In recent years, smart doorbells have evolved from simple novelties into sophisticated home security devices. Today, we'll compare two leading options: the Ring Wired Doorbell Pro ($249.99) and the Arlo Essential Wired Video Doorbell ($149.99), breaking down what really matters for everyday use.
Smart doorbells have come a long way since Ring pioneered the category in 2013. The Ring Pro, released in late 2020, and the Arlo Essential, launched in early 2021, represent the current state of the art. Both devices have received software updates adding features like enhanced motion detection and improved video processing.
Both doorbells capture footage at 1536p resolution, which is notably better than standard 1080p HD. This extra resolution matters when you're trying to identify faces or read package labels. However, there are important differences in how they handle the video feed:
The Arlo Essential boasts a 180-degree field of view, which means you can see practically everything in front of your door, including packages left directly below. This wider angle can be particularly useful for homes with large front porches or multiple approach paths.
The Ring Pro offers a slightly narrower 150-degree view but compensates with superior HDR (High Dynamic Range) processing. This means better image quality when dealing with challenging lighting situations, like a bright sky behind a visitor or deep shadows on your porch.
This is where these doorbells really show their technological sophistication:
Ring Pro's 3D Motion Detection with Bird's Eye View is genuinely impressive. It uses radar technology (similar to what you'd find in advanced car safety systems) to create a top-down map showing the path visitors took to reach your door. This feature is particularly useful for security monitoring and understanding movement patterns around your home.
Arlo takes a different approach, focusing on smart object recognition. It can distinguish between people, packages, vehicles, and animals, sending specific alerts for each. While this might seem less advanced than Ring's radar system, it's often more practical for everyday use. You'll know immediately if that motion alert is for a delivery or just the neighbor's cat.
The ecosystem question is crucial for many users. The Ring Pro is owned by Amazon and works seamlessly with Alexa devices. If you have Echo speakers or displays, you can automatically announce visitors or show the doorbell feed on your Echo Show.
The Arlo Essential offers broader compatibility, working with Alexa, Apple HomeKit, and Google Assistant. This flexibility is valuable if you're not committed to a single smart home platform or might switch in the future.
Both devices require subscriptions to unlock their full potential, but there are important differences:
Ring Protect ($3/month):
Arlo Smart ($3/month):
While the monthly costs are identical, Ring offers significantly more video storage. However, Arlo's smart detection features are more sophisticated out of the box.
Both doorbells require hardwiring to your existing doorbell system (16-24 VAC). This might seem daunting, but it's actually a straightforward DIY project for most homes. The advantage of wired installation is never having to worry about charging batteries.
The Ring Pro includes a "Pro Power Kit" that helps ensure compatibility with existing doorbell transformers. Arlo's approach is simpler but might require an upgraded transformer in older homes.
In daily use, both doorbells perform admirably, but there are subtle differences:
Response Time:
Night Vision:
Audio Quality:
Choose the Ring Wired Doorbell Pro if:
Choose the Arlo Essential Wired Video Doorbell if:
Both companies regularly update their devices with new features. Ring recently added end-to-end encryption options, while Arlo has improved its AI detection algorithms. These improvements come through software updates, making both devices somewhat future-proof.
Both doorbells represent excellent choices in their category, with the decision largely coming down to your specific needs and existing smart home setup. The Ring Pro offers more sophisticated motion tracking and better integration with Alexa, while the Arlo Essential provides better value and broader compatibility.
For most users, the Arlo Essential represents the better value, offering nearly all the essential features at a significantly lower price point. However, if you're deeply invested in the Alexa ecosystem or want the most advanced motion tracking, the Ring Pro is worth the premium.
Remember that both options require ongoing subscriptions to access their full feature sets, so factor this into your long-term cost calculations. Whichever you choose, both represent a significant upgrade over traditional doorbells and offer genuine security and convenience benefits.
| Ring Wired Doorbell Pro | Arlo Essential Wired Video Doorbell |
|---|---|
| Price - Base hardware cost | |
| $249.99 | $149.99 |
| Video Resolution - Determines how clear and detailed the image appears | |
| 1536p HD+ with HDR | 1536p HD |
| Field of View - Affects how much area you can see | |
| 150° horizontal/vertical (less coverage but less distortion) | 180° diagonal (wider coverage, slight fish-eye effect) |
| Night Vision - Critical for low-light monitoring | |
| Color + infrared (better detail in ambient light) | Infrared only (consistent but monochrome) |
| Motion Detection - Impacts accuracy of alerts | |
| 3D Motion with Bird's Eye View tracking | Standard motion with smart object recognition |
| Smart Home Integration - Affects ecosystem compatibility | |
| Amazon Alexa only (deeper integration) | Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Google Assistant |
| Subscription Cost - Required for advanced features | |
| $3/month Ring Protect, 180-day video history | $3/month Arlo Smart, 30-day video history |
| Power Requirements - Installation considerations | |
| 16-24 VAC/24VDC, includes Pro Power Kit | 16-24 VAC, may need transformer upgrade |
| Operating Temperature Range - Environmental durability | |
| -20°C to 50°C (-4°F to 120°F) | -20°C to 45°C (-4°F to 113°F) |
| Response Time - Affects real-world usability | |
| 1-2 seconds typical | Under 1 second typical |
| Advanced Features - Additional capabilities with subscription | |
| Alexa Greetings, Quick Replies, Person Detection | Package, Animal, Vehicle Detection, Activity Zones |
The Ring Wired Doorbell Pro ($249.99) offers superior HDR video and deeper Alexa integration, while the Arlo Essential Wired Video Doorbell ($149.99) provides better value and wider compatibility. For most users, the Arlo's lower price and broader smart home platform support make it the better choice unless specific Ring features are needed.
The Ring Pro costs $249.99, while the Arlo Essential is priced at $149.99, making the Arlo $100 less expensive for similar core features.
Yes, both doorbells can stream to your home theater setup. The Ring Pro works with Fire TV devices, while the Arlo Essential supports Apple TV, Chromecast, and Fire TV, offering more flexible viewing options for different home theater setups.
Both offer 1536p HD video, but the Ring Pro has superior HDR processing for better handling of challenging lighting conditions. The Arlo Essential offers a wider 180-degree viewing angle compared to Ring's 150 degrees.
Yes, both require subscriptions for advanced features. Ring Protect ($3/month) offers 180 days of video history, while Arlo Smart ($3/month) provides 30 days of storage. Both subscriptions enable smart detection features.
The Ring Pro offers color night vision when there's ambient light, providing more detail. The Arlo Essential uses standard infrared night vision, which is more consistent but only shows in black and white.
The Arlo Essential works with Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple HomeKit, while the Ring Pro only works with Alexa but offers deeper integration within the Amazon ecosystem.
Both require hardwiring to 16-24 VAC power. The Ring Pro includes a Power Kit for compatibility with existing systems, while the Arlo might need a transformer upgrade in older homes. Installation typically takes 30-60 minutes.
The Ring Pro features 3D Motion Detection with Bird's Eye View tracking, while the Arlo Essential offers smart object recognition for people, packages, vehicles, and animals. Arlo's approach is often more practical for everyday use.
Yes, both doorbells allow you to answer from your smartphone with two-way audio and video. The Arlo Essential typically has faster response times (under 1 second) compared to the Ring Pro (1-2 seconds).
The Arlo Essential has better package detection built into its smart detection system. The Ring Pro can monitor packages through Bird's Eye View, but its package detection is less sophisticated.
Both are weather-resistant and operate in temperatures from -20°C to around 45-50°C. The Ring Pro has a slightly wider temperature range, functioning up to 50°C compared to Arlo's 45°C maximum.
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: bestbuy.com - surveillance-video.com - youtube.com - security.org - de-de.ring.com - ring.com - target.com - bestbuy.com - abt.com - blackwiredesigns.com - youtube.com - ring.com - samsung.com - ring.com - safehome.org - arlo.com - arlo.com - bestbuy.com - arlo.com - wasserstein-home.com - arlo.com - arlo.com - prnewswire.com - telquestintl.com
