Smart video doorbells have become an essential part of modern home security, offering far more than just a way to know when someone's at your door. Let's dive deep into comparing two distinct approaches to this technology: the Arlo Video Doorbell 2nd Generation ($79.99-$129.99) and the Ring Peephole Cam ($129.99).
Video doorbells have evolved significantly since their introduction. Today's devices offer HD or better video quality, smart motion detection that can tell the difference between people and objects, and integration with broader home security systems. The key is finding the right balance of features for your specific situation.
The Arlo Video Doorbell 2nd Generation launched in late 2023, bringing significant improvements in resolution and battery life over its predecessor. Meanwhile, Ring made an interesting move by reintroducing their Peephole Cam in 2023 after briefly discontinuing it, recognizing the strong demand from apartment dwellers.
The Arlo doorbell offers dual installation options - you can wire it to existing doorbell wiring (which provides constant power and allows it to ring your existing chime) or use it wirelessly with its built-in battery. This flexibility is particularly valuable if you're unsure about your future living situation or want to test locations before permanent installation.
The Ring Peephole Cam takes a different approach entirely. It's specifically designed to replace your door's existing peephole, making it perfect for renters or apartment dwellers who can't modify their entryway. The installation process is remarkably straightforward - you simply remove your existing peephole and slide the Ring device through the hole.
The Arlo doorbell stands out with its 2K option (1536 x 1536 pixels), offering significantly more detail than standard 1080p. This higher resolution becomes particularly important when you need to zoom in on details like package labels or identifying features. The standard 1080p option is still excellent and costs less.
The Ring Peephole Cam delivers solid 1080p video, which is perfectly adequate for most users. However, its field of view is more limited at 155° horizontal compared to Arlo's 180° viewing angle.
In practical use, both cameras handle daytime recording well, but there are noticeable differences in low-light performance. The Arlo's HDR capability helps balance bright and dark areas better, particularly useful for porches that are backlit by strong sunlight. The Ring can struggle with night vision if you have a storm door, as the infrared lights can reflect and cause glare.
This is where the two devices differ significantly. The Arlo's dual-power approach offers more flexibility - when hardwired, you never need to worry about batteries. Its battery option typically lasts several months between charges, thanks to efficient power management and newer battery technology.
The Ring Peephole Cam is battery-dependent, typically requiring charging every 20-40 days depending on usage. While this might sound frequent, Ring makes it easier by including a removable battery pack - you can purchase a spare ($30) to avoid downtime during charging.
Both devices offer smart motion detection, but their approaches differ:
The Arlo system works with multiple platforms including Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, though Apple HomeKit support is limited. Ring, being an Amazon company, excels at Alexa integration but offers fewer options for other platforms.
Arlo's Smart subscription starts at $12.99/month and includes:
Ring's Protect Plan is more affordable at $10/month and provides:
Both companies regularly update their devices' software, adding new features and improving performance. Arlo tends to focus on higher-end features and video quality, while Ring emphasizes accessibility and ease of use. Consider how these different approaches might align with your future needs.
The video doorbell market continues to evolve, with new features like package detection and AI-powered alerts becoming standard. Both these devices represent different philosophies in addressing home security needs - Arlo focusing on premium features and flexibility, Ring on specialized solutions for specific use cases.
Remember that while the upfront cost is important, factor in the long-term subscription costs and potential battery replacements when making your decision. The best choice ultimately depends on your specific living situation, installation preferences, and desired features.
| Arlo Video Doorbell 2nd Generation | Ring Peephole Cam Video Doorbell |
|---|---|
| Resolution - Higher resolution means clearer identification of people and packages | |
| 2K (1536 x 1536) or 1080p options | 1080p only |
| Field of View - Wider angle shows more of your entryway and surroundings | |
| 180° diagonal view | 155° horizontal, 90° vertical |
| Power Options - Affects installation flexibility and maintenance | |
| Wired or battery-powered | Battery-powered only |
| Battery Life - Determines how often you need to recharge | |
| 3-6 months typical use | 20-40 days typical use |
| Installation Requirements - Critical for renters vs homeowners | |
| Requires mounting on wall, existing doorbell wiring optional | Fits existing peephole, no drilling required |
| Smart Home Integration - Important for automation and convenience | |
| Works with Alexa, Google Assistant | Works with Alexa only |
| Additional Features - Extra capabilities that add value | |
| Built-in siren, package detection, custom activity zones | Knock detection, traditional peephole viewer, privacy zones |
| Subscription Costs - Ongoing expense consideration | |
| $12.99/month for 30-day storage | $10/month for 60-day storage |
| Price - Initial investment | |
| $79.99 (1080p) or $129.99 (2K) | $129.99 |
| Weather Resistance - Durability in outdoor conditions | |
| Weather-resistant with IP65 rating | Weather-resistant with IP54 rating |
The Ring Peephole Cam is specifically designed for renters, as it requires no permanent modifications and simply replaces an existing peephole. The Arlo Video Doorbell 2nd Generation requires wall mounting, making it less suitable for rental properties.
The Arlo Video Doorbell 2nd Generation offers superior video quality with its 2K option (1536 x 1536 pixels), while the Ring Peephole Cam only offers 1080p resolution. For seeing visitor details clearly, Arlo provides noticeably better image quality.
Both doorbells can display video feeds on smart TVs through their respective apps. The Arlo Video Doorbell offers broader compatibility with streaming devices and smart displays, while the Ring Peephole Cam works primarily with Fire TV devices.
The Arlo Video Doorbell generally performs better in low-light conditions with enhanced HDR capabilities. The Ring Peephole Cam can struggle with night vision if you have a storm door due to infrared reflection issues.
Both require subscriptions for full functionality. Arlo's plan costs $12.99/month for 30 days of storage, while Ring charges $10/month for 60 days of storage. Basic live viewing works without subscriptions on both devices.
The Arlo Video Doorbell 2nd Generation offers superior battery life of 3-6 months and can be hardwired. The Ring Peephole Cam needs charging every 20-40 days, depending on usage.
The Arlo Video Doorbell works with both Alexa and Google Assistant, offering more flexibility. The Ring Peephole Cam only works with Alexa, limiting its smart home integration options.
The Arlo Video Doorbell 2nd Generation offers superior package detection with AI-powered recognition. The Ring Peephole Cam has basic motion detection but lacks specific package recognition features.
The Ring Peephole Cam offers easier installation, simply replacing an existing peephole. The Arlo Video Doorbell requires more setup but provides more mounting options and can use existing doorbell wiring.
The Arlo Video Doorbell features more advanced AI-powered motion detection that can distinguish between people, packages, and animals. The Ring Peephole Cam offers basic motion detection with customizable zones.
Both doorbells allow multiple users to view the feed through their respective apps. The Arlo Video Doorbell offers more viewing options across different platforms, while the Ring Peephole Cam works best within the Amazon ecosystem.
The Arlo Video Doorbell has an IP65 weather resistance rating, offering better protection against the elements. The Ring Peephole Cam has an IP54 rating, providing adequate but lesser weather protection.
We've done our best to create useful and informative comparisons to help you decide what product to buy. Our research uses advanced automated methods to create this comparison and perfection is not possible - please contact us for corrections or questions. These are the sites we've researched in the creation of this article: security.org - arlo.com - bestbuy.com - androidcentral.com - arlo.com - community.arlo.com - youtube.com - community.arlo.com - community.arlo.com - arlo.com - t-mobile.com - youtube.com - tomsguide.com - ring.com - blog.bestbuy.ca - bestbuy.com - abt.com - ring.com - homedepot.com - security.org - cnet.com - en.wikipedia.org) - community.tp-link.com - cnet.com
