Tested: Ring Battery Doorbell Plus — Is It Worth It?

The Ring Battery Doorbell Plus offers a compelling blend of convenience and advanced security for any home. As a renewed product, it provides an excellent opportunity to acquire Ring’s latest battery-powered doorbell technology at a potentially more accessible price point.

Ring Battery Doorbell Plus Overview

The Ring Battery Doorbell Plus represents a significant step forward in wireless home security, offering an enhanced viewing experience and extended battery performance. This device is designed for seamless integration into any home, particularly those without existing doorbell wiring, providing robust surveillance capabilities with minimal installation effort.

As part of Amazon Renewed, this doorbell comes with the assurance of being inspected, tested, and cleaned to work and look like new. This program offers a cost-effective and environmentally friendly way to acquire premium smart home devices, backed by Amazon’s guarantee.

The primary appeal of the Ring Battery Doorbell Plus lies in its advanced 1536p HD+ video resolution, which delivers sharper and more detailed images compared to previous models. This clarity is crucial for identifying visitors, packages, and any suspicious activity at your doorstep, day or night.

Another standout feature is the expanded head-to-toe field of view. Traditional doorbells often miss crucial details, such as packages left directly below the camera or the full height of a person. The Battery Doorbell Plus addresses this limitation, providing a comprehensive perspective of your entryway.

The improved battery life means less frequent charging, adding to the convenience of a wire-free setup. This is a critical factor for users who prioritize ease of installation and maintenance, avoiding the need for electrical work or constant battery swaps.

Beyond its core video capabilities, the device integrates seamlessly with the Ring ecosystem, allowing users to monitor their property from anywhere via the Ring app. This includes real-time notifications, two-way talk functionality, and customizable motion zones, empowering homeowners with complete control over their front door security.

The inclusion of a Chime (newest model) in this package ensures that you’ll hear notifications inside your home, even if your phone isn’t nearby. This adds an extra layer of reliability to the alert system, making sure you never miss a visitor or an important alert.

For those considering smart home upgrades, the Ring Battery Doorbell Plus offers an accessible entry point into connected security without the complexities of wired installations. Its robust feature set, coupled with the value proposition of Amazon Renewed, makes it a compelling choice for a wide range of users.

This renewed version is meticulously restored to its original functionality, ensuring you receive a product that performs just as a brand-new unit would. The rigorous renewal process guarantees reliability, making it a smart investment for enhancing your home’s safety and connectivity.

Ultimately, the Ring Battery Doorbell Plus is more than just a doorbell; it’s a comprehensive security tool that offers peace of mind through advanced monitoring and convenient access control. Its battery operation makes it incredibly versatile, suitable for renters, older homes, or anyone who prefers a simple, wire-free installation.

Ring Battery Doorbell Plus Key Features & Specs

The Ring Battery Doorbell Plus is packed with features designed to provide superior home security and convenience. Understanding these specifications is crucial for appreciating its capabilities and how it stands out in the crowded smart doorbell market.

At its core, the doorbell boasts 1536p HD+ Video, a significant upgrade that offers clearer and more detailed images than standard 1080p. This enhanced resolution allows for better facial recognition and clearer views of objects, which is invaluable for security purposes.

A revolutionary feature is the Head-to-Toe View. This expanded field of vision, measuring 150° horizontal and 150° vertical, ensures you can see more of your property. You can clearly see visitors from head to toe, as well as packages left on your doorstep, reducing blind spots significantly.

Powering this advanced device is a removable, rechargeable battery pack. Ring has optimized this model for extended battery life, meaning fewer charging cycles and more consistent operation. This design also allows for quick battery swaps if you purchase an additional battery, ensuring continuous protection.

Advanced Motion Detection is another cornerstone feature. The doorbell uses customizable motion zones, allowing you to define specific areas you want to monitor and ignore others. This reduces false alerts from passing cars or pedestrians, ensuring you only get notifications that matter.

The doorbell also includes Two-Way Talk with Noise Cancellation. This feature enables clear communication with visitors at your door, even if you’re not home. The noise cancellation technology helps filter out background sounds, making conversations more intelligible.

For night-time surveillance, the Color Night Vision provides vivid, full-color video even in low-light conditions. This is a distinct advantage over traditional black-and-white night vision, offering more detail and better identification capabilities after dark.

The renewed package includes the Ring Chime (newest model), a crucial accessory that plugs into any standard outlet and broadcasts doorbell alerts throughout your home. It offers various customizable tones and volume settings, ensuring you’re always aware of activity at your front door.

Connectivity is handled via 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Wi-Fi, offering flexible and reliable network connections. The dual-band support helps ensure a stable video stream and responsive notifications, even in areas with crowded wireless environments.

Installation is designed to be straightforward and wire-free, making it accessible for DIY enthusiasts. The device can be mounted using the included hardware, and its robust construction ensures durability against various weather conditions.

While the basic live view and motion alerts are free, a Ring Protect subscription unlocks additional features like video recording, cloud storage for reviewing footage, person alerts, and rich notifications. This subscription enhances the doorbell’s utility significantly, offering a complete security solution.

The Ring Battery Doorbell Plus is also compatible with Alexa-enabled devices, allowing for voice control and seamless integration into a broader smart home ecosystem. You can receive announcements on your Echo devices when someone rings the doorbell or motion is detected.

The device’s dimensions are compact, allowing it to fit neatly on most door frames without being obtrusive. Its Nickel Silver finish is sleek and modern, blending well with contemporary home aesthetics.

Pros & Cons

Evaluating any product thoroughly requires a balanced look at both its strengths and weaknesses. The Ring Battery Doorbell Plus, especially as a renewed offering, presents a unique set of advantages and some considerations to keep in mind.

Pros:

• Exceptional 1536p HD+ Video: The upgraded video resolution provides incredibly sharp and clear footage, making it easier to identify faces and read details. This is a significant improvement over standard 1080p doorbells, enhancing overall security effectiveness.
• Innovative Head-to-Toe View: This feature is a game-changer for package delivery monitoring and comprehensive front door surveillance. It eliminates blind spots below the camera, ensuring you capture everything from top to bottom at your entryway.
• Extended Battery Life: Ring has optimized the battery performance, meaning less frequent recharging and more consistent operation. This convenience is paramount for a battery-powered device, reducing maintenance hassle.
• Wire-Free Installation: The battery operation allows for incredibly flexible placement and easy DIY installation without the need for existing doorbell wiring or professional help. This makes it ideal for renters or homes without traditional doorbell setups.
• Color Night Vision: Unlike many smart doorbells that offer only black-and-white night vision, the Battery Doorbell Plus provides full-color video after dark. This greatly improves the ability to distinguish details and identify individuals in low-light conditions.
• Advanced Motion Detection with Customizable Zones: Users can precisely define the areas they want to monitor, minimizing false alerts from irrelevant motion. This intelligent detection system makes notifications more meaningful and less intrusive.
• Includes Chime (Newest Model): The bundled Ring Chime ensures that you hear doorbell rings and motion alerts inside your home, even without your phone. This adds a layer of reliability, preventing missed visitors or critical notifications.
• Amazon Renewed Value: Purchasing a renewed Ring Battery Doorbell Plus offers significant cost savings compared to a brand-new unit. It’s backed by Amazon’s guarantee, ensuring it functions like new, making it an excellent value proposition.
• Seamless Ring Ecosystem Integration: The doorbell works effortlessly with other Ring devices and Alexa-enabled smart home systems. This allows for a cohesive and integrated security experience, controlled from a single app or voice commands.

Cons:

• Ring Protect Subscription Required for Full Functionality: While basic live view and motion alerts are free, accessing recorded videos, cloud storage, and advanced person alerts necessitates a paid Ring Protect subscription. This ongoing cost can add up over time.
• Battery Performance in Extreme Cold: Like most battery-powered devices, the Ring Battery Doorbell Plus may experience reduced battery life and potentially slower response times in very cold climates. Users in harsh winter regions might need to charge more frequently.
• Potential for Latency in Live View: As a battery-powered, Wi-Fi device, there can sometimes be a slight delay (latency) when accessing the live video feed compared to wired alternatives. This is generally minor but worth noting for critical real-time monitoring.
• Initial Setup Can Be Tricky for Novices: While installation is wire-free, connecting to Wi-Fi and configuring motion zones and other settings in the app might pose a slight learning curve for users new to smart home devices.
• No Local Storage Option: All video recordings are stored in the cloud (with a subscription), meaning there’s no option for local storage via an SD card. This can be a concern for users who prefer to keep their data off the cloud or avoid subscription fees.

Who Should Buy the Ring Battery Doorbell Plus?

The Ring Battery Doorbell Plus is an ideal smart home security solution for a diverse range of individuals and households, particularly given its renewed status. Its combination of advanced features and wire-free convenience makes it suitable for specific user profiles and living situations.

Renters and Apartment Dwellers: For those who cannot alter their property’s wiring or are looking for a portable security solution, the battery-powered design is a perfect fit. Installation is non-invasive and can be easily removed when moving.

Homeowners Without Existing Doorbell Wiring: Many older homes or newly constructed properties lack traditional doorbell wiring. The Ring Battery Doorbell Plus eliminates the need for expensive electrical work, offering a straightforward path to smart doorbell functionality.

DIY Enthusiasts and Tech-Savvy Users: The easy, wire-free installation and intuitive app control appeal to those who enjoy setting up their own smart home devices. Customizing motion zones and integrating with other Ring products is a simple process.

Individuals Seeking Enhanced Package Security: The unique head-to-toe view is invaluable for monitoring package deliveries. If you frequently receive online orders and worry about package theft, this doorbell provides comprehensive visual coverage of your doorstep.

Budget-Conscious Buyers Looking for Premium Features: As an Amazon Renewed product, the Ring Battery Doorbell Plus offers a more affordable entry point to Ring’s latest technology. This allows users to enjoy high-end features like 1536p HD+ video and color night vision without paying full retail price.

Users Prioritizing Long Battery Life: The extended battery performance means less frequent charging interruptions. This is crucial for maintaining continuous security coverage without constant maintenance, providing peace of mind.

Those Already Within the Ring Ecosystem: If you already own other Ring cameras, alarms, or use Alexa devices, this doorbell integrates seamlessly. It expands your existing security network, allowing for centralized control and enhanced automation.

Individuals Concerned About Nighttime Security: With its color night vision, the Ring Battery Doorbell Plus significantly improves visibility and identification capabilities after dark. This is a key advantage for anyone wanting better security during low-light hours.

People Who Value Environmental Responsibility: Choosing a renewed product contributes to reducing electronic waste and promoting sustainability. It’s a conscious choice for consumers who want to make a positive environmental impact while still getting a high-quality product.

Small Business Owners or Office Managers: For small offices or home-based businesses, this doorbell offers an affordable and effective way to monitor entrances, receive deliveries, and communicate with visitors, enhancing workplace security.

However, if you live in an extremely cold climate where temperatures consistently drop well below freezing, or if you prefer the absolute lowest latency and don’t mind hardwiring, a wired doorbell might be a better fit. For everyone else seeking flexible, high-quality, and affordable smart doorbell security, the Ring Battery Doorbell Plus is an outstanding choice.

FAQ about Ring Battery Doorbell Plus

Here are some frequently asked questions about the Ring Battery Doorbell Plus to help you understand its functionality and address common concerns.

Q1: What is the main difference between the Ring Battery Doorbell Plus and previous Ring battery doorbells?

A1: The primary upgrades in the Ring Battery Doorbell Plus are its 1536p HD+ video resolution and the innovative head-to-toe field of view. It also boasts enhanced battery life, providing a clearer and more comprehensive picture of your entryway than earlier models.

These improvements translate to better identification of visitors, clearer views of packages on the ground, and less frequent battery charging, significantly enhancing the user experience and security effectiveness.

Q2: Does the Ring Battery Doorbell Plus require a Ring Protect subscription?

A2: A Ring Protect subscription is not strictly required for basic functionality. You can still receive real-time notifications, use live view, and engage in two-way talk without a subscription.

However, to access advanced features like video recording, cloud storage for reviewing past events, person detection, and rich notifications, a Ring Protect plan is necessary. This subscription unlocks the full potential of the device.

Q3: How long does the battery last on the Ring Battery Doorbell Plus, and is it removable?

A3: The Ring Battery Doorbell Plus is designed for extended battery life, often lasting several weeks to a few months on a single charge, depending on usage and environmental factors. Yes, the battery pack is removable.

This allows for convenient charging indoors, and you can purchase an additional battery to swap out for continuous operation, ensuring your security is never interrupted.

Q4: Can the Ring Battery Doorbell Plus be hardwired?

A4: While the Ring Battery Doorbell Plus is primarily designed for battery operation, it can be connected to existing doorbell wiring for trickle charging. This means it will continuously charge the battery, eliminating the need for manual recharging.

It’s important to note that it doesn’t function as a truly hardwired doorbell that draws constant power, but rather uses the wiring to keep the battery topped up. Always check compatibility with your existing doorbell transformer.

Q5: What does “Amazon Renewed” mean for this product?

A5: “Amazon Renewed” signifies that the Ring Battery Doorbell Plus has been professionally inspected, tested, and cleaned by Amazon-qualified suppliers. It is guaranteed to work and look like new, backed by Amazon’s 90-day Renewed Guarantee.

This program offers a sustainable way to purchase high-quality products at a reduced price, providing excellent value while ensuring functionality and appearance are up to standard.

Q6: Is the Chime included in the package necessary?

A6: The Chime (newest model) included in this package is not strictly necessary for the doorbell to function, as you will receive notifications on your phone via the Ring app. However, it is highly recommended.

The Chime ensures that you hear audible alerts inside your home, even if your phone is silent or out of reach, providing an essential auditory notification system for visitors and motion detection.

Q7: How does the color night vision perform?

A7: The color night vision on the Ring Battery Doorbell Plus is a significant enhancement over standard infrared black-and-white night vision. It utilizes ambient light to produce clearer, more detailed color images in low-light conditions.

This makes it much easier to identify colors of clothing, vehicles, and other important visual cues that would be lost in monochrome footage, greatly improving nighttime security and evidence collection.

Q8: Can I integrate this doorbell with my existing smart home system?

A8: Yes, the Ring Battery Doorbell Plus integrates seamlessly with other Ring devices and is fully compatible with Alexa-enabled devices. You can link it to your Echo speakers to receive announcements when someone rings the doorbell or motion is detected.

This allows for a unified smart home experience, enabling voice control and creating automated routines that enhance your overall home security and convenience.

Final Verdict

The Ring Battery Doorbell Plus stands out as an exceptional smart security device, especially when considering its availability through the Amazon Renewed program. It delivers a powerful combination of advanced video capabilities, user-friendly design, and the inherent flexibility of battery power.

The upgraded 1536p HD+ video resolution provides crystal-clear images, which is crucial for identification and monitoring. Coupled with the innovative head-to-toe view, this doorbell ensures that no critical detail at your entryway goes unnoticed, from approaching visitors to packages left on the ground.

Its extended battery life is a significant convenience, minimizing the need for frequent recharging and ensuring consistent, reliable operation. For homes without existing doorbell wiring or for renters, this wire-free design offers unparalleled ease of installation and placement.

The inclusion of color night vision further enhances its security prowess, providing detailed and distinguishable footage even in low-light conditions. This is a substantial advantage over many competitors, offering superior protection around the clock.

While the Ring Protect subscription is an additional cost for accessing video recordings and advanced features, the core functionality of live view, motion alerts, and two-way talk remains available without a fee. The value proposition of a renewed unit significantly offsets this potential ongoing expense.

The bundled Ring Chime ensures that you’re always aware of activity at your door, providing an auditory alert system that complements smartphone notifications. This comprehensive package truly offers a complete and integrated security solution.

For those seeking to upgrade their home security or establish a new smart home ecosystem, the Ring Battery Doorbell Plus offers an impressive blend of performance, convenience, and affordability, particularly as a renewed product. It’s a smart investment for peace of mind and enhanced property monitoring.

The assurance of Amazon Renewed means you’re getting a fully functional, meticulously inspected device that performs like new, but at a more attractive price point. This makes the latest Ring technology accessible to a broader audience without compromising on quality or features.

In conclusion, the Ring Battery Doorbell Plus is a highly recommended smart doorbell. Its innovative features, robust performance, and the excellent value offered through Amazon Renewed make it a brilliant choice for anyone looking to bolster their home’s security and connectivity.

For more information on Ring products and smart home security, you can visit the official Ring website. To learn more about smart doorbell technology in general, Wikipedia’s smart doorbell page offers a comprehensive overview.