Last Updated: May 2026 | Reading time: 8 min
The best video doorbell for most homes is the Ring Battery Doorbell Plus. It’s the easiest to install, captures a tall 1:1 head-to-toe video ratio that catches both faces and packages, and works seamlessly with Amazon Alexa. If you want to skip the monthly subscription entirely, the Eufy Video Doorbell Dual gives you local storage for life with zero ongoing costs.
Quick Picks
| Doorbell | Best For | Subscription | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ring Battery Doorbell Plus | Best overall | $4–10/mo | ~$100 |
| Google Nest Doorbell (Battery) | Google Home users | $8–15/mo | ~$180 |
| Eufy Video Doorbell Dual | No subscription | $0 | ~$160 + HomeBase |
| SimpliSafe Video Doorbell Pro | Integrated monitoring | Included with plan | ~$100 |
| Wyze Battery Video Doorbell | Best budget | $0 (free tier) | ~$65 |
| Arlo Video Doorbell 2K | Best resolution | $8–13/mo | ~$150 |
Best Overall: Ring Battery Doorbell Plus
Price: ~$100 | Subscription: $4/mo (per device) or $10/mo (whole home)
The Ring Battery Doorbell Plus earns the top spot by doing everything well without requiring a professional install. Pop in the included battery, mount it with the provided hardware, and you’re live in under 20 minutes.
- 1536p HDR in 1:1 aspect ratio — shows visitors from head to toe; package detection works because you can actually see the ground
- Package detection — alerts when a package is left, picked up, or loitered near
- Pre-roll video — captures a few seconds before motion is officially detected
- Two-way talk with noise cancellation — clear audio even in windy environments
- Alexa integration — “Alexa, show me the front door” works instantly on Echo Show devices
Ring requires a subscription to save and review recordings. Without any subscription, you get live view only — no saved clips.
Best for Google Home: Google Nest Doorbell (Battery)
Price: ~$180 | Subscription: $8/mo (Nest Aware) for recordings; free tier saves last 3 hours
The Nest Doorbell is the best doorbell camera if you’re in the Google ecosystem. Its standout feature is Familiar Face Alerts: it learns to recognize the faces of people you’ve identified in photos, then notifies you specifically about unfamiliar visitors — dramatically reducing nuisance alerts.
Best No-Subscription: Eufy Video Doorbell Dual
Price: ~$160 (doorbell only; requires HomeBase 3, ~$100 if not owned) | Subscription: $0
The Eufy Video Doorbell Dual is the most compelling no-subscription doorbell on the market. It has two cameras — one facing forward for visitors and one angled downward for package detection. All footage saves locally to the HomeBase 3, encrypted, on your network, forever.
Best with Professional Monitoring: SimpliSafe Video Doorbell Pro
Price: ~$100 | Subscription: Included with SimpliSafe monitoring plan
If you’re already paying for SimpliSafe’s professional monitoring, the Video Doorbell Pro is the easiest add-on. It integrates directly with the SimpliSafe base station, so a doorbell trigger can automatically trigger an alarm or alert monitoring agents through the same plan you’re already paying for.
Best Budget: Wyze Battery Video Doorbell
Price: ~$65 | Subscription: $0 (free 14-day event cloud storage)
At $65, the Wyze Battery Video Doorbell punches well above its price. It shoots 2K video in a 3:4 aspect ratio, includes a 14-day free event history in the cloud, and installs without existing wiring.
Buying Guide
Wired vs. Battery: Wired doorbells are more reliable (no charging), often support continuous recording, but require existing doorbell wiring. Battery-powered installs anywhere in 15 minutes with no electrician needed.
Subscription Costs: Don’t compare doorbells on hardware price alone. A $65 Wyze with free cloud storage is a better two-year deal than a $100 Ring with a $4/mo Basic subscription.
| Doorbell | 2-Year Total (with sub) |
|---|---|
| Wyze Battery (free tier) | ~$65 |
| Eufy Dual (+ HomeBase) | ~$260 |
| Ring Battery Plus (Basic sub) | ~$196 |
| Nest Doorbell (Nest Aware) | ~$372 |
FAQ
What is the best video doorbell in 2026? The Ring Battery Doorbell Plus is the best for most people. If you want to avoid a subscription, the Eufy Video Doorbell Dual is the better long-term buy.
What is the best doorbell camera without a subscription? The Eufy Video Doorbell Dual stores all footage locally with no monthly fee. The Wyze Battery Video Doorbell offers a free 14-day cloud history with no subscription required.
Do video doorbells record 24/7? Most record only on motion or button press. Continuous 24/7 recording requires a wired connection and a subscription — currently only the Google Nest Doorbell (wired + Nest Aware) supports this in its consumer lineup.
Last updated: May 2026. SmartHomeSecured.com is reader-supported — we may earn a commission if you buy through our links, at no extra cost to you. Affiliate Disclosure