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The best cheap video doorbells (and whether a subscription is required)
One major way to protect yourself from home burglaries is to install a video doorbell. This way, you can make sure none of your visitors are dangerous or unknown. It's especially critical when you have little ones in the house that may answer the door when your back is turned.
Safety aside, smart video doorbells are also incredibly convenient -- you will never miss a package or visitor again, as they provide real-time, two-way audio and video.
Also: The best video doorbells
I scoured the market and analyzed products to find the best options available. Here are the best cheap video doorbells to help keep your family and home safe and sound.
- Easy installation
- Fantastic battery life
- Affordable
- Alexa compatible
- Narrow field of view
- No Sync Module 2
- Chime sold separately
Blink Video Doorbell features: 1080p HD recording | 30fps camera | Night vision | Two-way audio | Weather-resistant | Mobile connectivity | Alexa compatible | Cloud or local storage | 135° horizontal, 80° vertical field of view
The Blink Video Doorbell is my recommendation for the best overall cheap video doorbell.
With this device, you can answer the door from anywhere using your smartphone with two-way audio. Motion detection can keep you aware of visitors, while 1080p HD allows you to see crisp detail and infrared video at night.
Also: The best security cameras
During installation, I found the process quick and easy, and setup was a smoother and quicker experience than with other products I've previously tested, such as Ring doorbells.
All you have to do is wire your doorbell and choose your privacy settings. Keep in mind, however, that live view and two-way audio are only available when the doorbell is pressed or when motion is detected. If you want 24/7 video, you'll want to invest in the Sync Module 2 add-on. You can also pick up a Blink Mini camera as a Chime accessory.
- Multiple sound effects
- Weather-resistant
- Compact design
- Chime charged separately
- The design won't suit everyone
Wyze video doorbell features: 1080p HD recording | Night vision | 3:4 aspect ratio | Mobile push notifications | Package detection | Weather-resistant
If you want constant awareness of your home's surroundings, the Wyze video doorbell may be the perfect fit for you. With instant notifications, you can check the camera whenever you have a visitor. With "head-to-toe" camera capabilities, the doorbell can also record deliveries left on your porch.
Also: The best cheap home security cameras under $100
The camera records a livestream you can access at any time, all in 1080p HD video with a 3:4 aspect ratio. You'll also receive other Wyze perks, like motion detection, video recording, and smart alerts.
This doorbell is hardwired, so you will need to set aside some time for installation.
- Recieve alerts from mobile or TVs
- Reasonable field of view
- Wire-free
- Cloud recording locked to plans
- Limited IoT ecosystem support
Roku video doorbell and Chime SE features: 1080p HD recording | Two-way audio | Motion and sound detection | 120° vertical and 88° horizontal field of view | Color night vision | Mobile connectivity | Weather-resistant | Different sound choices
While Roku is best known for streaming services, the company also developed a Roku smart home video doorbell and Chime SE.
Also: The best outdoor security cameras
The wired Roku doorbell and Chime accessory provide basic smart features you would expect in a video doorbell, including 1080p HD recording and weather resistance, as well as 19 different sound choices available for your Chime. Alerts are sent either to your smartphone or your Roku TV/Roku player.
While you can pick up the doorbell's live stream whenever you want, you will need a subscription to access cloud storage and to unlock advanced features.
- Built-in siren
- Pre-recorded messages
- Compatible with many IoT ecosystems
- Wiring required
- Full functionality restricted without a plan
- Subscriptions can be expensive
Arlo Essential wired video doorbell features: 1080p HD recording | Two-way audio | 180° viewing angle | Pre-recorded messages | Mobile connectivity | Voice assistant compatible | Siren | Weather-resistant
The Arlo Essential wired video doorbell is another top pick as a budget-friendly video doorbell.
This Arlo doorbell is wired and compatible with Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and Apple HomeKit. Footage is recorded in HD and has a 180° viewing angle, allowing you to see exactly what's happening outside your home. Like other options on this list, you have to pay for a subscription to save footage in the cloud.
Also: The best home security systems
Having tested multiple Arlo home security products throughout the years, I appreciate the Arlo video doorbell's ability to record footage at night. This model only provides budget-level capabilities, but it is still good value for money, especially if you can grab one on sale.
- Mobile notifications
- Alerts when power is low
- Removable battery pack
- Installation can be frustrating
- Limited free features
Ring video doorbell 3 features: 1080p HD recordings | Dual-band (2.4/5.0 GHz) Wi-Fi connectivity | Privacy zones | Battery-operated/wired | Two-way audio | Motion sensors
The flagship Ring doorbell range is not often discounted outside of sales events. However, the Ring video doorbell 3 is currently on sale for $150, so you can save $50.
At 25% off, the Ring video doorbell 3 has entered this list as an option if you have a little more to spend.
Also: The best personal safety alarms to carry for self-protection
I've used Ring doorbells frequently over the years. Even though Ring doorbells can be irritating to install, the design has drastically improved over time. Plus, connectivity is reliable, and recorded footage tends to be high-quality, too. In the time I've used them, I've never had a Ring doorbell fail and I consider the design not only stylish but also prominent enough to also remind potentially unwanted visitors of the device's security features.
What is the best cheap video doorbell?
For all its features, the vote is unanimous: The Blink Video Doorbell is the best cheap video doorbell for your home. However, to see how it stacks up, this is an overview of the best cheap video doorbells based on price, resolution, and other important features.
Best cheap video doorbell | Price | Resolution | Chime included? | Color night vision? |
Blink video doorbell | $60 | 1080p HD | X | X |
Wyze video doorbell | $35 | 1080p HD | X | X |
Roku smart home video doorbell and Chime SE | $79 | 1080p HD | Yes | Yes |
Arlo Essential wired video doorbell | $70 | 1080p HD | X | X |
Ring video doorbell 3 | $150 | 1080p HD | X | Yes |
Which is the right cheap video doorbell for you?
While you're browsing for the best smart video doorbell for you, it's worth considering more than just the price point. My recommendations are focused on budget, true, but each offering also has strengths and weaknesses you'll want to consider before making a purchase.
Choose this cheap video doorbell... | If you want... |
Blink video doorbell | Excellent performance with a reasonable price tag. This doorbell is extremely easy to install and is a great entry-level device. |
Wyze video doorbell | The widest field of view. This "head-to-toe" camera is a worthwhile option if you often have deliveries and want a doorbell with dedicated package detection functions. |
Roku smart home video doorbell and Chime SE | A cheap doorbell and Chime combination. Best suited for Roku users, the inclusion of the Chime means you don't have to buy any further accessories. |
Arlo Essential wired video doorbell | The most stylish cheap doorbell that won't break the bank for standard security features. The doorbell is compatible with Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and Apple HomeKit. |
Ring video doorbell 3 | A high-end video doorbell at a discount. Ring can be a pain to install, but if you're willing to pay for a subscription, you can take advantage of high-quality recordings and advanced features. |
How did we choose these cheap video doorbells?
I considered several factors when researching the best cheap video doorbells for you and your family.
- Features: Motion detection, two-way talk, night vision, and picture quality are the main features I look for in a smart doorbell.
- Installation: Some cheap video doorbells skip the manual work of wired installations and instead opt for wireless technology. However, there's a trade-off. If you take on the hassle of installation, you'll pay a lower price.
- Accessibility: Many video doorbells require you to purchase a separate subscription in order to access features like cloud storage.
- Price: Cost is an important factor, so I looked for the most affordable video doorbells for your home.
Do all cheap video doorbells require a subscription?
Some cheap video doorbells require a subscription to access premium or advanced features like cloud storage and the automatic storage of footage over a period of time. You can generally use video doorbells without a plan, but you might miss out on some features.
I've signed up for a subscription from time to time to ensure I have access to recorded footage. If you install a smart doorbell with a subscription, many vendors only allow you to view short, motion-activated snippets, or to watch in real time.
How do video doorbells work?
Video doorbells are an invaluable piece of a home security system for surveilling the front entrance to your home.
By using motion detection, video doorbells help you identify guests and even communicate via two-way talk. With a video doorbell, you can talk to visitors and access live-stream footage to keep your family safe at all times. Smart video doorbells provide a wide viewing angle -- typically, the more advanced, the wider the angle -- and may also provide night vision.
Most vendors offer cloud storage facilities to automatically store event footage. However, this service generally requires a subscription.
Is a subscription worth it?
It depends on your situation and what you need from your video doorbell.
Let's take Ring's Protect plans, for example. A basic subscription is $3.99 monthly and includes 180 days of video history, footage saving and sharing, alerts for when people are on your property, daily snapshots, video downloads, and more. However, the more expensive plans include 24/7 professional monitoring, cellular technology for alarms as a backup for when your Wi-Fi fails, and hands-free access to emergency hotlines.
If you have concerns about your safety, if you're trying to catch a vandal, or if you want the reassurance of front-door footage, I would recommend you pick up at least a basic video doorbell subscription.
Are there alternative cheap video doorbells worth considering?
It's not possible to showcase every cheap video doorbell on the market. However, with so many vendors now fighting for customers in the same space -- Blink, Ring, Arlo, and Google, to name a few -- competition is fierce. New sales, discounts, and price drops are often launched to entice consumers, so here are some alternatives you might want to consider.
BEST PRICE
Kasa smart video doorbell, Chime - Save $15
This budget-friendly, hardwired 2K video doorbell comes with a bonus Chime.
BEST PRICE
Blink video doorbell with Sync module 2 - Local storage included
This Blink video doorbell is battery-operated and comes with Sync module 2.
BEST PRICE
Google Nest doorbell (wired) - Save $122
Google also offers a wired version of the Google Nest doorbell, previously Nest Hello.
BEST PRICE
Eufy security video doorbell 2E - Save $109
You can also pick up a battery-operated Eufy doorbell and HomeBase with no subscription required.