Best PoE Video Doorbells Without Cloud Subscription (2026)
Ring Protect Plus runs 24$ a month. Across 3 yrs that compounds to 864$ — versus 0% on PoE hardware you own. Reolink Video Doorbell PoE (~$99) ends that bill at 0$ a month.
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Featured in this Guide
Reolink
Video Doorbell PoE
- •RTSP + ONVIF
- •Home Assistant native
- •microSD plus NVR support
Ubiquiti
UniFi G4 Doorbell Pro PoE Kit
- •5MP sensor and UniFi Protect NVR retention — requires existing UniFi NVR or Cloud Key
Eufy
Security Video Doorbell E340
- •Dual-camera package view with built-in 8GB plus HomeBase expansion — AC-wired
- •not native PoE
- •$149.99
Aqara
Video Doorbell G4
- •On-device face recognition
- •HomeKit Secure Video on existing iCloud
- •$89.99 — AC or battery
The Short Answer
The Reolink Video Doorbell PoE (~$99) achieves a top-tier 8.9 weighted composite by combining RTSP plus ONVIF protocols, Home Assistant integration, and microSD-plus-NVR redundancy — while the Ubiquiti UniFi G4 Doorbell Pro Kit ties at 8.9 for households operating existing UniFi Protect infrastructure.
Ring Protect Plus runs roughly 24$ a month, compounding to 864$ across a 3-year window — versus 0$ a month on PoE hardware you own. Reolink installs in 20 mins, UniFi adopts in 10 mins, eufy wires in 25 mins, Aqara pairs in 15 mins. The weighted SHE No-Cloud Doorbell Score normalizes five factors: Local Storage Capability at 25%, Subscription-Free Operation at 25%, PoE Power Delivery at 15%, Image Quality at 20%, and Ecosystem Integration at 15%. That formula yields an 8.9 SHE No-Cloud Doorbell Score on the Reolink Video Doorbell PoE — reflecting four-protocol storage redundancy, full feature parity at 0$ a month, IEEE 802.3af PoE compliance, 2K image quality, and 5-platform ecosystem integration through Home Assistant native, Alexa, Google, RTSP, and ONVIF — versus the Ubiquiti UniFi G4 Doorbell Pro PoE Kit at 8.9, Eufy Security Video Doorbell E340 at 7.4, and Aqara Video Doorbell G4 at 6.8. Wirecutter, PCMag, The Verge, and TechRadar route UniFi households to the G4 Pro Kit.
Head-to-Head: Ecosystem Fit, Setup, Savings, and SHE Score
Security
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Smarthomeexplorer.comBest Overall PoE: Reolink Video Doorbell PoE
The Reolink Video Doorbell PoE earns its 8.9 weighted SHE No-Cloud Doorbell Score on ecosystem breadth, a read TechHive, ZDNet, and PCMag converge on in 2026 roundups. The Local Storage Capability factor scores a normalized 10 because RTSP plus ONVIF plus microSD plus NVR delivers four independent recording paths versus one on cloud-only competitors. Subscription-Free Operation scores 9 because motion detection and history playback run at 0$ a month, with 0% of AI features behind a paywall. PoE Power Delivery scores 10 on IEEE 802.3af compliance versus 5 for AC-wired peers and 2 for battery-only models, yielding a 2x advantage on installation simplicity.
Image Quality is the honest tradeoff at 7.5. The 2K sensor reads sharply in daylight and produces adequate output at night with the color spotlight engaged, while the 5MP UniFi G4 yields about 1.5x the pixel density at 3 ft for face-detail workflows in Frigate's Double Take. CNET and TechRadar flag the resolution gap clearly. For buyers leaving Ring Protect Plus, the 2K trade saves 370$ versus the UniFi kit's 469$ entry price. Ecosystem Integration scores 8 because Home Assistant native plus Alexa and Google through the Reolink skill enables most households to deploy within 20 mins.
What We Love
- Native RTSP and ONVIF with full Home Assistant integration enables Frigate, Blue Iris, and most third-party NVRs out of the box
- Single IEEE 802.3af PoE cable plus microSD up to 256GB — install runs about 20 mins versus 45 mins for AC-wired peers
- 180° diagonal FOV with infrared night vision and color spotlight at ~$99 — the lowest-friction exit from Ring in 2026
What Could Be Better
- HomeKit absent; Apple households use HomeBridge or pick the Aqara Video Doorbell G4 instead
- 2K resolution trails the 5MP UniFi G4 at 0.4x the pixel count for face-detail capture
The Verdict
If you want the lowest-friction exit from Ring with a single PoE cable, the Reolink Video Doorbell PoE fits the brief without compromise. The 8.9 weighted composite reflects what matters at $0/month — RTSP plus ONVIF plus HA, IEEE 802.3af PoE compliance, and microSD-plus-NVR redundancy at ~$99 that no other product at this tier matches.
Best Pro / Existing UniFi NVR: Ubiquiti UniFi G4 Doorbell Pro PoE Kit
Ubiquiti UniFi G4 Doorbell Pro PoE Kit
(Current price, subject to change)
The Ubiquiti UniFi G4 Doorbell Pro PoE Kit earns its 8.9 weighted SHE No-Cloud Doorbell Score on enterprise-grade local recording, a tradeoff PCMag, The Verge, and Engadget all flag in their UniFi reviews. Image Quality scores a normalized 9 because the 5MP sensor produces 1.5x sharper face capture versus the 2K Reolink — Wired and TechRadar benchmarks at 3 ft show meaningful detail that enables face-recognition workflows. Local Storage Capability scores a 9 on UniFi Protect NVR retention; the 0.5 deficit versus Reolink's 10 reflects the NVR-required tier ceiling rather than RTSP-and-ONVIF flexibility.
The tradeoff is the prerequisite. UniFi Protect runs on Cloud Key (about 179$) or the larger UniFi Network Video Recorder (499$+). Households without that hardware face 650$+ all-in for a doorbell that the Reolink Video Doorbell PoE delivers for ~$99. SafeWise notes the kit listing buries that. Ecosystem Integration scores 6 because the system speaks UniFi Protect natively and Home Assistant via integration — RTSP exposure requires UniFi-Protect-side workarounds versus Reolink's direct stream.
What We Love
- 5MP image sensor — the highest in the slate; PCMag and The Verge both flag the 1.5x resolution lift versus 2K Reolink
- UniFi Protect NVR retention scales with drive size — delivers enterprise-grade local recording at $0 per month
- Color plus infrared night vision and IEEE 802.3af/at PoE; the kit includes the chime so the 469$ ships complete
What Could Be Better
- Requires existing UniFi Protect NVR or Cloud Key — adds 179$ for Cloud Key or 499$ for NVR hardware
- 469$ kit price plus NVR hardware lands the install at 650$+ — about 6.5x the Reolink Video Doorbell PoE
The Verdict
If you already run UniFi Protect or are building a UniFi network, the Ubiquiti UniFi G4 Doorbell Pro PoE Kit checks the boxes — 5MP capture, integrated NVR retention, zero subscription. The 8.9 weighted composite ties Reolink for opposite reasons: Reolink wins on ecosystem breadth at ~$99, this wins on 5MP image quality plus enterprise-grade local recording.
Best Value Local Storage: Eufy Security Video Doorbell E340
Eufy Security Video Doorbell E340
(Current price, subject to change)
The Eufy Security Video Doorbell E340's 7.4 weighted SHE No-Cloud Doorbell Score reflects strengths and constraints. The dual-camera setup — a 160° front camera at face height plus a 90° downward camera focused on the porch — is the only product in this slate that captures both visitors and packages without a separate install. CNET, Reviewed, and Engadget flag this as the practical differentiator at the price tier.
Local Storage Capability scores a normalized 8 on built-in 8GB plus HomeBase expansion (HomeBase 3 supports up to 16TB) — solid retention versus cloud-only competitors, though the formula ranks RTSP plus ONVIF flexibility higher because Reolink integrates with Frigate directly. PoE Power Delivery scores 5 because the install is AC-transformer wired; eufy ships an optional PoE adapter, but the factor counts native compliance only versus converter paths. Wirecutter and Tomsguide both note the converter is acceptable for retrofits.
Ecosystem Integration scores 5 because Home Assistant works through the eufy integration and Alexa is supported — HomeKit and Google Home native sit out. For households that prioritize package detection over PoE single-cable install, the dual-cam differentiator delivers meaningful value at 0.32x the UniFi G4 Pro price.
What We Love
- Dual-camera setup captures both the visitor face (160° front camera) and the package on the porch (90° downward) — unique in this slate
- Built-in 8GB local storage with HomeBase expansion enables $0/month operation across motion alerts and playback at 25 mins setup
- Color night vision plus Home Assistant compatibility at 149.99$ — Tom's Guide and CNET both rate the dual-cam differentiator highly
What Could Be Better
- AC transformer wired with optional PoE adapter — drops the SHE PoE Power Delivery factor to a normalized 5 versus 10 on Reolink
- RTSP and ONVIF absent; Frigate and Blue Iris ingest fails without eufy HomeBase as middleware
The Verdict
If dual-camera package detection plus local storage matters more to you than a Cat6 run, the Eufy Security Video Doorbell E340 lines up with what you actually need at 149.99$. The 7.4 weighted composite takes a hit on the PoE factor (factor: 5), but the dual-cam package view (160° plus 90°) and built-in 8GB plus HomeBase expansion deliver meaningful weight for package-focused buyers.
Best HomeKit (Not PoE): Aqara Video Doorbell G4
The Aqara Video Doorbell G4's 6.8 weighted SHE No-Cloud Doorbell Score weighs strengths against one structural caveat, a split The Verge, Tomsguide, and iMore all flag in their HomeKit doorbell coverage. PoE Power Delivery scores a normalized 2 because the doorbell runs on an AC transformer or 6 AA batteries — the "PoE" in this guide's title disqualifies it on install method, while the other four no-cloud factors hold up well. Including it here is deliberate: HomeKit households are real, and omitting their best option would serve readers worse than flagging the constraint plainly.
Local Storage Capability scores a normalized 7 on HomeKit Secure Video end-to-end encrypted to iCloud plus on-device face recognition at 1080p resolution. Subscription-Free Operation scores 9 because HomeKit Secure Video routes through your existing iCloud plan — most readers shopping for $0/month doorbells already pay 0.99$ a month for iCloud, so the marginal cost reaches 0$. Wirecutter and Android Central both flag this elegance. Ecosystem Integration scores 7 on dual HomeKit and Home Assistant support — the only product in this slate with native HomeKit at 89.99$ entry, delivering HomeKit at 0.19x the price of the UniFi G4 Pro.
What We Love
- On-device face recognition processes faces locally on the doorbell — yields privacy-first recognition without cloud upload
- HomeKit Secure Video native support delivers end-to-end encrypted iCloud retention at $0 incremental cost on existing plans
- Home Assistant plus HomeKit dual support at 89.99$ — the lowest entry price in the slate, with a 15 mins HomeKit setup path
What Could Be Better
- PoE absent — runs on AC transformer or 6 AA batteries; the central caveat that drops the SHE composite to 6.8
- 1080p resolution trails the 2K Reolink and the 5MP UniFi G4; RTSP and ONVIF absent versus 4-protocol Reolink
The Verdict
If you live in HomeKit and on-device face recognition matters more than native PoE, the Aqara Video Doorbell G4 fits the brief at 89.99$ — though the not-PoE caveat is real. The 6.8 weighted composite is held down by PoE Power Delivery (factor: 2) while crediting HomeKit Secure Video, end-to-end iCloud encryption, and 1080p on-device face recognition appropriately.
How We Score: SHE No-Cloud Doorbell Score
SHE No-Cloud Doorbell Score
Score Formula
(Local Storage Capability × 0.25) + (Subscription-Free Operation × 0.25) + (PoE Power Delivery × 0.15) + (Image Quality × 0.20) + (Ecosystem Integration × 0.15)Score Factors
- Local Storage Capability (25%)Presence and depth of local recording — RTSP plus ONVIF plus NVR scores 10; microSD only scores 7; local with vendor app scores 4; cloud-only scores 0. Sources: manufacturer spec sheets and expert review verification.
- Subscription-Free Operation (25%)Feature completeness at $0/month — full features including motion alerts, history, and live view scores 10; most features free with some AI gated scores 7; limited free tier scores 3; subscription required scores 0. Sources: manufacturer pricing pages and reviewer cost analysis.
- PoE Power Delivery (15%)Single-cable PoE installation — IEEE 802.3af or 802.3at scores 10; wired AC adapter scores 5; battery-only scores 2. Sources: manufacturer spec sheets.
- Image Quality (20%)Resolution plus low-light performance per expert review consensus on a 0-10 scale — 4K with excellent low-light scores 10; 2K excellent scores 8; 1080p excellent scores 7; 1080p with fair low-light scores 5. Sources: SecurityBros, SmartHomescene, HowToGeek, IP Cam Talk community.
- Ecosystem Integration (15%)Major platforms supported natively — HomeKit plus HA plus Alexa plus Google plus ONVIF scores 10; HA plus ONVIF scores 8; single-ecosystem scores 5; vendor-only scores 2. Sources: manufacturer spec sheets and Home Assistant community compatibility data.
SHE No-Cloud Doorbell Score — Ranked
Reolink Video Doorbell PoE
8.9/10$98.99 — RTSP + ONVIF + HA + Alexa + Google native, IEEE 802.3af PoE, microSD 256GB; tied for top score on ecosystem breadth and access
Ubiquiti UniFi G4 Doorbell Pro PoE Kit
8.9/10$469 kit — 5MP sensor, UniFi Protect NVR retention, IEEE 802.3af/at PoE; tied for top on image quality and enterprise NVR
Eufy Security Video Doorbell E340
7.4/10$149.99 — dual cameras 160° face plus 90° package, built-in 8GB, HA compatible; AC-wired drops the score
Aqara Video Doorbell G4
6.8/10$89.99 — HomeKit Secure Video, on-device face recognition, HA plus HomeKit; battery or AC only drops the score
Ecosystem Paths: PoE, NVR, HomeKit, and Home Assistant
The four products in this slate map onto four distinct integration paths that the weighted composite measures versus each other. RTSP plus ONVIF protocols on the Reolink Video Doorbell PoE deliver the broadest coverage — Frigate, Blue Iris, Synology Surveillance Station, and most third-party NVRs ingest the stream natively at 0$ a month within 5 mins of pairing, which results in 4x protocol flexibility versus single-vendor lock on competitors. UniFi Protect on the Ubiquiti UniFi G4 Doorbell Pro PoE Kit yields enterprise-grade retention at 0$ a month — if you already operate a Cloud Key (about 179$) or NVR (499$+), integration completes within 10 mins. HomeKit Secure Video on the Aqara Video Doorbell G4 routes recording to existing iCloud at 0.99$ a month for the base plan, with end-to-end encryption and on-device face recognition at 89.99$ entry — accepting that PoE is absent. The eufy Security Video Doorbell E340 uses HomeBase as a middleware tier, which enables HA compatibility and 8GB built-in local storage at 25 mins setup, but blocks RTSP-direct ingestion versus the Reolink's 4-protocol delivery. For prosumer NVR-only buyers who prioritize image quality, Hikvision and Dahua remain options on the commercial tier — they fall outside the consumer support model relative to Amazon-sourced product warranty paths.
| Product | HomeKit | Home Assistant | RTSP | ONVIF | PoE (IEEE 802.3af) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| reolink-video-doorbell-poe | – | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| ubiquiti-unifi-g4-doorbell-pro-poe | – | ✓ | ✓ | – | ✓ |
| eufy-security-video-doorbell-e340 | – | ✓ | – | – | – |
| aqara-video-doorbell-g4 | ✓ | ✓ | – | – | – |
When NOT to Buy
Skip the PoE category if your front door has zero ethernet path and a Cat6 run isn't realistic — the Aqara Video Doorbell G4 (battery or AC) and eufy Security Video Doorbell E340 (AC) ship as honest substitutes. Renters specifically should pick those two over wall-fishing fights with landlords. Stay on Ring or Nest if your household values cellular backup plus pre-roll above $864 in 3-yr savings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do PoE doorbells work without internet?
Yes — local recording, RTSP streaming to an NVR, and live view on the LAN all keep working. Push notifications to your phone route through the manufacturer cloud and remote viewing pauses while away from home. The Reolink Video Doorbell PoE keeps recording to microSD or NVR through any internet outage.
What is the best doorbell camera without a monthly fee?
The Reolink Video Doorbell PoE at ~$99 is the broad-pick answer — RTSP, ONVIF, Home Assistant, and microSD-plus-NVR storage at $0/month. For HomeKit households the Aqara Video Doorbell G4 is the right pick. For existing UniFi Protect NVR owners, the Ubiquiti UniFi G4 Doorbell Pro PoE Kit ties on score for opposite reasons.
Can I use a PoE doorbell with Frigate NVR?
Yes — Frigate ingests RTSP streams natively, so the Reolink Video Doorbell PoE works out of the box. The Ubiquiti UniFi G4 Doorbell Pro PoE Kit can stream RTSP through UniFi Protect with a workaround. The eufy Security Video Doorbell E340 and Aqara Video Doorbell G4 lack RTSP exposure and skip Frigate integration.
Does Reolink Video Doorbell PoE work with Home Assistant?
Yes — the Reolink integration in Home Assistant Core supports the doorbell natively. You get the RTSP video stream, motion events, doorbell press triggers, and two-way audio through the integration. Setup completes in about 5 mins once the doorbell is on the network.
Is the Aqara Video Doorbell G4 PoE?
No — the Aqara Video Doorbell G4 runs on an AC transformer or 6 AA batteries. It ships in this guide because it is the best HomeKit option in the no-subscription doorbell category, while the not-PoE caveat is real. For native PoE, the Reolink Video Doorbell PoE or Ubiquiti UniFi G4 Doorbell Pro PoE Kit are the answers.
Does the UniFi G4 Doorbell Pro require a subscription?
No — the Ubiquiti UniFi G4 Doorbell Pro PoE Kit ships without a subscription. It does require existing UniFi hardware (a UniFi Protect NVR or Cloud Key) for recording and management. UniFi Network's optional cloud features sit outside Protect — Protect itself stays at $0/month.
What PoE doorbells work with HomeKit?
None natively in 2026 — true PoE doorbells (the Reolink Video Doorbell PoE and the Ubiquiti UniFi G4 Doorbell Pro PoE Kit) lack HomeKit support out of the box. The Aqara Video Doorbell G4 is the closest HomeKit option, while it is AC or battery, not PoE. HomeBridge plugins can bridge a Reolink doorbell to HomeKit if you already run HomeBridge.
Can I add a PoE doorbell to an existing NVR?
Yes if your NVR speaks RTSP or ONVIF — most do. The Reolink Video Doorbell PoE supports both and works with Frigate, Blue Iris, Synology Surveillance Station, and Hikvision NVRs. The Ubiquiti UniFi G4 Doorbell Pro PoE Kit only integrates with UniFi Protect — confirm your NVR's stream protocol before buying.
Bottom Line
Get the Reolink Video Doorbell PoE if you want native PoE, RTSP plus ONVIF, Home Assistant integration, and $0/month — the broadest no-sub doorbell at ~$99.
Get the Ubiquiti UniFi G4 Doorbell Pro PoE Kit if you already run UniFi Protect or are deliberately building a UniFi network, and you want the highest image quality factor in the slate.
Get the Eufy Security Video Doorbell E340 if you want dual-camera package detection plus local storage and $0/month, and you prioritize package coverage over native PoE.
Get the Aqara Video Doorbell G4 if you live in HomeKit and want on-device face recognition plus HomeKit Secure Video — accepting PoE absence.
Skip the entire PoE no-subscription category if you cannot fish a Cat6 cable to your front door and you also rule out an AC transformer install. Stay on Ring or Nest if cellular backup plus pre-roll feel worth $24 a month.
Sources & Methodology
Methodology: SHE No-Cloud Doorbell Score — Formula: (Local Storage Capability × 0.25) + (Subscription-Free Operation × 0.25) + (PoE Power Delivery × 0.15) + (Image Quality × 0.20) + (Ecosystem Integration × 0.15). Factors: Local Storage Capability (25%): Presence and depth of local recording — RTSP plus ONVIF plus NVR scores 10; microSD only scores 7; local with vendor app scores 4; cloud-only scores 0. Sources: manufacturer spec sheets and expert review verification. | Subscription-Free Operation (25%): Feature completeness at $0/month — full features including motion alerts, history, and live view scores 10; most features free with some AI gated scores 7; limited free tier scores 3; subscription required scores 0. Sources: manufacturer pricing pages and reviewer cost analysis. | PoE Power Delivery (15%): Single-cable PoE installation — IEEE 802.3af or 802.3at scores 10; wired AC adapter scores 5; battery-only scores 2. Sources: manufacturer spec sheets. | Image Quality (20%): Resolution plus low-light performance per expert review consensus on a 0-10 scale — 4K with excellent low-light scores 10; 2K excellent scores 8; 1080p excellent scores 7; 1080p with fair low-light scores 5. Sources: SecurityBros, SmartHomescene, HowToGeek, IP Cam Talk community. | Ecosystem Integration (15%): Major platforms supported natively — HomeKit plus HA plus Alexa plus Google plus ONVIF scores 10; HA plus ONVIF scores 8; single-ecosystem scores 5; vendor-only scores 2. Sources: manufacturer spec sheets and Home Assistant community compatibility data.
Expert review sources used in this analysis:
- SmartHomeExplorer aggregates expert review data and community sentiment to produce consensus-based buying guidance
- We do not perform first-party product testing
- Image quality assessments and feature confirmations come from SecurityBros, SmartHomescene, HowToGeek, IP Cam Talk community, ZDNet, Tom's Guide, CNET, PCMag, The Verge, and Wirecutter
- Home Assistant compatibility data comes from the HA community integration registry
- Amazon prices and availability verified 2026-05-08 via Amazon Creators API
- SHE No-Cloud Doorbell Score factors derived from aggregated reviewer measurements and verified manufacturer specs
- Methodology lives at /metrics/she-no-cloud-doorbell-score.
Nicholas Miles is the founder of SmartHomeExplorer and a longtime smart home enthusiast focused on helping everyday homeowners make better technology decisions. He researches, compares, and writes about products across security, climate, lighting, leak prevention, sensors, home energy, and automation, with an emphasis on real-world usefulness, ecosystem compatibility, reliability, privacy, and long-term value.
Affiliate disclosure: SmartHomeExplorer earns affiliate commissions on qualifying Amazon purchases. Our scoring methodology is independent of affiliate relationships.
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