Best Video Doorbell Cameras Without a Subscription
These video doorbells work great without a security plan.
These video doorbells work great without a security plan.
SummaryLooking for the best video doorbell that doesn’t come with additional costs? Our picks include the Arlo wireless doorbell, Eufy’s dual camera doorbell, as well as Ring and Blink doorbells from Amazon. |
How are video doorbells without a subscription different? |
The devices themselves are not going to be different. You’ll receive the same camera and installation kit as someone who’s signing up for a subscription. The main differences lie in the admittedly helpful extras:
If you’re looking for simple but effective security camera doorbells without additional costs, these are great options to consider. Arlo 2K Video Doorbell |
You don’t need an Arlo Secure plan to use our wireless doorbell camera. The Arlo Video Doorbell offers a 2K resolution and a wide Field of View (180°) so you get a clear and complete picture of your front door area. You’ll also get access to:
The camera is battery powered (with the average charge lasting 4 months). You can also connect it to existing wire for continuous charging. Local storage is available with the Arlo Hub or Arlo base station. If you want to use cloud storage, your best bet is to sign up for the Arlo Secure plan, which offers 60 days of video footage history. |
Eufy video doorbell E340 |
Eufy’s wireless doorbell camera is a slightly pricier option ($149.99 at time of writing). Much like the Arlo video doorbell, it comes with 2K resolution and color night vision. It’s also powered in a similar way, either operating with a rechargeable battery or wired to an existing cable for constant charging. The stand-out features include its dual camera set-up — with the top camera focusing on the face of the approaching person while the lower camera fills in background details. It also comes with 8GB of local storage for up to 60 days. The camera purchase also includes:
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Blink video doorbell |
The Blink doorbell is the no-frills cousin of Ring (mentioned later in the article) and is generally more affordable. Both are Amazon products and thus integrate fully with Alexa. As in most cases, there is no free cloud storage, but you can use local storage by purchasing a Sync Module 2 system and a compatible USB drive. This requires extra steps, but can save you money in the long-term if you don’t want recurring costs. The resolution on Blink video doorbells is slightly lower (1080p) and it comes with a narrower field of view (135º horizontal and 80º vertical). However you’ll still get access to standard features like:
This video doorbell is battery-powered (up to 2 years charge) and cannot be wired to an existing power source. |
Ring Battery doorbell |
Like the Blink camera, the Ring Battery video doorbell is compatible with Alexa, offers 2-way audio, and color night vision. It does not come with free local storage and cloud storage requires a subscription, however you can view live camera feed and receive instant alerts when motion is detected. As the name hints at, this Ring doorbell camera is powered with a rechargeable battery and offers standard smart doorbell features that don’t require a security plan.
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Best video doorbells without a subscription |
When a subscription is your best bet |
It’s tempting to save, especially when a video doorbell can function well without a subscription plan. But plans like Arlo Secure exist for a reason. Mainly, they make it easier to have peace of mind. Arlo’s security plans offer 60-day video footage history, stored in a secured cloud, Advanced Audio Detection, Person and Vehicle Recognition, and Package Detection…not to mention that you’ll be able to set an Activity Zone so your camera only notifies you of events taking place near your door. A video doorbell and a subscription are your best bet if you want easy emergency response, are concerned about recent break-ins in your area, or simply want that extra sense of safety without having to constantly watch your live camera feed. Frequently asked questions |
Is my data safer on local storage?It depends on where you store your data. Data on an SD card can be removed from a camera and stolen. If that’s a possibility in your area, consider storing data on an external hub that can be kept indoors. Will video doorbells work with my existing doorbell chime?Most doorbells can work with an existing chime system, while others only work with their built-in chime. Look for doorbells that offer both options. Why does it cost money to store data on the cloud?Storing data on the cloud still requires lots of physical infrastructure, including extensive data centers. While the capacity is much larger, storing things like video footage (which takes more space) is especially costly for security providers. Most companies have to pass on this cost to consumers which is why cloud storage usually comes with a subscription plan. Will I still get detection alerts if I don’t have a subscription?The majority of video doorbells will send you real time alerts when something or someone approaches your door whether you have a subscription or not. The notifications themselves may simply be less detailed — there may be no way to tell if a package is being delivered or if someone is hanging around your door. |
