But don’t worry, you don’t have to shell out a fortune just to keep an eye on your porch. Cheap doorbell cameras are becoming increasingly common, and we’ve rounded up some of the best, most affordable options for you. Expect to spend around $100. Video doorbells are also expected to have motion detection to alert you of movement on your front porch. You’re also going to need storage so you don’t have to worry about deleting video files every week. Installation should be simple and easy, along with setting up the video doorbell’s app. Ring also gives you the option to use a rechargeable battery to power the doorbell cam or to hardwire it directly into your existing doorbell connection. The battery option is great for renters or people who don’t have a doorbell. In our testing, we got a lot of useless motion alerts from the RemoBell S from cars driving down the street and people walking on the sidewalk. We had to restrict motion sensing to the smallest possible zone to control the influx of notifications, and it still wasn’t perfect. Scout is one of the cheaper home security systems on the market, and the Scout Doorbell Camera fits right in. If you want smart lights, outlets, and locks along with your doorbell camera, then Scout will let you add them on. The NVR storage is a great option if you have other Amcrest cameras and want to store the footage from all of them in a single, secure place. If you just want the video doorbell camera and nothing else, then a microSD card works best. We also like that Toucan includes a 9-1-1 call feature in its app. And that the accessory chime is battery-powered. (Most accessory chimes have to be plugged into a wall outlet.) We also don’t like that you have to take the entire doorbell off the wall when it’s time to recharge the battery. Some battery-powered models, like Ring, let you remove the battery to charge separately. The quality also isn’t great. The Kangaroo records in 480p resolution. That’s DVD-quality definition.
Ring Video Doorbell: Best value—Ring is the best-known name among video doorbells, and the Ring Video Doorbell is Ring’s affordable older model. You still get customizable activity zones and HD recording. RemoBell S: Slimmest design—The RemoBell S is a simple cam that works as a standalone device. It uses your existing doorbell wiring for power. The motion zones are not easily adjustable. Scout Doorbell Camera: Best security system option—The Scout Doorbell Camera works with the full Scout home security system. The whole system is pretty affordable, and it supports home automation. Amcrest Video Doorbell: Best storage options—If you want local storage options, then the Amcrest Video Doorbell offers both microSD card and NVR storage. You can also opt for cloud storage if you like. Toucan Video Doorbell—The Toucan Video Doorbell is battery-powered and comes with an accessory chime. It has some bugs, but it offers some unique features like a built-in siren. Kangaroo Video Doorbell—The Kangaroo Video Doorbell is the cheapest option on our list at only $40. It’s a much lower quality product, which is why it costs so little. But if you just want something, then this might work.
Want to see more doorbell camera options? Check out our Best Video Doorbells review for the best models on the market. Price is, of course, a big deal when it comes to inexpensive video doorbells. The video doorbells we have chosen range from $30–$130. We tested the video doorbells ourselves so we could let you know how we liked the video quality, basic features, and the installation process. We did the hard work for you so you could find the best doorbell for your home. A video doorbell will film whenever someone knocks at your door, drops off a package, or tries to do any suspicious business. You’ll be able to see their faces on clear HD video. For $99, your Scout outdoor video doorbell will film in 1080p resolution, and it has infrared-vision and two-way audio. If you pay a subscription, you’ll be able to access more features, such as downloading and viewing the recordings for longer durations. You don’t have to pay for these services though if you don’t find them necessary.
