This panning video doorbell can cover your entire yard, and is surprisingly cheap

There are plenty of video doorbell options to pick from, but most can set you back hundreds. You can opt for some more affordable options, but they often offer fewer features. Not this ringer from Imou. The Doorbell 2S Kit is the first video doorbell to come with a camera that can pan – giving you 180-degrees of vision. And, it still manages to come in for under $100/£100.

• Read more: Best Ring doorbell 2025: which one is best for your home?

This isn’t just a gimmick. The Doorbell 2S uses a 3-megapixel, 2K lens with a 30-degree pan capability tacked onto a 166-degree wide-angle lens. Add that together and you’ve got 180-degree panoramic coverage of your front garden – without needing to drill in any clunky tilting brackets. Combine that with smart tracking tech, and you get fewer blind spots, more context in your recordings, and a good chance of catching the exact moment your Amazon parcel gets nicked.

Imou also packs a surprising amount of brains into this doorbell’s petite frame. You get infrared night vision that can actually see in the dark, a 0.3-second motion detection time, human detection so your dog doesn’t keep triggering it, and loitering alerts.

Of course, you’ll find plenty of the features you’d expect: two-way talk, pre-recorded replies, and full app integration with no subscription needed for basic features. Cloud storage starts at £3.49 a month, but is completely optional. It’s got a 5000mAh rechargeable battery that Imou reckons lasts up to 120 days, with USB-C charging and an optional hardwired kit thrown in. It’s waterproof and supports smart scenes and detection zones via the Imou app.

Then there’s the chime, which doesn’t just make noise. It actually helps to boost your Wi-Fi signal, houses an SD card for local video storage (up to 512GB), and offers ten different ringtones.

You can grab the IMOU Doorbell 2S Kit now from third-party retailers (like Currys in the UK) for $80/£80/€80, which includes the chime.

• Related: Nest vs Ring Doorbell: which is best for you?

Connor Jewiss

About

Connor is a writer for Stuff, working across the magazine and the Stuff.tv website. He has been writing for around nine years now across the web and in print too. Connor has attended the biggest tech expos, including CES, MWC, and IFA – with contributions as a judge on panels at them. He's also been interviewed as a technology expert on TV and radio by national news outlets including France24. Connor has experience with most major platforms, though does hold a place in his heart for macOS, iOS/iPadOS, electric vehicles, and smartphone tech. Just like everyone else around here, he's a fan of gadgets of all sorts. Aside from writing, Connor is involved in the startup and venture capital scene, which puts him at the front of new and exciting tech - he is always on the lookout for innovative products.

Areas of expertise

Mobile, macOS, EVs, smart home