Always know who’s at the door with the Ring Video Doorbell 2

By Lulu Chang Published April 21, 2022

The doorbells of years past may have been dumb as doorknobs, but that’s certainly not the case for the Ring Video Doorbell 2. The latest product from smart home company Ring, this new video doorbell builds upon the company’s previous offerings. But while some remakes aren’t any better than the original, the Ring Video Doorbell 2 bucks that trend.

The $199 connected home device made its debut earlier in the summer, promising a number of upgrades over its predecessor. For starters, it boasts a higher-resolution video output than the original at 1080p (as opposed to 720p). And the night vision function of this doorbell has improved, thanks to its IR sensors. Plus you can view the camera’s feed on an Amazon Echo Show (though you can’t talk to people directly through this particular Amazon device).

Recommended Videos

While Ring has a few other smart doorbells, including the Video Doorbell Pro and Video Doorbell Elite, those require hard-wiring to function. So even though the Video Doorbell 2 isn’t as slim and sleek as the Pro and Elite versions, it’s able to run completely off of battery power (and the battery can be easily replaced). That means it’s far easier to install and can also be affixed to a wider range of locations.

In fact, the new battery is another key differentiator. Whereas the original Ring required users to remove the entire unit from the frame and plug the battery into a charger for five to six hours, the new doorbell allows you to slide the battery right out and plug it into a MicroUSB cable. And while it will still take the same amount of time to charge, the battery lasts for about three months.

In terms of other features, the Video Doorbell 2 boasts two-way audio with noise cancellation, motion detection, and weather resistance — features you’ll find in (and demand from) the best video doorbells. Whenever the doorbell detects someone at the door (either because someone moves or rings the bell), you’ll receive a smartphone alert. From there, you can view the camera feed and communicate directly with your visitor.

So if you’re looking for some peace of mind, the Ring Video Doorbell 2 may be a good place to start.

Topics

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Fascinated by the effects of technology on human interaction, Lulu believes that if her parents can use your new app…

Smart Home

Ring Protect rebrands to Ring Home and adds 24/7 recording

The Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2 installed near a door.

Ring owners seeking to unlock everything their devices have to offer are likely familiar with Ring Protect Plans. By paying a monthly fee, you can access features such as 180-day video history, snapshot capture, and smart alerts. Today, Ring has officially rebranded Ring Protect to Ring Home -- and it’s gained some cool functionality while still retaining the same pricing structure.

Previously offered as Ring Protect Basic, Protect Plus, or Protect Pro, you’ll soon be greeted with Ring Home Basic ($5 per month), Home Standard ($10 per month), and Home Premium ($20 per month). All that’s changed here is the name, as your monthly payments will remain identical to the old Protect Plans. However, you can now add individual services to the Home Standard and Home Premium Plans -- so if you want to tack on a Virtual Security Guard or Alarm Professional Monitoring, you can do so for an extra fee.

Smart Home

The new Ring Battery Doorbell streamlines installation, enhances viewing angle

The Ring Battery Doorbell installed near a front door.

The Ring Video Doorbell (2nd Gen) is one of the most popular video doorbells on the market, and its newly announced successor -- the Ring Battery Doorbell -- is looking to carry on that legacy. Available for just $100, the Battery Doorbell brings a bundle of premium features to your front door without putting much of a dent in your wallet.

With the Ring Battery Doorbell, Ring is bringing its head-to-toe viewing angle to an entry-level video doorbell for the very first time. Its 150-degree viewing angle lets you see both packages at your doorstep and the smiling faces of tall visitors. All told, you're getting a viewing angle that's 66% taller than the old Ring Video Doorbell (2nd Gen). Considering it also retailed for $100, that's a noticeable improvement.

Smart Home

The latest Philips smart lock can read your palm to open your front door

The Philips Palm Reader smart lock on a blue door.

Philips just launched a slew of new products, headlined by the Philips Home Access 5000 Series Palm Recognition Smart Lock. The device works not just with a physical key, PIN code, or Philips mobile app, but also with the built-in palm scanner -- making it one of the most futuristic smart locks of 2024.

According to Philips, the scanner works by tracking "unique palm vein patterns," making it nearly impossible to hack and offering families an ultra-secure way to lock their front door. Setup is just as easy as most other smart locks, thanks to built-in Wi-Fi so you can get up and running without the need for a secondary bridge. It also works with voice commands via Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.

nproxy.org