With HDR support, the Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2 copes well with all lighting conditions: even my south-facing front door didnt phase the camera, despite it being in direct sunlight. It's a solid choice if you own other Ring devices and want a doorbell with all of the most advanced features, though the $99.99 Ezviz DB1C is an excellent alternative (and our Editors' Choice award winner) for far less money.
I guess the lack of local storage and server-side processing would make it kind of useless, but I suppose those would have to be part of the package if this were an option. Having Alexa act as your personal butler feels nothing short of futuristic, and the ability to answer back with quick, contextual replies at the tap of a button (and without your own voice) is more than just handy; it feels like a necessity going forward for top-tier video doorbells. 3D Motion detection enables the video doorbell to see motion and understand where that motion is happening in viewable space. You can also view video streams on an Amazon Echo Show smart display. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Trusted Reviews is supported by its audience. No. You may well still need to replace your existing transformer, however, since the Video Doorbell Pro 2 requires a 16-24VAC power adapter. While the Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2 has plenty under the hood to differentiate itself from the first-generation model, the biggest change is how it sees the world. Two-way audio is loud and clear as well. There's also no denying that paying for a monthly subscription (on top of all your other subscriptions these days) isn't fun, but at least it's darn cheap. Here you can enable/disable Ring Alerts, Motion Alerts, and Motion Detection, and change Mode settings (Disarmed, Home, Away). That, complete with the birds-eye view that's created in a picture-in-picture-style over the live video gives you a glanceable view of which way movement originated and where it ended. This model ships in two versions: a regular unit that comes with a DIN-rail transformer for professional installation, or you can buy the doorbell with a plug-in adapter and install it yourself. The display of third-party trademarks and trade names on this site does not necessarily indicate any affiliation or the endorsement of PCMag. With my Ring Floodlight Cam on, theres no problem with full-colour night vision, and the image quality at night is as good as during the day. There's no way to locally store video, though, so you'll be limited to live views only if you don't have a Ring Protect plan. To access the doorbells settings screen, tap the gear icon in the upper right corner. Included in the box are the doorbell, a Torx screwdriver for securing the faceplate, mounting screws, an angled wedge adapter, a power cable adapter, a user guide, and a quick start guide.
With Linked Devices, you can make your camera work with other devices say, turning on your Ring Floodlight Cams light when motion is spotted or getting another camera to start recording, too. You can also link the doorbell to other installed Ring devices to have cameras begin recording or have lights turn on when motion is detected. Aside from bypassing the chime, both doorbells are otherwise identical and install in the same way, running the power cables to the terminals on the back. Yellow dots represent the current path of the visitor and will gradually become redder and more transparent before disappearing after a few seconds. How well this will work for you depends on the layout of your front yard. 
If you're not willing to pay $3 a month for a subscription, you should just buy a less expensive video doorbell.
Android Central is supported by its audience. That's something I never considered would even be possible. I spent more than 14 years on staff, most recently as the director of operations for PC Labs, before hitting the freelance circuit as a contributing editor. Ring does provide a corner mount in the box, which can help you angle the doorbell to get the best view if youre having trouble getting the right image. Gone is the passive infrared sensor that detected heat and, in its place, is a new radar sensor that can actually detect movement up to 30ft away with near-pinpoint accuracy. (Image: Nick Sutrich / Android Central), Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2 at Amazon for $259.99, Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2: Price and availability, (Image credit: Source: Nick Sutrich / Android Central), Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2: You'll love what it sees, Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2: It's hard to like subscriptions. I certainly experience no issues using my mesh system. You'll place a pin at the approximate location of your front door, then rotate the view to line up with what your Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2 sees. Ring has other ways of cutting down notifications, too. It makes the Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2 the most powerful device to manage, and Ive had far fewer notifications and recordings since installing this model. In conjunction with the brand new, higher-resolution camera, this new sensor creates the most accurate view of motion you'll get from any video doorbell on the market. The main benefit, aside from more detail, is that you can see a person in full, head to toe. The Video Doorbell Pro 2 works with other Ring doorbell and security cameras, the Ring Alarm security system, and Ring lighting devices. First is package and animal detection. Founded in 2004, Trusted Reviews exists to give our readers thorough, unbiased Ring, thankfully, kept this as part of the doorbell's basic functionality, as all live views including both answering button presses and just manually viewing live video will display the bird 's-eye view map complete with the detected motion path. You can answer with the touch control or use your voice to speak to the caller without touching your phone. Subscribing to a newsletter indicates your consent to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Otherwise, you'd probably just buy something less expensive. Sign up for Lab Report to get the latest reviews and top product advice delivered right to your inbox. last updated 29 March 22. NY 10036. Device Settings is where you can configure Video, Notification, and Privacy options. I really like the way that the Arlo Video Doorbell actually causes your phone to ring, making it more difficult to miss. That really would be short-selling the product. Theres also a button for configuring Smart Responses, where you can enable Alexa Greetings to have Alexa do things like provide directions for deliveries or take a message. As is the case with basically all Eufy Security products, Eufy Video Doorbell keeps as many things local as possible. Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab). Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2 has the same kind of feature, called Quick Responses, but takes that concept a step further by connecting your visitors directly with Alexa. As an Amazon company, Ring always sells its products on its website and Amazon.com. Other options include Motion Settings that let you adjust sensitivity levels, configure 3D Motion range and Birds Eye View settings, and enable People Only Mode. It also delivers very sharp video and accurate motion detection, and it works with Amazon Alexa voice commands and plenty of third-party smart home devices. That connection to Alexa allows your doorbell to answer itself. Our expert industry analysis and practical solutions help you make better buying decisions and get more from technology. This model has to be hard-wired into place. (, Works with Alexa, IFTTT, and lots of third-party devices, Subscription required to view recorded video, Doesn't support Apple HomeKit or Google Assistant, Read Great Stories Offline on Your Favorite, PC Magazine Digital Edition (Opens in a new window), How to Free Up Space on Your iPhone or iPad, How to Save Money on Your Cell Phone Bill, How to Convert YouTube Videos to MP3 Files, How to Record the Screen on Your Windows PC or Mac, Read Our Ezviz DB1C Wi-Fi Video Doorbell Review, Read Our Arlo Essential Video Doorbell Wire-Free Review, Read Our Lorex 2K QHD Wired Video Doorbell Review, Read Our Ring Video Doorbell 3 Plus Review, Read Our Vivint Doorbell Camera Pro Review, Read Our Ring Video Doorbell (2020) Review, Read Our Ring Video Doorbell Wired Review, Read Our SimpliSafe Video Doorbell Pro Review, The Best Outdoor Home Security Cameras for 2022, Alexa, Show Me the Best Amazon Echo Show Tips and Tricks, 8 Simple Robot Vacuum Tips to Help Keep Your Floors Clean Without Lifting a Finger, Arlo Go 2 LTE/Wi-Fi Security Camera Review, Asustor Lockerstor 2 Gen2 (AS6702T) Review, TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Plug Slim (EP25P4) Review. The doorbell connects to 2.4GHz and 5GHz networks, and it can be set to ring a Ring Chime or any Amazon Echo speakers you have. If you have a smart display, such as the Echo Show 10 (3rd Generation), a doorbell press will automatically load up the video feed, so you can see whos at the door. This kind of motion detection is particularly important if you live on a busy street either foot or car traffic or have a property with lots of trees or shrubbery that might block the otherwise perfect view your video doorbell has of your home's path of entry. Some doorbells, like the Arlo Video Doorbell, give users the ability to select from a list of pre-canned responses, which, when selected, will be read to the person at your door via an automated voice. I loved seeing the motion history while scrubbing through the motion timeline on the Ring app, as it's perfectly laid out in a way that's easy to understand exactly where motion was detected. New York, If youre fed up of receiving irrelevant notifications, this doorbell has the best motion detection controls, dramatically cutting down alerts. After saying the message, the doorbell will continue to record, showing any message left as a new type of event in the recording history log: Quick Reply. Around back are two wiring terminals, and under the removable faceplate are a reset button and a QR code for use with the initial setup. Given how flexible Alexa routines are, you can really do a lot here say, turning on a hall light when someone presses the doorbell. Keep an eye on your inbox! Motion detection is very accurate, with no false alerts when set to People Only Mode, and the Birds Eye View feature works as advertised, showing the path of visitors to my doorstep. Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2: Should you buy it? Here, the camera records six seconds of video to internal memory constantly. Rings latest smart doorbell, the Video Doorbell Pro 2 ($249.99), offers a few features you won't find on the company's other models, including 3D motion detection and a Birds Eye View that gives you an aerial picture of motion events. Android Central is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Is it essential? https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/ring-video-doorbell-pro-2, Since 1982, PCMag has tested and rated thousands of products to help you make better buying decisions. That extra resolution helps, although it has to be said that definition is better for people standing still, waiting for you to answer the door, rather than those moving quickly, say, as they walk towards the door. The lack of support for a regular internal chime is a shame. It doesnt work with Apple HomeKit or Google Assistant, but it does integrate nicely with the Amazon Alexa platform and supports Alexa Greetings that allow Alexa to answer the door for you with a preprogrammed message. Many of Ring's other video doorbells have the option to run on a battery or be hardwired, and I'd love to be able to easily hook Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2 up to a battery and, at the least, have it run in a reduced-capacity if the power were to go out. Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, There are two versions: the first requires professional installation to put the DIN-rail transformer in place near your consumer unit; the second version ships with a plug-in adapter for self-install. You also get more information thanks to 3D Motion Detections birds-eye view. Today, we have millions of users a month from around the world, and assess more than 1,000 products a year. To Ring's point (or, I assume, of course): if you have $250 to spend on a video doorbell, you can probably afford $3 a month for cloud storage and all of the features you're paying $250 for. Starting life on the consumer PC press back in 1998, David has been at the forefront of technology for the past 20 years. If you have Echo devices in your home, as the majority of people in the UK do, then its just another vote for Ring. Theres still the older Event History section of the app, which simply provides a list of events sorted by time, but this lacks thumbnails. Taking subscriptions off the list of complaints, though, there are two things I'd love to see added in the future.
That makes it easier to see packages on the doorstep and, once again, get a better contextual view of what's going on in front of your home. If local storage is your thing, the best smart video doorbell that stores locally is, undoubtedly, the Eufy Video Doorbell. I began by shutting off the breaker circuit that supplies power to my doorbell wiring and proceeded to remove my old doorbell. This doorbell can answer itself, thanks to Alexa. As I mentioned, theres now no support for regular chimes. The improvements made here are not just to the motion detection, though. Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. If youre out and about, then calls also come through to your phone via a simple notification. No other manufacturer comes close to offering the same range of products, all tied together with one cheap monthly subscription. In particular, trying to spot the pathway of narrow Victorian terraced houses is quite the art form. They're some of my favorite things about Arlo and Google's video doorbells and really do make a difference when knowing whether or not I should even bother looking at a motion notification. The new microphone array makes it possible to actually understand what the person on the other end is saying, and video end-to-end encryption and 2-factor authentication support mean you won't have to worry about someone else intercepting your videos or messages. Rings real strength lies in its ecosystem, with the doorbell working well with the alarm and any other cameras you have.
If you want the latest in smart doorbell technology, the Video Doorbell Pro 2 is an excellent choice. You want a doorbell that can answer itself. From the moment you unpack the impossibly small box that Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2 comes in to the time when you hang its tiny form-factor next to your door, you're going to love this video doorbell. It appears in its own panel on the dashboard screen, along with panels for all of your installed Ring products. The Pro 2 also offers Rings new 3D Motion Detection and Birds Eye View radar technology, which work together to provide more accurate motion detection while letting you see where visitors to your home have traveled while on your property. Thank you for signing up to Android Central. A small speaker is located on the bottom edge. Video quality has been bumped up to 1536p which, just as the numbers suggest, is a 50% bump in resolution. Ring also seems to have worked on response times; from pressing the button to receiving a notification on my phone was only a few seconds, and it was no more for Echo devices. Thanks to the wide support for the Ring ecosystem, and a huge range of partner products, the Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2 is the best smart doorbell available today but its expensive, and loses the option to ring an internal chime. When a cat came strolling around the porch at 2 am, I knew exactly where it went, just in case it left me any presents to clean up later. I tried uninstalling the app and resetting the doorbell, but each time I did the results were the same. Once installed, the Video Doorbell Pro 2 worked as intended. Rings $250 Video Doorbell Pro 2 offers lots of bells and whistles including highly detailed video, 3D motion detection, and a unique aerial view of motion activity. Once the doorbell is placed, you can use the test feature to set the range of the motion detection, cutting it off at the point your property ends. Please wait.
It's also definitely best when paired with a Ring Protect Plan as you'll get access to advanced motion zones options and be able to see 60 days of recorded history. Nick started with DOS and NES and uses those fond memories of floppy disks and cartridges to fuel his opinions on modern tech. That is, of course, unless you really need that 3D motion detection. Ring has added its Privacy Zones, which let you block out part of the image to protect a neighbours privacy. This calibration helps Ring understand where motion is located on said satellite image. You will receive a verification email shortly. That change is both in the camera itself which is both higher-resolution and uses a different aspect ratio and the way it detects motion.
There's a good reason for that. PCMag.com is a leading authority on technology, delivering lab-based, independent reviews of the latest products and services. Once in your account, the first thing youll have to do is set up the new 3D Motion Detection feature. Is it cool? You don't want to pay for a subscription to get all the features. Once you enable the option, Alexa will answer any button presses, and visitors can chat with Alexa exactly as you might imagine. However, its still the clunkiest part of the app, and scrolling back through a days worth of events isnt a lot of fun.
Im not quite sure of the reasons that Ring has made this change, since a regular doorbell chime is a reliable way to receive notifications that dont rely on your Wi-Fi working. It measures 4.4 by 1.9 by 0.8 inches (HWD) and has a Satin Nickel cover and a glossy black camera face. Unlike the radar-driven motion detection, this feature requires a Ring Protect subscription but may honestly be the most compelling reason that Ring has ever devised to subscribe. Wall Nearby helps if you have a wall in the vicinity that the IR lights bounce off; and Well-Lit Area disables IR completely, assuming that you have a security light that illuminates your doorstep. If you have Google Assistant smart speakers, then youre also out of luck here. Plus, its a better option if you have multiple cameras and in particular if you have the Ring Alarm, as you get cellular backup and assisted monitoring, too.
The Plus Plan costs $10 per month or $100 per year and provides 60 days of storage for all of your Ring cameras.
As with any smart doorbell, the Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2 will let you see who is at your doorstep and answer visitors without having to open the door, but its the only model that offers an aerial view of where visitors have traveled while on your property. It can be a little fiddly to get right, particularly since the satellite imagery is quite low resolution. We follow the IPSO Editors code of practice to underpin these standards.
Ring Doorbell Pro 2 is the culmination of Ring's impressive motion detection technology research and introduces a brand new concept to video doorbells: 3D motion detection. Ring's name has become synonymous because of its pivotal contributions to the home security industry including some of the best smart doorbells and for the lessons in privacy we've learned from the company's missteps over the years. Learn more. Quality high-resolution video footage and excellent Amazon Alexa integration make this a great choice for any Echo-based household. Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2 creates the most realistic view of what you'd see if you were the one standing at your own front door by not just providing a pretty moving picture but also giving you an understanding of the depth of the scene. Android Central's expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. The Basic Plan gives you 60 days of rolling storage for one camera and goes for $3 per month or $30 per year. You can add buttons for other supported devices including garage door openers, Ring lights, and the Ring Alarm system. You want the most accurate motion detection of any video doorbell. If youre struggling to get a good picture, there are a few advanced options. Below the video panel is an event timeline you can scroll through to find an event that occurred at a specific time of day. In February 2022 (running until 21 March 2022), Ring signed up with The Batman movie to have some caped crusader-inspired responses, such as Bat signal activated. Ring has had a range of doorbells for a while now, although theyve largely offered the same Full HD recording resolution and similar features, with the main difference being between wired and wireless options. If you want to hear your doorbell inside clearly, you need to go smart. You can either use a Ring Chime or Chime Pro, which plugs into a power socket, or you can turn on Alexa Announcements and have doorbell presses announced through your Echo smart speakers. That gives you better zoom detail than previous Ring efforts and, to make things even better, it's now displayed in a more helpful square aspect ratio that Ring calls "Head to Toe video." You're already running a Ring or Alexa-powered smart home. When an event is triggered, you get the recording plus the first six seconds of video, so you can see what happened before a recording started. That said, it's also one of Ring's priciest models at $250, and you have to subscribe to a Ring Protect plan in order to access certain features and view recorded video. Now, you can use Quick Replies, choosing an automated message to go out after a set period (immediately to 20 seconds). Thats good news in terms of size, since the doorbell is relatively compact (114 x 49 x 22mm), and will easily fit on most door frames. All clips can be downloaded to your phone, so you can save any evidence you need. Second, I'd love a way to run this thing on battery power. Whether it's VR, smart home gadgets, or something else that beeps and boops, he's been writing about it since 2011. Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2 ships with a satin nickel faceplate but customers can claim one free additional faceplate color after purchasing the doorbell. Ive been working with computers for ages, starting with a multi-year stint in purchasing for a major IBM reseller in New York City before eventually landing at PCMag (back when it was still in print as PC Magazine). On top of this, the Arlo Video Doorbell comes in a wired and wire-free version and even offers more granular object-based motion detection like animals and packages. If you click an affiliate link and buy a product or service, we may be paid a fee by that merchant. Just as Ring's products integrate perfectly into the Amazon Alexa ecosystem, Arlo's works deeply with the Google ecosystem and, actually, very well with Alexa, too. We had some trouble pairing the device to the app, but your mileage may vary. Throw in better video quality and head-to-toe footage, and its the best smart video doorbell available right now, although it does work best if you have Amazon Echo smart speakers. You can view an installation tutorial in the app or just go ahead and get started.
If you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a commission. Reach him on Twitter or Instagram @Gwanatu, best smart video doorbell that stores locally, Always-on recording with easily-viewable history, Doesn't integrate well with Google services, Ring Protect Plan needed for most features. Its a powerful combination, as motion has to take place both inside a motion zone and within the range youve set. Options for transformer or plug-in versions, The Night Sample IR has the best set of motion detection controls, Excellent image quality and it responds fast.
The new 3D Motion Detection feature, combined with traditional activity zones, means that youll largely only receive important notifications: a powerful and genuinely useful upgrade. You also need a subscription to use Alexa Greetings. Ring has used a loud speaker in the doorbell, so callers can clearly hear what youre saying, and their responses are loud and clear, too. PCMag Digital Group.
Theres a slight lag answering a call, but thats to be expected from any device such as this. Ring has started to add some special responses. Motion in these zones isnt monitored or recorded, although a person who starts outside of a zone can move into a zone. With a Ring Protect plan, you get Advanced Pre-roll.
You can scroll through the timeline on the live view screen, and filter by date and event type (motion, ring, person or live view). And for the same price, you can go wireless with standard the Ring Video Doorbell, which is much easier to install, but doesn't offer many of the advanced features (such as Pre-Roll recording or even dual-band Wi-Fi) that you get with the Pro 2. At the top of the dashboard are Disarmed, Home, and Away buttons, and below those are buttons that will take you to the Neighbors screen where you can view events from the Ring community, and to theHistory screen that displays a list of motion events and video clips of each event. There was a problem. The camera supports color night vision and Pre-Roll video that lets you view what took place just before the motion sensor was triggered. Snapshots can be taken on a configurable interval, helping you get some better context to motion events. Ring's products work best in an Alexa or Ring-powered smart home, but if your preference is a Google-powered smart home, you might want to pick Arlo Video Doorbells instead. You'll still need an Arlo Smart subscription to get all the features, though, so that part isn't any better than what Ring offers. Following the on-screen instructions, I used my phones camera to scan the QR code on the doorbell and it was immediately recognized. You'd be remiss for ignoring the optics improvements alone, which don't just deliver better zoom abilities or a proper view of your whole porch thanks to the head-to-toe aspect ratio but the ability to answer itself is truly a stunning feature. PCMag, PCMag.com and PC Magazine are among the federally registered trademarks of Ziff Davis and may not be used by third parties without explicit permission. Nest is starting to trail behind and, while the Nest Hello is good, the only reason to buy this doorbell is if you have Google Assistant smart speakers, which Ring doesnt support. You can also have the doorbell use Ring Quick Replies to deliver greetings and take messages. Get the best of Android Central in in your inbox, every day! As with the original (and now quite old) Ring Video Doorbell Pro, the Pro 2 model is a hardwired model that doesnt come with a battery pack. The 1536p camera delivered very sharp video in testing with spot-on motion detection, and the doorbell worked well with Alexa voice commands and Alexa Greetings. Please refresh the page and try again. Nicholas Sutrich Whether it's leaving a message for you to listen to later, get instructions for where to deliver packages or something else entirely, it's pretty comforting knowing that someone at the door isn't just standing there wondering if someone is home or not. You may unsubscribe from the newsletters at any time. Expect more of this kind of thing in the future. Its quite easy to miss, particularly if you have multiple apps sending notifications. Ring's smartest doorbell is also its priciest. While Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2 isn't useless without a subscription, it's going to deliver a severely limited set of functionality that would be better served by a cheaper doorbell. Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2 doesn't do much to change the fact that Ring's products don't play well with Google-powered smart homes but, realistically, there are a lot more Alexa-powered homes out there anyway. A coupon is included in the app after you pair it with your Ring account and Ring offers several different color options. To begin, you first use a combination of the regular map and satellite imagery to place your doorbell.
Buy the Ring Alarm (2nd Generation) and the new Geofence option lets you snooze your doorbell as you get home, so you dont get a pointless notification telling you that youve seen yourself arrive home.