Smart home · Locks & doorbells
Does a video doorbell need Wi-Fi?
Short answer
Yes. Every doorbell we track connects to your home network for alerts, live view and the app. The Eufy E340 joins 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi only, while the Aqara G410 works on 2.4 or 5 GHz. Apple's LG doorbell, due in December 2026, also supports Thread, which Apple says helps it stay connected if Wi-Fi drops.
Which products can do it?
- Aqara Doorbell Camera Hub G410Yes
Aqara lists 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz dual-band Wi-Fi for the G410, and says the battery version can be placed anywhere within Wi-Fi range.
Good to know: Maker's spec. It records to a microSD card and supports local automations, but Aqara doesn't say what works without internet.
- Eufy Video Doorbell E340Yes
Eufy's FAQ says the E340 supports only 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi, not 5 GHz; it saves video to 8 GB of built-in storage and can work standalone or with a HomeBase.
Good to know: Maker's page. It doesn't say whether recording continues when the internet is down.
- LG Video Doorbell Wired (Apple Home Collection)Announced
Apple says every Apple Home Collection device, including LG's Video Doorbell Wired, supports Thread to help it stay connected if a Wi-Fi connection drops.
Good to know: $249.95, available from December 2026; not yet reviewed. Needs a home hub such as HomeView, HomePod or Apple TV, and iCloud+ for 10 days of event video.
Why it matters
A doorbell mounted far from the router, or a router that only runs 5 GHz, can leave a new doorbell unable to connect, and outages raise the question of what still works.
Not proven yet
What each doorbell still does with no internet at all, such as ringing the chime or saving clips to local storage. Neither Eufy's nor Aqara's page says, and Apple doesn't spell it out for the LG doorbell. Signal strength needed at the door isn't stated either.
How we know (3 sources)
Apple's announcement of the Apple Home Collection (Oct 13, 2026; read Oct 27, 2026): every device supports Thread to stay connected if Wi-Fi drops. The LG Smart Deadbolt Lock works entirely locally, so core access functions continue without an internet connection; it unlocks hands-free, with a tap of an iPhone or Apple Watch, with a PIN pad or with a hidden backup key, from $349.95 in the US. The LG video doorbell's front camera records 2.5K and its bottom camera Full HD; each camera gives 10 days of event video history stored in a supported iCloud+ plan, with no separate camera subscription.
Read the sourceUS product page for the Video Doorbell E340 (battery powered), read Oct 22, 2026: $169.99, sold as a doorbell camera without a subscription, with Package Guard; an extra rechargeable battery pack is sold separately. Reopened Oct 27, 2026: 8 GB of built-in storage holds about 90 days of video, based on 30 clips of 20 seconds a day; works alone or with HomeBase 2 or 3; runs on its battery even in wired mode, where the wiring tops it up. The page doesn't mention continuous or 24/7 recording. Reopened Nov 3, 2026: its FAQ says the E340 supports only 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi, not 5 GHz; the page doesn't say what works without internet.
Read the sourceUS 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. Reopened Oct 27, 2026: the page says the microSD card allows 24/7 continuous recording, with a footnote that this is only available in wired-powered mode. Reopened Nov 3, 2026: lists 2.4/5 GHz dual-band Wi-Fi, says the battery version can go anywhere within Wi-Fi range, and mentions local automations; it doesn't say what works without internet.
Read the source
Status timeline
No status has changed since we started tracking. Every entry is dated and backed by the sources on this page.
- First recorded: Coming soonLG Video Doorbell Wired (Apple Home Collection)
Apple says every Apple Home Collection device, including LG's Video Doorbell Wired, supports Thread to help it stay connected if a Wi-Fi connection drops.
- First recorded: In storesAqara Doorbell Camera Hub G410
Aqara lists 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz dual-band Wi-Fi for the G410, and says the battery version can be placed anywhere within Wi-Fi range.
- First recorded: In storesEufy Video Doorbell E340
Eufy's FAQ says the E340 supports only 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi, not 5 GHz; it saves video to 8 GB of built-in storage and can work standalone or with a HomeBase.