Best Doorbell Camera for Apartments (Renter-Friendly)
By Naila Syifa
Updated March 2024
If you're renting an apartment, wiring a doorbell camera might not be an option. Drilling will require you to first seek permission from your landlord. Even if the landlord permits, it can be quite effortful and also poses the risk of damaging the property. Therefore, you need a smart doorbell camera that can be easily installed without screws, drilling, or wiring.
In addition, you might want to consider whether it will be easy to remove when you move out and whether your neighbors won't mind the camera being there. Regarding this, privacy features such as customizable detection areas and disabling audio will be useful.
To help you make the best choice for your apartment, we've compiled a list of the best renter-friendly doorbell cameras for apartments. Each camera has its own unique features and benefits, so you should choose the one that suits your needs best.
#1 Best Features: Arlo Essential Wireless Video Doorbell + Wasserstein No-Drill Mount
Wasserstein No-Drill Mount
Why did we pick this?
The Arlo Essential Wireless Video Doorbell is powered by a battery with 6 months of battery life, so hardwiring is not necessary. The installation originally involves drilling holes and mounting the plate to the wall with screws, but you can purchase a separate Wasserstein No-Drill Mount for adhesive installation. The Wasserstein No-Drill Mount is fully compatible with Arlo Doorbell and guarantees easy and damage-free removal when you move out.
Arlo Essential Wireless Video Doorbell
What does it offer?
The Arlo Essential Wireless Video Doorbell offers 1080p HD video with HDR, Night Vision, and a head-to-toe 180° diagonal viewing angle. Some of its features include Activity Zones to customize motion detection areas, two-way audio, pre-recorded quick replies, and video history accessible in the cloud storage for up to 30 days.
The Arlo Doorbell also features advanced object detection, so it can recognize the difference between a person, package, vehicle, and animal, and send you real-time alerts when any of these objects are detected.
Arlo Essential Wireless Video Doorbell
With Arlo Foresight, the camera can also capture video prior to every motion-triggered video recording, so you can know what happened before a motion was detected. Direct SIP calling is also supported, so you can answer your door by answering the call on your phone without having to open the app first.
The Arlo Essential Wireless Video Doorbell also offers security features such as a built-in siren to deter intruders and 24/7 Emergency Response with live security experts ready to send police, fire, or medical responders whenever necessary. The doorbell is also compatible with Alexa, Google Assistant, SmartThings, and IFTTT. However, bear in mind that the Arlo Secure subscription is necessary to access some features.
Arlo Essential Wireless Video Doorbell + Wasserstein No-Drill Mount
Best Features
✓ 1080p HD with Night Vision
✓ 180° FOV
✓ Object Detection for Person, Package, Vehicle, Animal
✓ Built-in Siren
#2 Best for Doors: Ring Peephole Cam
Ring Peephole Cam
Why did we pick this?
The Ring Peephole Cam is powered by a battery and can be installed directly on your door by replacing its peephole. Removal is also easy and damage-free, simply by replacing the doorbell with the original peephole. Such an installation is perfect for renters as it requires no drilling or wiring, but it is important to note that the doorbell only supports doors with a thickness between 34-55 mm and peepholes with a diameter between 12-14 mm.
Ring Peephole Cam
What does it offer?
The camera delivers video in 1080p HD resolution with Night Vision and 155° horizontal and 90° vertical viewing angles. The motion detection is customizable, so you can set it to focus only on areas you want to monitor while protecting the privacy of your neighbors.
One unique feature that the Ring Peephole Cam offers is Knock Detection, which uses a built-in impact sensor to detect knocks on your door. As a result, when someone presses the doorbell or knocks on the door, you will receive an instant alert on your phone. When connected to Alexa, you can also hear announcements on your compatible Echo speakers or see a live video feed on your compatible Echo displays, Fire TV, or Fire Tablet.
The Two-Way Audio allows you to initiate a conversation with your visitors remotely, while Quick Replies such as "Leave the package at the door" or "We'll be there shortly" can save you time and effort.
If you subscribe to a Ring Protect plan, you can access more features such as Person and Package Alerts, up to 180 days of video history, rich notifications, and Home and Away Modes.
Ring Peephole Cam
Best for Doors
✓ 1080p HD with Night Vision
✓ 155° Horizontal, 90° Vertical FOV
✓ Person and Package Alerts
✓ Customizable Motion Zones
#3 Best for 5 GHz Wi-Fi: Ring Battery Doorbell Pro + Kmouants No-Drill Mount
Ring Battery Doorbell Pro
Why did we pick this?
With dual-band connectivity, the Ring Battery Doorbell Pro is a great choice if you have a 5 GHz Wi-Fi network. It is powered by a rechargeable Quick Release Battery Pack and can be installed with no drilling or wiring if you purchase the compatible Kmouants No-Drill Mount separately.
The Kmouants No-Drill Mount is an anti-theft door bracket that offers a secure and easy-to-install solution for Ring Battery Doorbell Pro and some other doorbell models. It is compatible with doors that open inwards and have a thickness between 1.1 to 2.16 inches.
Ring Battery Doorbell Pro
What does it offer?
The Ring Battery Doorbell Pro delivers 1536p HD video with Color Night Vision and 150° horizontal and 150° vertical field of view. Similar to the Ring Peephole Cam, the Ring Battery Doorbell Pro also offers motion detection with customizable Motion Zones, alerts via the app or compatible Alexa/Echo/Fire devices, two-way talk with Quick Replies, and a live view accessible from anywhere.
By subscribing to a Ring Protect plan, you can also access more advanced features including Person and Package Alerts, video history of up to 180 days, Home and Away Modes, and rich notifications with thumbnail snapshots.
Some other premium features that make the Ring Battery Doorbell Pro stand out include the 3D Motion Detection feature that uses radar to detect motion and provide more accurate alerts, Bird's Eye View feature that provides an aerial view of your property and shows how the motion was detected, and Pre-Roll feature that records 4 seconds of video before motion is detected, so you can see what happened leading up to the event.
Ring Battery Doorbell Pro + Kmouants No-Drill Mount
Best for 5 GHz Wi-Fi
✓ 1536p HD with Color Night Vision
✓ 150° Horizontal, 150° Vertical FOV
✓ 3D Motion Detection & Bird’s Eye
✓ Dual-Band 2.4 GHz & 5 GHz
#4 Best for Budget: Wyze Wireless Video Doorbell Pro
Wyze Wireless Video Doorbell Pro
Why did we pick this?
Priced at only $93.99, the Wyze Wireless Video Doorbell Pro is an affordable option compared to other quality smart doorbell cameras that mostly cost over $100. It is powered by a battery that lasts 3-6 months depending on usage, and can be easily installed very easily with a 3M adhesive mounting plate included. This way, you will need no screws, drills, or any hardwiring equipment.
Wyze Wireless Video Doorbell Pro
What does it offer?
Despite the low price, Wyze Wireless Video Doorbell Pro doesn't disappoint. It delivers 1440p HD video with Night Vision and 150° horizontal and vertical viewing angles, giving you an ultra-wide view of your visitors from head to toe and allowing you to see packages on the ground. It also offers dual-band connectivity, making it compatible with a 5 GHz Wi-Fi band.
The camera detects a person and package and will send you real-time alerts. The Wyze Doorbell Pro also comes with a chime included, so you can get alerted when someone is at your door even if you don't have your phone with you. The chime has 20 unique tunes and 8 sound levels you can choose from, and some tunes such as a dog bark can be useful to scare away potential intruders.
The Wyze Wireless Video Doorbell Pro works with Alexa and Google Assistant for control and voice commands. You can also communicate with your visitors two-way or select preset quick responses when you're busy. If you subscribe to Cam Plus which costs $2.99/month, you can also receive Person Alerts, Package Alerts, and store unlimited videos in the cloud for 14 days.
Wyze Wireless Video Doorbell Pro
Best for Budget
✓ 1440p HD with Night Vision
✓ 150° Horizontal, 150° Vertical FOV
✓ Chime Included
✓ Dual-Band 2.4 GHz & 5 GHz
However, it is also important to note that Wyze has suffered from recurring security incidents in the past, with the latest one being in February 2024 where users' footage was incorrectly exposed to other users due to a glitch. Security is a major concern, so you should weigh the pros and cons before making a decision.
If you want another budget-friendly option that doesn't compromise on security, Blink Video Doorbell is also very recommended. Blink is a sister company of the Amazon-owned Ring, so it is a credible name with strong data security measures in place. At only US$60-$70, it can deliver 1080p video resolution with free local storage. It is also battery-powered and wireless, but drilling is required for mounting. If drilling is an issue for you, purchase a no-drill mount from Kmouants or Trushome.
Other Alternatives
Trushome Doorbell Mount
If you prefer other brands or models not listed here, or if you already own a battery-powered smart doorbell camera that requires drilling for a wall mount, you might still be able to turn it into a renter-friendly doorbell camera with a no-drill mount.
This can be done by purchasing an external no-drill mount compatible with your doorbell camera model.
For example, the Trushome Doorbell Mount (priced at only $19.99 on Amazon) can be used with some of the popular doorbell cameras such as Ring Doorbell 4/3/2/1, Ring Battery Doorbell Plus, Blink Doorbell, and Eufy Doorbell 1080p/2K. It requires no drilling and is even equipped with an Anti-Theft feature for extra security.
Best Doorbell Camera for Apartments (Renter-Friendly)
Final Thoughts
Ring Battery Doorbell Pro
If you are renting an apartment, you may not be able to hardwire a camera or drill into the wall. The Arlo Essential Wireless Video Doorbell, Ring Peephole Cam, Ring Battery Doorbell Pro, and Wyze Wireless Video Doorbell Pro are all great options you should definitely consider.
If you like to read more about Smart Doorbell Cameras, check out our other relevant guides here:
Best Smart Doorbell Cameras
Best Smart Doorbell Cameras without Subscription & with Local Storage
Best Wireless Smart Doorbell Cameras
Best Ring Doorbell Cameras
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