Best video doorbells without a subscription (UK, 2026)
Most video doorbells look cheap until you add the monthly plan. These four record your visitors without one, so the price on the box is the price you pay.
- eufy Video Doorbell E340 is the best overall, with two cameras to watch your parcels as well as your visitors
- eufy Video Doorbell C31 is the best value, and records around the clock when wired in
- Tapo TD21 is the best budget pick, with a chime included for about £56
- Reolink Video Doorbell is best for big local storage and wired installs
Why "no subscription" matters
The best-known doorbells keep your recordings in the cloud and charge for it. Ring is the classic example. Without a Ring Home plan you can still watch live video and answer alerts as they happen, but nothing is recorded, so you can't look back at who came to the door while you were out.
Every doorbell in this guide stores video on the doorbell itself, on a memory card, or on a small hub in your home. You can review recordings on your phone with no monthly fee. Most brands still offer an optional cloud plan, but you don't need one.
Over a few years the plan costs more than the doorbell. When you compare prices, add up what a subscription doorbell will cost you over three years, not just what it costs on day one.
The best video doorbells without a subscription
eufy Video Doorbell E340
The E340 has two cameras. The main one shows who is at the door in 2K, and a second camera points down at the doorstep so you can see parcels left on the ground. It runs on a rechargeable battery, so you don't need doorbell wiring, and it keeps recordings on 8GB of built-in storage.
- Video
- 2K, dual camera
- Power
- Battery
- Storage
- 8GB built in, or HomeBase
- Chime
- Optional bundle
Good
- Second camera watches your parcels
- No wiring needed
- Package detection with no extra charge
Watch out for
- Dearest of the four
- Chime costs extra unless you buy the bundle
eufy Video Doorbell C31
The C31 gives you 2K video for a lot less. You can run it on its battery or wire it to an existing doorbell supply. Wired in, it records 24 hours a day and keeps a few seconds of footage from before someone presses the button. Recordings go to a microSD card of up to 128GB or to a eufy HomeBase.
- Video
- 2K
- Power
- Wired or battery
- Storage
- microSD to 128GB, or HomeBase
- Chime
- Optional bundle
Good
- 24/7 recording when wired
- Works with Alexa and Google Assistant
- Half the price of the E340
Watch out for
- One camera, so no doorstep view
- You'll need to buy a microSD card
Tapo TD21
TP-Link's Tapo range is the cheapest way into a proper smart doorbell with no monthly fees. The TD21 is battery powered, records in 2K (3MP), and comes with a chime in the box.
- Video
- 2K (3MP)
- Power
- Battery
- Storage
- Local, cloud optional
- Chime
- Included
Good
- Very low price with chime included
- No subscription needed
Watch out for
- Lower resolution than the others
- Battery only
Reolink Video Doorbell (WiFi or PoE)
Reolink suits anyone who wants plenty of storage and a wired doorbell they can forget about. Both versions record in 2K+ (5MP) to a microSD card of up to 256GB, and can also save to a Reolink recorder or your own network storage. The WiFi version runs off existing doorbell wiring, and the PoE version takes power and internet from one network cable.
- Video
- 2K+ (5MP)
- Power
- Doorbell wiring or PoE
- Storage
- microSD to 256GB, NVR or NAS
- Chime
- Included in some bundles
Good
- Sharpest video here
- Lots of local storage options
- No battery to recharge
Watch out for
- Needs wiring or a network cable
- More setup than a battery doorbell
Side by side
| Doorbell | Video | Power | Local storage | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| eufy E340 | 2K, two cameras | Battery | 8GB built in or HomeBase | £159.99 |
| eufy C31 | 2K | Wired or battery | microSD to 128GB or HomeBase | £89.99 |
| Tapo TD21 | 2K (3MP) | Battery | Local | £56 |
| Reolink WiFi / PoE | 2K+ (5MP) | Wiring or PoE | microSD to 256GB, NVR, NAS | from ~£97 |
Prices are from each retailer's UK site when we checked and change often. Tap through for today's price.
How we chose
We compared the doorbells sold by the big UK stores and brand shops and kept only those that save recordings without a paid plan. Then we looked at where the video is stored, how the doorbell is powered, whether a chime is included, and the full price you'll pay with no monthly fee on top.
Common questions
Does Ring work without a subscription?
Partly. You can watch live video and get alerts on your phone, but Ring won't record anything without a Ring Home plan, so you can't play back events later.
Do I need doorbell wiring?
No. The eufy E340 and Tapo TD21 run on rechargeable batteries. The eufy C31 works either way. Reolink's models need existing doorbell wiring or a network cable.
Where are the recordings kept?
On the doorbell itself, on a microSD card, or on a hub inside your home, depending on the model. You view them through the brand's phone app.
Will it work with Alexa or Google?
The eufy doorbells in this guide work with both Alexa and Google Assistant, so you can see who's at the door on a smart display.