Thanks to innovation from smart home manufacturers, video doorbells are on the rise and consumers are often wondering which is better: the Ring Doorbell 2 vs Pro? With Ring harnessing such a high percentage of the market, it can be tough to determine which of their video doorbell models are best suited for your needs.
In the following comparison guide, we will dive deep into the similarities and differences between the Ring Video Doorbell 2 and the Ring Video Doorbell Pro. Our hope is by the end of this comparison article, you will have a better understanding as to which video doorbell is the right for your specific needs or budget.
TL;DR – Quick Comparison
Ring Video Doorbell 2
A Highly Versatile Video Doorbell
The second iteration of the Ring Video Doorbell, improving upon the original with better video quality, a cleaner look, and a removable battery. This model offers high versatility given that it can be used wirelessly via the internal battery or can take advantage of a hardwired power solution.
Ring Video Doorbell Pro
A Slim & Elegant Doorbell Replacement
The Ring Video Doorbell Pro has been on the market for a few years and offers a dedicated video replacement requiring constant power from a traditional doorbell wiring. Compared to the Video Doorbell 2, the Pro model is slimmer and more elegant in design while offering better specs.
Ring Doorbell 2 vs Pro – Similarities
- Both offer 1080P HD video capabilities
- Both offer the same viewing angles (160° horizontal, 90° vertical)
- Both offer two-way talk for communicating with visitors
- Both offer motion-activated & doorbell alerts
- Both offer recorded and real-time live video playback
- Both are weather sealed & temperature resistant
- Both offer interchangeable faceplates
- Both are compatible with Amazon Alexa devices
- Both are require a Ring Protect plan (monthly subscription) to access video recording functionality past the included one month free-trial
Ring Doorbell 2 vs Pro Differences
- The Ring Video Doorbell 2 has greater versatility (offers both wired/wireless vs just wired)
- The Ring Video Doorbell 2 has a shorter install time (5 minutes vs 15 minutes)
- The Ring Doorbell Pro has smaller dimensions (4.5″ x 1.8″ x 0.8″ vs 5.0″ x 2.5″ x 1.0″)
- The Ring Video Doorbell Pro offers greater Wi-Fi connectivity options (2.4/5 GHz vs 2.4 GHz)
- The Ring Video Doorbell Pro offers better motion detection (advanced vs basic)
- The Ring Video Doorbell Pro has a greater variety of interchangeable faceplates (4 vs 2)
Comparison Guide Shortcuts (Jump To A Section)
Motion Detection & Signal Reliability
Price & Affordability
Ring Video Doorbell 2
The Ring Video Doorbell 2 was released back on June 19th, 2017 with an MSRP of $199. Amazon is currently selling this model for , but the price may increase or decrease over time.
Ring Video Doorbell Pro
As for the Ring Video Doorbell Pro, it has been on the market for a few years now and has an MRSP of $249. Amazon is currently selling this model for , but the price may increase or decrease over time.
Winner:
Leadpages has been around longer, but ClickFunnels takes the cake being associated with master marketer Russell Brunson, experiencing tremendous growth despite no venture capital investments and being used by some of the well-known business personalities and marketers in the present day. ClickFunnels's growth is exponential whereas LeadPages is struggling to maintain market share.
Made Your Decision?
Ring Video Doorbell 2
Ring Video Doorbell Pro
Design & Size
Ring Video Doorbell 2
The Ring Video Doorbell 2 measures in at 5.0″ x 2.5″ x 1.0″ which is slightly larger than its predecessor which measured in at 4.9″ x 2.4″ x 0.87″. This makes the doorbell a bit on the bulky side, so make sure you have ample room where you plan to mount the device.
Unlike the previous version, the Doorbell 2 has a removable bottom faceplate that hides the configuration buttons as well as where the swappable rechargeable battery is stored.
Beyond this, the design remains the same with the camera, microphone and motion sensor located on the top half of the doorbell and then the push button with illuminating circular LED around it on the bottom with a Ring brand logo.
Each Video Doorbell 2 comes with two different Ring branded interchangeable faceplates so you can choose between a silver or black finish giving you a few customization options.
Ring Video Doorbell Pro
The Ring Video Doorbell Pro measures in at 4.5″ x 1.8″ x 0.8″, considerably smaller than the Video Doorbell 2. The primary reason that it is more compact comes down to the lack of space required for an internal rechargeable battery.
With the smaller design, the Ring branded faceplate covers both the top and bottom of the doorbell with a rectangular cut out in the middle where the camera, microphone, motion sensor, and the illuminated button sit.
Similarly, the Video Doorbell Pro comes with 4 different Ring branded faceplates. These allow you to choose from Satin Nickel, Pearl, Venetian or Black finishes depending on the colors of your home's exterior or hardware.
Winner:
If a more compact size or a greater variety of the faceplate finishes is essential to you, then the Ring Video Doorbell Pro is the winner.
Made Your Decision?
Ring Video Doorbell 2
Ring Video Doorbell Pro
Installation & Setup
Ring Video Doorbell 2
Given that the Video Doorbell 2 is wireless, the setup and installation is a significantly easier task than Ring's wired models. Depending on your needs, this doorbell can be installed virtually anywhere with ample space for the mounting bracket.
In some cases when houses are built or flipped, the original doorbell wiring is not present in the home. Due to this, the Ring Video Doorbell 2 is the ideal solution to solve this dilemma without having to hire an expensive electrician.
If your house does include the original doorbell wiring and you want to utilize it over worrying about charging the battery, the Video Doorbell 2 supports this as well with a bit more complicated and longer setup time.
Average installation time: 5 minutes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCBiUprYlrk
Ring Video Doorbell Pro
Much different from the Video Doorbell 2, the Pro model requires a hardwired connection for powering the doorbell at all times. This makes the installation process and setup more limited in versatility, but also more complicated for the average consumer.
Depending on your current wiring, you may need to install the Ring Pro Power Kit at the source of your doorbell's wiring. This looks a bit daunting but isn't so bad as long as you follow the included instructions or setup video (embedded below). Be sure to follow all the safety precautions as dealing with wiring can be dangerous if done carelessly.
Average installation time: 15 minutes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WBM08poIgc
Winner:
With more mounting versatility and a lack of wiring, the Ring Video Doorbell 2 is much easier to install and configure.
Made Your Decision?
Ring Video Doorbell 2
Ring Video Doorbell Pro
Power Options
Ring Video Doorbell 2
As we have stated several times throughout this comparison guide, the Ring Video Doorbell 2 is versatile as it offers wireless when battery power or can rely on traditional wired power. A lot of the appeal of the Video Doorbell 2 comes from its wireless potential, which makes sense as it eases a lot of installation and mounting worries.
With this second version, Ring removed the dedicated battery from the original (which required you to remove the entire doorbell when it needed to be recharged. This was not a convenient approach, so Ring replaced it with a swappable internal battery that can be removed and replaced in seconds or removed and brought inside for a quick recharge.
The estimated battery life of the Ring Video Doorbell 2 can vary widely on many factors (temperature, notifications, etc.) but the manufacturer states it should last 6 to 12 months on average. From our experience in testing in a real-world environment, we saw more around like 1-3 months of battery life.
However, there is a way to combat this and get a reliable power source if you live in a sunny climate, and that is through a solar power accessory. Ring sells a solar mount which has pretty horrible reviews (we tested it ourselves and can vouch for its poor functionality).
We recommend you check out this third party solar solution instead if you want to go this route as it offers a much better design and more straightforward installation which keeps our Video Doorbell 2 at 100% charge thanks to the Florida sun.
Ring Video Doorbell Pro
As you likely know by now, the Ring Video Doorbell Pro only works when using a existing doorbell power wire and there are no ways to get around this. While this offers no concerns about having to charge a battery every couple of months and offers more reliability, the increased setup and installation can be a headache.
Fortunately, there some performance benefits to the dedicated power in terms of the video connection, wireless connectivity, and motion sensor performance of which we will touch more on within the next few sections.
Winner:
With support for wireless and wired usage, the Ring Video Doorbell 2 is the winner, especially when coupled with a solar charger.
Made Your Decision?
Ring Video Doorbell 2
Ring Video Doorbell Pro
Video Resolution
Ring Video Doorbell 2 & Pro
Both of these Ring doorbells offer support for 1080p HD video streaming and recording. This is the highest resolution video quality that you'll see in any video doorbell on the market. It gives you enough detail to make out people's faces, clothing, or vehicle make/model. However, it likely won't be enough to catch a license plate or anything too precise (exceptions may happen).
The Video Doorbell 2 supports HDR (high dynamic range) video which helps improve clarity in daytime/sunlight viewing. The Pro supports color night vision which adds color to low light video capture which is said to help improve overall video clarity and motion detection.
Winner:
TIE
Both devices support a native resolution of 1080p HD which is currently the industry standard for video doorbells.
Made Your Decision?
Ring Video Doorbell 2
Ring Video Doorbell Pro
Field Of View
Ring Video Doorbell 2 & Pro
Similar to the video resolution, both the Ring Doorbell 2 and Pro models offer an identical field of view from their internal cameras. This allows you to see 160 degree horizontally or 90 degree field of view vertically, which is an ample amount of vision for your front door. However, depending on your mounting position and whether your front door is elevated (with stairs), you may need to utilize a corner or wedge accessory to achieve the ideal viewing angle.
Winner:
TIE
Both devices support a native viewing angle of 160 degrees by 90 degrees which is more than enough for most mounting positions.
Made Your Decision?
Ring Video Doorbell 2
Ring Video Doorbell Pro
Recording Options & Storage
Ring Video Doorbell 2 & Pro
Unlike some smart home camera systems, the Ring Video Doorbell 2 and Pro do not offer any continuous recording options. Instead, these devices are set to record video for a short period upon three occasions:
- Motion alert – when the doorbell senses unusual motion activity in its desired motion zone.
- Doorbell press – when a guest or delivery person is actually at your door and tries to ring the doorbell.
- Live view – whenever you manually enable the live view camera to see what is going on at your front door (can be done anytime through the Ring mobile app)
Now comes the part that most consumers don't like to hear when it comes to Ring doorbells. While both the Video Doorbell 2 and Pro model offer live viewing without any subscription, you will need to purchase a ‘Ring Protect' plan if you want to be able to access any saved video past the free 30-day trial through your smartphone or computer.
Pricing for the Ring Protect plans are as follows:
- Protect Basic – $3/month or $30/year per Ring doorbell or camera
- Protect Plus – $10/month or $100/year for unlimited Ring doorbells and cameras
Either plan offers access to every ring, motion, or live view event captured through your doorbell camera for the last 60 days of which are stored on their secure cloud servers. The monthly plans do not have any long-term commitments or contracts, thus being able to be canceled anytime.
Depending on the plan you sign up for there may be added benefits with your Protect subscription. For example, the Pro Plus plan offers extended warranties on their security cameras, professional alarm monitoring, and 10% off future Ring products through their online store.
Winner:
TIE
Both Ring Doorbells can only record on a short-term basis after certain events occur, storage of saved recording is only supported with a valid Ring Protect plan (one free month trial included) which is an added expense on top of the Doorbell purchase yet remains affordable.
Made Your Decision?
Ring Video Doorbell 2
Ring Video Doorbell Pro
Motion Detection & Signal Reliability
Ring Video Doorbell 2
The Ring Video Doorbell 2 relies on motion detection events for recording video when someone enters your motion zones. Depending on your mounting environment, you will be able to limit the motion detection zone or disable certain angles of view should it be capturing something accidental like street traffic or a tree blowing in the wind.
Given that a battery powers it, the Video Doorbell 2's motion detection isn't the best they offer. It can “see” about 30 feet maximum from its mounting distance and used three passive infrared (PIR) sensors to determine motion through head measurements.
Another downfall to the battery operation is that the device is a bit slow to start video capture or bring up a live video on your device. This means anywhere from a 1-5 second lag between when you initiate a live view or motion is detected to seeing the camera feed.
The slow live view lag time also has to do with the fact that the built-in wifi support on the Video Doorbell 2 is limited to the 2.4GHz band which ideally should be the 5GHz band.
Ring Video Doorbell Pro
The Ring Video Doorbell Pro gets more reliable signal reliability and motion detection thanks to its lack of a battery and supply of consistent power.
By utilizing a more advanced motion detection system, you have greater customization as to where the Ring Doorbell Pro should detect or ignore motion and quicker response times once motion is detected.
Unlike the Video Doorbell 2, the Pro model offers wifi support for the 5GHz channel, so if you have a dual or tri-band router, you'll notice faster connection speeds with more reliable video signals when playing back or viewing live video.
Winner:
Both Ring Doorbells can only record on a short-term basis after certain events occur, storage of saved recording is only supported with a valid Ring Protect plan (one free month trial included) which is an added expense on top of the Doorbell purchase yet remains affordable.
Made Your Decision?
Ring Video Doorbell 2
Ring Video Doorbell Pro
Amazon Alexa Compatibility
Ring Video Doorbell 2 & Pro
Both of these Ring Video Doorbell models support use and interconnectivity with Amazon's Alexa devices including the Echo Show, Echo Spot, Fire Tablets, and Fire TV.
This partnership is likely due to Amazon acquiring Ring back in February of 2018 for an undisclosed amount that is estimated to be north of $1 billion.
With Ring under Amazon's belts, they are now able to live viewing (Fire TV or Echo Show), 2-way talk (all compatible Alexa devices) or function as a dedicated chime when someone has rung the doorbell.
Winner:
TIE
Both the Ring Doorbell 2 & Pro models support offer native support for free with Amazon's Alexa smart home devices.
Made Your Decision?
Ring Video Doorbell 2
Ring Video Doorbell Pro
Final Verdict
We've reached the conclusion of the Ring Doorbell 2 vs Pro comparison guide. Here's a recap of which video doorbell came out on top for each evaluation section:
Ring Video Doorbell 2
- Price & Affordability
- Installation & Setup
- Power Options
Ring Video Doorbell Pro
- Design & Size
- Motion Detection & Signal Reliability
Tied
- Video Resolution
- Field Of View
- Recording Options & Storage
- Amazon Alexa Compatibility
Overall Winner:
Ring Doorbell 2
Given the lower price, easier installation, and overall versatility of the Ring Video Doorbell 2, it is the overall winner in this comparison. However, if you don't need the versatility of the wireless design, require a smaller form-factor or desire the best motion detection performance, then the Ring Video Doorbell Pro is likely a better option for you.
Which Ring Video Doorbell Will You Buy?
Ring Video Doorbell 2
Ring Video Doorbell Pro
We hope this Ring Doorbell 2 vs Pro comparison helped you decide which model is best for you.
