If you’re looking to protect your home, you can’t do better than installing outdoor cameras. Entry sensors and indoor cameras are good, but they don’t detect home invasions until someone’s already inside your house. And the only thing more effective than an outdoor camera is an outdoor camera that includes lighting options. There’s nothing like shining a light on a potential burglar to make them think twice about breaking in.
It’s no secret how important outdoor cameras are. They keep a close eye on the perimeter of your property and catch thieves breaking into your garage or running off with your Amazon delivery. But do you need one with a spotlight? Does it add any additional security benefits besides blinding a criminal in the middle of the act?
To find out the answer, we turned to Ring. While they’ve got some excellent video doorbells, Ring also has a great range of outdoor security cameras with optional lighting features. We decided to purchase the cameras and put them through their paces to find out if they made a difference.
The Ring Floodlight Cam
Ring Outdoor Cameras Overview
Ring offers not just one outdoor camera with lighting but two: the Floodlight Cam and the Spotlight Cam. While both make it easier to see at night, they’re actually designed to serve very different functions.
- The Floodlight Cam illuminates large spaces with bright light. That makes it great for protecting wide, open areas like entire yards.
- In contrast, the Spotlight Cam provides softer, focused illumination, great for lighting up specific areas of your property, such as a pathway or a set of stairs.
In simple terms, do you want blinding lights that will stop burglars in their tracks and possibly scare them away, or a spotlight that could do the same but is more welcoming to friendly guests?
Beyond this basic question, there are a host of other factors to consider. Are you looking for a hardwired model, or is wireless your thing? How are you planning to power your device? Battery? Outlet? Ring now offers solar panels. And how many of these devices does your property need?
That’s a lot of questions, but keep reading. You’ll find we have a lot of answers.
Ring Floodlight vs Ring Spotlight: Similarities
Despite their different functions, these cameras have some important similarities. After all, they’re both made by Ring, so they share a number of basic components. To start with, they have similar recording components. No surprise, then, that both offer the same basic video quality you’ll find in all Ring cameras (read our full roundup of Ring Cameras and pricing if you want to know more).
Both cameras feature two-way communication. Through the Ring app, both provide real-time alerts and live views of your property. For a nominal fee, both allow you to store video in the cloud for later playback. Both are available in multiple power options. And finally, both come in either “Plus” or “Pro” models.
It’s also noteworthy that both cameras offer color night vision — a perk of having integrated lights. You can set lights to activate when cameras detect motion. That’s a great way to catch burglars on the wrong foot without having to worry about false alerts. Or, turn this feature off and use the Ring app to control the lights.
Ring Spotlight Cam at Twilight
Ring Spotlight vs Ring Floodlight: Differences
We’re going to get into the nitty gritty of the technical differences between these cameras in the features section, but first we want to step back and look at them holistically.
Pro Tip: Regardless of which product you choose, you can’t go wrong with adding additional lighting to your property. Security lights are one of the best ways to fend off burglars, after all.
The Spotlight is designed for more than shining a light on would-be criminals. It can help you bring the groceries in during the evening or avoid tripping on the steps after coming home late from a concert. It’s also more welcoming for visitors who are approaching the house, so they don’t have to stare down some dark, ominous stairs. So, while it will frighten off intruders, its primary job is ensuring your safety around your own property.
The floodlight, on the other hand, is all about security. When those 2000 lumens kick on, they light up your backyard like the Vegas strip. And the 105 dB siren sounds like a jet landing at Harry Reid International. You really wouldn’t want to install this piece of equipment on your front porch, unless for some reason you want to be blinded while bringing in the groceries. This is a camera you put in your backyard because, after all, no one has any business back there but you.
As important as the lights are to both of these cameras, they have plenty of other features as well. Let’s turn to those next.
Features
All of the cameras are packed with a distinct set of features. Some overlap, and some are unique. To keep it simple, we’ve broken down each model and added some extra information on the Plus and Pro devices to make it easier to choose the right one for your needs.
Spotlight Cam Plus
- Color Night Vision
- Customizable Motion Detection
- Two-Way Talk
- Motion Activated Notifications
- Built In Siren
Spotlight Cam Pro
- 3D Motion Detection
- Enhanced Audio
- Dual-Band WiFi
- Two-Way Talk
- Built-In Siren
Floodlight Cam Plus
- Color Night Vision
- 2000 Lumen Floodlight
- 105 dB Siren
- Motion Activated Notifications
- Two-Way Talk
Floodlight Cam Pro
- Color Night Vision
- 3D Motion Detection
- Dual-Band WiFi
- Enhanced Audio
- 105 dB Siren
Besides those variants, both the Spotlight and Floodlight Cams offer different power options, from battery to hardwiring. However, the Spotlight Cam is more flexible. It has battery, solar, and plug-in options, while all Floodlight Cams require some type of wiring. It’s available only in plug-in (plugged into a power outlet) and hardwired (wired into a junction box in lieu of a traditional floodlight). That may limit your placement for the Floodlight Cam, but again, it’s not as universal as the Spotlight Cam anyway.
Pricing
As you’d expect, the pricing on these devices differs based on which model you select and which power source you want to use. Here’s a quick breakdown of what that looks like:
| Camera | Battery | Hardwired | Plug In | Solar |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spotlight Cam Plus | $169.99 | $199.99 | $169.99 | $199.99 |
| Spotlight Cam Pro | $229.99 | $249.99 | $229.99 | $249.99 |
| Floodlight Cam Plus | N/A | $199.99 | $219.98 | N/A |
| Floodlight Cam Pro | N/A | $249.99 | $269.98 | N/A |
You should know that Ring has developed a reputation for running frequent sales. Right now, for instance, almost all of Ring’s lighted cameras can be had at deep discounts. The Spotlight Cam Plus, for example, is a full $60 off the regular price, just $109.99. The Floodlight Cam Plus is $80 cheaper than usual, at $119.99. Who knows how long these prices will last, but to keep up with future deals, you can always bookmark our guide to Ring’s sales and discounts; there, you’ll find all the most up-to-date information on Ring’s sales, all in one place.
What We Think
When it comes to home security, it’s tough to go wrong with Ring. They offer some of the best security cameras on the market today, and some of the most affordable as well. If you’re looking specifically for a security camera with an illumination option, both the Spotlight and Floodlight camera are great choices, depending on how you’re going to use them.
If you need straight up security, go with the Floodlight Cam. Its extra bright lights and super loud siren are perfect for warding off would-be intruders. If you’re looking for something a little less severe and a little more universal, the Spotlight Cam might be the better option.
