Ring WiFi Enabled Video Doorbell Review

The Ring Wi-Fi Enabled Video Doorbell is an innovative home security device, allowing you to check in on your front porch through an app on your mobile device or desktop PC.

Though some users have experienced problems with the motion detection feature, this video doorbell allows you to not only see but interact with the people on your porch – no matter where you are in the world!

Still wondering whether this Ring doorbell is the best Wi-Fi video doorbell for you?

Here we lay out the details, both positive and negative, so you can make the best decision for yourself!

Ring Wi-Fi Enabled Video Doorbell: The Details

Specs

• Product Dimensions: 9 x 2.4 x 5 inches
• Product Weight: 1 pounds (1.1 pounds shipping weight)
• Product Type:  Security camera doorbell
• Compatible with Amazon Alexa? Yes; operated through the Ring app on your smartphone, tablet, or PC; compatible with iOS, Android, Mac, and Windows 10 devices

How Does it Work?

This Ring Video Doorbell ensures that you will never miss a home visitor again. It all comes down to the Ring app, available on iOS, Android and Windows 10 devices, through which you operate the doorbell.

The app includes options to view the camera feed live and to view previously recorded footage, and also enables two-way audio between your smart device and the camera!

The app also includes instructions for installing the Ring Video Doorbell to your home, either by connecting it to the existing doorbell wiring or installing it along with an additional Ring doorbell chime device.

These two options exist due to the dual-powered nature of the device; it can run off of either the internal rechargeable battery or the doorbell wiring in your home.

This video doorbell also comes with a set of tools to make the installation even quicker and easier, without having to call a service to install it for you.

Additionally, you can choose what color faceplate to use for the doorbell that best matches your house’s paint or your personal taste. This Ring doorbell comes in Antique Brass, Polished Brass, Satin Nickel, and Venetian Bronze options.

Once the video doorbell is installed, the Ring app allows you to customize the service to best fit your needs.

The camera includes a motion sensor which can activate the camera. This sensor is customizable, so you can determine what level of movement in what part of your yard will activate the sensor.

You can also decide whether to have the motion sensor alert your mobile device, or whether to only receive alerts when your doorbell is rung. Each user can choose the option that best fits their needs and preferences!

Through the Ring app, users can tune into the live feed which allows them to see, hear, and speak to anyone who has come near the house. This means that users can give the visitors who came by while they were not home a friendly greeting, or that they can scare away a would-be intruder with warnings.

With its wide-angle HD video, 180-degree field of view, and infrared night vision features, you will get a clear view of your entire yard and the people in it any time of day or night.

If you subscribe to the Ring app’s cloud storage feature, which charges thirty dollars per year, then the videos will also be backed up to the cloud for future viewing, allowing you to go back and check on any suspicious activity.

On the other hand, with the added benefit of cloud storage, you will also be able to save footage of family yard activities like your children playing nicely together to treasure.

Ring: The Brand

If you’re a fan of the TV show Shark Tank, you might have heard of Ring already – though when they appeared on the show, they were called “DoorBot.”

Since then, Ring has rebranded and become a success without needing any help from the sharks.

While most home security systems before Ring focused on sounding alarms once a burglar had already entered the house, Ring takes security one step earlier and one step more seriously, creating products that reduce crime by confronting criminals before they can do any harm.

They take pride in innovation and finding solutions to seemingly impossible problems, pursuing their ultimate goal of creating a safer and more convenient world for all.

Ring Doorbell Review

The Positives

Great Video Quality Both Day And Night

Some security cameras only give you a grainy, choppy glimpse into what’s happening in your surroundings.

With clear 720p resolution video, you can rely on this video doorbell to show you exactly how things are on your front porch – no second guessing.

At night, the infrared night vision has you covered so you (and your visitors) won’t be left out in the dark.

Customizable Alerts Can Fit Your Unique Needs

There is no “one size fits all” approach to home security, and Ring clearly understands this.

Through the Ring app, users can choose whether to be alerted only when the doorbell is rung, whenever the motion sensors are activated, or to rely only on recorded footage.

The Live View feature allows users to check in on their home whenever they want.

Even the motion sensor itself is customizable, allowing users to choose what parts of the yard to focus on and how sensitive the device should be to motion, whether they want to detect the slightest movement of a tree branch in the yard or a person stepping directly up to the front door.

The Ring doorbell works with multiple users on multiple devices making it easy for everyone in your home to utilize the doorbell’s features.

Be More Than an Onlooker With the Two-Way Audio Feature

Though some security systems only allow you to look on as someone approaches your house, this video doorbell comes with a two-way audio feature which allows you to not only see but hear and speak to visitors and would-be intruders.

This allows you to frighten away intruders by letting them know that you’re watching them while also allowing you to chat with your visitors and let them know that you are on your way downstairs to open the door.

Easy to Use and Install 

We understand that this can be a little worrying for those of us who are not so handy or those of us who find technology frustrating. With this doorbell, there’s really no reason to be frazzled.

Customers have reported how easy the Ring Doorbell is to install and once its up and running, it shouldn’t be any harder to use.

Simply follow the instructions included with Ring Doorbell to connect to your WiFi and smart devices, and should you have some trouble, there are videos you can watch to help guide you along.

While this depends on the type of home you have and the wiring on your previous doorbell, in most cases it won’t be long before you have a doorbell that’s more than ordinary.

Once the app is installed on your phone, the majority of users found it simple to navigate and customize based on their needs.

Here’s a video showing what the Ring Doorbell looks like out of the box, and setup.

Warranty and Customer Service 

This isn’t just your ordinary doorbell, and since many customers will be purchasing a smart doorbell for the first time, it’s understanding that they’d want to proceed with caution.

Fortunately, the Ring WiFi Doorbell comes with a 1-year limited warranty protecting customers against any defects, manufacturing or craftsmanship errors they may find.

In addition, Ring also promises to replace your doorbell should it get stolen so you won’t have to worry about footing the cost for another one, and you won’t have to live without your Ring doorbell for too long. This guarantee lasts for as long as you are using the device.

To take advantage of this warranty, you’ll have to get in touch with Ring’s customer service department. The majority of customers have raved about the attentiveness and helpfulness of the service department who helped resolve their issues with efficiency.

The Negatives

Delay in Motion Activation of Camera

In some cases, users report that there is a delay between the motion activation of the camera and the moment that the camera actually begins to record.

This usually results in footage of people’s backs as they walk away from the house, instead of footage of the visitor arriving and doing whatever it was that they did upon arriving at the house, for good or ill.

This reduces the efficacy of the device as a security system.

Low Battery Life

The Ring Wi-Fi Enabled Video Doorbell includes an option to use its own internal rechargeable battery instead of the wiring of the doorbell already in your home.

While this is ostensibly convenient for people who do not feel confident with wiring or who do not already have a doorbell, the battery life of this device is inconveniently low.

This leads to users spending a lot of time recharging the device relative to the amount of time that it is actually in use as a security camera.

Overall Verdict

We would recommend the Ring WiFi Enabled Video Doorbell to someone with doorbell wiring already installed who wants the ability to not only see, but speak with people at their door without having to actually be there.

However, the problems that users experience with motion detection delays and low battery life lead us to caution users who lack doorbell wiring or who want to depend more on the camera for security.

Where to Buy the Ring WiFi Enabled Video Doorbell

The Ring WiFi Enabled Video Doorbell is an innovative product, combining both smart technology and home security.

Whenever a common product is updated to work with the technology we have in our current world, it usually draws some attention.

The Ring Video Doorbell is no different, readily available on the shelves of retailers both in-store and online.

To start your search, check out the following online outlets.

• Best Buy (from $149)
• Wal Mart (from $134)
• Bed Bath and Beyond (from $179)

And as usual, this product is also available on Amazon.

That’s all for our review on the Ring WiFi Doorbell. Curious to give it a ring?