Ring has finally updated its original Video Doorbell with 1080p HD live streaming (up to 720p on the original model), sharper night vision, and more customizable motion zones. * Is * better than the 2014 doorbell, but this $ 100 second-generation Ring Video Doorbell retains the annoying thing about the original – you need to remove the entire doorbell to charge it.
I like it
- It costs $ 100
- Improved specifications and performance
I do not like
- The battery is not removable
Fortunately, you can install this model, too, and if that’s your plan, this new doorbell is a reasonable option. If you need to go the battery route, you’ll have to decide if it’s worth having a multi-hour gap in video monitoring while your doorbell is charging inside, or make smart use of extension cords to get the doorbell to ring. I can charge outside and keep watching things. Ring sells a $ 50 solar charger if your doorbell is installed in a direct-light location, to mitigate some of the battery limitations.
While Ring’s second-generation Video Doorbell is a clear improvement over the original, it’s not enough to broadly appeal to potential buyers. People looking for an affordable price cabling the timbre should consider this pattern; all others should weigh the above considerations about the battery. Ring’s privacy and security policies should also take into account your purchase decision. I will cover it in the section below.
Read more: The best video doorbells of 2020
The basics
Before Ring was, well, ring, was Bot Home Automation, a startup with a smart idea of combining a security camera and a doorbell in one device, called Doorbot. While Bot Home Automation was one of the first brands to have a smart doorbell, its 2013 device had a lot of problems. In 2014 Bot Home Automation changed its name to Ring and introduced its inaugural product, the $ 200 video doorbell.
That first-gen Ring buzzer was a huge improvement over the Doorbot, but it still had some performance and design limitations. Six years later, Ring is now an Amazon company that sells a variety of video doorbells, security cameras, a security system, lighting products and accessories, including your original Ring Video Doorbell for the reduced price of $ 100.
Now Ring has replaced its first-generation Video Doorbell with similar but new hardware, and some updated specs, all for the same $ 100 price.
Setting the doorbell is the same as any other. Sign in or create an account if you don’t already have one, select the device you want to configure from the list in the app and follow the steps to connect the doorbell to your Wi-Fi network.
The steps include tutorials for installing the doorbell, either through wiring or simply mounting it on the doorframe and relying on the battery. The setup part of the app is very fast, just a few minutes, but add more time to the estimate if you need to drill holes and plan to wire your Ring Video Doorbell.
As always, if you have any questions about your doorbell installation, consult a professional installer. You can also see the following video where I install the Ring Video Doorbell 2, which has a design and configuration process similar to the second generation Ring Video Doorbell. Please note this video is not a replacement to consult a professional installer with questions.
The details
After that initial setup, this doorbell is pretty easy to use. Receive alerts on your phone every time the doorbell detects activity, or when someone rings the doorbell. Open the live stream whenever you want and customize your settings in the app.
Ring also claims that it has improved night vision and motion detection over its first-generation model. Since it’s been about six years since I tried the original doorbell and I don’t have one on hand, I can’t test it side by side. I can say that night vision in this model worked well for me, allowing me to distinguish between my two similar-looking dogs in the dark and to distinguish other activities in my yard at night, such as neighborhood cat Roger roaming around.
If you rely exclusively on the built-in doorbell battery for power, it should last three to six months on a charge and take five to 10 hours to charge. My front door is covered by a porch and is largely protected from the elements, and I was able to load the doorbell outside while still controlling the front yard (leaning on the porch floor, against the house), but the charging cable ring includes isn not weatherproof or recommended for this purpose. Still, that’s a possible solution to allow 24/7 monitoring, even when you need to charge the doorbell, as long as the charging cable and doorbell are free of elements.
Again, Ring sells a solar accessory to limit or completely eliminate the need to charge the doorbell. Since my door is under a porch, that would not work, but it is an option. Ring also sells bell accessories so you can hear your doorbell inside, even if it’s not connected to a bell transformer.
The ease of customization in the app stands out more, from being able to set your own motion zones to setting your doorbell in Home, Away or Unarmed mode. You must pay for Ring’s optional Protect service, which starts at $ 3 per month, to be able to view saved motion clips for up to 60 days, as well as access to snapshot capture. Snapshot Capture takes photos between video clips to show you a little bit more of what’s going on at home, though I don’t find that feature particularly useful, as I just want to see what happens when motion is detected.
This device also supports Ring’s Exclusive People Mode, a feature that only works with a Ring Protect subscription that allows your ringtone to filter out all movement alerts for people, such as animals, vehicles, and other activities. It works with Alexa, too, so you can ask your Alexa enabled smart speaker to show you the live stream from your camera. I don’t have a smart display at home, but I tried this feature successfully with other ring bells on CNET Smart Home prequarantine.
Inside the Ring app.
Screenshots by CNET
Privacy issues
Given today’s wide and growing variety of smart home devices with a microphone and camera, it is important for product reviewers to consider privacy and security along with hardware, so you can make the most informed decision possible. My comment, Ring’s new privacy and security features demonstrate that hardware isn’t the only thing important, go into this in detail, but the bottom line is that reviewing products is no longer just about hardware.
Ring isn’t the only company I’ve had a complicated relationship with as a product review because of this: ahem, Facebook. But Ring’s security and privacy record, partnership with U.S. police stations, and security concerns, such as user information exposed in December 2019, prompted CNET to stop reviewing or recommending temporarily Ring products.
However, Ring has made improvements, including the introduction of a Control Center dashboard with easier access to privacy and security settings and two-factor authentication, so we’re reviewing Ring’s products again.
“Protecting our customers’ privacy, security and control over their devices and personal information is critical to Ring, and we are constantly working to meet this commitment,” a Ring spokesperson told CNET by email in April. “This was most recently demonstrated when we were the first smart home security company to enforce a second layer of verification for all of our customers. We will continue to add features to protect user privacy and improve data security as we work. in our mission of making neighborhoods safer.
“Ring products are intended for use on private property, and we require all of our customers to comply with applicable laws when configuring their Ring devices,” added the spokesperson. “We have taken steps to help customers respect people’s privacy while using their devices, including [the Privacy Zones feature and free Ring stickers]”
If you have any more questions about Ring’s policies, start with my colleague Alfred Ng’s story, Amazon is helping police build a surveillance network with Ring bells. Here is also Ring’s privacy statement, if you want to read it in detail.
The verdict
The Ring Video Doorbell is a decent doorbell with decent features. Given the updates Ring added here, this $ 100 model catches up with the other rings from the Amazon company.
The need to remove the doorbell to charge it remains a major drawback. If that doesn’t bother you, or if you plan to plug it in anyway, this affordable doorbell might be a good option. As always, evaluate its price and performance in conjunction with Ring’s privacy and security policies to decide if the second-generation Ring Video Doorbell is right for you.
Read more: The best outdoor security camera to buy in 2020
