Ring doorbells are going cheap for Prime Day, but these 5 subscription-free alternatives could cost you less in the…

Ring video doorbells always get deep discounts for Amazon Prime Day, but the savings might not be quite as impressive as they first seem. Although the up-front cost might be low, you'll need a Ring Home subscription to get the most out of your new purchase, and that can really add up over the years. That's not the case with all video doorbells, though, and here I've rounded up my top five picks that give you full functionality without the monthly fees.

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The key is that all the video doorbells here let you store videos on a microSD card. Some brands offer cloud storage if you really want it, but it's definitely not necessary. Some doorbells (like the EZVIZ EP4 I'm testing right now) also include newer features like facial recognition that you'd usually expect to be part of a paid membership plan.

All of these doorbells have been tested, reviewed, and given the seal of approval by our team of home tech experts, so you can be confident you're making the right choice.

Eufy Video Doorbell Dual

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Eufy's smart-looking device is an excellent option if you're looking for a subscription-free video doorbell on a budget. The Video Doorbell Dual records video at 2K, which is just fine for us, and is loaded with advanced features like package detection and the ability to play pre-recorded voice messages, all with no membership necessary.

It has an infrared sensor that detects visitors' body heat, while a radar motion detector scans for movement. Better yet, its software includes AI person-recognition, and during our tests, it was able to accurately identify and label visitors in our video clips. We didn't receive any false positives, and the detailed app notifications meant we could tell who was calling at a glance, without even picking up our phone.

All your footage is stored locally on the HomeBase 2 (bundled with the doorbell), which provides 16GB for your clips. You can buy cloud storage if you really want to, but there's no compelling reason to when you can keep control over your own videos and access them for free.

We didn't love having to take the doorbell down to charge it (there's no swappable power pack), but it can be connected to existing doorbell wiring if you'd rather not run it from its battery.

Read our full Eufy Video Doorbell Dual review

SwannBuddy 4K

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Swann makes some of the best video doorbells and best home security cameras we've tested here at TechRadar, and they all have one big selling point: there's no subscription plan necessary to save your videos or to use their most advanced features. Although you can pay for cloud storage if you really want to, it's not necessary at all.

The Swann Buddy4K is also a fully-fledged home security camera with features like motion detection and the ability to differentiate among subjects such as people, pets, cars, and packages. All of this is included with the initial cost of the doorbell (unlike devices from brands like Ring, which charge a regular fee to unlock such features).

"It’s possible to store videos by type – particularly handy if you want to find out when a parcel was left on the doorstep," said our reviewer Chris Price. "Alternatively, you can store videos in chronological order on the built-in MicroSD card."

The doorbell's AI assistant (which generates custom voice responses for visitors so you don't have to speak to them) was still in beta when we reviewed it, but even without it, it's an excellent device that comes highly recommended for helping secure your home.

Read our full SwannBuddy 4K review

Philips 7000 Series Video Doorbell

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The Philips 7000 Series boasts impressive video quality, great viewing angles, and a generous 8GB of onboard storage.

It boasts dual cameras to give a clear view of both visitors and any packages they may leave on your doorstep. Its 2K resolution will be ample for most homes (4K doorbells are now widely available, but usually burdened by subscription fees), and during our tests, we were thoroughly impressed by how sensitive it was to motion. In terms of responsiveness, it was up there with the best home security cameras. Night vision is crisp as well (the doorbell is equipped with infrared sensors).

We found installation refreshingly straightforward, with a choice of mounting plates so you can choose one to suit your home, and it can be used with existing doorbell wiring or wireless from a rechargeable battery.

The 7000 Series isn't the cheapest video doorbell around, but its price is competitive considering how much you're getting. It's around the same as the Ring Video Doorbell 2, which requires a membership to save and review video footage.

The only other drawback for us was a slight lag we noticed during two-way talk with visitors. Otherwise, the 7000 Series is hard to beat (though it's not currently available to buy in the UK).

Read our full Philips 7000 Series Video Doorbell review

Aqara Video Doorbell G4

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Aqara is well known for its excellent subscription-free video doorbells and home security cameras, and the Video Doorbell G4 ranks among the best. It works with all the main smart home platforms, which is quite rare, can run from a battery or be used wired, and is packed with extra features that you'd normally expect to come with a hefty subscription fee, such as subject-identification and customizable motion-detection zones.

You can store your videos on a microSD card installed in the doorbell chime supplied in the box, but Aqara also offers a free cloud storage plan that saves 7 days of recordings at no charge. You can pay for extra online storage if you really want, but there's no need.

Its field of view is narrower than you'd get with a Ring doorbell, and its picture isn't as sharp, but it's still a great budget option — and one that could get even cheaper on Amazon Prime Day.

Read our full Aqara Video Doorbell G4 review

EZVIZ EP4 Wire-Free Peephole Door Viewer

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The clever little EZVIZ EP4 is marketed as a security camera, and it does serve that purpose, but it does double-duty as a video doorbell, with a large push-button on top that triggers a notification on your phone when pressed, allowing you to see and speak to the person at your door via the EZVIZ app.

This is a great option for anyone who rents or lives in an apartment, because there's absolutely no drilling required, and when you want to move out, you can simply remove it and take it with you. Just unscrew the peephole from your front door, and you can install it in seconds. I used it at home and had it up and running within 10 minutes. Removing it is even quicker, and it did no damage to my door whatsoever.

The 4K picture is sharp and vivid, whether you're viewing it on the internal screen or within the EZVIZ app. The camera has AI person-detection, and can alert you when someone is at the door even if they've not pressed the bell. It can also use facial recognition to let you know when certain individuals have arrived.

There's no subscription required (videos can be stored on an internal MicroSD card), and for me, the only significant drawback is that the camera's field of view isn't wide enough to see packages on your doorstep. Note that the EZVIZ EP4 is currently only available in the UK.

Read my hands-on with the EZVIZ EP4 Wire-Free Peephole Door Viewer

More Prime Day deals in the US

Amazon Devices: Fire Sticks & Echo from $18

Amazon Haul: viral gadgets, tech & appliances from $1.99

Apple: MacBooks, AirPods & AirTags from $29

Beauty: 50% off toothbrushes & hair tools

Cheap TVs: smart TVs from $69.99

Garden: tools, mowers, planters from $24.99

Headphones: 50% off Beats, Bose & Samsung

Laptops: Apple, HP & Dell from $199

Mattresses: Sealy, Serta & more from $186

Patio: outdoor furniture, rugs & decor from $19.99

Sports: 50% off fitness gear, treadmills & clothing

Vacuums: Dyson, Shark & Bissell from $34

More Prime Day deals in the UK

Amazon Prime: sign up for a 30-day free trial

Amazon Devices: Fire TV, Ring & Blink from £24.99

Amazon Haul: up to 30% off

Apple: AirPods Pro 3 for a record-low price

Appliances: up to 45% off Ninja, Tefal & Sage

Beauty: up to 60% off Philips & Oral-B

Essentials: household goods from under £10

Fashion: up to 50% off

Father's Day: up to 50% off gifts & drinks

Headphones: up to 50% off

Laptops: from £149.99

Tablets: Samsung & Lenovo from £125

Toys: up to 25% off Lego and Tonies

TVs: from £129.99

Vacuums: up to 40% off Eufy & Roborock

Wearables: Garmin & Huawei from £36.99

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Cat is TechRadar's Homes Editor, covering smart home tech, kitchen appliances, vacuums, haircare and more. She's been a tech journalist for 15 years, having worked on print magazines including PC Plus and PC Format, and is a Speciality Coffee Association (SCA) certified barista. Whether you want to invest in some smart lights, find your ideal hair styler, or pick the espresso machine of your dreams, she's the right person to help.