Ring Video Doorbell Review: Pros, Cons, Common Issues & Is It Worth It?
Best Entry-Level Doorbell
Video: 1080p HD | Field of View: 155° | Power: Battery or Wired | Wi-Fi: 2.4GHz | Ring Protect: From £4.99/month
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Overview
The Ring Video Doorbell is where most people start with smart home security. It’s not the most advanced doorbell Ring makes, and it’s not trying to be. What it does is give you a live view of whoever’s at your door, two-way audio so you can speak to them from anywhere, and motion alerts sent straight to your phone. For a lot of households, that’s genuinely all they need.
This is the 2nd generation model — Ring’s entry-level battery doorbell. It runs on a rechargeable battery or can draw a trickle charge from existing doorbell wiring. Setup takes around 15 minutes even if you’ve never done anything like it before.
Key Features
- 1080p HD video with night vision
- Two-way audio — speak to visitors from your phone
- Customisable motion zones
- Battery powered or trickle-charge from existing wiring
- 155° field of view
- Works with Amazon Alexa
- Live View on demand via the Ring app
Setup & Compatibility
Setup is straightforward — download the Ring app, follow the step-by-step instructions, connect to your Wi-Fi and mount the doorbell. Works with 2.4GHz Wi-Fi only, which is worth knowing if your router is far from your front door. Works with Alexa for announcements on Echo devices. No native Google Home support.
Pros
- One of the easiest smart doorbells to install
- Good video quality for the price
- Decent night vision
- Battery life typically 6–12 months depending on activity
- App is well designed and easy to navigate
Cons
- Ring Protect subscription needed to save recordings — from £4.99/month or £50/year
- 2.4GHz only — can struggle if your router is far from the front door
- No colour Pre-Roll like the Doorbell 3 and 4
- No Head-to-Toe View — frame cuts off around waist height
- Motion detection can be oversensitive on busy streets
Common Problems & Fixes
The most common complaint is Wi-Fi dropouts — the doorbell loses connection and stops sending alerts. This is almost always a signal strength issue rather than a fault with the device. Moving your router closer, adding a Wi-Fi extender or using a Ring Chime Pro usually fixes it.
Battery draining faster than expected is another common issue. Motion sensitivity set too high is usually the cause — every triggered clip uses battery. Tightening your motion zones and lowering sensitivity makes a real difference. For a full list of known faults and fixes see our troubleshooting guide.
Real World Performance
Day-to-day it works well. Alerts come through quickly — usually within a few seconds of motion — and the live view loads fast enough to catch a delivery driver before they leave. Night vision is solid for a doorbell at this price point.
Two-way audio is clear enough to have a proper conversation. There’s a slight delay but it does the job. Most delivery drivers work out how to use it without being prompted.
Best Alternatives
- Ring Video Doorbell 4 — Worth the extra money for colour Pre-Roll and dual-band Wi-Fi
- Ring Battery Doorbell Plus — Better resolution and Head-to-Toe View in a wire-free package
- Ring Video Doorbell Wired — Cheaper option if you have existing doorbell wiring
Who Should Buy It?
This doorbell suits someone who wants a reliable, no-fuss entry into smart home security without spending a lot. If you’re renting and can’t do extensive wiring work, it’s a practical choice. If you’ve got more to spend, the Ring Video Doorbell 4 isn’t much more expensive and is noticeably better.
Verdict
The Ring Video Doorbell does what it promises. It’s not flashy and it doesn’t have the best specs in the Ring range, but it’s reliable, easy to set up and most people are happy with it once it’s running. Without Ring Protect you can watch live but can’t review recordings — factor that subscription cost in before buying.
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