Ring sells seven doorbells. Most people need one. The hard part is figuring out which one, because Ring’s product naming is designed to confuse you into buying the more expensive one.
Short answer: get the Battery Doorbell Plus. It covers everything most households actually need, works without any existing wiring, and has better video quality than anything below it in the lineup. If you have existing doorbell wiring and want zero battery maintenance, the Wired is a legitimately good budget option.
Best Overall Ring Doorbell: Battery Doorbell Plus
The Battery Doorbell Plus is Ring’s current flagship battery doorbell, and it shows. The head-to-toe field of view captures who’s at your door AND what they’re holding – important if you care about package theft or want to see if someone left something on the step. Color night vision is sharp enough to identify faces, not just shapes. The quick-release battery takes about five seconds to swap out.
One thing to know upfront: saving and reviewing footage requires a Ring Protect plan. The free tier gives you live view only. Ring Protect Basic is $4.99/month per device; Pro is $10/month for unlimited devices at one address. That’s an ongoing cost worth factoring in before you buy.
Best Mid-Range Pick: Ring Video Doorbell 4
The Video Doorbell 4 has one feature the Battery Doorbell Plus lacks: color pre-roll. It records a 4-second color clip before motion is officially detected, which means you get the full context of what happened instead of just the tail end of it. If you’ve ever missed the moment someone actually touched your package because the camera triggered a second too late, you understand why pre-roll matters.
The tradeoff is a narrower field of view than the Plus. If the pre-roll feature specifically matters to you, the 4 is worth considering – especially at a sale price. Otherwise the Plus has better overall specs for the same price range.
Best Budget Hardwired Option: Ring Video Doorbell Wired
The Video Doorbell Wired is Ring’s entry-level option and it’s honestly fine for what it is. Clear 1080p video, solid motion detection, always-on power. The compact profile fits on narrow door trims where larger Ring models look out of place. It’s also Ring’s most affordable doorbell, which matters if you’re outfitting multiple entry points.
The catch: it’s hardwired only. No battery option, no flexibility. You’ll need an existing doorbell transformer (8-24V AC). If you’re renting, remodeling, or just don’t have the wiring, skip this one and go with the Battery Doorbell Plus.
How to Choose the Right Ring Doorbell
The Battery Doorbell Plus is the right choice for most people. It works without wiring, has better video than the Wired or the 4, and the battery swap process is fast enough that it’s not a real inconvenience. Go Wired if you want zero battery maintenance and have existing wiring. Go with the Video Doorbell 4 only if you specifically want pre-roll and find it meaningfully cheaper than the Plus.
Ring Doorbell FAQs
Do Ring doorbells require a subscription?
No, but without one you can only view the live feed – you can’t save, review, or share recordings. Ring Protect Basic is $4.99/month per device (60-day video history). Ring Protect Pro is $10/month for unlimited devices at one address plus professional monitoring.
Do Ring doorbells work without Wi-Fi?
No. Every Ring doorbell requires a Wi-Fi connection. Live view, motion alerts, two-way talk – all of it goes through the cloud. If your Wi-Fi is unreliable or you want local storage, consider a Eufy or Reolink doorbell instead.
Do Ring doorbells work with Google Home?
Ring works natively with Alexa. Google Home integration exists – you can pull up the live feed on a Nest Hub – but you won’t get the same proactive alert functionality you get with Alexa. If you’re a Google Home household, the Nest Doorbell is the better-integrated option.