Ring vs Blink vs Google Nest vs eufy: which video doorbell should you buy?
By EmbroidHub Editorial Team · Updated · How we compare
As an Amazon Associate, EmbroidHub earns from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability are accurate as of the date shown and are subject to change.
A video doorbell shows you who is at the door from your phone, records package deliveries and lets you talk to visitors from anywhere. Ring and Blink are both owned by Amazon and go on sale often, Google Nest is the pick for Google homes, and eufy is known for skipping the monthly fee.
The biggest hidden cost is the subscription: without one, some doorbells only show live video and do not save recordings. Here is how they compare.
Quick picks
- Most homes and Alexa users: Ring Video DoorbellCheck price on Amazon
- Lowest price and long battery life: Blink Video DoorbellCheck price on Amazon
- Google Home and Android users: Google Nest Doorbell (battery)Check price on Amazon
- No monthly fees: eufy Security Video DoorbellCheck price on Amazon
Side-by-side comparison
| Product | Best for | Price tier | Video | Power | Recordings without subscription | Works with | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ring Video Doorbell | Most homes and Alexa users | Budget | HD 1080p | Rechargeable battery or wired | No (live view only) | Alexa | See on Amazon |
| Blink Video Doorbell | Lowest price and long battery life | Budget | HD 1080p | AA lithium batteries or wired | Yes, with Sync Module 2 + USB drive | Alexa | See on Amazon |
| Google Nest Doorbell (battery) | Google Home and Android users | Mid-range | HDR, tall view | Rechargeable battery or wired | Limited (about 3 hours of events) | Google Home | See on Amazon |
| eufy Security Video Doorbell | No monthly fees | Mid-range | 2K on most models | Rechargeable battery or wired | Yes, local storage | Alexa and Google Assistant | See on Amazon |
#1 · Most homes and Alexa users · Budget
Ring Video Doorbell
Ring's entry doorbell records in HD, has a built-in rechargeable battery or can be hardwired to existing doorbell wires, and works with Alexa so an Echo Show can show who is at the door. Saving and sharing videos needs a Ring Home plan.
What we like
- Easy setup, battery or wired
- Works with Echo Show and Fire TV
- Large ecosystem of cameras and alarms
Keep in mind
- Recordings need a Ring Home subscription
- Video
- HD 1080p
- Power
- Rechargeable battery or wired
- Recordings without subscription
- No (live view only)
- Works with
- Alexa
#2 · Lowest price and long battery life · Budget
Blink Video Doorbell
Blink's doorbell runs for up to two years on two AA lithium batteries, often sells for under $40 on sale and works with Alexa. Add a Sync Module 2 and a USB drive to save clips locally instead of paying for a plan.
What we like
- Very affordable
- Long battery life on AA batteries
- Local storage option with Sync Module 2
Keep in mind
- Fewer smart features than Ring
- Local storage needs extra hardware
- Video
- HD 1080p
- Power
- AA lithium batteries or wired
- Recordings without subscription
- Yes, with Sync Module 2 + USB drive
- Works with
- Alexa
#3 · Google Home and Android users · Mid-range
Google Nest Doorbell (battery)
Nest's doorbell has a tall video view that shows packages on the ground, smart alerts for people, packages, animals and vehicles, and a few hours of free event history. It plugs into the Google Home app and Nest displays.
What we like
- Tall view shows packages
- Smart alerts included
- Some free event history
Keep in mind
- Longer history needs Nest Aware / Google Home Premium
- Costs more
- Video
- HDR, tall view
- Power
- Rechargeable battery or wired
- Recordings without subscription
- Limited (about 3 hours of events)
- Works with
- Google Home
#4 · No monthly fees · Mid-range
eufy Security Video Doorbell
eufy stores video locally on the doorbell or a HomeBase, so you get recordings and person detection with no subscription. Dual-camera models also look down at packages on your doorstep.
What we like
- No monthly fee for recordings
- Local storage keeps video at home
- Package camera on dual-camera models
Keep in mind
- Smaller ecosystem
- Some features need a HomeBase
- Video
- 2K on most models
- Power
- Rechargeable battery or wired
- Recordings without subscription
- Yes, local storage
- Works with
- Alexa and Google Assistant
Battery or wired?
Battery doorbells install in minutes anywhere, but you recharge or replace the batteries. If your home already has doorbell wires, wiring the doorbell keeps it powered all the time and often unlocks faster, more frequent recordings.
Count the subscription in the price
A doorbell that costs less up front can cost more over three years if you pay a monthly plan. If you do not want a subscription, look at eufy or Blink with local storage.
Our verdict
Pick Ring for the best all-around Alexa doorbell, Blink for the lowest price, Google Nest if your home runs on Google, and eufy if you never want to pay a monthly fee.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a subscription for a Ring doorbell?
No for live view and motion alerts, yes to save, review and share recorded videos, which need a Ring Home plan.
Is Blink or Ring better?
Ring has more features and a bigger ecosystem. Blink is cheaper, lasts much longer on batteries and can save clips locally without a plan.
Do video doorbells work without existing doorbell wires?
Yes. All four have battery versions that mount with a couple of screws and connect over Wi-Fi.
Specs and features come from the manufacturers and can change between versions. Prices change often on Amazon, so check the current price and the exact model before you buy.
