Answer your door from anywhere. Ring video doorbell allows you to instantly answer your doorbell and get alerts when visitors press your doorbell or trigger the built-in motion sensors. Using the Ring app you can see, hear and speak to guests from your smartphone, tablet or PC.
The team over at Ring offers many different models of doorbell. They have the new video doorbell 2, Video Doorbell Pro, Video Doorbell, and the Video Doorbell Elite 1080 flush mounted version with power over ethernet.
Ring also offers some security cameras and accessories to pair with your doorbell of choice.
Ring is the invention of Jamie Siminoff, as he set out to reinvent the doorbell. That he has, as its created a whole new category. They are based in Santa Monica, California. Their mission, as a company, to reduce crime in our communities. I think that is something we can all rally behind isn’t it? Offering a range of video products, they will definitely extend the monitoring of our doorsteps and houses.
Ring Video Doorbell – Review
In this review I will be going through the Video Doorbell. Which I believe is their biggest seller and initial product offering. They were one of the first and have done a lot to create a whole new class of doorbell.
The Ring video doorbell has a lot of features to arm your entry way.
- Motion sensor
- 720HD video Camera
- 2 way talk through Ring app
- configurable motion zones
- Infrared night vision
- lifetime purchase protection
In this review, I will go through the Ring video doorbelll, whats included in the box, the installation, the setup, the overall performance and ease of use. I will explore how easy it is to configure and make it a seamless part of my smart home.
Ring – Installation
Installing the Ring Video Doorbell was fairly straightforward. Ring includes a lot of help in the box. There is a drill bit for the included wall anchors, a handle and a dual bit that has a philips and a small torx end for use with
mounting the Ring. There is also a level that snaps into the mounting plate to make it easier to align it during installation.
The first step in the installation process is to charge your Ring Video Doorbell. In the quick start guide this is part of the getting ready for setup.
The Ring video doorbell can work with our without a wired doorbell connection. If you do not have a wired doorbell, you can use the ring as is. You will have to charge it from time to time. There is a note stating it will last 6 to 12 months. Although if you do get a lot of visitors and motion events, it may drain faster.
The light around the button of the Ring Video Doorbell indicates its charge level. I took a chance and when it was over halfway I unhooked it and started the setup.
Having a hardwired doorbell, I was pretty sure it could finish charging later. Once I had it on its base hanging on the porch.
Setting up the Ring Video Doorbell was really easy. The folks at Ring did a great job with their app. Once you download it, it walks you right through the process.
The first part of the app setup is the account creation. The Ring app walks you right through that part. Once your create an account, the Ring app asks you to choose a product to install.
I chose the Ring Video Doorbell. The app even does a good job of offering suggested names when you are prompted to name the doorbell. Of course, I chose Front Door. Sometimes when you get creative with the names it comes back to haunt you when you have to ask alexa to interact with it. The app also asks for your location.
Once you configure your location the setup starts. The setup is easy to initiate as its done with the press of an orange button on the back. This causes the Ring Video Doorbell to enter setup mode and be ready to pair with your phone.
The Ring app does a great job of connecting your phone to the doorbell and displaying wireless networks that are available. Once you enter in the password and connect. The Ring app quickly returns your phone to the network you were on before.
I do appreciate it when the mobile app takes some of the work out of the process for you. The ability to automate the network configuration will help many users easily install the Ring.
It was cool to be able to configure the Ring Video Doorbell while you have it in your hand. Running off its internal battery, you have easy access to the setup button and the doorbell button for testing.
Once you get the Ring Video Doorbell on the network, the ring turns blue and you are ready to go. On to the mounting plate!
The Ring mounting plate does not have screw holes that line up with traditional doorbell mounting holes. The mounting plate is secured to the wall with 4 screws, one in each corner. I couldn’t find a way to get them to line up so that I didn’t have to drill new holes.
As I mentioned above, there is a small little level that snaps into the mounting plate. It makes it easy to make sure its level when you are marking the spots drill for screws.
Once you attach the wires and secure the mounting plate, its easy to slide the Ring Video Doorbell onto the backing plate. it is secured in place with two set screws on the bottom that lock it onto the backing plate.
Take a look at the images below. I have added enough to walk you though the process I went through and allow you to see what it takes to setup and install the Ring Video Doorbell.
The Ring Video Doorbell is now mounted and functioning. I have setup my account and all is working. On the next page I will go through the Ring mobile app. I will take you through the features and configurations that are available. I will also let you know just how well they worked for me. With no further a deu on to the next page.
- Installation – The mounting holes are not similar to those on standard doorbells. There are 4 screws you will need to secure it in place. Ring does give you tools and a level to help everything go as planned. You can also use it stand alone, without wiring as the Ring Video Doorbell will run off of its own battery. I think that is a big bonus for other exterior doors where you may want to put a doorbell and monitor it.
- Setup – Mobile applications bring it all together. The Ring app does a great job of walking you through the network setup and getting the Ring Video Doorbell configured. It was very quick and simple to follow the on screen instructions and get it up and running in no time.
- Mobile App – The Ring app was very easy to use. Broken up into intuitive sections with everything labeled well. I found myself easily going through the application and finding what I was looking for. All the videos and motion events are right at your finger tips. The Ring team did a great job with the configuration interface for the motion sensors. Giving you a visual representation of the field of view it would be tracking, then letting you adjust the depth and different zones.
- Compatibility – There is a large amount of support for the Ring product line among smart home products. They have a partial list on their website and there are even more that are not listed. Amazon Echo, especially the Echo Show. Wink, Smartthings and then you have IFTTT and Stringify to bring together all kinds of products.
- Stand out features – the Ring Video Doorbell set the standard with a full suite of features, 2 way communication and motion alerts. The ability to work off its battery and not need a wired connection is great for those who may rent or not have proper doorbell wiring where they would like to place the Ring. In order to take advantage of all the features and smart home functionality, you do have to subscribe to the Ring+ service. Which has monthly and yearly options.
The Award!
The team over at Ring are on the forefront of a whole new product category. Who knew we needed smart doorbells. The Ring Video Doorbell delivers a great variety of features that offer value to your smart home. You have the ability to answer your door from anywhere in the house, or the world for that matter. As long as you have a data connection.
Ring also put together the Ring Neighborhoods program. I believe programs like this have a huge amount of potential. Its like a virtual neighborhood watch. I hope they put some more marketing efforts behind this social program. It would be great to see it expand to be compatible with other video enable devices like Arlo and Nest. They are sitting on a gold mine here, its all about getting participation and adoption now.
The Ring Video Doorbell worked like a champ during the review period. The couple months I have had it installed, it has been diligent on the front porch. Sensing motion, alerting me when the button is pressed. It had been a great product to work with. The smart home integration even helps it become more of a part of your overall system.
With all the great features and functionality, along with the push to create a smart home social network with Ring Neighborhoods, those of us at SHA are thrilled to give the Ring Video Doorbell our Beyond Awesome award! Make sure and check out our other smart home product reviews.
