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Are you already planning to upgrade your existing Ring Video doorbell?
or
Are you planning to buy your first Ring Video doorbell for your smart home?
Today’s article is more relevant to the latter ones. If you are planning to upgrade from Ring Video doorbell 2, the doorbell 3 upgrade is not worth the effort.
The Ring has launched its 3rd generation video doorbells – the Ring Video Doorbell 3 and Ring Video Doorbell 3 Plus.
We are going to compare Ring Video Doorbell 3 with the popular Ring Video Doorbell Pro. Before we go into the details, let us look into the key differences between the two.
Ring Video Doorbell 3 vs Ring Video Doorbell Pro
| Doorbell 3 | Pro |
|---|---|
| Under $180 | Under $250 |
| It is chunky & bigger | It is a smaller ultra-slim design. |
| Rechargeable Battery powered and can be hard-wired. | Wired only. |
| Easy to install | Wired so relatively difficult to install |
| Pre-drawn Zones for motion detection | Ability to draw zones for motion detection |
| Pre Roll feature in b/w and in lower video resolution to save on battery life. | Pre Roll feature in color |
| Removable battery pack | Does not work on the battery. |
| Video quality acceptable | Slightly better video quality. |
Here are some common features that Ring Video Doorbell 3 and Ring Video Doorbell Pro share.
- 160-degree horizontal field of view and 90 degrees vertical field of view.
- 1080p video
- Advanced Motion Detection
- Pre-roll feature in Pro & 3 Plus
- Supports 2.4 and 5GHz
- Excellent two-way communication
- Interchangeable faceplates and angled wedges (sold separately)
- Work with Alexa, Smartthings, and IFTTT
- Supports smart displays like Echo Show and Echo Spot
- Does
- not fully support Google Home or Assistant Devices. Link and connects
- Ring account to Google Nest/Home but Video features are not available.
The Ring is an industry leader for many years and there are reasons for that. The Doorbell 3 and Plus are good moves in the right direction.
But honestly speaking, we expected more and we will talk about that in the end.
The Ring Video Doorbell Pro has been a benchmark for the Ring Doorbell lineup as well as competition. There have been some improvements from Doorbell 2 to Doorbell 3
Ring Doorbell 2 vs Ring Doorbell 3
| Doorbell 3 | Doorbell 2 |
|---|---|
| Improved Battery life ( new chipset) | Battery hogger |
| Quick Release Battery Pack | Absent |
| Pre-Roll Feature in Doorbell 3 Plus | Absent |
| Supports 2.4 and 5 GHz wifi connectivity | Supports only 2.4 GHz connectivity. |
| 160-degree field of view | 155-degree field of view |
There have been some improvements in these 3rd generation doorbells. Doorbell 3 is being compared with Pro for sheer quality features and a proven track record.
How to install Wireless Ring Video Doorbell 3 / Plus
Features of Ring Video Doorbell
The Ring Doorbell Pro to replace your existing doorbell. It is a reliable option as it is a wired doorbell. Although the hard-wired option is a
deterrent for many buyers. The renters will prefer a wireless option so that they don’t have to make changes to the current wiring.
This led to the idea of a wireless doorbell. The Ring Doorbell 2 is catering to this need but it has its compromises.
It thrives on battery consumption and needs to be recharged frequently. The wifi range could be another issue with the wireless option.
With video doorbells, it is more about what compromises you can live with. Some of the drawbacks have been taken care of in Doorbell 3.
The Ring Video Doorbell 3 comes with a brand new chipset that consumes less battery. The improved battery life is easily noticeable. It comes with a quick battery release option that makes recharging convenient.
The Doorbell 3 has an upgraded version called Doorbell 3 Plus that comes with a Pre-Roll feature. The Plus version costs $20 more and is worth upgrading.
Now Doorbell Pro and Doorbell 3 Plus are two models from Ring that supports the Pre-roll video. But the video footage in Doorbell 3 is black and white and in lower resolution to conserve the battery life.
One of the key differences between Doorbell 3 and Pro is the installation. Doorbell 3 is a wireless video doorbell and can be installed hard-wired. The Pro version is a wired-only option.
The Ring Video Doorbell Pro works on 16v of power and requires installation of Pro Power (included in the box).
We suggest a wired option in either case if possible. These days most gadgets require recharging. Removing the doorbell from the list will be a breather. The Doorbell 3 can be wired for continuous charging.
- 1080p HD video doorbell with enhanced features that let you see, hear, and...
- An upgrade from the original Ring Video Doorbell 2, enjoy improved motion...
- Receive mobile notifications when anyone presses your doorbell or triggers...
- Powered by the rechargeable battery pack or connects to doorbell wires for...
They both have adjustable motion zones ranging from 5ft to 30ft. The field of view in both models is 160-degree, with advanced motion detection, privacy zones, and night vision.
Doorbell 3 allows customizable privacy zones. They can be handy in reducing erroneous notifications that may arise due to moving vehicles or tall plants nearby. It allows flexibility to suggest the focus of motion sensors.
The Ring Doorbell 3 will be a preferred choice for people in rented accommodation. There will be no hassles in altering existing wiring.
There can be connectivity issues if the wifi range is not healthy. You may end up investing in Ring Chime Pro for an additional $50.
Compatibility
Ring owned by Amazon has excellent integration with Alexa. It also works with SmartThings and IFTTT. If you own Echo Show or Echo Spot, you can watch and talk to the person at the door.
Like other Ring devices, the compatibility with Google Assistant, Google Nest, or Home is limited. It supports voice commands but does not support video.
Hiccup
We did face a small hiccup at one of our test locations where the street LED light was banged in front of the security camera. As the camera lacks dynamic range or HDR to counter bright LED light, the footage at the night was dark.
The easy hack for such a scenario is to smartly block direct entering the camera lens and video will be fine.
Tip: The quality of the video improves when the subject (person) is well lit. Any light reflecting from a window or white wall on the subject will be helpful.
Live view in the ring app
The Doorbell Pro Advantage
Does the Pro version make sense in 2024?
Absolutely!
Ring Doorbell Pro costs around $250. The pre-roll is a required security feature. The cost of a wireless Doorbell 3 Plus and Chime Pro if needed will be close Pro model.
The only downside is the lack of wireless connectivity and if you can see past this. The Pro version is still better in terms of video quality, color pre-roll, and smaller size (ultra-slim).
The installation process is tedious but the worry-free performance will make it up for you. Once it is installed there is no issue with charging.
What We Missed?
The competition for the Ring is increasing. We were expecting a higher resolution and more field of view. The vertical or head-to-toe can be limiting if someone is too close to the door. The HDR video is another useful extra feature.
Final Thoughts
Finally, you are a better judge of the situation. Being a renter and alteration does make things difficult.
Ring Doorbell 3 and Pro are solid options with pros and cons. You won’t regret buying either.
As we end this article, Smart Doorbell is a must and it will make your smart home more secure.