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- What to look for in a video doorbell for a rental
- 1. Ring Battery Doorbell (2024) — best all-around pick
- 2. Blink Video Doorbell + Sync Module 2 — best battery life
- 3. eufy Security Video Doorbell S220 (Battery) — best with no monthly fees
- 4. Google Nest Doorbell (Battery) — best smart alerts
- 5. Arlo Video Doorbell 2K (2nd Gen) — best value 2K doorbell
- Quick comparison
- A note on peephole cameras
- FAQ: video doorbells for apartments
Apartment life comes with a specific kind of anxiety: the “sorry we missed you” slip on your door for a package you waited all day for, or the knock at 9 p.m. from someone you weren’t expecting. A video doorbell solves both — but most doorbells assume you own the home, with existing doorbell wiring and the freedom to drill into the door frame. Renters need something different: battery power, no wiring, and mounting that won’t cost you your deposit. The five doorbells below are all wireless, removable, and apartment-friendly.
What to look for in a video doorbell for a rental
- Battery-powered (wire-free). This is non-negotiable for most rentals. A battery doorbell needs no existing doorbell wiring and no electrician. Expect to recharge every few weeks to a few months depending on the model and how busy your hallway is.
- No-drill mounting options. Most battery doorbells include a mounting bracket meant to be screwed in. For rentals, look for no-drill adhesive mounts (widely sold by third-party accessory makers for Ring, Blink, and others) that stick to the door or frame and remove cleanly. If you do use the included screws, mounting on the door itself rather than the frame is usually the safer bet — and check your lease first either way.
- Removable in minutes. When you move, the doorbell should come down with no trace. Keep the original mounting hardware and any blanking plates.
- Subscription vs. no-subscription storage. Live view and motion alerts are free on every doorbell here, but saving and reviewing video clips is where subscriptions come in. eufy stores video locally with no monthly fee, and Blink can store clips locally on a USB drive via the Sync Module 2. Ring, Nest, and Arlo offer their best features (video history, smart alerts) through paid plans — factor that into the true cost.
- Chime options. Battery doorbells don’t ring your existing chime. Most brands sell a plug-in chime, or you can get alerts on your phone and smart speakers instead — a plug-in chime is the simplest renter solution since it needs no wiring.
- Neighbor and hallway privacy. Apartment hallways are shared spaces. Use motion zones and privacy zones (offered by most of these apps) to aim detection at your own doorway, and check your local laws and building rules about recording in common areas.
1. Ring Battery Doorbell (2024) — best all-around pick
The 2024 Ring Battery Doorbell is the most popular battery doorbell for a reason: head-to-toe video that actually shows packages on the ground, live view with two-way talk, and motion detection with customizable zones. It runs on a rechargeable battery pack, connects over Wi-Fi, and works with Alexa (including Echo Show live view and announcements). Installation is a bracket and a few screws — or a third-party adhesive mount if you want zero holes.
Key specs: battery-powered; head-to-toe HD video; live view and two-way talk; motion detection with custom zones; works with Alexa.
Pros: the most mature app and accessory ecosystem; head-to-toe view is genuinely useful for packages; wide availability of no-drill adhesive mounts; reliable motion alerts.
Cons: reviewing saved video clips requires a Ring Home subscription; the battery needs recharging every month or two in busy hallways; the doorbell itself is fairly large.
Price: around $90. Check price on Amazon
2. Blink Video Doorbell + Sync Module 2 — best battery life
Blink’s big selling point is battery life: up to two years on a pair of AA lithium batteries, which means you’ll rarely think about charging it. You get head-to-toe HD video, two-way talk, and motion alerts, and the included Sync Module 2 lets you store clips locally on a USB drive — so you can skip the subscription entirely if local storage is enough for you. It also works with Alexa for announcements and live view.
Key specs: up to two-year battery life (AA lithium); head-to-toe HD video; two-way talk; Sync Module 2 with USB local storage; works with Alexa.
Pros: outstanding battery life; local video storage with no monthly fee; very affordable; simple setup.
Cons: person detection and cloud storage require a Blink subscription plan; video quality is a step below the 2K models; the Sync Module needs an indoor outlet.
Price: around $70. Check price on Amazon
3. eufy Security Video Doorbell S220 (Battery) — best with no monthly fees
The eufy S220 is the pick for renters who refuse to pay a subscription. The battery-powered kit includes a HomeBase with built-in storage, so your 2K video clips are recorded locally with no monthly fees — ever. Battery life is rated at up to 180 days per charge, and the 2K resolution with a wide field of view captures faces and packages clearly. Installation is wire-free, and the system works even if your internet hiccups since storage is local.
Key specs: battery-powered; 2K resolution; up to 180-day battery life; HomeBase local storage included; no monthly fees; motion-only alerts.
Pros: no subscription required for video history; sharp 2K video; very long battery life; local storage keeps working without the cloud.
Cons: the HomeBase hub must stay plugged in indoors; the doorbell unit is bulkier than some rivals; smart detections are more basic than Nest’s or Ring’s.
Price: check current price. Check price on Amazon
4. Google Nest Doorbell (Battery) — best smart alerts
The battery-powered Nest Doorbell brings Google’s best-in-class intelligent alerts to a wire-free design: it can distinguish people, packages, animals, and vehicles, so you get notified about what matters instead of every passerby. You get HDR video with night vision, a tall 3:4 field of view that’s good for seeing packages, and a few hours of event video history included free. It integrates deeply with Google Home, including announcements on Nest speakers and live view on Chromecast and Nest Hub displays.
Key specs: battery-powered; HD video with HDR and night vision; intelligent alerts (person, package, animal, vehicle); free event video history; works with Google Home.
Pros: the smartest alerts of any doorbell here; clean, compact design; generous free event history; excellent Google Home integration.
Cons: longer video history and familiar-face detection require a Nest Aware subscription; it’s pricier than the budget picks; best suited to Google-centric households.
Price: around $180. Check price on Amazon
5. Arlo Video Doorbell 2K (2nd Gen) — best value 2K doorbell
The second-generation Arlo Video Doorbell is a standout value: 2K HDR video, a wide 180-degree field of view, and a wire-free rechargeable battery — and it connects directly to your Wi-Fi with no hub required. You can also wire it to existing doorbell wiring if you have it, but renters can run it purely on battery. Night vision is strong, two-way audio is clear, and the Arlo app offers motion zones and a built-in siren.
Key specs: battery or wired; 2K HDR video; 180° field of view; night vision; two-way audio; direct Wi-Fi, no hub needed.
Pros: 2K video at a budget price; no hub required; flexible battery-or-wired install; wide viewing angle covers the whole doorway.
Cons: cloud video storage and advanced smart notifications require an Arlo Secure subscription; battery life is shorter than Blink’s or eufy’s in high-traffic spots.
Price: around $50. Check price on Amazon
Quick comparison
| Doorbell | Power | Video | Video history without subscription | Approx. price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ring Battery Doorbell (2024) | Rechargeable battery | HD head-to-toe | No — Ring Home plan needed | ~$90 |
| Blink Video Doorbell | AA lithium (up to 2 yrs) | HD head-to-toe | Yes — local USB storage via Sync Module 2 | ~$70 |
| eufy S220 | Rechargeable (180 days) | 2K | Yes — HomeBase local storage | Check price |
| Nest Doorbell (Battery) | Rechargeable battery | HD, HDR | Limited — free event history; more with Nest Aware | ~$180 |
| Arlo 2K (2nd Gen) | Rechargeable battery | 2K HDR | No — Arlo Secure plan needed | ~$50 |
A note on peephole cameras
If your apartment door has a peephole and your building won’t allow anything mounted on the door or frame, a peephole camera — a small camera that replaces the optical door viewer — is another renter-friendly option. Availability varies by brand and region, so check current models before buying; the battery doorbells above remain the more widely supported choice.
FAQ: video doorbells for apartments
Do I need my landlord’s permission to install a video doorbell?
For a battery doorbell on an adhesive no-drill mount, most renters don’t need permission — but leases and building rules vary, especially for cameras in shared hallways. A quick message to your landlord or property manager is worth it, and some buildings have explicit smart-doorbell policies.
Can I install one without drilling any holes?
Yes. Third-party adhesive mounts are widely available for the most popular battery doorbells and hold well on smooth doors. If you use the included screws, keep the holes small, mount on the door rather than the frame when possible, and fill them at move-out.
Do I have to pay a monthly subscription?
Not necessarily. Live view and motion alerts are free on all five picks. For reviewing saved clips without a fee, choose the eufy S220 (local HomeBase storage) or the Blink doorbell with Sync Module 2 (local USB storage). Ring, Nest, and Arlo keep their video history behind paid plans.
What about my neighbors’ privacy?
Point the camera at your own doorway, use the app’s motion and privacy zones to exclude neighbors’ doors, and check local recording laws. In most US states, video of a shared hallway is fine, but audio recording has stricter rules in some places.
Can I take the doorbell when I move?
Absolutely — that’s the beauty of battery models. Unmount it, patch any small holes, and set it up at your next place in minutes. Your recordings and settings stay in your account.
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