Best doorbell camera without subscription. What to consider before buying?

What is the Best doorbell camera without subscription? What if you want to keep the recording and not pay for a subscription? Well , you are in luck!. There are many good Ring alternatives that don’t require a subscription to record and save doorbell’s video, and are available today.

One of the best solutions for doors can be peephole cameras. Device ideally fits info door peephole without drilling,you can read bout it in next article about best peephole cameras for apartment doors.

Below are our top picks for the best video intercoms that don’t require a monthly subscription. Continue reading below for our top 5 picks, including reviews and a doorbell video guide.

Image	Product	Features summary
	eufy Security Battery Video Doorbell Camera C210 Kit Wire-Free	Wi-Fi Video Doorbell Kit, 1080p-Grade Resolution; 2-Way Audio; Human Detection; No monthly Fees; 120-day Battery; Free Wireless Chime (Requires Micro-SD Card); 1080p-Grade Resolution; The advanced WDR and 4:3 aspect ratio ensures you get a color accurate
	Doorbell Camera Wireless, Aosu 5MP Ultra HD	Same as the previous one: it can be hardwired to your old doorbell system or powered by a rechargeable internal battery life that can last up to six months on a single charge. To charge, remove the doorbell and plug it into the included USB charger. The doorbell will alert you when the battery is low.
	Ring Video Doorbell Wired	1080p HD Video. Advanced motion detection. Live View. 2.4 GHz connectivity. Privacy zones. Advanced Pre-Roll. Night vision
	Ring Chime, A Wi-Fi-Enabled Speaker for Your Ring Video Doorbell	Plug Ring Chime into any standard power outlet, and get instant alerts anywhere in your home. Compatible with Ring Video Doorbell, Ring Pro and Stick Up Cam. Internet requirements is 4 Mbps for all 1080p ring devices or 2 Mbps for 720p ring devices. Volume control: Adjust the volume directly from the free Ring app. Connectivity : 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi connection @ 2.4GHz only Do not disturb mode: Disable alerts anytime so you can get some peace and quiet. Power-110-240 VAC
	Wedge Kit for Ring Video Doorbell	Tilt your Ring Video Doorbell (2020 release) towards a staircase or mount it flat against an angled siding for improved motion detection and a better view of visitors. Comes with three stackable mounts to adjust the angle of your Ring Video Doorbell (2020 release) by 5°, 10°, or 15°. Paint the mounts to match your home or your Ring Video Doorbell (2020 release). Simply screw your Wedge Kit into your wall and mount your Ring Video Doorbell (2020 release). Includes three mounts, mounting screws, anchors, and user manual.

Top 5 Best doorbell camera without subscription

We’ve compiled a list of some of our favorite video intercoms that don’t require a subscription to use. Here’s a list of some of our top picks.

eufy Security Battery Video Doorbell Camera C210 Kit Wire-Free. Best doorbell camera without subscription

There are more and more video intercoms on the market today, but none of them match the rich features of the Eufy doorbell camera, which easily takes the top place for video doorbell without subscription!

The nice thing about this doorbell is that it provides two power options.

It can be directly connected to your old doorbell system, or you can run on a battery-powered video doorbell if you don’t want to fiddle with wires or don’t have a doorbell at all.

If you choose to run on a battery-powered doorbell, the internal battery life can be recharged via USB and can last up to 6 months on a single charge.

Motion detection on Eufy is also next level and includes some pretty cool features like:

• Intelligent Human Detection: Uses AI to determine whether the motion sensor captured was human or not. This helps to reduce the number of false positives, such as those caused by  animals.
• Activity Zones: This allows you to set a specific area where a motion sensor can be detected. Ideal for excluding busy sidewalks or streets from detection!

In addition to clear video, the sound is also top-notch. Two-way audio communication between the doorbell and the app is crystal clear, and you can even create quick responses like “Hi, can I help you?” or even “Please leave the bag in front of the door, thanks!”

You can also snooze alerts for up to 12 hours, so your phone doesn’t explode during your next house party.

It is similar in design to any other video doorbells. It has a sleek black design and the button is surrounded by a blue LED ring. Eufy is responsive for customer feedback and bugs, and most of them rate their customer service highly.

Playback and video quality. Best doorbell camera without subscription

This high-resolution video camera records in 2K resolution (2560 × 1920) and creates incredibly clear and crisp video compared to many other 2K video doorbells.Learning how to become a pro at setting up security cameras can greatly enhance your home’s safety and surveillance capabilities.”

It also has a 160-degree field of view, a 4:3 aspect ratio, and superior night vision combined, so you can’t mistake who’s standing at your door – day or night!

Data storage and usability

Eufy does not provide local storage services for this video doorbell without subscription. Instead, videos are stored on 16 GB of internal video storage on the included HomeBase, secured with military-grade AES-256 data encryption.

16 GB gives you about 60 hours of footage, which is good enough for most applications. That being said, HomeBase doesn’t have expandable local storage, which is a shame.

Like many video intercoms, the Eufy only works with 2.4GHz Wi-Fi and does not connect to a 5GHz network video recorder.

All in all, Eufy is an ironclad brand that makes one of the best no-subscription video doorbells you can buy!

Doorbell Camera Wireless, Aosu 5MP Ultra HD. Best doorbell camera without subscription

Next up is the AOSU Doorbell Cameras, which is a great and affordable alternative to the more expensive Eufy doorbell.

It has two power options; it can be hardwired to your old doorbell system or powered by a rechargeable internal battery, which can last up to six months on a single charge. To charge, remove the doorbell and plug it into the included USB charger. The doorbell will alert you when the battery is low.

The indoor base station can also work as a doorbell, so you don’t need an existing doorbell wire and can use it in situations other than your front door.

It has a quick reply button that will speak pre-recorded messages  and even has a cool feature that can modify the tone of your voice so whomever is standing at the door cannot identify you.

At the moment they have two available tones; “uncle”, which makes you look like a middle-aged man, or “clown”, which makes you sound creepy but invisible. I don’t know of any other video doorbells intercoms that offer this unique feature.

It comes with “intelligent detection” which can tell the difference between a human and an animal (such as a cat or dog). However, you can turn this off.

You can also set the distance at which motion detection will be triggered. There is also the possibility of creating “motion zones” where you can define an specific area. The camera is only triggered when motion is detected in that area.

Video and playback quality

Aosu shoots in crisp 5MP (2k resolution) and, in addition to using a 4:3 aspect ratio, has an excellent night view and an impressive 166-degree field of view.

With this camera, you won’t worry about missing anything!

Data storage and usability

This model uses a base station that is inside your home and includes 8 GB of internal memory – about 30 minutes of video footage.

Aosu does not offer expandable storage, but does offer an optional monthly cloud storage subscription just in case you need more space!

Ring Video Doorbell Wired. Best doorbell camera without subscription

The Ring Video Doorbell Wired is a compact and innovative home security device that offers convenient and reliable protection for your property. With its slim and sleek design, it seamlessly fits on your front door, allowing you to see, hear, and speak to visitors from anywhere using your smartphone or tablet.

Equipped with 1080p HD video, two-way talk, and advanced motion detection, it provides crisp video quality and real-time communication with anyone at your doorstep.

The device is easy to install, connecting to your existing doorbell wiring, and it’s compatible with Alexa, enabling voice control for added convenience. Its motion-activated alerts keep you informed about any activity near your front door, enhancing security and providing peace of mind. The Ring Video Doorbell Wired is an excellent addition to any home, offering a cost-effective and accessible way to boost your home’s security and stay connected with your surroundings.

Characteristics

• 1080p HD Video;
• Advanced motion detection;
• Live View;
• 2.4 GHz connectivity;
• Privacy zones;
• Advanced Pre-Roll;
• Night vision.

Ring Chime, A Wi-Fi-Enabled Speaker for Your Ring Video Doorbell

The Ring Chime is a smart and versatile accessory designed to complement your Ring Video Doorbell, creating a seamless and enhanced home security system.

This Wi-Fi-enabled speaker acts as a chime and alerts you when someone is at your door, even if your phone is in another room. Its compact and modern design easily plugs into any standard power outlet, ensuring you never miss a visitor.

It also includes many common features, such as:

• Plug Ring Chime into any standard power outlet, and get instant alerts anywhere in your home;
• Compatible with Ring Video Doorbell, Ring Pro and Stick Up Cam. Internet requirements is 4 Mbps for all 1080p ring devices or 2 Mbps for 720p ring devices;
• Volume control: Adjust the volume directly from the free Ring app. Connectivity : 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi connection @ 2.4GHz only;
• Do not disturb mode: Disable alerts anytime so you can get some peace and quiet. Power-110-240 VAC.

The Chime offers multiple customizable tones, allowing you to choose your preferred sound and volume level.

It extends the range of your Ring devices, ensuring you’re always connected to your front door, backyard, or any other area. With easy setup through the Ring app, you can control your Chime’s settings and adjust its preferences to match your lifestyle and home. This accessory provides added convenience and peace of mind to your home security setup, making it a valuable addition to your Ring ecosystem.

Wedge Kit for Ring Video Doorbell. Best doorbell camera without subscription

The Wedge Kit for Ring Video Doorbell is a clever and practical accessory that enhances the versatility of your Ring Video Doorbell. Designed to provide a customizable angle for your doorbell, this kit ensures that you can capture the perfect view of your entryway. Its simple yet effective design includes a wedge and two mounting screws, making installation a breeze.

The kit allows you to adjust the viewing angle up to 15 degrees, which is especially useful when your doorbell is mounted on a wall with an unusual angle or when you need a better perspective for monitoring your front porch. The result is an optimized field of vision that ensures you see visitors clearly from head to toe.

Constructed with durable materials, the Wedge Kit is built to withstand various weather conditions, making it ideal for outdoor use. The kit is compatible with various Ring Video Doorbell models, and it seamlessly integrates with your existing setup. With this versatile accessory, you can further enhance the security and convenience of your Ring Video Doorbell, ensuring that you never miss an important moment at your front door.

Characteristics

• Comes with three stackable mounts to adjust the angle of your Ring Video Doorbell (2020 release) by 5°, 10°, or 15°;
• Paint the mounts to match your home or your Ring Video Doorbell (2020 release);
• Power – 16-24 volts wired;
• Simply screw your Wedge Kit into your wall and mount your Ring Video Doorbell (2020 release);
• Includes three mounts, mounting screws, anchors, and user manual.

Consideration Before Buying. Best doorbell camera without subscription

Video intercom recording options without a subscription

Subscription offerings like the Ring doorbell usually involve cloud storage and processing, but subscription-free video doorbell chime intercoms still need to store the footage somewhere. Cloud storage gives you obvious convenience benefits and provides protection in case an intruder is smart enough to steal the recording device.

Third-party cloud services are also prone to questionable security and privacy practices, and it’s a much bigger risk with lesser-known brands that don’t get scrutinized by security experts, especially the few that offer free cloud storage.

The alternative in general is to store the video locally on a memory card in the device itself, and many subscription-free video doorbell chime options do just that. Some, like my pick of the best no-fee video intercom, provide an additional base station that takes care of keeping those videos in a safe place in the house.

Not subject to direct theft from the outside and being in a less obvious place where an attacker is unlikely to find them is almost the same as cloud storage.

Viewing angle and resolution of the doorbell camera

More is always better, right? Not necessarily when it comes to viewing angles. Of course, a wide-angle lens covers a larger area, but that also means details are lost, as the number of pixels covering any particular feature is necessarily smaller.

Like any camcorder, higher resolution door cams can help, but that doesn’t necessarily mean video quality, as it depends just as much on the quality of the lens and sensor. You also need to look at the actual resolution numbers.

Curiously, the best doorbell cameras don’t necessarily have to have the best resolution. The performance of the Ring Video doorbell shows that resolution isn’t everything for one of these devices. Despite this, the best video doorbells still work well, although they are not as effective for reaching large areas as a result.

Consider where you are going to place your doorbell camera and what you actually need to view. If you only need to cover the porch, a narrower view will give better clarity of what’s important, but use a wide angle if you want to view the entire front yard.

Night vision performance

Since we tend to use our video doorbells as safety cameras, it is important to consider what you want your video doorbell to see at night. There are two factors here. First, how good is the night vision on the doorbell camera itself? Is it super grainy? Can it focus properly? How far can it see?

Second, how night vision will affect motion detection? Because some cheaper video intercom models rely on the best video doorbell camera for motion detection, this will be significantly affected if it cannot see very far.

Purchasing a model with a built-in infrared sensor will help overcome this limitation. Most video doorbells will work at around 5 feet, but if you want to see more without an external light source, you’ll have to pay more.

Wired doorbell or battery-powered

A truly wireless video doorbell requires batteries, but this depends on whether you have existing doorbell wiring or not, and your local climate. Typically, doorbell transformers put out several different voltages, and any wired best video doorbell will support them. It’s still worth checking if the voltage you have is supported by the doorbell you’re looking at, just to be sure.

Using wireless video doorbell wiring requires less maintenance as you won’t worry about battery life. However, if you don’t have existing doorbell wiring, then the batteries in these devices should last a month or more if you don’t have very cold weather.

Lithium-ion batteries used in video doorbells are very sensitive to cold, which greatly shortens their lifespan.

If you have freezing winters, you will be safer with a wired model.

In some cases, you can replace the rechargeable batteries if you have a spare set, but in many cases, the battery is built in and cannot be easily replaced. I find it a no-brainer to charge your video doorbell from time to time, and the best smartphone apps will alert you when the time is right.

Read also: 7 Best peep hole cameras for apartment doors

Advanced Motion Detection features

Video intercom smart notification features are becoming more common, but cheaper models are still often lacking in this area.

These features cover advanced motion detection technologies and include things like smart doorbell people detection, custom motion detection areas, quick responses, and packet detection, all of which are controlled by artificial intelligence technology.

The best smart video doorbells have these features to ensure you only get the motion detection notifications you need, avoid false alarms, and can respond in realistic time frames.

Lots of useless notifications and false positives just mean you start ignoring or even turning them off, defeating the purpose of having a video intercom. The more of these features, the better you will be in the long run.

Read also: Instructions on how to spot a fake security camera

Infrared motion sensors

You will notice that some video intercoms contain an infrared sensor as well as a camera. Does that make it the best video doorbell? Not necessary, but it helps reduce battery drain and improve response time.

This is because a dedicated motion detector can be used to trigger the video camera immediately, rather than the proximity of some cheaper  doorbell cameras where the camera itself has to monitor for movement, which consumes much more power.

FAQs: Best doorbell camera without subscription

Is there a video doorbell without a monthly fee?

There are many video intercoms that do not require a monthly fee or subscription to use. Instead, most of these video intercoms have an SD card, allowing you to store recorded footage locally in the doorbell itself rather than using cloud storage.

In addition, some best video doorbells allow you limited access or use of free cloud storage without paying a subscription fee. For example, some video doorbells come with a cloud storage trial, while others offer you a limited amount of cloud storage for free.

Is Ring doorbell useless without subscription?

However, the storage options are pretty basic, so if you want to record a video and watch it multiple times, you’re probably better off subscribing.

Ring Video Doorbells has many different subscription plans, so you can choose the one that suits you best. Compared to the competition, Ring plans are fairly inexpensive, and you can choose from single or multi-camera plans.

What can Ring cameras do without subscription?

Without a subscription, you can view real-time video for Ring video doorbells and security cameras and answer doorbell notifications as they happen. However, without a Ring Protect plan, you won’t get video recordings of those events.

Read also: How to mount security camera without screws: easy guide

Can you view Ring videos without subscription?

The Ring Protect subscription is completely optional. If you do not have a Ring Protect plan, you will still be able to view the camera live, as well as useful features like Motion Alerts and Two-Way Talk. You will not be able to access recorded videos without a Ring Protect plan. What is a Ring Protect trial?

Read also: Best trail camera for home security. Top 8 review

Conclusion: Best doorbell camera without subscription

The best home protection is multi-layered. Doors, locks, dogs, and security cameras are just obstacles, and like any good defense, the more obstacles and the more menacing they are, the better.

Doorbell cameras provide an extra layer of security designed to protect your home. Being able to see who is at your door can deter potential burglars, scare off porch pirates, and keep the things and people you value most safe.

While Ring doorbells are one of the most sought-after smart video doorbells, subscriptions suck and there are really better products on the market that offer many features without a monthly fee!

My pick for the best doorbell camera without a monthly fee was the Eufy 2K. It offers excellent 2K video with a wide-angle lens, night vision, responsive live mobile app, 16 GB of local storage, two-way talk, and dual power. It has few flaws and is developed by a company known for its excellent customer service and quick bug fixes.

This is an outstanding investment, you will love the peace of mind that comes from knowing who is at your door.

Read also: How long do security cameras keep footage – your security and privacy