Ring’s security cameras work with the rest of its smart stuff, but they aren’t the best cameras around
6 min readRing has four home security cameras in its lineup: one indoor-only camera, three indoor/outdoor cameras, and two weatherproof outdoor cameras.
These cameras work with the same mobile app and integrations you use for all your other Ring devices, like Ring smart lights or the Ring Alarm security system. Integrations aside, they’re decent security cameras, although a bit pricey for the quality.
We’ve noticed that Ring security cameras tend to have low-quality or staticky two-way audio, and that the battery-powered cameras don’t work as well as the hardwired ones. Of all Ring’s camera options, we recommend the Ring Indoor Cam.
Ring security cameras comparison
Amazon.com List Prices (as of 02/16/23 8:45 MST) Full disclaimer
Looking for Ring Video Doorbells?
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How Ring security cameras work
Some Ring cameras come with multiple power options, such as solar
Source: Reviews.org
Ring makes some of the most popular security cameras out there. If you’ve never heard of their Video Doorbells, then you’ve probably been living under a rock for the last, uh, decade or so.
But Ring has more than just doorbell cameras. You can get more traditional indoor and outdoor security cameras from Ring, and they’ll work in the same app as all your other Ring smart stuff, including doorbell cameras and smart lights. That way, you can adjust settings without navigating through multiple apps.
Ring cameras have multiple power source options
Some of Ring’s security cameras give you a choice of power options: power cord, battery-powered, or solar-powered. The solar-powered option is essentially just a battery-powered camera hooked up to a solar panel.
We recommend going with the power cord option if you can. Sometimes the features are a little different on the battery-powered model (and by different, we mean not as good). But if you need to put a camera in a hard-to-reach place, then a battery-powered version will be easier for you to install.
Ring has cameras with built-in security lights
Ring has two security cameras with built-in outdoor security lights: the Ring Spotlight Cam and the Ring Floodlight Cam. If you want a strong, bright security light that will help scare off potential intruders, we recommend going with the Ring Floodlight Cam. The Ring Spotlight Cam’s light is fairly weak.
While Ring’s other cameras don’t have built-in lights, they do have night vision, so you’ll be able to see what’s happening in your hard (or living room) even in the dark.
Ring Indoor Cam features
Ring’s Indoor Cam is the cheapest one of the bunch
Source: Ring
Ring’s Indoor Cam is one of the best cameras in Ring’s whole lineup. It’s impressively affordable at only $60 per camera, and you get all of the same essential features you’d get from Ring’s more expensive Stick Up Cam—and the Indoor Cam works better.
This little camera will fit in your hand. It’s not a statement piece that will draw every eye in the room, which is nice if you want a camera that can blend in with your bookshelf.
Ring Indoor Cam features:
- 1080p resolution
- Night vision
- Motion activation
- Two-way audio with noise cancellation
- Small size
- Cloud storage
- Person detection
- 1-year warranty
- Amazon Alexa integration
The Ring Indoor Cam records in high-definition 1080p resolution. We consider 1080p the standard for security cameras, and the video quality is good enough so you can see faces (and pets) in decent detail.
This camera also has night vision and two-way audio, so you can see (and talk to) people through the Ring app at any time of day. Or just remotely yell at your pet for jumping on the furniture while you’re at work (again).
Ring Stick Up Cam features
The Ring Stick Up Cam works indoors and outdoors
Source: Ring
The Ring Stick Up Cam is like a more versatile version of the Ring Indoor Cam. It looks similar, but is quite a bit bigger. And this camera’s weatherproof, so it can operate either indoors or outdoors.
Ring also gives you a few power options for this camera: choose from power cord, battery-powered, or solar-powered models.
Ring Stick Up Cam features:
- 1080p resolution
- Indoor/outdoor functionality
- Weather resistant
- Plug-in, battery, and solar-power options
- Cloud storage
- Night vision
- Motion activation
- Two-way audio with noise cancellation
- Person detection
- Amazon Alexa integration
- 1-year warranty
All that versatility ironically makes the Ring Stick Up Cam not very good at anything, really. The Stick Up Cam’s image quality and night vision are meh. And even if you choose a wired version of the camera, it still functions like a battery-powered one.
That’s because you get the same basic camera regardless of if you choose the wired, battery, or solar version. The only difference is what accessories come with it.
Ring Stick Up Cam model comparison
Amazon.com List Prices (as of 02/16/23 8:45 MST)
There is an alternate version of the Stick Up cam, called the Stick Up Cam Elite, that does work like a hardwired Ring camera, which improves video quality and load time. But the Elite model costs about $100 more than the base Stick Up Cam, and we don’t think the quality boost is big enough to justify the cost.
Ring Spotlight Cam features
The Ring Spotlight Cam has a built-in light
Source: Ring
The Ring Spotlight Cam has a built-in light and Ring’s standard 1080p HD security camera. The spotlight isn’t terribly bright—especially not compared to a standard security floodlight. But the Ring Spotlight does give your outdoor camera situation a little extra oomph.
Ring Spotlight Cam features:
- Built-in security light
- 1080p camera
- Built-in siren
- Night vision
- Adjustable motion zones
- Two way audio
- Motion detection
- Weather resistant
- Amazon Sidewalk bridge in case of Wi-Fi outage
- Person detection
- 1-year warranty
- Amazon Alexa integration
- Plug-in, battery, or solar power options
This camera comes in battery-powered and wired versions. And, unlike the Ring Stick Up Cam, they are not the same camera but with different accessories. You will get a slightly different model depending on which power source you choose, so keep in mind that they’re not interchangeable.
Ring Spotlight Cam model comparison
Amazon.com List Prices (as of 02/16/23 8:45 MST)
If you opt for the battery-powered Ring Spotlight Cam, you miss out on a few features you’d get with the hardwired version. The battery version records shorter video clips than the hardwired camera, so you might miss some action here and there.
For the best performance, we recommend opting for the hardwired Ring Spotlight Cam—even though it makes installation harder.
Ring Floodlight Cam features
The Ring Floodlight Cam has a brighter light than the Ring Spotlight Cam
Source: Ring
The Ring Floodlight Cam is like a souped-up version of the Ring Spotlight Cam. This isn’t some wimpy little “spotlight.” It’s a full-fledged 3000-Kelvin floodlight. This camera works well for dark areas of your property, like around a backyard shed or detached garage.
Ring Floodlight Cam features:
- 3000-Kelvin floodlights
- 1080p camera
- Person detection
- Motion-activated floodlight
- Two-way audio
- Adjustable motion zones
- Person detection
- Built-in siren
- Hardwires into existing outdoor light fixture
If you want to install the Ring Floodlight Cam in the far-off reaches of your yard, keep in mind that Wi-Fi strength might be an issue. This camera needs a strong internet connection to work well, so try to keep it somewhat near your router if you can.
Recap: Do we recommend Ring security cameras?
Ring cameras are fine, but most of them aren’t top performers
You can choose from a few different security cameras on offer, and all of them work in the same Ring app as your Ring Video Doorbell or Ring smart lights.
Ring cameras have a few issues, like staticky audio and inconsistent quality from one camera model to the next. But if you want indoor or outdoor security cameras that will work with your other Ring smart home stuff, then Ring cameras will do the trick.
- Ring Indoor Cam: The Ring Indoor Cam is the best of the Ring bunch: it has a lot of the same features as the more expensive Stick Up Cam, but the quality is significantly better. Plus, it’s cheaper.
- Ring Stick Up Cam: The Ring Stick Up Cam is a versatile device that works indoors and outside. It comes in battery-powered, hardwired, and solar-powered versions, but we recommend the hardwired one because of quality issues in the other models.
- Ring Spotlight Cam: The Ring Spotlight camera combines an HD security camera with a built-in security spotlight. The spotlight is a bit weak, but if you want something to make your camera a little more visible, then this one’s for you.
- Ring Floodlight Cam: The Ring Floodlight Cam is a super-bright LED security light and camera combo. The floodlight is much brighter than the Ring Spotlight Cam, and it improves night vision since you can see everything in color.
Not sure if Ring Cameras are right for you? Check out these other reviews:
FAQ
Ring’s outdoor security cameras are water resistant, although not fully waterproof. They have a weatherproof rating of IPX5, which means they can take heavy rain and snow, but you shouldn’t dunk them in a swimming pool or leave them in a puddle.
Ring has wireless (also known as wire-free) versions of three of its security cameras.
All three of these cameras come in hardwired versions as well, which use a power cord. But if you opt for the battery-powered models, then you won’t have to worry about stringing any wires around your yard.
Just know that the battery-powered versions of Ring cameras have slightly different features than the wired versions, and they don’t work as well. For high-quality battery-powered cameras, we recommend Arlo or Eufy.
Ring now offers Virtual Security Guard. For those who live in the United States, this $99 subscription allows professional monitoring agents to keep an eye on your outdoor cameras that will take action when any suspicious activity is detected.
It depends. You'll pay less for Ring in general on the equipment and professional monitoring, but you won't get the same video quality, professional installation options, and other features that are exclusive to Nest.
If you want to be able to review video clips, then you do have to pay for a monthly Ring Protect Plan. Without a Protect Plan, you will only have access to motion-activated video notifications and daily snapshot images.
The amount of Ring security cameras you'll need depends on your space. If you are in a smaller apartment, and just want to keep an eye out on your front door, one doorbell camera should be enough protection. If you are in a bigger home with more entry points, one or two outdoor cameras to monitor each entry point should be enough.
If you want to keep an eye on the inside of your house to watch over your kids while they're with a babysitter, or just to check in on your pets or valuables, you'll want at least one indoor camera in each room you want to monitor.
Ring Protect plan pricing
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