The Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2, now called the Ring Wired Doorbell Pro, is a high-end smart doorbell that improves home security with features like 3D Motion Detection, a head-to-toe view, and easy integration with Alexa. It costs $249.99, which makes it one of Ring’s best products, but is it worth the money? We’ll talk about its features, performance, installation, and value in this article to help you decide if it’s a good fit for your smart home.
Main Features
- Better video quality
The Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2 has a 1536p HD+ video resolution and a 150-degree horizontal and vertical field of view, which makes a square 1:1 aspect ratio. This “head-to-toe” view is a big improvement over the Ring Video Doorbell Pro, which had a narrower field of view (160° x 90°) and a lower resolution (1080p). It’s easier to see visitors from head to toe and keep an eye on packages left at your door because the resolution is better and the vertical coverage is wider. HDR support and color night vision also help make sure that the visuals are clear in different lighting conditions. However, some reviewers said that night vision performance was sometimes affected by bitrate issues.
- 3D motion detection and a bird’s-eye view
The 3D Motion Detection, which uses radar technology, is one of the best features. Setting a perimeter up to 30 feet from the doorbell lets you accurately detect motion and cuts down on false alarms from passing cars or movement that is too far away. This feature gives you a unique view of who’s coming to your door when used with the Bird’s Eye View, which shows an aerial map of your property to show where visitors are moving. Some people think the Bird’s Eye View is more of a fun feature than a useful one, even though it’s new. The quality of the satellite images varies by location.
- Greetings and integration with Alexa
The doorbell works perfectly with Amazon’s ecosystem. It has Alexa Greetings, a special feature of the Ring Home subscription that lets Alexa talk to visitors, give delivery instructions, or record messages when you’re not home. You can use it with Alexa-enabled devices like the Echo Show to see live video and talk back and forth. But it doesn’t work with Apple HomeKit or Google Assistant, which might disappoint people who use those systems.
- Sound and Connections
The Pro 2 has Audio+, which is a better two-way talk system that sounds clearer than the original Pro. It has dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4GHz and 5GHz), which makes connections faster and more reliable. Notifications happen almost right away, which is a big improvement over older models.
- Requirements for a subscription
A Ring Home subscription is needed to get the most out of the service. It costs $3 a month or $30 a year and includes cloud storage, video review (for up to 180 days), and advanced features like Alexa Greetings and package detection. Without a subscription, you can only watch live and get notifications in real time. You can’t save or review footage.
Design and Installation
The Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2 only works with wires, so you need a 16–24V AC transformer or existing doorbell wiring. If you’re replacing an old doorbell, installation is easy and only takes 20 to 45 minutes. The Pro Power Kit includes all the tools you need, such as a screwdriver and mounting screws. If your home doesn’t have wiring, you can buy a plug-in adapter (sold separately). The device is 4.49 x 1.9 x 0.87 inches, which fits most door frames. However, some users say that the plastic button doesn’t feel as high-end as they thought it would for the price. A satin nickel faceplate comes with the device, and after activation, you can choose from 16 more colors for free.
Concerns about privacy and safety
Ring has been criticized for working with police and having data breaches in the past, which has made people worry about their privacy. The company has made security better by adding multi-factor authentication and letting people choose not to share police data, but these problems may still make potential buyers hesitate. When people decide to buy something, they often have to weigh privacy concerns against convenience.
Is the upgrade worth it?
The Pro 2 is a big improvement over the original Ring Video Doorbell Pro ($169.99). It has a higher resolution, a square field of view, 3D Motion Detection, and better Wi-Fi connectivity. But for people who already have the original Pro or a cheaper option like the Ring Video Doorbell Wired, the upgrades may not be worth the $80 to $200 price difference unless they really want to be able to monitor packages and have better motion detection. Competitors like the Google Nest Doorbell ($179.99) and the Arlo Video Doorbell ($149.99) have similar features, and some of them even have free person detection. However, they don’t work with Ring’s ecosystem.
The Decision
The Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2 is a high-end smart doorbell with great video quality, advanced features, and strong Alexa integration. It’s a great choice for people who already own Ring or Amazon products. Its 3D Motion Detection and head-to-toe view make it stand out, especially for keeping an eye on deliveries. However, the high price, subscription dependency, and privacy concerns may give pause. The Pro 2 is a great choice if you want a high-end wired doorbell and are okay with the price. If you’re on a tight budget or don’t want to buy from Amazon, the Ezviz DB1C or Google Nest Doorbell might be better options.
