Ring Doorbells: Comparison Chart & Overview

Ring is one of the most well-known smart doorbell brands on the market, and after being acquired by Amazon their lineup has only continued to expand. Over time, we’ve seen advancements in the brand’s technology to provide new features, better performance, and smarter control. With that said, the other Ring models still have their perks and remain competitive security solutions.

If you’d rather not read the entire article, you can feel free to jump straight to our Ring doorbell comparison chart (Ring Peephole Cam vs. Ring Doorbell vs. Ring 2 vs. Ring Pro vs. Ring Elite) to see at a glance how these products stack up against one another.

But If you’d like to learn more about Ring and what their doorbells bring to the market, read on below for the full picture!

What is the Ring Doorbell Lineup?

The Ring Doorbell lineup consists of five different models. For the most part, the doorbells have only gained features as time has gone on. With that said, there are still some perks to the original Ring as well.

The Ring doorbell was the first product the brand brought to the market. It runs off of battery power with a life of 6-12 months on a single charge. However, you’ll need to plug it in if you want to take advantage of live view on demand. The 180° and 140° vertical fields of view are actually better than the successive models, which is one of the main benefits this model has going for it. The biggest downside to the original Ring is that it only records in 720p, which is much less detailed than the 1080p HD resolution that comes standard on all other models.

The Ring 2 has a 6-month battery life and a horizontal and vertical field of view of 160° and 100°, which is a bit of a step down from the original Ring camera. However, this smart doorbell more than makes up for that deficiency due to the 1080p quality of its recording as well as the addition of advanced motion detection and custom motion zones.

The only works with hardwired power and has an identical field of view to the Ring 2. It’s honestly very similar to the Ring 2 in almost every way except for slightly easier mounting and the ability to turn on silent mode.

Untill recently, last but not least is the Ring Elite. The biggest benefit that this camera has going for it is support for Power over Ethernet (PoE). This technology allows the camera to receive both power and internet through a single cable, which cuts down on clutter while guaranteeing a strong and consistent source of power and internet. Other than that, it’s much the same as the Ring Pro.

And finally, the all-new (aka Ring Door View Cam). This doorbell is absolutely unique when it comes to installation — it is designed to replace a peephole on your front door. This is a great option for those of you who rent a place, since in case you decide to move to a different place, it’ll be so easy to take your smart doorbell with you. With its 1080p HD video, two-way audio, and up to 3 months battery life, the Ring Peephole Cam is definitely worth checking. Navigate to the Ring Doorbells — Comparison Chart below to see how it stacks up against other Ring doorbells.

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What is Ring Protect?

Ring Protect is the subscription plan that accompanies the Ring lineup of products. By default, you have access to Ring and Motion Alerts, Custom motion detection, the ability to interact with visitors from anywhere, and live video on demand.

Protect Basic costs $3 per month and covers a single Ring camera, giving you access to up to 60 days of video storage. Protect Plus costs $10 per month, covers an unlimited amount of cameras with 60 days of storage, and gives you access to 24/7 professional monitoring should you opt for the Ring Security system.

What Makes Ring Doorbells Special?

One of the factors that make Ring Doorbells unique is the wide variety of options to choose from. While other brands cover a lot of the same things, there are few that offer comprehensive power options such as battery power, AC, and even PoE.

The Ring subscription plan is also the cheapest on the market, costing just $3 a month for up to 60 days of cloud storage. If you opt for the more premium plan, however, you’ll have access to monitoring that interfaces with products like Ring Cameras and Ring Alarm for a comprehensive security solution.

Long story short, the major advantages of Ring when it comes to smart doorbells are the flexibility for different power options as well as affordable integration with a larger security suite.

How Do Ring Doorbells Compare to Other Brands?

Overall, when compared side by side with competitors, the Ring doorbells definitely hold their own. With two-way audio and the majority of their cameras recording in 1080p, the cameras have solid tech, to begin with — and when you consider the $3 subscription plan vs. Nest’s entry-level $5 plan, it’s clearly the more economical option over time as well.

However, there are some areas where competitors like Nest does a better job, most notably in the inclusion of CVR and pre-recorded responses — both of which are not represented in any of the Ring doorbells. With that said, CVR is a feature you’d more likely want to enable on a security camera rather than a smart doorbell, so we feel that the advantage is minor at best when it comes to everyday practical usage.

With a whole host of features, flexible power options, and technology that seamlessly fits into the larger Ring ecosystems, these smart doorbells are difficult to beat!

What is the “Ring Security System”?

The “Ring Security System” refers to a combination of Ring products that work together in order to provide comprehensive home protection. If you’re looking to monitor your whole home, Ring has you covered, with smart doorbells, indoor and outdoor security cameras, the Ring Alarm sensor system (empowered by Protect Plus), and the Neighbors App for better collective security.

There’s not necessarily one right way to go about putting together a Ring Security system and the best setup is really going to depend on what you’re looking for in terms of coverage. A hypothetical lineup might include a few floodlights, spotlights, ring stick up cams, motion sensors, and of course, the smart doorbell.

If you’d rather skip the shopping around, the Ring Security System is also available as a kit which will get your home protection up and running — quickly and conveniently.

While the Ring Doorbells do serve a valuable role in keeping your home protected, the real firepower in your arsenal will be Ring Alarm — a DIY smart home security system backed by 24/7 professional monitoring. Check out our Ring Alarm Review — Things You Should Know for a closer look at how this sophisticated sensor system can keep your family safe and sound.

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