The verdict
Best traditional chime experience. Not the loudest or longest-range, but the most refined plug-in receiver in this category.
Test results
| Signal distance | Rated 450 ft; I measured ~420 ft on 10/10 |
|---|---|
| Wall penetration / interference | Clean through 2 interior walls; mixed results through brick |
| Loudness (peak dB at 1 m) | 90 dB peak, adjustable |
| Battery life | ~5 years on the transmitter; plug-in receiver |
| Mobile phone integration | None |
| Smart home integration | None |
What I liked
- Eight built-in chimes plus the ability to load custom MP3 files
- 5-year transmitter battery rating held up in current-draw testing
- Plug-in receiver design is reliable and unobtrusive
What I did not
- Range is mid-pack — half of what the TECKNET delivers
- 90 dB is loud enough for a normal home but quiet for a workshop
- No app, no smart home
Full review
The Honeywell Home Series 3 is the doorbell I would put in a normal-sized house where nobody wants an app on their phone. The MP3 chime support is a small feature that is genuinely fun to use — load a 10-second clip and that is your doorbell.
Range and loudness are mid-pack. If your house is bigger than 2,500 sq ft or you need to hear it from outside, the TECKNET is a better choice. For everything else, the Honeywell is the more polished product.