Ring Doorbell Comparison

Ring is best known for its revolutionary doorbell. After starting out as a pitch on the popular television show Shark Tank, the Ring video doorbell became a huge success, changing the way people answer their doors and providing more security than ever.

Since being acquired by Amazon in 2018, Ring has expanded its home security offerings and beefed up its product line to include more doorbells, as well as security cameras and home automation options. (You can find our review of Ring cameras here.) Ring sells an array of video doorbells with varying features. So which should you use? Here, our SecurityNerd breaks down the similarities and differences, so you can make your choice, whether you’re weighing the Ring vs. Ring 2, Ring Doorbell 3 vs. Pro, or all of the offerings.

Ring Video Doorbells: What do they have in common?

• HD video: Whether you’re deciding between Ring vs. Ring 2, or Ring Doorbell 3 vs. Pro, know that each camera option will have crystal clear video, giving users an extra layer of security and assurance that the camera will catch what’s going on outside.
• Two-way talk: Each Ring doorbell model offers two-way talk with noise cancellation. You’ll be able to communicate with and see anyone on the other side of the camera without worrying about wind or traffic noise.
• Night vision: It doesn’t matter the model, each doorbell camera has night vision that can catch details even in the dark of night.
• Real time alerts: Each model will send you alerts in real time when the camera sees movement in your yard. Whether it’s a person dropping off a package or a guest arriving, each Ring doorbell will keep you up to date.
• Smart home options: Ring has some great home automation features, including voice activation with Alexa and compatibility with smart locks from third-party companies.
• Simple setup: Most of Ring’s doorbells are incredibly easy to set up. The Ring Pro may need a little more DIY know-how, but at the end of the day, none of Ring products are exceedingly difficult to figure out.
• Video storage: Customers can opt for video storage on any one of these Ring products. The catch is, you’ll have to subscribe to a monthly plan in order to save and record the video.
• Adjustable motion zones: If you’re getting too many alerts due to cars driving by or neighbor kids playing, you can tell the camera which areas of your yard you want to hone in on for notifications.
• Video recording and photo grab options: When purchasing the Ring monthly plan for video storage, you’ll also get video recording and photo grab options, so you’ll be able save and share recordings with friends, neighbors or family members.
• Ring App: Each of the video doorbell models comes with the Ring app. With it, you can see who’s at your front door and communicate with them through your mobile device. You’ll be able to see live video, screen capture, download video and more.

Ring Video Doorbells: What are the differences?

• Wi-Fi: Each one of those models has roughly the same Wi-Fi connectivity. Users had been complaining about some video lagging issues. Most recently, Ring has introduced the Ring Video Doorbell 3 and Ring Video Doorbell 3 plus with enhanced 5GHz dual-band Wi-Fi, which will make video transmission even better.
• Motion sensitivity: Nothing is more annoying than a video doorbell that is too sensitive, tipping you off to squirrels running around in the yard. When deciding between Ring and Ring 3, it’s important to note that Ring Video Doorbell 3 has a new “near” motion sensor. The goal is to reduce those notifications of neighbors walking by every five minutes, and only give you an alert when someone is actually in your yard.
• Strength: There’s another big difference between Ring and Ring 3, and that is Ring 3’s improved mounting screw strength, making for an even sturdier installation.
• Installation: If you’re on the fence between Ring 2 vs Ring Pro, one of the main differences is that Pro is hardwired, making installation more difficult. (You may want to hire a pro.) The Ring Doorbell Elite model also has a more intense installation process because of its PoE connection.
• Pre-roll technology: There’s only one camera that boasts pre-roll technology, and that is the Ring Doorbell 3 Plus. That means it records an automatic 4 seconds of video prior to when motion triggered the system, so if something happens, it’s much easier to catch the entire incident on camera.
• Price: Prices vary between all of the models, starting out at just about $100 for the traditional Ring, and going all the way up to $499 for Ring Video Doorbell Elite.
• Power options: When deciding between Ring vs Ring Pro, deciding whether you’d like a battery-powered option or hardwired doorbell is important before you purchase any doorbell.