Ring Wired Doorbell Pro (Video Doorbell Pro 2) – Best-in-class with cutting-edge features (existing doorbell wiring required)
The Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2 is a high-end, wired video doorbell that boasts an array of cutting-edge features designed to enhance home security and convenience. With 1536p Head-to-Toe HD+ Video, 3D Motion Detection, and built-in Alexa Greetings, it stands out as one of the most advanced video doorbells on the market. Its customizable privacy settings and integration with Alexa-enabled devices further enhance its appeal, making it an excellent choice for tech-savvy homeowners looking to upgrade their front door security.
Pros:
Cons:
Features & Functionality
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The Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2 offers an impressive suite of features that cater to both security and convenience. The standout feature is its 1536p Head-to-Toe HD+ video, which provides a crystal-clear view of visitors from head to toe, ensuring you never miss a detail. This high resolution, combined with HDR and color night vision, guarantees sharp and vibrant video quality day or night.
The 3D Motion Detection and Bird’s Eye View features are game-changers in home security. 3D Motion Detection uses radar to detect the exact position and movement of visitors, allowing for precise tracking and reducing false alerts. Bird’s Eye View complements this by providing an aerial view of your property, mapping out the movement paths of detected individuals. This innovative approach to motion detection ensures you’re only alerted to relevant activities, enhancing both security and convenience.
Built-in Alexa Greetings add another layer of functionality, especially for those who are often away from home. With a Ring Protect Plan subscription, Alexa can automatically greet visitors, accept package deliveries, and record messages. This feature leverages the power of voice assistance to manage your front door interactions seamlessly, offering a truly smart home experience.
The Ring app is the central hub for all these features, providing real-time notifications, live video feed, and control over all settings. The app is intuitive and user-friendly, making it easy to customize motion zones, adjust privacy settings, and review recorded footage. The ability to save and share videos and photos with a Ring Protect Plan adds to the overall functionality, ensuring you have comprehensive control over your home security.
Design & Build Quality
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In terms of design, the Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2 maintains a sleek and modern aesthetic, although it may not immediately stand out as a premium product due to its plastic housing. The design is compact and unobtrusive, making it suitable for any doorway without being too conspicuous. The minimalist design, featuring a large camera lens and a prominent Ring logo, blends well with various architectural styles.
Despite its plastic construction, the build quality of the Pro 2 is robust and durable. The device is designed to withstand various weather conditions, ensuring reliable performance year-round. The included faceplates allow for some customization, enabling users to choose a color that best matches their home’s exterior.
The doorbell’s button is well-designed, providing a satisfying click when pressed, which enhances the user experience for visitors. The overall design is functional, focusing on delivering the best possible video quality and motion detection without unnecessary frills.
Installation of the Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2 is straightforward, provided you have existing doorbell wiring. The included tool kit and step-by-step instructions in the Ring app make the process easy, even for those who are not particularly handy. The hardwired nature of the device ensures it is always powered and ready to perform, without the need for frequent battery replacements.
Power & Performance
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The Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2 excels in performance, delivering fast and reliable video streaming and motion detection. The wired power supply ensures the doorbell is always operational, providing uninterrupted security coverage. The Pro 2’s video feed is accessible within seconds via the Ring app or connected Alexa devices, demonstrating impressive response times.
The 1536p HD+ video quality is a significant upgrade from previous models, offering clear and detailed footage. HDR technology enhances this by balancing bright and dark areas in the video, ensuring faces and details are visible even in challenging lighting conditions. The color night vision is another highlight, allowing you to see clearly in low-light situations without losing color accuracy.
The 3D Motion Detection feature is particularly noteworthy for its precision. By using radar, it can detect motion up to 30 feet away and provide accurate alerts. The Bird’s Eye View complements this by giving a visual map of motion events, making it easy to understand the context of each alert. This combination significantly reduces false positives, ensuring you’re only notified of genuine security events.
Performance in terms of connectivity is also robust, with support for both 2.4GHz and 5GHz Wi-Fi bands. This dual-band capability ensures a stable and fast connection, reducing lag and improving the reliability of video streaming and alerts. The integration with Alexa further enhances performance, allowing for hands-free operation and real-time alerts on Echo devices.
Compatibility & Connectivity
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The Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2 is designed to work seamlessly with a variety of smart home ecosystems, particularly Amazon’s Alexa. Once integrated, the doorbell can trigger announcements on Echo speakers and displays, show live video feeds on Echo Show devices, and even allow two-way communication through Alexa-enabled devices. This tight integration makes the Pro 2 an excellent choice for those already invested in the Alexa ecosystem.
Setting up the Pro 2’s connectivity is straightforward, thanks to the Ring app’s intuitive interface. The app guides users through connecting the doorbell to their Wi-Fi network, ensuring a smooth and hassle-free installation process. The dual-band Wi-Fi support (2.4GHz and 5GHz) provides flexibility and ensures a stable connection, crucial for consistent performance.
The Pro 2 also supports integration with other smart home systems, though with some limitations. While it works exceptionally well with Alexa, compatibility with other smart home systems is not as seamless.
The Ring Protect Plan is an optional subscription service that enhances the functionality of the Pro 2. With a subscription, users can access features like video recording, extended video history, and advanced motion detection settings. This plan also unlocks the Alexa Greetings feature, making it a valuable addition for those looking to maximize the doorbell’s capabilities.
Conclusion: Should You Buy the Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2?
The Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2 is a top-tier video doorbell that offers a range of advanced features designed to enhance home security and convenience. Its high-resolution video quality, precise motion detection, and seamless integration with Alexa make it a standout choice for those looking to upgrade their front door security.
However, its higher price point and requirement for existing doorbell wiring may not make it the best fit for everyone. If you’re already invested in the Alexa ecosystem and value advanced security features, the Pro 2 is an excellent investment. For those seeking a more budget-friendly option or who prefer a different smart home ecosystem, alternatives might be more suitable.
In summary, the Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2 is an impressive device that delivers on its promises. It’s ideal for tech-savvy homeowners looking for cutting-edge security features and seamless smart home integration. If you can justify the price and have the necessary wiring, the Pro 2 is one of the best video doorbells available today.
