The smart doorbell market has evolved significantly in recent years, with devices becoming more sophisticated and feature-rich. Today we're comparing two popular options: the Ring Video Doorbell Pro ($149.99) and the Roku Smart Home Video Doorbell & Chime SE ($79.99). Let's explore how these devices stack up and help you make an informed decision.
Smart doorbells have transformed from simple video intercom systems to sophisticated security devices. The Ring Pro, released in 2021, represents the premium end of the market, while Roku's entry in 2022 brought a more budget-friendly approach. Both devices showcase how far the technology has come, with HD video, motion detection, and smart home integration becoming standard features.
The Ring Pro leads with 1536p HD+ video (that's sharper than standard 1080p HD) and includes HDR (High Dynamic Range), which helps balance bright and dark areas in the same shot. Think of HDR like your eyes adjusting when you step from bright sunlight into shade - it helps you see details in both areas simultaneously. The Ring Pro's color night vision is particularly impressive, providing clear footage even in low light conditions.
The Roku doorbell offers 1080p HD video, which is still quite good for most purposes. However, in challenging lighting conditions or when trying to identify someone at a distance, the Ring Pro's superior resolution and HDR capabilities make a noticeable difference.
Here's where things get interesting. The Ring Pro introduces what they call "3D Motion Detection" with Bird's Eye View. This technology uses radar to create a top-down map showing the path someone took across your property. It's genuinely useful for security purposes, letting you see if someone was casing your house or just delivering a package.
Roku takes a different approach, offering basic motion detection with the ability to recognize people, vehicles, and pets. While effective, it lacks the precision and detailed tracking of Ring's system.
If you're already invested in Amazon's ecosystem, the Ring Pro offers deeper integration with Alexa. You can:
The Roku doorbell casts a wider net, working with both Alexa and Google Assistant. For Roku TV owners, there's the added benefit of viewing your doorbell feed directly on your TV - particularly useful if you're watching a movie and want to check who's at the door without getting up.
Both doorbells require hardwiring, which might seem daunting but actually provides more reliable operation than battery-powered alternatives. The Ring Pro needs 16-24 VAC power, while the Roku accepts 10-24 VAC. This difference matters if you have an older doorbell transformer - you might need to upgrade it for the Ring Pro.
Let's talk about ongoing costs:
Ring Protect Plan:
Roku Smart Home Subscription:
In daily use, both doorbells perform their basic functions well, but the Ring Pro's premium features become apparent in challenging situations:
The Roku doorbell handles standard situations competently but may struggle in edge cases where the Ring Pro's advanced features shine.
The Roku doorbell offers impressive value at $79.99, including a chime in the package. For basic video doorbell functionality, it's hard to beat. However, the Ring Pro at $149.99 justifies its premium price through superior video quality, advanced motion detection, and longer video history (with subscription).
Consider these key factors:
Ring has committed to providing software security updates for at least 4 years after the device is last sold. This commitment to long-term support adds value to the investment. Roku, being newer to the smart home market, hasn't made similar explicit commitments but has demonstrated regular updates to their platform.
The Ring Pro represents the premium end of video doorbells, offering advanced features and superior video quality at a higher price point. It's the better choice for those prioritizing security features and video quality.
The Roku doorbell delivers impressive value, providing solid basic functionality at a more accessible price point. It's ideal for those wanting core video doorbell features without the premium cost.
Both devices will serve you well, but your specific needs and existing smart home setup should guide your choice. Consider your priorities carefully - sometimes spending more upfront saves money and hassle in the long run, but don't pay for advanced features you'll never use.
| Ring Wired Doorbell Pro | Roku Smart Home Video Doorbell & Chime SE |
|---|---|
| Price - Initial Investment | |
| $149.99 (doorbell only) | $79.99 (includes chime) |
| Video Resolution - Determines how clear people and objects appear | |
| 1536p HD+ with HDR (superior detail in varied lighting) | 1080p HD (good for basic identification) |
| Field of View - How much area the camera can see | |
| 150° horizontal and vertical (excellent coverage) | 120° horizontal (standard coverage) |
| Motion Detection - Accuracy and features of movement alerts | |
| 3D Motion Detection with Bird's Eye View (tracks movement paths) | Basic motion detection with person/vehicle recognition |
| Night Vision - Quality of after-dark video | |
| Color night vision with HDR | Standard infrared night vision |
| Smart Home Integration - Ecosystem compatibility | |
| Amazon Alexa only (deep integration) | Alexa, Google Assistant, Roku TV |
| Subscription Cost - Ongoing expenses | |
| $4.99/month, 180-day video history | $3.99/month, 14-day video history |
| Power Requirements - Installation considerations | |
| 16-24 VAC (may need transformer upgrade) | 10-24 VAC (works with most existing systems) |
| Operating Temperature - Climate resilience | |
| -5°F to 120°F (-20°C to 50°C) | -5°F to 120°F (-20.5°C to 48.5°C) |
| Additional Features - Extra capabilities | |
| Pre-roll footage, Quick Replies, Alexa Greetings | Basic doorbell functions, included chime |
| WiFi Requirements - Network needs | |
| Dual-band 2.4/5GHz, 2Mbps minimum | 2.4GHz only, 2Mbps minimum |
The Ring Video Doorbell Pro offers superior video quality and advanced features, while the Roku Smart Home Video Doorbell provides better value at nearly half the price. Ring Pro is better for security-focused users, while Roku works well for basic needs.
Yes, both doorbells support TV viewing. The Roku doorbell integrates directly with Roku TVs, while the Ring Pro works with Fire TV devices through Alexa.
The Ring Pro features superior color night vision with HDR, providing clearer footage in low light conditions compared to the Roku doorbell's standard infrared night vision.
Both require subscriptions for full features. Ring Protect ($4.99/month) offers 180 days of video history, while Roku's service ($3.99/month) provides 14 days of storage.
Both the Ring Pro and Roku doorbell require hardwiring, but Roku works with a broader range of doorbell transformers (10-24 VAC vs Ring's 16-24 VAC requirement).
Yes. The Ring Pro works with Fire TV devices, while the Roku doorbell integrates with Roku TVs, showing notifications and live feeds during movies or shows.
The Ring Pro features advanced 3D Motion Detection with Bird's Eye View, offering superior tracking compared to the Roku doorbell's basic motion detection system.
The Roku doorbell works with both Alexa and Google Assistant, while the Ring Pro only works with Alexa but offers deeper integration.
The Ring Pro offers 1536p HD+ with HDR, providing noticeably better video quality than the Roku doorbell's 1080p HD resolution.
With a subscription, Ring Pro stores footage for 180 days, while Roku stores it for 14 days. Both require subscriptions for video storage.
Both doorbells work for live viewing and notifications without a subscription, but you'll need a subscription for video recording and advanced features with either the Ring Pro or Roku doorbell.
The Roku doorbell at $79.99 (including chime) offers better initial value, while the Ring Pro at $149.99 provides more advanced features but at a higher cost.
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 - 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
