Ring Doorbell Comparison: which one would you choose？

After weeks of research and real-world testing, we've brought you a real feel for the Ring family of doorbells.

Of all the Ring security video doorbells—from the original to the Elite—our top pick for Ring doorbells is the Ring Video Doorbell 4. It’s easy to install, easy to use, and under $200.

It’s the same price as its predecessor, the Ring 3 Plus, and it features a few subtle upgrades like longer-lasting batteries and a "quick reply" feature. But a different Ring doorbell might be a better choice for you based on your budget and expectations.

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What is the best Ring doorbell?

1. Ring Video Doorbell 4: Best overall
2. Ring Video Doorbell (2nd Gen): Best value
3. Ring Video Doorbell Wired: Best for budgets
4. Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2: Best for style
5. Ring Video Doorbell Elite: Best for new construction

Compare Ring doorbells

Doorbell	Best for	Price	Power source	Installation type	Video quality	Field of view	Learn more
Ring Video Doorbell 4	Best overall	$219.99	Battery, wired	DIY	1080p	160º	View Packages
Ring Video Doorbell (2nd Gen)	Best value	$99.99	Battery, wired	DIY	1080p	155º	View Packages
Ring Video Doorbell Wired	Best for budgets	$64.99	Wired only	DIY	1080p	155º	View Packages
Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2	Best for style	$259.99	Wired only	DIY	1536p	150º	View Packages
Ring Video Doorbell Elite	Best for new construction	$349.99	Wired (Power over Ethernet)	Professional recommended	1080p	160º	View Packages

*Amazon.com price as of post date. Read full disclaimer.

What to expect with Ring video doorbells

Before we go into the nitty-gritty details, here are six things every Ring Video Doorbell has in common:

1. A video camera
2. Motion detection
3. A doorbell
4. Two-way audio
5. Night vision
6. A live video feed from the Ring app

Installation

A big difference between Ring doorbells is installation. Pretty much anyone can install the Ring 2nd Gen, the Ring 4, and the Ring Peephole Camera since they require only a few screws. If you’re on the handy side and feel comfortable with simple wiring (or are willing to learn to hardwire a Ring doorbell), then you might consider the low-profile, battery-free Ring Pro 2.

Need help with set up? Check out our step-by-step guide to installing a Ring doorbell or our Ring doorbell troubleshooting guide.

Field of view

Depending on the area at your front door, choosing the wrong field of view could limit how useful your video doorbell is. If your front door is recessed, like many apartment doors, then a flat-mounted doorbell with a narrower field of view is fine.

But if you have a larger front porch or area you want your camera to cover, you might want to consider Ring doorbell options with mounting wedges, like the Ring 4.

Power source

With the exception of the Peephole Cam, all other Ring doorbells have a hardwire option so you never have to worry about changing a battery.

If you do decide to go the battery-powered route, we recommend purchasing an extra battery for power while the other is charging.

Internet connection

Finally, think about internet speeds. For a fast, reliable connection, the Ring Elite is your best bet since it works with ethernet rather than Wi-Fi.

Ring video doorbell reviews

1. Ring Video Doorbell 4: Best overall

One of our favorite features on the Ring 4 is the Pre-Roll feature, which saves four seconds of video from before motion triggers the camera to record. This is great for catching the whole event instead of capturing the back of a porch pirate's head as they make a getaway.

The camera on the Ring 4 has 1080p HD video with better night vision than other Ring video doorbells, and you can adjust the camera angle by adding one of the included mounting wedges to tilt it left or right. The Ring Video Doorbell 4 also includes a corner kit.

You can also adjust the motion sensor sensitivity so you’re not getting constant motion-activated alerts.

2. Ring Video Doorbell (2nd Gen): Best value

One big improvement in this new version is crisp 1080p video quality and a more polished design. But it still doesn't have a removable battery. Charging the battery on this Ring is a bit of a hassle (since you have to pretty much take the whole doorbell off). But if you hardwire it to your old doorbell, you won’t have to worry about the battery dying.

It also lacks the fancy Pre-Roll feature that captures video from before motion events, which is Ring 4's biggest draw.

If you still want a Ring doorbell but you’re on a budget, those little concessions are worth the $130 you save on the purchase price compared to the Ring 4.

3. Ring Video Doorbell Wired: Best for budgets

The Ring Video Doorbell Wired costs just $59.99, making it the most affordable Ring doorbell to date. But there's a catch: you can only use this version if you already have existing doorbell wiring. There's no battery pack.

Even though it's not a wireless camera, it still has all the perks you expect from a video doorbell: two-way audio, motion alerts, 1080p recording, and a Wi-Fi connection.

4. Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2: Best for style

The Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2 is the device for people who want a subtler, sleeker video doorbell to greet their visitors. The Ring Doorbell Pro 2 is narrower than its bulkier cousins with a profile that resembles a standard doorbell.

But that lack of bulk is because there’s no battery. That means you have to hardwire it to your old doorbell.

It has 1536p resolution, which slightly higher than other Ring doorbell cameras, and it still manages to fit a motion detector and two-way audio into its space-saving design.

5. Ring Video Doorbell Elite: Best for new construction

The Ring Video Doorbell Elite is Ring’s top-of-the-line option with a top-of-the-line price to match. It’s hardwired to your ethernet connection, so you never have to worry about its proximity to Wi-Fi.

But since most homes probably don’t have an ethernet cable running to the doorbell box, the Elite is a better fit for new construction.

Ring recommends professional installation for this device due to the required ethernet connection and because it’s flush-mounted to your outer wall. On the plus side, the flush-mount design makes it a lot less bulky after installation than other Ring video doorbell models.

Which Ring doorbell should I buy?

The Ring Video Doorbell 4 is the most advanced and newest Ring doorbell model. Its dual power options, mounting wedges, and innovative Pre-Roll feature help it easily capture a top spot among Ring's doorbells (even though the cheaper Ring Video Doorbell (2nd Gen) is our favorite video doorbell overall).

Disclaimers

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