Smart doorbells have become an essential part of modern home security, transforming how we monitor and interact with visitors. The Ring Battery Doorbell Plus and Ring Battery Doorbell Pro represent two tiers in Ring's latest battery-powered doorbell lineup. Let's explore how these devices stack up and which might be right for your needs.
Ring has consistently improved their doorbell technology since Amazon acquired them in 2018. The Battery Doorbell Plus, released in early 2023, brought significant improvements to the basic Ring lineup, including better video quality and field of view. The Pro model, launched later in 2023, introduced advanced features like 3D Motion Detection and Bird's Eye View, pushing the boundaries of what a battery-powered doorbell can do.
Both doorbells feature 1536p HD+ resolution, which is notably sharper than the 1080p found in earlier models. This higher resolution makes a real difference when you're trying to identify visitors or read package labels. The 150-degree field of view (both horizontal and vertical) provides excellent coverage of your entryway.
However, the Pro takes video capabilities further with its Pre-Roll feature. This clever technology continuously records a 4-second buffer, ensuring you catch the moments leading up to motion detection. While the buffer is in black and white to save battery life, it's invaluable for understanding the full context of events at your door.
The Ring Battery Doorbell Plus uses traditional PIR (Passive Infrared) sensors combined with customizable motion zones. This works well for basic monitoring, letting you adjust sensitivity and ignore high-traffic areas like sidewalks or streets.
The Ring Battery Doorbell Pro elevates motion detection with its 3D Motion Detection system. This radar-based technology can measure precise distance and create a three-dimensional understanding of movement in your yard. The Bird's Eye View feature maps visitor movements on a satellite view of your property, showing their exact path - particularly useful for security monitoring or tracking package deliveries.
One of the most practical differences between these models is their WiFi capability:
This dual-band support in the Pro can make a real difference in areas with crowded WiFi signals. The 5GHz band typically offers faster speeds and less interference, though with shorter range. Having both options means the Pro can automatically choose the best connection for your situation.
Both doorbells feature two-way audio, but the Pro's Audio+ system with enhanced noise cancellation makes a noticeable difference. During testing, the Pro handled street noise and wind interference better, making conversations clearer and more natural.
Despite their feature differences, both models use the same quick-release battery pack. In real-world use, you can expect about 6 weeks of battery life with typical settings. Both can also be hardwired to existing doorbell wiring (8-24 VAC), which keeps the battery charged while enabling a traditional chime.
Tips for maximizing battery life:
Both models work with Ring's ecosystem and Alexa devices. They each require a Ring Protect subscription ($4/month or $40/year) to access recorded video and advanced features like:
The Ring Battery Doorbell Plus at $170 represents excellent value for most users, offering core features like HD video, basic motion detection, and two-way audio. The Ring Battery Doorbell Pro at $230 demands a $60 premium but includes significant technological advantages.
Consider the Pro's premium features:
In daily use, both doorbells perform their core functions reliably. The Plus handles basic monitoring tasks well, with clear video and acceptable response times. The Pro's additional features, while not essential, provide meaningful improvements in security monitoring and visitor tracking.
Camera response times:
Video quality in various conditions:
For most users, the Ring Battery Doorbell Plus offers the best balance of features and value. Its core functionality covers what most homeowners need in a video doorbell. However, if you're particularly security-conscious or want the most advanced features available, the Ring Battery Doorbell Pro justifies its premium price with meaningful technological advantages.
Remember that both models require a Ring Protect subscription to access their full feature set, so factor this ongoing cost into your decision. Whichever model you choose, both represent significant improvements over earlier Ring models and offer reliable home monitoring solutions.
| Ring Battery Doorbell Plus | Ring Battery Doorbell Pro |
|---|---|
| Price - Base investment required | |
| $170 MSRP | $230 MSRP |
| Video Resolution - Determines image clarity and detail | |
| 1536p HD+ | 1536p HD+ with HDR |
| Field of View - How much area the camera can see | |
| 150° horizontal, 150° vertical | 150° horizontal, 150° vertical |
| Motion Detection - Affects accuracy of alerts and tracking | |
| Basic PIR sensor with customizable zones | 3D Motion Detection with Bird's Eye View and radar tracking |
| WiFi Connectivity - Impacts streaming reliability | |
| 2.4GHz only | Dual-band 2.4GHz & 5GHz |
| Audio Features - Quality of two-way communication | |
| Standard two-way audio with noise cancellation | Audio+ with enhanced noise cancellation |
| Night Vision - Visibility in dark conditions | |
| Color night vision | Advanced color night vision with zonal infrared LEDs |
| Pre-Roll Video - Ability to see what happened before motion | |
| Not available | 4 seconds of black & white pre-motion footage |
| Battery Life - Time between charges | |
| ~6 weeks with typical use | ~6 weeks with typical use |
| Installation Options - Power flexibility | |
| Battery or hardwired (8-24 VAC) | Battery or hardwired (8-24 VAC) |
| Operating Temperature - Environmental resilience | |
| -20°C to 50°C | -20°C to 50°C |
| Smart Home Integration - Ecosystem compatibility | |
| Works with Ring ecosystem and Alexa | Works with Ring ecosystem and Alexa |
| Subscription Required - Additional costs | |
| Ring Protect plan needed for video recording ($4/month) | Ring Protect plan needed for video recording ($4/month) |
The Ring Battery Doorbell Pro offers more advanced features like 3D Motion Detection and dual-band WiFi, but the Ring Battery Doorbell Plus provides better value for most users at $170 vs $230. Choose Pro if you need premium features, Plus for basic functionality.
Both doorbells feature 1536p HD+ resolution with 150° viewing angles. However, the Pro includes HDR processing and Pre-Roll video capture, providing slightly better image quality and the ability to see what happened before motion triggers.
Both the Ring Battery Doorbell Plus and Ring Battery Doorbell Pro use the same battery pack and typically last about 6 weeks on a single charge with standard settings.
Yes, both models can display video feeds on your home theater screen through Alexa-enabled devices like Fire TV or Echo Show. The Pro's dual-band WiFi may provide smoother streaming in media rooms with multiple wireless devices.
The Pro features advanced color night vision with zonal infrared LEDs, providing clearer nighttime images than the Plus model's standard color night vision.
Both the Ring Battery Doorbell Plus and Ring Battery Doorbell Pro require a Ring Protect plan ($4/month) to access recorded video and advanced features like person detection.
The Pro offers dual-band (2.4GHz and 5GHz) WiFi support, making it more reliable in homes with crowded networks. The Plus only supports 2.4GHz.
Yes, both models can be hardwired to standard doorbell systems (8-24 VAC) while maintaining battery backup capability.
The Ring Battery Doorbell Pro features superior 3D Motion Detection with radar tracking and Bird's Eye View, while the Ring Battery Doorbell Plus uses basic PIR sensors with customizable zones.
Yes, both models fully integrate with Alexa devices for voice commands and video display on compatible screens.
The Pro features enhanced Audio+ with better noise cancellation, providing clearer two-way communication compared to the Plus model's standard audio system.
Yes, especially if you want to integrate doorbell feeds into your home theater system. The Pro's dual-band WiFi and enhanced video quality make it particularly suitable for home theater integration, though the Plus offers good basic functionality at a lower price point.
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: tomsguide.com - se-en.ring.com - consumerreports.org - linkdhome.com - se-en.ring.com - ae-en.ring.com - wave-electronics.com - bestbuy.com - pcrichard.com - verizon.com - androidpolice.com - sa-en.ring.com - ring.com - reviewed.com - blackwiredesigns.com - youtube.com - bestbuy.com - pcrichard.com - abt.com - sa-en.ring.com - target.com - staples.com - ae-en.ring.com - the.gearbrain.com
