+13 votes
by (380 points)
Which is the best ring doorbell and why?  
Which is the best ring doorbell and why?

9 Answers

+3 votes
by (550 points)
 
Best answer
None of them, get a nest
+3 votes
by (1.2k points)
Pro as it is wired, the battery devices turn off WiFi to save power and so have a lag after detecting motion whilst they reconnect. Pro is always connected
+5 votes
by (490 points)
With Ring it’s really the more expensive the better. The best being Ring elite which is professional grade with a Poe connection. Then the Ring pro which has a slimmer form factor and is hard wired, which means it has a longer recording time. I believe around 1 min. Where as battery powered devices only get 30 sec video clips.  
+7 votes
by (2.1k points)
Ring Doorbell 3 Plus ( hard wired ) will be a good alternative to Pro and Elite
+7 votes
by (850 points)
If you have the option to hardwire it I would recommend a pro. If you’re not able to, go for an RVD3 (battery)
+1 vote
by (22.1k points)
I own the 3 plus and pro, if I had an Ethernet cable at my doorbell then 100% I would have the Elite. The pro is a good doorbell and I have very few issues, but POE is far better than anything WiFi. The 3 plus is okay, but it’s still inferior to my pro.  
by (13.8k points)
@pentosan53231 Hoping without expectations for a future surface mount version of the Elite and an adjustable lens (tilt it up and down within the case itself eliminating the need for adjustment wedges)
by (22.1k points)
@daryldaryle that would be a great option to have. I’ve already decided that if I build another home that I will pay to run Cat6 to the doorbell so I can get the elite. The POE cams I have with Ring, I personally think are the best cameras they have. Wish I didn’t have tons of block and concrete to go through, or I’d run POE where I’m at now.  
by (13.8k points)
@pentosan53231 Only the Doorbell? Why limit yourself, LOL. Would wire every conceivable location that it might be needed and then run some more.  
by (13.8k points)
Might as well add a additional RJ45 port with pass through PoE should be capable of PoE++.  
by (22.1k points)
@daryldaryle I’ve ran my own POE lines in my current house for the places I could get to, not horrible doing runs through the attic and doing drops to the eaves. Running one line through concrete and block just isn’t possible for me. I was just stating I would definitely have CAT6 ran to the doorbell if I built again. I won’t use Ring again if I do a fresh build because I’ll go with a local DVR or NVR system that I can monitor myself. The builder here charged $250 per run, screw paying that when I can do most runs myself for a fraction of the cost. I’ve added two POE cams and also wired up 3 additional rooms for hardwired Ethernet myself and it didn’t cost me $250 to do all of them.  
by (13.8k points)
@pentosan53231 I don't do ladders or attic crawling, wish I could. Last guy I used charged 90. 00 a run for Cat5e and I was kind of OK with that but I had him come out again and he upped his price to 165. 00. If I need to do it again just might go with a electrician , Ill buy the bulk wire or pre cut and terminated cables.  
by (22.1k points)
@daryldaryle yes sir, I have bulk wire I purchased to do my runs. 1, 000 ft was about $110 (or close to that price). Between the wire, wall plates, and proper connectors I spent less than $200 for all of my runs. If I didn’t have a vaulted ceiling on the back half of the house, I’d do at least 4-5 more runs and put in all POE cams. My builder said a cat5e run would be $200, Cat6 was $250. Their prices were crazy, I did pay for 3 Cat6 drops and also two outdoor speaker drops. I’d definitely pay more in the future. Most like an electrical run and Cat6 run on every corner of the house, probably some drops midway too. I’d most likely spend a good 2-4K on drops just to have them readily available. First time I’ve built a house, so I’ve definitely learned some ideas, if there is a next time.  
+12 votes
by (3.6k points)
I would go with the Pro, unless wiring prohibited it’s installation - Then Ring Doorbell 2
by (380 points)
@brentwood thank you! I don’t know what version I have now, but it’s not working as well as I would like. It records after someone has already entered my house. So I’m hoping a the Ring Pro will be better.  
by (2.2k points)
@infantry1 Ring Pro would definitely address that, but requires a power connection. As long as you have that, it will also show you the 4 seconds or so before the motion was detected on the video.  
by (380 points)
@plant I have my other ring wired to my doorbell.  
+9 votes
by (360 points)
Any device that doesn’t use the Ring app.  
+2 votes
by (1.5k points)
The best one is the one that meets your particular needs.  
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