(checked 2026-10-10)Small sample: 993 ratings.
The sharpest video doorbell Tom's Guide and PCMag have tested, with 4K video, radar motion detection and an easy wire-free install. It costs about $250, can't save a single clip without a Ring plan, and works only with Alexa.
Subscription: Required to save any video: Ring plans from $4.99/mo or $49.99/yr (180 days); AI features and Familiar Faces on the $19.99/mo tier
Top complaints
- No recordings without a subscription
Tom's Guide and PCMag both note that you must pay for a Ring plan to save or view any recorded video, and there's no local storage option. Tom's Guide calls it frustrating to subscribe after paying for the device, and says Familiar Faces isn't free.
- High price
PCMag calls it one of the more expensive doorbells it has tested at $249.99. Wirecutter says the Ring Battery Doorbell Pro is too expensive for what it delivers. Amazon's summary says some owners feel it isn't worth the hefty cost.
- Night detail, bandwidth and Alexa-only limits
Tom's Guide says footage is good, not great, in complete darkness, and that Ring recommends about 15 Mbps upload for full 4K, so video suffers on slower connections. PCMag notes it doesn't work with Google Home or Apple HomeKit. Tom's Guide also warns its battery pack won't swap with older Ring batteries.
Source: Tom's Guide review, PCMag review
What owners love
- Best-in-class 4K video
Tom's Guide says it has some of the best footage of any doorbell it has tested and that the Nest's video doesn't come close. With 10x zoom it could read small text and license plates. PCMag calls the video 'exquisite'.
Source: Tom's Guide, PCMag review - Easy install and long battery life
Tom's Guide calls it super easy to install, and the battery lost less than a quarter of its charge in two weeks. Amazon shoppers call the install easy and the battery life impressive.
- Precise radar motion detection
In PCMag's tests, 3D Motion Detection and Bird's Eye View worked flawlessly, and alerts were accurate and timely. Tom's Guide found the AI notifications thorough and usually accurate.
Source: PCMag review, Tom's Guide review
- You won't pay for a subscription
- You use Google Home or Apple Home
- Your upload speed is under about 15 Mbps
- Existing Ring or Alexa homes
- Reading details like license plates (10x zoom)
- Homes without doorbell wiring
Scores (tap for why)
What experts say
- Tom's Guide: Best battery-powered doorbell, with excellent image quality even in low light. The cons are footage that is only good in complete darkness and a subscription required to save video.
- PCMag: 4.0/5, Best Wireless Ring Doorbell. Easy to recommend to Ring users who want premium video, but relatively expensive and Alexa-only.
- Wirecutter (NYT): Not a pick: it says the Ring Battery Doorbell Pro is too expensive for what it delivers.