Isn’t it great when a company releases an improved version of an already good product and we get to review it?

We had anticipated the new model of the Swann Doorbell ever since we published our take on the SwannBuddy4K doorbell we reviewed earlier.

The new model, the , has not just a few refinements, but is literally a long distance ahead of the previous model.

So, in this short article I will highlight the improvements and refer you to our previous review to check out the capabilities and operation of the doorbell.

Here’s the biggest improvement: it can connect over a max range of 300m (line of sight) which means you can place it now at the gate of your estate!

Well, most of us have more humble abodes but that long range just means placement is not as critical as before.

Let’s dive in and check out some other improvements.

 

First Some Comparisons: MaxRanger4K vs SwannBuddy4K

The previously reviewed standalone Swann Buddy4k Doorbell is very similar in capabilities as the new unit that needs to be connected to the MaxRanger4K Hub.
More on this system in this review  and this one.

Here are some initial observations: the new version is slightly bigger but still using the same mounting plate (great for not having to drill new holes in the wall!).

But even this mounting plate does have one little, but necessary improvement on the anti-tamper screw: it has a bigger head as the tiny screw previously was hard to fiddle with…

The Chime Speaker unit is also slightly bigger but has the same couple of AA batteries.

And on the subject of batteries: my frustration with the previous doorbell was that battery life (listed as 6500mAh) was less than 90 days with moderate use on our rural property.

With the new model I was hoping that it would have a bigger battery, yet Swann does not give a figure on the capacity.
Neither did my Google AI searches.

Initially, the AI even claimed that this wireless doorbell had a wired connection to the hub!

Further inquiries state that this omission might be company policy as battery endurance is dictated by many different factors…

Oh well, if you have to recharge it, other than with a USB-C charger, there’s also a wired connection possible to an existing doorbell wiring (leads provided) and we also have a handy right-angled adapter included to accommodate a solar panel.

Here’s an interesting observation regards charging: the manual says that during charging (which can take up to 6 hours) the ring button light stays solid blue.

Yet, that light has a sequence from purple to red to blue which repeats every few seconds.
I noticed that same pattern with the older doorbell as well.

Then I figured it out: the purple light indicates a low charge and the red means it detected motion.

So now, when I turn the doorbell away from me, the light stays solidly blue…😊

The big takeaway is that the new doorbell is now an integral part of the MaxRanger4K system, giving it access to the huge reach of the HaLow 900MHz signal.

That means also that the videos will be stored on the Hub’s microSD card, rather than on the doorbell.

We installed it effortlessly on the MaxRanger 4K system as just one more camera.

Whilst the as-the-crow-flies distance to the Hub is less than 20 metres, the WiFi signal does have to travel through a few rooms and walls.

Perhaps that is why the WiFi signal was listed only as Low.
A bit disappointing.

Most of the other cameras are much further away but have a High WiFi reading.

Summary of Additional Features (as covered in previous reviews)

  • Heat, motion, person & vehicle sensing for reliable alerts
  • 2-way audio to greet guests or warn intruders
  • AI Features: Includes True Detect+ AI sensing for people and vehicles
  • Powerful infrared night vision up to 10m
  • Head-to-toe view, to see who’s at the door & what’s on the ground in 4K
  • Field of view: Offers a 140° wide-angle vertical view

 

Other Observations: App, Subscription, and Value

The new version of the Swann App has the SwannShield button on the bottom.

One of the functionalities of Shield is Concierge.
This handles visitors when you’re not there.
The SwannBuddy4K unit had that AI function built in.

With the MaxRanger4K Doorbell you have to subscribe to a Secure+ Plan to have access to certain notifications, like pet, packages or people alerts.

This costs a hefty 15 bucks a month.
Sure, there are other benefits like lifetime warranty, insurance protection if your cameras are stolen and 60 days Cloud recording.

I’m not convinced that it would be valuable for our situation.

However, I could consider it for a limited time, for instance when going on a holiday.

To see if being on a Secure+ Plan is for you, it’s best to try it out for a month.

 

Concluding Thoughts

The MaxRanger4K system is very suitable for the larger homes, so this doorbell, likewise, is primarily aimed at the same market or homes that have connectivity issues with running a security system on the home WiFi.

Our experiences with the MaxRanger4K system, with the solar and Mini cameras, have been excellent.

Now that the Doorbell is part of that same far-reaching eco system, I could not be happier.

Highly recommended.

The current RRP is AUD$349 on the Swann product page.

However, it pays to do your research as I’ve seen it advertised at OfficeWorks for $247.

We thank Swann for the opportunity to test the MaxRanger4K Doorbell.