Doorbell Cameras with Local Storage: A Comprehensive Guide

Some users prefer to have a doorbell camera with local storage to prevent the recurring cost of cloud storage. Not only does it save money, but it also offers you complete control over the data.

In this article, we will discuss what a doorbell camera with local storage is and why you should go for it. We explain some local storage options for doorbell cameras and share a few doorbell recommendations for optimal security.

Overview of Doorbell Camera with Local Storage

What is Local Storage Doorbell Camera?

A video doorbell that offers an option to store video recordings in local storage is called a local storage doorbell camera. It does not need a cloud storage subscription, so you can save money. You just need to buy the doorbell camera and connect a local storage to it. It will work without any extra cost, which is incredible.

These doorbell cameras offer multiple storage options, such as microSD card, external hard drive, NAS, etc. Users can choose the local storage they need, and they can store video recordings without any hassle.

What's the Benefit of Local Storage Doorbell Camera?

The obvious benefit of a local storage doorbell camera is money-saving. You don't need to pay a recurring fee.

Secondly, when storing data on local storage, you have complete control over it. You can save as many videos as you want, you can delete recordings whenever needed, and implement security measures to protect data. You are also sure about your privacy.

The recordings are directly stored in the local storage. It does not need internet, so even if your Wi-Fi is not working, the videos will be there, and you can see them later.
You can also scale the size of the storage according to your needs. If there are multiple cameras, you can use HDDs.

Different Local Storage Options for Doorbell Camera

There are three local storage options for doorbell cameras. You can choose any of them according to your needs.

SD Cards

Video doorbell cameras have a built-in microSD card slot. You can insert your card into it, and it will start storing your videos. It is the simplest way of storing doorbell camera videos in local storage.

The size of the SD card depends on what the camera supports. Usually, they support up to 256GB.

Hard Drive Storage

If you want to save continuous recordings or have multiple cameras, hard drive storage is a better option.

But for this, you need an NVR. You can attach your hard drive to it and then use it to store the videos for video doorbells and other cameras. The storage space can be 2TB to 16TB. It is a better option if you plan to scale in the future.

Network Attached Storage (NAS)

NAS is more suitable for a complete security camera system. If you already have one, you can also connect your doorbell to it. It offers incredible security features, such as encryption and performance. You can scale easily by increasing the storage space.

However, you need to consider the compatibility of the doorbell camera. Secondly, using NAS storage is an expensive option compared to others.

Best Doorbell Camera with Local Storage

Reolink Video Doorbell PoE

This is a PoE doorbell that offers you reliable performance 24/7. You need to connect an Ethernet cable to the doorbell for the internet, but it is totally worth it. It offers three local storage options: microSD card, FTP server, and Reolink NVR. You can choose any of them you find feasible and the best in your case.

It captures videos in 2K+ resolution and offers exceptional details and clarity. At night, it uses IR LEDs to capture clear footage. It can detect motion automatically and send real-time alerts to your devices. You can listen to the chime and talk to the person on the video via the app.

Reolink Video Doorbell Wi-Fi

It's a video doorbell that works on Wi-Fi, which means you will not need an Ethernet cable. It works within the Wi-Fi range, and you can store your videos on a microSD card, FTP server, or Reolink NVR. It uses a dual Wi-Fi band to ensure a stable and speedy connection.

You can directly talk to the person through the built-in microphone and speaker. It captures clear videos in 2K+ resolution and offers black-and-white videos at night. It detects the motion of the objects and sends accurate alerts.

Local Storage vs. Cloud Storage: Which One to Choose for Doorbell?

Both storage options have their own pros and cons, and it depends on your preferences which one to choose.

If you don't want to pay a recurring fee and have complete control over your data, you should go with local storage. You can either install a microSD card or store videos on NVR or server. It does not need the internet to store videos and offers more privacy. However, it stores data on a physical storage device, which can malfunction or fail.

If you can't bear the loss of videos due to the failure of physical storage, you should go with cloud storage. It instantly stores videos in the cloud, and even if the doorbell is tampered with or stolen, you still have videos at instant access. You can view videos from any location. For these special features, you need to pay a monthly fee, and there are concerns related to privacy. A stable internet connection is mandatory for cloud storage.

FAQs

1. Which doorbells have local storage?

Reolink doorbell cameras offer local storage options. You can use a microSD card to save recordings. They also work with FTP/NAS servers and NVRs. You can select the most feasible option according to your needs.

2. Can Ring doorbell store video locally?

You can store the videos of your Ring doorbell locally on a microSD card by using Ring Alarm Pro, which is a separate security system. But it only works with selected doorbells.

Conclusion

A doorbell camera with local storage allows you to store data on physical storage, such as an SD card, server, or NVR. Users don't need to pay a recurring fee to store their videos. For many users, it is a preferred option as they also have control over their data. We have shared the benefits and pros & cons of both types of storage, and you can easily select the one that you find feasible. If you are looking for a doorbell camera with local storage, you can consider the options we have shared.