Ring Video Doorbell now has a 'Pro' version with improved camera and motion detection
I still have the original Ring Video Doorbell installed, and continue to find it an essential (albeit sometimes inconsistent) addition to my connected home. Whenever someone rings the doorbell, I can see the person at the door, and speak directly with him or her through my smartphone—even if I’m at work, or half a world away.
But maybe it’s really called the “Pro” version because the new doorbell requires hard-wiring to your home’s electricity. It no longer runs on battery power, but of course the entire system continues to rely on Wi-Fi to send doorbell alerts to iOS and Android phones.
The system’s motion detection also sends alerts if someone even approaches the door, but doesn’t ring the bell. That said, setting motion-detection zones on Ring’s original platform is a rather imprecise affair, so the ability to actually shape zones with the Ring Video Doorbell Pro app looks attractive.
Personally, I’m even more interested in the new 5GHz Wi-Fi support. My main complaint with the original Ring is that Wi-Fi connectivity is inconsistent—not surprising given that so many doorbells must be installed beyond a home’s network range. So maybe the new 5GHz band will fix this issue. I’d like to say I can’t wait to test this, but sadly I don’t have the front of my house wired for a doorbell, and the new Ring Video Doorbell Pro ditches the original Ring’s Lithium-Ion battery.
Like the original Ring, the new Pro version supports night vision, two-way conversations with visitors, and cloud recording for $3 a month or $30 a year. The Ring platform really does deliver some useful, clever tricks—and now it’s getting even better. Just wish I could test it without having to call a pro electrician.