Ring Video Doorbell (2020)
The most budget video doorbell Ring
If you are on the fence about investing in a video doorbell, let me tell you right now that they are the perfect way to improve your home security. Video doorbells allow you to see exactly who is at your door, and with the ability to record, they become even more useful. Ring’s best doorbells also let you communicate with whoever’s at the door, even when you’re not home.
If you are considering upgrading your home security with video doorbell, A ring has probably crossed your mind. Amazon’s home security brand is growing in popularity and has a reputation as one of the best video doorbells on the market. While Google Nest bells
and Arlo doorbell cameras are great alternatives, many people who want to buy a video doorbell still choose the biggest brand in the industry.
Ring has a wide selection of video ringtones that meet the needs of a wide variety of homes. Looking for a wireless or wired option? Do you want to prioritize buying something affordable or do you want the latest devices with all the benefits? Ring has a complicated history with privacy and police partnershipsso you might also wonder if some devices are better at protecting yours privacy than others? Yes, shopping for video ringtones can raise many questions.
We have all the answers for you. Let’s take a look at Ring’s most popular recent devices – the Ring 4, Doorbell Pro 2Video Doorbell (2020) and Ring Video Doorbell (Wired) – and will help you break down the best Ring doorbell options.
The best doorbells
I’m setting up Movable, outdoor/indoorResolution 1080pStorage Cloud storageCompatible with Google/Alexa Amazon AlexaA glance 160 degrees
In 2021, Ring released its latest entry-level video doorbell, the Ring 4. The doorbell camera retails for just over $220, offers 1080p resolution, a 160-degree field of view, and two-way talk, along with many other goodies like full- color preroll (which captures a few seconds before motion is detected, for added context). The Ring 4 can be used wirelessly with its battery, or it can be wired up – although this won’t allow it to use your existing doorbell, unfortunately. To do this, you’ll either need to get a separate plug-in doorbell or use your Echo devices as backups.
A few downsides: The Ring 4 has a wide-angle aspect ratio, so you can easily see things from the side, but when a visitor approaches the door, their head and feet (or a package if they leave one) can easily be cut out of the frame. Another downside: Right now, Ring 4 still can’t send you package alerts like Pro 2 or Ring (2020). This is quite disappointing considering that every major competitor can send you package alerts at this point – and considering how important video doorbells can be to protecting packages.
Read our Ring Video Doorbell 4 review.
I’m setting up Wired, outdoor/indoorResolution 1536 x 1536 (2K)Storage Cloud storageCompatible with Google/Alexa Amazon AlexaA glance 150 degrees
Ring’s highest-end video doorbell, the Video Doorbell Pro 2, packs some pretty advanced features for its $260 price tag. You get a 1:1 aspect ratio so you can see people from head to toe, super clear better-than-HD resolution, and even radar that lets you track the route of visitors or vendors to your door. In short, this doorbell camera has all the goodies you could want.
What’s more, the Pro 2 takes full advantage of being wired; it can use end-to-end video encryption (unlike the other two options on this list), send packet alerts (unlike Ring 4), and use your existing doorbell. I really liked the Ring Pro 2 when I tested it in 2021, although I doubted how many people really needed features like radar tracking. However, if you’re interested in these features and willing to part with $250, the Pro 2 is a solid gadget.
Read our Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2 review.
I’m setting up Movable, outdoor/indoorResolution 1080pStorage Cloud storageCompatible with Google/Alexa Amazon AlexaA glance 155 degrees
Ring’s $100 Video Doorbell is the most basic offering — nearly identical in hardware to its $60 Ring Video Doorbell Wired, except for the included battery. If you’re looking for an entry-level smart buzzer, this doorbell camera is a great home security option — and it even works with Ring’s latest package alert feature.
While Video Doorbell (2020) is great, it won’t win awards for smartest features. It doesn’t have preroll like the Ring 4, let alone radar or end-to-end encryption like the Pro 2.
The big downside here is having to remove the entire bell to charge the battery.
Read our Ring Video Doorbell (2020) review.
How to choose Ring video doorbells
When looking for a video doorbell, the most important question isn’t “Which is the best?” so much like “Who is the best about me?” All of Ring’s video doorbells perform well—and they all come from the same company, with the same troubling history of making it easy to share video with the police. Not all of them will be perfect for you.
If you’re curious about trying out a video doorbell for the first time, mostly for basic features like live monitoring, two-way calling, etc., a starter device like the Ring Video Doorbell (2020 model or its wired version) should do the trick. what you need.
On the other hand, if you really want to see what a smart video doorbell can achieve in 2023, the Video Doorbell Pro 2 is pretty unbeatable in terms of smart doorbell features – and especially with that option to use end-to-end video encryption .
That leaves the Video Doorbell 4 as a middle child, with a bit for both types of people, but not necessarily the best value or features.
If you are interested in video doorbells, don’t forget check out the video doorbell contesttoo.
Camera bell comparison
| Door bell | Price | Resolution | A glance | Ratio | I’m setting up | Additional features | Review result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ring video doorbell 4 | 220 dollars | 1080p | 160 degrees | 16:9 | Removable, rechargeable battery or wired | Two-way talk, motion detection, full-color preroll, Alexa integration | 7.4 |
| Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2 | $250 | 1536 p | 150-degree head-to-toe view | 1:1 | Removable, rechargeable battery or wired | Radar tracking, bird’s eye view, push alerts, Alexa integration | 7.5 |
| Ring Video Doorbell (2020) | $100 | 1080p | 155 degrees horizontal, 90 degrees vertical | — | Built-in, rechargeable battery or wired | Night vision, HD video, two-way talk, motion detection, package alerts, Alexa integration | 7.2 |
How we test Ring video doorbells
Testing to determine the best of the best in video doorbells is similar to what we test anyone else home security camera. For this article, I started by downloading the Ring app. I recommend starting with the app rather than going through the tutorial booklets that come with the hardware because a good app includes detailed steps for the installation process as well as how to connect the doorbell to your Wi-Fi network. The app will also be where you can check your notifications, alerts, and settings, making it your one-stop shop for all things video doorbell.
After installing the video doorbells based on the manufacturer’s specifications, it was time to test the specifications. Each video doorbell, even though they are all Ring products, has slightly different features, so I took the time to test each unique feature to determine which one is the best. As soon as the Ring video doorbells were connected and I could watch a live video feed, I checked their settings. I enabled features like motion detection, packet alerts, and bird’s eye view to get an idea of how well each feature performed.
Watch this: Ring 4 or Nest Doorbell battery? Find the perfect one for your porch
After hours of testing, I gave the highest rating (7.5) to the Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2. While it’s not the best value on the market, the advanced specs — super wide field of view, 1:1 aspect ratio, 1536p resolution, and all the essentials you’d want your smart buzzer to have – making it a great choice for a high-end video doorbell.
Although rated lower than the Pro 2 at 7.4, the Ring Video Doorbell 4 is my recommendation for the best standard Ring doorbell. If you’re looking for a doorbell that’s fair value and packed with nifty features, but just doesn’t send out packet alerts, then this is the best choice.
Finally, we gave the Ring Video Doorbell (2020) our lowest rating (7.2) because it’s certainly an improvement over the original Ring Video Doorbell, but the built-in battery that needs to be removed to charge it is a bit unpleasant. While it’s not our favorite, it’s a decent buzzer with solid features at a fair price.
Camera Doorbell FAQ
How long does the Ring battery last?
If your Ring is unmounted, the battery charge will typically last between six and 12 months, depending on frequency of use and motion activation. You will receive an alert via the Ring app when the battery is low.
When charging your Ring battery, be sure to let it sit until fully charged if possible, as this can help extend battery life.
Is Ring a one time purchase?
No monthly subscription is required to use your Ring device, but there are three protection plans available if you want additional video storage and features.
Ring Protect Basic, which starts at $3 per month or $30 per year, comes with 60 days of video history on one device plus additional video sharing and notification features. The next tier of Ring subscriptions, Protect Plus, offers essentially the same features as Basic, but on an unlimited number of devices (and extended warranty for them) for $10 per month or $100 per year.
If you want to maximize the potential of your Ring doorbell, the Protect Pro service is available for $20 per month or $200 annually. A subscription buys you a number of additional security features, including 24/7 professional monitoring, alarm cell backup and 3GB of data backup to keep your Ring devices online – but you can take advantage of many of its best features with just Ring Alarm A professional DIY home security system.
How are Ring doorbells powered?
Most Ring doorbells are battery powered or have a battery backup, so a power loss in your home shouldn’t cut power to your device. However, a power outage can affect your Ring device if your router loses power and the Wi-Fi connection goes down.
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