August View Doorbell Camera 1st Gen Review

What Is the August View Doorbell Camera?

The August View Doorbell Camera is a hardwired 1080p video doorbell priced at $99 for the first-generation model. It records at 1080p HD with a 180-degree field of view, wide enough to see face, hands, and any package on the ground simultaneously. August designed it as a companion to their smart lock lineup, and that pairing remains its most compelling feature in a crowded category.

August Smart Lock review

Key Specs at a Glance

• Video: 1080p HD, 180-degree wide-angle lens
• Power: Hardwired, 16-24V AC existing doorbell wiring
• Audio: Two-way audio with noise cancellation
• Night vision: Infrared night vision
• Connectivity: Wi-Fi (2.4 GHz)
• Smart home: August app, Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Apple HomeKit
• Lock integration: View video and unlock August Smart Lock in one app
• Price: $99 (1st gen)

How Does the 180-Degree View Actually Perform?

The 180-degree lens is wider than most video doorbells ship with. Standard doorbells run 110-160 degrees; the extra coverage here means you see the full door frame, porch steps, and ground-level packages in a single frame without panning or cropping. The fish-eye distortion at the edges is mild at typical doorbell distances of 3-6 feet and doesn't obscure faces.

Night vision holds up for standard porch distances. The infrared illumination reaches about 15 feet, enough for a covered entry or short front path. Heavy rain or fog will reduce clarity, which is true of any passive IR system at this price point.

1080p Video Quality Day and Night

Daytime video is sharp with good color accuracy. The 1080p resolution keeps facial detail readable when you're reviewing motion event footage later. Motion alerts trigger within 2-3 seconds of activity in typical conditions, and the clip records the 3 seconds before and after the event due to the pre-roll buffer. According to August's own spec documentation, the camera captures motion events at 15 frames per second in the stored clip, which gives smooth enough playback for face identification.

Two-Way Audio

The microphone picks up speech clearly from 3-4 feet. Background street noise is present but doesn't overwhelm conversation. The speaker volume is loud enough to be heard on a standard covered porch. There's a slight half-duplex characteristic. You and the visitor talk in turns rather than simultaneously, which is consistent with most Wi-Fi video doorbells in this category.

August App Integration and Smart Lock Pairing

The August app is where this doorbell separates itself from generic video doorbells. When a visitor rings, the notification opens directly to a live view. From that same screen, if you have an August Smart Lock on the same door, a single button unlocks the door. No switching apps, no separate lock app. This workflow is faster than it sounds in everyday use.

Guest access management carries over from the lock side. You can grant time-limited access to housekeepers or dog walkers, and the doorbell motion logs tie into the same access history. The combined log shows both who was at the door via video and who actually unlocked it.

Alexa and Google Home Capabilities

Both Alexa and Google Home support doorbell announcements. When someone rings, a compatible Echo or Nest display shows the live feed and announces the ring. You can ask Alexa to show you the front door and get a live stream on an Echo Show. Google Home automation routines can trigger based on doorbell motion, letting you set lights to turn on at the front entry when motion is detected after dark.

HomeKit Secure Video

HomeKit Secure Video is arguably the best cloud storage deal for this doorbell. iCloud+ plans at $0.99/month (50GB tier) include HomeKit Secure Video for one camera at no extra cost. Footage is end-to-end encrypted and stored for 10 days. No separate subscription needed for basic cloud recording if you're already in the Apple ecosystem.

Installation Requirements

Hardwired installation connects to existing 16-24V AC doorbell wiring. If your home has a mechanical chime, the August View Doorbell works alongside it, the chime still rings when someone presses the button. August includes a chime connector in the box for homes with a digital or electronic chime that needs a bypass resistor.

The physical footprint is compact. It mounts on a standard doorbell single-gang hole or the included wedge bracket if you need to angle it. The wedge covers 25 degrees of offset, useful for doors that face sideways relative to the approach path.

Wi-Fi connects on 2.4 GHz only. If your router is more than 30-40 feet from the door with walls in between, a Wi-Fi extender at the door is worth considering. 5 GHz is not supported, standard for hardwired doorbells that don't benefit from 5 GHz range anyway.

What You Won't Get at This Price

The $99 first-gen model has no local storage option. Cloud recording through the August app requires an August Protect subscription for video history beyond the active session. Without a subscription, you get live view and motion notifications but no saved clip history unless you use HomeKit Secure Video. The free tier gives you real-time viewing only.

There's no package detection or person versus vehicle zone differentiation in the first-generation firmware. Every motion event triggers equally. If your porch faces a busy street, you'll want to configure the motion sensitivity zones in the August app to reduce false alerts from passing cars.

Color night vision is not present. The infrared gives grayscale footage at night, which is standard at this price. The Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2 and Arlo Essential both offer color night vision via supplemental white LED light, but at $150+ price points.

Summary

The August View Doorbell Camera 1st Gen earns its $99 price if you already own or plan to buy an August Smart Lock. The app-level pairing of video and lock control is genuinely practical, not just a marketing bullet point. Video quality is solid for the category, 1080p with a 180-degree lens covers the entry well, and HomeKit Secure Video gives iOS households free encrypted cloud storage. The main trade-off is the absence of free video history without a subscription or HomeKit, and no local storage option at all. For non-August households, the competition at $99-130 includes Ring and Eufy options with broader ecosystem reach. For August lock owners, it's the most cohesive front-door setup available.