Home The Best Ring Doorbell Alternatives in 2022
TechJunkie Expert Recommendations
TechJunkie is supported by our readers. When you make a purchase through our links, we may earn a commission. Read More.
Doorbells are a great addition to homes that help you hear if anyone’s at your doorstep waiting for you to open the door for them no matter where you are in your house.
Thanks to advancements in technology, doorbells these days don’t only ring. Most of them today can also improve your home security with alert features such as motion detection and even provide you with video and audio recordings that you can replay when you need to see if someone’s trying to break in or whatnot.
Also, you can use them to communicate with unexpected visitors or deliveries when you’re not at home. In some cases, it could even help you save your pets’ lives when you’re away as you or your neighbors can use it to communicate in case of an emergency.
One of the smart doorbells that do that, and is the talk of the town these days, is the Ring Doorbell. It allows two-way communication, it’s equipped with a motion sensor, it’s durable, user-friendly, and is double purpose.
With this, you can communicate with the delivery person or mailman, for instance, and specify instructions for them in case you’re not home yet. Or, you can greet your kids once they’re home while you’re still at work.
With its video and motion sensor features, you can also use it as a security camera. You can scare off a possible thief, reduce break-ins, and identify criminals.
It’s also durable. It can withstand rain and other strong weather conditions.
However, it comes with an expensive price tag. This, of course, is a dealbreaker for many homeowners who are on a tight budget. But, fear not, as there are other excellent Ring Doorbells alternatives that you can use. Here are some of them.
The Wyze Video Doorbell is a low-cost device that provides clear 1080p video. It could be the greatest low-cost video doorbell on the market that can replace the Ring Doorbell. Wyze is one of many homeowners’ favorites as it’s very affordable. Although the doorbell camera includes a 2K image sensor, it only captures 1080p footage at 20 frames per second at the moment. It will, however, be able to capture 2K footage after a firmware update. The camera’s 3:4 aspect ratio allows you to see visitors and parcels in your doorway from head to toe. It also features a 120-degree field of view, 8X digital zoom, and four infrared LEDs for black-and-white night vision. This device also comes with a motion detection feature, so you’ll be notified when someone is on your doorstep. One flaw, though, is its storage. Unfortunately, it doesn’t have very much storage, so you have to frequently check it and delete recordings. The Wyze Video Doorbell is compatible with other Wyze smart home devices, such as locks, smart plugs, and cameras, as well as a variety of third-party smart devices via IFTTT applets. However, it does not presently support Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, or Google Assistant voice commands, though Wyze aims to add support for these in the near future. During my installation, the doorbell was instantly added to my Alexa device list.
Video QualityMotion detection
Small storage
If you’re bothered about your security, the Anker Eufy Video Doorbell 2K, Black (E82101w3-99) is for you as it delivers quality videos. It also features IR night vision, a 160-degree field of view, and a 4:3 aspect ratio. Plus, it can live broadcast in top quality 2560 x 1920, 2K resolution with WDR (Wide Dynamic Range, a variant on HDR) to help brighten shadows in poorly lit environments. All of this adds up to a crystal-clear image of your front door, and while it’s not quite deep enough to capture the full front porch, it does provide you a better head-to-toe view than Ring’s wider 16:9 option. What’s great about this is how easy it is to install. The setup is simple, and Eufy clearly sets out all of the stages in a printed instruction book (a rarity nowadays). We really enjoy all of the labelings, and Eufy makes it easier with a color-by-numbers system and a few “This Side Up” placards. The doorbell comes with a mounting wedge so that you can get a better angle for your setup, and because it’s wireless, you can put it anywhere there’s a screw. The drill bit and screwdriver are not included, but everything else is. However, it uses no cloud account, so storage could be a problem.
Sharp DetailsEasy to install
No cloud account
The Nest Hello Doorbell boasts a lot of cool features, like facial recognition and high-quality video. It’s one of the best Ring Doorbell alternatives. The Nest Hello succeeds by continuously capturing video, so you’ll never have to worry about opening the app and seeing a video of someone walking away. Facial recognition allows you to identify who is at the door by name and can differentiate between people, autos, and deliveries. Furthermore, the area of vision may be divided into various zones, allowing you to tailor the notifications. Nest includes everything you’ll need to install your doorbell, including a large drill bit in case you need to drill through stucco siding. However, the instructions that come with it can be quite a bit confusing. If you don’t want to do the installation yourself, the brand can put you in touch with a Nest Pro. If your present doorbell’s power source is enough, the method isn’t too difficult. The Nest Hello Doorbell’s facial recognition and night vision technology make this video doorbell feel more personal than the competition. Furthermore, its HDR video quality, powerful speaker and microphone, and well-designed and often updated Nest app make it one of the best alternatives for the Ring Doorbell out there.
Night VisionExcellent doorbell
Instructions not clear
This low-cost video doorbell is adaptable, responsive, and simple to operate, making it yet another great sub for the Ring Doorbell. The EZVIZ DB1C Video Doorbell comes at a reasonable price and comes with numerous cloud storage options. It also has excellent video quality and provides helpful features and services to compete in the increasingly competitive video doorbell market. The EZVIZ DB1C employs infrared technology (IR) to highlight a subject in low light. The figure will, however, have a ghostly white aspect, which is common with IR. If you hold up a color chart, for example, the majority of the color samples will appear monochrome and lack color saturation. It is, however, less adaptable than other battery-operated doorbells. We also discovered that its AI person detection wasn’t as accurate as one would hope, so you can’t expect it to work consistently, unlike other Ring Doorbell alternatives. You will, however, need to purchase a cloud plan, as with most video doorbells. To begin, you can use EZVIZ’s 7-day event-based video history for up to 30 days for free. This will initially provide you with limitless cloud storage. However, you’ll need to purchase one of EZVIZ’s two paid CloudPlay membership plans, either the Standard Plan or the Home Plan. Overall, the EZVIZ DB1C video doorbell provides a lot of appealing features, including a well-designed interface and excellent video, photo, and audio quality. It’s easy to use and set up, so for its price, it sure is worth considering.
Great Technical Support Awesome security camera
DB1 worked inconsistently
If you’re looking for one of the best video doorbells that can replace the Ring Doorbell, the Arlo Essential Wireless Video Doorbell should be on your list. It’s one of the few video doorbells that can notify you when a package is delivered, and it’s also one of the few that can be hardwired or run entirely on battery power. Its 1:1 field of view also means you’ll be more likely to see that package. The best part of it is that it’s very easy to install and use, so if you’re new to using smart doorbells, this device might be the one for you. The Arlo Essential Wired Video Doorbell had decent night vision too. However, it was less detailed than the competitors. To get full access to its features, you must subscribe to an Arlo Secure plan, which starts at $2.99 per month for a single camera and $9.99 per month for unlimited cameras at a single location. Unless you sign up for Arlo Secure, your video doorbell will not save any recordings. Its features aren’t that impressive when compared to the Ring Doorbell. Yes, it’s decent enough, but it still has room for improvement.
User friendlyClear night vision
Minor upgrade
The SimpliSafe Video Doorbell Pro is a stylish, practical smart doorbell that can be used alone or as part of a SimpliSafe home security system. The Video Doorbell Pro from SimpliSafe is a sleek smart doorbell with vivid 1080p HDR video, sharp night vision, motion-triggered alerts and video recording, and a broad field of view. It’s simple to set up and can function as a standalone video doorbell or as part of a SimpliSafe Home Security System, but you’ll need to pay for storage if you want to see recorded video. Furthermore, it lacks the compatibility for Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant voice controls, as well as IFTTT applets that the Ring Video Doorbell Pro provides. However, if you’ve already invested in the SimpliSafe ecosystem, it’s well worth adding to your system to keep the porch pirates at bay. The Doorbell Pro is simple to install, but it does require basic electrical skills, so employ someone who is familiar with turning breakers on and off and connecting cables. Another good news is that it’s compatible with nearly all wiring. If you choose this, though, note that you need to subscribe to a storage plan to get access to the recorded video. But, don’t worry, you don’t have to break the ban for the subscription. One weak point of this doorbell, though, is that it has limited features compared to the Ring Doorbell.
Affordable cloud storageCompatibility with most wiring
Limited features
The Alarm.com Wi-Fi Doorbell Camera: SkyBell HD Edition is a collaboration between Alarm.com and SkyBell. Satin Nickel ADC-VDB101 and Bronze ADC-VDB102 are the two finishes available. It’s a video doorbell that connects to any existing chime system. It contains an HD camera with full-color night vision, a speaker, and a microphone, so you can talk to anyone at your front door remotely via video and two-way voice over your home WiFi to your mobile device using the Alarm.com app. It’s built tough for outdoor use, with water and humidity resistance and the ability to operate in temperatures ranging from -40°F to 140°F. Alarm.com has fully integrated the doorbell camera, allowing you to take benefit of all of their smart home security features. What makes it stand out is its cloud service. Unlike most smart doorbells, theAlarm.com Wi-Fi Doorbell Camera SkyBell HD Edition offers free cloud service. This means you don’t have to pay extra dollars to access the recorded videos. However, you have to subscribe to Alarm.com. Thankfully, it’s a pretty affordable price, and you can get a decent doorbell that doubles as a device that can enhance your home’s security.
Pretty easy to useFree cloud service
Alarm.com requires subscribing
This is the bullet camera to choose if you want something simple to set up. It features two-way audio and human detection with night vision, so you’ll always know who’s at your door! The amazing part about this model is that it can record 1080P HD video. With its 1080P HD camera and night vision, you can not only hear but also see who is approaching your door. The Euki Door Bell Ringer Wireless detects individuals up to 12 feet away as well as items in front of the sensor, letting your visitors know they’re being watched before they ring the doorbell. On standby mode, the rechargeable battery lasts 20 days, and it supports two-way voice communication, so it may be used even when someone isn’t home. Furthermore, it can record more than 700 minutes. One weak point, though, is that its battery drains quickly.
Sharp motion dectectionGot Cloud Storage
Battery drain fast
52 Articles Published
We're not just tech junkies, but we're also tech experts. Each and every "Best of.." list on TechJunkie is curated by our content-area subject matter experts to provide a well-rounded, unbiased perspective to help and inform you, our reader. Our lists are constantly reviewed and updated, so you can be sure you're reading relevant and up to date information.
Copyright @2024 TechJunkie
Copyright @2024 TechJunkie
If you don’t see an app that should be here, let us know what it is
