“Detailed videos, extra long battery life, and other convenience features make this a top contender.”
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Easy to install
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Long-lasting workmanship
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Excellent night vision
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Accurate movement warnings
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Functional
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Need a subscription for all features
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Only minor changes compared to the previous model
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No Alexa Greetings function
Ring has brought out a plethora of products over the past few years, but its video doorbells seem like the brand’s biggest draw. The Ring Video Doorbell 4 is the successor to the Ring Video Doorbell 3, which are surprisingly less than a year apart, but the company has released several other doorbells outside of the main series.
For example, the Corded Ring Video Doorbell serves as a cost-effective alternative to the more expensive options, while the Ring Video Doorbell 3 Plus offers additional features not available with the regular Ring 3 doorbell. But what is new and different about Ring Video? Doorbell 4? Is it worth upgrading if you already have a different bell for the video ring? Is it a Best Video Ringing Candidate? I checked the ring 4 to find out.
design
The Ring Video Doorbell 4 is relatively large, measuring 5.1 inches high, 2.4 inches wide, and 1.1 inches thick. It’s bigger than some other brands like the Nest Hello but the same size as Ring 3. Ring 4 is only satin nickel, but the lower faceplate is removable and the ring offers a code for a free faceplate in a different color after you set up the doorbell.
Erika Rawes / Digital Trends
It keeps the rectangular shape and doesn’t have the elongated design you find in other doorbells like the Arlo doorbell or Nest Hello. Overall, it’s well built and nothing feels cheap or thin. The weatherproof device operates in temperatures from minus 5 degrees Fahrenheit to 120 F (32 F to 113 F when hard-wired for continuous charging).
installation
Because the Ring Video Doorbell 4 contains a quick-change battery, installation can be incredibly easy if you only want to use the battery for power. However, using the battery will not connect the doorbell to your existing chime. You can get notifications on your phone and Alexa device when someone comes to the door, making chimes a little unnecessary. You can also opt for a Chime Pro from Ring to notify you when guests arrive. However, I have Echo Show devices all over my house and found the Alexa video alerts to be more than adequate when someone arrives at the door
Erika Rawes / Digital Trends
If you want to charge continuously so you don’t have to worry about battery life, you can use the wiring on your doorbell and connect to the chimes on your existing doorbell (if it’s compatible). I tested both the continuous power with my existing doorbell wiring and the battery power. When I charged the battery, it took a full six and a half hours to fully charge the battery. It’s a long time without a working video doorbell. You might want to take this into account. After a full day, the battery level will have dropped to 97%, but this depends on usage and environmental conditions. Ring claims that there will be an average of 20 or more motion events per day compared to the Ring Video Doorbell 3 Plus.
The improved battery life is based on an average of 20 or more motion events per day compared to Ring Video Doorbell 3 Plus
After charging the battery, all I had to do was reinsert the battery and connect the doorbell to my Wi-Fi network using the Ring app. The Ring Video Doorbell 4 works with dual band WiFi, so it works on both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz networks. The Ring app performs the setup and installation process with prompts, which makes the job a lot easier.
If you want to use your existing doorbell wiring (8-24 VAC, max. 40 VA, 50/60 Hz), all you have to do is connect the cables to the two screw terminals. Extension cords are included in the packaging to make this easier. Ring even sells a power adapter for around $ 18 if you want to go that route. After connecting the cables, follow the instructions in the app to see if your carillon is compatible. The kit includes a mounting wedge for installation at an angle or in a corner.
Erika Rawes / Digital Trends
If you are using battery power, the installation will take less than 10 minutes. If you choose to have continuous charging through your doorbell wiring, it will take about 30 minutes to install. Most users can easily install it. However, if you are concerned about doing a hardwired installation, consult an electrician or opt for battery power.
Video and audio quality
The video quality on the Ring Video Doorbell 4 is clear and sharp, and I can see a detailed picture of my porch. I can even see far into the distance and clearly identify people and cars far down on the street. When a salesman rang the doorbell, I noticed that there were people in the background about 100 meters away. I was able to identify one of the people in the background as a family friend, even though that person was the distance of a soccer field down the street. The camera records 1080p HD video with a horizontal and vertical field of view of 160 degrees. I can see a head-to-toe picture of the person on the porch, provided they stand a few feet back. However, when the person is standing directly on the welcome mat, I can only see the visitor from their kneecaps. The vertical field of view is a bit missing in close-up.
Erika Rawes / Digital Trends
Like most modern video doorbells, the Ring 4 has two-way audio. The two-way audio function allows you to go back and forth clearly without any noticeable delay. The audio delay has been an issue with other video doorbells I’ve tested in the past, but the Ring Video Doorbell 4 conversation was natural. This is likely due to the improved performance as well as the stable Wi-Fi connection over my 5 GHz network. There’s also noise cancellation, so background noise like wind and background speech doesn’t drown out the conversations between me and the person on the porch.
Night vision
I can clearly see my porch and anyone who walks on my property at night, but I can’t see that far with the night vision feature. Porch lights, street lamps, and other sources of lighting cause glare that means I can’t see down the street as well as I can during the day.
Erika Rawes / Digital Trends
Night vision is monochrome and therefore not as vivid as the colored daytime image. However, this does not mean that the night vision is not of quality because the Ring Video Doorbell 4’s night vision is still better than many of the other video doorbells I have tested.
properties
Like the Ring Video Doorbell 3 Plus, the Ring Video Doorbell 4 has a pre-roll function that allows you to view a few seconds of video before an event occurs. However, the Ring Video Doorbell 4 allows you to view high quality color video for up to four seconds before a motion event is triggered. This is an improvement over the 3 Plus, which shows pre-roll footage in black and white.
The quick answer feature is like an answering machine for your doorbell.
You also get features like geofencing that allow you to turn off motion alarms while you’re at home. You can set up smart alerts to see what triggered a motion event and use the quick reply feature. With quick replies, your doorbell can send your guests a message after a certain amount of time – instantly for up to 20 seconds – and the doorbell says something like “Hello. We’ll be right there ”or other preset messages. Quick reply is like answering your doorbell and guests can leave a message. This is different from the Alexa Greetings feature, which Alexa can use to greet visitors, take messages, or provide instructions for parcel delivery staff. The Ring Video Doorbell 4 currently has no Alexa greetings.
Erika Rawes / Digital Trends
There is a neighbor feature that allows you to view and report events in your neighborhood, such as: B. lost pets or suspicious activity. From the delivery of the Amazon key to compatibility with Amazon Sidewalk, the Ring Video Doorbell 4 offers numerous functions. Assuming you have a Ring Protect subscription. Get access to live video, motion-activated alerts, real-time video with live view, and lifetime theft protection without the $ 3 / month base subscription. However, the subscription gives you additional benefits like 60-day video history, video storage and sharing, people-only mode, and much more.
The Ring Video Doorbell 4 does not differ much from the Ring Video Doorbell 3 and 3 Plus. The devices look similar and perform well overall. However, the Ring Video Doorbell 4 has a longer-lasting battery, colored pre-roll footage, and better night-time performance. In addition, the Ring Video Doorbell 4 is said to have better motion detection than the normal Ring Video doorbell 3.
Our opinion
Although the Ring Video Doorbell 4 is not that different from its predecessors, the device still has a lot to offer. The app is comprehensive and this is one of the more feature-packed doorbells currently available. The pre-roll feature allows you to view a color video image of the events that occurred a few seconds before a motion event occurred, while keeping the battery pack long enough for the device to function without being connected to the wiring. This is a device that offers options – use as many or as few features as you want.
Is there a better alternative?
If you want a cheaper option, the Ring Video Doorbell (2nd Generation) is worth a look. You can get more of a base model for half the price, and no need to spend more unless you are looking for additional bells and whistles like quick answers, dual-band connectivity, or pre-roll technology.
How long it will take?
The Ring Video Doorbell 4 is robust and well made, so the device should last for many years. The companion application will support older Ring models for some time after their release. So there is no reason to believe that Ring would end its support anytime soon.
The Ring Video Doorbell 4 comes with a one-year warranty and lifetime theft protection.
Should you buy it?
Yes. If you are new to the video doorbell market and want a doorbell with the latest technology, the Ring 4 is an excellent choice. However, if you already own a previous generation Ring Video Doorbell, just upgrading a few new features may not be worthwhile.
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