10 Best Video Doorbell Without Subscription

First thing’s first. Let’s clarify what exactly is a video doorbell without subscription and why would you need one.

A video doorbell or a doorbell camera is simply a doorbell equipped with a security camera. It’s a Wi-Fi enabled smart device that features motion detectors, recording capability and storage space, and a two-way audio microphone/speaker, which enables the user to talk to the person standing at their front door. Regardless of their whereabouts, the owner receives a notification to his or her smartphone that someone is at the door and can see the visitors and even speak to them.

Why do you need a video doorbell? Well, for safety reasons. First of all, you want to see the visitors clearly before you let them in and thus make sure you only open the door to the people you know and trust. This smart device enables you to see them in high definition, plus it can record everything that is going on at your front door, which enables you to review the footage later. In addition, it allows you to answer the doorbell from your bedroom, your backyard, or even from your vacation in Thailand.

A video doorbell is a highly convenient device that offers many amazing benefits and in the last couple of years, it has become a staple of a safe home. However, many of the best video doorbell come with a service contract and a monthly or yearly subscription for the whole service or just the advanced features. To avoid this expense and save you some money, we have prepared an article, where you can find the best video doorbell without a subscription for you.

Can Video Doorbells Work Without A Subscription?

Some video doorbells require the user to pay a subscription and others work perfectly well without a subscription. In fact, most of the best video doorbells on the market grant free access to motion-activated notifications, real-time video, two-way talk, and theft protection. However, these video doorbells generally don’t allow you to record and review old videos, calls, or events. The reason for that is because they often lack a local storage space that could store your old videos. In this case, you can choose to use your video doorbell without a subscription or you can pay a monthly or yearly fee to purchase cloud storage.

In case you also need information about ring doorbell, read one of our past articles How Does Ring Doorbell Work With Google Home

How Do Video Doorbells Without Subscription Work?

A video doorbell is powered by its own battery or connected to your existing doorbell wiring and powered by it. It is usually placed somewhere near your front door with a good angle on all that might be happening there. The device must be connected to a Wi-Fi network and this connection enables it to send real-time notifications and alerts to a smart device of your choice (usually your smartphone) every time somebody is at your door – either when they ring the bell or even before that, as soon as any motion is detected. This allows you to monitor your front door at all times. As the device also tends to have a built-in two-way audio system, it enables you to talk to the visitor through the microphone and speaker. If the device features local storage space or cloud storage, you can also access the recorded footage later on.

The Top 10 Best Video Doorbells Without A Subscription

Nowadays, as a good video doorbell has become almost every home’s basic equipment, there are lots of high-quality video doorbells on the market. Therefore, it is pretty difficult to determine which the best ones are. However, we did our best to select the top 10 best video doorbells without a subscription, which will help you find the one that will best fit your needs.

1. Eufy Security, Wi-Fi Video Doorbell

Eufy is a leading video doorbell company that offers a wide selection of high-quality video doorbell Without Subscription and many advanced features. With any of Eufy’s newest models, you really can’t go wrong. This model features are camera that makes videos that are just as good as the ones recorded with professional cameras. It has an HD 2K resolution with 2560 x 1920 pixels, advanced HDR, and distortion correction. The chime offers many interesting ringtones and volume level adjustment and the quality sound system provides a clear voice. The motion sensor picks up the slightest motion, takes facial snapshots, and notifies the user immediately. However, as it features the Al technology with human detection, it won’t disturb you every time a stray cat comes around.

2. Ring Video Doorbell Pro

The ring is one of the most popular and reputable video doorbell producers and they offer a large variety of in-demand high-quality products that will keep you and your loved ones safe and sound. This model comes with an HD camera with night vision, infrared, advances motion detection, and a high-quality two-way audio system that enables the user to talk to the visitor from wherever without any voice distortion or delay. As it is a hardwired model, you can hook it up to your existing doorbell. It works well with most smartphones, regardless of their operating system.

3. DoorBird Wi-Fi Video Doorbell D101S

This is a very flexible video doorbell Without Subscription by DoorBird. Why flexible? Because it works perfectly well with all kinds of smart devices and can be easily connected to your smart lock, regardless of the brand. It’s compatible with August Locks, Chamberlain, Kevo, and many more smart lock providers. It features a high-definition camera, a great two-way sound system, easy wiring, and more without a subscription or additional fee.

4. Skybell HD Wi-Fi Video Doorbell

This is one of the most feature-packed video doorbells on the market. It has a sturdy yet sleek design, a 1080p Full HD camera with a 180-degree field of view, excellent night view, motion detector, both digital and mechanical chime support, a clear two-way sound, and voice assistant compatibility. The device is hardwired and has a simple installation. Most importantly, it comes with unlimited cloud-based storage without a subscription, which allows you to view and download footage instantly.

5. The Amcrest 1080p Video Doorbell Camera Pro

This video doorbell by Amcrest can be installed into your existing doorbell or battery-powered, depending on your preferences. It comes with a Full HD 1080p camera with a wide viewing angle, night vision, a zone-divided motion detector, an excellent two-way audio system without lagging, and a user-friendly app. It has two different storage options – an installed micro SD card and a one-year free cloud subscription.

6. ZUMIMALL Smart Doorbell with Free SD Card Storage, No Subscription

Zumimall smart doorbell is an affordable video doorbell that comes with pre-installed 32 GB SD card storage, which allows you to store all of your security footage without having to rely on a cloud subscription. It is a battery-powered device with a powerful battery that can last up to 5 months on a single charge. It features a Full HD camera, a quality two-way audio system, and a simple, wire-free, yet durable design.

7. Honeywell SkyBell Slim Design Silver Finish

Honeywell is a reliable and reputable company known for producing high-quality security products and offering great customer service. SkyBell is one of their most popular products. It comes with free cloud storage, a Full HD camera that provides clear visuals and offers a 180-degree field of view, full-color night vision mode, and a highly adjustable doorbell mount. The installation of this hardwired device is quick and simple. The device can withstand extreme temperatures from -40 to 140°F (-40 to 60°C). In addition, it’s also dust and waterproof.

8. Remo+ S Wi-Fi Video Doorbell Camera

This doorbell by Remo+ is considered one of the fastest video doorbells on the market. It allows the user to customize an activity area and get instant notifications for a particular area or for any movement within its 180-degree field of view. The device offers a Full HD wide-angle camera with great night vision, free 3-day cloud storage, a quality two-way audio system, the ability to subscribe 5 users to the notifications, and compatibility with major voice assistants, like Alexa, Google Assistant, and IFTTT. The weatherproof device can also handle temperatures from -4°F to 122°F (-20 to 50°C).

9. EZVIZ DB1 Video Doorbell Camera (Rebranded Hikvision DS-HD1)

This high-quality doorbell camera from Ezviz is also incredibly popular and for a good reason. It has a sleek design, a Full HD camera with a resolution of 2048 ×1536 pixels and a wide field of view (105° horizontal, 180° vertical), a quality microphone and speaker, a great motion detector with a PIR sensor, a micro SD card support, 2.4 and 5GHz Wi-Fi compatibility, and IP65 weather resistance. It is very smart-home compatible and highly adjustable and user-friendly in every possible way.

10. UOKIER Wi-Fi Video Doorbell Camera

This is a very affordable video doorbell from Uokier with features similar to those of the best devices on this list. It has a Full HD 1080p resolution, a human detection feature, a default 10 meter detection distance, and a high-quality two-way audio system. When it comes to the power source, it has a built-in rechargeable battery that should last between 2 and 4 months on a single charge or it can be hardwired to your existing doorbell instead.

How To Install A Video Doorbell?

The installation process depends on whether you are planning to buy a battery-powered video doorbell or a hardwired one. As most models can be either battery-powered or hardwired, it comes down to your own choice.

1. How to install a hardwired video doorbell?

If you want to use it as a hardwired device in the place of your old doorbell, you have to first make sure your house already has a hardwired doorbell. You can determine it by opening your existing doorbell and checking if there are any wires coming out of the wall.

• Step 1: Turn off the circuit from your old existing doorbell simply to ensure safety from an electrical hazard. You can check if the circuit has been successfully cut off by pressing the doorbell and making sure it doesn’t ring.
• Step 2: Ensure that your new doorbell fits the amount of voltage, which tends to be somewhere between 16 and 24 volts. To do so, check the transformer, which is located in the doorbell chime box.
• Step 3: See if the chime is digital or mechanical. If it’s digital, make sure to install a sort of diode at the end of the wire that connects to the doorbell. Some doorbells come with their own adapters, which have to be installed into the chime.
• Step 4: Remove the old doorbell. Unscrew it from the wall’s exterior surface and disconnect the wire.
• Step 5: Install your new video doorbell. Find the best place to place your video doorbell and attach the mounting bracket. Make sure the wire is placed at the center of the bracket before you attach it. Afterward, connect the wires to the two terminals located at the back of the video doorbell. Place the excess wires in their places and screw in the security screws. Once you do all that, you can turn on the circuit, download the compatible app to your preferred smart device and set it up.

2. How to install a battery-powered video doorbell?

If you are planning to use your new video doorbell as a battery-powered one, the process is slightly different and perhaps simpler.

• Step 1: As you now deal with a battery-powered device, make sure that the battery is fully charged. You can charge most models with the USB charging cable that is generally included in the package. Others can be charged by only taking the battery pack without removing the doorbell from the wall. Some models, on the other hand, can only be charged by removing the entire doorbell from the wall. In addition, check how long the battery tends to last in your particular model so that you will be able to plan when you have to recharge them.
• Step 2: Many models come with mounting brackets that can be attached to the wall or any other surface. Place the bracket to the desired location and attach your video doorbell to it. Make sure to use a security screw at the bottom to keep it from being stolen.
• Step 3: Download the compatible app and set it up on your preferred device. Connect your doorbell to your Wi-Fi network and select your default settings (e.g. motion sensors, object detection, video lengths, etc.)
• Step 4: Make sure your video doorbell has a plug-in chime, otherwise buy one, as it will enable you to know when someone is at your door.

How To Save Ring Doorbell Video Without A Subscription?

Most video doorbells only allow you to record and save a video if they have a local storage space or a cloud subscription. However, there is another way you can save a ring doorbell video without a subscription.

Nowadays, most smartphones, including iPhones, Android phones, Google phones, and others have a feature that allows the user to record the screen. This tends to be a default built-in feature and it’s incredibly popular among mobile gamers, which use it to record live video of their gaming sessions. You can also use the feature to record movies, your web browsing, or the live doorbell video footage.

How to enable screen recording depends on your smartphone as does where the recorded file will be saved. Usually, these recordings are automatically saved on the device’s internal storage or installed memory card. Whether the recording will include the sound depends on your phone’s streaming.

In the unlikely case that your phone doesn’t support screen recording, you can simply use a screen recording app instead.

If you are or know someone who is good at coding, you can also try it to trick the video doorbell to store the recordings on a designated device.

Do you want to learn more about Best Video Gaming Console for Kids

Factors To Consider Before Choosing The Right Video Doorbell Without Subscription

Before choosing and buying the best video doorbell without subscription, make sure to take into consideration the important factors listed below, which will help you find the device that best fits your needs.

1. Subscriptions

The first thing you may want to check is whether or not your video doorbell comes with a monthly or yearly subscription. As the subscription usually allows the user to use the company’s cloud services, it’s not necessarily a bad thing. If you can afford to pay for it, great! If not, don’t worry. You can simply opt for a video doorbell that has a high SD card storage (preferably above 100 GB), which will allow you to safely store a lot of footage without worrying that you will run out of space. However, you can also choose a video doorbell that provides free cloud service, which is even more convenient.

2. Mode Of Storage

Virtually any video doorbell that you decide to buy will make high-quality recordings and that footage has to be stored somewhere. Most video doorbells use a cloud-based storage system, but some have local storage. Make sure to check out which model adopts which storage mode and choose a device according to your needs. Keep in mind that these videos tend to take up a lot of space, therefore you should either opt for a device with cloud-based storage or one that has a really large local storage space.

3. Camera – video quality and field of view

Buying a device with a top-quality camera should be your primary concern. If the footage is blurry then the device really doesn’t do its job properly. The camera is what will notify you about any visitors, protect you from unwanted guests, and allow you to decide whether or not you will let the visitor in.

When it comes to the camera, you should pay attention to the video quality (resolution) and the viewing angle. Make sure not to accept less than HD resolution. If possible, opt for a video doorbell with Full HD resolution (1920 x 1080p) to ensure a crystal clear image. To see as much space around your actual doorstep, choose a video doorbell with a camera that offers a wide field of view (generally between 130 and 170°). As you will also want to see what is going on in front of your door at night, make sure to select a device with excellent night mode.

4. Motion sensor

The motion sensor is a very important feature as it sends push notifications to your smartphone, even if the person standing in front of your door doesn’t ring the bell. And we definitely want to know if there is a person standing just in front of our door. Therefore, choose a device that comes with a high-quality motion sensor that can detect the slightest movements. As the video doorbell will only notify you about any movement within the camera’s field of view, having a camera with a wide field of view is especially important. To prevent false alarms, choose an advanced device with a human detection feature so that it doesn’t notify you when there’s a stray cat or a pile of leaves and the option to set up the area distance you wish to scan to prevent it from notifying you about every harmless passer-by.

5. Speakers & mic and voice quality

Most video doorbells come with a two-way audio feature – a set of speakers and a mic. Make sure to choose a device with high-quality speakers and mic – an audio system that offers great voice quality and provides clear sound without delay and the option to customize the volume.

6. Installation

As hardwired doorbells require certain hardware, make sure you have the necessary hardware and an existing doorbell with the right voltage. Simply put, ensure that you can handle the installation before you purchase a device.

7. Source of power

When it comes to the source of power, you have two choices. You can either choose a video doorbell that is powered by the existing doorbell wiring, or you can opt for a battery-powered one. The first kind of video doorbell is convenient, but you have to make sure it has the proper voltage.

8. Weather resistance

This may not seem very important at the first glance, but as some cameras either empty their batteries ridiculously fast or even break down completely in harsh weather conditions, considering the device’s weather resistance is actually vital. Make sure to opt for a video doorbell that can withstand heavy rain, snow, wind, and temperatures from around -4 to 122°F (-20 to 50°C).

9. Price and warranty

The average video doorbell without subscription costs somewhere between $100 and $150. High-end video doorbells with advanced features and high resolution can cost over $200. You can try to save some money, but make sure not to compromise the quality of the device. You also want a device that comes with a good warranty that will provide you the necessary support in case you experience any issues. Most video doorbells have a standard 1 or 2-year limited warranty. Some even come with satisfaction and replacement guarantees in case the device gets stolen.

You can read one of our past articles Buy Now Pay Later Electronics No Credit Check

10. Wi-Fi reliance

Having a stable and secure Wi-Fi network is of utmost importance, as the video doorbell can only function properly with a Wi-Fi connection. Some video doorbells only support 2.4GHz Wi-Fi and not 5GHz, therefore check if the device you are planning to purchase will be able to ‘get along’ with your Wi-Fi network. Moreover, there are also a few models that don’t rely on the internet connection to function. If you experience frequent internet issues, opt for such a device.

FAQ

Why have a video doorbell at all?

For safety reasons. A good video doorbell located at the right height, at the right angle, and in good proximity enables the user to get a clear face shot of the person standing in front of their door and to answer the doorbell and talk to the visitor even if they are not at home. The visitor or the possible intruder will thus assume that you are at home and simply walk away.

How long are doorbell video saves without subscriptions?

The length of the doorbell video saves depends on the model. However, generally, the device automatically saves the footage for the last 24 hours. How long the footage remains accessible depends on the device’s local storage space. The Eufy video doorbell system, for example, has 4 GB of built-in memory and the capacity to store up to 30 days of footage.

Are there any additional fees involved?

When it comes to video doorbells without subscription, there are no additional fees involved and that’s the whole point. You simply buy the device and then enjoy the service without subscription or any additional fees.

Do you need Alexa to use the ring doorbell?

No, you don’t need Alexa or any other voice assistant to use a video doorbell. It will work perfectly well without one. However, if your doorbell model supports smart home capabilities and a voice assistant, you can (if you so desire) access your doorbell with a voice command. Any voice assistant should get the job done, including Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.

Read one of our past articles How To Connect Alexa To Internet

Does the ring doorbell require wiring?

It depends on the model. The doorbells that are battery-powered don’t require wiring – you will have to recharge them manually. If you prefer the device to charge automatically, if it doesn’t support manual charging, or if it doesn’t have built-in batteries, you will have to wire it into your existing doorbell.

Is the ring video doorbell always recording?

No, ring cameras only start recording when motion is detected. However, if you purchase the Protect Plan, you enable safety snaps to be taken every 3 minutes to every hour. You can also purchase the 24/7 recording feature (professional monitoring) for an additional fee.

Do all video doorbells have a monthly fee?

No, not at all. The ones we have covered in this article don’t come with a subscription or a monthly fee. However, if you wish to store your recorded videos on a cloud server, you will have to buy a membership plan and pay a monthly fee, which can be as affordable as $3 per month.