Best Video Doorbell Without Subscription

man's hand using video doorbell

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Subscription Free Doorbells give you all the security with none of the ongoing costs


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Best Video Doorbell Without Subscription
2024

Home security is extremely important, especially when you’ve just moved into your own house, and there’s really no such thing as too much security. A great way to secure your home is to use video doorbells, which provide a video feed to your front door.

Editor’s Pick
Eufy Smart Doorbell

The video quality of the Eufy, and the decent storage capacity without the need for a subscription makes this a good choice. The build quality is great and once you get used to the app you’re away laughing.

These allow you to see exactly who is at your door, allowing you to protect yourself from potential thieves and burglars. In this article, we’re going to showcase some of the best video doorbells that don’t need a subscription so that you don’t have to spend hours shopping for one. Read on for the full reviews.

Best Video Doorbell Without Subscription Reviews

Eufy Security Wi-Fi Video Doorbell

31cbAeS7B+L. SL500

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Starting off our list is this Wi-Fi video doorbell from Eufy Security, which has a battery life that can last you a whopping six months. If you have an existing doorbell, you can change it out for this Eufy product and it will use your existing chime. How convenient is that?

Review

Eufy’s video doorbells store their video recordings locally, which practically eliminates the need for a subscription to a cloud storage system. This battery-powered model comes with 16GB of solid-state memory, which is more than enough storage for many weeks of recordings of visitors knocking at your front door. Eufy says this should be enough for 180 days of recording.

You can download video to any other device of your choice using the Eufy app, which comes in handy should you need evidence of a crime. Storing video on a device inside your home is also far more secure than storing it on the doorbell itself – if someone steals the doorbell, they would also be stealing your forensic evidence.

You can use your wireless video doorbell with your Eufy wireless security cameras so that 16GB might start to feel quite small, with several other cameras recording video footage around your home. If you need more storage space, Eufy does offer a subscription service. The wireless doorbell also serves as its own chime unit, loudly announcing to you when someone is at the door.

The motion detection feature on the wireless doorbell is excellent. It can generally distinguish between someone moving in its field of view and anything else, like a cat or dog, for instance, and this is very accurate. The camera does not have any kind of AI other than that – no facial recognition technology to distinguish between strangers and familiar faces. The Eufy app can alert you to the presence of a visitor almost immediately, and you can choose to ignore the notification, answer it, or play a pre-recorded message.

The unfortunate fact about the Eufy doorbell is that the associated app is not super intuitive or easy to use, so if you are a technophobe, you might have a hard time using it.

Pros

  • High-quality 1080p resolution
  • Regular notifications
  • Can distinguish between people & objects/animals
  • Motion detection
  • Plenty of storage

Cons

  • App can be difficult to use

Owlet Home Wi-Fi Smart Video Doorbell

318eXeJe CL. SL500

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Next is the Owlet Home Wi-Fi smart video doorbell, which is a great option if you’re looking for a home security device that integrates well with your busy lifestyle. It offers useful features and great functionality at a price that won’t break the bank.

Review

One of the best features of the Owlet home video doorbell is that you are able to set pre-recorded messages that can be played to friends or delivery people, for instance. What’s more, with the two-way audio talk, you will be able to talk with anyone that rings the bell, allowing you to verify whoever is at the door.

The camera on this video doorbell is super easy to set up and is also wired and waterproof, so you won’t have to worry about replacing the entire unit after a rainstorm. It’s also great if you live in an area where the sun is obscured by clouds more often than not, and what’s more, the camera offers a 180° field of view, allowing you to see all of what’s happening at the front of your house.

Best of all, the Owlet home video doorbell comes kitted out with AI technology that offers package detection, facial recognition, and theft prevention, making it one of the most advanced video doorbells on the market. This technology helps avoid unnecessary notifications, while the color night vision showcases footage clearly in the app, no matter how bright or dark it is outside.

With its integrated 100 decibel siren, you can sleep knowing that you are protected whether you are at home or away from your property. Another of the great features that the Owlet video doorbell has is that you are able to schedule recordings. This is a great feature if you frequently leave your property at the same time.

With all of these features, you would expect this product to be vastly expensive, but it is available for under $100, so it’s great for anyone working on a budget. Unfortunately, the construction can feel a little flimsy, so if you aren’t careful, you might end up breaking the doorbell during the installation process.

Pros

  • Can set pre-recorded messages
  • Waterproof
  • 180º field of view
  • AI technology
  • Facial recognition

Cons

  • Construction can feel flimsy

Zumimall Wi-Fi Video Doorbell Camera

51BVKR7bQNL. SL500

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The Zimimall wireless video doorbell is another affordable option that takes less than 5 minutes to set up and is a great choice for anyone looking for a modern, futuristic-looking doorbell. It comes in a sleek black and gray color that is discreet and unobtrusive.

Review

This doorbell camera is powered by an integrated rechargeable battery that lets you place it outdoors without worrying about having to set up wires. The battery can last an impressive 5 months, so you won’t have to worry about recharging it frequently, making it great for anyone who works on a very busy schedule.

This camera is great for improving your home security by allowing you to view anyone that is at your front door. The doorbell will allow you to both see and talk in real-time so that you can verify exactly who is at your door before you open it up. The video recording can be activated when the camera detects a human motion, and the video can be recorded locally on the SD card or using Zumimall’s cloud service.

What’s more, quick alerts will be sent to your phone. The doorbell can provide you with real-time clear two-way audio with an integrated speaker and microphone, allowing you to talk to the person at your door. You can also choose a pre-recorded 30-second voice message for quick replies when you are in a hurry or don’t have time to hold a conversation.

No matter whether it is daytime or night, the camera on the Zumimell doorbell offers a perfectly clear view with its 1080p full HD camera, which, in combination with the night vision and 166° wide-angle camera, makes it ideal for use throughout the day. You aren’t going to be missing anything with this video doorbell.

The SD card that the doorbell comes with can store 32GB of video footage, which will last months before you need to replace it or transfer the footage. Unfortunately, the body of the doorbell does feel quite flimsy, so you’re going to want to be careful when setting it up, or you might break it.

Pros

  • Rechargeable battery
  • Long battery life
  • Lots of onboard storage
  • Motion-activated
  • Integrated microphone & speaker

Cons

  • Body feels flimsy

XTU Wi-Fi Video Doorbell

41iRoYXlQVL. SL500

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The XTU video doorbell boasts a modern and sophisticated look that complements a contemporary style of the house but wouldn’t look out of place in older houses. The camera records video in very high quality, so you can see exactly who and what is at your front door.

Review

The installation and connection of this video doorbell camera are totally wireless, so you won’t have to fuss around with wires during the setup process. The doorbell camera comes with a 6700mAh rechargeable battery that can last you months, so you can record video continuously without needing to recharge very often.

Installation is super easy and, as we said, shouldn’t take you more than 5 minutes. The doorbell is totally waterproof, which is great for people who live in areas where it rains or storms often, and it is also resistant to wind. You can download XTU’s CloudEdge app to speed up the setup process, and the app is also intuitive to use.

The XTU doorbell comes with an integrated PIR sensor that allows you to receive push and alarm notifications in real-time any time that it detects human movement. This helps you maintain safety by allowing you to see whoever is at your door without needing to open it. There is also two-way audio talk that is available all the time.

The camera shoots in full HD 1080p resolution, in night vision as well, so that you can clearly see whoever is at your front door. It also has a 166° field of vision with infrared night vision and a live view, which can be used both during the day and the night.

Unfortunately, while the XTU video doorbell comes with a quick start manual, it does not come with an owner’s manual, so while the setup process might be easy, maintaining the doorbell can be quite a challenge. Although this isn’t a major detriment, it can still be quite inconvenient.

Pros

  • Easy installation
  • Totally wireless
  • Rechargeable battery
  • Waterproof and water-resistant
  • 1080p video resolution

Cons

  • No owners manual included

Remo+ RemoBell S Wi-Fi Video Doorbell Camera

31LKpemBvqL. SL500

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The RemoBell S video doorbell is a fantastic option for people living on a budget, and it gives you a lot of the same features as a video doorbell from big names like Ring, but for less than $100. The installation might be tricky, but the fantastic quality of the camera more than makes up for it.

Review

One thing to note about the RemoBall is that while the livestream view offers you a square frame, video clips will always be recorded in a circular frame. This can make the edges look a little distorted at times, and it might cause you to miss key details, but this won’t be a problem most of the time.

The camera’s two-way audio function is fantastic, and the audio quality is super clear, so you won’t have a problem communicating with anyone at your door, like a neighbor or delivery person. The RemoBell has night vision, and while it isn’t the best on the market, it is still clear enough for you to see exactly what is happening on your porch.

Doorbell camera installation is always going to be a little more difficult than other smart home gadgets, but the process with the Remo+ is super simple. It should take you about an hour since the doorbell has to be hardwired. There is not a battery pack option, which some people might find inconvenient, but it isn’t a huge problem.

You can also choose areas of interest, and when motion is detected in those areas, you will receive a notification on your phone alerting you that motion has been detected there. You can see, hear, and talk to visitors from your smartphone or tablet using the Remo+ app, which is available for Android 5 and above and iOS 11 and above.

Pros

  • Very high-quality video
  • Great audio quality
  • Night vision capability
  • Programmable areas of interest
  • Works with a smartphone app

Cons

  • Long installation process

Buyer’s Guide

Enhancing your home’s security must be a priority to guarantee your family’s safety; it’s non-negotiable. When choosing a video doorbell to improve your home’s security, you must consider the most important features and aspects that will ensure your goal is achieved by installing the best device for you. Here are a few things to consider so you can prepare yourself before choosing a doorbell camera in and around your home.

Resolution

Doorbell cameras currently have a maximum resolution of 1080p, with some having a 480p resolution. Generally speaking, a higher resolution in a camera provides an image of sharper quality. The resolution of some cameras may not matter because of how poorly they can adapt to changing light conditions. If image quality is your most important factor, a good option is the Eufy Security Wi-Fi Video Doorbell which displays recordings in 1080p resolution.

Night Vision

Especially in the winter, when night falls earlier, a lot can happen under cover of darkness. Having night vision capabilities will help you clearly see anyone on your premises, even when it is dark outside, adding around-the-clock security. The Owlet Home Wi-Fi Smart Video Doorbell has an outstanding color night vision with clear footage regardless of how bright or dark it is outside.

Motion Detection

Motion sensors built into doorbell cameras can notify you when someone is trying to approach or leave your home. Some of these devices have sophisticated features, such as designating certain areas as monitoring zones while ignoring all other zones. This feature makes them ideal for residences close to busy streets as it prevents motion alerts each time a neighbor is in that particular area. The most advanced video doorbells have this feature embedded in them.

App Support

The biggest benefit for a majority of people of a video doorbell is that it supports apps. The video doorbell you purchase should have excellent app support so you can quickly access the display to see who is at your door rather than installing a subpar app that projects the display long after the visitor has already left. Check that the video doorbell you choose is compatible with various apps.

Field of View

The field of view is the scope of what the camera can see and record. While a range of 90° can only record the front and a small portion of the sides, a range of 180° can see everything in front and to its sides. For almost all scenarios, a wider field of view is preferred. Again, the Owlet Home Wi-Fi Smart Video Doorbell is a big player in this case. It offers a full-range view.

Cloud Storage

Having a storage option connected to the cloud can be useful for security reasons. If someone steals or vandalizes your property, you will have video evidence on hand because you can store footage, for 30 days or more, of any motion alerts. An example that helps in this regard is the Zumimall Wi-Fi Video Doorbell Camera which has an SD Card that can store up to 32GB of video footage.

Wrapping Up

If you are looking to take your home security to the next level, we highly recommend that you purchase one of the video doorbells above. They are a fantastic way to monitor who visits your home and can be life-saving when you are faced with potential criminals.

It also means you can see who is at your door when you are not home, or before you answer, adding a layer of safety. And luckily, neither of the above-mentioned options require a subscription, making them ideal for those who do not want to be tied into a long-term contract.

Slava is a man of mystery and no-one seems to know exactly where he is at any point in time. When he isn't enjoying writing about all things audio and technical he can be found researching his next project of interest. The man never rests.

This post was last updated on 2024-03-28 / Some images from Amazon Product API & some links may be affiliate links which may earn us a commission from purchases.


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1 thought on “Best Video Doorbell Without Subscription”

  1. Chosing best Vedio DoorBell was not easy. I read the whole article and found that it can be done on the basis of sound quality, price and some other features. makelifeclick is awesome love it.

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