, Digital Trends en Espanol…
Keys vs. keyless: Which front door entry system is safer?
Here's what you need to know about key vs. keyless entry
Front door view

Smart technology -- particularly for the home -- continues to hit the market with a splash. We don't just have smart handheld devices anymore. We now have smart security systems, smart robot vacuums, and even smart kitchen appliances. However, when it comes to your front door security, which is safer when it comes to traditional keys vs. keyless entry smart locks?

To answer this question, the biggest factor to consider is who will be requiring access to the door. The next factor is what kind of climate and weather conditions are common in your area. Finally, the last question you need to ask yourself is: What does your budget look like for this project? We'll help you navigate the pros and cons of each access option so you can be confident in your family's safety at home.

Read more
The best garage door openers
best yellow jacket traps to the rescue garage door opener

Make your garage a practical space and your life easier with an automatic door opener. This convenient, everyday technology is a great way to save time on a daily basis and make your arrival at home more pleasant, so you can enjoy a relaxing evening after a long day at work.

Opening and shutting a garage door can be such a tedious task. Often, people prefer to park outside and end up filling their garage with random items that they don’t need. Take better care of your vehicle and make good use of your garage by installing a garage door opener. Whether you’re looking to replace your garage door opener, upgrade your current device, or get one for the first time, we’ve curated a list of our favorites to make your home more functional and keep your car spotless.

Read more
How to install a security light with a motion sensor in 3 easy steps
how to install security lights shutterstock 1340722961

Your home is your haven, and it should be where you and your family feel the safest. Keeping your home protected with a home security system is the most comprehensive way to guard it, but if you're not ready for that financial commitment, you can always install a motion-detecting security light outside. To answer any questions you may have, we'll discuss the benefits of motion sensor lights and how to install them quickly so you and your family can sleep a little easier.

Benefits of a security light with a motion sensor
While they don't come with all the bells and whistles of a complete home security system, outdoor motion sensor security lights give you a lot of bang for your buck when it comes to keeping your home secure.
Improve security
Of course, the primary benefit of a security light with a motion sensor is that it deters would-be intruders. Not only would an intruder be caught off-guard by the sudden burst of light, but they are likely to retreat and move along since they don't want to be seen.
Promote safety
Falls happen in the driveways and walkways of homes not only when the ground is wet or iced over, but also when it's too dark to see any trip hazards. With a motion sensor light, every time you enter or exit your home, you can be confident that you'll have a light to illuminate the way, preventing slips, trips, and falls.
Convenience
Outdoor motion sensor lights also mean you don't have to remember to turn your outdoor lights on and off every time the sun goes down or a guest arrives. The light simply turns on when your movement is detected, with no effort on your part.
Budget-friendly
Since full home security systems can be pricey, motion sensor security lights present a more economical way to secure the home without breaking the bank.
Where to install motion sensor lights
For the motion sensor on your outdoor security light to be most effective, install it in a location with no obstructions, like trees or parked cars, that would otherwise prevent it from sensing movements in the area.  Ensure the sensor is approximately 10 feet above ground level and in such a position where any movement that occurs in the area will travel across the motion detector instead of moving directly toward or away from it. Cross movement is more easily detected by the sensor, so make sure it's perpendicular to any walking path.

Read more