The Ring Video Doorbell Wired Review: A Modern Solution for Home Security

This is my review for: Ring Video Doorbell Wired I tried to keep my review short but there was a lot of information here so I added headers for easier reading. Background: When the first Ring doorbell came out, I really wanted one, but it was a bit too expensive for my taste, so I went with a cheap knock-off. I have been using that knock-off since then and I hate it. The image quality wasn’t awful, but it had a lot of bugs and it didn’t play well with “Alexa”. I kept automating my home adding echo’s, lights, switches, cameras, you name it and every time I circled back to the doorbell I would think: “I already have a video doorbell and the Ring doorbell is still pricey; maybe I should buy some other automation toys”. Well, this new Ring came out, and it was less than 100$ thus I said, let’s try it… Appearance: Dimensions wise, this one is pretty small (5.1”x2.4”x 1.1”). The button is very noticeably a button; to me this is important as with my old knock off doorbell, people would constantly push the camera lenses thinking that they rang the doorbell. Differences between this Ring Doorbell and Previous versions: I did some internet research prior to deciding for it, and I could only find a few things: (1) it supports only 2.4 GHz networks instead of being dual band, (2) it only works as a fully wired setup (3) it has a single faceplate and (4)it is way cheaper than previous models. To me, it wasn’t a big deal the doorbell not being dual band, I planned on using the 2.4 GHz band anyway as I have been with my knockoff brand doorbell. There are several obstructions along the way (two thick walls and some furniture between the door and my repeater, and my router is in the basement), and the 2.4 GHz network is usually better for that albeit a bit slower. This doorbell requires to have an existing wired doorbell setup, unlike previous iterations that you could have fully battery powered doorbell. Yet the setup is only needed for power. You will be bypassing the existing doorbell chime, thus, you will either need to purchase the model that include the Ring Chime (+20$), purchase a separate Ring Chime (30-50$) or use a compatible Alexa device as the speaker(s). I am using a few of my echoes and I like the setup a whole bunch. The Ring Video Doorbell has a single face plate (black) vs 4 different color ones for the Pro. I did search online for other faceplates and I found a pearl white one going for about 15$ but I am sticking with the black one. The newer model is about 70% cheaper. About 60$ vs the 200$ MSRP for the Pro. Issues so far: I haven’t had a lot of issues, but I already had one. I had some connectivity issues right of the bat. The fact that this doorbell bypasses the hardwired chime exacerbates this. No connectivity means no doorbell whether you have power or not. A few resets, I moved my repeater closer and it appear the problem was corrected. However, I point it out because when compared to my old 2.4 GHz knock-off video doorbell, I never had an issue. I am considering this as a one off but I will update my review if this issue persists. Bottom line What I liked: Compatibility with Alexa. When Amazon acquired Ring a while back, I just knew that integration with Echo devices would probably only improve but even knowing that, I was impressed. You can define specific devices you want them to work with. It allows for tons of customization including ringtones. 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. I will be linking it up to my new Echo Show when it gets here, next week. I don’t envision any issues linking it up, but I will update my review if needed. 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. It was very easy to install It looks elegant yet sleek. It is cheaper than any previous Ring Model. What I dislike so far. It supports only 2.4 GHz networks. This is not a major negative as 2.4 GHz networks usually allow for a better range, especially if there are obstructions along the way. Still, it is worth mentioning. I have a hardwired doorbell chime that is useless now. If my WIFI fails at any point, my doorbell is dead in the water. I already had connectivity issues. They might have been a one off so I am not necessarily overreacting to them but I will update my review if needed. The first two negatives were design choices that allowed lowering the price point and they were something I knew coming in. However, they are still significant enough that I called them out. Overall, for the price, this is actually a very good device. If you already have a Ring doorbell, this item is not for you. If you don’t, and you are ok with a fully WIFI driven, hard wired power doorbell camera, I strongly recommend it.

This Ring Video Doorbell Wired is exactly what I needed! The HD camera provides a clear picture, and the two-way talk feature is super handy for communicating with visitors. The motion detection is very responsive, sending real-time alerts so I never miss anything at my front door. Setup was straightforward (just make sure you have the wiring), and it works seamlessly with the Ring app. Great quality, reliable performance, and a must-have for home security. Highly recommend!

Installed this on my lunch break with zero problems. Anyone who rated this less than 5 stars did not do their due diligence. Any research comparing the doorbells would tell you that you are unable to use your existing chime. We have quite a few devices on the 2.4GHz frequency and have no problems. Works great with existing echo dot devices and had no difficulty setting this up. Actually it was absolutely painless. I do not need my 30 year old chime to freak the dogs out and tell me someone is at the door, my phone and my echo dots take care of that! To anyone new to ring, yes, you have to pay a measely $30 per year to record your video. Worth it. I have two ring cameras, $60.. still worth it. The most you will spend is $100 per year for all your devices. Can I set up my own camera system and record locally? Sure. Do I want to spend hundreds of dollars on a server to do so? Absolutely not. Do I want to deal with drives randomly breaking? Nope. Check the cost of WD purple (surveillance drives), the cost of a server and a software license. By the time you get your money back by comparison to ring cameras, there will be better tech out. TLDR, this is a smart doorbell designed for smart devices. This will not work with your old equipment. This is absolutely worth every penny and the annual fee.

This is a nice doorbell; it is smaller than most. It does not require batteries, so it need to have access to wiring of some sort. I am using my already installed house wiring to my old home, ding-dong. I used a bypass connection, so the indoor ding-dong did does not dong or ding. I purchased a Chime to go with this and it works great. But the Chime is not necessary, as it will chimes over your cell phone too. I really like that. I have a Nest that would not connect to anything but its app and no chime, unless it was wired into the Home ding-dong and when that quit working, the only place the Nest would dong or ding was outside -- nice, the person outside can hear the dinging and the donging, so they know they pushed the button, but no one else does. So, I went to this cheaper model Ring, and it does everything the Nest (older, one of the first) would not do. However -- the Ring is no without its faults. For example, the image is great on a small, postage size screen, all the pixels squished down, but try to enlarge to a larger screen for a better view? Forget it, it is crap. Remember, though, this is a DOORBELL, not a true security camera. The other thing is that the viewing angel from side to side is great, you get a lot in the picture, for a doorbell, that is, but the up and down image is not so good. you can see the underside of your porch or overhang, but anyone standing in front of your door, or a packaged laid at your door, you will not see. I am working on designing a mount that will tip the Ring Bell downward a bit, so I can see more of the area in front of the door -- It would be nice to look at your door cam and see if a package has been placed in front or to the side of your door. I do not monitor my doorbell cam, 24/7 and it is amazing how the delivery people can -- sometimes, not always -- skip in and out like fairies doing secret deliveries. Hopefully, with this Ring there will be less of that, especially with this ability to Chime notices. The other oddity, is that one push of the Ring doorbell button and the chime sound off in a series chimes, two or three repeats -- great -- but if the person pushed the Ring Button a second time? Nothing. Apparently, it takes several seconds for the Ring to recover and set up with the Wifi to ring again. I am not sure if this is by design, putting a stop to the annoying prank, or multiple rings from impatient ringers or not, but, there is a definite pause after the first push of the button. So, poor image quality, even though it says 1080p it seems more like 480 of yesterday. I am still in the trial phase and I am liking this Ring, mostly for it connecting to my phone with a Chime notice. Have not tried the Alexa connection yet, but the plugin chime I purchased with along with this Ring works perfectly and the lag time is barely noticeable, on both units. I have to keep reminding myself, it is only a Doorbell. There is one other thing worth mentioning, a plus and something it seem only Ring has -- a Neighborhood feature. People with Ring doorbells can post online for neighbors to see and monitor suspicious activity. However, does this deter the thieves? Apparently not. Still, it is a heads-up feature and something kinda fun about it. Great for lost pet notices. And also for alerts as to which parts of town to stay out of -- yes, a map of activity is also supplied with the Neighbor feature. Of course, to stay connected in this way, you have to pay a yearly fee, somewhere around $35 a year, but that beats NEST bottom price of $50. Lots to like with this small, easy to install unit -- figure 45 minutes, maybe less, as I installed the Chime too. You have to have a hard wire available. There are plug in transformers with long wire leads for connecting to an indoor source if you do not have a prewired doorbell to tap into. They are around $15. Too many problems with the Battery types, and like reporting the gas mileage on a new car, they all lie about how long a service you can expect -- some say that if they say, 3 month, they mean anywhere from a week to two weeks, at least from what I have read. I really like this Ring -- picture quality sucks, but, again, it is a Door Bell. Also, I have other security cams and one is even aimed at my front door, so I see if any packages or someone is on their knees (ha, ha) up close to my front door. One thing I did like about the Nest, maybe two things, the image quality was great, it had a larger field of view from top to bottom and it somehow could identify packages and would notify you that a package had been delivered -- nice Cam, but not so much a good doorbell.