Ring Doorbell Elite Review and Cost

The Price of Ring Video Doorbell Elite

We used to call it the Rolls Royce of doorbell cameras when it carried a hefty $499 price tag. These days, at $349.99, it’s positioned more like the Mercedes of doorbell cams – still premium, but within reach for serious home security enthusiasts. It’s definitely an investment compared to budget options, but it fills a unique niche in the market for those seeking professional-grade entryway protection. So if reliability and aesthetics matter to you, and you don’t mind paying for quality, we think there’s plenty to appreciate about the Elite.

Once we purchased the device, we explored their Ring Home Plans. This is another cost to factor in, but the most you’ll pay is $20 per month for their comprehensive plan. Below is a current breakdown of Ring’s cloud storage options. We strongly recommend one of them if you want to store footage and unlock advanced features like package detection and 24/7 recording.

Ring Home Basic

Get 180 days of video storage, the ability to review recorded videos, and video sharing capabilities. It costs $4.99 per month per camera (or $49.99 per year).

Ring Home Standard

This plan covers unlimited Ring devices at one location for $9.99 per month (or $99.99 per year). It includes all Basic plan features, plus a 10-percent discount on Ring products at Ring.com, extended warranties, and the option to add $10 per month professional monitoring for Ring Alarm systems.

Ring Home Premium

If you want Ring’s top-tier plan, you’ll need to pay $19.99 per month (or $199.99 per year). It includes all capabilities of the Standard plan along with a few premium extras like 14 days of 24/7 recording and backup internet. That backup internet feature allows your cameras to still store footage even if your internet goes down through a cellular backup.

Keep in mind that Ring Home plans remain optional with no contracts required, so you can cancel anytime. The company also offers a 30-day free trial to test whether cloud storage meets your needs.

How it Measures Up

We compared the Ring Video Doorbell Elite to current favorites in the doorbell camera market, including the Google Nest Doorbell (starting at $179.99) and the Arlo Video Doorbell ($129.99). Both Google and Arlo now offer impressive features like AI-powered person detection and customizable activity zones. Arlo’s latest doorbell even provides a 180-degree field of view with 2K HDR video quality.

On the other hand, the Ring Video Doorbell Elite still lacks advanced AI features like familiar face detection. Also, its 160-degree field of view feels limited compared to the 180-degree field of view that the Vivint Video Doorbell Pro and Arlo Video Doorbell offer. However, for the right homeowner, we believe the premium price is justified by the rock-solid Ethernet connectivity. We also find value in the elegant flush-mount design (features that most competitors still don’t offer).

In other words, we’d consider trading in some advanced features for a more streamlined look and an all-around faster and more reliable Ethernet connection. So the Ring Elite gets our vote.

Key Specs

Here’s a lighting-round where we highlight the most important specs of the Ring Video Doorbell Elite:

• Resolution – 1080p HD with color night vision
• Field of View – 160° horizontal, 90° vertical
• Dimensions – 4.80 in. x 2.75 in. x 2.17 in.
• Connectivity – Power over Ethernet (PoE) or Wi-Fi
• Operating Conditions – Weather resistant, -5°F to 120°F
• Cables – 50-foot long and 3-foot long ethernet cables included
• Smart Home Integrations – Works with Alexa for hands-free voice control
• Color Schemes – Satin Nickel, Pearl White, Venetian, Satin Black faceplates
• Warranty – One-year warranty on parts, theft detection

Testing the Ring Elite Doorbell

Ring Elite Installation

Installing the Ring Video Doorbell Elite is not for the faint of heart. We opted for professional installation by a licensed electrician, and we highly recommend you do the same. If you want to do-it-yourself, the Ring website says that it “requires advanced DIY skills.” So if you buy the product, we think you should save yourself the trouble and hire it out to a professional. There’s no shame in that.

We won’t get too deep into the installation details, but if you’re determined to try it yourself, here’s what you’re in for. Note, these aren’t step-by-step instructions. You’ll need to consult Ring’s installation guide or watch their tutorial videos for the complete process.

Alright, once we unboxed the product, we noticed that the mounting bracket was quite large. But thankfully, this fit snug (recessed) into our wall to accommodate the flush-mount design. It secured to the wall using two clamps, then the doorbell itself was drilled into the plastic bracket and affixed to our wall. We also liked having four different faceplates included in the box. To match the modern look of our home, we chose the Satin Black faceplate, which simply screwed into the unit. We think you’ll like the options here.

The most important thing to understand is that the Ring Elite uses Power over Ethernet (PoE), a technology that delivers both power and data through a single cable. The included 50-foot cable runs from your doorbell to your router, providing an incredibly stable and fast connection that won’t suffer from Wi-Fi interference or dead zones. In our testing, this ethernet connection consistently outperformed Wi-Fi alternatives in both speed and reliability.

Everyday Use

We found the Ring Video Doorbell Elite just as easy to use as other top doorbell cams out there, like Arlo. The Ring app has long-been a favorite of ours, as it’s well-designed and intuitive to use. With this in mind, we controlled the device exclusively from our smartphone — it’s where we fielded alerts, viewed live-stream footage, used two-way talk to speak with visitors, played back recorded video (requires Ring Protect plan), and the like.

We’ve found that people are intimidated by the Elite doorbell (the name ‘Elite’ only adds to this). And while it is more technologically advanced than many of its rivals, and while the installation is more involved, you’d be surprised at how it functions just like other DIY devices. At the end of the day, it’s an easy-to-use doorbell video camera that helps to protect your home. We think Ring could do a better job at communicating this on its website.

Our Favorite Features

One of our favorite aspects of Ring’s premium doorbell camera was the granular control over motion detection settings. The Ring app provides numerous options to fine-tune exactly what types of motion trigger alerts. This reduces false notifications while ensuring you don’t miss important activity.

There’s even a “Motion Snooze” option, which proved invaluable during a recent family gathering at our home. This feature temporarily paused notifications for a set period while guests came and went, preventing our phones from buzzing constantly. We could also create custom motion zones, a feature that gives the Ring Elite a significant advantage over many basic doorbell cameras currently available.

We really liked how this doorbell cam performed during everyday use. In fact, we noticed that instant alerts came through faster than any other doorbell we’ve tested. This is obviously due to the ethernet connection and the fact that constant power was flowing to the unit. There’s no down time, or lag time, and we never had to worry about a slow Wi-Fi connection (a weakness we see in many wireless home security products). So kudos to Ring for its overall responsiveness, speed, and reliability.

And what’s an entryway camera without sharp resolution? The Elite delivers solid performance here, though we weren’t completely blown away. After extensive testing, the 1080p HD resolution provides crisp, clear footage that’s perfectly adequate for identifying visitors and packages. However, with 2K and 4K cameras becoming more common (like some of Arlo’s cameras), the Elite’s video quality feels slightly behind the curve for a premium device.

Note that the Elite doorbell also has night vision and two-way talk, but these are standard features and nothing to write home about.

Finally, we really appreciated the modern look of the Ring Elite at our entryway. Compared to many devices we’ve used, we think the Ring Elite makes a statement, which certainly won’t be lost on folks who value good design and aesthetic appeal.

Add-Ons & Accessories

Unfortunately, Ring still offers limited ways to upgrade or accessorize the Video Doorbell Elite. We’d like to see more customization options, especially given the premium price point. Here’s what’s currently available for Ring Elite add-ons and accessories:

Ring Solar Security Sign

Other Ring Video Doorbells

Remember that Ring offers an extensive lineup of doorbell cameras to suit different needs and budgets. After all, Ring pioneered the smart doorbell category and continues to innovate. Their entry-level Ring Video Doorbell now starts at just $49.99, with options at various price points up to the newest generation Elite at $499.99.

If you think the Ring Elite is a bit too premium for your needs, we recommend checking out the Ring Battery Doorbell Pro or the Wired Doorbell Plus models – both deliver excellent performance at more accessible price points. They even offer comprehensive home security through the Ring Alarm systems we tested. Here are a few of their doorbell options.

Last Words & Recommendations

During our extensive testing, we came away impressed with the Ring Video Doorbell Elite’s build quality and performance. Sure, the installation is more complex than typical smart doorbells, but that’s the trade-off for superior Ethernet connectivity. If you’re a renter or plan to move soon, this definitely isn’t the doorbell for you. That said, for homeowners seeking a long-term solution, we think the Elite offers compelling value.

We wish it included modern AI features like familiar face recognition that competitors now offer. However, if you prioritize rock-solid connectivity, elegant design, and lightning-fast performance over cutting-edge AI, we believe it’s a worthwhile investment. The Elite remains one of the few truly professional-grade doorbell cameras available to consumers.  You can read all about Ring doorbells and their influence in the home security space in our full Ring Doorbell review here.

Ring Doorbell Elite FAQs