Philips Hue Secure Video Doorbell review: a disappointing debut from an otherwise excellent brand

If you’ve kept up with me on T3 before, you’ll know just how excited I’ve been for the Philips Hue Secure Video Doorbell. Ever since the first rumours started circulating, I was all in – partly because I’m already so deep into the Philips Hue ecosystem, but also because I loved the idea of a more design-led smart security option from the brand.

After it was finally revealed at IFA last year, it took a few more months before it actually arrived, but I couldn’t wait to start testing it properly. You’ll find my full thoughts below – although if you’ve already seen the headline, you’ll probably know where this is headed.

Philips Hue Secure Video Doorbell review: price and availability

The Philips Hue Secure Video Doorbell is priced at £139.99 in the UK and $169.99 in the US, and it’s available via the Philips Hue online store and Amazon. Whilst it’s currently out of stock on the official UK store, it can still be picked up through Amazon.

The doorbell itself needs to be paired with the Secure smart chime, which costs an extra £49.99/$59.99. In the US, there is a bundle available for $199.99, which does soften the blow a very small amount.

Even so, this makes it noticeably more expensive than many competing video doorbells, especially as the chime is mandatory. If you’re not already invested in the Hue ecosystem, you’ll also need a Hue Bridge, which pushes the total cost beyond £200. That’s a lot of money for a wired video doorbell, which brings me neatly onto the set up process.

Philips Hue Secure Video Doorbell review: unboxing and set up

Once installed, the Philips Hue Secure Video Doorbell is very easy to set up, particularly if you already use Philips Hue gadgets. That said, being a wired doorbell does introduce a few complications.

It requires low-voltage 12–24V AC wiring, and in many homes, existing doorbell wiring won’t be compatible. In my case, I had to buy a 24V transformer, which added around £20 to the overall cost. There is also the option to power it using a plug-in adapter, such as the Europe Zopule MYT240050, but this limits where you can install it. Adaptors like this aren’t really suitable for outdoor use, which rather defeats the point of a video doorbell.

This is one of my biggest frustrations with the Hue Secure doorbell. Battery-powered models (or wired ones that work with existing wiring) feel far more flexible, and it also means that if your power goes down, so does your security. It’s the main reason the review score has taken such a hit, especially when you compare it to how effortless Hue lighting products usually are.

Philips Hue Secure Video Doorbell review: design and features

As mentioned, the Philips Hue Secure Video Doorbell is designed to integrate tightly with the Hue lighting and Secure ecosystem. Design wise, it’s clean and understated, with a rectangular body, a large camera module at the top and a clearly defined button at the bottom. The matte black finish feels premium and it’s weather-resistant enough for outdoor use.

It features a 2K camera with a wide field of view, capturing a generous area around your doorstep. Day and night vision are supported, with IR sensors allowing for clear footage in low light. Built-in motion sensors trigger alerts and recordings automatically, and you can define custom detection zones for people and parcels.

The doorbell ties into Hue Secure Video, Philips’ cloud-based video and event system. With Secure Video enabled, footage is stored in the cloud, motion events are tagged, and the system can distinguish between people and objects. Everything is accessible through the Hue app, including video history and shared alerts for multiple users.

There’s no local storage option, such as an SD card, which is a shame – particularly if you’re used to running video doorbells without a subscription. However, once connected to a Hue Bridge, the doorbell sits neatly alongside your existing Hue devices, and Matter compatibility means it can also work within wider smart home platforms like Apple Home, Google Home and SmartThings.

Other features include two-way audio, configurable motion zones, and Hue-specific automations. For example, you can trigger lights to turn on, change colour or flash when motion is detected or when the doorbell is pressed.

Philips Hue Secure Video Doorbell review: performance

After setting up the Philips Hue Secure Video Doorbell, I was instantly impressed by how seamlessly it slotted into my existing Philips Hue system. It lives under the Security section of the app, where you can pair its built-in motion sensor with your Hue lights, allowing you to tweak brightness, colour and behaviour depending on what’s detected. This works really effectively, and I loved being able to tell someone was approaching in the evening simply because a lamp would flash a few times before the chime sounded.

That light-based alert is also a great alternative if you don’t want the chime going off at full volume, which is particularly useful if you’ve got children or pets asleep in the house. Initially, I wasn’t a fan of the fact that the doorbell itself didn’t light up when someone approached, but a recent software update has thankfully fixed this.

Another standout point is notification speed. Alerts are fast and often near-instant, which isn’t something I can say about every video doorbell I’ve tested. Having real-time feedback makes a big difference when it comes to feeling confident about your home security, especially if you’re relying on notifications rather than constantly checking the app.

On the subscription side, one thing I really appreciate about Hue’s approach is that it doesn’t force you behind a paywall for basic features. You get a 30-day free trial to access more advanced tools, but once that ends, you still retain 24 hours of free video history without paying anything. This isn't ideal if you regularly need to look back over longer periods, but if you’re quick enough, you can download clips within that 24-hour window and revisit them later. Ultimately, it comes down to how you use your doorbell.

Image quality is another strong point. The 2K resolution is sharp and detailed, and the night vision is impressively clear, with detail visible well into the distance. The extended view is also really useful, as it makes it easy to see both people at the door and parcels left on the ground. Live view is smooth and responsive too, with little to no delay – although, as always, that does depend on having a solid internet connection.

As for the chime, it sounds premium and offers a wide selection of ringtones, with full control over volume levels. It needs to be plugged in indoors and positioned fairly close to your front door, but that’s fairly standard for this kind of device.

One unexpected bonus I’ve noticed is that the doorbell itself doesn’t fog up. With the UK going through some fairly cold mornings lately, several other doorbells I’ve tested have struggled with condensation, sometimes staying foggy until mid-morning. I haven’t been able to find an official explanation for why the Hue Secure doorbell hasn’t had this issue, but it does make me wonder if Philips Hue is using some kind of special lens coating. Whatever it is, it works.

Philips Hue Secure Video Doorbell review: verdict

The Philips Hue Secure Video Doorbell is a clever device that performs well if you’re already deep into the Hue ecosystem. Its seamless integration with Hue lights, fast notifications, excellent 2K video quality and genuinely impressive night vision make it a strong performer in everyday use, and the lighting automations add a level of awareness that few rivals can match. However, the wired-only installation, lack of local storage and the overall cost quickly take the shine off what is otherwise a very well-executed product. For Hue loyalists, it will still make sense – but for everyone else, there are easier, cheaper and more flexible video doorbells available.

Philips Hue Secure Video Doorbell review: alternatives to consider

If you want a video doorbell that’s easier to install and offers both wired and battery options, Ring is still a safer bet. The Ring Battery Video Doorbell (2024) is a great model to go with, and significantly cheaper.

Alternatively, if you want strong image quality, good night vision and local storage, the Reolink Video Doorbell is another excellent option – and again, much more affordable.