Best Cheap Video Doorbells for 2024 [CNET]

A video doorbell is great way to secure the entryway to your home. Here are our top picks from reliable brands like Arlo, Blink, TP-Link and others.

Video storage

Keeping footage of intruders or porch pirates (or similar problems) can be important. Even cheap doorbells often come with a subscription option to store video in the cloud (usually for several dollars a month). Some have local storage options, if you’d prefer dodging those ongoing fees, so study the details carefully.

AI recognition

Object recognition using AI features is especially useful for a video doorbell, letting the gadget recognize packages, people, animals and vehicles and send you alerts only about what matters. In our experience, doorbells usually pick up on joggers and people walking their pets, but good recognition avoids alerts for vehicles and animals, to save you the stress. Some companies keep object recognition behind a subscription, while others include it for free.  

Smart home compatibility

If you already have a security system or a preferred voice assistant, like Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant, always look for a video doorbell that works with your current picks. Amazon brands tend to limit doorbells to Alexa only. Apple Siri and Apple Home compatibility are particularly hard to find here, especially for budget picks.

Wired vs. wireless

Battery models are easier to place, but they sometimes (not always) cost more. Wired models are usually the best way to save. We found a selection of both options for reasonable prices.

Audio quality

If you like the idea of talking out of your doorbell, look for one that has effective two-way audio, preferably with noise cancellation or similar properties. We test the audio quality in every doorbell we review to make sure you can have a conversation.

Field of view and resolution

Video doorbells don’t need an especially wide field of view, but it’s a nice quality to have if they face a large front yard. Also, a higher resolution makes it easier to see faces and other important details, so it’s nice to find a model that’s at least HD.