Install a Subscription-Free Video Doorbell
If you want to keep an eye on who’s coming up to your door without spending a fortune, a subscription-free video doorbell is a great option. These devices are available from a number of manufacturers, including Ring and Nest. However, the best subscription-free video doorbells aren’t just a good value — they are also easy to set up and install.
Most Video Doorbells Without Subscription require you to remove your existing doorbell chime, install the new device, connect it to your Wi-Fi and then follow the setup instructions in the app. In most cases, this can be done in less than 30 minutes, and the process is typically quite easy. However, a few models do have some quirks that might make them more difficult to use.
One of the most important things to consider when choosing a video doorbell is whether it has an ideal aspect ratio for a full front porch view, as well as how quickly the device can get to work after someone presses your doorbell button. This spec varies from model to model, but most will be able to show you the person standing at your front door and what is going on around them in a widescreen format.
How Easy is it to Set Up and Install a Subscription-Free Video Doorbell?
Another feature to consider is how many megapixels the camera has. The higher the pixel count, the better quality the image will be. However, more megapixels also means that the camera will be more expensive, which can make a significant difference in your budget if you’re looking for a low-cost option.
It’s also essential to know what kind of battery your device will have and if it will need an AC power adapter or not. This is because most wired models will need to be connected to an AC transformer and chime box, which will require you to either do a DIY installation or hire a professional. Some of these models have backup batteries to keep them working in the event of a power outage, while others do not.
The Logitech Wemo is one of the easiest subscription-free video doorbells to set up and install, thanks to its simple software. It works with Apple Home, and the company’s free iCloud service stores the footage locally, which keeps it safe in the event that the outside device is stolen. The Wemo is also quicker than most of the other doorbells I’ve tested, getting to a live view and identifying people in under five seconds.
Unlike most of the other subscription-free doorbells I’ve reviewed, the Eufy is a bit more complicated to set up and install. It doesn’t have an expandable SD card, and it will only store half a month’s worth of recordings before it automatically deletes them. This is much shorter than the 180 days that Ring offers, and it’s significantly shorter than the free video storage that some other camera makers offer.
Another downside of the Eufy is that it doesn’t support Google Assistant or Alexa, so it won’t integrate with your other smart home tech. But it does have a sleek design, excellent motion detection (which you can play with so that rustling trees or passing cars don’t trigger recording), and an option to record custom messages for visitors.