Ring Video Doorbell Pro Review: Pros, Cons, Common Issues & Is It Worth It?
Best Slim Hardwired Design
Video: 1080p HD | Field of View: 160° | Power: Hardwired only | Wi-Fi: Dual-band (2.4 & 5GHz) | Ring Protect: From £4.99/month
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Overview
The Ring Video Doorbell Pro is Ring’s older hardwired doorbell — slimmer than the battery-powered models and designed to replace a standard doorbell with no battery to worry about. It requires an existing wired doorbell setup with a compatible transformer.
It’s been largely superseded by the Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2, which adds Head-to-Toe View, 3D Motion Detection and higher resolution video. Worth checking whether the Pro 2 is available at a similar price before committing to this model.
Key Features
- 1080p HD video
- Slim, low-profile hardwired design
- No battery — always powered
- Dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4GHz and 5GHz)
- Customisable motion zones
- Two-way audio
- Works with Amazon Alexa
- Advanced motion detection settings
Setup & Compatibility
Requires existing hardwired doorbell setup. The transformer must be between 8–24VAC — some older UK doorbell transformers fall outside this range, so worth checking before buying. Works with Alexa. No Google Home support.
Pros
- No battery to charge — always on
- Slim design looks better on many doors than bulkier battery models
- Reliable connection from consistent power
- Dual-band Wi-Fi
- Good motion detection customisation
Cons
- Requires compatible existing wiring
- No Pre-Roll, no Head-to-Toe View, no 3D Motion
- Older model — the Pro 2 is significantly better
- Ring Protect subscription needed for recordings
- Installation may require an electrician
Common Problems & Fixes
Transformer compatibility is the most common setup headache. If the doorbell isn’t powering on correctly or keeps going offline, the transformer voltage is often the cause. A compatible transformer upgrade is straightforward and inexpensive.
Some users also find the slim design more fiddly to install than the battery models. For a full list of known faults and fixes see our troubleshooting guide.
Real World Performance
When it works, it’s solid. The hardwired connection means it’s always on, never needs charging and tends to maintain a more stable connection than battery models.
Video quality is good and the slim design is more discreet than the battery alternatives. The dual-band Wi-Fi helps with connectivity.
Best Alternatives
- Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2 — Significantly better in almost every way and worth paying extra for
- Ring Video Doorbell Wired — Budget hardwired option if features aren’t a priority
Who Should Buy It?
Only worth considering if you find it at a very good price and already have compatible wiring. Most people choosing a hardwired Ring doorbell should look at the Pro 2 first.
Verdict
A capable older hardwired doorbell that’s been overtaken by the Pro 2. Still works well and the design holds up, but the feature gap is significant. Hard to recommend at full price when the Pro 2 offers so much more.
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