Ring Video Doorbell Review

Ring Doorbell Camera Overview

Some of the Ring doorbell cameras we bought to test.

Ring offers seven doorbell cameras, ranging from a budget-friendly entry-level model to a professional-grade PoE device. Here’s a rundown of each option.

• Ring Doorbell gives you the essentials, like motion detection zones, mobile alerts, and sensor customization. This doorbell camera comes in wireless and hardwired models, with video captured in 2K resolution. We recommend the battery model, as it offers greater flexibility. If you prefer the wired option, we’d suggest choosing the next one on this list.
• Ring Doorbell Plus might jump in price significantly, but the wired model adds color night vision. We didn’t think we would need it, but after seeing the image quality at night, we don’t think we can go back to black and white. Head-to-toe coverage is another bonus, making it easy to zoom in on nametags and parcels from the Ring app.
• Ring Doorbell Pro is for anyone who prefers 4K resolution. The 3D motion detection is also a great bonus. This feature is radar-powered, meaning it gives you more precise alerts on how close someone is to your house. It reduced a lot of false alerts whenever someone was walking past our place.
• Ring Wired Doorbell Elite only connects to Power over Ethernet, which is the most reliable way to power a device. The price tag is $499.99, so it’s not for everyone. The best feature is Remote Gate Access. You can use the Ring Wired Doorbell Elite as an intercom for front gates, then let people in and out via the Ring app.

All Ring doorbell cameras give you access to the same features in Ring Protect plans. The main decision you need to make is whether you want to recharge the battery every few months or connect the doorbell camera to your internal wiring.

Setup and Installation

We tested a Ring battery and wired doorbell model. Both were easy to set up thanks to the installation guide in the app. For the battery doorbell, we named the device, mounted it to the doorframe, and slid in the battery. Lastly, the app asked us to scan a QR code on the back to sync the device. The whole process took less than 15 minutes.

The wired doorbell is a little trickier if you don’t have existing wiring. If that’s the case, we recommend hiring an electrician to set it up for you. Fortunately, we have existing wiring because of all the video doorbell cameras we test. All we had to do was turn off the power at the breaker and install the chime kit to our existing chime. Next, we connected our internal wiring to the back of the Ring doorbell camera. After that, all we had to do was mount the camera to the doorframe and flick the power back on. We also scanned a QR code to sync the device to the app.

Pricing and Plans

Ring equipment prices are on par with other top brands. They also have budget models that won’t break the bank. Here’s a rundown of how much the doorbell cameras cost.

If you’re just sticking with the Ring doorbell camera, you can self-monitor for free or pay $4.99 a month for a Ring Protect Solo plan to unlock extra features. The free option gives you real-time alerts and access to live footage in the Ring app. The Ring Protect Solo plan adds up to 180 days of video event history. You can also pay $49.99 annually to bring that monthly rate down a bit.

If you’re adding Ring security cameras or a Ring Alarm setup, you’ll want to look at the Multi or Pro plan. Ring Protect Multi is $10 a month (or $100 a year) and covers all devices at a single location with the same video storage perks. Ring Protect Pro runs $20 a month or $200 a year and includes 24/7 professional monitoring for your Ring Alarm, plus AI detection features. Most of these features are geared toward Ring Alarm users, but the video history applies across your Ring cameras and doorbells too.

The Ring App Experience

Setting up motion detection zones in the Ring app

The Ring–Always Home app is all we needed to customize our doorbell camera. The app walked us through how to set up motion detection zones, which can reduce false alarms. It was also simple to adjust the sensitivity of the camera. This reduces the number of events the device captures. We even used the Ring app to choose from a selection of greetings, in case we weren’t available to respond to a ring.

When we did speak to someone through the app, we found the audio quality reliable enough. On occasion, there was a slight delay that made conversations a little awkward. It’s not as if we were talking for hours, though, so it wasn’t a dealbreaker. Video playback was smoother. It was easy to look through footage, zoom in on specific details, and delete a clip if it isn’t worth keeping.

Downsides You Should Know About

Ring doorbell cameras aren’t perfect. During our testing, we did run into a few issues. We don’t think they hold Ring back significantly, but they are worth considering before you finalize your purchase.

No Local Storage

Ring doorbell cameras can’t store videos locally. If you opt for Ring’s free self-monitoring plan, there is no way to access recordings. You’ll need the Ring Solo plan as a minimum to retrieve videos. On the plus side, you get 180 days of video history storage, which is significantly more than what most providers offer.

Batteries Require Regular Recharging

While Ring advertises that batteries last between six and 12 months, this is in optimal conditions. In real life, it depends on motion frequency, weather, and how often the device is used. Our battery lasted about three months before needing a recharge. It also takes about eight hours for a full charge, which is a long time to leave your front porch unprotected.

Privacy Issues

Ring doesn’t have the greatest track record when it comes to privacy. The Federal Trade Commission revealed employees had the ability to spy on customers through cameras.1 Ring has been known to give law enforcement and federal agencies access to doorbell footage.2 The company claims to have taken steps to improve its practices, but it’s worth putting on your radar.

How Ring Doorbell Cameras Compare

The Google Nest Doorbell we also tested

Google is Ring’s closest competitor. Like Ring, it offers battery and wired options. Equipment prices are on par with Ring Doorbell Plus models, but subscription costs are more expensive. The price jumps further if you integrate Nest Doorbells with an ADT home security system.

Nest Doorbells offer a better field of view. The battery model is 145 degrees, while the wired option is 166 degrees. The wired option also offers 2K HDR, which is where it maxes out. Ring also beats Google on cloud storage. With a Google Home Premium subscription, you can access up to 60 days of video event footage. That’s half what Ring offers. Google subscriptions also start from $10 a month.

SimpliSafe is another competitor that’s worth considering. The Video Doorbell Pro costs $169.99 and offers a 162-degree field of view. SimpliSafe only offers a wired model, though. Video storage is also capped at 30 days. Where SimpliSafe has Ring beat is in its intruder deterrence features. It does require a subscription starting from $49.99 a month, but it allows SimpliSafe agents to access live feeds and scare off intruders. The same feature with Ring costs $99.99 a month.

Final Verdict

Reviewing a video event in the Ring app.

Ring doorbell cameras deliver strong value at every price point. Entry-level models start at $79.99, and a Ring Protect subscription runs as low as $4.99 a month. Even at that base tier, you’re getting a solid doorbell camera with smart detection features, customizable motion zones, and up to 180 days of video event history.

The premium models add better video quality, color night vision, and 3D motion detection if you need it. We think they’re worth the asking price. If you just want to keep porch pirates at bay or find out who’s at the front door, though, you don’t need to break the bank with Ring.

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