4 Best Smart Doorbell Cameras without Subscription
By Naila Syifa
Updated September 2023
Many smart doorbell cameras require a subscription for full access to all of their features, which can be expensive over time. However, some great options don't require a subscription and still offer excellent features.
These doorbell cameras can be used without subscription because they store footage locally, instead of uploading it to the company's cloud. This means you'll have more limited storage space, but you'll save money in the long run.
Let's take a look at our best pick for smart doorbell cameras without subscriptions!
On our list
#1 Best Wireless Doorbell Camera Without Subscription: Eufy Video Doorbell S220 (Battery)
#2 Best Wired Doorbell Camera Without Subscription: Eufy Video Doorbell 2K (Wired)
#3 Best Motion Detecting Doorbell Camera Without Subscription: Google Nest Doorbell (Battery)
#4 Best Budget Doorbell Camera Without Subscription: TP-Link Kasa Smart Doorbell Camera KD110
| Specs | Eufy Video Doorbell S220 (Battery) | Eufy Video Doorbell 2K (Wired) | Google Nest Doorbell (Battery) | TP-Link Kasa Doorbell Camera KD110 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buy on Amazon | Buy on Amazon | Buy on Amazon | Buy on Amazon | |
| Price | $199.99 | $149.99 | $174 | $59.99 |
| Power Source | Battery or hardwired | Hardwired | Battery or hardwired | Hardwired |
| Wi-Fi Connectivity | 2.4 GHz | 2.4 GHz | 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz | 2.4 GHz |
| Resolution | 2560 x 1920 | 2560 x 1920 | 960 x 1280 | 2304 x 1296 |
| Field of View | 4:3 ratio | 4:3 ratio | 145° diagonal | 160° diagonal |
| Night Vision | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Motion Detection & Alerts | Person | Person | Person, package, animal, vehicle | Person |
| Customizable Motion Zones | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Live Video | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Two-Way Audio | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Pre-Recorded Responses | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Storage | Local (16 GB) | Local (4 GB) | Cloud (up to 60 days), local backup (1 hour) | Cloud (up to 30 days), local MicroSD (up to 128 GB, not included) |
| Chime Included | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Smart Home Compatibility | Google Assistant, Alexa | Google Assistant, Alexa | Google Assistant, Alexa | Google Assistant, Alexa |
#1 Best Wireless: Eufy Video Doorbell S220 (Battery)
Eufy Video Doorbell S220 (Battery)
The Eufy Video Doorbell S220 is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a wireless smart doorbell camera without a subscription. It is powered by a battery with 180-day battery life, but you can also hardwire it into an 8-24V doorbell wire for continuous power.
The package includes a doorbell and a HomeBase. The HomeBase is placed inside your house, serving as a chime to notify you when someone rings the doorbell. It also has built-in storage for footage up to 16 GB. The doorbell itself is available in white and black, while the HomeBase is only available in white.
The doorbell features a camera that captures video in 2K (2560x1920) Full HD resolution with a 4:3 aspect ratio. WDR technology ensures that video is sharp against any backlighting, while night vision allows you to see clearly even in the dark.
Smart Features
Eufy Video Doorbell S220 (Battery)
The Eufy Video Doorbell S220 is equipped with a motion sensor and on-device AI that can recognize humans and send you real-time alerts when someone is at the door. You can also customize the detection area by setting Activity Zones to exclude areas that you don't want to monitor.
If you want to communicate with your visitors, Two-Way Audio allows you to speak to them directly through your smartphone. Pre-Recorded Response feature is also available, allowing you to set up to 3 instant responses and select one quickly once you are notified that someone is at the door.
This wireless smart doorbell camera is also compatible with Google Assistant and Alexa, so you can control it with your voice. If you have an Echo Dot, you can also use it as a chime.
Eufy Video Doorbell S220 (Battery)
Best for Wireless
✓ 2K resolution with WDR
✓ Activity zone, two-way audio, pre-recorded responses
✓ Chime included
✓ Local storage up to 16 GB in HomeBase
✓ Battery or hardwired
#2 Best Wired: Eufy Video Doorbell 2K (Wired)
Eufy Video Doorbell 2K (Wired)
If you have an existing doorbell wiring that can power a smart doorbell camera, the Eufy Video Doorbell 2K (Wired) is a great choice for you. It can be installed into any 16-24 VAC, 30 VA doorbell wires, but any installation knowledge or experience may be necessary.
The Eufy Video Doorbell 2K (Wired) captures video in 2K (2560x1920) Full HD resolution with HDR and night vision that ensures high clarity for backlit or low-light scenarios. It also has a 4:3 aspect ratio, providing you with a head-to-toe view for a complete picture of your visitors. The device also comes with local storage up to 4 GB, so you can store your footage without having to pay for cloud storage.
Smart Features
Eufy Video Doorbell 2K (Wired)
The Eufy Video Doorbell 2K (Wired) detects human motion, so you can get alerted when someone approaches your door, even before they press the doorbell. 3-second footage is also available, allowing you to see what happens prior to the alert and get a complete picture of the motion event. If you want to customize detection areas to reduce false alarms, you can also set up Activity Zones through the Eufy Security app.
Facial Snapshot Notification provides a capture of who's at the door, so you can see quickly who's coming even before you launch the app. If you are more used to traditional chimes, Eufy Video Doorbell 2K (Wired) also comes with an included chime that can be installed in your house. The chime can be plugged into any indoor outlet and supports 8 fun and holiday-themed ringtones with adjustable volume levels.
This wireless doorbell also supports real-time Two-Way Audio communication and Pre-Recorded Response feature for you to set up to 3 instant responses to choose from and quickly select one to speak to your visitors. It is also compatible with Google Assistant and Alexa.
Eufy Video Doorbell 2K (Wired)
Best for Wired
✓ 2K resolution with HDR
✓ Activity zone, two-way audio, pre-recorded responses, facial snapshot notification, 3 seconds pre-roll footage
✓ Chime included
✓ Local storage up to 4 GB on the device
✓ Hardwired
#3 Best Motion Detection: Google Nest Doorbell (Battery)
Google Nest Doorbell (Battery)
One distinct feature that sets the Google Nest Doorbell (Battery) apart from the other no-subscription smart doorbell cameras is its advanced object detection technology. While other doorbell cameras can only detect humans, the Google Nest Doorbell (Battery) can detect a person, package, animal, or vehicle and send you an alert in the Google Home app, all for free.
It is also equipped with a high-quality camera with 960 x 1280 HDR resolution for sharp and vivid views. The 145° diagonal view, 6x digital zoom, and 4:3 aspect ratio allow you to see more of your visitors and packages.
Smart Features
Google Nest Doorbell (Battery)
The Google Nest Doorbell supports Two-Way Audio with noise cancellation that allows you to speak to your visitors even when you're away, simply from the Google Home App. You can also respond with pre-recorded messages in case you're busy or unavailable.
Activity Zones are supported to exclude areas that you don't want to get alerted. The Google Nest Doorbell also supports Google Assistant and Alexa, so you can connect it to compatible Google Nest and Amazon smart displays to see your visitors on a wider screen, or to compatible smart speakers as a chime.
If you want complete monitoring of your home, 24/7 live streaming is also possible. However, 24/7 video recording is not supported, due to the doorbell's limited storage for saving footage. This is one downside that you might want to consider. The local storage is only activated as a backup during a power or internet outage, and it can store only up to one hour of footage. During normal operation, cloud storage is available, but it only stores video history for up to 3 hours.
Google Nest Doorbell (Battery)
Best Motion Detection
✓ 960 x 1280 resolution with HDR
✓ Activity zone, two-way audio, pre-recorded responses
✓ No chime included
✓ Local storage backup up to 1 hour of footage
✓ Battery or hardwired
#4 Best for Budget: TP-Link Kasa Smart Doorbell Camera KD110
TP-Link Kasa Smart Doorbell Camera KD110
TP-Link Kasa KD110 is an affordable smart doorbell camera that doesn't require a subscription and still offers decent features. Compared to other smart doorbells that mostly cost more than $100, the TP-Link Kasa KD110 can be purchased at only $59.99 or even as low as $39.99 when it's on sale on Amazon.
Despite its low price, the TP-Link Kasa KD110 doesn't come with low quality. It captures video in 3 MP HD (2304 x 1296) crystal clear resolution with 160° diagonal field-of-view and night vision up to 15 ft. It also supports microSD cards up to 128 GB for local storage.
Smart Features
TP-Link Kasa Smart Doorbell Camera KD110
TP-Link Kasa KD110 comes with human detection that will alert you when a person is detected approaching your door or when the doorbell button is pressed. You can also set custom Activity Zones to exclude areas that you don't want to monitor and reduce false alarms.
A crisp Two-Way Audio feature allows you to communicate with your visitors and Pre-Recorded Replies feature allows you to use preset messages to talk to visitors when you're not available. Remote control from the app is also available, so you can answer the door even when you're away. If you're at home, the TP-Link Kasa KD110 comes with a chime that will ring when someone presses the doorbell. You can choose from 8 ringtones and adjust the volume directly on the device.
This affordable smart no-subscription smart doorbell camera is compatible with Alexa and Google Home. That means, you can see live footage on compatible displays such as Amazon Echo Show or on your TV via Google Chromecast.
TP-Link Kasa Smart Doorbell Camera KD110
ABest for Budget
✓ 2K resolution
✓ Activity zone, two-way audio, pre-recorded responses
✓ Chime included
✓ Local storage microSD up to 128 GB
✓ Hardwired
Best Smart Doorbell Cameras without Subscription
Eufy Video Doorbell S220 (Battery)
Best for Wireless
✓ 2K resolution with WDR
✓ Activity zone, two-way audio, pre-recorded responses
✓ Chime included
✓ Local storage up to 16 GB in HomeBase
✓ Battery or hardwired
Eufy Video Doorbell 2K (Wired)
Best for Wired
✓ 2K resolution with HDR
✓ Activity zone, two-way audio, pre-recorded responses, facial snapshot notification, 3 seconds pre-roll footage
✓ Chime included
✓ Local storage up to 4 GB on the device
✓ Hardwired
Google Nest Doorbell (Battery)
Best Motion Detection
✓ 960 x 1280 resolution with HDR
✓ Activity zone, two-way audio, pre-recorded responses
✓ No chime included
✓ Local storage backup up to 1 hour of footage
✓ Battery or hardwired
TP-Link Kasa Smart Doorbell Camera KD110
Best for Budget
✓ 2K resolution
✓ Activity zone, two-way audio, pre-recorded responses
✓ Chime included
✓ Local storage microSD up to 128 GB
✓ Hardwired
Final Thoughts
Google Nest Doorbell (Battery)
When it comes to smart doorbell cameras, there are many options available in the market. However, not all can offer great quality and features without requiring a subscription. We have compiled some of the best ones in the market, now it's time for you to consider what you truly need and prefer.
If you like to read more about Smart Doorbell Cameras, check out our other relevant guides here:
Best Smart Doorbell Cameras without Subscription & with Local Storage
Best Wireless Smart Doorbell Cameras (without Existing Doorbell)
Best Ring Doorbell Cameras 2023
4 Best Apartment Doorbell Cameras for Renters (No Screws, Drilling, or Wiring)
Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2 vs Ring Video Doorbell Pro
Ring Battery Doorbell Plus vs Ring Video Doorbell 4
Arlo Doorbell vs Ring Pro 2 (7 CRUCIAL Aspects to Consider)
Ring Video Doorbell 4 vs 3: Is It Worth Upgrading?
Google Nest Doorbell vs Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2
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