Ring has made a solid reputation for itself in the automated security world and the Amazon brand has easily become a household name when it comes to smart doorbells.
Two of the brand’s bestsellers, the Doorbell 2 and the Doorbell Pro have the most to offer, but if you’re trying to narrow it down to just one, you’ll need to know more than that.
What’s the difference between the Ring Doorbell 2 and the Pro?
The two Ring smart doorbells have a lot in common and offer wide temperature ranges, top video quality, and a decent field of view. However, the Doorbell Pro is more expensive and requires a different type of setup, as well as a few other minor distinctions.
In our debate between the Ring Doorbell 2 vs Pro, we’ve looked at how they differ and their similarities, giving some insight into what each of them brings to the table.
With this comparison, you’ll walk away with the perfect fit for your home and a smart doorbell that takes automated living to a whole new level.
Contents
The Details of the Ring Doorbell 2
Ring released their Doorbell 2 in May 2020, and the second-generation model came with a whole load of upgrades since its earlier version.
The Ring 2 is still considered the most basic of the brand’s offerings but comes with loads of impressive features like motion alerts, wireless connectivity, long battery life, and affordable subscriptions.
The Rundown on the Ring Doorbell Pro
The Ring Doorbell Pro was released in 2016, and although it’s pretty old by now, it’s still one of the brand’s top sellers.
The Pro offers everything that the 2 does but more, with notable features like Pre-Roll that shows you the four seconds before the doorbell was pressed and live streaming but only coming in the hardwired model.
The Doorbell’s Similarities
Although years apart and in very different price categories, there’s a whole lot of similarities worth mentioning between the 2 and the Pro.
Here are just some of the ways they deliver similar features and capabilities, thanks to Ring.
Video Quality
Ring has proven their popularity with the video quality of their doorbells and when you’re comparing the Ring and Pro, they’re quite similar.
Both offer 1080P high definition video quality which is pretty amazing, and there are only slight differences when watching in live mode. This is probably because the Pro has a wired internet connection and it’s harder to interrupt its solid connection.
Zooming and Field of View
Zooming is a handy feature to have on a video doorbell where you might not have the best view of everything, and both the Pro and 2 offer this function.
Furthermore, both of these doorbells come with a 160-degree field of view which gives you more than enough of an angle to see everything that’s happening at your front door and beyond. Add the two together and you can get a very clear picture of everything in front of and at the side of the camera in these doorbells.
Smart Integration
There are lots of opportunities for integration with these doorbells and they can become part of a fully functioning smart home.
The 2 and Pro both work support SmartThings, Amazon Alexa, IFTTT, and Wink. Better still, they do so seamlessly and there are minimal reported errors, so you can guarantee a glitch-free experience when running your smart home.
Recording and Speaking
Not only will the Ring doorbells show you what’s happening while it’s happening, but they’ll keep a recording of the action as well.
The Ring Doorbell 2 and Doorbell Pro can record and store videos on the cloud for you to watch through the app, as long as you have a subscription. Both options allow for two-way conversations and you can speak to someone who’s dropped by to visit or give instructions about a parcel drop off, making them convenient additions to your home.
Motion Alerts
A security camera without motion alerts wouldn’t be that smart, and luckily, both the Pro and 2 have this feature on offer. With a motion alert, you’ll be notified of any action that’s captured by your doorbell camera so you know what’s happening.
Better still, these cameras can distinguish between things like standard motion from leaves rustling or a person, so there’s less chance of pointless notifications, but only when you subscribe to a Ring account.
Battery Life
In terms of battery life, Ring has done a pretty good job in keeping up with the smart doorbell market. Both of these doorbell options boast at least six months of continuous use without having to recharge them, which is pretty nifty.
However, the Pro does last a little longer and might give you a few more months of use, but again it depends on how the doorbell and camera are used and how often it records.
Subscriptions
Ring offers the same subscription options for all of their doorbells, so you can pay either $3 a month or $30 a year to join.
There’s no need to sign up to use your doorbell but the features are pretty limited without it. Once subscribed, you’ll get to access things like motion alerts and cloud recording to watch back clips, so it’s worth spending the extra cash to make your doorbell fully functional.
How They Differ
The true test of which doorbell is best can be determined when we look at their differences, and it seems these two doorbells have quite a few.
Looking at this list will help you determine which doorbell is best for you by ruling out the features you can probably live without.
Setup
Ring has developed all of their doorbells to be DIY friendly and they’ve made the setup process for both of these easy.
However, if you’re hard-wiring the Pro at home, it will require more work, whereas the wireless 2 is simple. Once they’re installed, all you need to do is download the app and sync them, so overall they’re pretty simple to get going.
Connectivity
Ring 2 has the upper hand on the Pro here with the option of either wired or wireless connectivity.
We’re not sure why the Pro is only available as a wired option but not everyone is okay with it, even if it means less chance of the internet dropping out and better quality recording. If you want a wireless doorbell only, you’ll be happy to know the Ring 2 offers it.
Streaming
Only the Pro offers live streaming so you can watch the action at your front door any time you want and even if someone’s not standing there.
While this feature isn’t necessary, it can be good for nosy folks and gives it the added security that other doorbells might be missing. Otherwise, you can probably do without it and stick to the simpler Ring 2.
Pre-Roll
This feature alone is what sells people on the Pro and Ring leaving it off of their other models helps this to be more popular.
Pre-Roll is where the camera starts recording four seconds before your doorbell is pushed, and many people find it’s during this time that most of the action happens. If you want to know more about who’s at your door and get notified of it sooner, you’ll definitely want the Pro.
Appearance
Ring has managed to create an entire line of aesthetically pleasing doorbells and while the Pro and 2 look different, they’re both still attractive enough to adorn your front door.
The Pro, however, is notably slimmer and sleeker with dimensions of 4.5 x 1.8 x 0.8 inches, and the 2 measures 5.05 x 2.50 x 1.08 thick, so it’s pretty bulky. The Pro has options for customization with four interchangeable faceplates and the option to purchase even more.
Cost
The current market price for the Ring 2 is around $99.95 and the Pro is $169.95, so there’s quite a difference.
Those wanting the extra features that the Pro offers will be glad to pay the extra cost, but if you’re only after a simple smart doorbell, getting one for under $100 is a great deal.
Which Is Best For Your Home?
After weighing up the differences and similarities, there’s no clear winner.
The individual will have to decide whether they want the professional touches that the Pro offers or the simpler and more affordable version that is the Ring Doorbell 2.
If your key focus is on the quality of the picture and being able to live stream clearly, then Ring Pro is a better choice. It offers slightly better video and there’s no need to squint to get an idea of what’s happening. That doesn’t mean the Doorbell 2 isn’t still exceptional quality but when you compare the two, they’re just not the same.
However, the Pro is a wired-only setup which limits some people and means a more challenging setup, so keep this in mind while you’re weighing them up.
The Ring 2 is better for people who crave simplicity from their smart devices, and it offers wired and wireless connectivity, but still, a pretty good video quality when you’re watching a recorded clip. Pricewise, the 2 is a lot cheaper as well, and if you only need some basic features, there’s no need to spend extra.
The best choice for a smart doorbell depends entirely on what you want, and what you expect it to be. Whichever your choice, it’s clear why Amazon’s Ring has become the be-all and end-all in smart doorbells, and either of these modern options will serve you and your home well.
The Smarter Doorbell Choice
If you’re searching for a smart doorbell, there are few brands out there that deliver the goods as well as Ring, and their Pro and 2 models only highlight a little of what they have to offer.
To ensure the best fit for your home, think about the features that would make life easier and those you can probably do without, and you’re guaranteed to find a Ring doorbell out there that has met them.
Related Questions
Smart doorbells are becoming the norm for everyday households, and there’s no single device that offers security and convenience quite like them.
To learn more about what a smart doorbell does and how it all works, we’ve answered some FAQs to give you the basic rundown on this special type of technology.
Do You Need WiFi For a Doorbell Camera?
Not all doorbell cameras and smart devices require WiFi to function but it’s the most common method of connectivity and may be cheaper and easier to install.
If you don’t have a wireless internet connection, you can use cellular data on the 3G, 4G, or 5G network or a hotspot created with your smartphone.
Do All Smart Doorbells Require a Subscription?
Although some brands prefer users to connect their devices with a subscription, it’s not always necessary.
Brands like Ring allow users to operate their doorbells without one but if you decide to sign up for a plan, you’ll get added features like motion sensor notifications and lifetime theft protection, so it can be a worthwhile purchase.
Do Smart Doorbells Use a Lot of Data?
The only time a smart doorbell should be using data is when it’s turned on and recording someone or something, and even then, it shouldn’t use a lot of data.
If there happens to be a lot of movement that sets off the motion-activated recording, you may find your doorbell using more than others but it will still be minimal.
Resources:
