Ring doorbells have been around for years, but they’re still the best choice for the majority of people. But if you live in a rural area, or want something cheaper than a doorbell system, you’ll be happy to hear that there are some alternatives.
With the rise of smart home devices, we’re seeing a shift in how we interact with our doors and gates. We’ve moved away from the traditional doorbells that require a physical push to alert someone at the door and instead, we’ve adopted a more modern, technical approach.
In this post, we’ll show you cheap alternatives to the traditional doorbell and how you can use them to build an automated home security system.
List Of 7 Cheap Ring Doorbell Alternatives
There are so many inexpensive doorbell alternatives. Nevertheless, it is important that you know a few things, and also be aware of the pros and cons of the various types of doorbells available. We found the 7 best cheap alternatives to ring doorbells and put them on our list. As a result, you can decide which option is best for you.
1. Zmodo Greet HD Wireless Video Doorbell
Our Review:
The Zmodo Greet HD Wireless Video Doorbell is an ideal device for home security. With this innovative doorbell, you can monitor your home, workplace, or any type of area without the need to be physically present.
With the built-in motion sensor, you can get a notification when anyone rings the doorbell. False alerts, like trees swaying in a breeze, will also be prevented. Not only does this camera give precise alerts also you can even customize the motion detection zones for even more accuracy.
You don’t have to worry about any wires because it is completely wireless and you can easily control it with your smartphone. As it is compatible with a number of major smartphone apps, an alert will be sent to your mobile phone when the doorbell is pressed so that you can answer it wherever you are. By this, you can also remotely check the camera and listen to the message on your phone.
It has a full HD resolution and the picture quality is crystal clear. Its Night-vision settings allow you to turn on, off, or adjust the sensitivity so that you can obtain the perfect picture of your house, day or night.
When there is less light, turn the camera on brighter, and dimmer when it is directly in the sun. You are always able to see who is at the door. In this way, you can adjust the brightness and set it according to your needs.
We love this device because it is cheaper yet functional and secure. The quality is great and it has many advanced features. The fact that it is weatherproof makes it a more reliable option for home security.
Overall, we find this doorbell to be very useful because it definitely works perfectly. It gives you peace of mind when you are away from home and wants to know if someone is at the door.
2. ZhiLiao Smart Home WiFi Video Doorbell
Our Review:
The ZhiLiao Smart Home WiFi Video Doorbell is an amazing device to add to your home security system. This doorbell comes with a high-quality built-in camera that allows you to see who is at your doorstep through your smartphone, tablet, or laptop.
This doorbell has a simple and easy setup. All you have to do is, just download the APP, and connect it to the video doorbell, then you can have a live video at any time from your cell phone, or pads anywhere and anytime through this smart doorbell with a 166-degree wide-angle camera.
With its two-way audio, you can talk to your visitors from your smartphone wherever you are in real-time. You will be present at the door remotely from far away and manage your visitors and look after the security of your house.
It has a 720p HD video camera that has a high resolution to capture the details of people who come into your property. The doorbell will be alarmed when someone takes the bell means it has an anti-theft version.
The battery of this device will last for a long time before you need to change it, also it has a convenient rechargeable wire, so you can recharge it whenever you want. Furthermore, this device is made of an extremely durable plastic material which makes it easy to clean.
After testing it we found that the quality of the device is excellent and you can get a very good performance. It has a wide-angle lens that can cover a large area, so you don’t have to worry about losing your camera’s view and can meet your visitor from far away and look after your home from a distance.
Hence, this is a reliable and easy-to-use device that is also cheap. We say that considering this, you will be very happy with this device.
3. Blink Video Doorbell
Our Review:
The Blink Video Doorbell has a very sleek and stylish design that’s going to look good anywhere. It keeps your house, workplace, and any place which you want to protect private and secure.
Whether you’re working, walking the dog, or creating memories, you’ll always know who is at your door with your Video Doorbell and can answer your visitors no matter where you are and at any time of the day or night with your smartphone, tablet or laptop.
It has 1080p HD video quality which gives you a high-quality video that’s going to capture the exact moment you are going to get home. With this camera doorbell, you can be assured that you are going to get a clear picture of who is at the door and can communicate with them with ease.
The three-step process of installation is required that becomes simple with a quick setup guide, which helps you to easily install this bell. So you don’t have to worry about any technical aspects, it is an extremely easy way to secure your house.
With this doorbell, you may be going to record everything that happens in front of the door and get a clear photo of anyone that tries to break into your house. It receives alerts and answers with two-way audio, So you may communicate with anyone at the door.
Moreover, it works with Alexa, just ask it to answer the front door. It will alert you when the doorbell button is pressed and about motion in front of the door. It will be very convenient for you to keep an eye on your house and secure it from any unwanted intruders.
We liked it because it is very affordable and the perfect option, having a nice black color with a blink light press button that’s going to fit any home decor. It has a very sleek design that will be stylish and won’t look out of place.
If you are someone that wants a good, reliable, and stylish doorbell, then we highly recommend you consider getting this product.
4. MUBVIEW WiFi Video Doorbell
Our Review:
If you are looking for a cheap ring alternative doorbell that is not too fancy and WiFi-enabled, then look no further than MUBVIEW WiFi Video Doorbell. It’s available at a very affordable price and works great.
You can add this doorbell to your door from anywhere by installing it inside a garage or outside. It is a wireless doorbell camera with a built-in battery and low power consumption that is a perfect choice for any home.
This doorbell will help you stay safe in your home while keeping your home secure. With its motion sensor and high-resolution camera, it can send you an alert whenever there is someone at your door.
It not only allows you to view live streaming, but the WiFi doorbell camera also intelligently filters the environment noise to ensure barrier-free and smooth conversations. Also, you can leave multiple 10S voice messages in the APP. When you are not available to talk or are in a hurry, you can select a pre-recorded response.
We installed the device very easily, so you will have no trouble using this doorbell. 3M super glue and expansion screw are provided with the package to set up this bell on the sidewall of the door in an easy way.
As for the product, it is a quality product that is designed to be durable and reliable. It has a large viewing angle of 145° so that you can see a clear view of anyone standing at your door. Even at night, if the person is at your door from up to 33 feet away, you can see him on the device clearly.
All in all, it is a very authentic product that can make your home secure and safe. Its anti-theft feature is amazing and will give you an alarm when anybody wants to steal your property.
We are very impressed with the product and recommend it to all the homeowners who are looking for a low-cost, easy-to-use, and reliable doorbell camera.
5. eufy Video Doorbell Kit
Our Review:
The eufy Video Doorbell Kit is a perfect gift for your home, it is an affordable and reliable security system that allows you to keep an eye on your home without being in the same room. It also works well for large homes with multiple entrances and has many security features.
This smart kit comes with a sleek and slim design and has a 1080p resolution giving a crisp and clear view to anyone who approaches your front door. Also, it provides a full-body view from head to toe, so never miss a thing.
If someone were to forcibly remove the doorbell all your data will remain secure because all recordings are stored directly onto your WiFi Chime’s SD card that is located inside your home.
With two-way audio, you can communicate directly to the visitors on your phone, tablet, or laptop. You can also connect your doorbell to Google Assistant or Alexa and check-in anytime on what’s happening outside your home.
To customize the area where motion is detected, draw an Activity Zone. Reduce the number of false alerts you receive by excluding busy pedestrian areas and roads. Hence, it will help you to maintain a peaceful environment in your home.
We were surprised to use it, it has a long battery life that lasts up to 120 days which is amazing. Because many smart doorbells on the market have a battery life of only a few days.
Finally, the eufy security doorbell is a very cheap alternative to an ordinary ring bell to protect both your home and your wallet. They offer convenience and security at the same time. If you want to have a smart doorbell that doesn’t break the bank, then this is the one for you.
6. Arlo Essential Video Doorbell
Our Review:
Arlo Essential Video Doorbell is a smart doorbell that has been designed to offer complete peace of mind to homeowners. It is convenient to watch in your home, easy to set up, and easy to use.
With its 180° full-body view, you can see and hear your visitors even when you are not at home. The camera also has a night vision feature that can help you see who is at the door at night even when it is dark outside. You can get to know your visitors and let them into your home quickly.
When someone rings the bell, you can press the button on the app and talk to your guests through the phone or watch them from anywhere you want. The device has a long battery life and recharges quickly so you can be sure that your smart home will be always ready for use.
It automatically records video footage and uploads it to your account to make sure that your loved ones don’t face any trouble. So, once it’s connected, you can control the camera through your smartphone, tablet, or computer.
Furthermore, it has a built-in rechargeable battery that can last for about many hours. It doesn’t require any external power source for operation so it is very easy to set up and use, and you don’t have to worry about your electricity bills.
We found that it is a very useful device that will help you stay safe and secure while protecting your home from unwanted intruders. As it has a built-in siren that lets you know whenever someone rings your doorbell.
In the end, if you are looking for a smart and cheaper video doorbell that will allow you to monitor your home without getting out of your seat, then you can definitely consider Arlo Essential.
7. AUNEX Video Wireless Doorbell
Our Review:
The AUNEX Video Wireless Doorbell is a smart doorbell that has many features that make it a great and cheap alternative to traditional doorbells. It enables you to supervise your door anywhere anytime with your smartphone.
This doorbell will allow you to connect your smartphone to it, and it will be able to alert you whenever someone presses the bell. You can also use it to see and talk with your visitors through the built-in camera which has a high resolution of 720p HD and gives a detailed view.
If you have a home gym or workout room, then this doorbell will allow you to leave your door open while working out and see who’s at the door. No matter in the daytime or at night, you can see what is happening around your door clearly. As the infrared light will automatically turn on at night.
It also comes with free cloud storage which lets you upload all of your images and videos to your computer or phone without the worry of losing anything. The best part of this doorbell we liked the most, it is completely wireless and does not require a physical connection with your door or windows.
In addition, AUNEX Video Wireless Doorbell is easy to set up and works fine even when there is a lot of ambient noise. It also includes a 16GB SD card which is enough to store a lot of pictures and videos.
Overall, we really like this doorbell, and it is a great deal considering the high-quality hardware that is used. If you’re looking for an alternative to ring bells with an affordable price tag, then this smart doorbell is definitely worth a try.
Comparison Table for Cheap Ring Doorbell Alternative
Products | Features | Rating |
Zmodo Greet HD Wireless Video Doorbell | 5 Out of 4.6 | |
ZhiLiao Smart Home WiFi Video Doorbell |
| 5 Out of 4.3 |
Blink Video Doorbell |
| 5 Out of 4.5 |
MUBVIEW WiFi Video Doorbell |
| 5 Out of 4.4 |
eufy Video Doorbell Kit |
| 5 Out of 4.7 |
Arlo Essential Video Doorbell |
| 5 Out of 4.5 |
AUNEX Video Wireless Doorbell |
| 5 Out of 4.3 |
Key Points To Consider While Buying Cheap Ring Doorbell Alternative
When we first started thinking about buying a cheap doorbell, we had some ideas in mind. This way, we would be able to save money and get the best doorbells. These factors are:
Motion Detection:
While some people may think that a motion sensor is a gimmick, it’s actually a useful feature in a doorbell. This feature detects movement from the outside of your house and alerts you when someone comes near.
It’s essentially the same technology used by security cameras, so you can connect them to your home security system and have a clear view of the front door. So it is a necessary feature to check out when choosing a video doorbell that is an alternative to a Ring doorbell.
Weatherproof or Not:
If you live in an area where there’s a chance of rain or snow, you may want to consider a weatherproof doorbell. However, keep in mind that you’ll have to pay a premium for this feature, as weatherproofing a doorbell can be quite pricey. So, you’ll have to decide whether it’s worth it or not.
Battery Life:
This is an important factor to consider when buying a cheap doorbell. If you plan on installing this doorbell in a remote location, it’s important to make sure that it has a battery that lasts for a long time. So, you don’t have to worry about changing the battery too often.
The Resolution:
If you’re looking for a cheap Ring doorbell alternative, you’ll need to consider the resolution.
The Ring Video Doorbell is a WiFi-enabled doorbell camera that can record and send 1080p videos up to 4K quality. It connects to smartphones, tablets, and computers via the Ring app, and works with Alexa, Google Assistant. Higher the resolution the better the picture quality.
Connectivity options:
If you don’t have a doorbell or are planning on buying a new doorbell, you may want to consider one of the following connectivity options.
WiFi:
This is the most common option as it is a lot easier to set up and can be connected to a range of devices. Meanwhile, it also allows you to easily set up a video doorbell with a smartphone.
Bluetooth:
This is a more advanced option, as it allows you to connect the doorbell to any Bluetooth-enabled device. However, this option can be a bit more expensive.
Alexa:
This is another advanced option as it allows you to connect the doorbell to Amazon Alexa devices. However, it can be a bit pricey, this is the newest option for connecting doorbells.
Conclusion!
We discussed the top 7 best wireless doorbells which are smart alternatives to traditional ring doorbells. We took into consideration the cost, features, and functionality of each bell. To demonstrate the quality of these video doorbells, we provided a brief overview of each product.
All doorbells are different, but if you’re looking for a cheap alternative to a Ring doorbell that offers more than just a basic ring, we are happy with AUNEX Video Wireless Doorbell because it offers the same basic features but in a different way. It has a better resolution and also comes with a free app that allows you to set up alerts and notifications.
We hope that this article has helped you in making the right decision. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to let us know in the comments below.
FAQs
Is there a cheaper alternative to Ring doorbell?
If you’re on a budget, then there are other ways to make sure your home is safe when you’re not there. One of the most common ways people do this is with a wireless doorbell with a camera.
Would there be a Ring doorbell alternative that does not require doorbell wiring?
With the Ring Video Doorbell Pro, you don’t need to drill into your doorframe. The Pro has a built-in chime that lets you hear and speak to whoever is at your door from anywhere. It also has two-way audio so you can listen and talk to whoever is at your door from your smartphone.
What are the advantages of a smart doorbell?
Smart doorbells are great because they allow you to see who’s at your door before you open it, which is a great safety feature. They also provide the facility you to answer your door from anywhere with your phone, they can tell when someone’s at the door even if they don’t ring the bell.
Do all wireless doorbells need batteries?
Yes, all wireless doorbells need batteries. To work, a wireless doorbell uses radio frequency signals to communicate with a receiver that is connected to the doorbell button. The receiver then sends the signal onto the chime and creates the sound of the doorbell within your home or office.
I am John Kouchek, the founder of Own The Smart Home. I am passionate about making homes smarter and more efficient. I have a degree in Robotics and Automation (MSc) and have worked in the home automation industry for over 10 years. Learn More!