If Ring’s video doorbells aren’t for you, here are three great alternatives.
The Lorex Video Doorbell is a solid option for simple, straightforward security. Lorex doesn’t include a lot of extras. For instance, it doesn’t have any AI, such as person detection. It doesn’t integrate with any smart platforms, like Google Assistant or Alexa, so we couldn’t control the camera with just our voices. It doesn’t offer cloud storage either. However, it came with a 16 GB micro-SD card for local storage and could handle up to a 64 GB card. Lorex met our overall requirements for a video doorbell. It gave us 1080p HD resolution and a 160-degree field of vision. It also had two-way audio, which made it easy to chat with our mail carrier about a late piece of mail. Best of all, it had a $129 price tag, which puts it at the low end of the market average ($129 to $169). For that price, we were satisfied with how well the Lorex let us keep an eye on our front porch.
What did we get when we ordered Vivint’s $229 doorbell camera? For one thing, we got the widest possible field of view, 180 degrees. We also got two-way audio, and digital pan and zoom. The camera included two LED sensors for infrared night vision — clear enough to make out the two raccoons helping themselves to our trash cans.
All of these capabilities almost made up for the fact that it only had 720p HD video resolution, a bit below the industry standard of 1080p HD.
That being said, we were pleased to find that we could use our voice to control the camera, through either Alexa or Google Assistant. We had the choice of hardwiring the camera or using a battery with a three- to five-year lifespan. We also had the choice to record 24/7 or just when someone approached the door.
You should know that the Vivint Doorbell Camera requires professional installation, as you can see on our Vivint pricing page.2 Leaving that aside, we felt that the Vivint Doorbell Camera gave us more options than a lot of other doorbell cameras on the market.
The SimpliSafe Video Doorbell Pro is a great low-priced alternative to Ring doorbells. For just $169.99, we got a high-quality camera with a number of useful features.
Not only was the resolution (video quality) 1080p, the industry standard, but it was HDR rather than HD. HDR eliminates shadows and glare for a sharper image. In addition, the field of view was a healthy 162 degrees, so we could see packages on our porch even when the delivery person left them in unusual places.
We also had optical zoom, two-way audio, and clear infrared night vision. We signed up for the Interactive Plan, which costs $24.99 a month, and got 24/7 professional monitoring and 30 days of cloud video storage. Otherwise, we could have paid $4.99 per camera per month for 30 days of cloud storage.
The SimpliSafe Doorbell Pro probably isn’t for everyone. It requires a hardwired connection, for example, so it’s not particularly easy to install.
Also, this isn’t a doorbell for cold climates. Its lowest temperature rating is 14 degrees.
On the plus side, the SimpliSafe Video Doorbell Pro is a fantastic investment for Apple users like us. We found the Apple version of the app intuitive and incredibly responsive. It’s no wonder users have rated it 4.8 out of 5.1 The SimpliSafe Pro gave us everything we needed and more.
Just because Ring’s video doorbells are the most popular doesn’t mean that there aren’t other fantastic options available. The three doorbells above are good choices for different needs and preferences.
Go with the SimpliSafe Video Doorbell Pro if you’d like …
- Sharp HDR resolution
- A great iPhone app
- Optical zoom
Go with the Lorex Video Doorbell if you’d like …
- Low price
- Local storage
- 1080p HD resolution
Go with the Vivint Doorbell Camera if you’d like …
- A 180-degree field of vision
- Smart home integration with Google Assistant or Alexa
- Professional installation
If none of these sound like the right option for you, have no fear! We recommend reading our review of the year’s best video doorbells. You’ll be answering your door remotely in no time. While you’re at it, check out the best security systems as well.
Storing video on a memory card is convenient and free. But for security’s sake, we prefer models that save footage in the cloud.
Look for models that capture video at 1080p resolution or greater; 2K provides even more detail.
Wired doorbells are lower-maintenance, since battery-operated models need to be recharged every few weeks or months.
All cameras respond to movement, but some can distinguish among people, pets, passing vehicles, and package deliveries.
This slick doorbell can alert you to packages on your porch, as well as to people, animals, and cars going by. Its wide, 180-degree field of view and square aspect ratio reduce blind spots so you can see people and packages.
Compatible with: Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit (with a compatible base station, such as the Arlo SmartHub), Google Assistant, IFTTT, Samsung SmartThings
The Arlo Essential Video Doorbell Wired is our top pick because—along with its great hardware and fast response times—it can accurately distinguish among people, animals, vehicles, or packages. This means it also keeps false alerts (a problem with many other models) to a minimum. For that advanced sensing and the ability to capture video clips up to five minutes long, you need a $3-per-month Arlo Secure subscription. But we find these features to be essential, and the price is fair (otherwise you’re restricted to motion/bell alerts and live video streaming). The Arlo doorbell camera also captures crisp video, with a 1536×1536 resolution and a wide, 180-degree viewing angle in a square format; this provides a comprehensive vertical and horizontal view of what’s going on in front of your door, whether it’s deliveries or visiting raccoons.
This affordable smart doorbell packs a lot of complex features, including a 2K image, person detection, local storage, customizable responses, and a separate wireless chime.
Compatible with: Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant
The Eufy Security Video Doorbell 2K (Wired) has a lot of included features that most other companies charge for, including enough internal memory to store up to 30 days’ worth of video and the ability to distinguish between people and other motion, such as from birds or swaying branches. (The Arlo, however, was a little more accurate in this area.) The wired Eufy doesn’t have as wide a viewing angle as the Arlo, but it creates clear recordings (as long as it detects motion) for up to five minutes. It stores those clips in its 4 gigabytes of built-in memory or Eufy’s cloud service (which offers 30 days of history for $3 per month per camera, or $30 per year per camera). Although this Eufy model draws power from your existing doorbell wires, it doesn’t work with your existing chime. But it does come with its own wireless plug-in chime, so that isn’t really a problem.
Similar to our runner-up model, this doorbell offers a clear 2K image and options for cloud and local storage. However, it doesn’t need doorbell wiring because it has a battery that can operate for up to four months on a full charge.
Compatible with: Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant
Just because you don’t have doorbell wiring doesn’t mean you can’t have a video doorbell. We like the Eufy Security Video Doorbell 2K (Battery-Powered) because it combines solid performance with a strong battery that lasts about four months. It can store up to six months’ worth of footage on the included base station, or you can opt for Eufy’s cloud service, which offers 30 days of video history for $3 per month per camera (or $30 per year per camera). It also delivers a bright 2K image and clear two-way audio. Unlike with its hardwired counterpart, with this model recording is limited to 60-second clips. And, as with many battery-operated models, this one may leave a small gap in between those events if motion continues. However, this model’s performance and flexibility make it the best option for people who need to go wire-free.
Compatible with: Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Samsung SmartThings
The Google Nest Doorbell (Wired) is the most advanced DIY smart doorbell camera we’ve tested. Unlike most smart doorbells, it can record and store video in the cloud 24/7. But it does so at 1600×1200 pixels, which is still crisp but a slightly lower resolution than that of our top two picks. For easy access, Google’s cloud service also automatically tags clips that include motion or people, using facial-recognition software to learn and identify over time who is coming and going. This comprehensive approach comes with an elevated price, however: A Nest Aware subscription, which is essential for video recording, costs $6 a month to capture motion events and store them for 30 days; it costs $12 per month to store events for 60 days or to store 24/7 recording for 10 days. So the operating costs are higher than for most doorbell cameras we tested. (If you pay annually, you can save a few bucks, from $12 up to $24 for the top-tier plan.)
This compact doorbell camera doesn’t have the same perks as our other picks, but it’s cheap and easy to install, and it delivers solid performance.
Compatible with: Amazon Alexa, Works with Ring
The Ring Video Doorbell Wired is the solid sub-$100 doorbell camera we’ve been waiting for. It’s smaller than most Ring doorbells (and cheaper, too), it captures clear 1080p images, and it delivers accurate motion and person alerts. However, it needs to be hardwired, it works only with Amazon Alexa, and it doesn’t offer detailed alerts or local storage, as some of our other picks do. And even though it’s inexpensive, it requires a Ring Protect Basic plan (which starts at $3 per month or $30 per year) to record motion events.
An outdoor security camera can alert you to prowlers, package deliveries, and visitors, as well as to animals in your trash and things that go bump in the night.
Outdoor lights look nice and improve security. Smart lighting adds convenience. We recommend these smart versions of bulbs, path lights, and fixtures.