Ring vs Ring Pro Video Doorbell

When the Ring Doorbell—formerly known as Doorbot—came out a few years ago, it was featured in the reality TV show Shark Tank.

While the inventor, Jamie Sminoff, wasn’t able to get funding for it, he DID get free advertising through the show, and the product was eventually funded by Richard Branson and sold like hotcakes.

Because, come on, who wouldn’t want an interactive doorbell with video, two-way audio, motion sensors, and connects to the internet, right?

Now, Ring Doorbell has come out with a newer version: the Ring Doorbell Pro. When it comes to Ring vs Ring Pro, who wins? Let’s weigh in.

Ring Wi-Fi Video Doorbells: What Are They And How Do They Work?

A Doorbell... With A Peephole

The Ring Doorbell is, first and foremost, a doorbell: visitors ring it to announce their arrival.

One good thing about owning one is this: since it has video capabilities, you can see who it is on the other side of the door simply by accessing the app on your computer, phone or smart device.

You don’t even have to stop what you’re doing to come near the door or windows to sneak a peek. Great for when you’re hiding from that pesky neighbor—or maybe the bill collector?—without getting caught.

A Video Phone

Since the Ring Doorbell is connected to the internet, and features a camera and two-way audio, you can easily have a conversation with the caller whether or not you are at home through the app on your computer, phone or smart device. Imagine you’re soaking in the tub, or on the couch binge watching Netflix when your doorbell goes ding dong and it’s a package delivery.

You don’t even have to stop what you’re doing to get up and talk to the person ringing your doorbell anymore: you can just easily talk to that person as if you’re answering your phone—and with video too.

You can do the same even when you’re not at home, which brings us to the best part—which surely a lot of you will agree with: added home security. Imagine, even if you’re actually miles away, you can still literally keep an eye on your home.

A CCTV Camera, Burglar Alarm and Several Other Home Security Devices Rolled Into One

Speaking of keeping an eye on your home, one of the best features of the Ring Doorbell that makes it such an awesome replacement for your traditional doorbell is probably the motion sensor capabilities: soon as it detects movement near it, it sends a notification straight to your device, and starts to record videos that you can access to monitor what’s going on, or what went on in your absence.

What’s even better is you can even set the boundaries of the area you want the sensor to work on: you can go as wide as your entire lawn or just limit it to your front porch. Pretty neat, huh?

But what makes it even more awesome the Ring Doorbell even has night vision, which enables the device to take infrared videos in black and white, thereby demystifying mysterious things that—as the saying goes—go bump in the night.

The Ring Doorbell can be considered to be more effective than your traditional burglar alarms for one simple reason: traditional burglar alarms work AFTER the thief has broken into your house, but the Ring Doorbell works even BEFORE the thief tries to break in. Like they say, prevention is better than cure, and it holds true in this case: by being able to access your doorbell virtually anywhere in the world, you can pretend that you ARE at home, and deter any would-be thieves from breaking in to your home.

And if these features aren’t cool enough, this one really takes the cake: if you live in a smart home, you can push your Ring Doorbell to even do more. Using the IFTTT web based service, you can easily create “recipes” or additional instructions for your Ring Doorbell to actually send SMS messages to your phone for extra notification, or even to work with your entire smart home. You can also connect up to Amazon's Alexa - this brings the Echo into play, if you have one.

For example, you can set your porch light to automatically turn on when the Ring’s motion sensors are activated, or for your garage door to automatically close itself. Or even broadcast the video onto your smart TV. As the Ring Doorbell is fully compatible with IFTTT, there are endless possibilities to explore as you work out what works best for you and your home.

Social Networking

By using the Ring Doorbell app, one can communicate and share videos with other Ring Doorbell owners. Say, if you happen to have a suspicious character lurking around your neighbourhood, this is a great way to warn others. Or if you just simply want to share something funny or odd that’s happened with your friends, you can easily do so.

Ring Doorbell Features

Supports 720p HD Quality Video

You can keep an eye on your home in clear 720p HD video, whether or not you’re at home.

Night Vision

The Ring Doorbell comes with an infrared night camera, so you can clearly see what’s going on day or night.

Video Phone Capabilities

You can see, talk and hear anyone at your door through your device, and even communicate clearly with them with the two-way audio with noise cancellation feature.

Visitor Alerts

You are alerted immediately if anyone presses your doorbell, or triggers the Ring Doorbell’s motion sensors.

Adjustable Motion Sensor Sensitivity

You can determine the level of sensitivity of the motion sensors—you might or might not want to be alerted each time the neighbor’s cat slinks by, or when the wind blows and ruffles the leaves of the tree growing near your front porch.

Predefined Areas for Motion Sensor Activation

Want to limit the motion sensor activation to just your front porch and not include the sidewalk? You can choose from predefined areas for motion sensor activation.

Compatibility Across Devices

The Ring Doorbell is compatible across devices—you can install the app whether you’re using iOS, Android or Windows 10.

Dual Powered

The Ring Doorbell can be connected to your existing doorbell provision, or—if you don’t have one and don’t mind recharging—off its lithium batteries.

Lifetime Purchase Protection

Ring also offers a lifetime purchase protection that they will replace your Ring Doorbell should it ever get stolen.

Cloud Access

The Ring Doorbell records videos and uploads it to clouds storage so you can access it in the future.

Ring Pro: Extra Features (that the Ring doesn't have)

How To Install A Ring Doorbell

Installing a Ring Doorbell is quite straightforward: you set the Ring Doorbell up with its app, then you can either choose to install the doorbell to your existing doorbell connection or to run on battery.

Ring Doorbell App Setup (based on Android)

Step 1: Download the appropriate app for your OS, whether it be Android, iOS or Windows 10.

Step 2: After the app is installed, open it. Then select 'Setup Device'.

Step 3: You will be prompted to create an account. Make sure that you are connected to the Internet and do so.

Step 4: Select your Ring Doorbell, and give your doorbell a name. Press the Continue button.

Step 5: Set your location by manually inputting an address or using your GPS to locate where you are.

Step 6: Flip your Ring Doorbell over and press the orange button on the back. Wait until the light on the front of your Doorbell turns white and beings to spin. This will put the device in setup mode. Return to your Android device and press the Continue button.

Step 7: Wait while your Android device connects with your Ring Doorbell. Should the connection fail, you may want to try these steps.

Step 8: Once connection is successful, a list of networks will appear on your Android device. Choose the Wi-Fi network you want to connect to. In case of multiple Wi-Fi networks, make sure to choose the one the Ring Doorbell is closest to. Note that you can also extend the wifi range with the Ring Chime Pro

Step 9: Input your Wi-Fi network’s password and wait. Click done once connection is successful.

Ring Doorbell Battery Physical Installation

Step 1: Snap the provided orange level onto the mounting bracket.

Step 2: Place the mounting bracket on the wall at the desired height. Make sure the level is dead flat then mark the four corner holes on the mounting bracket.

Step 3: If you’re installing on concrete or other masonry walls, you may need the plastic anchors that come with the device. You may skip this part if installing on wooden or other softer walls.

Step 4: You will need a power drill to install this device. You may use the drill bit that comes with the Ring Doorbell. Start drilling on the wall, and putting the anchors in the holes if necessary.

Step 5: Use the Phillips head of the orange Ring screwdriver provided and screw in the Ring Doorbell mounting bracket onto your wall with the appropriate screws provided.

Step 6: Remove the level from the mounting bracket.

Step 7: Position your Ring Doorbell over the mounting bracket and push firmly inwards and down until the doorbell snaps into place.

Step 8: Tighten the security screws on the bottom with the provided Ring screwdriver until Ring Doorbell is firmly fixed in place.

• An adjustable bracket is also available separately

Ring Doorbell Wired Physical Installation (replacing old doorbell)

Step 1: Before you begin, make sure you shut off the breaker to your existing doorbell.

Step 2: Proceed to remove your existing doorbell from the wall.

Step 3: Snap the provided orange level onto the mounting bracket.

Step 4: Place the mounting bracket on the wall at the desired height. Make sure the level is dead flat then mark the four corner holes on the mounting bracket.

Step 5: If you’re installing on concrete or other masonry walls, you may need the plastic anchors that come with the device. You may skip this part if installing on wooden or other softer walls.

Step 6: You will need a power drill to install this device. You may use the drill bit that comes with the Ring Doorbell. Start drilling on the wall, and putting the anchors in the holes if necessary.

Step 7: Use the Phillips head of the orange Ring screwdriver provided and screw in the Ring Doorbell mounting bracket onto your wall with the appropriate screws provided.

Step 8: Remove the level from the mounting bracket.

Step 9: Take the wires that run through the mounting bracket, and attach one wire to each of the screws on the front of the bracket. Make sure you wrap the wires firmly for a good connection, and that the wires are not touching each other.

Step 10: Determine if you have a mechanical chime or digital chime doorbell. A mechanical chime doorbell is like your traditional doorbell that goes “ding-dong”, while a digital chime is one that usually is capable of playing a melody. If you existing doorbell is the latter, then you’ll need to use the diode that came with your Ring Doorbell. If it’s mechanical, then you can skip Step 11.

Step 11: Position the black plastic housing in the middle of your mounting bracket, then wrap the wire at each end around one of the screws. Don’t worry about which side is which—if your doorbell doesn’t ring properly, you can just easily reverse the sides later on.

Step 12: Position your Ring Doorbell over the mounting bracket and push firmly inwards and down until the doorbell snaps into place.

Step 13: Tighten the security screws on the bottom with the provided Ring screwdriver until Ring Doorbell is firmly fixed in place.

Step 14: Power on your breaker, and ring the Ring Doorbell. If it works properly, the Ring Doorbell will chime. If not, your diode might just not be attached on the right end—simply reverse it and try again.

Ring vs Ring Pro Comparison: What Are The Differences?

The Ring Pro is basically a slimmer, upgraded version of the Ring Doorbell, and is more customizable. Compared to its predecessor, the Ring Pro has a better camera that supports 1080p video and night vision. As you can integrate the Ring Pro to work with smart TVs and stream the image right onto your screen, the Pro with the better camera might be a better choice with bigger screens due to clearer quality video.

If you have a big yard, or you just simply want a bigger field of view, the original Ring Doorbell would be a better choice. However, if you want more customizability, then the Ring Pro would be better, as you can personally draw the areas in your home that you want the motion sensors to be activated. Also, the interchangeable plates of the Ring Pro would allow the user to change the doorbell’s appearance anytime.

If you have an existing doorbell connection already, and you’re the forgetful type, then the Ring Pro would be a better choice for you as it runs exclusively on a doorbell connection, so you won’t have to worry about charging it once or twice a year. If you live in a colder region, better get the Ring Pro as the cold would drain the lithium batteries faster.

Remember that the Ring plays a huge part in keeping your home safe, so you wouldn’t want it to suddenly run out of charge and compromise your home’s security! On the other hand, if for any reason you find it more convenient for the doorbell to run on batteries, then get the Ring Doorbell, as in can run both on batteries or wiring.

• How to charge a Ring doorbell

Ring vs Ring Pro: Conclusion

When it comes to Ring vs. Ring Pro, the Ring Doorbell and the Ring Pro are actually very similar to each other in terms of sharing the same app and functionality wise, but the greatest advantage of the Pro would be the ability to support a 5GHz Wi-Fi connection.

You get a faster internet connection to stream clearer videos to you, which provides better security to your home.

Thank you for reading this article! We hope you enjoyed it, and found it informative. Feel free to share this article if you liked it, and don’t forget to leave a comment or ask questions in the appropriate section below!