The smart doorbell market has evolved significantly since its inception around 2013. Today's devices offer impressive features that early adopters could only dream about. The Ring Wired Doorbell Plus ($149.99) and Arlo Essential Wired Video Doorbell ($59.99) represent two different approaches to modern video doorbell design, each with distinct advantages.
Both these devices showcase how far video doorbell technology has come. The core technology centers around three main components: a high-definition camera, motion sensors, and two-way communication systems. What makes them "smart" is their ability to connect to your home network and integrate with other devices.
The Ring Wired Doorbell Plus offers 1536p HD video resolution with a 150-degree field of view. What makes this interesting is Ring's head-to-toe aspect ratio - imagine a tall, narrow picture that shows everything from packages on your doorstep to the full height of visitors. It's a thoughtful design choice that addresses real-world needs.
The Arlo Essential matches the resolution but provides an impressive 180-degree field of view. This wider angle means you can see more of your porch area from side to side, which might be crucial depending on your entrance layout. Both cameras use HDR (High Dynamic Range) technology, which helps balance bright and dark areas in the image - particularly useful when your porch is backlit by strong sunlight.
Here's where we see a significant difference. Ring's color night vision technology provides more detailed nighttime footage, making it easier to identify people and objects in low light. The Arlo offers standard infrared night vision, which, while functional, doesn't provide the same level of detail.
Both doorbells have evolved beyond simple video cameras with impressive AI capabilities:
Ring has integrated package detection directly into their base features, while Arlo requires their Smart subscription for similar functionality. In testing, Ring's package detection proves more reliable, likely due to their longer experience with this specific feature.
Both devices require hardwiring to your existing doorbell system, typically needing:
The installation process is similar for both, taking about 30 minutes for someone comfortable with basic DIY tasks. Both companies provide detailed instructions and helpful video guides.
Being an Amazon company, Ring naturally excels in Alexa integration. You can:
Arlo takes a more platform-agnostic approach, working well with:
Both companies regularly update their firmware, but Ring has a more consistent track record of adding new features through updates. Since their release (Ring in early 2023, Arlo in late 2022), both have maintained stable performance with few reported issues.
In daylight conditions, both doorbells perform admirably. The difference becomes apparent in challenging lighting conditions:
Ring's noise cancellation technology gives it an edge in two-way communications, especially in windy conditions or areas with street noise. The Arlo's audio is clear but can sometimes suffer from slight delays in busy networks.
Let's break down the total cost of ownership over three years:
Ring Wired Plus:
Arlo Essential:
Both doorbells represent solid choices in 2024, but they target slightly different users. The Ring Wired Plus is the premium option with more polished features and better integration with Amazon's ecosystem. The Arlo Essential offers impressive value, matching many of Ring's core features at a lower price point.
The decision ultimately comes down to your specific needs and budget. If you want the most refined experience and don't mind paying for it, go with Ring. If you want solid performance at a lower price point, the Arlo won't disappoint.
Remember that both companies continuously update their products, so feature differences may change over time. However, the core hardware capabilities will remain consistent throughout the life of the product.
| Ring Wired Doorbell Plus | Arlo Essential Wired Video Doorbell |
|---|---|
| Price - Initial Investment | |
| $149.99 | $59.99 |
| Video Resolution - Affects ability to identify visitors and read packages | |
| 1536p HD with 150° field of view | 1536p HD with 180° field of view |
| Night Vision - Critical for evening security | |
| Color night vision with enhanced clarity | Standard infrared night vision |
| Motion Detection - Impacts false alerts and security effectiveness | |
| Advanced customizable zones with package detection included | Basic zones, advanced detection requires subscription |
| Smart Home Integration - Determines ecosystem compatibility | |
| Native Amazon/Alexa integration, works with most platforms | Requires hub for some features, works with all major platforms |
| Subscription Cost - Long-term ownership expense | |
| Required: $3-10/month | Optional: $3-15/month |
| Power Requirements - Installation considerations | |
| 16-24 VAC, 40VA max | 16-24 VAC, 10VA minimum |
| Audio Features - Affects communication quality | |
| Two-way audio with noise cancellation | Two-way audio without noise cancellation |
| Aspect Ratio - Determines viewing coverage | |
| 1:1 ratio optimized for head-to-toe view | Standard wide-angle view |
| Weather Resistance - Durability factor | |
| -5°F to 120°F operating range | -4°F to 113°F operating range |
| Additional Features - Extra value considerations | |
| Quick replies, package alerts, customizable chimes | Built-in siren, automated messages, HDR imaging |
| Storage Options - Access to recorded footage | |
| Cloud only with subscription | Cloud only with subscription |
| Installation Time - Setup complexity | |
| ~15 minutes, detailed instructions included | ~30 minutes, requires existing doorbell wiring |
The Ring Wired Doorbell Plus ($149.99) offers better night vision and motion detection, while the Arlo Essential ($59.99) provides a wider viewing angle at a lower price. Ring is better if you want premium features, while Arlo offers better value for basic needs.
Both the Ring Wired Doorbell Plus and Arlo Essential offer 1536p HD resolution. Ring provides a 150° view optimized for head-to-toe visibility, while Arlo offers a wider 180° view. Video quality is comparable in daylight, but Ring has superior color night vision.
The Arlo Essential is significantly cheaper at $59.99 compared to the Ring Wired Doorbell Plus at $149.99. However, both have similar subscription costs ($3-15/month) for advanced features.
The Ring Wired Doorbell Plus integrates seamlessly with Amazon Alexa and most smart home platforms. The Arlo Essential works with all major platforms but requires a hub for some features like Apple HomeKit.
Ring requires a subscription ($3-10/month) for video recording and advanced features. Arlo makes subscriptions optional but recommended ($3-15/month) for advanced features like AI detection.
Both require hardwiring to existing doorbell systems. The Ring Wired Doorbell Plus typically takes about 15 minutes to install, while the Arlo Essential takes around 30 minutes.
The Ring Wired Doorbell Plus features superior color night vision, making it easier to identify people and objects in low light. The Arlo Essential uses standard infrared night vision, which is functional but less detailed.
The Ring Wired Doorbell Plus includes package detection in its base features. The Arlo Essential requires a subscription for package detection functionality.
Ring offers more advanced customizable motion zones and better person detection out of the box. Arlo provides basic motion detection, with advanced features available through subscription.
Both are weather-resistant. The Ring Wired Doorbell Plus operates from -5°F to 120°F, while the Arlo Essential handles -4°F to 113°F.
The Ring Wired Doorbell Plus features noise cancellation for clearer two-way communication. The Arlo Essential offers standard two-way audio without noise cancellation.
Yes, both doorbells can display footage on smart TVs through their respective apps or smart home integrations. The Ring Wired Doorbell Plus works especially well with Fire TV devices, while the Arlo Essential is compatible with various smart TV platforms.
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: blackwiredesigns.com - homedepot.com - ring.com - ring.com - youtube.com - de-de.ring.com - ring.com - youtube.com - safehome.org - arlo.com - arlo.com - bestbuy.com - arlo.com - wasserstein-home.com - arlo.com - arlo.com - prnewswire.com - telquestintl.com
