Unlock the Future: eufy C31 Video Doorbell, No Subscription Required!

[@LoadZaFunk]

had one for 10 years, doorbell, several cameras & a base... great system, easy to manage & free

[@FixitwithFowler]

Thanks for sharing, thats really good to know

[@deans6571]

I deliver parcels for a living and the amount of these tech video doorbells I have seen completely weathered away (where they have rotted due to the outdoor elements) is unbelievable! They don’t seem built to last for the UK winter weather!

[@FixitwithFowler]

These are all plastic construction so these won't disintegrate with weather but it is a valid point for any metal ones.

[@stpcassidy]

I was in two minds as to what brand of doorbell to purchase. Thank you, you made my mind up for me! Very well explained, in-depth review.

[@FixitwithFowler]

Brilliant, im glad the review has helped you choose

[@keziasarah]

Might invest cus not paying the £50 renewal on my Ring doorbell - Not subsidising Bezos two yachts any more - 100% increase on last year's sub - CRAZY! Rip OFF amazon

[@festival10]

Another great video, i didn't realise that you had to pay monthley for a ring doorbell.

[@FixitwithFowler]

Neither did i until i started doing a bit of research. I think the ring charges for a subscription for cloud storage of the video doorbell footage, which is why i chose this eufy c31.

[@IPC0101]

@@FixitwithFowlerRing costs £2 per camera up to a maximum £8

[@FixitwithFowler]

Well, they have recently put up the costs with plans ranging from £4.99 to £15.99 a month. To me, that is a waste of money when you can get all of that for free!

[@Ribeirasacra]

I have one. Generally very pleased. Storing my own files thus not occurring subscription fees. Mine is an older version where the SD card is located in WIFI connection base. It cannot be stolen. However, found that it takes take over 5 mins to load the alarm video on my phone. The latest app update means it rings twice for the same alarm.

[@FixitwithFowler]

Overall, im really pleased with this video doorbell. Im considering getting the cameras and a homebase3 to link it all together.

[@michaeljackman8521]

What’s to stop someone covering up.?

[@FixitwithFowler]

Nothing

[@jeffjeffjeff2]

Same applies to any other type of doorbell or CCTV system too though.

[@RichardJRussell]

Had a look on the eufy website system builder. By default it includes a £1,499 robot vacuum. Why? 🤯 That was the Premium option. With the Standard option it instead sets you up with multiple hubs for some reason? 🤔

[@FixitwithFowler]

That's strange, i got my doorbell and chime from amazon!

[@t0m541]

Great video again Mr.Fowler, lots of good knowledge and advice. I've been thinking about getting a video doorbell for a while but not keen that Ring etc have a subscription and collect data. This one seems the ticket, so I've ordered one, it'll make a great addition to the CCTV system. You said it can be mains powered but looking on their website it gives no info on what power supply it needs. Have you any info on what it might need ?? Cheers

[@FixitwithFowler]

It needs a powered/wired doorbell system, the type that has a transformer. I don't have such a thing, so i just use the battery.

[@Godans69]

If you look at the eufy forum,you will find that the long notification delay is a regular occurrence with the majority of doorbell users. Most people say that once upon a time, it was fine, and they believed it's the app that is the problem. Still doesn't excuse the fact that the "activity zone" is not fit for purpose though.

[@FixitwithFowler]

Hi, luckily, i don't suffer from any delay on notifications.

[@andreww768]

As always, great content, to the point, highly informative. Thank you.

[@FixitwithFowler]

Im glad you liked the video, thanks for your comment!

[@hazels27]

Is it possible to customise the field of view eg if surrounded by neighbours houses and their privacy?

[@FixitwithFowler]

Yes you can, i forgot to include that in the video.

[@bartonseagrave9605]

Where does the doorbell ring come from if your phone is turned off.

[@FixitwithFowler]

If it's wired, then it uses your existing chime or for battery. You can add a wireless eufy chime

[@jezzBC]

Does the doorbell have an Alarm/siren function you can activate to deter unwanted visitors ?

[@FixitwithFowler]

Im not sure but the motion sensor only detects humans snd it alerts you. You can the initiate a 2 way conversation through the doornell without anyone actually pressing the door bell

[@underdogunchained]

Yo bruv does the S380 storage device come with the doorbell?

[@FixitwithFowler]

Not in this package, but it is worth considering if you plan to expand and have euft cameras!

[@stanleymoore8084]

Hi I live in a downstairs flat in a terrace house will it record every single thing that passes my house

[@FixitwithFowler]

No you can set it so that it has privacy zones

[@alfieturnerr8298]

How did you get it to pop up with a call like that? Mine doesn’t do that it just shows a notification?

[@FixitwithFowler]

It only comes up as a call when you press the button

[@thebewl6565]

What is the maximum capacity micro sd card you can use in the camera ?

[@FixitwithFowler]

Any, i have put 128g in mine.

[@col4022]

Hello mate, my elderly neighbours' car got broken into last week. They want a camera or doorbell for security, but they don't have WiFi. Can you recommend a good camera or doorbell. I'm not sure what their budget is. Their car is about 6 metres from the house .

[@FixitwithFowler]

Hi, most of the cameras are wireless and need wifi to operate. You could get a wired system but then that means running in cables. I am considering getting the eufy cameras now as they are on offer. Sorry i can't be more help!

[@col4022]

@FixitwithFowler Thank you would the Eufy C31 pick up the car from about 6 metres I could hard wire it in for 24/7 surveillance

[@FixitwithFowler]

@col4022 mine detects movement about 10m away. Im really pleased with it and you can use a sd card for local storage. If its hard wired it also gives a preview of 5 seconds before anyone rings the doorbell. Mine gives me notifications on movement of only humans and also automatically stores it.

[@col4022]

@FixitwithFowler Thanks mate. Last question can you identify faces from up to 10 metres away or is it only from the doorstep

[@FixitwithFowler]

@col4022 It's pretty good, to be honest. However, most people would just cover their faces if needed.

[@ponyososuke6647]

Correct me if im wrong, so anyone can take the main bit out if they have that pin thingy

[@FixitwithFowler]

Yeah, i suppose you could. I have seen some people put a small screw through the release pin hole to secure it.

[@Blue60]

Hi can you turn the bell off from sounding outside and just hear it on your phone

[@FixitwithFowler]

Yes there is a setting in the app.

[@alanprice3304]

Does that mean anyone with an iPhone SIM card extractor tool can steal the camera?

[@geoff544]

You can put a small screw into the hole to prevent the tool being inserted.

[@FixitwithFowler]

Thats good to know

[@DingleyDell]

I have a Ring doorbell (and pay £4/month). I can see the live view, check through the history, get notifications etc. using a phone but I actually prefer to use my PC. When working at home, I find it a lot more convenient to have the Ring app open. Does the Eufy support connection via PC?

[@FixitwithFowler]

I dont know. I just use my phone as i have it with me all the time. Eufy does all the features you have mentioned, and if you have multiple devices, they are again all supported for free.

[@franoloughlin3495]

Yes your phone records everything free of charge. I wouldn't be get a EUFY with an SD card built in to the Bell. That's sounds like trouble.

[@FixitwithFowler]

No your phone access the storage but doesn't record all the footage. Maybe read the instructions first 🙃

[@ncooper8438]

Doesn't say whether doorbell has a pin code, and no nighttime footage.

[@FixitwithFowler]

I show the night time footage, maybe you missed it. No, it doesn't have a pin code

[@TheOffroader7458]

Had one of these for a while now , works grate battery life is good to

[@FixitwithFowler]

Im really impressed with mine, thanks for your comment!

[@waynesworld6020]

Hello Does this record when active movement detected with 10sec before movement as I have a ring 2 doorbell and detects movement but misses the movement just before like a 10 sec upto the detection?

[@FixitwithFowler]

If its wired it does.

[@rogerford4537]

Will it work with 450mm thick stone wall

[@FixitwithFowler]

It works off the wifi so if you get wifi where its going then yes

[@GAZOD]

Will it work with google or Alexa displays ?

[@FixitwithFowler]

Yes it does

[@DavidEccleston-o8v]

Great and very useful video. I've liked and subscribed :)

[@FixitwithFowler]

Im glad you found the video very useful. Thanks for subscribing 😁

[@waynekerrr9027]

The tp link doorbell is awesome....no subscription either..pure clarity, 3k..under 50quid

[@FixitwithFowler]

That's good, but again, for cloud storage, there is a subscription.

[@waynekerrr9027]

@FixitwithFowler you don't need it..saves direct to SD card..works like a dream

[@FixitwithFowler]

@waynekerrr9027 yeah similar setup to eufy

[@Lloyd1885]

What happens if someone nicks the door bell though?​@@waynekerrr9027

[@PeitaStevensoni]

More data you pay to send to china via your wifi ? Does it talk to your MG? Why does the app need your email address to allow you to answer your door. What else is the app doing via you wifi?

[@FixitwithFowler]

Like everything, you need to create an account, hence the email address.

[@Godans69]

Doorbell is absolutely pants. Takes at least 20 seconds to notify you if someone at the door and by that time,they have already left. Also, don't bother trying to set up an activity zone because that doesn't work either,it still detects movement anywhere in the camera's view. Euffy support is clueless as to why the large notification delay, and they also admit there's a problem with the activity zone setting. Yeah, it doesn't fecking work

[@FixitwithFowler]

Mine works fine, have you updated the software?

[@Godans69]

Got the latest software update. Eufy even sent me another doorbell, still the same. They then recommend i move my base station closer to the doorbell,did that, and still takes forever for the notification to come through.. I'm thinking of ripping it off the wall and just leaving the front door open so that any person at my door can just throw the package in.

[@FixitwithFowler]

@Godans69 lol, my is the opposite, nonstop notifications when anyone comes down the drive. I have been impressed with mine. It did take us a while to set up the notifications on our phone.

[@124MPH]

Thanks great video, well documented 👏👏

[@FixitwithFowler]

Im glad you liked the video, and thanks for your comment!

[@MrBobWareham]

The only thing I don't like about this doorbell is it stores the footage in the doorbell so if a criminal breaks in you will not have the recordings as he just needs to take the camera with him after the robbery, other than that its good.

[@FixitwithFowler]

You can use a homebase3 or put the sd card in the chime instead.

[@jobloggs6528]

Very helpful, Thanks😊

[@FixitwithFowler]

Im glad you found the video helpful. Thanks for your comment!

[@Neil_down_south]

I hope they don't retrospectively bring in a subscription model.

[@FixitwithFowler]

Well, i think their main selling point is the fact they don't have a subscription but instead either rely on local storage or utilise a eufy homebase model.

[@Neil_down_south]

@FixitwithFowler cheers. Fingers crossed!

[@JameysVideos]

I guess anything without a subscription is going to have to rely on you having your own storage somewhere. If the footage is being saved to a device physically in your home there’s the potential for an intruder to take that footage / device and leave you without any video to give to the police. If you want the videos to go into the cloud that’s always going to come with a running cost. What would be nice is if these devices had the option for you to specify your own cloud storage and then you could have one cloud subscription you used across multiple devices, but feels like we’re years away from that tbh.

[@FixitwithFowler]

Hi, eufy has a home base system that links all devices to one storage centre, complete with artificial intelligence. With this eufy video doorbell, if you pair it with a chime like i have, you can insert an sd card into that and select that as the storage. Any local storage is always liable to theft.

[@xpdeus2fmf221]

@@FixitwithFowler True but with the home base system they would have to get in your house with what you have they just need to remove the door bell, you should consider updating to the home base system.

[@daveblackburn5475]

great video

[@FixitwithFowler]

Thanks, im glad you liked the video!

[@suefowler8005]

Good advice Steve xx

[@FixitwithFowler]

Thanks 👍

[@johnmadrid9865]

I suggest people read more in depth in relation to the security of Eufy, to decide if this is right for them. I was looking to get one but I’ve changed my mind and looking at other options.

[@FixitwithFowler]

What do you mean about the security of eufy? All i have read is positive things about eufy

[@GAZOD]

Would be interested to know what you Know John ?

[@FixitwithFowler]

Yes it would, i can't find anything bad online.

[@franoloughlin3495]

Eufy is great, your phone records everything. If say you are in Turkey or where ever and some person rings your doorbell, your phone alerts you and you can see them clear as day. I'd say security companies putting up bad reviews, because they are loosing out on millions

[@FixitwithFowler]

@franoloughlin3495 Yeah, i would have to agree, i think it's really good, and it's saved me missing an ikea delivery already, so bonus point for me from the wife 🤣

[@DarkDestroyer-vr4ui]

Good luck with the battery option. I got a refund for mine, as I was lucky if it lasted 3 weeks, on absolutely minimal settings.

[@FixitwithFowler]

Mines been good upto now so no complaints. Maybe you had a dodgy battery!

[@Pete.Ty1]

👍👍👍. Thanks Steve

[@FixitwithFowler]

No problem, im glad you like the video!

[@Beefkilz]

I'm going to get me one of these. Let's hope they don't do what ring did and suprise you out of nowhere with a subscription after it was free.

[@FixitwithFowler]

Well, to me, the no subscription was the winner, and it is eufy's biggest selling point! You can use the local storage (sd card) or buy a hombase that enables other features and connects other eufy devices like cameras.

[@Beefkilz]

​​@@FixitwithFowlerThank you for letting me know. Been binge watching your videos last couple of days. Helped me with a few things that for sure. Saved me a fair bit of money as well. As I've just moved into my new home. So Thanks man. Keep up the great work

[@FixitwithFowler]

Thanks for your comment, and im glad my videos have saved you some money! That is what my channel is all about!

[@johnmadrid9865]

Likely they will put a subscription soon, but perhaps read about their security for yourself first.

[@FixitwithFowler]

@johnmadrid9865 No, there is no plan to introduce a subscription as that is a unique selling point. There is no paid cloud storage, unlike every other manufacturer. If you want local storage, you can either use an sd card either in the doorbell or the chime. Alternatively, you can use a homebase system.

[@suefowler8005]

Hi Steve good advice xx

[@FixitwithFowler]

Thanks!

[@andypalin3287]

I prefer 'Plausible Deniability '! 😜

[@tez6693]

Good review

[@FixitwithFowler]

Glad you enjoyed it thanks

[@allanbourner4569]

Doesn’t come with a chime so that’s another£35

[@FixitwithFowler]

You dont need one but its aan optional extra

[@John-ik1os]

Scroat with face mask or hoodie walks up to doorbell and nicks it within seconds.

[@FixitwithFowler]

Meanwhile the recordings are on your phone

[@MikeH401]

Blink has no subscription.

[@FixitwithFowler]

It does for cloud storage and the basic package is £24.99 a year for one device.

[@aaronh305]

I will never buy a Eufy product based on their careless privacy policies of the past and the shady respnmose to the issue. I also made Anker (same parent company) my last choice for quzlity charging products.

[@FixitwithFowler]

Good to get different opinions

[@davide778]

This doorbell is rubbish! it takes forever to load when someone is at the door and by the time finally connects the person is gone. It’s better than nothing, that’s all it is

[@FixitwithFowler]

Mines great, maybe the internet connection isn't great

[@TheoFennel]

Distance away from the router is a key component. I have a Blink and since it's further away from the router the connection is really poor. It'll be fixed once I buy a new mesh system.

[@MrHarmer19]

maybe use a screw in the top of the doorbell to deter theft by a sim card tool thief.

[@FixitwithFowler]

That is definitely an option

[@tomengineer1467]

Removed many of these cameras in the uk… no subscription YES your right BUT your data and others visiting your home is valuable data that your allowing to sit on a China server……. Also on setup that device turns off antivirus software on your router for it to work so now no router security……. And why on earth do people not read the data collection from the app when downloading it…… it takes and store’s photos- it allows 3rd party to use your doorbell camera … app on phone tracks you even away from your home for location purposes- it collects your phone contact details plus emails - collects smart payment details ……..YES YOUR RIGHT SUBSCRIPTION IS FREE BUT AT A VERY EXPENSIVE COST

[@darrenrodd.]

Not very safe anyone could take that bell

[@FixitwithFowler]

You could woth a release pin, but most people put in a screw to prevent that!

[@geow6100]

@@FixitwithFowlershow us how to change to a screw please.

[@FixitwithFowler]

@geow6100 its just a case of putting a short screw through where the release pin goes.

[@geow6100]

@@FixitwithFowlercheers

[@geow6100]

😅😅just ordered £65 Black Friday