Philips Hue Secure Wired Video Doorbell

Philips Hue Secure Wired Video Doorbell

By Philips Hue · Video Doorbells · Cleaning & Smart Home

  • 2K QHD video, 1984x1984 pixels, 1:1 image ratio, 180-degree camera lens field of view
  • Night vision with color night vision and infrared LED
  • Connectivity: Bluetooth, dual-band Wi-Fi 2.4GHz-5GHz and Zigbee

Lowest price seen
~$169.99 (approx.)
from $169.99 at Amazon

Prices are snapshots. Check the current price with the store.

Problems, parts and running costs

Summary

A hardwired 2K doorbell camera with a square 1984 x 1984 sensor and a 180° view, built for homes that already run Hue lights. Check two things first: it cannot use an existing chime, and it needs a 12-24 VAC transformer rated at least 10 VA that is not in the box.

Strengths

  • 2K square 1984 x 1984 video through a 180° lens, wider than the Ring wired models it is compared with.
  • A Starvis sensor with low-light performance the one tester called impressive.
  • 24 hours of free cloud history, with no subscription needed for basic alerts.
  • Hardwired with no battery to charge or replace.
  • Hue lighting integration: motion can trigger lights and a doorbell press can pulse them.
  • IP54 body, a 2-year warranty and a minimum 60-month support period.

Weaknesses

  • It cannot use an existing doorbell chime; the Hue Smart Chime is a separate purchase.
  • It needs a 12-24 VAC transformer rated at least 10 VA, and none is included.
  • Storage is cloud only, with no local or expandable option that survives an outage.
  • A Hue Bridge is required for the lighting integration and for more than one chime.
  • There is no HDR, and no independent numeric test of image quality or latency exists.
  • Person, package and vehicle detection plus longer history sit behind paid plans.

Verified specifications

Video2K QHD, 1984 x 1984 pixels, 1:1 ratio, 180° field of view.
SensorStarvis, per The Independent.
Frame rate30 fps; 2x digital zoom, no optical zoom.
Night visioncolour plus infrared LED, 4 m illumination range.
Detectionmotion, people and object detection, with a configurable trigger area.
Audiotwo-way talk, a sound alarm and a built-in microphone.
Powerhardwired 12-24 VAC at 10 VA minimum; transformer not included; no battery.
WeatherIP54, for permanent outdoor use; -4 to +113 °F, -20 °C to 45 °C.
ConnectivityBluetooth, Wi-Fi 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, and Zigbee.
Storagecloud only; 24 hours free, 30 days on Basic, 60 days on Plus.
Chime pairing1 chime without a Bridge, up to 12 with one, up to 50 with Bridge Pro.
AppPhilips Hue app, Android 10.0 and above or iOS 16 and later.
Warranty2 years, plus a minimum 60-month support period from an authorised reseller.
Weight0.14 kg net; packaging 176 x 86 x 108 mm.
Full research notes and sources

Which model this is

This page covers the Philips Hue Secure Wired Video Doorbell, the first video doorbell from the Hue brand. The US unit is EAN 046677590208 with material number 929003816502; the UK and EU variant is EAN 8720169342200 with material number 929003816501. It is not the Philips-branded DDA270X02103/37 doorbell, which has a rechargeable battery and two cameras. The Amazon listing is ASIN B0FP44Y4FB.

Setup, wiring and the chime

The doorbell is hardwired with no battery and no battery backup. It needs a 12-24 VAC transformer rated at least 10 VA, and the transformer is not included; The Independent singles this out as unlike some other wired video doorbells. Philips documents the failure directly: a blinking red LED means the doorbell needs attention and you should check the transformer’s voltage specification. Compatible US hardware Philips names includes a Ring T57-0052 transformer and a jiooyy AC-AC 24 V 500 mA plug-in adapter.

It also cannot ring an existing chime, on either the US or UK product page. If you want alerts inside the house, the Hue Smart Chime is a separate $59.99 purchase. Fitting the doorbell is a matter of removing the old unit, drilling for the included mounting plate and attaching the existing wires; the only tool included is the Torx safety-screw key, which also guards the rear reset button.

Storage and subscriptions

Recording is cloud only. The Belgian retailer’s record shows 0 GB expandable storage and 0 days local retention, and both The Independent and Which? independently report no local storage, so footage does not survive an internet or power outage. The free tier is real, though: Philips’ Free plan costs $0 a year and includes 24 hours of video history, live streaming, light and sound alarms, instant notifications, end-to-end encryption and video snapshots. Longer retention is $39.99 per camera per year for 30 days on Basic, or $99.99 per year for 60 days across up to ten cameras on Plus. A 30-day trial runs from activation, and plans auto-renew through the app store unless cancelled.

Lighting integration

The reason to choose this over a cheaper 2K doorbell is the Hue ecosystem. A doorbell press can pulse selected lights, and motion can trigger them, which the reviewer found genuinely useful while working with headphones on and the phone silenced. That integration needs a Bridge, which Philips lists at $139.99, up from $98.99 at launch. Without one the doorbell still works, but with limited functionality, only one chime can pair and the lighting features are unavailable.

Price and value

Philips listed the doorbell at $169.99 and a bundle with the Smart Chime at $199.99. The bundle arithmetic runs against the buyer: $169.99 plus a $59.99 chime is $229.98 separately, so the bundle is roughly $30 more than the doorbell alone and only worth it if you want the chime. Against the field, The Independent’s roundup puts a Tapo D235 at £120 with a 180° lens, colour night vision, an included chime, subscription-free motion detection and microSD storage, and an Arlo 2K at £90. The Hue premium buys the lighting integration, free short-term history and the Starvis low-light sensor, not camera hardware that is unusual at this price.

Is it worth it?

Choose it if you already run Hue lights and want doorbell-triggered lighting, want 24 hours of history without a subscription, and want no battery to maintain. Budget separately for a compliant transformer, and treat the chime and Bridge as likely purchases rather than options. Pass if you need to keep your existing chime, need local storage that survives an outage, or want Apple Home, which Philips’ own support page says is not supported despite the compatibility list.

Sources

Manufacturer:

Independent reviews:

Owner reports:

Buying guides for this category

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