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The Eufy Video Doorbell C31 is a 2K doorbell that runs on a removable battery or on your existing doorbell wiring. It records locally to a microSD card, and Eufy’s page says that has no subscription fee.
The catch is that the microSD card isn’t included, and the 24/7 recording people like about it only works when it’s wired. Battery and 2.4GHz-only Wi-Fi are the other things to know before you buy.
| Feature | Eufy Video Doorbell C31 |
|---|---|
| Video | 2K, 4:3 view |
| Power | 6,500mAh quick-release battery or wired (16–24V) |
| Local storage | microSD up to 128GB (card not included) |
| Wi-Fi | 2.4GHz only |
| Chime | Not included |
| Works with | Alexa, Google Home (no Apple Home or Matter) |
| Typical price | About $80–$100 (estimate) |
What Works With No Subscription
Local recording to a microSD card is the headline. Eufy’s page says footage is stored with no subscription fee, and Consumer Reports also lists the optional microSD storage, up to 128GB.
Consumer Reports says person, sound and package detection, geofencing and activity zones are free, while cloud storage and emergency monitoring are paid. Another source lists only human and motion detection, so don’t buy this one for package alerts.
For storage beyond a card, you can add a Eufy HomeBase S380 (sold separately), which Eufy says expands storage up to 16TB. Our local storage vs cloud storage guide explains the trade-offs.
What to Know Before You Buy
Buy a microSD card. Eufy says the card isn’t included in its listing, and the doorbell has no internal storage. Without a card you only get live view and alerts, unless you add a HomeBase.
24/7 recording needs wiring. Eufy says pre-record and 24/7 recording require a 16–24V, 30VA transformer, and your existing chime must be bypassed. On battery, it records motion events instead.
You may need a chime. The C31 works with your existing mechanical chime, a HomeBase or Eufy’s MiniBase Chime, but not the original Wi-Fi Chime or Chime (T8740/T8742). Check which chime you own before you buy.
2.4GHz Wi-Fi only. There is no 5GHz or Ethernet, according to SmartHomeCompared. Place your router carefully if your door is far from it.
Battery vs Wired: What Changes
The same doorbell behaves differently depending on how you power it. Here is the split, based on Eufy’s spec page and SmartHomeCompared.
| Setup | Recording | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Battery | Motion events to microSD | You recharge the pack, and reviewers say life falls short of claims |
| Wired (16–24V, 30VA transformer) | Pre-record and 24/7 recording | Existing chime must be bypassed, and a transformer may be needed |
Renters and anyone without doorbell wiring will be on battery. That works, but it’s the weaker version of this doorbell, so plan to keep a spare pack charged.
Eufy Video Doorbell C31 Review
Eufy Video Doorbell C31
The C31 records in 2K with a 4:3 view meant to cover the whole front door area. Consumer Reports found night video excellent, with good brightness and clarity. It rated daytime pictures fairly sharp but short of the better models, so fine details can be hard to see.
The same review measured alerts reaching the app in about 2.5 seconds on average, which it called very quick. It also rated Eufy’s data security as very good, and it supports two-factor authentication.
The battery is a 6,500mAh quick-release pack, so you can swap it without taking the doorbell off the wall. Eufy’s page gives no runtime. SmartHomeCompared says reviewers find real-world life falls short of the claims, and that there’s no low-battery warning in battery mode. That makes wiring the safer choice if your doorbell wires are already in place.
Other limits are listed on the SmartHomeCompared page. It has one camera and no package view, a bulky body, and no HomeKit or Matter. Human-detection previews can start before a person is in frame, and a side wall in view can reflect the infrared light and blur night footage, per Eufy’s user guide. Consumer Reports adds that it has no spotlight and no vehicle or animal detection.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Local recording with no monthly fee 2K video, excellent night picture (Consumer Reports) Battery or wired power, IP65 rating Works with Alexa and Google Home |
microSD card not included 24/7 recording needs wiring and a transformer 2.4GHz Wi-Fi only No Apple Home, no chime in the box |
Best for: Homes with existing doorbell wiring that want free local recording on a budget.
Full details and current price: Eufy Video Doorbell C31 on Amazon
Other Doorbells to Consider
If you want a camera aimed at packages, our Eufy Video Doorbell Dual 2K review covers a Eufy doorbell with a second camera. For a wired doorbell that records 24/7 to a microSD card, see our Reolink Video Doorbell WiFi review.
Comparing brands? Ring vs Eufy covers the monthly cost gap, and our best video doorbells without monthly fees list has more options.
FAQ
Does the Eufy C31 need a subscription?
No. Local recording to a microSD card has no monthly fee. Cloud storage and emergency monitoring are paid, according to Consumer Reports.
Does the Eufy C31 come with a microSD card?
Eufy’s page says the card isn’t included. Some bundles may add one, so check what’s in the box of the listing you choose.
Can the Eufy C31 be hardwired?
Yes. It can use your existing doorbell wiring. For 24/7 recording and pre-record, Eufy says you need a 16–24V, 30VA transformer and the existing chime has to be bypassed.
Does the Eufy C31 work with Apple HomeKit?
No. It works with Alexa and Google Home, and Consumer Reports and Eufy’s page both list no Apple Home support.
Does the Eufy C31 come with a chime?
No. It works with your existing mechanical chime, a HomeBase or the MiniBase Chime, and Eufy says the original Wi-Fi Chime isn’t compatible.
Final Verdict
The Eufy Video Doorbell C31 is a good-value doorbell with free local recording, as long as you buy a card and ideally wire it. If you don’t have doorbell wiring or want package alerts, look at a model built for that instead.