The 26 Best Video Doorbells Without A Subscription
I love the idea of video doorbells, don’t you? It’s so nice to see a video of who’s outside your home and actually have proof of porch pirates. Video doorbells are a smart investment in home security, but most require you to pay a monthly subscription. Want to get a video doorbell that doesn’t need one? We have you covered.
The best video doorbells that don’t require a subscription come from top-rated companies like Ring, Arlo Home Security, Owlet, and eufy. Top models offer 2-way talking, night vision, as well as a wide-angle lens for easy viewing.
There are tons of ways that you can rig a video doorbell without the use of a subscription. Our shopping guide will help you out.
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What Makes A Good Video Doorbell?
Before we get into the rankings, it’s important to understand what we looked for in our fee-free video doorbells. After all, it’s hard to tell what our criteria is without us telling you. Oh, and you need to be aware of how it’ll match up for your needs. Here’s what we looked for while we were ranking things:
- Brand. I will be honest. I do believe that brand name tech tends to be better than those that are “unknowns.” This was not an instant disqualifier or requalifier, but it definitely had an impact on which products made the list.
- Features/Functionality. Different doorbells will have different functions and features. At the very least, we wanted to see that the models we chose had two-way talking, easy setup, and compatibility with both phones and smarthome hubs. That’s why most of the ones we chose were Alexa-compatible.
- Price. While we did include some fancy schmancy doorbells that were several hundred dollars in price, we tried to keep things affordable. Home improvement is already pricey as-is!
- Durability. Let’s face it. All the bells, bobs, and bits in the world will not matter if your doorbell ends up going kaput in a week. We scoured Amazon for the products that had reviews that showed that you could rely on your new doorbell.
- Warranties. If a doorbell had a warranty or a guarantee, then we immediately added it to our list. I mean, that’s just an awesome perk to have regardless of what tech you are buying.
Wired vs. Wireless Doorbells
Another final criterion that we took into account was the difference between wireless and wired doorbells. The vast majority of people are going to prefer wireless doorbells, simply because it is going to be the easiest way to install your doorball. You don’t need to finagle around with wires if it’s just a classic “bolt-on.”
However, wireless video doorbells are not for everyone.
Many people aren’t too keen on replacing their doorbell’s batteries. That’s why some people prefer to get a professionally-installed wired doorbell. To ensure that there is a fee-free doorbell for everyone on this list, I made sure to sprinkle in a fair amount of wired ones as well.
What Are The Best Video Doorbells Without A Subscription?
We trawled the internet to take a look at the top video doorbell options without a subscription. Here’s what we found to be the best. Please note that they are not in any particular order, primarily because what will be the best for you might not be ideal for others.
Believe it or not, Ring doorbells do not require you to pay a monthly fee in order to make them work. They also happen to be the biggest name in video doorbells on a global level. So, in terms of brand quality, you have nothing to worry about. You have an entire community of people who can help you feel great about your purchases.
It’s also Alexa-compatible and can stream to your Echo Show. For around $169, the Ring Video Doorbell Pro knows how to work their magic. You’ll love their app, too.
Perks:
- Works on 2.4 and 5 GHz wi-fi
- Alexa-compatible
- Motion-sensor and expanded vision space
- Easy setup
- Lifetime guarantee
Remo+ is definitely working towards becoming the next Ring, and that’s not a bad thing. They make amazing work. Unlike Ring, Remo+ doesn’t hang on your doorbell. It is installed above your door, and acts more like a lantern than an actual doorbell. Either way, it’s a slick and popular choice.
It’s motion-sensored and offers a nice slew of tech perks, including Alexa compatibility and two-way chat. For $199 or so, it’s not too bad a choice for people who aren’t quite sold on Ring.
Perks:
- Alexa-compatible
- Two-way chat
- Easy setup that just lets you hang it over a door
- Night vision
- 160-degree field of view
Are you looking for a more affordable way to get the same experience as a typical Ring user, but don’t want to shell out big bucks? Well, there is another option that is a more pared-down version of the Pro. The original Ring Video Doorbell was a smash hit for a reason. They recently upgraded to a new generation, and it’s slick AF.
People enjoy the affordable price tag of $99.95, but they also love the lifetime guarantee. They also offer one of the best motion sensors on the market. So, that’s pretty neat!
Perks:
- Mobile notifications via app
- Alexa-compatible
- Motion-sensor upgrades
- Privacy zones and privacy chat options
- Easy setup
- Lifetime guarantee
LaView is one of the newer names to pop up, much like Remo+. This brand released a very reasonable video doorbell that offers up super sharp video feeds that get up to 2K resolution. If you want crystal-clear pictures, then you are going to like this reasonably priced doorbell.
Currently, the 2K video doorbell retails at $139.99, not including an optional warranty. If you take a look at their built-in features, it’s easy to see why people like this brand.
Perks:
- Mobile notifications via app
- Alexa-compatible
- Google Assistant-compatible
- Motion-sensor upgrades
- Two-way audio
- Easy setup
- 150-day battery life
Can you say 5-megapixel quality? AOSU might have outdone themselves this time. This fee-free video doorbell is known for having razor-sharp pictures and a very reliable camera. Secure local storage, a 180-day battery life, and a sturdy build make this a great choice for year-round protection.
Sturdy enough to handle rough weather yet smart enough to detect action, AOSU definitely has you covered. Best of all, it’s available for a reasonable $189.99.
Perks:
- Dual-band wi-fi connectivity
- Alexa-compatible
- 3D motion detection
- 5-MP quality
- 2-month loop recording
- App available for distance calling
At first glance, eufy seems like the kind of brand that is an “Amazon random,” but don’t be fooled. This is a brand that makes a seriously nice, affordable camera doorbell. Their standard grade camera doorbell is great for people who want an affordable model. It’s only $99.99 as of right now.
That low price tag gets you 1080p resolution, a sturdy build, as well as an easy setup experience. That’s not a bad look, no matter what brand you buy.
Perks:
- Dual-band wi-fi connectivity
- Alexa-compatible
- AI-based human motion detection
- 1080p quality
- 120-day battery life
- App available for distance calling
If you are looking for another alternative to eufy’s cute model, then you have plenty of options. One such option is the XTU Wireless Doorbell. XTU has been around for a bit longer than eufy, but in most other ways, the two doorbells are almost identical. Both have 1080p quality, a great app, and are built for durability.
XTU is actually slightly cheaper than others at around $89.89 for its most basic model. Two-way talking and great motion detection are definitely a bargain buy here!
Perks:
- Dual-band wi-fi connectivity
- Alexa-compatible
- Quality motion detection
- 1080p quality
- Two-way talking
- Waterproof
- App available for distance and notifications
WUUK is not a name that most people know about, but they’re pretty epic. Currently, this company has pushed out one of the more impressive models on the marketplace. Why? Well, it honestly rivals Ring in terms of quality. It has dual storage (SD/cloud), Alexa compatibility, and 1080p quality.
At the time of this writing, WUUK’s model is on sale for $89.99. After the sale ends, it will be back at $129.99. If you want to give this a try, then you should try to get on it as soon as you can.
Perks:
- Dual storage (SD/cloud) security
- Alexa-compatible
- Quality motion detection
- 1080p quality
- 162-degree vision
- Rechargeable batteries
- App available for distance and notifications
Are you looking for high-end tech at a super low-end price? Then you might want to check out one of the newer brands to join the throng of home security systems. This is a budget brand that has been working on stretching what you can do on a shoestring budget.
Despite having comparable features to the rest of the camera doorbells on this list, you can snag it for about half to one-fourth the price. It’s only $55.99 and, oh my god, it looks good too! How this is so affordable is beyond us.
Perks:
- Dual storage (SD/cloud) security
- Alexa-compatible
- PIR motion detection
- 1080p quality
- 166-degree vision
- Nightvision, waterproof, and energy-saving
- 2-year warranty
- App available for distance and notifications
As far as budding home security companies go, it’s clear eufy is working hard to gain an edge in the security doorbell industry. They made not one, but two awesome selections for people who want to add peace of mind to their home. This camera, the 2K model, is their more upscale version of the prior.
This model offers 2K quality vision and a homebase with a high-powered wi-fi amp. This is an upscale choice that has all the bells and whistles, so paying $195.98 makes sense when it comes to the features you get.
Perks:
- Alexa-compatible
- AI motion detection
- 2K quality
- Multiple installation options
- Wi-fi amp for easier connectivity
- App available for distance and notifications
Most doorbell cameras are going to be a little rounded, simply because that’s the trend these days. There’s something to be said, though, about the old school boxy look of camera doorbells. FOSCAM gets it, which is why they have a perfectly polished rectangular model that offers all the modern features you want to have.
This boxy model doesn’t come cheap. It’s $129.99, but carries no monthly fees and has a very impressive array of features to boot!
Perks:
- 2-way audio
- Alexa-compatible
- AI motion detection
- 2K quality video with night vision
- Multiple installation options
- 170-degree wide-angle lens
Arlo is one of the few old school home security names to really make it as a major player in the modern smart security world. The Arlo Essentia is one of the few doorbells to make our list that requires a wire. However, that shouldn’t deter you. That just means you never have to change batteries with this model.
Arlo’s wired doorbell is only $116.46 at the moment, making it a good bargain buy. If you buy it, you might want to look into a professional install. Even so, it’s worthy of our list.
Perks:
- 2-way audio and talk functionality
- Alexa-compatible
- AI motion detection
- HD video
- Multiple installation options
- 180-degree wide-angle lens and vision
Note: This comes with a free trial of the Arlo Secure paid subscription plan. You do not, however, need the security plan to make this camera work. If your budget starts to improve in the future, we strongly suggest getting the paid membership.
Amcrest is a name that might ring a bell for many of us. (See what I did there?) This brand has been around for ages, and it seems like they remain fairly popular when it comes to smart homes. Amcrest may have slipped up in popularity compared to its heyday, but they still make a quality product no matter what others say.
At $89.99 on Amazon, you can’t go wrong with this affordable option. It has all the standard features that you want to get, plus the name that you can always trust. This is one of the more reliable options according to reviews. We like that in a doorbell.
Perks:
- 2-way audio and talk functionality
- Alexa-compatible
- AI motion detection
- 1080p HD video
- 2.4 GHz wired setup
- 140-degree wide-angle lens and vision
Sleek and chic, I do enjoy the doorbell design that iDOO has concocted up. This has one of the prettier, more futuristic doorbell designs we’ve seen. Though the brand is not quite as well-known as others, it still has positive reviews, especially when it comes to features and durability.
Its price point makes it a great choice for people who are on a tight budget but want to keep things elegant. You only need to pay $69.99 for this doorbell. It’s also was designed in California, which somehow makes this extra cool.
Perks:
- 2-way audio and talk functionality
- Alexa-compatible
- High-quality motion detection
- 1080p HD video
- Secure local storage setup
- Nightvision
- App available for iOS or Android
Laxihub seems to be having a flash sale. Or at least, that’s what it’s looking like at the time of this article’s writing. This is one of the more popular sale brands right now, and it’s a good pick for people who want to save money. This model uses a 32GB SD card and motion detection to make your home a safe place to be. It also works on batteries, which is useful for older homes.
The Laxihub 32GB Video Doorbell is currently priced on sale at $89.99. Considering that you have a bunch of storage and rave reviews regarding the doorbell’s quality, it’s easy to see why this made our list. It’s a steal.
Perks:
- 2-way audio and talk functionality
- Alexa-compatible
- Google Assistant-compatible
- High-quality motion detection
- 1080p HD video
- Nightvision
- App available for iOS or Android
Most people prefer the ease of use of a wireless camera, even though you might have to replace or recharge the batteries from time to time. Some of us, though, prefer to work with wired cameras. Indie brand Samzuy is one company that gets that need and delivers a product that offers superior quality and a wired setup.
Their 2K digital doorbell camera has all the features you would expect from a top shelf doorbell camera at a fraction of the price. Installation is fairly easy, provided that you have a wire already. You can snag one for a mere $89.99.
Perks:
- 2-way audio and talk functionality
- Alexa-compatible
- Secure cloud and local storage (32 GB)
- Google Assistant-compatible
- High-quality motion detection
- 2K/4MP image quality
- Nightvision
- App available for iOS or Android
Ooh, this is one of our favorites, simply because of the unique rustic appearance it offers. If you are looking for a popular and unusual doorbell that works to add home security, Nooie is it. This 2K resolution doorbell is easy to install, has a wireless styling, and also offers dual storage options. (It requires you to buy your own SD card.)
At around $149.99, the Nooie 2K model is definitely a little high in price. However, the legions of awesome reviews and the striking appearance definitely suggest that it’s worth every penny. If you are big on home aesthetics, then this is an option that you need to consider.
Perks:
- 2-way audio and talk functionality
- Alexa-compatible
- Secure cloud and local storage (32 GB)
- Google Assistant-compatible
- 2K/4MP image quality
- Nightvision
- PIR motion detection
- App available for iOS or Android
If you are like many people, you’ve seen Ring videos and felt like a potato probably could have gotten a better shot. I understand that feeling well. So does US-based Hikvision, apparently. This may just be the most advanced and high quality camera on the market, for its price point, when it comes to video quality.
3 megapixels is a great way to make sure you get a clear vision of the person’s face on the other side of the door. For $111.99, this beautiful wireless camera can be all yours.
Perks:
- 2-way audio and talk functionality
- Alexa-compatible
- Google Assistant-compatible
- 3MP video quality
- Nightvision with 180-degree ultra wide lens
- PIR motion detection
- App available for iOS or Android
They say, “Le geek, c’est chic!” Maybe that’s where GeeKam got its name? This affordable smart video doorbell has a 2.4GHz wave that’s easy to set up. (Actually, this is a neat self-installing model.) This doorbell has all the typical features you’d want, plus a 180-day money-back warranty.
For only $59.99, you can snag a GeeKam doorbell for yourself, complete with a free app for easy monitoring. Just because of the fact that this comes with a guarantee, we have to give them an extra round of applause.
Perks:
- 2-way audio and talk functionality
- 2.4 GHz wi-fi connectivity
- 1080p video quality
- Nightvision with 166-degree ultra wide lens
- High-quality motion detection
- Free cloud storage with 7-day media banking
- App available for iOS or Android
Home Zone’s doorbell is one of the handful that made this list despite requiring a wired setup. People who worry about thieves taking the doorbell off the hinge will appreciate this feature, though most might find setup to be a pain. Regardless, Home Zone made a fairly solid product.
The local storage that you can use to keep video is outstanding, so if you want to have long-term storage this is your best bet. You will have to buy the SD card, but the doorbell kit itself is only $59.99 as of right now.
Perks:
- 2-way audio and talk functionality
- 2.4 GHz wi-fi connectivity
- 1080p video quality
- Nightvision with 140-degree ultra wide lens
- Human filtering motion detection
- In-machine storage up to 128 GB
- App available for iOS or Android
We’ve alreaedy covered the LaView doorbell, but why stop at a doorbell? If you are a home security fanatic who wants to bolster visibility on all accounts, LaView has you covered with a nice set that includes a video doorbell and two indoor cameras. It’s all sold at a bundle price and all items are easy to set up.
The entire kit also comes with two 32GB SD cards for video storage. At $109.99, this video surveillance set is one of the most affordable when you look at everything that you get with it. Bargain hunters are going to love this selection.
Perks:
- 2-way audio and talk functionality
- 2.4 GHz wi-fi connectivity
- 1080p video quality
- Nightvision with wide-angle lens
- Human filtering motion detection
- Two 32 GB SD cards included for free
- Two indoor cameras included for free
- Alexa and Google Assistant-compatible
- App available for iOS or Android
If you’re like me, then you might not be able to install a full doorbell camera on the side of your unit. However, a peephole video camera might be doable. Brinno makes it possible to get apartment-friendly security that is smart home-compatible.
At $98, this auto-recording video camera is a good choice for people who don’t want a full doorbell but do want to have some kind of motion detection and video surveillance. However, if you do not live in an indoor apartment, it may be better to just get a Ring doorbell and hope for the best.
Perks:
- 2-way audio and talk functionality
- 1080p video quality
- Human filtering motion detection
- 6 month battery life
- Wireless
From our research, Owlet actually started off as a camera company for baby monitors. Since then, they have an offshoot called Owlet Home. As you can expect, their wares are meant for the ultimate security experience. Their doorbell cameras are notoriously sturdy and come with a built-in 100db siren…just in case someone stupidly tries to steal it.
At $109.99, the Owlet Home doorbell camera will give you peace of mind for you and your little ones. It’s parent-tested, so you know it’ll be good.
Perks:
- 2-way audio and talk functionality
- 2.4 GHz wi-fi connectivity
- 1080p video quality
- 180-degree wide angle lens with ultra-visibility
- Built-in siren
- Human filtering motion detection
- Alexa and Google Assistant-compatible
- App available for iOS or Android
So far, we’ve seen a lot of wi-fi smart video doorbells that work with your phone. That’s great, but why not add even more sparkle to the system through the use of a video intercom setup? It’s a professional-looking system that makes you feel like James Bond while also giving you a clearer view of guests without using your phone.
This is definitely a more advanced style of video doorbell compared to the rest. I mean, it’s basically its own complete system. The price tag, which floats around $249, definitely illustrates its more upscale abilities.
Perks:
- 2-way audio and talk functionality
- Comes with 2 monitors and 1 doorbell
- 1080p video quality
- 2.4 GHz wi-fi connectivity
- Human filtering motion detection
- Auto-unlock available for congruent smart locks
- App available for iOS or Android
If there is one thing I can say about the video doorbell world, it’s that Ring definitely seems to have a diehard fanbase. Like, this is a doorbell brand that has actually gone viral because it is so good at what it does. Of course, there has to be one type that is considered to be the creme de la creme of video doorbells. That would be the Ring Video Doorbell Elite.
This doorbell is unique in the sense that it is a wired doorbell. It also happens to be one of the only models that connects to both your phone and your computer. You can monitor your home from everywhere, even while you’re surfing the net! At $349.99, it’s the most expensive model on our list so far. You get what you pay for.
Perks:
- 2-way audio and talk functionality
- Connects to ethernet cables for power and connection
- 1080p video quality
- Adjustable privacy zones
- Human filtering motion detection
- Interchangeable face plates
- App available for iOS or Android
Do you like Arlo’s basic model, but want to get a little more out of your home security budget? You may want to look at their Smart Home Pro System. This is a four-piece system that comes with a video doorbell, an Arlo base station, a camera, as well as a chime. Installation is a cinch, and it looks absolutely beautiful in almost any home.
Arlo’s pro-grade doorbell system is great for people who want a high level of visibility as well as a pretty home setup. At $199.68 at the time of this writing, it’s definitely a lot of bang for your buck.
Perks:
- 2-way audio and talk functionality
- 100 percent wire-free audio and visuals
- 1080p video quality
- Adjustable privacy zones
- Compatible with all Arlo wireless cameras
- App available for iOS or Android
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Related Questions
What does a Ring Protect Plan give you?
Ring Protect allows video doorbell users to save and share videos that have been picked up by your doorbell. It is not a mandatory part of the Ring program and you do not have to buy it if you don’t want to. However, most people who do purchase this add-on agree that it is well worth the money and additional peace of mind that it offers.
How much does Ring’s monthly fee cost?
If you want to buy Ring’s pay plan, then it will cost you $10 per month. This is a fairly low price, considering that it comes with an amazing slew of perks. Professional monitoring, saving videos on demand, sharing videos, as well as a deeper access to the Ring community makes it a steal.
How long do wireless doorbells last?
While it may vary from brand to brand, the truth is that you should expect most doorbells to last a total of two years or more. Some, such as Ring, come with a guarantee that lasts a lifetime. In terms of battery life, you should expect to replace your doorbell’s batteries every six months to a year with most models.
Ossiana Tepfenhart is an expert writer, focusing on interior design and general home tips. Writing is her life, and it's what she does best. Her interests include art and real estate investments.
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