Ring Video Doorbell Wired – Convenient, essential features in a compact design, pair with Ring Chime to hear audio alerts in your home (existing doorbell wiring required)

Well executed. Minimal lag. Some connectivity issues early on but no issues after moving repeater. This is my review for:Ring Video Doorbell WiredI tried to keep my review short but there was a lot of information here so I added headers for easier reading.Background:When the first Ring doorbell came out, I really wanted one, but it was a bit too expensive for my taste, so I went with a cheap knock-off. I have been using that knock-off since then and I hate it. The image quality wasn’t awful, but it had a lot of bugs and it didn’t play well with “Alexa”. I kept automating my home adding echo’s, lights, switches, cameras, you name it and every time I circled back to the doorbell I would think: “I already have a video doorbell and the Ring doorbell is still pricey; maybe I should buy some other automation toys”. Well, this new Ring came out, and it was less than 100$ thus I said, let’s try it…Appearance:Dimensions wise, this one is pretty small (5.1”x2.4”x 1.1”). The button is very noticeably a button; to me this is important as with my old knock off doorbell, people would constantly push the camera lenses thinking that they rang the doorbell.Differences between this Ring Doorbell and Previous versions:I did some internet research prior to deciding for it, and I could only find a few things: (1) it supports only 2.4 GHz networks instead of being dual band, (2) it only works as a fully wired setup (3) it has a single faceplate and (4)it is way cheaper than previous models.To me, it wasn’t a big deal the doorbell not being dual band, I planned on using the 2.4 GHz band anyway as I have been with my knockoff brand doorbell. There are several obstructions along the way (two thick walls and some furniture between the door and my repeater, and my router is in the basement), and the 2.4 GHz network is usually better for that albeit a bit slower.This doorbell requires to have an existing wired doorbell setup, unlike previous iterations that you could have fully battery powered doorbell. Yet the setup is only needed for power. You will be bypassing the existing doorbell chime, thus, you will either need to purchase the model that include the Ring Chime (+20$), purchase a separate Ring Chime (30-50$) or use a compatible Alexa device as the speaker(s). I am using a few of my echoes and I like the setup a whole bunch.The Ring Video Doorbell has a single face plate (black) vs 4 different color ones for the Pro. I did search online for other faceplates and I found a pearl white one going for about 15$ but I am sticking with the black one.The newer model is about 70% cheaper. About 60$ vs the 200$ MSRP for the Pro.Issues so far:I haven’t had a lot of issues, but I already had one. I had some connectivity issues right of the bat. The fact that this doorbell bypasses the hardwired chime exacerbates this. No connectivity means no doorbell whether you have power or not. A few resets, I moved my repeater closer and it appear the problem was corrected. However, I point it out because when compared to my old 2.4 GHz knock-off video doorbell, I never had an issue. I am considering this as a one off but I will update my review if this issue persists.Bottom lineWhat I liked:Compatibility with Alexa. When Amazon acquired Ring a while back, I just knew that integration with Echo devices would probably only improve but even knowing that, I was impressed. You can define specific devices you want them to work with. It allows for tons of customization including ringtones.I currently have two echo dots and an echo spot serving as my alerts and this setup works great. The video playback on the Echo Spot is smooth as silk with minimal Lag. I will be linking it up to my new Echo Show when it gets here, next week. I don’t envision any issues linking it up, but I will update my review if needed.It features an advanced motion detection system that allows for customizable alert motion zones. It is extremely intuitive to setup. Thumbs up, all the way.It was very easy to installIt looks elegant yet sleek.It is cheaper than any previous Ring Model.What I dislike so far.It supports only 2.4 GHz networks. This is not a major negative as 2.4 GHz networks usually allow for a better range, especially if there are obstructions along the way. Still, it is worth mentioning.I have a hardwired doorbell chime that is useless now. If my WIFI fails at any point, my doorbell is dead in the water.I already had connectivity issues. They might have been a one off so I am not necessarily overreacting to them but I will update my review if needed.The first two negatives were design choices that allowed lowering the price point and they were something I knew coming in. However, they are still significant enough that I called them out.Overall, for the price, this is actually a very good device. If you already have a Ring doorbell, this item is not for you. If you don’t, and you are ok with a fully WIFI driven, hard wired power doorbell camera, I strongly recommend it.

Can be a bit of a pain to install, but works well. Love the concept / how the device works so far. I also installed the ‘corner mount’ device with the doorbell. The camera is a wide-angle, so if you want / need to see activity on the far side of the door, just use the regular mounting plate that comes with the doorbell.Because I got the wired version, I won’t need to replace batteries, which is great. You do need to put a jumper wire across two terminals of your existing (inside) doorbell box — they supply the jumper wire, and the instructions on how to install it are good. This disables your inside box, so if you want to then hear the doorbell ring inside somewhere besides your phone, you’ll also need the ‘Ring Chime’ accessory.(BTW… the reason you need to do the jumper is because there’s generally not enough voltage / current to allow the video / audio of the Ring doorbell to operate, along with simultaneously ringing the inside box (doorbells are low-voltage devices)).The instructions advise you to turn off power at the breaker to install, but I didn’t bother, and I didn’t have any issues. Just don’t deliberately cross the two wires together once you’ve removed the old ringer, and you’ll be fine. You don’t need to worry about polarity. Just connect the two wires to the two screw terminals on the back of the doorbell, after you attach the mount to the door / frame.A couple of notes on the mounting screws that came with the doorbell unit…The ‘B’ screws (doorbell to mount) are really too short. Thankfully, an extra set of longer wood screws came with the corner base. They were also flathead, which matters.The screws to mount base to doorframe weren’t flatheads, which made the doorbell itself stick out a bit on the mount, until I used the extra flathead ones in their place. If I hadn’t also sprung for the corner mount, I’d have had to stop at the hardware store to find replacement screws. Thus, I’m dinging the review to 4 stars. But the device itself — no complaints, other than all of the screws are so tiny! LOLThankfully, all of the screws (except for the security screw) use the same size screwdriver — a #2 Phillips. If you have one on a smaller shaft, use it, as the shaft of a ‘normal’ sized screwdriver can be a bit large for the task. Usually, a #2 Phillips is on a regular sized shaft. A ‘PH 0’ or ‘PH 1’ will likely strip the heads, as they’re too small. Kind of weird to have such tiny screws use the larger Phillips head slot, but they do. Since they include the security screwdriver (see below), I’d also like to see a smaller PH 2 included, to use with the screws, for ease of installation.The security screw comes with a small screwdriver to install it. But even with the screw installed, one can easily still pry the top of the trim cover out. I’d like longer tabs on the top end of the assembly, so that little miscreants aren’t tempted to break off (or even accidentally move) the trim cover from the top.The instructions urge you to scan the QR code which comes on a separate slip of paper in the instructions. But I couldn’t scan it properly. That meant I had to manually enter the 5-digit numeric version in software, which meant I had to put a magnifier on the code in order to see the number. I’ll chalk that up to my older eyes, but it’s still an issue I encountered.If you accidentally pushed the button while wiring it, and put the device in setup mode before you were ready… you’ll need to remove the trim cover to re-invoke the setup routine (button perimeter lighting will rotate / change to white). This is where the device links with your phone, then registers with your home network.Once the doorbell is linked, it will check for firmware updates, and install those before you can start setting up the device via the phone app. Be patient; it takes a few minutes.I found the sensitivity of the motion detection needed to be dialed back a bit; otherwise, it would alert to every car driving past the house. There’s a utility in the software to further fine-tune the ‘active’ scanning area, and I wound up using that, along with the ‘smart detection’ option (or whatever it’s called), so that I could keep motion alerts down to people / animals actually coming up the driveway / approaching the house. The ‘base’ software adjustment for sensitivity is on a 3-position slider, and is pretty much useless (too sensitive, even on the minimum setting). But if you want to see *all* motion out to street level (and farther), this device can certainly do it.The wide-angle lens does distort people’s images a tiny bit, when they’re close at the door, but I’m willing to accept that, in order to have the wide angle capability.When you install & register the doorbell, it starts out making video captures that are saved for future viewing. This is only for the first 30 days, unless you purchase a monthly plan. I haven’t had the device for 30 days yet, but since I can still get still-motion caps and audio stored without a monthly plan, that may be enough for me; we’ll see.Night vision is black-and-white, but it’s good quality. I’d have no problem identifying someone at the door at night. Daytime is full-color.TL; DR: A little bit of a pain to install / setup — but once you do, works a treat. Glad I bought it.