Ring video doorbells are among some of the best video doorbells for a variety of reasons: They deliver excellent image quality, are easy to install, and fit a variety of needs and door types.
Often the question for many shoppers is whether they should get the Ring Video Doorbell vs. the Ring 3 vs. the Ring Pro 2. The models, which range in price from $99 to $249, has their own unique set of features, so picking the best one for you can be tricky. Having reviewed all of Ring’s video doorbells, we can offer a comprehensive comparison of all of them, so you can make the most informed buying decision possible.
But which should you buy? We’ve compared all devices to help you decide which one is best for you.
Ring Video Doorbell: Specs compared
| Ring Video Doorbell Wired | Ring Video Doorbell (2nd gen) | Ring Video Doorbell 3 | Ring Video Doorbell 4 | Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2 | |
| Price | $59.99 | $99.99 | $179.99 | $199.99 | $249.99 |
| Size | 3.9 x 1.8 x 0.8 in | 4.98 x 2.4 x 1.1 in | 5.1 x 2.4 x 1.1 in | 5.05 x 2.5 x 1.08 in | 4 x 1.8 x 0.88 in |
| Resolution | 1080p | 1080p | 1080p | 1080p | 1536 x 1536 |
| Wiring | Hardwired | Battery or hardwired | Battery or hardwired | Battery or hardwired | Hardwired |
| Field of View | 155 degrees horizontal, 90 degrees vertical | 155 degrees horizontal, 90 degrees vertical | 160 degrees horizontal, 90 degrees vertical | 160 degrees horizontal, 90 degrees vertical | 150 degrees (horiz and vert) |
| Wi-Fi | 2.4GHz | 2.4Ghz | 2.4, 5GHz | 2.4, 5GHz | 2.4, 5GHz |
| Pre-roll | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes |
Ring Video Doorbell vs. Ring 3 vs. Ring Pro 2: Price
The Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2 is the most expensive of Ring’s devices, at $249.99. Nest, the Ring Video Doorbell 4 is $199.99, the Ring Video Doorbell 3 is $179.99, and the Ring Peephole Cam is $129.99. The Ring Video Doorbell (2nd Gen) is $99.99.
The Ring Video Doorbell Wired is $59.99. However, it can’t trigger your home’s chime box, so you’ll need to purchase the Ring Chime ($29) or Ring Chime Pro ($49) if you want to hear when someone rings the doorbell.
Keep in mind that you’ll also have to pay for cloud storage if you want to save footage to the cloud. Cloud storage is $3 per month (or $30 per year) for 60 days for a single Ring camera (which can include a video doorbell or security camera). If you have multiple Ring cameras, you’ll pay $10 per month, or $100 per year.
Ring Video Doorbell vs. Ring 3 vs. Ring Pro: Design
Read our Ring Video Doorbell reviews
The Ring Video Doorbell, Ring Video Doorbell 3, and Ring Video Doorbell 4 are relatively similar in design; they’re all black and gray, with a camera at the top and an illuminated button beneath. The Ring Doorbell Wired and the Doorbell Pro 2 are much smaller and thinner (as they don’t need to accommodate a battery).
The Doorbell 3, 4 and Pro both come with interchangeable face plates as well as angled wedges, making it easier to match your home’s decor, as well as angle the camera towards your door. You must purchase these accessories separately if you buy the Ring Video Doorbell (2nd gen).
Additionally, the Ring Video Doorbell 3, 4, and Peephole cams all have removable batteries, so if you’re running them on battery power alone, you can swap out the batteries and not have any downtime. The Ring Video Doorbell (2nd gen) has a nonremovable battery, so if you want to recharge it, you have to take the doorbell off your door.
Installation and setup
Of all of RIng’s video doorbells, the Ring Peephole Cam sports the simplest design and simplest setup. The device consists of two pieces: one that sits on the outside of the door, and one that you look through from the inside, connected through the peephole. It doesn’t require any tools or permanent modifications, and should take only a few minutes.
MORE: How to Install the Ring Video Doorbell
The other three devices are a bit more complicated to install, but you can (in theory) set them all up yourself.
The Ring Video Doorbell, Ring Video Doorbell 3, and Ring Video Doorbell 4 can be battery-powered, meaning they’ll still work when the electricity’s out — provided your internet connection is still up. This also means that you can mount them anywhere, and don’t have to worry about connecting them to an existing doorbell’s wires.
The Ring Pro 2 and the Ring Doorbell Wired are more complicated. They’re the only Ring video doorbells that require hardwiring. You’ll need to upgrade your transformer if your old doorbell isn’t getting 16 volts of power. You’ll also need to install a Pro Power kit (basically a small battery included with the device) in your home’s chime box.
Ring Video Doorbell vs. Ring 3 vs. Ring Pro 2: Audio and video
All of the company’s video doorbells now have cameras with a resolution of at least 1080p, which means you should be able to better spot details of those who cross the camera’s field of view.
Speaking of which, nearly all of the video doorbells have a horizontal field of view of 155 to 160 degrees, and a vertical field of view of 90 degrees. While plenty wide, we wish that the camera had a larger vertical FOV, so we could better see if a package was left at our doorstep.
The one exception is the Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2, which has a 1536 x 1536 resolution and a 150-degree field of view both horizontally and vertically. This means that while the image isn’t as wide as Ring’s other video doorbells, it’s taller, so you can see more of the front door of your house.
The Video Doorbell, Doorbell 3, 4, and Doorbell Pro all have comparable audio. In our testing of the Doorbell 3 and Doorbell Pro 2, we found decent sound with a brief but manageable delay.
The Peephole Cam’s video and audio quality was also excellent, but for one thing. If you have a storm door, it will cause the Peephole Cam’s motion detection to stop working.
Ring Video Doorbell vs. Ring 3 vs. Ring Pro 2: Features
All of Ring’s video doorbells have motion detection; when the device detects movement, it sends an alert to your smartphone. You can customize how far the sensors stretch. If you have a Doorbell or Doorbell 3, you’ll select from pre-drawn zones. If you have the Wired or the Pro 2, you can draw the zones yourself.
Both the Video Doorbell 4 and the Video Doorbell Pro 2 have what Ring calls a Pre-roll feature, which helps you get a better look at who’s approaching. In effect, the cameras are always recording a continuous 4-second looping video; in the event motion is detected and recorded, it will then add those four seconds to the start of the video. For the Video Doorbell Pro 2, this Pre-roll footage is in color and at full definition; for the Video Doorbell 4, it’s in color but at a lower resolution, so as to conserve battery life.
The Pro and the Video Doorbell 4 are the only doorbells that support 5.0GHz connections, which allow for faster and more reliable connectivity.
The Peephole Cam has a few new features, including “motion stop,” which pauses the camera’s recording to conserve battery life if it deems motion unimportant. Like the Doorbell 3 and 4, it also has a removable battery pack.
In most other features, the three doorbells are on a par with each other. They all offer two-way communication, which you can use to greet your guests, or scare off burglars, and infrared night vision. They all work with Alexa, SmartThings and IFTTT, and you can watch the doorbells’ footage and communicate with guests using the Echo Show, as well as all generations of the Fire TV. Unfortunately, Ring does not work with Google Assistant/Home devices.
MORE: Which Security Camera Has the Best Storage Plan?
As a bonus, you can connect them with a number of smart locks from Kevo, Yale, and August. This will allow you to unlock your door — and let your guest in — directly from the Ring app.
Ring Video Doorbell vs. Ring 3 vs. Ring Pro 2: Which Ring Video Doorbell is best for you?
If you’re shopping among Ring’s devices, we recommend the Ring Video Doorbell 3 or Ring Video Doorbell 4 for most — especially those who aren’t comfortable messing around with their house’s wiring. They’re less expensive than the Pro, but you’ll get comparable video and audio quality, and most of the same features. You’ll also have an easier installation process, and the added benefit of a rechargeable battery. If you have a partially obstructed entryway, spring for the Ring Video Doorbell 4, as its Pre-roll feature will give you a better shot as seeing who’s coming.
If aesthetic appeal is paramount for you, the Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2 is sleeker and, owing to its smaller size, will better fit on narrower door jambs. It also lets you see far more of your front porch. Additionally, if you’re particular about where your motion sensors should be looking, you’ll probably appreciate the ability to draw your own motion zones with the Doorbell Pro.
For those on a budget, the Ring Video Doorbell (2nd gen) offers the same resolution as its peers, and lacks a quick-release battery as well as Pre-roll, but otherwise has most of the same features.
Finally, we recommend that renters, or those who want a very quick setup, the Ring Peephole Cam is the best option. Just make sure your door has a peephole.
Credit: Tom’s Guide
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