After being founded as a branch of Amazon in 2012, Ring quickly rose to fame for providing smart home security products. With an eye for innovation and excellent product development, Ring has shown that smart technology can offer more than just voice controlled music and weather updates.
Ring's Doorbell and Camera devices take advantage of smart technology’s simplicity and user-friendly nature to ensure that the products are both cutting edge and easy to use. Getting yourself set up with a reliable home security system is no long a huge engineering feat – it is as simple as a few, quick modifications to existing, everyday home features, such as replacing a doorbell or placing a camera on windowsill.
We’ve decided to have a look at the Ring to see what makes the brand so popular. First, let's have a look at some highlights from it's range:
Ring Doorbells and Cameras
1 of 6Ring Video Doorbell 3
The newest version of Ring's doorbell, improving on the previous generation. The camera is a full 1080p HD resolution, with improved motion detection from the previous iteration. Like all Ring doorbell products, it's loaded with two-way talk, and is easy to install with the associated app. The unit is powered by either battery, or from your existing doorbell's hardwiring.
2 of 6Ring Door View Cam
This unit has been developed by Ring for those with peepholes in their front door. Other than the positioning and installation of the device, the Door View Cam has the same feature set you'd expect from Ring, with one unique addition; as this unit sits on the door itself, it's got knock-detection to notify you when someone raps on the door instead of pressing the bell. Due to its positioning, the Door View is exclusively battery powered. The launch of this device great news for those in flats, as the Video Doorbell was not always suitable for communal corridors and spaces.
£119.99
3 of 6Ring Video Doorbell Pro
The Video Doorbell Pro sits as the highest specification unit in Ring's doorbell replacement range. The Pro comes with all of the standard ring features, plus a little extra. The Pro comes with Customisable Motion Zones, which is a feature allowing you to set zones of most importance within the camera's field of vision, while ignoring everything else. If you have a large driveway, or live facing a busy footpath, you can limit your camera's remit to only the approach to your front door or your property. It's a very intuitive and valuable feature. You're likely to notice that the unit is smaller than the Doorbell 2, and that's because the Pro runs on a hardwired connection – there's no battery facility here.
4 of 6Ring Stick Up Cam
The Ring Stick Up Cam is a similar to a traditional security camera, but with more user and home-friendly features and operations. The image feed can be viewed from a smartphone or Alexa Echo, and two-way talk and smartphone alerts are as standard. The Cam can be set-up wirelessly indoors or outdoors and can remain freestanding or mounted. These devices are great for keeping watch from gardens or alleyways, hugely increasing your security coverage and peace of mind.For the mains powered version of this device, visit Amazon.co.uk.
5 of 6Ring Stick Up Cam Elite
The Stick Up Cam Elite is the Video Doorbell Pro of Ring's camera range. Beyond the standard Ring Cam features, the Elite is reinforced with versatile Customisable Motion Zones, and can be powered by either a standard UK socket or via an Ethernet connection.
£179.99
6 of 6Echo Show 5
While all Ring devices can be viewed via smartphones, tablet and PCs, the Echo Show 5 is the most convenient and user-friendly method of viewing your image feed while in the house. They are natural companions in home security, as the Echo Show will allow you to control your Ring device with vocal commands through Alexa. The Echo Show 5 is loaded with other smart features allowing you streamline more than just your security. Other features include music and video streaming, video calling, news and weather updates, alarm clock and calendar reminders, as well as controlling other smart-home products.
Video with Live View
Video technology is at the forefront of Ring’s technology. The reason is simple enough – video recording offers an undeniably high level of security. Potential ne'er-do-wells are much less likely to tamper with a property which can see every move they make.
Ring has combined their video technology with Live View, which allows a registered user to view live footage from a smartphone, tablet, Amazon Echo Show or PC. On the doorbell devices, this Live Feed activates when rung, allowing the Ring owner to see who is at the door. This has obvious security benefits but can also operate as a utility for checking on deliveries, or on the safe arrival of loved ones.
All cameras also come loaded with Night Vision, allowing the user to clearly see footage even on the darkest of nights.
Ring System Integration
Each Ring device integrates with ease with other Ring devices in your security ecosystem. You can add or make changes to your set-up with ease and without having to hire a professional or rewire, allowing you to modify and adapt your system until it is perfect for you.
All of the Doorbell and Camera products can be linked up to the Ring Alarm 5 Piece Kit for full, comprehensive protection.
Varied Power Options
Many of the products in the Ring range can be powered by battery or mains power. This offers great flexibility, allowing you to set up system with speed and ease. Of course, a hardwired connection gives you peace of mind knowing that your security system’s power won’t run dry. It’s a really simple process to set up yourself with the given instructions, or if you would prefer you can pay a little extra for professional installation.
Ring Protect
The Ring Protect Plan is a service which will store all of your captured footage to your Ring account for 30 days, allowing you to look back and review footage. This service transforms your Ring system from one based on observation to one based on recorded evidence. The Ring Protect Plan is an optional, commitment free subscription service. There’s a 30-day free trial, after which the charge is a very reasonable £2.50 a month.