Looking to upgrade your front door security? Smart video doorbells have become essential home tech, and two popular options are the Ring Wired Doorbell Plus ($149.99) and the Roku Smart Home Video Doorbell ($79.00). Let's dive into what makes each unique and help you decide which is right for your home.
Video doorbells have come a long way since Ring pioneered the category in 2013. The technology has matured significantly, with today's models offering HD video, advanced motion detection, and smart home integration. The Ring Wired Doorbell Plus represents the latest generation of Ring's technology, while Roku is a relative newcomer, launching their smart home line in 2023.
Video quality is perhaps the most crucial aspect of these devices, as it directly impacts their primary function. The Ring doorbell delivers consistently crisp 1080p HD video with HDR (High Dynamic Range), which helps balance bright and dark areas in the frame. Its color night vision is particularly impressive, using advanced sensors to maintain detail even in low light conditions.
The Roku doorbell also offers 1080p resolution, but user reports suggest its performance in challenging lighting conditions isn't quite as robust. While both cameras capture clear footage during optimal daylight conditions, the Ring's superior HDR processing and night vision capabilities give it a clear edge when conditions aren't perfect.
Field of view might seem like just another spec, but it dramatically affects what you can monitor. The Ring Wired Doorbell Plus offers an impressive 160-degree horizontal view, meaning you can see most of your porch and the surrounding area. This wider perspective is particularly valuable for package monitoring and overall security.
The Roku Smart Home Video Doorbell provides a more modest 120-degree field of view. While this is sufficient for most front door interactions, you might miss activity at the edges of your porch or walkway.
Both doorbells employ motion detection, but their approaches differ significantly. Ring's system allows for precise customization of motion zones - specific areas you want to monitor - and offers advanced person and package detection. The system learns over time, reducing false alerts from things like swaying trees or passing cars.
Roku takes a broader approach to detection, recognizing not just people and packages but also vehicles and pets. This wider range of detection could be particularly useful for homes with active driveways or pet doors. However, the customization options aren't as granular as Ring's.
Your existing smart home setup might influence your choice. The Ring doorbell works seamlessly with Amazon's Alexa ecosystem but has limited compatibility with other platforms. You can view your doorbell feed on Echo Show devices and receive announcements through Alexa-enabled speakers.
Roku's doorbell offers broader compatibility, working with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Roku TVs. This flexibility could be a significant advantage if you use multiple smart home platforms or want to view your doorbell feed on your TV.
The Ring Wired Doorbell Plus costs $149.99, while the Roku Smart Home Video Doorbell is significantly cheaper at $79.00. However, both require ongoing subscriptions for full functionality:
Ring Protect Plan:
Roku Smart Home Subscription:
Both doorbells require existing doorbell wiring (16-24 VAC), making them suitable replacements for traditional doorbells. The installation process is similar for both:
Ring provides excellent installation tutorials and support, while Roku's documentation is adequate but less comprehensive.
In daily use, both doorbells perform their basic functions well, but differences emerge in specific scenarios:
Choose the Ring Wired Doorbell Plus if:
Choose the Roku Smart Home Video Doorbell if:
The Ring Wired Doorbell Plus represents a more premium offering with superior video quality and refined features, justified by its higher price point. The Roku Smart Home Video Doorbell offers impressive value, bringing solid performance and broader compatibility at a lower cost.
Your choice ultimately depends on your specific needs and existing smart home setup. Both devices will serve well as your digital doorkeeper, but Ring's superior video quality and motion detection make it the better choice for those prioritizing performance over price, while Roku's broader compatibility and lower cost make it an excellent value option.
Remember that both systems require ongoing subscriptions for full functionality, so factor these long-term costs into your decision-making process.
| Ring Wired Doorbell Plus | Roku Smart Home Video Doorbell & Chime SE |
|---|---|
| Video Quality - Critical for identifying visitors and packages | |
| 1080p HD with HDR and color night vision | 1080p HD with basic night vision |
| Field of View - Determines how much of your porch you can see | |
| 160° horizontal, 90° vertical (excellent coverage) | 120° horizontal, 88° vertical (adequate coverage) |
| Price - Initial hardware investment | |
| $149.99 (premium pricing) | $79.00 (budget-friendly) |
| Subscription Costs - Required for advanced features | |
| $4.99/month, 180 days storage | $3.99/month, 14 days storage |
| Motion Detection - Affects alert accuracy and usefulness | |
| Advanced zones with precise customization | Basic detection with broader object categories |
| Smart Home Integration - Important for ecosystem compatibility | |
| Amazon Alexa only | Alexa, Google Assistant, Roku TV |
| Power Requirements - Affects installation options | |
| 16-24 VAC, 40VA max | 10-24 VAC, 40VA max |
| Operating Temperature - Reliability in extreme weather | |
| -5°F to 120°F | -5°F to 120°F |
| Additional Features - Extra functionality beyond basics | |
| Built-in Alexa Greetings, Pre-Roll video | Vehicle/pet detection, privacy zones |
| Security Updates - Long-term support | |
| Guaranteed 4 years after last sale | Not specified |
The Ring Wired Doorbell Plus offers superior video quality and motion detection, while the Roku Smart Home Video Doorbell provides better value and broader smart home compatibility. Ring is better for video quality-focused users, while Roku is ideal for budget-conscious buyers.
The Roku Smart Home Video Doorbell integrates directly with Roku TVs for easy viewing. The Ring Wired Doorbell Plus requires an Amazon Fire TV device or Echo Show to display on a screen.
The Ring Wired Doorbell Plus features superior color night vision with better clarity and detail. The Roku Smart Home Video Doorbell offers basic night vision that's adequate but less detailed.
Ring Protect costs $4.99/month with 180 days of video storage, while Roku's subscription is $3.99/month with 14 days of storage.
The Roku Smart Home Video Doorbell works with Alexa, Google Assistant, and Roku devices. The Ring Wired Doorbell Plus only works with Amazon Alexa.
The Ring Wired Doorbell Plus offers more precise motion zone customization and fewer false alerts. The Roku Smart Home Video Doorbell detects more object types but with less precise control.
Yes, both the Ring Wired Doorbell Plus and Roku Smart Home Video Doorbell work with standard doorbell wiring (16-24 VAC).
The Ring Wired Doorbell Plus has a 160° horizontal view compared to Roku's 120°, offering better coverage of your porch area.
Both doorbells work for live viewing without a subscription, but features like video recording and advanced detection require monthly subscriptions.
The Ring Wired Doorbell Plus offers better package monitoring due to its wider angle, superior video quality, and more precise motion detection.
The Roku Smart Home Video Doorbell can display on multiple Roku TVs simultaneously. The Ring Wired Doorbell Plus requires separate Echo Show or Fire TV devices for each viewing location.
The Ring Wired Doorbell Plus guarantees security updates for 4 years after the last sale date. Roku hasn't specified their update timeline, but their broader platform compatibility might offer more flexibility.
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 - consumerreports.org - forums.wyze.com - community.roku.com - discussions.apple.com - consumerreports.org - ring.com - securitysystemsnews.com - community.roku.com - image.roku.com - droneupdelivery.com - lukoilmarine.com - roku.com
