The Best Video Doorbells in 2026
Wirecutter’s best doorbell camera is the Google Nest Doorbell (Wired, 3rd Gen) at $199. Without doorbell wiring, the TP-Link Tapo D225 ($100) is its battery pick, and the Tapo D130 ($54) is the budget choice, with free local storage on both Tapos.
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Quick answer
Wirecutter’s best doorbell camera is the Google Nest Doorbell (Wired, 3rd Gen) at $199. Without doorbell wiring, the TP-Link Tapo D225 ($100) is its battery pick, and the Tapo D130 ($54) is the budget choice, with free local storage on both Tapos. Best overall: Google Nest Doorbell (Wired, 3rd Gen), $199. Best battery: TP-Link Tapo D225 Video Doorbell, $100.
Last updated Prices checked Oct 2026
Key facts at a glance
| Pick | Product | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best overall | Google Nest Doorbell (Wired, 3rd Gen) | most homes with doorbell wiring | $199 |
| Best battery | TP-Link Tapo D225 Video Doorbell | homes without doorbell wiring | $100 |
| Best budget | TP-Link Tapo D130 Video Doorbell | tight budgets | $54 |
| Cheapest good pick | Arlo Video Doorbell (2nd Generation) | a cheap, flexible doorbell | $49.99 |
| Best 4K | Ring Wired Doorbell Pro | the sharpest video | See Ring |
| Best for packages | Eufy Video Doorbell E340 | package deliveries | $119.98 |
The biggest hidden cost is the subscription: some doorbells won’t save video without one, while the Tapo and Eufy models can record to local storage for free.
Which should you buy? Our quick picks
How do they compare?
| Doorbell | Price seen | Power | Video | Free local storage | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nest Doorbell (Wired, 3rd Gen) | $199 ($179.99 sale) | Wired | 2K | No (limited free cloud) | Most homes with doorbell wiring |
| Tapo D225 | $100 | Battery | 2K | Yes (microSD) | Homes without doorbell wiring |
| Tapo D130 | $54 | Wired | 2K | Yes (microSD) | Tight budgets |
| Arlo Video Doorbell (2nd Gen) | $49.99 ($79.99 list) | Battery or wired | HD or 2K | No (subscription to view recordings) | A cheap, flexible doorbell |
| Ring Wired Doorbell Pro | See Ring | Wired | 4K | No | The sharpest video |
| Ring Battery Doorbell Pro (2nd Gen) | $249.99 | Battery | 4K | No | 4K without wiring |
| Eufy Video Doorbell E340 | $119.98 ($149.99 list) | Battery | 2K, two cameras | Yes | Package deliveries |
The picks in detail
1. Google Nest Doorbell (Wired, 3rd Gen)
Best for: most homes with doorbell wiringWirecutter[1] says it performs better than any other doorbell it has tested. It reliably tells people, animals, vehicles and packages apart, records 2K clips of up to five minutes, and works with most existing wired chimes. PCMag[2] likes its Gemini-powered event descriptions and video search. A subscription adds 24/7 recording. $199 at Walmart and Home Depot; PCMag saw $179.99 at Amazon.
Price (Oct 2026): $199 Source
Pros
- Accurate motion alerts
- Works with existing chimes
- Alexa and Google Home
Cons
- Needs wiring
- Best features need a subscription
2. TP-Link Tapo D225 Video Doorbell
Best for: homes without doorbell wiringWirecutter’s[1] battery pick. It records sharp 2K video, offers detailed motion detection settings, and can store footage on a microSD card or in the cloud. It works with Alexa, and with Google Home in a limited way. $100 at Amazon.
Price (Oct 2026): $100 Source
Pros
- No wiring needed
- Free local storage
Cons
- Limited Google Home support
3. TP-Link Tapo D130 Video Doorbell
Best for: tight budgetsWirecutter’s[1] budget pick. It records 2K video, tells people, animals, packages and vehicles apart, and saves to a microSD card for free. It isn’t as sharp as the Nest and doesn’t work with existing chimes. $54 at Amazon.
Price (Oct 2026): $54 Source
Pros
- Very cheap
- Free local storage
Cons
- Doesn’t work with existing chimes
4. Arlo Video Doorbell (2nd Generation)
Best for: a cheap, flexible doorbellPCMag’s[2] top pick (Editors’ Choice). It runs on battery or doorbell wiring, has a wide view and smart object detection, and works with the main smart home platforms. You need a subscription to see recorded video, and it lacks HomeKit support and color night vision. PCMag saw $49.99 at Amazon ($79.99 list).
Price (Oct 2026): $49.99 Source
Pros
- Low price
- Battery or wired
Cons
- Recordings need a subscription
- No HomeKit
5. Ring Wired Doorbell Pro
Best for: the sharpest videoPCMag[2] rates it Excellent for its sharp 4K video, good low-light performance and AI video descriptions. It suits Ring and Alexa homes, but Ring doesn’t save video without a subscription.
Price (Oct 2026): See Ring Source
Pros
- 4K video
- Good in low light
Cons
- Subscription needed for recordings
- Needs wiring
6. Ring Battery Doorbell Pro (2nd Gen)
Best for: 4K without wiringPCMag[2] rates it Excellent for its highly detailed 4K video and precise motion detection, with easy wire-free installation. $249.99 at Amazon.
Price (Oct 2026): $249.99 Source
Pros
- 4K on battery
- Precise motion detection
Cons
- Pricey
- Subscription for recordings
7. Eufy Video Doorbell E340
Best for: package deliveriesPCMag[2] likes its two cameras, which give a fuller view of your doorstep, plus sharp 2K video, color night vision and free local storage with no ongoing fees. Wirecutter[1] notes its battery drained quickly in its testing. PCMag saw $119.98 ($149.99 list).
Price (Oct 2026): $119.98 Source
Pros
- Package camera
- No fees
Cons
- Battery drains quickly (Wirecutter)
Also considered
Ring Wired Doorbell (2nd Gen): Wirecutter’s[1] pick for Ring Alarm users at $45; it needs a subscription to record.
Blink Video Doorbell (2025): PCMag[2] saw $26.99, but many key features are behind a paywall.
Google Nest Doorbell (Battery): A battery alternative to the Wired 3rd Gen.
Subscriptions and storage
Ring and Arlo need a paid plan to keep video. Tapo and Eufy can save to local storage for free, and Nest offers limited free cloud history. If you want to avoid fees across the house, see best security cameras without a subscription and Ring vs Eufy.
Wired or battery?
If you already have a doorbell button wired to a chime, a wired model like the Nest never needs charging. Renters and homes without wiring should look at the Tapo D225, Ring Battery Doorbell Pro or Eufy E340. Ask a smart speaker to announce visitors: see best smart speakers.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best video doorbell?
Which video doorbell has no subscription?
What is the best doorbell without wiring?
Sources
Pricing and plan details were checked on the official pages below as of Oct 2026. Vendors change prices, credits and plan names often, and some show regional pricing at checkout, so confirm on the vendor’s site before you buy.
- Wirecutter: The best smart doorbell camera (updated August 5, 2026) (nytimes.com)
- PCMag: The best video doorbells (pcmag.com)
Related
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Ring’s plans cost less and keep up to 180 days of video. Arlo’s cost more, keep 60 days, record in up to 4K on supported cameras and can save to local USB storage through a SmartHub or Base Station.
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