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Arlo makes two current video doorbells: the Video Doorbell 2K and the Video Doorbell HD, both 2nd generation. They share the same body, the same square head-to-toe view and the same battery-or-wired install.
The catch is the same on both, and it is a big one for this site. Out of the box, an Arlo doorbell saves no recordings at all without a paid Arlo Secure plan.
Here is what each model does, what works for free, and the one workaround if you want recordings with no monthly fee.
| Model | Video | Power | Free recording | Chime included |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arlo Video Doorbell 2K (2nd Gen) | 2K HDR, 180° square view | Battery or wired | No (needs Arlo Secure or a SmartHub) | No |
| Arlo Video Doorbell HD (2nd Gen) | 1080p (1536 x 1536), 180° square view | Battery or wired | No (needs Arlo Secure or a SmartHub) | No |
| Arlo Video Doorbell 2K + Chime 2 Bundle | 2K HDR, 180° square view | Battery or wired | No (needs Arlo Secure or a SmartHub) | Yes (Chime 2) |
What Works Without a Subscription
With no plan, you still get live view, two-way audio, motion alerts and a video call to your phone when someone presses the button. Arlo’s own community staff have confirmed the call arrives even without a plan.
What you lose is the part most people buy a camera for. No clips or snapshots are saved to the cloud, and the doorbell has no SD card slot of its own.
Smart alerts for people, packages and vehicles, activity zones and video history also sit behind Arlo Secure. NerdWallet lists the single-camera plan at $9.99 a month, while SafeWise reports $7.99, which matches the annual-billing rate.
The SmartHub Workaround
There is one route to free recording. Since a late-2024 firmware update, Arlo says both 2nd-gen doorbells can sync to an Arlo SmartHub (VMB4540 or VMB5000) or certain base stations instead of your Wi-Fi.
Once synced, motion clips save to a USB drive or microSD card in the hub. You have to remove and re-add the doorbell to see the sync option.
It is not a polished experience. Owners on Arlo’s forum report that local clips don’t appear in the normal feed and have to be opened through the hub’s storage settings. The older VMB4500 base station records locally but can’t play clips back in the app at all.
We cover the same hub requirement in our Arlo camera system review.
The Best Arlo Doorbells
Arlo Video Doorbell 2K (2nd Gen)
This is the one to buy if you want an Arlo doorbell. The 2K sensor gives a 1:1 square image that shows visitors head to toe and packages on the mat, and the extra resolution helps when you zoom in on a face or a label.
Arlo rates the battery at four to six months, and you can hardwire it to existing 8–24V AC doorbell wiring to keep it trickle charging. It works with Alexa, Google Home and IFTTT, and runs on 2.4GHz Wi-Fi only.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Sharp 2K head-to-toe view Battery or wired install Built-in siren and quick replies |
No recordings without a plan or SmartHub No onboard storage No HomeKit |
Best for: Homes already on Arlo Secure or with a compatible Arlo SmartHub.
Full details and current price: Arlo Video Doorbell 2K (2nd Gen) on Amazon
Arlo Video Doorbell HD (2nd Gen)
The HD model is the same doorbell with a lower-resolution sensor that records at 1536 x 1536. It often sells for much less than the 2K version, which makes it tempting as a basic live-view doorbell.
Be realistic about battery life. Arlo rates it the same as the 2K, but some owner reviews report it draining in days rather than months, so plan to hardwire it if your door sees a lot of traffic.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Usually the cheapest Arlo doorbell Same square view and siren Hardwire option for steady power |
Lower detail when zooming Mixed battery-life reports Same recording paywall |
Best for: Live view and visitor calls on a budget, ideally wired.
Full details and current price: Arlo Video Doorbell HD (2nd Gen) on Amazon
Arlo Video Doorbell 2K + Chime 2 Bundle
If you are installing on battery with no existing doorbell wiring, you need something inside the house to ring. The bundle pairs the 2K doorbell with Arlo Chime 2, a plug-in chime that sounds for doorbell presses and can also announce motion from other Arlo cameras.
When the doorbell is wired to an existing mechanical chime, that chime keeps working, so this bundle only makes sense for battery installs or homes with a dead chime.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Indoor chime included No wiring needed anywhere Chime works with other Arlo cameras |
Costs more than the doorbell alone Same recording paywall Pointless if you have a working wired chime |
Best for: Renters and battery-only installs.
Full details and current price: Arlo Video Doorbell 2K + Chime 2 Bundle on Amazon
Should You Pick an Arlo Doorbell at All?
If you already pay for Arlo Secure Unlimited, adding the doorbell costs nothing extra each month and it slots straight into your app. That is where it makes the most sense.
If you want recordings with no plan and no hub, a doorbell with built-in storage is simpler. The Reolink Video Doorbell WiFi records 24/7 to a microSD card for free.
For more options, see our best video doorbells without monthly fees.
FAQ
Does the Arlo doorbell work without a subscription?
Yes, for live view, two-way talk, motion alerts and doorbell calls. It does not save any recordings unless you pay for Arlo Secure or sync it to a compatible SmartHub.
Does the Arlo doorbell have local storage?
Not on the doorbell itself. Local recording only works through an Arlo SmartHub or base station with a USB drive or microSD card. For the trade-offs, see local storage vs cloud storage.
Will my existing chime still ring?
Yes, if you hardwire the doorbell to your existing wiring and chime. On battery power you need an Arlo Chime or your phone.
What is the difference between the Arlo 2K and HD doorbells?
Only the camera. The 2K model has a sharper sensor; body, features and install options are the same.
How long does the Arlo doorbell battery last?
Arlo rates four to six months. Real life varies with traffic and settings, and some HD owners report far shorter life, so wiring it is the safer bet.
Final Verdict
| Model | Best For |
|---|---|
| Arlo Video Doorbell 2K (2nd Gen) | Existing Arlo Secure or SmartHub owners |
| Arlo Video Doorbell HD (2nd Gen) | Budget live view, wired install |
| Arlo Video Doorbell 2K + Chime 2 Bundle | Battery-only installs with no indoor chime |
The 2K is the Arlo doorbell worth buying, but only if you already pay for Arlo Secure or own a compatible SmartHub. If avoiding monthly fees is the goal, a doorbell with its own storage will serve you better.