Best Video Doorbells for Renters
Battery-powered, no-wiring video doorbells that move with you when you leave
The best video doorbells for renters — battery powered, no wiring, easy installation and removal.
Renters have specific constraints when it comes to video doorbells: no wiring changes, no permanent wall modifications, and landlord permission requirements that vary by building. The good news is that the best battery-powered video doorbells were practically designed with renters in mind.
What Makes a Video Doorbell Renter-Friendly
- Battery powered: No wiring required. No electrician. No drilling into electrical boxes.
- Adhesive or minimal mounting: Some doorbells mount with adhesive tape or a single screw through the existing doorbell button hole — no new holes in the wall.
- Easy removal: The whole unit comes off when you move, leaving minimal trace.
- No subscription required (preferred): Ongoing costs add up — cameras that store locally avoid monthly fees.
Best Video Doorbells for Renters
Eufy Video Doorbell E340 — Best Overall for Renters
The Eufy E340 is the best renter doorbell available: battery-powered, dual camera (front + downward angle for packages), local storage on the included HomeBase 3 hub (no subscription), and no permanent installation required.
It mounts to your existing doorbell position or with the included mounting kit. When you move, you take the entire device — doorbell, hub, and all your footage.
Video: 2K dual camera. Storage: Local on HomeBase 3, 16GB included. Smart Home: Alexa, Google Home, Apple Home. Subscription: Not required. Price: ~$160.
Ring Video Doorbell (4th Gen) — Most Popular
The Ring Video Doorbell (4th gen) installs in about 15 minutes with the included mounting kit — no existing doorbell required, no wiring needed. It runs on a rechargeable battery (included) and records 1080p HDR video with a head-to-toe field of view.
The main limitation for budget-conscious renters: Ring requires a subscription ($4.99/month) to store any video history. Without it, you can only view live video when you get an alert. For renters who want recordings, the Eufy E340 is a better no-subscription option.
Video: 1080p HDR. Storage: Requires Ring Protect subscription ($4.99/month). Smart Home: Alexa (deep), Google Home (basic). Price: ~$100.
Blink Video Doorbell — Best Budget Renter Doorbell
The Blink Video Doorbell is an Amazon-owned brand priced at $50. It runs on AA batteries (the only mainstream doorbell using standard batteries — no recharging needed, just swap batteries every 1-2 years according to Blink). It shoots 1080p video and works with Alexa.
Video: 1080p. Storage: Blink Subscription Plan ($3/month) or Sync Module 2 for local USB flash drive storage. Smart Home: Alexa. Google Home: Not supported. Apple Home: Not supported. Subscription: Not required if using Sync Module 2 with USB drive ($35). Price: ~$50.
Google Nest Doorbell (Battery) — For Google Home Renters
Renters in Google Home households benefit from the Nest Doorbell's 3-hour free event history (no subscription required for basic use) and tight Google Home integration. Battery-powered, mounts with the included bracket.
Video: 960p HDR. Storage: 3 hours free event history included; Nest Aware ($8/month) for 30 days. Smart Home: Google Home native, Alexa. Apple Home: Not natively supported. Price: ~$180.
Installation Tips for Renters
Existing doorbell wiring: If your apartment has existing doorbell wiring, any battery doorbell can optionally connect to it for continuous trickle charging — you never need to recharge the battery. This is the ideal renter setup.
No existing wiring: Battery-powered doorbells mount with screws or adhesive. Most landlords consider a single mounting screw equivalent to hanging a picture frame — confirm with yours before installing.
Apartment buildings with no doorbell: Some apartments have intercoms, not doorbells. In these cases, a battery doorbell mounted near your unit door or outside your apartment door (where permitted) covers the nearest visible entry point.
FAQ
Can I take my video doorbell when I move?
Yes. Battery-powered doorbells unmount completely and move with you. Restore any mounting screws or fill the holes with the small amount of spackle your building allows. The device, hub, and all footage are yours.
Do I need to tell my landlord?
For most battery-powered doorbells that install at or replace the existing doorbell button position, many landlords do not object. If you are drilling new holes or mounting on a shared surface (hallway wall, building exterior), check first. When in doubt, ask.
