Is Reolink worth it for Home Assistant users?

Absolutely. Reolink is the easiest fit here if you want local control, RTSP/ONVIF support, and no cloud dependency, which makes it ideal for Home Assistant and NVR setups.

Best Video Doorbell UK 2026 — Ring vs Eufy vs Reolink vs Nest

Q: Do video doorbells work in the UK?

Yes. The models covered here are all sold and supported in the UK, and they use standard UK-compatible doorbell voltage or PoE/Ethernet setups depending on the model.

Q: Can I use a video doorbell without a subscription?

Yes. Eufy and Reolink are the strongest no-subscription options in this guide because they can store footage locally, while Ring, Nest, and Arlo depend more heavily on paid cloud plans for meaningful history.

Q: What's the difference between Ring and Eufy?

Ring is easier to set up and has a strong Amazon/Alexa ecosystem, but Eufy gives you local storage and better long-term value if you want to avoid ongoing fees.

Q: Do video doorbells need WiFi?

Most battery and Wi-Fi models do, but Reolink PoE only needs Ethernet for both power and data, so it can work without Wi-Fi at the door.

Q: Do I need existing doorbell wiring?

Not always. Battery models can be fitted without wiring, while wired and PoE models need either an existing transformer, a cable run, or the right network hardware.

Last updated: May 2026 | Researched for UK buyers

A video doorbell is one of the most impactful smart home upgrades you can make. See who's at the door from your phone, get motion alerts when a parcel arrives, and have a permanent record if anything goes wrong — all without running new wiring in most cases.

But in 2026, the market is crowded. Ring dominates Amazon ads, Eufy is pushing hard on "no subscription", Reolink has made serious inroads with their wired options, and Google Nest is the premium pick for ecosystem buyers.

I've dug into all of them. Here's what's actually worth buying in the UK right now.

Quick Comparison Table

Doorbell	Resolution	FOV	Storage	Subscription	HA Compatible	Price (approx)
Ring Video Doorbell 4	1080p	160°	Cloud only	£3.49/mo	⚠️ Limited	~£99
Eufy Video Doorbell E340	2K	160° + 90° package	Local + cloud	Optional (£2.99/mo)	✅ Local API	~£139
Reolink Video Doorbell PoE	5MP	180°	Local (NVR/NAS)	❌ None	✅ RTSP/ONVIF	~£89
Google Nest Doorbell (Wired)	1080p HDR	145°	Cloud (3h free)	£5/mo (Nest Aware)	⚠️ Via Google Home	~£149
Arlo Video Doorbell	1080p	180°	Cloud (3 clips free)	£2.99/mo	⚠️ Limited	~£99

Why Your Doorbell Choice Matters More Than You Think

Most people buy on price. But the real cost of a video doorbell isn't the upfront hardware — it's the ongoing subscription.

Ring charges £3.49/month (£41.88/year) for cloud storage. Over 5 years, that's over £200 on top of the hardware cost. Nest Aware is £5/month. Arlo's free tier is three clips per day. These add up.

The smarter play for most UK buyers: choose a doorbell with local storage or no subscription required, especially if you already have a NAS, NVR, or Home Assistant set up at home.

1. Eufy Video Doorbell E340 — Best Overall

Best for: Most UK buyers who want quality without monthly fees

The E340 is the standout pick in 2026. Unlike Ring, Eufy stores footage locally on its HomeBase hub — no monthly subscription required for basic recording. The dual-lens design (wide-angle for faces, package-detection lens pointed down) is genuinely clever and works well in practice.

What we like:

2K resolution with HDR — excellent face detail in daylight and dusk
Dual-lens: 160° wide + 90° downward package detection
HomeBase local storage — no mandatory cloud subscription
Human and vehicle detection, not just motion blobs
Works with Alexa and Google Home
Optional HomeBase connectivity for Home Assistant via local API

What we don't:

HomeBase required for local storage (extra box)
App can be slow to load live view
Night colour vision not as good as Reolink in full dark

Verdict: If you want the best balance of features, video quality, and no subscription, the E340 wins comfortably.

2. Reolink Video Doorbell PoE — Best for Home Assistant / NVR Users

Best for: Anyone already running Reolink cameras or a Home Assistant/NVR setup

If you've already got a Reolink NVR or a PoE camera system, the Reolink doorbell is the obvious choice. It runs on standard PoE, records directly to your NVR or NAS, and streams via RTSP — meaning full Home Assistant integration with zero cloud dependency.

What we like:

5MP resolution — the sharpest on this list for fine detail
180° wide-angle fisheye lens (similar to Reolink's Fisheye camera)
Zero subscription costs — ever
Works natively with Reolink NVR
RTSP stream compatible with Home Assistant, Frigate, and Blue Iris
Hardwired via PoE — no battery to run flat

What we don't:

Requires PoE switch and cabled install (not suitable for renters)
No standalone cloud option if NVR is offline
Two-way audio is functional but not outstanding

Verdict: The only truly subscription-free, fully local option. If you're running a PoE switch at home already, this is a no-brainer.

3. Ring Video Doorbell 4 — Best for Amazon Ecosystem

Best for: Existing Ring or Amazon Alexa households

Ring invented the modern video doorbell category and it still shows. Setup is near-frictionless, the app is well-designed, Alexa integration is excellent, and the hardware is reliable. The catch: everything requires a Ring Protect subscription for video history beyond the live feed.

What we like:

Rock-solid app and notification reliability
Pre-roll feature captures 4 seconds before a motion event (great for missed moments)
Works on existing doorbell wiring or battery
Wide ecosystem: Ring Alarm, Ring cameras, Alexa
Easy DIY install

What we don't:

No local storage at all — cloud-only
£3.49/month (£41.88/year) subscription required for video history
Home Assistant integration is limited/unofficial
Amazon owns Ring — privacy concerns for some buyers

Verdict: Fine product, but the subscription tax makes it expensive long-term. Only choose Ring if you're fully in the Amazon/Alexa ecosystem.

4. Google Nest Doorbell (Wired) — Best for Google Home Users

Best for: Google Home / Pixel phone households

The Nest Doorbell (wired) is polished hardware with excellent video quality and smart person/package/animal detection. Google provides 3 hours of free cloud history, but the compelling features (longer history, familiar face detection, activity zones) require Nest Aware at £5/month.

What we like:

1080p HDR video with excellent colour accuracy
Smart detection labels (person, package, animal, vehicle)
Familiar face recognition (with Nest Aware)
Clean, well-designed app
Works with Chromecast — see doorbell on TV

What we don't:

Most useful features locked behind £5/month subscription
No local storage option
Home Assistant integration via unofficial Google Home integration only
Wired-only: requires existing doorbell transformer

Verdict: Great hardware but expensive to run. Best in a Google household that's already paying for Nest Aware.

5. Arlo Video Doorbell — Best 180° Budget Option

Best for: Budget buyers wanting wide FOV and simple setup

Arlo's doorbell punches above its price with a 180° field of view — useful for covering porches and paths. The free tier includes 3 clips per day, which is limiting, and the subscription prices have crept up over time. But if you catch it on sale and need a quick, simple install, it's competent.

What we like:

180° wide FOV — excellent for wide porches
Works on existing doorbell wiring or battery
Integration with Alexa and Google Home
Clean app

What we don't:

3 clips/day free tier is nearly useless
Paid tier required for anything practical
Build quality feels less premium than competitors

Verdict: Decent hardware undermined by restrictive free tier. Eufy E340 is better value for a similar price.

Wired vs Battery: Which Should You Choose?

Wired (hardwired or PoE)

Always on — never runs flat
Continuous recording possible
More reliable motion detection
Requires existing bell wiring or running cable

Battery

No wiring needed — perfect for renters
Easy install anywhere
Requires recharging every 1-6 months
Can't do continuous recording (drains battery too fast)

Our recommendation: Wired if you own your home and can run cable. Battery if you're renting or don't want the hassle. The Reolink PoE option is the gold standard for wired.

Home Assistant Compatibility: What to Know

If you're running Home Assistant at home, your doorbell choice matters for local control:

Doorbell	HA Integration	Local or Cloud?
Reolink PoE	✅ Official RTSP + Reolink integration	100% local
Eufy E340	✅ Via local API (eufy_security_ws)	Local with HomeBase
Ring	⚠️ Unofficial ring_doorbell	Cloud-dependent
Nest	⚠️ Via Google Home integration	Cloud-dependent

For Frigate NVR users: Reolink's RTSP stream works natively with Frigate for AI object detection on your doorbell feed — no cloud, no subscription.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do video doorbells work in the UK?

Yes — all the doorbells listed here are sold and supported in the UK. Ring, Eufy, Google Nest, and Arlo all have UK-specific support and use standard UK electrical standards (8-24V doorbell transformers).

Can I use a video doorbell without a subscription?

Yes — but only with Eufy (local storage) or Reolink PoE (NVR/NAS storage). Ring, Nest, and Arlo all require paid subscriptions for meaningful video history.

Is Reolink worth it?

If you care about privacy, local storage, and Home Assistant integration: absolutely. The Reolink PoE doorbell pairs perfectly with their NVR and fisheye camera for a complete home security system with no cloud dependency.

Do video doorbells need WiFi?

Most do. The exception is Reolink PoE, which only needs an Ethernet cable — data and power over one cable, no WiFi required. This is why it's the most reliable option.

What's the difference between Ring and Eufy?

Ring: Excellent app and ecosystem, but requires ongoing subscription fees. Eufy: Good app, local storage option, no subscription required for basic functionality. Eufy wins on value; Ring wins if you're already deep in the Amazon ecosystem.

Do I need existing doorbell wiring?

Battery doorbells (Ring 4, Eufy E340 battery option) can install without any wiring. Wired doorbells (Reolink PoE, Nest Wired) require either a doorbell transformer or PoE infrastructure. Reolink needs a PoE switch like the Gigaplus 2.5G or Yuanley 18-port.

The Bottom Line

Video doorbells in the UK start from £60–£200 one-time. Choose no-subscription options like Reolink or Eufy for local storage and full features without monthly fees. All recommended models integrate with Home Assistant.

Verdict Picks (Amazon UK, filce-21 affiliates)

Pick your doorbell → add compatible NVR/switch for full local CCTV system.

Prices correct at time of writing and subject to change. Affiliate links (filce-21) used — these don't affect our recommendations.