Smart doorbells have become an essential part of modern home security, transforming how we monitor and interact with visitors. Ring Wired Doorbell Plus and Ring Peephole Cam represent two distinct approaches to this technology, each designed for specific living situations and user needs.
The key distinction between these devices lies in their fundamental design approach. The Ring Wired Doorbell Plus ($99.99) is a traditional doorbell replacement requiring hardwired installation, while the Ring Peephole Cam ($129.99) cleverly transforms existing door peepholes into smart monitoring devices.
The installation experience differs significantly between these models. The Wired Doorbell Plus requires connecting to your home's existing doorbell wiring system (16-24 VAC), which might seem daunting but typically takes about 15 minutes for those comfortable with basic DIY projects. If you're not confident with electrical work, professional installation is recommended.
The Peephole Cam, released in early 2023 as an updated version of the original model, offers a remarkably simple installation process. You simply remove your existing peephole, insert the camera through the door, and secure it with the included mounting plate. This design makes it perfect for renters or those who can't modify their entryway.
Power delivery represents perhaps the most significant technical difference between these devices. The Wired Doorbell Plus connects to your home's electrical system, providing constant power without worrying about batteries. This enables advanced features like continuous video recording and color Pre-Roll (which captures four seconds of footage before motion triggers).
The Peephole Cam relies on a rechargeable battery lasting 6-12 months, depending on usage. While this means occasional maintenance, it offers flexibility in placement and doesn't require any electrical modifications. The battery life varies significantly based on factors like motion detection frequency and live view usage.
Both devices capture 1080p HD video, but there are notable differences in their capabilities:
The Wired Doorbell Plus generally offers superior video quality, particularly in low-light conditions, thanks to its color night vision capability. The wider field of view provides slightly better coverage of your entryway.
Both devices work within the Ring ecosystem and support Alexa integration, but there are differences in their capabilities:
The initial price difference ($99.99 vs $129.99) tells only part of the story. Both devices require a Ring Protect subscription ($4.99/month or $49.99/year) to access recorded video and advanced features. However, the total cost of ownership differs:
After extensive testing and user feedback analysis, some clear patterns emerge:
The Wired Doorbell Plus excels in:
The Peephole Cam stands out for:
The Wired Doorbell Plus includes several improvements over previous Ring models:
The 2023 Peephole Cam update brought:
Both devices serve their intended purposes well, but they're designed for different scenarios. The Wired Doorbell Plus represents the more capable option with better overall performance and features, while the Peephole Cam offers unmatched installation flexibility and convenience for renters or those with peephole doors.
The choice ultimately depends on your living situation and specific needs. For homeowners looking for a permanent solution with the best features, the Ring Wired Doorbell Plus is the clear choice. For renters or those needing a more flexible solution, the Ring Peephole Cam provides an excellent alternative that doesn't require any permanent modifications.
Remember that both devices require a Ring Protect subscription to access their full feature set, so factor this into your long-term cost calculations. Whichever model you choose, both represent significant improvements in home security and convenience over traditional doorbells or peepholes.
| Ring Wired Doorbell Plus | Ring Peephole Cam |
|---|---|
| Price - Initial Investment | |
| $99.99 | $129.99 |
| Installation Type - Affects who can use it and how | |
| Requires existing doorbell wiring | Installs over existing peephole, no wiring needed |
| Power Source - Impacts maintenance and reliability | |
| Hardwired (constant power) | Rechargeable battery (6-12 months per charge) |
| Video Quality - Affects clarity of visitor identification | |
| 1080p HD with color night vision | 1080p HD with infrared night vision |
| Field of View - Determines how much area you can monitor | |
| 160° horizontal, 90° vertical | 155° horizontal, 90° vertical |
| WiFi Connectivity - Affects connection stability | |
| Dual-band (2.4GHz and 5.0GHz) | Single-band (2.4GHz only) |
| Motion Detection - Important for security monitoring | |
| Advanced with customizable zones | Basic with privacy zones |
| Special Features - Unique capabilities | |
| Pre-Roll footage, Quick Replies, Built-in Alexa Greetings | Knock detection, maintains peephole function |
| Weather Resistance - Durability consideration | |
| -5°F to 120°F operating range | Standard weather resistance, not temperature specified |
| Additional Costs - Long-term ownership expenses | |
| Ring Protect subscription ($4.99/mo), possible professional installation | Ring Protect subscription ($4.99/mo), periodic battery charging |
| Best For - Target user profile | |
| Homeowners wanting permanent installation with advanced features | Renters and apartment dwellers needing temporary solution |
The Ring Wired Doorbell Plus ($99.99) is better for homeowners wanting permanent installation and advanced features, while the Ring Peephole Cam ($129.99) is ideal for renters and apartment dwellers needing a temporary solution.
The main differences are installation method (wired vs peephole mount), power source (hardwired vs battery), and features (color night vision vs infrared night vision). The Ring Wired Doorbell Plus offers more advanced features but requires existing doorbell wiring.
The Ring Peephole Cam is significantly easier to install as it simply replaces your existing peephole with no wiring required. The Ring Wired Doorbell Plus requires connecting to doorbell wiring, which might need professional installation.
Yes, both doorbells can connect to your home theater through Alexa-enabled devices. The Ring Wired Doorbell Plus offers better integration with built-in Alexa Greetings and can display video feeds on compatible smart TVs or home theater displays.
Both offer 1080p HD video, but the Ring Wired Doorbell Plus has superior night vision with color capability and a slightly wider field of view (160° vs 155°). The Ring Peephole Cam uses standard infrared night vision.
Yes, both the Ring Wired Doorbell Plus and Ring Peephole Cam require a Ring Protect subscription ($4.99/month) to access recorded video and advanced features.
The Ring Peephole Cam is specifically designed for apartments, as it doesn't require permanent installation and works with existing peepholes. It's the better choice for renters who can't modify their entryway.
Both doorbells offer night vision, but the Ring Wired Doorbell Plus provides color night vision for better clarity, while the Ring Peephole Cam uses standard infrared night vision.
The Ring Wired Doorbell Plus offers dual-band WiFi (2.4GHz and 5.0GHz) for better connectivity, while the Ring Peephole Cam only supports 2.4GHz WiFi.
The Ring Wired Doorbell Plus has no battery concerns and should last many years. The Ring Peephole Cam battery lasts 6-12 months between charges, and the device itself should last several years with proper maintenance.
Both doorbells work with Alexa, but the Ring Wired Doorbell Plus offers more advanced integration features. Neither works with Google Assistant.
If you own your home, the Ring Wired Doorbell Plus is worth the installation effort due to its superior features and constant power. However, renters should choose the Ring Peephole Cam for its non-permanent installation.
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 - 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
