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Original poster

Best video doorbell without monthly subscription?

20 replies

Digimoor · 05/10/2023 11:23

Which? recommends Ubiquiti but the amazon reviews aren't great & I've never heard of the brand
I don't want to pay a monthly subscription

OP posts:
RecycleMePlease · 05/10/2023 11:25

I use a Ring and don't pay for the subscription. That means I only have the live stuff, I can't go back and look at historic videos.

So it depends on what you want it for really, and what you already have (mine took over from my previous hard-wired doorbell)

Original poster
Digimoor · 05/10/2023 11:50

I want to be able to look at the camera footage later, not just use it as a doorbell

OP posts:
Berninaa · 05/10/2023 11:53

Doesn’t Blink with a blink (little hub box) unit do this?

I’ve got a camera not a doorbell and can look back without a subscription. Ive had it years though, not sure if things have changed.

friskybivalves · 05/10/2023 11:53

Eufy are fab.

LookItsMeAgain · 05/10/2023 12:09

Just realising that the link I've given is to a refurbished version, we got ours new from Amazon.

mistymistymorning · 05/10/2023 12:13

@Berninaa I have Blink without a subscription. I used to be able to look back but now I can only look at a live view. I got messages for weeks saying it was swapping over to live only unless you pay monthly so not sure how you have it? (Let us in on the secret!!)

latenightpartyrings · 05/10/2023 12:46

We have a Blink with a USB stick attached to the sync module. It will store footage when the camera is triggered to look at later (only if it is triggered).

Berninaa · 05/10/2023 12:47

latenightpartyrings · 05/10/2023 12:46

We have a Blink with a USB stick attached to the sync module. It will store footage when the camera is triggered to look at later (only if it is triggered).

Yes, I guess this is it, mine has an SD card from memory.

tintinandhisdogsnowy · 05/10/2023 12:49

latenightpartyrings · 05/10/2023 12:46

We have a Blink with a USB stick attached to the sync module. It will store footage when the camera is triggered to look at later (only if it is triggered).

Same as me. It works very well.

Goldmember · 05/10/2023 12:51

I have Eufy, battery powered. The camera is excellent quality and the motion sensor is great. There is a lag of 15-20 seconds between doorbell press and phone notifications.

I love it though, great for proof of deliveries, especially when out of the house.

MrFirstTimeBuyer · 05/10/2023 19:58

You should return/complain about such long delay. We also have Eufy and the delay is maybe 2 seconds and even that is borderline acceptable to me.

Britsy · 05/10/2023 20:55

We have a eufy as well, love it apart from the delay between doorbell press and phone notification. I just assumed it was because of our internet connection.

PlanBea · 05/10/2023 22:58

Another vote for eufy, ours is hard wired in where our old doorbell was. Both our neighbours now have Eufy after asking about ours!

LookItsMeAgain · 06/10/2023 08:25

Goldmember · 05/10/2023 12:51

I have Eufy, battery powered. The camera is excellent quality and the motion sensor is great. There is a lag of 15-20 seconds between doorbell press and phone notifications.

I love it though, great for proof of deliveries, especially when out of the house.

I have a Eufy and the lag between the doorbell being pressed and my Alexa advising me that there is someone at the door, or getting the notification on my mobile would be only a matter of a few seconds not 15-20 seconds. I can hear the bell ringing (if I leave a door open between my home office and the kitchen) and then just a couple of seconds later I get the Alexa alert saying "There is someone at the door".

Can you make sure that you're using the latest version of the Eufy software on your phone and that your phone is at the latest operating system for the make of phone? That might make a difference.

Original poster
Digimoor · 06/10/2023 09:55

Thanks
For those with eufy - is the data stored on the doorbell unit? Do they get stolen? I know that's an issue with the Ring doorbells

OP posts:
LookItsMeAgain · 06/10/2023 10:14

No, the SD card is inserted into the Bell unit which in our one is plugged into a socket in a central location in our home so we can hear it.
The bell might be possible to rob if you have a paperclip or one of those 'keys' that can pop a sim card tray out of a mobile phone but with the prevalence of video doorbells and the fact that the data is stored elsewhere, why would you 😊

ScoobyDoesnt · 06/10/2023 10:54

I have a eufy too - data is stored on the app so it makes no difference if the doorbell is nicked. I also have eufy security cameras front and back which have anti theft devices on (they emit an audible alarm if someone tries to unscrew them).

Charge lasts really well on the doorbell and cameras too.

TZM13 · 08/04/2025 16:09

I have the Defender Video Doorbell which allows you to replay footage and it's also cyber secure so playback and connections are safe. You also don't have to pay for the chime or a cloud subscription.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0D6GN9KKV

NetballHoop · 08/04/2025 16:16

We have a Eufy with no subs to pay. However Ubiquity products are really good quality so if I'd known they made doorbells I might have gone with them.

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