A video doorbell is the single most useful security camera most people own — it covers the spot where packages land and strangers knock. But brands differ wildly on the things that matter: whether you can see a package on the ground, how good night vision is, and whether you’re forced into a monthly fee. We tested the leading video doorbells of 2026 to find the ones worth your money, wired and battery alike.
Best video doorbells at a glance
| Doorbell | Best for | Power | Price | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Google Nest Doorbell (Wired, 2nd gen) | Best overall | Wired | ~$180 | ★★★★★ |
| Ring Battery Doorbell Pro | Best battery | Battery | ~$230 | ★★★★½ |
| Eufy Video Doorbell E340 | Best no subscription | Wired or battery | ~$160 | ★★★★½ |
| Arlo Video Doorbell 2K | Best wide view | Wired or battery | ~$130 | ★★★★☆ |
| Wyze Video Doorbell Pro | Best budget | Battery | ~$70 | ★★★★☆ |
1. Google Nest Doorbell (Wired, 2nd gen) — Best Overall
Google Nest Doorbell (Wired, 2nd Generation)
- Tall HDR video shows a visitor's face and a package on the porch at once.
- Free on-device people, package, animal, and vehicle alerts.
- Three hours of free event history; more with Nest Aware.
- Clean integration with Google Home and Nest displays.
The wired Nest Doorbell is the best video doorbell for most homes. Its tall aspect ratio captures a visitor head-to-toe and shows packages on the ground, and Google’s smart alerts distinguish people, packages, animals, and vehicles — much of it without paying a cent. Pair it with a Nest display and you can answer the door from anywhere in the house. It needs existing doorbell wiring, but if you have it, this is the one to get.
2. Ring Battery Doorbell Pro — Best Battery
Ring Battery Doorbell Pro
- Crisp 1536p HD+ video with a head-to-toe view.
- Radar-based 3D Motion Detection and Bird's Eye View tracking.
- Removable battery pack for easy recharging without uninstalling.
- Best-in-class app and tight Alexa integration.
If you don’t have doorbell wiring, the Ring Battery Doorbell Pro is the best battery option. The 1536p sensor and head-to-toe view are excellent, and Ring’s radar-based 3D Motion Detection plus Bird’s Eye View reduce false alerts and show exactly where someone walked. The removable battery means no downtime when it’s time to recharge. The downside is the familiar one: saved clips need a Ring Protect subscription.
3. Eufy Video Doorbell E340 — Best No-Subscription
Eufy Video Doorbell E340
- Dual cameras — one for faces, one aimed at the doorstep for packages.
- Records locally with no monthly fee required.
- Works wired or on battery, with color night vision.
- On-device human detection keeps alerts relevant.
The eufy E340 is the doorbell to buy if you refuse to pay a monthly fee. Its standout feature is a second, downward-facing camera dedicated to your doorstep, so you always see deliveries even when the main lens is fixed on faces. Everything records locally, so there’s no recurring cost, and it runs wired or on battery. For free, set-and-forget package monitoring, nothing else here matches it.
4. Arlo Video Doorbell 2K — Best Wide View
Arlo Video Doorbell 2K
- Sharp 2K video with a tall, square head-to-toe field of view.
- Color night vision and a built-in siren.
- Installs wired or on battery to suit any porch.
- Direct-to-Wi-Fi — no separate hub required.
The Arlo Video Doorbell 2K hits a sweet spot of resolution and price. Its 2K sensor and square aspect ratio capture faces and parcels clearly, color night vision keeps things visible after dark, and the built-in siren adds deterrence. It connects straight to Wi-Fi with no hub. As with Arlo’s cameras, the best AI features live behind an Arlo Secure plan, but the hardware is a strong value.
5. Wyze Video Doorbell Pro — Best Budget
Wyze Video Doorbell Pro
- Tall 1440x1440 head-to-toe view at a bargain price.
- Battery-powered with an included plug-in chime.
- Color night vision and radar motion detection.
- Free basic alerts, with cheap optional Cam Plus AI.
For around $70, the Wyze Video Doorbell Pro delivers features that used to cost three times as much: a tall head-to-toe view, color night vision, radar motion sensing, and an included chime. It’s the doorbell we recommend to anyone on a tight budget or kitting out a rental. Rich AI alerts need the inexpensive Cam Plus plan, but the core experience is excellent for the money.
What actually matters when buying a video doorbell
- Field of view. A tall, head-to-toe (roughly 1:1) view is the most important feature — it shows faces and floor-level packages together. Avoid wide-but-short cameras that miss deliveries.
- Subscription costs. Ring and Google charge for saved video; Eufy and some others store locally for free. Decide whether you want monthly fees before you buy.
- Power source. Wired doorbells are always-on and never need charging; battery models install anywhere in minutes. Match it to whether you have existing doorbell wiring.
- Night vision. Color night vision is far more useful than black-and-white for identifying people and reading what’s happening on a dark porch.
- Smart alerts. Package and person detection cut down on motion spam. On-device AI is faster and more private than cloud-only processing.
The bottom line
The Google Nest Doorbell (wired) is the best video doorbell of 2026 thanks to its tall view and free smart alerts. Want to skip the monthly fee? The eufy Video Doorbell E340 records locally and watches your doorstep with a second camera, and the Wyze Video Doorbell Pro proves a great doorbell doesn’t have to be expensive.