Ring Video Doorbell Wired: Delightful Value for the Money
Ring video doorbell wired
"This is the best video doorbell value."
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Magnificent installation
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No need to recharge
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Great app
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Clear, clear video
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Bypasses the wired carillon
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Narrow field of view
Ring is arguably the company that brought video doorbells into the mainstream. That tradition continues with Amazon's brand new $ 60 Ring Video Doorbell in a very affordable space. This affordable video doorbell is a wake-up call for the video doorbell room. We've already seen an extremely (read: ridiculously) affordable doorbell from Wzye, and Ring is now showing us that if you double your money, you can quadruple your value. Simply put, this doorbell is no joke.
installation
When I think of the installation experience I had with this doorbell, the only word that really comes to mind is adorable. I've installed half a dozen doorbells in the past eight months, and while none have been particularly difficult for anyone with my skills (I'm your basic handyman), none have been particularly easy. The wired ring doorbell was very easy to install. I only had two hiccups and only one of them was Ring's fault.
The Ring Video Doorbell with Cable is one of my favorite doorbells that I have reviewed.
At first I had trouble figuring out how to expose the screw holes to mount the doorbell. As it turns out, I just didn't apply enough pressure to remove the cover. Then I had problems pairing the doorbell with the app. I was using a beta version of the software as it wasn't officially released and I just had to wait for the server side to turn things on for me. Once it was them, all I had to do was scan a barcode and head to the races.
What impressed me the most about the installation process was its simplicity. I had to scan a barcode with my phone to connect to the doorbell. During the setup process, verbal cues indicated when the doorbell was connected to WiFi and when the setup process was complete. It is far more satisfying when the element you are working with tells you in plain English that "you did this right" rather than a cryptic series of beeps or buzzes.
No chimes for you
One important hardware note that I have to mention is also the only real downside I found with this doorbell. During the installation I installed an included jumper wire on the transformer of my doorbell bell. This is to bypass the mechanical chimes completely so that the doorbell can get the power it needs. Previous ringtones had to be recharged regularly, even if they were connected to the ring tone. This jumper basically ensures that the doorbell gets the power it needs. But it will also render your mechanical chimes inoperable.
What that means as a homeowner: When a visitor presses the doorbell button, all you get is a notification on your phone or smart screen. That will be enough for many. Personally, I carry my cell phone around the house for this to work. But something doesn't seem right when a wired doorbell doesn't ring the chime it is wired to – "wired" is even in the name!
My Kindle Fire HD 8 Plus tablet with its wireless charging stand can announce someone is on the doorbell and it can show me the video feed from the doorbell, but the Kindle does not have two-way communication. You can also purchase an additional wireless bell that can be plugged into any power outlet. Ring currently bundles a wired doorbell and rings for an additional $ 20. This might be a good option if you don't factor in the added cost.
Surprisingly good video quality
The video feed from the doorbell is clear at 1080p in daylight and at night in infrared. The field of view is a very decent 155 degrees. When you receive a Ring Basic Protect Plan, you can access recordings for a single device for up to 60 days. This also brings with it "bulky notifications" which give you a thumbnail of what the camera will see when it sends a notification. I particularly liked that.
The bidirectional communication on the device is great with very little delay, while the voices on both ends are loud and clear. The Ring app cannot broadcast sound from the doorbell when I am talking. In principle, a host and a guest cannot talk about each other. This is another minor limitation.
Setting detection zones is standard in video doorbells, and you can do that here, but Ring goes a step further by allowing you to set privacy zones. No data is recorded in a specific data protection zone. The camera can also detect movements and people. Another thing that is difficult to understand is that an Amazon company's doorbell does not offer package detection. What's wrong with it?
Our opinion
This is a small, nondescript video doorbell with a great price tag. It's not the cheapest on the market. This award goes to Wyze. In terms of money, this doorbell is just superb. There are some minor tradeoffs, but even if you buy a bundled wireless chime, you are still spending less than you would on the closest competitor.
In addition to a good doorbell, you get the Ring app and all the benefits that come with it, like the network of neighbors. It's good to know what's going on in your neighborhood, whether it's a person stealing packages or a random fox showing up in someone else's driveway. Overall, this doorbell offers you the best price-performance ratio in the video doorbell arena.
Is there a better alternative?
Yes. There are better doorbells out there, but they all cost more. The 155-degree field of view is surpassed by most of the other doorbells on our scorecard. Ring's own video doorbell Pro, however, only knocks it by five degrees. Other doorbells like the Arlo Video Doorbell and Vivint Doorbell Camera Pro offer 180 degrees. However, when you weigh the value these other doorbells offer for the price, often three or even four times that of the Ring Video Doorbell Wired, dollar for dollar, Ring's offering is hard to beat.
How long it will take?
The Ring Video Doorbell with Cable comes with a one-year warranty. The doorbell is solidly constructed, although it is mostly made of polycarbonate. It seems very solid and should stand up to whatever Mother Nature is up to.
Should you buy it?
Yes. The Ring Video Doorbell with Cable is one of my favorite doorbells that I have reviewed. The easy installation process, great app, and solid hardware make this a breeze. The Wyze video doorbell is half the price but a quarter of the experience. The Ring Video Doorbell with Cable has so much value that it is impossible to recommend it to anyone looking for a video doorbell.
Editor's recommendations