You do not need to spend $200 or more to get a smart, capable video doorbell in 2026. The budget segment has matured dramatically, and several cameras at or under $100 now deliver 1440p to 2K resolution, flexible power options, free local storage, and solid AI detection. The tricky part is knowing which ones actually deliver and which ones cut corners where it matters most.
This guide covers the top picks under $100, what makes each one worth buying, and the key trade-offs you should understand before choosing.
The Top Picks at a Glance
The five cameras worth considering in this price range are the Wyze Video Doorbell Pro, the Eufy Video Doorbell C31, the Arlo Video Doorbell HD (2nd Gen), the Wyze Battery Video Doorbell, and the Lorex 1080p HD Wired Doorbell. Each serves a different type of buyer, and the right choice depends heavily on how your home is wired, what smart home ecosystem you use, and how much you want to pay on an ongoing basis.
Wyze Video Doorbell Pro: Best Overall Under $100
At $89.98, the Wyze Video Doorbell Pro is the most recommended budget doorbell camera of 2026. It records in 1440p at a 1:1 square aspect ratio, which captures visitors from head to toe rather than cutting off at the waist the way many wide-angle lenses do. It ships with a chime included, works on both battery and existing doorbell wiring, and offers free AI person detection with no subscription required.
The included chime is a notable perk at this price point. Most competitors charge extra for it or rely entirely on your existing mechanical chime, which can be unreliable. The Wyze model works with Alexa and Google Assistant, though it does not support Apple HomeKit.
One caveat worth knowing upfront: out of the box, the false positive motion alert rate runs higher than average. Passing vehicles and wind-blown foliage can trigger alerts until you spend some time calibrating the sensitivity zones in the app. Once configured, the system performs reliably. If you are not willing to invest that setup time, a different model might suit you better.
Wyze has faced security scrutiny in the past, including a 2022 vulnerability disclosure controversy. The company has improved its policies since then, but buyers who prioritize privacy should factor that history into their decision.
Eufy Video Doorbell C31: Best for Subscription-Free Storage
The Eufy C31 retails for $99.99 and makes a compelling case for anyone who refuses to pay a monthly fee. It records in 2K resolution, supports both wired and battery power, includes a microSD card slot supporting up to 128GB of local storage, and charges nothing for basic person and motion detection. Consumer Reports rated it highly for video quality, response time, and data security.
Storage works through the microSD card included in the box, and the footage stays on your device rather than in the cloud. For buyers who have been burned by cameras that lock all useful features behind a subscription, the C31 is a genuine alternative. It is compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant but not Apple HomeKit.
The trade-off is feature depth. The C31 is reliable and honest rather than feature-rich. There is no package detection, no color night vision, and no dual-camera setup. If those advanced capabilities matter to you, they come on the pricier Eufy E340, which runs about $130.
Arlo Video Doorbell HD (2nd Gen): Best Entry Point
At $34.99 to $49.99 depending on the retailer, the Arlo HD 2nd Gen is the most affordable credible option in this roundup. It supports all three major smart home platforms including Apple HomeKit, works on both battery and wired power, and delivers solid 1080p video with real-time motion alerts at no ongoing cost.
The catch is storage. This is the only camera in the group that cannot use a microSD card, which means you will need the Arlo Secure subscription ($7.99 per month) to store and review recorded video. Core live viewing is free, but if you want to go back and check footage from earlier in the day, a subscription is effectively required. Over two years, that adds up to roughly $192 in subscription costs on top of the hardware price.
For HomeKit households or buyers who primarily want live monitoring rather than recorded history, the Arlo HD 2nd Gen is an excellent entry point. For everyone else, the subscription dependency makes the Eufy or Wyze options more practical long-term.
Wyze Battery Video Doorbell: Best for Renters
The Wyze Battery Video Doorbell runs under $70 and is designed for situations where wiring is not an option. It records at 1536 x 1536 resolution, claims up to six months of battery life with normal use, and is IP65 rated for weather resistance. The wide 150-degree field of view covers most standard front porches.
This model is particularly well-suited to renters or anyone who cannot or does not want to modify existing wiring. Installation involves mounting the unit and connecting to the Wyze app, with no electrical work required. The downside compared to the Wyze Doorbell Pro is that resolution and feature depth are slightly reduced, and the square aspect ratio is less refined than the Pro model’s portrait frame.
Basic free cloud storage is available through Wyze’s platform, and Cam Plus plans start at $1.99 per month for enhanced AI detection. Neither subscription is strictly required for basic operation.
Lorex 1080p HD Wired Doorbell: Best for Local-Storage Purists
At $89.99, the Lorex wired doorbell is a strong choice for buyers who want a fully DIY setup with no cloud dependency whatsoever. It requires existing doorbell wiring for power, records at 1080p, and stores footage locally on a microSD card with no subscription required for basic storage. Cloud storage plans are available starting at $5.99 per month, but they are entirely optional.
This camera is genuinely self-contained. There is no professional monitoring, no ecosystem lock-in, and no recurring cost if you use local storage only. The trade-off is that setup requires working with your existing doorbell wiring, and the feature set is more utilitarian than the Wyze or Eufy options.
What to Look for When Buying Under $100
Understanding a few key variables will help you avoid regret after purchase.
Power source determines installation complexity more than anything else. Battery-powered models like the Wyze Battery Doorbell and Arlo HD require no wiring but need periodic recharging. Wired models like the Lorex and the Wyze Doorbell Pro in hardwired mode require a 16 to 24V AC transformer, which most North American homes built after 1950 already have. If your home lacks existing wiring and you prefer a wired setup, expect to spend $100 to $300 for an electrician to run new wire.
Storage model is where the total cost of ownership diverges sharply between products. The Eufy C31 and Lorex both provide local microSD storage with no fees. The Wyze models offer limited free cloud storage with optional paid plans. The Arlo HD requires a paid subscription to store recorded footage at all. Calculate the two-year total before committing.
Resolution matters, but the relationship between megapixels and useful image quality is not linear at this price range. A 1440p camera with good dynamic range and compression often produces more actionable footage than a 2K camera with a cheap sensor. Prioritize cameras that reviewers have specifically praised for low-light and high-contrast performance, since front doors often involve exactly those conditions: bright afternoon sun, dark evening shadows, or backlit subjects.
Smart home compatibility is worth confirming before you buy. Only the Arlo HD supports Apple HomeKit in this roundup. If you use Alexa or Google Home, all five options in this guide will work. Ring and Google Nest products are not represented here because their under-$100 options are limited, and their subscription models typically cost more over time than the cameras featured above.
The Bottom Line
The Wyze Video Doorbell Pro at $89.98 is the best all-around choice for most buyers in this price range. It combines 1440p head-to-toe video, a bundled chime, flexible installation, and free AI detection in a package that undercuts most competitors on price while matching them on performance.
If avoiding any monthly fee is your top priority, the Eufy C31 is the right call. If HomeKit compatibility matters or your budget is tight, the Arlo HD 2nd Gen earns its spot at under $50. And if wiring is off the table entirely, the Wyze Battery Video Doorbell gives you a capable, no-fuss solution that will work in nearly any home.
