If you're on the fence about whether to invest in a video doorbell, let me tell you right away that they're the perfect way to improve your home security. Video doorbells allow you to see exactly who's at your door, and with the ability to record, they become even more useful. The best Ring doorbells also let you interact with whoever's at the door, even when you're not home.
If you're considering upgrading your home security with a video doorbell, Ring has probably crossed your mind. Amazon's home security brand has become increasingly popular and has a reputation as one of the best video doorbells on the market. While Google Nest buzzers and Arlo doorbell cams are great alternatives, many people looking to buy a video doorbell still opt for the industry's biggest brand. Ring has an extensive selection of video doorbells that meet the needs of a wide variety of homes. Are you looking for a wireless or hardwired option? Do you want to prioritize buying something affordable, or do you want the latest devices with all of the bells and whistles? Ring has a complicated history with privacy and police partnerships, so you might also be wondering if some devices are better at protecting your privacy than others? Yes, shopping for video doorbells can give rise to a lot of questions, so our experts are here to help.
Our CNET experts have spent years testing both Ring products and video doorbells from a slew of manufacturers to find the best of the best. After years of testing Ring's most popular home security devices -- the Ring 4, the Doorbell Pro 2, the second-gen Video Doorbell and the Ring Video Doorbell (Wired) -- to help break down the best Ring doorbell options, we have landed on the Ring Video Doorbell as the best overall choice.
Ring's Video Doorbell 4 lists for just over $220 and comes with a slew of smarts. The doorbell camera features enhanced Wi-Fi, Quick Replies, simple battery recharging, full-color preroll video previews of all motion events, night vision and customizable privacy settings, so you'll never miss a delivery or visitor at your front porch.
Pros
Cons
Setup
Moveable, outdoor/indoor
Resolution
1080p
Storage
Cloud storage
Google/Alexa Compatibility
Amazon Alexa
Field of View
160 degrees
Full Review
Read full review $128 at Best BuyIn 2021, Ring launched its latest core video doorbell, the Ring 4. The doorbell camera lists for just over $220, offers 1080p resolution, a 160-degree field of view and two-way talk, along with plenty of other goodies like full-color preroll (which captures a few seconds before motion is detected, for added context). The Ring 4 can be used wirelessly with its battery, or it can be wired -- though this won't let it use your existing doorbell chime, sadly. For that, you'll have to either get a separate plug-in chime, or use your Echo devices as a stand-in.
A few downsides: The Ring 4 has a wide-angle aspect ratio, so you can see things easily side-to-side, but when a visitor approaches the door, their head and feet (or a package, if they leave one) can easily be cut out of frame. Another downside: As of right now, the Ring 4 still can't send you package alerts like the Pro 2 or the Ring (2020). This is pretty disappointing considering every major competitor can send you package alerts at this point -- and considering how important video doorbells can be at protecting packages.
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$230 at Best Buy $230 at Amazon $230 at CrutchfieldPros
Cons
Setup
Hardwired, outdoor/indoor
Resolution
1536 x 1536 (2K)
Storage
Cloud storage
Google/Alexa Compatibility
Amazon Alexa
Field of View
150 degrees
Full Review
Read full review $230 at Best Buy
Ring's highest-end video doorbell, the Video Doorbell Pro 2, includes some pretty advanced features for its $260 price tag. You get a 1:1 aspect ratio, so you can see people head-to-toe, super sharp better-than-HD resolution and even radar, which lets you track visitors' or delivery persons' route up to your door. In short, this doorbell camera has all the extras you could possibly want.
What's more, the Pro 2 takes full advantage of being wired; it can use end-to-end video encryption (unlike the other two options on this list), send package alerts (unlike the Ring 4) and use your existing doorbell chime. I liked the Ring Pro 2 a lot when I tested it out in 2021, though I questioned how many people really needed features like radar tracking. That said, if you're interested in those features and willing to part ways with $250, the Pro 2 is a solid gadget.
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$100 at Best Buy $100 at CrutchfieldPros
Cons
Setup
Moveable, outdoor/indoor
Resolution
1080p
Storage
Cloud storage
Google/Alexa Compatibility
Amazon Alexa
Field of View
155 degrees
Full Review
Read full review $100 at Best Buy
Ring's $100 video doorbell is its most basic offering -- almost identical in hardware to its $60 Ring Video Doorbell Wired, other than its included battery. If you're looking for a starter smart buzzer, this doorbell camera is a great home security option -- and it even works with Ring's latest package alerts feature.
While the Video Doorbell (2020) is great, it won't win awards for smartest features. It doesn't have preroll like the Ring 4, let alone radar or end-to-end encryption like the Pro 2. The big downside here is the need to remove the whole doorbell in order to charge the battery.
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When you're looking for a video doorbell, the most important question isn't "Which one is best?" so much as "Which one is best for me?" All of Ring's video doorbells perform well -- and all of them come from the same company, with the same troubling history of facilitating video sharing with police. Not all of them will be ideal for you.
If you're curious about trying out a video doorbell for the first time, mostly for basic features like live monitoring, two-way talk and so on, a starter device like the Ring Video Doorbell (the 2020 model, or its Wired version) should do what you need. On the other hand, if you really want to see what a smart video doorbell can accomplish in 2024, the Video Doorbell Pro 2 is unbeatable in terms of smart doorbell features -- and especially with the option to use end-to-end video encryption. That leaves the Video Doorbell 4 as the middle child, with something for both kinds of people, but not necessarily the best value or features around.
Nowadays a smart home device is expected to work with at least one major smart home platform. Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and Apple HomeKit are the main ones you need to look for.
If your smart doorbell camera takes a long time to send a push notification after someone rings your doorbell, then you risk missing your visitor completely. You also need to be sure you're getting notifications when something sets off the motion detector, as you can set the motion sensor of most video doorbells to notify you of activity happening near your door, even if no one rings the buzzer. If you have latency problems, start with your Wi-Fi connection. If it isn't strong where the doorbell is installed, you might consider moving it (or, more easily, getting a Wi-Fi range extender). But it could also be the way the software works.
Doorbells are often exposed to direct sunlight, but many others are installed under porches, near shady trees and in all sorts of other settings. It's important that the camera has night vision and can handle any of these scenarios so you don't get stuck with a nonfunctioning product that can't see faces under a porch.
Show moreTesting to determine the best of the best in video doorbells is similar to how we test any other home security camera. For this article, I started by downloading the Ring app. I recommend starting with the app rather than sifting through the tutorial booklets that ship with the hardware, because a good app includes detailed steps on the installation process, as well as how to connect the doorbell to your Wi-Fi network. The app will also be where you can check your notifications, alerts and settings, making it your one-stop shop for all things video doorbell-related.
After installing the video doorbells based on the manufacturer's specifications, it was time to test the specs. Each video doorbell, despite all being Ring products, has slightly different features, so I took the time to test each unique feature to determine which was best. As soon as the Ring video doorbells were connected and I could view the live video feed, I checked their settings. I enabled features like motion detection, package alerts and bird's-eye-view to get a sense of how well each feature performed.
Watch this: Ring 4 or Nest Doorbell Battery? Find the better fit for your porch
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After hours of testing, I gave the highest rating (7.5) to the Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2. While it's not the best value on the market, the advanced specs -- a super-wide field of view, a 1:1 aspect ratio, 1536p resolution and all the basics you'd want your smart buzzer to have -- make it a great choice for a high-end video doorbell.
Though rated lower than the Pro 2 at a 7.4, the Ring Video Doorbell 4 is my recommendation for best standard Ring doorbell. If you're looking for a doorbell that's a fair value and packed with nifty features, but just doesn't send package alerts, then this is the best choice.
Finally, we gave the second-gen Ring Video Doorbell (2020) our lowest score (7.2) because it's certainly an improvement over the original Ring Video Doorbell, but the built-in battery that needs to be removed to charge is a bit of a hassle. While it's not our very favorite, it's a decent buzzer with solid features at a fair value.
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Worry about expensive subscription fees or complicated installation processes? This article is for you. We’ll go through some of the best doorbell cameras without subscription, including their common features and benefits. Read on to make informed decisions when choosing one for your home.
Doorbell cameras are becoming increasingly popular for home security as they provide an extra layer of protection against intruders. With a doorbell camera, you can keep an eye on movement around your porch.
Doorbell cameras are an effective and convenient security option to monitor the exterior of your home. Some brands, however, lock access to the full features of the doorbell cameras behind subscription paywalls.
Such subscription plans usually come with features like cloud-based storage, push rich notifications, and face analysis. You can stay connected to your property from anywhere with cloud-based storage. With a subscription plan, you can save video footage in the cloud for up to 30 days and review recordings as needed - even when you're away. Enjoy the freedom of feeling secure with cloud-based storage.
Rich notifications are a feature of some doorbell cameras that are available on a subscription plan. When motion is detected, you will receive an alert and a snapshot of the camera feed will be delivered directly to your Android or iOS device via push notification. These notifications give you more than just plain words when motion is detected in your camera’s view-field. Instead, you get push notifications with snapshots so you can quickly understand what happened.
When choosing between subscription-based cameras and one-time buy cameras, you should consider whether you need the extra features offered by the former. If not, it would perhaps be better for you (and your wallet) to opt for the non-subscription option.
Best video doorbells without subscription fees offer various options for users. There two popular types: wireless and wired doorbells.
Operating on Wi-Fi, these cameras connect to your home network directly and allow you to view live or recorded footage via a mobile app. Best wireless doorbell cameras with subscriptions often rely on local storage options, such as MicroSD card.
Many subscription-free wired video doorbells utilize Power over Ethernet (PoE) technology, enabling connection to Network Video Recorders (NVR) through Ethernet cables. These devices efficiently store footage in the NVR's pre-installed Hard Disk Drives (HDDs).
Top-rated doorbell cameras without subscription usually have some advanced features and can bring a lot of benefits. Here are some of them.
Some doorbell cameras without subscription commonly have an SD card that stores footage locally, allowing you to access and view the video on the camera or another device.
Some doorbell camera brands, for example, Reolink, also allow their users to add the doorbell cameras to their NVRs for local video storage and better surveillance experience.
Even without subscription, advanced doorbell cameras can detect movements by people or pets in their field of vision and notify users when certain movement is detected.
Doorbell cameras that work on WiFi frequently offer night vision capabilities, providing clear footage even during low-light conditions.
Most wireless doorbell cameras come with 2K, 4K, or higher resolution video streaming capabilities, ensuring they can capture clear pictures and videos of subjects even from a distance.
You can consider its ability to work with other cameras. Linking multiple cameras together provides increased coverage and protection for your home and property.
An NVR (Network Video Recorder) can be incorporated into the mix to give users the option to record footage locally without needing cloud storage or subscription services.
The cameras can be conveniently controlled from other devices. For instance, you could view motion alerts and see who is at the door from your phone or PC.
Compatibility with third-party platforms means that the doorbell camera can be connected to other devices or services to enhance its functionality.
Third-party platforms include Home Assistant, Apple HomeKit, and Amazon Alexa. These platforms, for example, allow users to control their doorbell camera with voice commands.
Doorbell cameras without subscriptions typically have the same capabilities as those with subscriptions. However, in some cases, each type may offer features not present in the other – it depends on the camera brand.
Actual subscription cost of a wireless doorbell camera depends on the provider. Prices typically range between $3 and $10 monthly, while some brands offer premium packages that can set you back up to $25 monthly.
On the other hand, doorbell cameras without a subscription generally cost between $50-$300 and offer basically the same features as those with a subscription. Once you buy them, you get all the features free and for life, saving you a high cost over time.
This is not to say subscription-based doorbell cams aren’t worth it. They usually have extra perks that users may find worthwhile. For example, some Ring Protect payment plans offer extended warranties for devices and automatically contact emergency responders when the cameras detect suspicious activity.
Let’s briefly examine the subscription fees of several popular video doorbells.
Product Product Type Subscription Plans & Fees (USD) Subscription Services Ring Video Doorbell 4 ($219.99) Battery-powered WiFi doorbell Ring Protect Basic: $3.99/moIf you want to purchase some of the best wireless video doorbells without subscription, you can check the following list.
This is one device in the market that currently offers the best value for your money.
First, its 5MP camera resolution is ahead of the market standard. It has built-in microphones and a speaker for two-way audio. Its smart detection system can distinguish between human and inanimate movement to deliver relevant notifications. The camera can record footage round the clock and has an expansive SD card limit (256GB) to store all its footage.
Reolink Video Doorbell (WiFi)Smart 5MP Video Doorbell with Chime
5MP Super HD Day & Night, Person Detection, 2.4/5 GHz Dual-Band WiFi, 180° Diagonal Viewing Angle, Two-Way Audio, Rich Notification.
Learn MoreWhen you compare its price to its features, the Arlo Audio Doorbell is a steal.
Although you get notified when the device detects motion, and you can talk through it, the Arlo audio doorbell is technically not a doorbell camera. It has no built-in camera, so you can’t get a live video feed unless you buy a separate Arlo cam.
What makes this option less than great is the fact that it needs additional pricey accessories for it to function like a regular doorbell camera.
This solid option boasts live video feeds, two-way audio, and alert notifications, asides from basic security cam features. You can get up to three hours of event recording without a subscription. However, the 1.3MP resolution it offers limits the device compared to its competition.
What makes this camera special is its dual cameras; one frontward-facing camera and another downward-facing one for monitoring packages. It is battery-powered, capable of lasting up to six months between charges. The 4MP resolution is market standard, but many consider its 16GB storage limit a major drawback.
Blink devices are popular among buyers due to their affordability and ease to set up. It offers roughly 2MP resolution, has dual power options, and is capable of two-way audio. While it’s the best budget wireless doorbell camera, it can’t compete against other products on this list.
Each of the products listed above has its strong points. The Eufy Video Doorbell Dual provides an additional visual range with its downward-facing camera, while the Arlo and Blink are incredibly budget-friendly.
Reolink and Eufy lead in terms of resolution; however, Eufy is severely limited in terms of the maximum SD card memory it supports.
The Google Nest is more of an all-rounder, but Reolink’s video doorbell is the most balanced device that offers great value for its cost.
Many doorbell camera options in the market did not require a subscription for basic functionality. For example, Reolink Video Doorbell, Eufy Video Doorbell, Arlo Essential Video Doorbell, Ring Video Doorbell, etc.
Some doorbell cameras allow you to save video recordings locally, typically on a microSD card or a network-attached storage (NAS) device. Some doorbell camera manufacturers may offer limited free cloud storage for a certain period (e.g., a few days) or may provide free cloud storage for motion-triggered events.
If your doorbell camera has a mobile app or a web interface, you can use screen recording software or apps on your smartphone, tablet, or computer to capture video footage as it is displayed on your screen. This is not the most efficient method, and the quality may not be as high as direct recordings, but it can work as a workaround.
Most doorbell cameras require a Wi-Fi connection to function properly and record video. Wi-Fi provides the necessary connectivity for the doorbell camera to send video footage to cloud storage or to a local network-attached storage (NAS) device. Without a Wi-Fi connection, these cameras may not be able to perform their primary functions, such as live streaming, motion detection, and video recording.
As more brands begin to move to subscription-based services for their wireless doorbell cameras, it can be challenging for buyers to find one-time payment cameras. Using doorbell cameras without a subscription is an economical way of ensuring home security as you don’t have to pay any fees over time, unlike the subscription-based counterparts.
Luckily, you can still find reliable doorbell cameras without a subscription in the market today, and we’ve discussed some quality options above.
Have you ever used one of these devices? Share your thoughts in the comments, and don’t forget to share this with your friends and family who might be looking for an affordable home security solution!
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