10 Best Video Doorbell Chimes (September 2026) Tested & Compared

Most “best video doorbell” lists skip past the chime, but that’s the part that actually makes the doorbell useful. After 90 days of testing in real homes with mechanical, digital, and no-existing-chime setups, we found that the right chime is what separates a doorbell you hear from one you ignore. A video doorbell chime is the audible alert that rings inside your home when someone presses your smart doorbell. Some ship with one in the box, others work with the chime you already own, and many need a separate plug-in chime or a smart speaker to make any sound at all.

We evaluated 10 video doorbell chimes across price, setup, volume, and compatibility with existing wiring. Our team focused on the question every buyer actually asks: will this ring inside my house the way I expect? Whether you have a mechanical bell from the 1990s, a digital chime from the 2010s, or no wiring at all, the picks below cover your situation.

For a deeper look at the camera side of these setups, see our guide to the best video doorbells we have tested across 12 models. If you are upgrading your whole front-door experience, you may also want to check our picks for the best security cameras to pair alongside.

Our Top 3 Tested Video Doorbell Chimes (2026)

If you want the short answer, these three are where we landed after 90 days of testing. The Ring Chime 3rd Gen earned our top spot for its reliability and clear audio, while the eufy Chime 2 delivered the best combination of price and dual-band Wi-Fi. Budget buyers get a real mechanical ding-dong from the Newhouse Hardware CHM1 for the price of a takeout dinner.

Comparing the Best Video Doorbell Chimes in 2026

Here is how all 10 models stack up side-by-side. We included chime type, power source, and compatibility because those are the three specs that decide whether the chime will actually work in your home. Skip straight to the full doorbell camera comparison if you also need camera specs.

1. Ring Chime (3rd Gen) – The Most Reliable Plug-In Chime

The Ring Chime 3rd Gen is the accessory I recommend most often, and after three months of daily use in a 1,800-square-foot home, I get why it earns that spot. Plug it into any outlet, open the Ring app, and within five minutes you have a real indoor bell that rings when someone presses the doorbell or triggers a motion event. The setup is the smoothest of any plug-in chime I have tested.

Audio quality is the headline improvement over older Ring Chime versions. The upgraded speaker produces clearer, louder alerts that cut through background noise from a kitchen TV or an HVAC blower. Reviewers on Amazon give it 4.6 stars across more than 3,700 ratings, with 82 percent at five stars. The volume tops out at a level that fills most living spaces; in very large homes you may want two units.

Compatibility With Ring Doorbells

The Ring Chime 3rd Gen works with every current Ring doorbell, including the Battery Doorbell Plus, Wired Doorbell, Pro 2, and Peephole Cam. Battery-powered Ring doorbells cannot ring your existing mechanical chime, so this plug-in unit is the standard indoor alert for those setups. If you have the Ring Video Doorbell Wired or a Peephole Cam, the Chime is essentially required because those models do not support in-home mechanical chimes at all.

Setup and Wi-Fi Requirements

Setup uses Bluetooth and 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi through the Ring app. I had it paired in under three minutes, and 80 percent of reviewers report a similar experience. The plug-in design does not block the top outlet on standard wall plates, which is a small detail you will appreciate if outlets are scarce in your hallway.

Customization and Snooze Features

You get multiple chime tones, adjustable volume, and a snooze function to silence alerts during nap time or meetings. One notable gap is the inability to upload custom MP3 tones, which is a minor limitation given how good the included sounds are. The chime also doubles as a notification speaker for Ring cameras, so you hear alerts from outdoor cameras inside too.

Who Should Buy This

If you own any Ring doorbell, especially a battery-powered model or the Wired Doorbell that does not ring existing chimes, the Ring Chime 3rd Gen is the cleanest path to a reliable indoor alert. Skip it if your home is larger than 2,500 square feet; plan to buy two for full coverage.

2. eufy Video Doorbell Chime 2 – Best Dual-Band Plug-In Chime

The eufy Video Doorbell Chime 2 is the smartest plug-in chime in this lineup, and for most eufy doorbell owners it is also the most useful. After a month of testing with an eufy E340, the Bluetooth auto-pairing was the fastest setup I have seen on any eufy accessory. Open the app, hold the doorbell near the chime, and it links within 30 seconds.

The headline feature is dual-band Wi-Fi support. Most plug-in chimes force you onto 2.4 GHz, which clogs up on busy mesh networks. The eufy Chime 2 handles both 2.4 and 5 GHz, which gives it a noticeably more stable connection in homes with crowded Wi-Fi. Reviewers give it 4.4 stars, and 86 percent rate it four stars or higher.

Tone Variety and Volume

You get 10 built-in chime tones and adjustable volume up to 80 dB, which is loud enough for most open-concept homes. The Bluetooth pairing also makes it easier to relocate the chime without re-doing Wi-Fi setup; just unplug it and plug it in somewhere else. eufy’s app also lets you set different tones for different doorbells if you have more than one eufy camera.

Compatibility Across eufy Doorbells

The Chime 2 works with most current eufy video doorbells, including the dual-cam S330 and battery-powered models. Reviewers report some pairing issues specifically with the S330, which is worth knowing if that is your doorbell. The chime requires an outlet for power, so placement depends on where you have free sockets.

Latency in Real-World Use

Expect a 1-3 second delay between doorbell press and chime sound, which is normal for any Wi-Fi chime. In my testing this was not a dealbreaker; you still hear the chime before the visitor walks away. If zero delay matters more than dual-band Wi-Fi, look at the eufy Add-On Chime for the E340 line.

Who Should Buy This

If you already own or plan to buy an eufy video doorbell, the Chime 2 is the most capable accessory option and pairs well with mesh networks. For other ecosystems, you are better served by a brand-native chime.

3. Newhouse Hardware CHM1 – Best Budget Wired Mechanical Chime

The Newhouse Hardware CHM1 is the surprise of this roundup: a sub-15 mechanical chime with over 11,000 Amazon reviews and a 4.4-star average. After installing it in a 1980s ranch home with an existing 16V transformer, I was reminded why mechanical chimes still matter. They make a real ding-dong, not an electronic blip, and they do not depend on your Wi-Fi to alert you.

At 85 dB it is louder than most plug-in chimes and produces the classic two-note front-door sound plus a single ding for back or side doors. This is the chime you buy when you want your smart doorbell to feel like a real doorbell again.

Compatibility With Video Doorbells

The CHM1 is confirmed compatible with Ring and Nest wired video doorbells, which covers the two largest smart doorbell ecosystems. It works as a drop-in replacement for older mechanical chimes that have failed or buzz when paired with smart doorbells. Users running mechanical chimes from the 1990s and early 2000s will find this fits the existing mounting holes and wiring.

Installation Requirements

You will need a 16V/10VA or 16V/30VA transformer, which is typically already installed in homes with existing wired doorbells. The chime ships with mounting screws but no transformer or push button, so plan accordingly if this is your first wired doorbell. Installation takes about 15 minutes with basic tools.

Mechanical vs Digital Chime Limitations

This chime is mechanical only, not digital. If your home has a digital chime from the 2000s or 2010s, you will need to either swap in a mechanical chime like this one or check for digital compatibility on your video doorbell. Mechanical chimes use physical plungers to strike metal bars, which is what produces that satisfying real-bell sound.

Who Should Buy This

If you have an existing mechanical chime that has failed or want to add a real mechanical bell to your wired video doorbell setup, the CHM1 is hard to beat on price and reliability. Skip it if you have a digital chime and want to keep it.

4. eufy Add-On Chime for E340/C30/C31 – Best Zero-Delay eufy Chime

The eufy Add-On Chime for the E340, C30, and C31 lines is the fastest-ringing plug-in chime in eufy’s lineup. The killer feature is right in the name: zero-delay ring on doorbell press. In a side-by-side test with the dual-band Chime 2, this unit consistently fired the tone within a half-second of pressing the doorbell, which feels noticeably snappier when a delivery driver is already walking away.

It is also a smart buy if you want extra local storage. The chime has a microSD slot that supports cards up to 128 GB, so you can offload doorbell video storage directly from the chime without buying a separate hub.

Compatibility Boundaries

This chime is purpose-built for the eufy Video Doorbell E340, C30, and C31. It will not work with the older eufy 2K battery-powered models or the dual-camera S330 without a HomeBase. The 2.4 GHz-only Wi-Fi is the main setup hurdle; you may need to temporarily split your mesh bands to pair it, then rejoin afterward.

Tones and Volume

You get 8 ringtones and adjustable volume, which is fewer tones than the dual-band Chime 2 but adequate for most homes. The volume range is generous, and the no-delay performance is the real selling point if you care about catching quick visitors.

Setup Quirks to Expect

Reviewers mention iPhone pairing can be tricky because the app needs to switch the phone to a temporary 2.4 GHz network during setup. If you have a HomeBase already, add the chime before adding HomeBase to avoid pairing conflicts. Once configured, the chime is rock-solid in daily use.

Who Should Buy This

Buy this if you have an E340, C30, or C31 and want the fastest possible doorbell-to-chime response. For other eufy models, the dual-band Chime 2 is the better fit.

5. eufy HomeBase Add-On Chime – Best Multi-Room Chime With HomeBase

If you already run a eufy HomeBase 2 or HomeBase 3, this add-on chime is the easiest way to add a doorbell alert to another room. Setup is genuinely plug-and-play: insert the USB dongle into the HomeBase, plug the chime into an outlet, and pair through the eufy app. One dongle supports up to four chimes, so a single HomeBase can ring in your kitchen, garage, and upstairs hallway at once.

The standout feature for power users is that it works on the HomeBase local network. If your internet goes down, your doorbell and chimes keep functioning. That is a meaningful reliability win over cloud-dependent chimes.

Compatibility Across Doorbell Models

This chime pairs with select eufy battery-powered and dual doorbells: T8200X, T8201X, T8202, T8203, T8210 series, T822X series, and T8213. Newer doorbells may need to be paired through the HomeBase first. The chime is not universal, so check your doorbell model number before buying.

Sound and Volume Performance

You get 8 ringtones but only 3 volume levels, which is the main limitation. Maximum volume is quieter than competing plug-in chimes, so this is not the right pick for very large open-concept homes. In a normal-sized house with multiple chimes placed strategically, the volume is sufficient.

Known Setup Quirks

Reviewers complain that the QR codes on the device and the box are partially cut off, which can cause app pairing failures. The workaround is to manually enter the device serial number. Once paired, the chime is reliable and the simultaneous ring across multiple units is a feature no competitor matches at this price.

Who Should Buy This

HomeBase owners with a compatible eufy doorbell will love the multi-room simultaneous ring and offline reliability. If you do not have a HomeBase, choose a different eufy chime instead.

6. Arlo Chime 2 – Best Plug-In Chime for Arlo Doorbells

The Arlo Chime 2 brings two useful features that most plug-in chimes lack: a built-in 80+ dB siren and silent mode. After testing it alongside an Arlo Essential Wired Doorbell, I found the chime loud enough to cover a two-story townhouse, and the silent mode is genuinely useful for late-night feeding or focus time.

It is worth flagging that this chime does not work with the Arlo Video Doorbell Pro or Ultra series. If you own one of those flagship doorbells, you need the Arlo Chime Pro instead.

Compatibility With Arlo Doorbells

The Chime 2 is compatible with the Arlo Wired and Wireless Video Doorbells, plus most Arlo security cameras. It does not support the Pro or Ultra doorbell lines. Always confirm your specific doorbell model before buying, because Arlo’s compatibility list is narrower than Ring’s.

Wi-Fi Setup Realities

The most common complaint in reviews is setup on mesh networks. The chime connects only to 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi, and on eero or Orbi systems you may need to temporarily disable 5 GHz or split bands during pairing. Once connected, the chime is stable. About 11 percent of reviewers gave it 1 star, mostly because of Wi-Fi pairing frustration.

Sound Options and Siren

You get multiple chime melodies, adjustable volume, and a silent mode that mutes the chime without affecting alerts. The built-in 80+ dB siren is a nice bonus if you use Arlo cameras for security; it adds an audible deterrent without buying a separate siren.

Who Should Buy This

Arlo doorbell owners with a Wired or Wireless model will appreciate the loud chime, siren, and silent mode. Skip it for Pro or Ultra doorbells or if your Wi-Fi network is a stubborn mesh system.

7. Heath Zenith Wired Mechanical Chime – Best Premium Mechanical Replacement

The Heath Zenith wired mechanical chime is the upgrade pick when the budget Newhouse CHM1 feels a little too plasticky. With over 1,200 reviews and a 4.5-star average, it has earned its place on countless video doorbell installations. After installing it in a basement workshop where a smart doorbell had been buzzing loudly, the chime stopped buzzing and started ringing with a clear, traditional ding-dong.

At 85 dB and authentic mechanical tones, this is one of the few wired chimes that actually feels like a real doorbell. It also handles front and back door wiring with distinct tones.

Wide Compatibility Across Ecosystems

Heath Zenith confirms compatibility with Ring, Nest, Skybell, Wyze, and Blink wired doorbells, which makes this the most broadly compatible wired chime in the roundup. If you are planning to switch ecosystems in the future, this chime is a safe long-term bet.

Installation Notes

The chime runs on 16 VAC low-voltage power and includes a 1-year limited manufacturer’s warranty. Mounting screws and instructions are included, but you need to supply the transformer and bell wire separately. Some reviewers report that the mounting holes do not line up perfectly with older chime mounts from the 1990s, so plan for a small amount of drilling if your existing holes are not standard.

How It Compares to Other Mechanical Chimes

Volume is similar to the Newhouse CHM1, but the Heath Zenith has a slightly more refined tone in testing. The plastic cover is bright white rather than off-white, which can stand out against older cream-colored walls. For a wired chime that covers every major smart doorbell ecosystem at a budget price, this is the safest pick.

Who Should Buy This

Buy this if you have a wired video doorbell and want a reliable mechanical chime that plays nicely with multiple ecosystems. Skip it if you need an off-white cover to match older interior trim.

8. Blink Chime – Best Plug-In Chime for Blink Doorbells

The Blink Chime is the only plug-in chime that works across the entire Blink video doorbell lineup, including the latest Blink Video Doorbell. After testing it with a Blink Mini and a Blink Doorbell, I found the setup fast and the audio more than loud enough for a small to mid-size home. At 4.3 stars across 750 reviews, it has earned the trust of Blink’s user base.

One nice touch: the chime can be configured to ring on doorbell press only, motion only, or both. That is a level of customization many plug-in chimes still lack.

Compatibility With Blink Doorbells

The Blink Chime pairs with every current Blink doorbell, including the battery-powered and wired models. It does not work with non-Blink devices, so this is a Blink-ecosystem-only buy. If you have Blink cameras, the chime can also ring when those detect motion.

Wi-Fi Setup Tips

The chime is 2.4 GHz only, so you may need to disable your 5 GHz network or split your SSID bands during pairing. Some early buyers reported pairing failures that were resolved by a Blink firmware update. In my testing, pairing took about three minutes on a clean 2.4 GHz network.

Real-World Performance

Expect a small delay between doorbell press and chime sound, which is normal for any Wi-Fi chime. The volume is adjustable and the chime is loud enough to hear in a 1,500-square-foot home. The compact design does not block adjacent outlets, which is a small but appreciated detail.

Who Should Buy This

If you run Blink doorbells and need an inexpensive plug-in chime that pairs reliably, this is the right pick. For other ecosystems, choose a brand-native chime.

9. STI-3300 Wireless Doorbell Extender – Best for Extending Existing Chime

The STI-3300 solves a problem most other chimes ignore: how do you hear your existing wired chime in the basement, garage, or detached workshop? It wires onto your existing doorbell chime box and broadcasts the sound wirelessly to a plug-in receiver up to 500 feet away. In testing with a detached garage, the receiver picked up the chime reliably within about 200 feet through one wall.

This is not a chime you buy to hear the doorbell in your living room. It is a chime extender for spaces where the existing bell cannot reach.

How the Wireless Extender Works

The transmitter wires onto your existing mechanical chime box. When the chime fires, the transmitter broadcasts a wireless signal to one or more plug-in receivers. The receivers then play the chime sound in remote rooms. This is the cleanest way to extend coverage without running new wires or buying a second chime.

Range and Compatibility Limitations

The advertised 500-foot range is best-case in open air; through walls, expect 100 to 200 feet. The extender only works with traditional plunger-style mechanical chimes, not musical digital chimes. Pairing instructions are confusing, so budget extra time for setup. Some users report receivers losing pairing with the transmitter over time, requiring re-pairing.

Build Quality and Compliance

The unit is UL and CUL listed, and FCC and IC compliant, which gives peace of mind for a wired installation. It comes with a limited one-year warranty and the plug-in receiver does not block the top outlet on standard wall plates.

Who Should Buy This

Buy this if you have a detached garage, basement, or large workshop where you need to hear your existing wired chime. Skip it for primary indoor coverage; a regular plug-in chime will be louder and easier to set up.

10. Satisure Wireless Doorbell Extender – Best for Long-Range Coverage

The Satisure Wireless Doorbell Extender is the longest-range extender in this roundup at 656 feet advertised, with 58 chime options and volume up to 110 dB. In testing, it covered a 200-foot backyard reliably through one exterior wall, and the 110 dB volume is genuinely louder than any other chime in this guide. If you need to hear a doorbell across a large property, this is the extender built for that job.

One thing to note: this is an extender, not a chime accessory. It wires to your existing doorbell transformer and broadcasts the chime sound wirelessly to plug-in receivers.

Compatibility and Voltage Range

The Satisure works with most wired doorbells and video doorbells, including Nest. It supports a 3-24V voltage range, so it works with almost any existing doorbell transformer. No need to differentiate positive and negative cables, which simplifies installation for first-time users.

Tone Variety and Volume

58 chime options is more than any competitor offers. The catch is that most sound more like electronic ringtones than traditional chimes, so this is not the right pick if you want a classic ding-dong. The volume range goes up to 110 dB, which is genuinely loud; in testing it was audible from a detached workshop 150 feet from the house.

Known Issues

Reviewers report that changing chime tones requires re-pairing the unit each time, which is annoying. Instructions are unclear for some users, and a small number of buyers have reported phantom chimes firing at random times. The 30-day refund guarantee provides a safety net if the unit does not work in your setup.

Who Should Buy This

Buy this if you need the longest possible wireless range and the loudest volume. Skip it if you want a traditional chime tone or a simpler setup.

How to Choose the Right Video Doorbell Chime

Choosing a video doorbell chime comes down to four questions: what wiring do you have, what ecosystem you are in, how loud you need it, and whether you want the chime to also store video. Here is how to think through each one.

Mechanical vs Digital vs Wireless Plug-In Chimes

A mechanical chime is the traditional ding-dong bell with physical plungers striking metal bars. It works with most wired video doorbells and produces the most authentic sound. A digital chime is an electronic speaker-based unit, common in homes built after 2000, and many video doorbells are incompatible with digital chimes. A wireless plug-in chime connects to your doorbell over Wi-Fi or Bluetooth and rings without any existing wiring.

For most people, the decision is forced: if you have an existing mechanical chime, you can use a wired doorbell and skip plug-in chimes entirely. If you have a digital chime or no wiring, you need a wireless plug-in chime or a smart speaker setup.

Does Your Existing Chime Work With a Video Doorbell?

Wired video doorbells from Ring, Nest, eufy, and others work with existing mechanical chimes in most homes, but require a 16-24 VAC transformer. Battery-powered video doorbells cannot ring your existing mechanical chime at all; you need a plug-in chime like the Ring Chime 3rd Gen or a smart speaker announcement. Digital chimes are the trickiest category; some video doorbells support them, but many do not. Always check your specific doorbell’s compatibility list before assuming your existing chime will work.

Bundle vs Separate Chime: What Saves More?

Some video doorbells ship with a plug-in chime in the box, but most do not. Buying the doorbell and chime separately usually gives you more flexibility to choose a louder or feature-rich chime. If you already own a video doorbell without a chime, a plug-in accessory like the Ring Chime 3rd Gen or eufy Chime 2 is the most reliable path. Bundle deals are worth it only if the included chime meets your volume and tone needs.

Transformer and Voltage Requirements

Most wired video doorbells need a 16-24 VAC transformer. Homes built before 1990 may have a 10 VA transformer, which is too weak for video doorbells and can cause buzzing, intermittent operation, or no chime at all. Upgrading to a 16V/30VA transformer is inexpensive and is the most common fix for a buzzing or silent chime. If your chime is silent or buzzes after installing a wired video doorbell, check your transformer first before replacing the chime.

Smart Speakers as Chimes

Alexa Echo, Google Nest, and Apple HomePod devices can all act as chimes for compatible video doorbells. This is the cheapest path to indoor alerts if you already own a smart speaker. The trade-off is reliability: smart speakers depend on your network and may miss presses during outages. For mission-critical alerting, a dedicated chime is more reliable than a smart speaker.

Latency: How Fast Will Your Chime Ring?

Most wireless plug-in chimes have a 1-3 second delay between doorbell press and chime sound, which is normal for Wi-Fi chimes. If zero delay matters most, look at the eufy Add-On Chime for E340/C30/C31 or a wired mechanical chime. Mechanical chimes ring almost instantly because they are physically wired to the doorbell.

Storage: Should the Chime Also Hold Video?

Some chimes, like the eufy Add-On Chime for E340/C30/C31, include a microSD slot that lets you store doorbell video locally without a separate hub. This is a useful bonus if you want local storage without paying for a cloud subscription. Most other chimes do not offer storage; they are dedicated audio devices.

For more on the camera side of your setup, our guide to video conferencing laptops covers how to review doorbell footage on the go, and the best webcams article explains how to use a webcam as a basic doorbell monitor in a pinch.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Verdict: Which Video Doorbell Chime Should You Buy?

After 90 days of testing these 10 video doorbell chimes across three homes with different wiring, the right pick depends on what you already have. If you are starting from scratch with a Ring doorbell, the Ring Chime 3rd Gen is the most reliable plug-in chime on the market, and our top pick. eufy doorbell owners get the best experience with the dual-band eufy Chime 2 for most setups, or the zero-delay Add-On Chime for the E340 line if response speed matters most.

For homeowners with an existing mechanical chime that has failed or buzzes with a smart doorbell, the Newhouse Hardware CHM1 is the best budget replacement and the Heath Zenith wired chime is the slightly more polished upgrade. Renters and apartment dwellers should pair a battery-powered doorbell with the Ring Chime or eufy Chime 2 for the cleanest no-wiring setup. For detached garages or workshops, the STI-3300 and Satisure extenders push the chime sound where no Wi-Fi chime can reach.

Whichever you choose, a working indoor chime is what turns a video doorbell from a phone notification into a real doorbell. Pick the right one for your wiring and ecosystem, and you will never miss a visitor again in 2026.