Ring Video Doorbell 4 Review: Pros, Cons, Common Issues & Is It Worth It?
Best Battery Doorbell All-Rounder
Video: 1080p HD | Field of View: 160° | Power: Battery or Wired | Wi-Fi: Dual-band (2.4 & 5GHz) | Ring Protect: From £4.99/month
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Overview
The Ring Video Doorbell 4 is the sweet spot in Ring’s battery-powered doorbell range. It’s not the cheapest option and it’s not the most premium — but for most homes it gets the balance right. The headline addition over the Doorbell 3 is colour Pre-Roll, which sounds minor but makes a real difference to how useful the footage actually is — you get four seconds of colour video from before the motion alert fires, giving you context for what triggered it.
If you’re looking for a wire-free Ring doorbell and you don’t want to compromise too much on features, this is the one most people should start with.
Key Features
- 1080p HD video with improved night vision
- Colour Pre-Roll — 4 seconds of colour footage before motion triggers
- Head-to-Toe View — captures the full person and parcels on the doorstep
- Dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4GHz and 5GHz)
- Quick-release battery pack
- 160° field of view
- Two-way audio
- Works with Amazon Alexa
- Compatible with Ring Solar Charger
Setup & Compatibility
Setup is guided through the Ring app — no technical knowledge needed. The quick-release battery makes charging straightforward. If you have existing doorbell wiring you can trickle charge to keep the battery topped up. Works with Alexa but not Google Home. Solar charger compatible.
Pros
- Colour Pre-Roll gives crucial context before the alert fires
- Head-to-Toe View shows packages left on the doorstep
- Dual-band Wi-Fi means fewer connection issues
- Quick-release battery is genuinely convenient
- One of the best all-round battery-powered Ring doorbells available
Cons
- Ring Protect subscription needed to save and review video — from £4.99/month or £50/year
- No 3D Motion Detection or Bird’s Eye View — those are on the Pro models
- Battery life varies — high-traffic areas mean more frequent charging
- Night vision is black and white, not colour
Common Problems & Fixes
The most common issue is Pre-Roll not capturing — usually down to motion sensitivity settings or the device being in a power-saving state. Ensuring the battery is sufficiently charged and adjusting sensitivity in the Ring app usually helps.
Wi-Fi dropout is still reported by some users despite dual-band support. If you’re on 5GHz and getting connection drops, switching to 2.4GHz — which has better range through walls — often resolves it. For a full list of known faults and fixes see our troubleshooting guide.
Real World Performance
Alerts come through fast and the colour Pre-Roll genuinely helps — you know whether to check the footage immediately before you’ve even opened the app. Head-to-Toe View means you can see parcels on your doorstep clearly. Night vision is markedly better than older Ring models.
Battery life varies with traffic — a quiet street might see months between charges, a busy one might need monthly charging. The quick-release battery means you’re never without a doorbell while it charges.
Best Alternatives
- Ring Battery Doorbell Pro — 3D Motion Detection and Bird’s Eye View if you want the best battery-powered option
- Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2 — Step up to hardwired for continuous power and the full feature set
- Ring Video Doorbell 3 — If budget is the priority and colour Pre-Roll isn’t essential
Who Should Buy It?
The Ring Video Doorbell 4 suits most households that want a reliable, feature-rich battery-powered doorbell without paying for the full Pro range. If you want wire-free installation and good features without compromise, this is the one.
Verdict
One of the best battery-powered Ring doorbells you can buy. Colour Pre-Roll, Head-to-Toe View, dual-band Wi-Fi and a decent quick-release battery make it a well-rounded product. The subscription cost — £4.99/month or £50/year — is the main caveat. Factor that in before buying.
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