Video access systems also come into their own when users are away from home, but important visitors arrive. How many social calls have you missed from people you know, just because you were at the shops or working? You'd never really know, unless you could refer to video evidence or mobile phone updates when people arrive. All Ring doorbells have the same 1080p HD video quality, core features and the Ring app, so how much you spend depends on power and how you want the doorbell to look. With a hefty asking price, the Elite doesn’t come cheap, but it benefits from a sleek design and superior internet stability thanks to the way the device is installed. Instead of Wi-Fi connectivity for video and data (although it does support this, too), the Elite is designed to hook up to your home or business network via Ethernet cable; it can even be powered via Ethernet using PoE (Power over Ethernet), although you need a PoE switch of your own to supply power. You have the option of both battery-powered and wired installations. Battery installation is the simplest way to install and Ring states you should get several months of battery life from a full charge, but performance will vary depending on how often the device is triggered. The Ring Video Doorbell 4 is a mid-range video doorbell with some impressive features. Easy to install, the Ring Video Doorbell 4 can be connected to any preexisting doorbell wiring or run off of its rechargeable battery. If you opt to wire it up then it’ll even ring a traditional chime.

Aside from this novelty, the doorbell has great video quality at night and during the day. It’s at least as good as the Nest Hello in this regard. See and hear visitors – The doorbell comes with a reliable two-way microphone system. This allows users to chat to anyone outside their door and hear their responses. You can also listen in to those outside, which could help to understand their motives, and whether to provide access. This can be linked to mobile devices as well – a handy tool for allowing builders or cleaners into properties should you be absent. The Video Doorbell 4 supports both 2.4GHz and 5GHz Wi-Fi networks and Ring recommends upload speeds of at least 2Mbits/sec to ensure an uninterrupted video steam. Is Ring Video Doorbell waterproof? – As we noted earlier, Ring has engineered the Ring Doorbell to be rugged and resilient, and this includes ensuring that it can withstand heavy rain, freezing temperatures, and scorching heat. Obviously, we don't recommend dunking the unit in a bath, but it should deal with any UK weather conditions admirably. However, if you're worried about water getting into the Ring's casing, it may be a good idea to place a hood over the unit. A simple plastic shield can divert any moisture away from the casing, ensuring that it works perfectly for years. The only catch is that it isn’t battery-powered and needs connecting to existing mains-powered doorbell chime wiring, which means you may need professional help installing it. And, after the initial trial period expires (three months at the time of writing) you will have to pay a subscription fee to keep using most of the camera’s features.Additionally, the Pro version of the Ring Doorbell works with Samsung SmartThings, which is handy for Galaxy or Note owners who have embraced the Korean company's smart platform. Things to Remember when Using the Ring Video Doorbell First, users need to set up their Ring App and Ring Account. After that, they have to fix the mounting on a surface near their door, at about chest level.

Will you be able to hear the doorbell? To hear it in the house (not just on your smartphone), you will need a chime unit. With wired doorbells you can usually connect them to your existing chime, whereas battery-powered doorbells typically need a proprietary unit. With some video doorbells these come in the box; with others, it costs extra. What about smart home features?

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If you haven't thought about installing a video doorbell, the advantages might not be immediately obvious, but there are some good reasons to think about making the change.

You can use the Doorbell Plus as a battery powered doorbell or mains powered and connect it to an existing mechanical/electrical chime if you want, and the only real caveat is that it doesn’t come with some of Ring’s more advanced features: video pre-roll, for instance, or 3D Motion detection. You have to opt for the Ring Doorbell 4 for the former, or the Ring Doorbell Pro 2 if you want both. The Doorbell Plus also only works over a single-band Wi-Fi connection but that shouldn’t affect its performance unduly.

The best Ring video doorbells to buy in 2023

The Doorbell 4’s camera also feels like it’s falling a little behind the competition. While Full HD resolution is arguably ample for doorbell purposes, it’s worth noting that competitors such as Eufy, Nest and Arlo all offer more detailed video for around the same price. Although some Ring Doorbells are battery-powered and others are “wired”, all the video and audio data is normally sent over your home Wi-Fi network, and there is some difference between how the various models connect. The app is similarly intuitive and lets you easily tweak variables such as sensitivity, shape detection and notification times. Whenever someone presses the doorbell, your phone will ping and you will be able to interact with the caller remotely, which worked perfectly in our tests. Secondly, the ability to speak with visitors helps when updating them about your location. So, if you are on your way home, you can let them know, or provide instructions about where to leave parcels. And if it's a stranger who seems suspicious, speaking to them suggests that you are at home, making forced entry much less likely.