A video doorbell is scored on video quality first, then on its smarts, what it costs to run, and how easily it installs. Our pick is the Google Nest Doorbell (3rd gen), with an SR Score of 88, for sharp 2K video plus free on-device package and person detection. The Eufy Video Doorbell Dual (86) is the runner-up for buyers who refuse a subscription. For the lowest entry price, Ring’s new battery doorbell (84) is the pick.
The ranking
| Rank | Doorbell | Best for | Power / price | SR Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nest Doorbell (3rd gen) | Most people | Wired/battery / ~$180 | 88 |
| 2 | Eufy Video Doorbell Dual | No subscription | Battery / ~$160 | 86 |
| 3 | Ring Battery Doorbell (2nd Gen) | Affordable | Battery / ~$60 | 84 |
| 4 | Eufy Video Doorbell E340 | Dual-camera value | Battery/wired / ~$130 | 83 |
| 5 | Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2 | Wired premium | Wired / ~$230 | 82 |
| 6 | Arlo Video Doorbell 2K | Square HDR view | Wired/battery / ~$150 | 81 |
| 7 | Reolink Video Doorbell | Local storage budget | Wired / ~$100 | 79 |
Methodology
The Doorbell Score v2026 rubric weights five criteria:
- Video quality (30) — resolution, field of view, HDR, night vision.
- Smart features (20) — person/package detection, zones, on-device AI.
- Ongoing cost (20) — subscription requirement for full features.
- Installation (15) — wiring needs and setup ease.
- Reliability (15) — connection stability and alert speed.
Video leads, but ongoing cost is weighted heavily because subscriptions add up over years of ownership. Re-weight Cost up and Eufy and Reolink climb.
Nest Doorbell (3rd gen)
The pick for most people, around $180. Sharp 2K video, free package and person detection, and several hours of free event video without a subscription — with optional Nest Aware for longer history.
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Video quality | 28/30 |
| Smart features | 19/20 |
| Ongoing cost | 16/20 |
| Installation | 12/15 |
| Reliability | 13/15 |
Trade-off: no battery backup on the wired version, and full history needs Nest Aware.
Eufy Video Doorbell Dual
The no-subscription pick, around $160. Two cameras (one aimed at the doorstep for packages), local storage on the HomeBase, and no monthly fee — a lot of features without recurring cost.
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Video quality | 24/30 |
| Smart features | 18/20 |
| Ongoing cost | 20/20 |
| Installation | 12/15 |
| Reliability | 12/15 |
Trade-off: lower resolution than the Nest, and you need the HomeBase.
Ring Battery Doorbell (2nd Gen)
The affordable pick, around $60. Ring’s newest and most affordable doorbell, a 2026 redesign of its best-seller, easy to install anywhere on battery with solid alerts.
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Video quality | 22/30 |
| Smart features | 16/20 |
| Ongoing cost | 13/20 |
| Installation | 14/15 |
| Reliability | 13/15 |
Trade-off: full features and saved video need a Ring Protect subscription.
Eufy Video Doorbell E340
The dual-camera value pick, around $130. Two cameras with local storage, dual-band Wi-Fi, and no subscription — the budget sibling to the Dual.
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Video quality | 23/30 |
| Smart features | 17/20 |
| Ongoing cost | 20/20 |
| Installation | 12/15 |
| Reliability | 12/15 |
Trade-off: app and detection are good but trail Nest’s polish.
Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2
The wired-premium pick, around $230. A hardwired doorbell with a head-to-toe view, 3D motion detection, and Ring’s mature app and Alexa integration.
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Video quality | 26/30 |
| Smart features | 18/20 |
| Ongoing cost | 12/20 |
| Installation | 11/15 |
| Reliability | 13/15 |
Trade-off: requires existing wiring and a Ring Protect plan for recordings.
Arlo Video Doorbell 2K
The square-view pick, around $150. A 2K doorbell with a 1:1 aspect ratio that shows visitors head to toe and packages on the ground, with good HDR.
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Video quality | 24/30 |
| Smart features | 17/20 |
| Ongoing cost | 12/20 |
| Installation | 12/15 |
| Reliability | 12/15 |
Trade-off: most features require an Arlo Secure subscription.
Reolink Video Doorbell
The local-storage budget pick, around $100. A wired doorbell that saves to an SD card or local NVR for a one-time cost, with sharp video and no mandatory fees.
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Video quality | 23/30 |
| Smart features | 14/20 |
| Ongoing cost | 19/20 |
| Installation | 11/15 |
| Reliability | 11/15 |
Trade-off: smart-home integrations and app polish lag the big brands.
How to choose
Start with subscriptions. If you do not want a monthly bill, Eufy and Reolink store video locally for a one-time cost — the Eufy Dual or E340 for dual cameras, Reolink for the lowest price. If you are fine with a plan, the Nest Doorbell gives the best video and the most free event recording, while Ring offers the broadest ecosystem and the cheapest entry hardware. Match power to your home: wired models like the Ring Pro 2 are most reliable if you have doorbell wiring; battery models install anywhere. Re-weight toward Ongoing cost and Eufy wins outright; weight Video quality and smarts, as we do, and the Nest Doorbell takes the top score.
Verification
- Nest Doorbell (3rd gen) — “best for most people,” 2K, free event video, ~$162-179 verified via Tom’s Guide.
- Eufy Video Doorbell Dual — dual camera, local HomeBase storage, no fee verified via Tom’s Guide.
- Ring Battery Doorbell (2nd Gen) — March 2026 redesign, most affordable verified via Tom’s Guide and DumbSwitches.
- Eufy E340 / Ring Pro 2 / Arlo 2K / Reolink — features and pricing verified via Tom’s Guide and PVR Blog roundups.
Related rankings
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- Best Android Phones 2026: 7 Scored
Frequently asked questions
- What is the best video doorbell in 2026?
- The Google Nest Doorbell (3rd gen) for most people: great 2K video, package and person detection, and several hours of free event video without a subscription. For no subscription at all, the Eufy Video Doorbell Dual.
- Do video doorbells require a subscription?
- It depends on the brand. Ring, Nest, and Arlo charge monthly for full cloud recording, though Nest includes some free event video. Eufy and Reolink store footage locally with no required subscription.
- Wired or battery doorbell?
- Wired doorbells give continuous power and reliability if you have existing doorbell wiring. Battery models install anywhere in minutes but need periodic recharging. Many models offer both options.
- Can I see who's at the door on my phone and TV?
- Yes. All these doorbells push alerts and live video to your phone. Nest and Ring also stream to Google and Amazon smart displays and TVs respectively.
- How much do video doorbells cost?
- Hardware ranges from about $50 for a basic Ring to around $180 for premium Nest or Eufy models. Factor in subscription cost: $5-25/month for cloud brands, $0 for local-storage brands like Eufy.