Best Video Doorbells Without Subscription
A lot happens on your front porch when you are not home. Both known guests and intruders all visit your home, but how do you get to see all the events that happened when you were away? This will lead us into reviewing the best video doorbells without subscription.
There are tons of video doorbells on the market today, while most are tied to a subscription plan we chose the best doorbell cameras without subscription that are budget-friendly.
Installing one of these video doorbells without a subscription will allow you to work within your budget.
Without further ado, let’s get down to business.
Best Wired Doorbell: Arlo Essential Wired Video Doorbell
Main Features:
- 180° Viewing Angle
Arlo has a 180° diagonal field of view, which allows you to see a person from head to toe. This way, you will be able to track the delivery guy and have a clear view of your package if left on the floor.
- 1080p Video Resolution
Arlo video doorbell delivers an amazing 1080p full HD image that is crisp enough to be recognized during the day or night.
- Motion Detection and Alerts
You will get an alert notification whenever there is a motion detection.
- Direct Video Call
Whenever somebody presses the doorbell, session initiation protocol (SIP) pushes the video call directly to your smartphone.
- Night Vision
Whether you leave the front porch light on or not, the night vision technology on Arlo essential wired doorbell will make sure you see a clear black/white image.
- Quick Reply Messages
Pre-recorded messages will help you to quickly reply the person at your front door.
- Weather Resistant
The Arlo doorbell is designed to withstand harsh weather such as heat, sun, cold, and rain.
| Pros | Cons |
| Does not need a base station to work, it connects directly to your 2.4 GHz wireless network | Does not allow you to add activity zones to minimize false alarm without a subscription plan |
| Compatible with smart home such as Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and IFTTT | Requires continuous power from the mechanical or digital chime |
| Has a good price point | Limited features without a subscription |
| Tamper detection | No free cloud storage plan |
| Has a crystal clear two-way audio | The two-step (slide and clicking the Arlo icon) to answer Arlo doorbell could be better |
Arlo essential wired video doorbell is a solid video doorbell with sleek design, it is thoughtfully built to work on an existing traditional doorbell. The installation should only take about 10 minutes to get it up and running.
All you need to do is connect the power kit to your existing door chime, and replace your doorbell with Arlo. But if you don’t have an existing doorbell and you don’t want to mess with wire, you might need a technician to install your Arlo video doorbell.
Even though Arlo has a smart subscription for the essential wired doorbell, you will still be able to add up to five cameras under your Arlo account, receive motion and audio alert notifications, and also live stream without a subscription.
Best with 2K Resolution: Eufy Video Doorbell – 2K Resolution
Main Features:
- 2k UHD Video Resolution
The 2k ultra high definition gives you a crisp image detail. Unlike 1080p video resolution, identification and recognition won’t have to be a problem because it is combined with advanced HDR, and distortion correction.
- Free 4GB In-built Local Storage
There is 4GB worth of local storage which is built into the Eufy doorbell itself, it is non removable and non-upgradable. The storage uses an AES-128 encryption algorithm to ensure you are safe from data leaks, and protect you from hacker.
- 3 seconds Pre-buffer
The 3 seconds pre-buffer is a deal-maker. You get to see a 3 seconds footage prior to the initial alert, and this will give you the clear picture of what led to the alert.
- 160° Viewing Angle
With 160° diagonal field of view, you will be able to clearly see your front porch in a bigger viewable size (4:3 aspect ratio). Monitoring your package delivery just got better.
- IP65 Weatherproof
Eufy is IP65 compliant, the doorbell is tightly sealed to prevent water and dust from inward penetration. IP65 rating will make sure the doorbell performs better during winter and summer.
- Human Detection
One of the amazing features of Eufy is the human detection artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm embedded in the doorbell. It allows you to only receive alerts that matter, that is, you will receive alerts when the doorbell detects human being.
- Smart Home Integration
Smart home such as Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant can be integrated with Eufy doorbell.
| Pros | Cons |
| Free wireless electronic chime | Does not work with an existing chime |
| HDR distortion correction | Does not integrate with IFTTT |
| Allows activity zones to reduce unwanted alert notifications | |
| Human body and face detection | |
| Allows you to record up to 3 responses | |
| Has a crystal clear audio |
Eufy is one of the major players of video doorbell in the industry. The aesthetic look makes it unique amongst other popular video doorbells on the market.
If you are looking for a best video doorbell without subscription, Eufy has got your back.
There is a 4GB onboard storage to hold your footage until the newest files overwrite the old files, you don’t need to fret of data leak because the footage is secured using the military grade AES-128 encryption.
The installation requires you to have an existing doorbell, if your home does not have an existing doorbell, then you may need to buy a new transformer and engage the service of an electrician.
Thankfully, Eufy does not use a base station to connect to the internet, it connects directly to a 2.4 GHz wireless network.
Best Wireless Under $100: ZUMIMALL Wi-Fi Video Doorbell
Main Features:
- 1080p FHD Video Resolution
1080p full high definition delivers a stunning image detail during the day and night, you can’t go wrong in identifying a subject of interest.
- Anti-Dismantling Alarm
This feature ensures your device is not stolen, whenever there is an attempt to steal the doorbell, the siren will automatically go off.
- 145° Viewing Angle
There is a field of view of 145° which will let you see the whole front porch and keep track of your package.
- Human Detection
Human detection makes it easier to differentiate humans from other objects, and thereby only sending alerts that matter to you.
- Support Local Storage
You can have up to 128GB of local storage via micro SD card on Zumimall Wi-Fi doorbell, this will allow you to have a long retention period for your video footages.
| Pros | Cons |
| Comes with wireless chime | App sometimes can be difficult to use |
| 100% wireless connection | No power bricks to charge the battery and connect the digital chime |
| Multiple users to view video simultaneously | |
| Support up to 128GB micro SD card | |
| Built-in rechargeable batteries | |
| Came with a 32GB micro SD card |
Zumimall uses PIR motion detection in order to preserve the battery energy from draining. This means the video doorbell only wakes when there is a moving object across the camera sensor.
A single battery charge can last between 2 to 5 months if there is less activity for the video doorbell.
The installation and setup is a piece of cake. Installation time should not take more than 5 minutes except if you are a newbie.
You only need to find a suitable installation point and screw it to wall using the accompanied installation kits, then set it up with your 2.4 GHz wireless network.
If you are looking for a 100% wireless doorbell camera no subscription, Zumimall Wi-Fi video doorbell is worth the attention
Best Wired Under $100: Wyze Video Doorbell with Chime
Main Features:
- 1080p Full HD
Wyze video doorbell provides you a crisp and vibrant image whenever motion is detected, or the doorbell is pressed. 1080p resolution provides good color image during the day and also at night with the doorbell’s white LED light.
- 3:4 Aspect Ratio
The 3:4 aspect ratio let you see a considerable large space on your front porch, and you get to see whoever standing there from head to toe.
- IP65 Weatherproof Rating
Wyze has an ingress protection of 65 which is enough to protect the doorbell from inward penetration of dust and water projected from every angle.
- Motion Detection
There is an instant alert to your smartphone when motion detection occurs
- 120° Viewing Angle
120° vertical field of view will provide a considerable wide angle and it is enough to capture the major sections of your front porch.
- AES-128 Encryption Algorithm
Wyze labs uses AES-128 algorithm to encrypt and protect the video footage from being intercepted by hackers.
| Pros | Cons |
| Free digital chime is included | Features are limited without subscription |
| Supports Amazon Alexa and IFTTT | Does not support local storage |
| Does not use a base station | Does not support Google Assistant or HomeKit |
| Small form factor | Does not support activity zones |
| The existing mechanical chime does not work |
The Wyze video doorbell is pretty smaller, but it is okay for the price especially if you need a doorbell that will only alert you when there is movement on your front door.
Alternative Product: ZUMIMALL Wireless Rechargeable Battery Powered Wi-Fi Camera
Major Features:
- 1080p Full HD
Zumimall has a standard 1080p full HD which streams at 25 frames per second, and would provide a sharp picture needed to recognize and identify every subject of interest.
- IP66 Weatherproof Rating
The IP66 weatherproof rating will prevent moisture, water, or dust from getting into your Wi-Fi camera.
- Movement Detection Alerts
Whenever motion is detected across the camera lens, you will receive alert notification and you can respond to it.
- 110° Viewing Angle
With 110° field of view, you will be able to see a considerable depth of vision on your Zumimall Wi-Fi camera.
- Supported up to 128GB micro SD Card Local Storage
You do not have to spend additional fee on cloud storage as long as the camera can accommodate your video files for a long period of time.
- 2-Way Audio
This feature lets you have a bi-directional conversation on the Wi-Fi camera.
| Pros | Cons |
| Easy installation | Does not come with a solar panel |
| 100% wire-free | |
| Can be paired with a solar panel | |
| Multiple device view and device sharing |
Zumimall Wi-Fi security camera is an alternative way to monitor your front door if you do not want to install a video doorbell.
They have similar functions, except the Zumimall Wi-Fi camera does not have chime and doorbell button to press, but the motion detection could suffix, and you can easily use the 2-way audio for bi-directional communication.
Final Word
You don’t have to necessarily buy a monthly or yearly subscription in order to monitor your front porch via your video doorbell.
We have been able to analyze the video doorbell that can be used without subscription.
Nevertheless, the paid subscription allows you to enjoy more services or features.