Best Ring Video Doorbells of 2023 – CNET

$250 at Amazon

Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2

Ring Video Doorbell Second-Generation

Best budget-friendly Ring video doorbell

If you’re considering upgrading your home security with a video doorbell, Ring has probably crossed your mind. Amazon’s home security brand has become increasingly popular and has a reputation as one of the best video doorbells on the market. While Google Nest buzzers and Arlo doorbell cams are great alternatives, many people looking to buy a video doorbell still opt for the industry’s biggest brand. Ring has an extensive selection of video doorbells that meet the needs of a wide variety of homes. Are you looking for a wireless or hardwired option? Do you want to prioritize buying something affordable, or do you want the latest devices with all of the bells and whistles? Ring has a complicated history with privacy and police partnerships, so you might also be wondering if some devices are better at protecting your privacy than others? Yes, shopping for video doorbells can give rise to a lot of questions, so our experts are here to help.

What is the best overall Ring video doorbell?

Our CNET experts have spent years testing both Ring products and video doorbells from a slew of manufacturers to find the best of the best. After years of testing Ring’s most popular home security devices — the Ring 4, the Doorbell Pro 2, the second-gen Video Doorbell and the Ring Video Doorbell (Wired) — to help break down the best Ring doorbell options, we have landed on the Ring Video Doorbell as the best overall choice. 

Ring’s Video Doorbell 4 lists for just over $220 and comes with a slew of smarts. The doorbell camera features enhanced Wi-Fi, Quick Replies, simple battery recharging, full-color preroll video previews of all motion events, night vision and customizable privacy settings, so you’ll never miss a delivery or visitor at your front porch. 

Best Ring video doorbells of 2023

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The Pro 2 looks almost identical to the original Pro — and that’s not a bad thing. The design is small and straight-forward.

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Ring camera doorbell compared

Watch this: Ring 4 or Nest Doorbell Battery? Find the better fit for your porch

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After hours of testing, I gave the highest rating (7.5) to the Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2. While it’s not the best value on the market, the advanced specs — a super-wide field of view, a 1:1 aspect ratio, 1536p resolution and all the basics you’d want your smart buzzer to have — make it a great choice for a high-end video doorbell.

Though rated lower than the Pro 2 at a 7.4, the Ring Video Doorbell 4 is my recommendation for best standard Ring doorbell. If you’re looking for a doorbell that’s a fair value and packed with nifty features, but just doesn’t send package alerts, then this is the best choice.

Finally, we gave the second-gen Ring Video Doorbell (2020) our lowest score (7.2) because it’s certainly an improvement over the original Ring Video Doorbell, but the built-in battery that needs to be removed to charge is a bit of a hassle. While it’s not our very favorite, it’s a decent buzzer with solid features at a fair value. 

Ring video doorbell camera FAQs

If your Ring doorbell isn’t hardwired, the battery charge will typically last between six and 12 months, depending on the frequency of use and motion activations. You will receive an alert via the Ring app when the battery is getting low.

Is Ring a one-time purchase?

Most Ring doorbells are powered by a rechargeable battery or have a battery backup, so losing power to your home shouldn’t disrupt power to your device. Still, a power outage may affect your Ring device if your router loses power and the Wi-Fi connection is lost.

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