For anyone looking for a smart doorbell camera, the Ring Video Doorbell 4 is a great option. It is in the expensive range when compared to other devices in the same category, however, it’s also more advanced.
The easy-to-use device takes just minutes to set up and install, and then sends notifications to your smartphone when a visitor arrives, or when the motion detection is triggered. It gives you multiple options on how to respond, including pre-set “quick replies”.
The newest Ring Doorbell offers customizable privacy settings, as well as a new color pre-roll feature that’s not available to any other brand’s battery-operated doorbells. It even makes use of dual-band WiFi for better connectivity.
Users of Google Assistant and Apple HomeKit might need to look for other compatible alternatives, but the Ring Video Doorbell 4 will appeal even more to those of you with Alexa-enabled devices.
Ring Video Doorbell 4 – A Quick Look
Pros
Easy installation
Great video quality
Wireless
Lets you see, hear, and talk to visitors
User-friendly
Compatible with Alexa devices
“Quick replies” feature
Cons
Battery life could be better
On-going subscription cost
Specifications
Brand name
Ring
Model
Ring Video Doorbell 4
Video quality
1080p HD
Night Vision
Yes
Motion Detection
Advanced with customizable zones
WiFi connectivity
2.4 GHz and 5 GHz dual-band
Compatibility
iOS and Andriod
Field of view
160° horizontal, 84° vertical
Audio
Two-way audio
Power
Rechargeable battery
Quick Replies
With Ring’s Video Doorbell 4, the “quick replies” feature allows you to choose a reply from a group of pre-set responses, eliminating the need to talk if you’re occupied, can’t, or simply don’t want to answer personally. You can even offer visitors the option to leave a message, the same way they would with an answering machine.
Image Credit: Monkey Business Images, Shutterstock
Color Pre-Roll
The color pre-roll feature, exclusive to the Video Doorbell 4, records and re-plays up to 4 seconds of color footage from before the motion detection is triggered. This could be crucial for home security purposes, as every extra second of evidence can make a difference.
Integration with Amazon Devices
Ring Video Doorbell 4 integrates with Alexa-enabled devices such as the Echo Dot, Echo Show, and more to create a seamless, smart, and secure home.
This integration eliminates the need to run to your door when you get a visitor, instead, you can ask Alexa to show you your door, and respond with a few taps, or commands.
Customizable Privacy Settings
Ring takes your privacy seriously. Your videos remain encrypted, the app gives you control over who can access your footage, and lets you permanently delete your videos from the cloud whenever you want to.
Two-step verification is mandatory to access your account, and you will be notified every time your account is accessed from a new device.
Integration With Apple HomeKit and Google Assistant
If your home is packed with Alexa-enabled devices, the Ring Video Doorbell may be the perfect option. On the other hand, the Video Doorbell is not compatible with Apple HomeKit or Google Assistant. This lack of compatibility may be off-putting to those of you who already use Apple or Google smart home devices.
FAQ
Is the Ring Video Doorbell easy to set up?
– Yes. As long as you have a WiFi connection, all you need to do is download the Ring app to your mobile device and take a few minutes to set it up. Once your doorbell is in place, it will notify you of visitors, and give you the option to answer the door remotely.
Image Credit: Ring, Amazon
Does the Ring Video Doorbell have to be hardwired?
– No. The Ring Video Doorbell is powered by a rechargeable quick-release battery. However, you have the option to hardwire it to an existing doorbell system if you wanted to eliminate the need for removing and recharging the battery.
Will the Ring Video Doorbell 4 work without a Ring Protection Plan?
– Yes. You can still view footage in real-time from your mobile device, receive notifications when someone appears at your door, and respond to them.
However, without a Ring Protection subscription, you will not be able to review past footage or footage that you missed in real-time. Photos will not be taken, and you will be unable to save or share videos.
What the Users Say
We took a deep dive into reviews and forum discussions to see what users had to say about the Ring Video Doorbell 4.
The good
Most users agree that the newest generation of the Video Doorbell is a breeze to set up, and some even reported being able to set up the device and go through the installation process in around 10 minutes.
Users complimented the high 1080p HD video quality and praised the brand-new color pre-roll feature, which records at a lower 720p resolution. The color footage is far better quality than the black and white footage of the lower models.
Another high point that kept coming up is the ability to add multiple users to your account, so that if you cannot answer the door, another of your designated users, such as a family member or neighbor, can.
Image Credit: ranz12, Shutterstock
The not so good
Some users complained that they were unaware of the ongoing subscription costs that are needed to view footage that’s not live and to share and save videos. However, most users agree that it’s relatively inexpensive to set up a Ring Protection Plan.
One area of concern was the battery life of this device, in which there’s room for improvement.
Despite this, users were still overwhelmingly happy with their Ring Doorbell. Some reviewers suggested purchasing a spare battery pack to recharge and swap the pair of batteries perpetually to avoid taking the Doorbell offline.
If you’re looking for a video doorbell that is reliable, wire-free, and of good quality, then the Ring Video Doorbell is one of the best devices on the market.
Ring will keep your sharp, 1080p HD footage safe in the cloud for up to 90 days, unless you wish to delete it sooner, alert you to visitors, and offer you multiple ways of responding to visitors. It works seamlessly with devices such as the Echo Dot and Echo Show, and helps to make your home smarter, and more secure.
Cheryl is a freelance content and copywriter from the United Kingdom. Her interests include hiking and amateur astronomy but focuses her writing on gardening and photography. If she isn't writing she can be found curled up with a coffee and her pet cat.
