Amazon’s Ring Video Doorbell is arguably still one of the most popular and well-known video doorbells on the market. However, it has had security issues in the past, which can happen to any smart gadget. If you’re concerned, Ring isn’t the only one on the market. There are many Ring Doorbell alternatives that have good video quality, video storage options, and smart sensors. Most offer many of the same features and some don’t even require a subscription.
1. SkyBell HD Wi-Fi Doorbell
The SkyBell HD Wi-Fi Doorbell may look small, but that just makes it easy to install in smaller spaces. Coming in both silver and bronze varieties, the circular doorbell looks great. A rectangular version, called the SkyBell Trim Plus, is also available. Both doorbells retail for $199 each, although Amazon sometimes lists them cheaper. Some of the notable features include:
- 1080p HD video recording
- Full-color night vision
- Weather-proof
- Motion sensor alerts
- Ability to see, hear, and speak to visitors
- Free cloud-based video recording
- Ability to snap photos
- No subscription needed
2. Eufy Video Doorbell
The Eufy Video Doorbell offers amazing 2K video for detailed videos. One of the best features, especially concerning security, is encrypted local storage. AES 256-bit encryption keeps your video files safer. While you can upload files to a cloud service later, having them stored locally gives you more control over your privacy. It’s also reasonably priced at $135.99. Some other great features include:
- No subscription fees
- Smart notifications (can tell human from animal)
- Weather-proof
- Set prerecorded messages
- See five seconds of footage before alerts
- Compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant
3. August Doorbell Cam Pro
The August Doorbell Cam Pro offers continuous video monitoring so you know exactly what happened before you received an alert. This also allows you to easily go back and view footage from throughout the day. It also pairs nicely with August smart locks, so you can let guests in remotely. The unique design stands out from other video doorbells and is just $199.99. The only issue is it is wired, but it works well with your existing doorbell wiring, if you have any. The benefit here is you don’t have to worry about batteries or charging. Some of the top features include:
- HD video recording
- Free subscription plan to view the last 24 hours of recordings
- Two-way audio
- Premium subscription plans allow you to view up to 30 days of footage
- Full-color night video
The August View is a wireless version, which offers many of the same features. It’s a great alternative if you’d prefer a wireless version. It is a little more expensive at $229.99.
4. Nest Hello
The Nest Hello Video Doorbell, which retails for $229, is the most commonly known among Ring Doorbell alternatives. Much like the August Doorbell Cam Pro, Nest is a wired video doorbell. However, Google does allow you to book an appointment through OnTech for someone to install it for you. This is ideal if you’d rather not try to handle it yourself. One standout feature is the wider vertical view range, allowing you to see a full person from head to toe. This also makes it easier to see if packages have been delivered. Some of the best features include:
- 24/7 continuous recording and monitoring
- Three-hour snapshots and full video footage
- Nest Aware subscriptions needed for continuous recording and viewing of footage up to 30 days (a whole home version of Nest Aware is coming soon)
- Noise cancellation for clearer two-way audio
- Pre-record messages
- Intelligent alerts to recognize packages, specific people, and humans versus other things
- Clear details at night
- 4:3 HD video
While other Ring Doorbell alternatives are available, these offer the best recording quality and features for the price. Whether you want a subscription or not, there’s an option to meet your needs.
Image: Ring, Skybell, Nest Doorbell
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Crystal Crowder –
Staff Writer
Crystal Crowder has spent over 15 years working in the tech industry, first as an IT technician and then as a writer. She works to help teach others how to get the most from their devices, systems, and apps. She stays on top of the latest trends and is always finding solutions to common tech problems.
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