In recent years, video doorbells have become an essential part of home security, offering convenience and peace of mind. Let's dive into a detailed comparison of two popular but distinctly different approaches: the Ring Peephole Cam ($129.99) and the Arlo Essential Wired Video Doorbell ($59.99).
Video doorbells have evolved significantly since Ring first popularized them in 2013. Today's devices offer HD video, two-way audio, and smart integrations that were once the stuff of science fiction. The core technology combines a camera, microphone, speaker, and internet connectivity to create a powerful home security tool.
When these models were released (Ring Peephole in 2019, Arlo Essential in 2020), they represented different philosophies in solving the video doorbell challenge. The Ring Peephole Cam innovated by targeting apartment dwellers and renters, while the Arlo Essential focused on delivering premium features at a competitive price point.
The Ring Peephole's battery-powered design is genuinely clever. It replaces your existing peephole with a smart camera that maintains the traditional peephole function while adding modern capabilities. Installation typically takes about 15 minutes and requires no special tools or expertise. The battery lasts 6-12 months, though heavy usage in high-traffic areas might require more frequent charging.
The Arlo Essential requires hardwiring to your home's electrical system, typically connecting to existing doorbell wiring (16-24V AC). While this means professional installation might be needed, it provides consistent power and eliminates battery concerns. The installation process is more involved but results in a more permanent, maintenance-free solution.
The Ring Peephole delivers 1080p HD video with a 155° horizontal field of view. This wider angle is particularly useful for apartment hallways and tight spaces. Night vision is provided by infrared LEDs, which work well but can struggle with reflective surfaces like storm doors.
The Arlo Essential offers slightly better resolution at 1536p and a 180° diagonal field of view. In practice, this translates to marginally sharper images but a somewhat narrower horizontal view. The HDR (High Dynamic Range) feature helps balance bright backgrounds and shadowed doorways better than Ring's standard dynamic range.
The Ring Peephole Cam integrates seamlessly with Amazon Alexa but lacks Google Assistant support. Basic motion detection works well, but the absence of person detection means you'll get notifications for all movement, including passing cars or swaying trees.
The Arlo Essential supports both Alexa and Google Assistant, plus offers Apple HomeKit compatibility. Its advanced AI can distinguish between people, packages, vehicles, and animals, reducing false alerts. The pre-recorded message feature is particularly useful for package deliveries.
Both companies require subscriptions for video recording storage and advanced features:
Without subscriptions, both devices still function for live viewing and two-way communication, but you'll miss out on recording capabilities and advanced features.
Both devices have received numerous firmware updates improving performance and adding features:
The Ring Peephole Cam justifies its higher price through installation flexibility and apartment-friendly design. The Arlo Essential delivers better overall performance and features at a lower hardware cost, making it the better value for homeowners who can accommodate hardwiring.
Both devices excel in their intended use cases. The Ring Peephole Cam revolutionized apartment security with its innovative design, while the Arlo Essential provides premium features at a competitive price point. Your choice should primarily depend on your installation requirements and living situation rather than price alone.
For renters and apartment dwellers, the Ring Peephole Cam remains the go-to choice despite its higher cost. For homeowners seeking the best performance and value, the Arlo Essential is hard to beat, provided you can handle (or hire someone for) the hardwired installation.
Remember that both devices require ongoing subscription costs for full functionality, so factor this into your long-term budget calculations when making your decision.
| Ring Peephole Cam Video Doorbell | Arlo Essential Wired Video Doorbell |
|---|---|
| Price - Initial hardware investment | |
| $129.99 (higher upfront cost) | $59.99 (better initial value) |
| Monthly Subscription - Required for video recording | |
| $4.99/month (Ring Protect Basic) | $3.99/month (Arlo Secure) |
| Installation Type - Critical for renters vs homeowners | |
| Battery-powered, replaces peephole (renter-friendly) | Hardwired installation (requires existing doorbell wiring) |
| Video Resolution - Impacts face and package recognition | |
| 1080p HD (good for most purposes) | 1536p HD (noticeably sharper) |
| Field of View - Affects how much you can see | |
| 155° horizontal (better for hallways) | 180° diagonal (slightly narrower horizontal view) |
| Power Source - Affects maintenance needs | |
| Rechargeable battery (6-12 months per charge) | Continuous hardwired power (no charging needed) |
| Smart Home Integration - Controls and automation options | |
| Amazon Alexa only | Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple HomeKit |
| Motion Detection - Affects alert accuracy | |
| Basic motion detection only | Advanced AI with person/package/vehicle detection |
| Night Vision - Important for 24/7 monitoring | |
| IR LED (can reflect off storm doors) | HDR-enhanced IR (better handling of difficult lighting) |
| Weather Resistance - Durability factor | |
| IP54 rated (moderate protection) | IP65 rated (better weather protection) |
| Installation Time - Consider professional costs | |
| 15 minutes DIY (no tools needed) | 30-60 minutes (may require electrician) |
| Additional Features - Extra functionality | |
| Traditional peephole viewer, knock detection | Pre-recorded messages, package detection, integrated siren |
The Ring Peephole Cam is significantly better for renters since it requires no permanent installation and replaces existing peepholes. The Arlo Essential needs hardwiring, making it less suitable for rental properties.
The Arlo Essential offers superior 1536p resolution compared to the Ring Peephole Cam's 1080p. Both provide good quality for monitoring visitors, but Arlo's higher resolution provides noticeably sharper details.
Yes, both require subscriptions for video recording. Ring Protect Basic costs $4.99/month, while Arlo Secure is $3.99/month. Without subscriptions, both still function for live viewing only.
The Arlo Essential performs better in low light conditions with HDR-enhanced infrared. The Ring Peephole Cam has standard infrared that can struggle with reflective surfaces like storm doors.
Both can display video feeds on smart TVs and streaming devices. The Arlo Essential offers broader compatibility with Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple HomeKit, while Ring only works with Alexa devices.
The Ring Peephole Cam is significantly easier, requiring about 15 minutes for DIY installation. The Arlo Essential requires hardwiring and may need professional installation.
Ring provides a 155° horizontal view, while Arlo offers 180° diagonal view. Ring's configuration is generally better for apartment hallways and narrow entrances.
The Arlo Essential offers more advanced features, including AI-powered person/package detection and pre-recorded messages. The Ring Peephole Cam provides basic motion detection and knock sensing.
Ring uses a rechargeable battery lasting 6-12 months, requiring periodic charging. Arlo needs constant hardwired power but never needs charging.
Despite higher upfront costs ($129.99), the Ring Peephole Cam may be more cost-effective for renters avoiding installation costs. The Arlo Essential ($59.99) has lower hardware costs but may require professional installation.
Both systems allow viewing on multiple displays through their respective apps and smart home integrations. Arlo offers more flexibility with broader platform support.
The Arlo Essential has superior IP65 weather resistance compared to the Ring Peephole Cam's IP54 rating, making it more durable in harsh weather conditions.
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 - 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 - safehome.org - arlo.com - arlo.com - bestbuy.com - arlo.com - wasserstein-home.com - arlo.com - arlo.com - prnewswire.com - telquestintl.com
