Ring Floodlight vs Spotlight 

Intruders hate being caught in the act, which is exactly why security cameras with built-in lights are effective deterrents. Ring, one of the best security camera providers, offers two of them – the Ring Spotlight Cam and the Ring Floodlight Cam. Which do you choose?

These devices aren't just interchangeable cameras that can illuminate your property. They're purpose-built security solutions designed for different scenarios. Ring's Spotlight Cam and Floodlight Cam each excel in specific situations, and choosing the wrong one could leave gaps in your security coverage. We've thoroughly tested both models to help you understand exactly what they do, so you can select the camera that best fits your home security strategy.

The Ring Floodlight Cam

Ring Outdoor Cameras Overview

The fundamental distinction between these cameras comes down to their lighting approach and intended use cases. Here's what sets them apart:

• Ring Spotlight Cam: The Spotlight Cam delivers targeted illumination through its LED spotlights, with brightness levels ranging from 350 to 600 lumens depending on the model. It's designed for focused coverage of specific areas like doorways, pathways, or side yards.
• Ring Floodlight Cam: The Floodlight Cam brings serious illumination power with dual 2000-lumen LED floodlights that can light up areas as large as 30 feet away. This isn't just about visibility. It's about creating a wall of light that can disorient potential intruders while providing crystal-clear footage of large areas like driveways or backyards.

Your choice depends on your specific security requirements and property layout. Some homes will need both cameras for comprehensive coverage. The Floodlight Cams for wide-area deterrence and Spotlight Cams for targeted monitoring of entry points.

Ring Floodlight vs Ring Spotlight: Similarities

Even though the Ring Floodlight and Spotlight cameras serve distinct purposes, they still have a lot of similarities. After all, they’re both outdoor cameras with built-in lights made by Ring. Here’s an overview of the key similarities between the Ring Floodlight and Ring Spotlight Cams:

• The Ring App: Both cameras work with the Ring app. It’s a high-quality app with an intuitive layout for managing every aspect of your cameras, checking your live feeds, receiving notifications, using two-way talk, and reviewing recorded footage if you subscribe to a cloud storage plan.
• Monitoring Options: All Ring cameras require a Ring Home subscription for essential features like cloud storage. Single-camera plans cost $4.99 per month while unlimited camera plans cost $9.99 per month. You can add professional monitoring to the unlimited camera plan for an extra $10 per month.
• Power Options: There are plug-in and wired versions of both the Spotlight Cam and Floodlight Cam. The Spotlight Cam is also available as a battery-powered or solar-powered camera.
• Plus and Pro Models: Both cameras are available in “Plus” and “Pro.” Plus models feature all the basics including two-way audio, and customizable motion zones. Pro models and the new generation Plus models add 3D Motion Detection using radar technology, pre-roll video previews, and an enhanced resolution.

These shared features demonstrate Ring's commitment to flexibility and customization. Whether you need basic monitoring or advanced detection capabilities, both camera lines offer models that can meet your requirements.

Ring Spotlight Cam at Twilight

Ring Spotlight vs Ring Floodlight: Differences

For all their similarities, though, these cameras serve very different functions, and so they also have key differences. Let’s take a look at the most significant of these – their features and their prices.

Features

The Floodlight Cam functions as your property's first line of defense against intrusions. Beyond the masimum 105 dB siren that Ring cameras include, it deploys two 2,000-lumen LED panels positioned at optimal angles for maximum coverage. When activated, these features create an overwhelming sensory response. The sudden brightness forces intruders' pupils to constrict while the piercing alarm draws immediate attention from neighbors.

The Spotlight Cam takes a more nuanced approach to security lighting. Its adjustable spotlight provides sufficient illumination for clear video capture without overwhelming visitors or neighbors. This makes it ideal for locations where you need security coverage but want to maintain a welcoming atmosphere – think front porches, side entrances, or guest parking areas. The focused beam also means less light pollution for your neighbors, an important consideration in densely populated areas.

Let's examine the specific features each model offers. We'll cover the latest Plus and Pro versions, which represent the new generation of Ring's outdoor camera technology:

Spotlight Cam Plus

• Color Night Vision
• Customizable Motion Detection
• Two-Way Talk
• Motion Activated Notifications
• Built In Siren

Spotlight Cam Pro

• 3D Motion Detection
• Enhanced Audio
• Dual-Band WiFi
• Two-Way Talk
• Built-In Siren
• 4K resolution

Floodlight Cam Plus

• Color Night Vision
• 2000 Lumen Floodlight
• 105 dB Siren
• Motion Activated Notifications
• Two-Way Talk

Floodlight Cam Pro

• Color Night Vision
• 3D Motion Detection
• Dual-Band WiFi
• Enhanced Audio
• 85 dB Siren
• 4K resolution

One last thing: both the Floodlight and Spotlight Cams come with multiple power options. On this score, the Spotlight Cam is a little more flexible. You can buy a wired version and plug it into an outdoor outlet, or you can go with a battery-powered version for easier installation. You can even connect the battery-powered version to a solar panel from Ring for continuous charging.

The Floodlight, on the other hand, requires more power because of its brighter lights. Your only options are a plug-in version that plugs into a wall outlet or a wired version that literally needs to be wired to a junction box. We recommend the latter if you have existing floodlights that you want replaced with a floodlight-equipped camera.

Pricing

Ring’s pricing varies based on the model and power configuration. Here’s a quick breakdown of what that looks like:

Ring regularly offers promotional pricing during major retail events. Most recently, they ran a Black Friday sale which featured up to 50 percent off cameras. That brought the price of the Floodlight Cam Plus down to $99.99 and the Spotlight Cam Plus down to $89.99. For the latest deals and bundles, bookmark our guide to Ring's sales and discounts, which we update whenever new promotions become available.

What We Think

It’s tough to go wrong with Ring, no matter what kind of camera you’re looking for. They offer some of the best security cameras on the market today, and at quite affordable prices. The company’s Spotlight and Floodlight cameras are especially powerful, though. If you’re looking for outdoor coverage, you get both a reliable, hearty camera and the bonus of lighting in emergency situations.

We think the Floodlight Cam is better for intruder deterrence. The 2000-lumen blast of light combined with that 85 or 105 dB siren, depending on the model, creates an intimidating defense that'll send people running for the hills. Looking for something more subtle and need the portability of a battery-powered camera? Go with the Spotlight Cam. It still bolsters your security, but with a bit less umph. Whichever one you go with, you can rest easy knowing your home will be better protected day and night.