Does a video doorbell need a separate hub?

Review of the Eufy Video Doorbell E340: no subscription; records to 8GB built-in storage (around a month, depending on activity) or to a Eufy HomeBase. Excellent image quality, a second camera watching packages, human detection and on-device facial recognition. Can't upgrade internal storage; limited third-party support.

Apple Home Collection, built by LG and Schneider Electric, goes on sale from December 2026, some items in early 2027. LG Smart Deadbolt ($349.95) unlocks via Ultra Wideband as you walk up with Home Key on iPhone or Apple Watch, has a keypad and backup key, works with Matter and locally without internet. Cameras $199.95-$399.95 (Video Doorbell Wired $249.95) recognize people, familiar faces, pets, vehicles and packages; recordings need iCloud+ ($0.99 for one camera, $2.99 for five, $9.99 unlimited), live view works without, and a HomePod, Apple TV or HomeView is required as hub.

US product page for the Doorbell Camera Hub G410, read Oct 22, 2026: 2K camera with a 175° lens to identify faces and packages, on-device face recognition, full HomeKit Secure Video support, and a built-in Matter controller that doubles as a hub for Aqara Zigbee and Matter devices. Wired, or on replaceable batteries for up to 5 months. Records to a microSD card up to 512 GB (24/7 recording only when wired); cloud backup is an optional HomeGuardian subscription.