When it comes to protecting your home's main entrance while adding modern convenience, smart video doorbells have become increasingly popular. Today, we're comparing two interesting options: the $169 SimpliSafe Video Doorbell Pro and the $79 Roku Smart Home Video Doorbell & Chime SE.
Smart doorbells have come a long way since the original Ring doorbell launched in 2014. The SimpliSafe Video Doorbell Pro hit the market in 2018, bringing advanced features like HDR video and dual-sensor motion detection. More recently, the Roku Smart Home Video Doorbell arrived in late 2022 as part of Roku's expansion into home security.
Video quality can make or break a doorbell camera's usefulness. The SimpliSafe model shines here with its 1080p HDR (High Dynamic Range) camera. HDR technology helps balance bright and dark areas in the same frame - think of someone standing in shadows while bright sunlight hits your porch. The doorbell adjusts automatically to maintain clear visibility in these challenging conditions.
The Roku doorbell also offers 1080p resolution but lacks HDR capabilities. In testing, users report significantly degraded image quality when viewing recorded clips or still images, particularly after the trial period ends. This becomes especially problematic when trying to identify visitors who aren't directly in front of the camera.
One of the most impressive features of the SimpliSafe Video Doorbell Pro is its dual-sensor motion detection system. It combines:
This sophisticated approach means you get fewer unnecessary alerts while catching important activity. The system can even distinguish between people, packages, and animals.
The Roku doorbell uses more basic motion detection technology, which can lead to more false alerts from things like passing cars or swaying trees. While it does offer customizable zones to reduce unwanted notifications, it doesn't match SimpliSafe's accuracy.
Modern smart homes benefit from devices that work well together. The SimpliSafe doorbell integrates with:
The Roku Smart Home Video Doorbell primarily integrates with the Roku ecosystem, making it particularly appealing if you use Roku TVs or streaming devices. You can view your doorbell feed right on your TV, which is convenient. However, broader smart home integration is limited.
Let's break down the total cost of ownership:
While Roku's initial price is lower, the required subscription for basic functionality narrows the gap over time. SimpliSafe's higher upfront cost brings better performance and more flexible subscription options.
Both doorbells require existing doorbell wiring (8-24 VAC), making them suitable replacements for traditional doorbells. The installation process is similar for both:
SimpliSafe's installation process is well-documented with excellent support resources. Roku's documentation is newer but generally clear and helpful.
For home theater enthusiasts, each doorbell offers different benefits:
The SimpliSafe can display alerts on smart TVs through various platforms, but the Roku model has a unique advantage - native integration with Roku TVs. Imagine watching a movie and seeing your doorbell feed picture-in-picture without interrupting your viewing. However, this feature only works with Roku TVs, limiting its appeal to specific setups.
Both doorbells are designed for outdoor use, but SimpliSafe's longer market presence has proven its durability. It operates reliably in temperatures from -4°F to 122°F. The Roku doorbell claims similar specifications (-5°F to 120°F) but has less real-world testing due to its newer release.
Choose the SimpliSafe Video Doorbell Pro if:
Choose the Roku Smart Home Video Doorbell if:
After extensive comparison, the SimpliSafe Video Doorbell Pro justifies its higher price through superior performance, better reliability, and more sophisticated features. While the Roku option provides basic functionality at a lower price point, its limitations in video quality and motion detection make it harder to recommend except for budget-conscious buyers already invested in the Roku ecosystem.
For most users, the extra investment in the SimpliSafe model will pay off through better security coverage, fewer false alerts, and higher-quality video when you need it most. The flexibility of its subscription options and broader integration capabilities make it a more future-proof choice for evolving smart homes.
| SimpliSafe Video Doorbell Pro | Roku Smart Home Video Doorbell & Chime SE |
|---|---|
| Price - Initial Investment | |
| $169 (higher upfront but better value long-term) | $79 (budget-friendly but limited features) |
| Video Quality - Critical for visitor identification | |
| 1080p HDR with excellent dynamic range adjustment | 1080p without HDR, inconsistent quality especially in stills |
| Field of View - Determines how much area you can monitor | |
| 162° wide-angle view with minimal distortion | Not specified, reported to be narrower than SimpliSafe |
| Motion Detection - Affects alert accuracy and false alarms | |
| Dual-sensor system with heat + visual detection, smart filtering | Basic motion detection with higher false alarm rate |
| Monthly Subscription Cost - Required for full functionality | |
| $5/month optional, 30-day video storage | $3.99/month required, 14-day video storage |
| Smart Home Integration - Important for ecosystem compatibility | |
| Works with Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple HomeKit | Limited primarily to Roku ecosystem |
| Operating Temperature Range - Crucial for outdoor reliability | |
| -4°F to 122°F (proven track record) | -5°F to 120°F (newer to market) |
| Power Requirements - Installation considerations | |
| 8-24 VAC, 30VA max (standard doorbell wiring) | 10-24 VAC, 40VA max (slightly higher power needs) |
| Additional Features - Extra value considerations | |
| Advanced pre-roll, person detection, package alerts | Basic motion alerts, Roku TV integration |
| Weather Resistance - Durability factor | |
| Proven weather-resistant design since 2018 | Weather-resistant but limited long-term data |
| Audio Quality - Communication clarity | |
| Two-way audio with noise/echo cancellation | Basic two-way audio with reported quality issues |
The $79 Roku Smart Home Video Doorbell offers native integration with Roku TVs, showing picture-in-picture alerts during viewing. However, the $169 SimpliSafe Video Doorbell Pro works with more smart TV platforms overall, making it more versatile for various home theater setups.
The SimpliSafe Video Doorbell Pro costs $169, while the Roku Video Doorbell is priced at $79. However, consider that Roku requires a monthly subscription for basic features, while SimpliSafe's subscription is optional.
Roku requires a $3.99/month subscription for basic functionality. SimpliSafe offers optional subscriptions starting at $5/month but provides more features in the base hardware without a subscription.
The SimpliSafe Video Doorbell Pro offers superior 1080p HDR video with consistent quality. The Roku doorbell also has 1080p resolution but lacks HDR and users report inconsistent video quality, especially for recorded clips.
Yes, both doorbells can show alerts on TVs. Roku works specifically with Roku TVs, while SimpliSafe integrates with various smart TV platforms through Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple HomeKit.
The SimpliSafe Video Doorbell Pro features dual-sensor motion detection with heat and visual detection, resulting in fewer false alerts. The Roku doorbell uses basic motion detection that's more prone to false alarms.
Both doorbells are rated for similar temperature ranges: SimpliSafe for -4°F to 122°F and Roku for -5°F to 120°F. SimpliSafe has a longer track record of proven weather resistance.
Both require existing doorbell wiring and have similar installation processes. SimpliSafe offers more comprehensive installation documentation and support due to its longer market presence.
The Roku doorbell offers local storage via microSD card, while the SimpliSafe doorbell requires a subscription for video storage.
SimpliSafe works with major platforms including Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple HomeKit. Roku primarily integrates with its own ecosystem, limiting its smart home flexibility.
With subscriptions, SimpliSafe stores video for 30 days while Roku offers 14 days of cloud storage. This makes SimpliSafe better for longer-term video history needs.
The SimpliSafe Video Doorbell Pro offers superior package detection and clearer HDR video quality compared to the Roku doorbell, making it more reliable for monitoring deliveries.
We've done our best to create useful and informative comparisons to help you decide what product to buy. Our research uses advanced automated methods to create this comparison and perfection is not possible - please contact us for corrections or questions. These are the sites we've researched in the creation of this article: trustedreviews.com - jeffgeerling.com - security.org - support.simplisafe.com - security.org - simplisafe.co.uk - consumerreports.org - bestbuy.com - support.simplisafe.com - simplisafe.com - simplisafe.com - safehome.org - consumerreports.org - forums.wyze.com - community.roku.com - discussions.apple.com - consumerreports.org - ring.com - securitysystemsnews.com - community.roku.com - image.roku.com - droneupdelivery.com - lukoilmarine.com - roku.com
