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The best Ring doorbells you can buy: Expert tested
A video doorbell lets you see who's at your door before you leave the couch. Some brands, like Ring, even show you a popup livestream right on your TV whenever someone rings the doorbell. Beyond the convenience of screening the solicitors at the door, a video doorbell is a home security tool that shows you when packages have arrived and may even deter porch pirates.
Also: The best home security cameras
Over the years, Ring has become the household brand for video doorbells due to its ease of use and Amazon Alexa integrations. Ring video doorbells pack many features, like HD+ video, motion detection, Bird's Eye View, and person and package alerts. These features are all best used in combination with a Ring Protect Plan.
What is the best Ring doorbell?
After comparing every Ring video doorbell available, and relying on my own experience using these devices in my smart home setup, the best Ring video doorbell for most users is the Ring Battery Doorbell Plus. It's an accessible doorbell security camera that costs $150 and features HD+ 1536p video, two-way talk, and motion detection alerts. With eight Ring video doorbell options, there's one for most users, so read on to find the best Ring doorbell for your front door.
The best Ring doorbells of 2024
- Midrange price
- Easy installation
- Removable battery
- 1536p video resolution
- Clips have a slight fisheye look
The Ring Battery Doorbell Plus is the best Ring doorbell for most Ring users because of its affordable price and appealing features. With a $150 retail price, this battery-powered doorbell provides a clear head-to-toe view of visitors, thanks to its 1536p video resolution and 150-degree field of view.
The rechargeable battery pack makes for easy installation but is also removable, so you don't have to take the entire device inside to charge when the battery dies. While there are other Ring doorbells that pack more features, this is a perfect device for most video doorbell users -- and I've had no issues with the Ring Battery Doorbell Plus.
Review: The best battery video doorbell for Ring fans is down to $120 for a limited time
Since its launch this spring, the Ring Battery Doorbell Plus has become a crowd favorite. One buyer says in their review that "Ring's Battery Doorbell Plus is a standout in the world of smart doorbells, offering wireless convenience, superb video quality, easy interaction, and long battery life. It's a five-star addition to any home, enhancing security and convenience with modern flair."
A Ring Protect Plan unlocks person and package detection, up to 180 days of video history, and video sharing.
Ring Battery Doorbell Plus specs: Price: $150 | Power: Removable battery | Video: 1536p HD+ Video, Live View, color night vision | Field of view: 150° horizontal, 150° vertical | Audio: Two-way talk, Quick Replies | Motion detection: Customizable motion zones, person & package detection
- Affordable
- Two-way audio
- Night vision
- Doesn't work with existing chime
- Not as advanced features as other options
The Video Doorbell Wired is the most inexpensive Ring doorbell available, priced at just $50. It may be priced low, but it packs all the features most people need in a video doorbell.
The Ring Video Doorbell Wired has 1080p HD video, advanced motion detection, real-time notifications, two-way talk, and night vision. The doorbell requires a wired installation with existing wiring, so it'll be constantly powered, letting you forget about having to charge batteries.
Also: The best cheap video doorbells
While you'll always get notifications on your phone, this doorbell doesn't work with your home's existing chime, so it needs to be paired with a Ring Chime or compatible Alexa device, like an Echo speaker or Echo Show.
This Video Doorbell Wired is the second most popular Ring doorbell among buyers, with one of them writing in their review that, "I currently have two echo dots and an echo spot serving as my alerts and this setup works great. The video playback on the Echo Spot is smooth as silk with minimal Lag," they said. "It features an advanced motion detection system that allows for customizable alert motion zones. It is extremely intuitive to setup. Thumbs up, all the way."
Ring Video Doorbell Wired specs: Price: $50 | Power: Wired | Video: 1080 HD Live Video, Live View, Night Vision | Field of view: 155° horizontal, 90° vertical | Audio: Two-way audio with noise cancellation | Motion detection: Customizable zones
- High-quality video features
- Bird-eye view
- Works with existing doorbell chime
- A little expensive
The Ring Wired Doorbell Pro (formerly known as Video Doorbell Pro 2) boasts premium features, including 3D Motion Detection, Bird's-Eye View, Alexa Greetings, and 1536p head-to-toe HD+ video. These features are reserved for the Ring Pro lineup of devices, which also boasts a premium construction.
The Ring Wired Doorbell Pro is installed in your existing doorbell wiring and can use your doorbell chime. A wired installation gives the doorbell constant power, so it's always ready when you need it.
Also: Google Home pro tip: How to use Gemini to broadcast messages between your Nest devices
Ring's Bird's-Eye View and 3D Motion Detection combine to create a map of the path someone followed when they approached your door, which can help determine the intent of their visit. Since unwanted visitors can lurk around a home to see if there is another entry, knowing when someone approached from a delivery truck or when they came in from the side of your home is useful.
"My favorites are package detection and bird's eye view. Package detection lets you set up a detection area for packages and will alert you when it detects a package-shaped item within that area; so far, it's been spot on," according to a Ring user. "Bird's eye view is wonderful to see if there is loitering activity, it tracks the movement of people from above using the camera and (I'm assuming) GPS."
Ring Wired Doorbell Pro specs: Price: $230 | Power: Wired | Video: 1536p HD+ Live Video, HDR, Live View, Color Night Vision | Field of View: 150° horizontal, 150° vertical | Audio: Two-way talk | Motion detection: 3D with Bird's Eye View
- Traditional peephole with techy features
- Affordable
- Easy to install
- No smart home compatibility
The Ring Peephole Cam is perfect for apartments or homes with a small space outside the front door. It's a battery-powered camera that works like a video doorbell, except it's installed to replace your door's peephole. Once installed, the peephole in the Cam will work like a regular one, while the camera below it records activity.
The Peephole Cam has a doorbell button that visitors can press, though users will still get mobile alerts when motion is detected. It also has a built-in impact sensor to detect when someone knocks on the door.
Also: The best wireless video doorbells
Advanced motion detection lets users customize their motion zones and mark off privacy zones -- to avoid getting motion alerts when someone approaches their neighbors' doors.
Although it doesn't sound like a go-to doorbell camera, the Ring Peephole Cam is one of the company's most popular doorbells. One user says, "For me this is the best and only peephole doorbell camera in the market, original and excellent design, we need more models like this one. 100% recommended if your condominium don't have doorbells and don't allow installations in the exterior."
Ring Peephole Cam specs: Price: $130 | Power: Battery | Video: 1080p HD | Field of view: 155° horizontal, 90° vertical | Audio: Two-way talk with noise cancellation | Motion detection: Adjustable motion zones
- 150-degree field of view
- Low-light Sight
- Longer battery life than Plus
- Pro features
- Pricey
- Fish-eye look
The Ring Battery Doorbell Pro is the company's most advanced battery-powered doorbell. With a sleek design and high-end finishes, this doorbell has Ring's Pro features, including Bird's Eye View and 3D Motion Detection, for more accurate motion alerts.
The video quality is certainly impressive, with a full-person view and a 1536p HD+ resolution. In my tests, the video quality surpassed that of my 2K-resolution Eufy doorbell, especially at night, thanks to Low-light sight.
The main drawback is that it's expensive, at $230, plus you have to add the monthly subscription cost for a Ring Protect plan, which can be a deterrent for budget-conscious buyers. While this Pro model offers unique features, the Ring Battery Doorbell Plus price difference might not be justified for everyone.
Review: Ring's Battery Doorbell Pro is one of the best security systems I've tested (but there's a catch)
Buyers definitely agree that this doorbell is a big upgrade from previous models, one mentioning in their review, "I replaced my old ring battery 3 plus and am very happy with this new one. The first thing is the improved camera lens. It's upgraded from 1080p resolution to 1536p resolution. It also has what ring calls a Low-Light Sight with Color Night Vision which helps reduce the glare and improve the video with little or too much light causing glare from harsh light to hardly any light."
Ring Battery Doorbell Pro specs: Price: $230 | Power: Battery | Video: 1536p HD+ Live Video, Live View, Low-light Sight night vision | Field of view: 150° horizontal, 150° vertical | Audio: Two-way audio with noise cancellation | Motion detection: Customizable zones, Bird's Eye View, 3D Motion detection
What is the best Ring doorbell?
Out of Ring's lineup, the best Ring doorbell for most buyers is the Ring Battery Doorbell Plus, an affordable yet reliable video doorbell with HD+ resolution.
Here's how the best Ring doorbells stack up:
| ZDNET's take | Price | Installation | Resolution | Features | |
| Ring Battery Doorbell Plus | Best overall | $150 | Removable rechargeable battery | 1536p HD+ | Two-way talk, Quick Replies, Color night vision, Person & package detection |
| Ring Video Doorbell Wired | Best for a budget | $50 | Wired | 1080p HD | Two-way talk, night vision, Live View |
| Ring Wired Doorbell Pro | Best wired option | $230 | Wired | 1536p HD+ | Two-way talk, HDR, Color night vision, 3D Motion detection, Bird's Eye View |
| Ring Peephole Cam | Best for apartments | $130 | Removable rechargeable battery | 1080p HD | Two-way talk, knock detection, night vision, advanced motion detection |
| Ring Battery Doorbell Pro | Best battery option | $230 | Removable rechargeable battery | 1536p HD+ | Two-way talk, HDR, Low-Light Sight night vision, 3D Motion detection, Bird's Eye View |
Which Ring doorbell is right for you?
With all the Ring doorbell models available, choosing the right option for you and your home depends on how you want your front door surveilled, what features are important to you, and how much you want to spend.
| Choose this Ring doorbell... | If you want... |
| Ring Battery Doorbell Plus | One of the newest Ring doorbells, featuring HD+ resolution and a removable rechargeable battery, for an affordable price. |
| Ring Video Doorbell Wired | The most affordable Ring doorbell available, as long as you can install it using your home's existing doorbell wiring. |
| Ring Wired Doorbell Pro | To replace your existing doorbell with a top-of-the-line wired video doorbell, featuring the best attributes that Ring has to offer. |
| Ring Peephole Cam | A way to surveil outside your apartment door or install a video doorbell where you cannot replace your existing doorbell. |
| Ring Battery Doorbell Pro | The best night surveillance in a Ring video doorbell, with a removable rechargeable battery and Ring's Pro features. |
Factors to consider when choosing a Ring doorbell:
There's a lot you need to consider when you're choosing between the different Ring doorbell models -- or any video doorbell, for that matter. Here are the main factors we believe you should keep in mind when choosing a Ring video doorbell:
- Installation requirements: The power source is one of the first things you must consider when choosing a video doorbell. A battery-powered video doorbell is easy to install and can be placed anywhere, but it needs recurrent recharging. A hardwired model offers the benefit of continuous power but requires existing doorbell wiring and is more complex to install.
- Video resolution: The higher the resolution, the clearer the image. I'd recommend choosing at least 1080p resolution, which is very easy to find in a video doorbell, but a 1536p or 2K resolution is even better for catching small details.
- Field of view: A wide field of view allows the doorbell to capture more of its surroundings. This can make the difference between a doorbell catching a package or seeing a person in full view. Consider the doorbell's surroundings to choose an appropriate field of view.
- Price: Always consider your budget and try to strike a balance between it and the features you need from a video doorbell. High-end and 'Pro' models offer more advanced features, but these can be superfluous, especially if you don't want to spend the higher cost.
- Subscription plans: Whether a subscription is required and what for are deciding factors when choosing a video doorbell. Companies like Ring and Arlo offer subscription plans for cloud video recording storage and additional features, so this is something to consider in the cost.
- Smart home integrations: For many smart home users, smart home system compatibilities can make or break a video doorbell. Ring works smoothly with Amazon Alexa, so your Echo devices at home quickly alert you when someone rings the doorbell or if it detects motion. Other doorbells may not have the same integrations with smart home systems.
How did we choose these Ring doorbells?
ZDNET used our own experience going hands-on with some of these Ring doorbells in making our top picks. In our testing, we consider ease of use and installation, special features like night vision and motion sensors, and compatibility with other smart home products. For products we have tested, we write a spotlight detailing our experience.
For products we have not tested, we compare factors like real customer reviews (both good and bad), brand analysis, and more.
Do you need a subscription with a Ring doorbell?
A subscription is not required to use a Ring video doorbell, but it does offer additional features that are popular among Ring users. Customers can use a Ring doorbell without a subscription and receive real-time notifications, see live video feeds, and communicate with visitors using two-way audio.
However, a Ring Protect plan gives users the ability to view video history, with clips stored on the cloud for up to 60 days, a snapshot capture, and the ability to review, share, and save videos. With Pro devices, a Ring subscription also gives users access to Bird's Eye View and 3D motion detection.
Are there alternative Ring doorbells worth considering?
There are other Ring doorbell alternatives available on the market. Here are the best alternatives: