Ring vs Ring Plus Comparison

Ring offers one of the biggest selections of video doorbells in the industry, with eight options, each with unique features and specs. It can be difficult to pick the right doorbell for you, especially if you’re new to doorbell cameras. On this page, we compare two of Ring’s entry-level offerings – the most basic Ring doorbells (Video Doorbell Wired and Battery Doorbell) and the slightly more expensive Ring Plus models (Wired Doorbell Plus and Battery Doorbell Plus).

• The Ring Video Doorbell and Ring Plus offer similar basic features, including motion alerts, two-way talk, and night vision.
• The price disparity isn’t big; Ring Video Doorbell costs between $49.99 and $99.00 depending on whether you choose the wired or wireless model, while both Ring Video Doorbell Plus models cost $149.99.
• Ring doorbell cloud storage is surprisingly affordable, no matter which model you choose. Store videos in the cloud for up to 180 days for as little as $4.99 a month, less than the price of a cup of coffee at Starbucks.

First of all, you’re going to want to decide whether you want your doorbell cameras wired into an existing doorbell setup or to run on batteries. They are codenamed accordingly on Ring’s website – they are either Wired Doorbells or Battery Doorbells. Their suffix (either none, Plus, or Pro) tells you whether they’re the entry-level, mid-tier, or flagship models in their respective categories.

The good news is that there’s not much difference between the battery-powered and wired options. When comparing Ring’s affordable doorbell cameras, we can cover more space by looking at the non-suffixed Ring doorbells (Video Doorbell Wired and Battery Doorbell), and the Plus options. From here on out, let’s call the former ‘Ring’ and the latter ‘Ring Plus’.

Obviously, Ring Plus is better feature-wise. But keep in mind that Ring is cheaper. That’s the tricky part and why we’re doing this comparison in the first place. If you want to find out which one offers better value for your money and security for your home, keep reading.

Here’s the thing: these two doorbells have a surprising amount in common. After all, they’re both manufactured and sold by the same company. So maybe you think to yourself you’ll go with the Plus version, since it’s…well, Plus. Before you rush into anything, though, keep in mind that the Ring Video Doorbell has its own charms. And it’s a little cheaper to boot. Confused yet? Keep reading. We’ll sort it all out for you. We’ll let you know what these two have in common, and we’ll let you know where they differ so you’ll know which one is going to work out best for your situation.

Expert Examined

From Joshua Lee, Active-duty Police Sergeant

“From a law enforcement perspective, I am now expecting to see doorbell video footage on most of our calls for service. They are so common now that one of the first things I instruct officers to do is canvas the area looking for doorbells and video cameras. Most of the time, the officers can find some type of video footage of the suspect. As a police officer, I see countless videos of possible suspects walking up to someone's door, looking at the doorbell camera, and then walking away without attempting to do anything. Doorbell cameras are a great way to easily deter crimes.” Read more about Joshua Lee →

Ring vs Ring Plus: Features and Similarities

The Ring and Ring Plus models are a great starting point if you’re looking to secure your front door using doorbell cameras from the brand that pioneered the industry. But to choose the right video doorbell for your home, we should first discuss the similarities between those two models. They have a lot, considering they’re from the same company, so no matter which one you end up with, you’ll enjoy these features:

• Reliability: We wouldn’t recommend any home security equipment that wasn’t durable and reliable, but Ring equipment is particularly well-built. Both of these devices are well-constructed, with a weight and heft that lets you know they’ll withstand the elements. Plus, in the duration of our tests, we didn’t find any bugs or glitches.
• Choice of Models: Just what you need when you’re having trouble deciding between two different cameras – more choice. Still, one of the nice things about both the Ring and the Ring Plus is that you can get them in wired or wireless models. So, you know, you can pick the one that’s going to work best with your home setup. Options are always a good thing.
• DIY Installation: Ring’s mission, from the beginning, has been to give consumers more control over their home security systems. In keeping with that mission, Ring offers one of the easiest installation processes out there. True, the wired versions require you to work with wires, but all Ring devices come with step-by-step instructions that ensure you won’t get lost. If those don’t cut it, instruction videos are available as well. It took us less than an hour to get both of these cameras up and running.

Ring Doorbell Setup

• Motion Detection: Zooming closer into the features, all Ring cameras have motion detection. You can also customize it by setting motion and privacy zones. The former are focus areas – places that you want to get motion alerts for. Privacy zones, on the hand, are areas you want the doorbell to ignore. We used these customizations as we tested them outside our apartment door, where there’s a lot of foot traffic, most of which are just other tenants like ourselves.
• App-integrated: You control both of these models through the Ring app, which means you can turn them on and off, check alerts, and review video with either an Android or an iOS device.

• High-Quality Video: Both the Ring and Ring Plus video doorbells provide 1080p HD video, whether you’re looking at live feeds or checking out a recording. That’s the industry standard these days, and it’s enough clarity to recognize anyone who happens to be standing on your doorstep.

Ring Doorbell Motion Detection

• Field of View: Unless it rotates, a camera can’t provide more than a 180-degree field of view. Suffice it to say, few cameras out there reach that max number. These two cameras both come pretty close, though. The wired version of the Ring Plus offers a full 160-degree view. The battery-powered version allows for a 150-degree view. Meanwhile the Ring Video Doorbell splits the difference with a field of 155 degrees. And while these aren’t exactly the same, it’s close enough that we’re calling this a similarity rather than a difference.
• Night Vision: You get solid night vision capabilities with both of these cameras, something that’s crucial for home security, especially if you’re going to put them outdoors. The fact is, most break-ins happen at night, and if your camera doesn’t let you see what’s happening at night, you’re going to miss those porch pirates. We should point out that neither of these cameras offers night vision that’s as good as their daytime recording. That’s mostly because their daytime resolution is just that good. You can be sure that even at night, you can ID any potential home invaders.
• Two-Way Communication: Another similarity between Ring and Ring Plus is that both models have two-way communication capabilities. Ring’s two-way communication (also called two-way talk) allowed us to speak with visitors at our door using nothing but our smartphone. To be honest, most doorbell cameras include this feature these days, but we still find it pretty cool to be able to tell the FedEx guy where to put our package.
• No Local Recording: Almost any camera on the market gives you the ability to view live video. There’s no doubt that’s an important feature. If you happen to catch a thief in the act, though, you’re gonna want footage to share with local authorities. All Ring cameras let you store footage, including these two doorbell cameras, but cloud storage requires a monthly subscription. Fees are reasonable, but there are cameras out there that offer local storage options. For example, with Lorex you pay no monthly fees, ever, and you can record as much as you like.
• Reasonably Priced: Yes, the Ring doorbell is less expensive than the Ring Plus, especially if you’re buying the wired version. The bottom line, though, is that both doorbell models are reasonably priced, no matter which version you purchase. In an age when home security is necessary to protect your family, we appreciate the fact that Ring keeps prices down for these crucial devices. Plus, you don’t have to purchase a monitoring plan, so if you don’t mind monitoring your own home, you can buy a doorbell and pay nothing more, ever.

Expert Examined

From Joshua Lee, Active-duty Police Sergeant

“I once responded to a call where an unknown male wearing a black mask was walking up to doors and then walking away. We stopped the male who had burglary tools in his backpack. He later admitted that he was looking for a home to burglarize but did not expect to see all the cameras.”

Ring Doorbell Pro

Differences Between Ring and Ring Plus

If these two devices worked the same, it wouldn’t matter which one you bought. The fact is, though, that they do have some pretty significant differences.

• Size: There’s something to be said for bulky home security equipment. It lets potential home invaders know that you take your family’s safety seriously. On the other hand, a video doorbell that’s too large can ruin the clean look of your home. If you’re in the former camp, someone who wants to alert everyone that you have a home security system, the Ring Video Doorbell is the way to go. The bottom line, though, is that size has no impact on how well these devices work.
• Lighting: The Ring Plus has the advantage in this category. The Ring Video Doorbell has color night vision, but the Plus includes built-in LED lighting, which produces a superior nighttime image. If you’re interested in lighting options, you might want to consider a couple of other Ring cameras. As we note in our Ring Spotlight Cam and Ring Floodlight Cam review, these two cameras don’t just provide clear images. They can also startle would-be burglars away.
• Motion Sensor: According to Ring specs, these two Ring cameras rely on the same basic motion detection system, Advanced Motion Detection with Customizable Motion Zones. In our tests, we found the Plus version of this system to be more reliable. Along the same lines, our research uncovered a few complaints about the Ring Video Doorbell lagging and, in some cases, failing to recognize motion altogether.
• Alerts: You may already be detecting a pattern here – Ring Plus features are just a little better than the basic Ring Doorbell. That’s true when it comes to alerts, too. The Ring Doorbell gives you instant alerts, so you can check live footage or, if you have a monitoring or cloud storage plan, recordings. The Ring Plus doesn’t just give you alerts, though. You can customize those alerts so you know what to expect when you pull up the video. When we got the package from Amazon we were waiting for, the alert said so. Is that kind of customization necessary? Nope. It sure is handy, though.
• Cost: Here’s one category the basic Ring Video Doorbell wins. Its price is some $100 cheaper than the Ring Plus. Makes sense – as they say, you get what you pay for. Of course, cost isn’t always about comparing bottom lines. You also have to consider the value you’re getting for your money. Ultimately, we’d say both of these Ring doorbells offer a fair number of features for the price. So the real questions then are what features are most useful in your particular situation and what your home security budget can afford.

Ring Video Doorbell

Ring vs Ring Plus: Cost Breakdown

Given that the biggest difference between these two cameras is the cost and what you get for those costs, let’s dig deeper into this difference.

We’ll start by noting that both of these doorbells come in different models, and what you pay will depend on which model you choose. If you’re looking for the most affordable option, the wired version of the Ring Doorbell is just $49.99. You can upgrade the Ring Doorbell to a wireless version for $50 more. When it comes to the Video Doorbell Plus, both the wired and wireless models cost $149.99.

What are you getting for that extra $100? Let’s review. With the Plus, you’re getting:

• A slimmer profile
• Sharper color night vision
• A choice of faceplate designs
• Dual-band Wi-Fi for faster streaming

If cost is a factor, you don’t want to just consider the retail prices of these two cameras. Depending on what type of monitoring plan you choose, you may have additional expenses. You can, of course, self-monitor for free. You get instant alerts that allow you to check live-feeds and respond as needed. If you want to record footage, for later playback to, say, the police, you’ll need to purchase a Ring Protect plan. A single camera costs $4.99 a month, or you can record footage from multiple cameras for $10 a month.

We recommend signing up for a 24/7 professional monitoring plan. With one of these plans, you can be sure someone is watching your house day and night, and you don’t have to do it yourself. Ring offers these plans for $20 a month, $18 if you pay for a year up-front.

We should point out that you’ll pay these costs no matter which Ring doorbell you buy. They could play a role, though, in which video doorbell you choose.

Below are the latest costs of Ring’s different doorbells, including the Ring Video Doorbell and Ring Plus. And if you want to explore these devices further, have a look at our Ring Doorbell pricing guide. We’ve broken things down by power source, and keep in mind that some of these models are on sale — we’ve included pricing information as well.

Ring Video Doorbell Breakdown

Another great thing about Ring and Ring Plus video doorbells is that they are both designed for DIY installation. They’re really easy to install, especially if you choose the battery power option. More importantly, you won’t need to pay a technician to come to your house. That’s the advantage of modern, DIY security products: They’re inexpensive because there are no installation costs tied to them.

How They Work

Ring video doorbells can be powerful tools in your security arsenal. Keep in mind, though, that they aren’t complete home security systems. They only monitor one small portion of your property, your front porch. That’s an important place to monitor. Still, they can’t tell you if someone tries to raise a window in your house or decides to see if your back door is unlocked.

In addition, Ring video doorbells by themselves only watch your door; they can’t do anything about what they see. They’ll notify you if they spot suspicious activity, but you have to take action yourself. It’s up to you to pull up live-stream footage, evaluate the situation, and decide what to do. As we mentioned, you can invest in cloud storage so you can view saved footage. Or, you can invest in 24/7 professional monitoring for as little as $20 a month.

All Ring doorbell cameras work the same way, and based on our tests, just a Ring doorbell camera might not be enough to protect an entire home. I’d recommend looking at Ring’s security systems, the Ring Alarm and Ring Alarm Plus. In addition to protecting your home with sensors, Ring’s security system works in conjunction with Ring cameras. You can even have the security system professionally monitored, something you can’t do with a Ring video doorbell or security camera.

Do Your Homework

When it comes to protecting your home and keeping yourself informed, you should never settle for less than the best. That is why you should always have clear expectations in mind about what exactly you want your surveillance system to accomplish. There are so many options out there with a lot of different features to sort through. Just be sure that you install and set up your system correctly so that there is no room for avoidable failure.

Are Video Doorbells Worth the Cost?

I definitely think so. Being able to see what’s on the other side of the door makes most homeowners with video doorbells feel considerably safer. Video doorbells are also excellent at detering would-be loiterers. And if you’ve got any four-legged intruders in the neighborhood, with a video doorbell like the Ring, you’ve got “proof of poop.”

Finally, video doorbells are getting more advanced by the year. The latest model Ring video or Ring Plus video doorbells know when you’ve got an Amazon delivery, so you can snatch it up before the porch pirates.

In short, a video doorbell is a great way to improve the security of your home, whether as a stand-alone device or as an addition to a pre-existing security system. Ring has user-friendly equipment and interfaces that can be easily installed and integrated. This comparison should have you well on your way to choosing which of the two Ring models is right for you.

Ring Doorbell vs Ring Plus: So Which is Better?

If you can afford it at $149, we recommend going with the Ring Plus. We like the slightly better field of view, the hardwired connection (it’s simply more reliable), the improved night vision with built-in LEDs, and the smaller build. Overall, it’s just a better product with great features.
That said, if you’re restricted by budget, the $99.99 Wired Ring Video Doorbell is a hardy device, and at $49.99 Ring Video Doorbell is definitely better than nothing. In fact, we’ve used the Ring (2nd Gen) for a while with few problems. So keep it in your back pocket as an option! Either way, Ring offers a 30-day money-back guarantee on their products, so this should take the edge off your purchase, allowing you to find the doorbell cam that’s right for you and your household.

But if you’re still looking for something with a little more functionality, have a look at our guide to the best doorbell cameras on the market.