When it comes to smart video doorbells, Ring is undoubtedly one of the best-known brands on the entire smart home market. The Amazon brand offers its devices with both battery and mains operation. Amazon has now updated the basic model of its battery-powered video doorbell. In the Ring Battery Doorbell test, we therefore want to take a closer look at the changes Ring has made and whether an upgrade might be worthwhile.
Technical data
| Model | Ring Battery Doorbell |
| Resolution | 1440 x 1400p HD |
| Night vision | – Black and white via IR sensor – Night vision in color |
| Field of view | Head-to-foot shot (150 degrees diagonal and 150 degrees vertical) |
| Power supply | – Battery operation (integrated) – Operation via mains power possible – Solar panel connection possible (sold separately) |
| Intercom function | Yes |
| App | Ring app |
| Video storage | Cloud storage (Ring Protect subscription required) |
| Motion detection | – Motion detection with user-definable motion zones – Parcel notification (Ring Protect subscription required) – Personal notification (Ring Protect subscription required) |
| Dimensions | 6.19 cm x 2.30 cm x 12.65 cm |
| Connectivity | 802.11b/g/n; WLAN connection 2.4 GHz |
| Operating conditions | -20.5 °C to 50 °C |
| Price | € 99.99 * |
Scope of delivery
- Ring Battery Doorbell
- Mounting plate
- USB-C to USB-A cable
- Unlocking tool
- Screws + dowels
- Warning sticker
- Quick start guide + warranty card
New features compared to the predecessor
The Ring Battery Doorbell is not a new gadget in Ring’s lineup. In fact, the brand already presented its basic model a few years ago. Now the question naturally arises as to what changes the Amazon brand has established in its latest version and whether this might justify an update for owners of an older model. The following new features are on board:
- Head-to-foot recording (150° vertical, 150° horizontal)
- Person and package notification
- Night vision in color
- USB-C port
- New removal tool
Ring Battery Doorbell test: design and workmanship
Ring remains true to its design mentality with the latest version of the Ring Battery Doorbell. On the one hand, this applies to the general design. This is not only reminiscent of the previous generation, but also of the Ring Battery Doorbell Plus (review) that we have already tested. The front can be roughly divided into two areas, which the Amazon brand has also given different colors.
The heart of the upper black section is the camera. The infrared sensor (IR sensor) and a motion detector are also located here. The second, lower section contains the bell button, which is clearly visible when pressed thanks to the illuminated LED ring. However, it is not only easily recognizable, but also scores with a great pressure point.
For our test, we had the model in the color “Nickel Matt” at our disposal. Alternatively, the doorbell is also available with a “Venetian bronze” cover. Incidentally, the choice of color should be made carefully. Unfortunately, the covers are not interchangeable. The company logo is again located at the bottom of the housing. The front thus scores with a pleasingly tidy look, which is as conspicuous as necessary and as inconspicuous as possible on the wall.
The loudspeaker is located on the underside of the video doorbell, which also emits a ringtone to the visitor as feedback when the bell button is pressed. It is also used for the intercom function.
This allows residents of the house or apartment to communicate conveniently with the person ringing the doorbell using two-way audio. If you look at the bottom, you can see a small orange rod that replaces the security screw on the previous model.
The doorbell can be detached from the back panel by pressing the enclosed tool, for example to charge the battery. This may be much quicker with the new concept, but in my opinion it is also less secure. After all, the mechanism can be easily unlocked without the security tool.
There is an eye-catching orange button on the back that is used to set up the doorbell. Below this are two screws that are used if you prefer to power the Battery Doorbell via a bell wire. Next to it is the charging connection. Ring has finally added USB-C to its battery-operated video doorbell, which is of course much more up-to-date.
Ring Battery Doorbell test: Quick setup
Anyone buying a video doorbell is faced with the choice between battery operation or power supply via mains connection. Which you prefer is of course a matter of taste. After all, both methods have their advantages. One advantage of battery operation is certainly the quick and uncomplicated installation and commissioning. After all, there are no cables involved that need to be wired.
This is also the case with the new Battery Doorbell. As there is no need for a power connection, the doorbell can also be positioned extremely flexibly. The only thing you need to make sure of is stable Wi-Fi coverage, as the doorbell requires an internet connection. Thanks to its flexibility, the Battery Doorbell is also perfect as a “second doorbell” for the garden door or fence gate.
Before getting to work, you should first fully charge the bell’s battery. It is immediately noticeable that, unlike the Plus model, the video doorbell does not have a removable battery. Instead, it is permanently installed in the housing. This is a disadvantage for several reasons. Firstly, you have to remove the doorbell from the holder to be able to charge it in the first place.
On the other hand, you have to temporarily do without the bell during charging. I like the Plus version’s solution much better. However, it should not be forgotten that the basic version is significantly cheaper. Once the battery is charged, you can start setting it up. This is where the clear and self-explanatory Ring app comes into play.
Thanks to foolproof step-by-step instructions, even non-experts can achieve their goal in a flash and have the doorbell connected to their own network in just a few minutes. Once the doorbell and app have been linked, the doorbell can also be mounted directly on the wall. This is also quick and easy. Ring includes the right tools in the scope of delivery. This means you don’t have to worry about finding the right screws or wall plugs.
Ring Battery Doorbell test: Ring App
The Ring app is available for monitoring camera recordings and advanced settings. Once again, it scores points with its clear design. You can always find the right menu item straight away. Many settings can be adjusted. For example, you can adjust the sensitivity of the motion detection. This is practical for all those who live on busy roads, for example.
It is important to define blind zones that are not recorded by the camera. For example, if the neighboring property is in the camera angle, this should be marked as a blind spot in the setting. The same applies to areas of public road traffic. This ensures that the surveillance camera is operated in accordance with the applicable data protection regulations. Otherwise, the app offers convenience above all else.
For example, you not only receive a notification on your smartphone when the doorbell rings. The system also notifies the user via push message when motion is detected. As this can sometimes be annoying, it is fortunately possible to set when notifications should and should not be sent. Apart from this, the camera’s live image can of course be accessed remotely at any time and from anywhere via the app.
Ring Battery Doorbell test: technology and camera quality
In terms of technology, the Battery Doorbell offers good features. The camera offers an HD resolution of 1440p, which conjures up a solid image on the smartphone screen. However, other battery doorbells such as the TP-Link Tapo D230S1 (review) are clearly ahead in terms of sharpness and color fidelity. The additional night vision in color is a really cool upgrade over its predecessor.
The previous basic version only had black and white night vision. On paper, the color night vision feature may read well, but in practice I found it not really helpful, at least in dark lighting conditions. However, as the Battery Doorbell doesn’t have an integrated light source, I would have been very surprised if it didn’t. So the night vision in color is helpful at best at dusk. Since the new Ring Battery Doorbell offers parcel notification, the extended field of vision is just right.
There is now a viewing angle of 150° horizontally and 150° vertically, which corresponds to the values of the Battery Doorbell Plus. This qualifies the system for head-to-toe recordings. It is only important that the video doorbell is mounted at the correct height. According to the installation instructions, this is 120 cm above the floor. I really liked the intercom function in the test. You can’t expect miracles from the loudspeaker, but I always understood the other person without any problems.
Ring Battery Doorbell test: a closed system
The Ring system has one major disadvantage – it is extremely shy compared to other smart home solutions. For this reason, it is not possible to integrate the video doorbell into existing smart home installations from other manufacturers. It is not even possible to work with the Google Assistant. Instead, only Amazon’s own voice assistant Alexa is supported.
You should definitely keep this in mind if you want the Battery Doorbell from Ring to be just the start of a large smart home system. However, this shouldn’t be a problem for Alexa fans and those who want to become one. After all, it works perfectly with Alexa-enabled devices such as an Echo Show. Among other things, the smart display can then show you who has just rung the doorbell.
Ring Battery Doorbell test: features for an extra charge
The people behind the Ring brand are not fans of local storage at all. If you want to store videos, you have to make do with the company’s cloud storage. This might not only be a thorn in the side of people who are reluctant to place their personal data in someone else’s hands. On top of that, it is a burden on the wallet.
After all, Amazon doesn’t just give away cloud storage. Instead, you have to take out a subscription to the “Ring Protect” service, which costs €3.99 a month or €39.99 a year in the Basic plan. If you don’t do this, you simply cannot record videos. And that’s not all. Without a subscription, you also miss out on other smart features of the doorbell, such as parcel notification and person recognition.
A pre-roll function, where the camera starts filming in advance of an event, is not available. For this, you will have to go for the much more expensive Pro model. This means that “aboloser” users are only offered very limited features. Strictly speaking, the Ring Battery Doorbell without a Ring Protect subscription is just a doorbell with an intercom function and live video.
Conclusion
The Ring Battery Doorbell is a solid video doorbell with a flexible power supply and practical functions, but it is not without its weaknesses. The compact and simple design blends in well with any house façade, while the camera with an HD resolution of 1440p and a wide field of view of 150° both horizontally and vertically enables clear head-to-toe recording. The new night vision in color is a particularly positive feature, which is only an improvement over the previous model. However, the image quality lags behind some competitor products.
Another plus point is the simple installation and configuration via the Ring app, which is easy even for beginners. Thanks to battery operation, the doorbell can be positioned flexibly, but requires regular recharging, which is somewhat inconvenient due to the permanently installed battery. The intercom function works reliably, even if the loudspeaker does not offer top performance. One weak point of the system is its heavy dependence on the Ring ecosystem. The lack of integration with other smart home systems could put off users who already use other solutions.
In addition, video storage is only possible with a paid Ring Protect subscription. The same applies to basic functions such as person detection or parcel notification. Overall, the Ring Battery Doorbell is a good choice for users who are looking for a simple and flexible video doorbell, especially if they are already integrated into the Alexa ecosystem. For more comprehensive smart home requirements or without a subscription, however, it limits its full range of functions.
Ring Battery Doorbell
Processing and design
Hardware
User comfort
Smart home connection
Price-performance ratio
89/100
The Ring Battery Doorbell scores points for its quick setup, good field of vision and uncomplicated operation. Unfortunately, however, it lacks free-of-charge features, an open storage policy and compatibility with other smart home systems.
