Not along ago the makers of the Ring Video Doorbell released their PRO unit. Now that I’ve had a few months to test this unit, and compare to the standard offering, I’m finally ready to give you a quick review on the UPGRADE you’ll get with the Ring Video Doorbell PRO. To find out how it compares, keep reading.
If you want to see how the Ring Video Doorbell stacks up against the competitors, you may want to start with my shootout/comparison by CLICKING HERE. Though I had less than ideal experiences with the SkyBell HD, rumor has it they have made huge strides to improve their units with software & firmware updates. However I still feel the Ring is the brand and unit to favor.
Sidebar: There are some instances, especially when building a smart home, where the SkyBell might have deeper integration with your hub/hardware. In those instances where the SkyBell offers you a better arrangement, it is definitely still a unit worth considering. Everyone’s experiences may vary, and for me, the Ring reigned supreme.
After testing the original Ring WiFi Video Doorbell at my home, I eventually moved it to my office. It was ran off battery for a while, but the need for frequent charging eventually had me hard-wire it. An easy way to do this, if you have an outlet nearby, is with a power transformer (like THIS ONE). Just be sure to follow these instructions from the manufacturer.
When the Ring Video Doorbell PRO was released I decided it was time to revisit having a smart doorbell at my home. Although I was quite happy with my ARLO Home Security System (see my review HERE), there was something to be said for having two-way audio/video and the features that Ring brings to the table.
Just like with my prior installation, my door is laid out in such a way that I had to 3D print myself a bracket in order to fit the unit. You can find photos of the hardware, my custom made bracket, and a few setup screen shots here:
Installation was VERY easy, with step-by-step instructions right on the smart phone app. Rather than review the obvious tidbits that are out there on other sites, I’ll just focus on what makes the Ring Video Doorbell PRO different from the regular unit.
Firstly, there is no wireless operation. If you want to run a Ring PRO you need to have a hardwired setup. That right there will eliminate some users from being able to consider the PRO version. Secondly, the installation does require a small box, their PRO Power Kit, to be installed at the chime. You’ll see photos of this in my gallery above. This adds some time to the installation, but in no way is this a difficult step even for the novice.
Beyond those two differences, the unit boasts a smaller footprint. This was extremely welcome to me, since my door jamb is already rather tight (And requires a special custom bracket). And there are interchangeable face plates, so where the standard unit requires you pick a color and live with it forever, the Ring PRO gives you the ability to change up the color of the surround any time you want (it comes with all the colors in the box!)
But of all the features the Ring PRO brings to the table, the two most important ones here are Custom Zones, and Video On-Demand. You also get full HD (1080p) with the PRO, versus only 720p with the standard unit. I’ll admit that the video quality difference was barely noticeable — there reaches a point where 720 vs 1080 just isn’t a huge deal. But having the ability to create motion zones has been huge for me at my front door, since the street and sidewalk were otherwise picking up false motion (from trees, neighbors, cars, etc).
You’ll see a photo above where I created a custom zone with the Ring PRO that covers just my walkway up to the front door, and the grass area beyond that. This avoids the street and the outer sidewalk, where I didn’t really want motion to be captured. What I loved about this was the ability to use the distance slider still for sensitivity, while still limiting your motion to a specified zone. The fact too that these zones can be custom shaped, not just a square/rectangle, is awesome (each little dot can be slid around to create any sort of funky shape you need based on your door/camera visual needs).
In conclusion, I feel the Ring Video Doorbell PRO is a worthy upgrade from the classic Ring WiFi Video Doorbell. If you are working with a wired location, the added $50 is worthwhile for the on-demand video, higher quality images, and custom zones. However, if you’re like many folks who don’t have wiring in place, the classic unit is still a great option too! Thinking about getting started with a smart home? Video doorbells are a great first choice, and I can’t recommend them enough! Best wishes!!
Upgrading to the Chime Pro (Update on December 19, 2016)
Over the past year (and then some) I’ve had hit-or-miss reliability with the classic Ring Chime accessory. For whatever reason, the two Chime units installed at my office Ring location will drop connectivity regularly, which in turn means that door bell alerts are missed. Since our office doesn’t have a hard-wired door chime, those Chime accessories are the only way we know someone is visiting. (Well, that and my iPhone).
Enter the new Ring Chime Pro, which offers antenna for greater connectivity. Although you cannot yet buy these on Amazon, they are available direct from Ring, or via retailers like BestBuy. Beyond the two obvious arms that swivel to provide stronger range, the Chime Pro also can be used as a wifi extender for your Ring Pro.
Although the WiFi extension features only work to help increase range to your Ring devices (not for your other home devices), this could still help for those of us where your doorbell is on the fringe of connectivity. That is the case at my office, so I moved the classic Ring Chime accessories to my home location, and the new Pro devices are at work.
Thus far, the results seem much better. No drops in connection, all devices have stronger wifi signals (thanks to the latest app update providing “health” status to show how your signal strength is at each device & accessory). All in all, I continue to recommend the Ring Video Doorbell as my top pick, and the accessories make it that much better!
ari jay comet : blog 
I purchase the doorbell and it works ok, there are better options plus the doorbell needs cloud storage to view anything that happened in the past. Later on I purchased the stick up cam and found out after I bought it, each device needs it’s own separate cloud storage that is purchased separately. Find a better option, there are many out there.
[…] THIS POST, or even THIS ONE a little further back. Whether you’re looking for the best smart doorbell, smart locks, or security cameras, I’ve played around with many of them and formed my […]
Nice review. I am on the fence on upgrading to the Pro as well. On the original Ring doorbell I know that you need to drill four mounting points for the bracket. I notice the Pro only needs two since its similar. Do the existing holes form the original Ring line up with the Ring Pro on one side? Or do I need to drill two NEW holes? Im asking this because I have mine on stucco. I don’t want have so many drilled unused holes. Running this setup hard wired.
Another question is the 1080p quality. Is it not that noticeable. That was the main reason I wanted to upgraded. You mentioned it was not noticeable. Because comparing from the Ring 720p and the Arlo Q Plus 1080p image/video quality is night and day. 720p on the Ring seems somewhat grainy. Unless I have the Ring settings wrong. (Though it says my Signal Strength in the Device Health says Good. Is there VERY good?) Maybe install a range extender?
Hope you can help.
Thanks.
First off, if you need a range extension I would recommend the Ring Chime Pro which works specifically with the Ring Devices. Secondly video quality really depends on factors like lighting and wifi strength. Too many variables. But the pro is definitely better. The Arlo outdoor devices are decent tho, and for security, more than ample.
As for drilling holes I really don’t recall. But I think the holes top bottom on Pro were centered whereas the classic has four holes corners. So I think you will have new holes. But Ring sells a “plate” you can buy that covers the classic opening if you upgrade. Look on their site for that accessory as it would resolve your stucko issue. Called the “ring pro retro kit”. Hope this helps.
Hey Ari,
Thanks for the quick response. Do you happen to have a screen shot of a photo on the quality of the Ring Pro in action. I would like to share you my 720p images. Because mine looks worse than a 720p quality.
Thanks.
Send me an email to:
arijaycomet@gmail.com
And I’ll share some links for you to compare. But keep in mind my classic is in a lobby at my office. And my pro is outdoors at my home.
Happen to have a promo codes for it? Looks like I was late when they did the Ring Pro for $199.
Thanks.
Sorry I’m unaware of any promo codes. I pay full price for everything I buy as it allows me to remain completely impartial during my comparisons and reviews.
It’s been a while since I’ve been at this blog researching security cameras. I opted for the Ring doorbell in the front. Our front entry is a covered narrow walkway with large cut-out openings on one side and the house and windows on the other. Anyone wanting to test whether we are home or not would have to get to the door to discover there’s a camera, so I’m counting on being able to note an unwanted stranger before they try to strategize whatever. Ring is okay for what I was willing to invest. I don’t like that it takes me too long to answer a doorbell ring with my phone. That’s the wi-fi I guess. We had one guy come to the door and ask that someone come out before he would speak about why he was there. He left before I could decide how I was going to respond. Turns out he was trying to sell something.
In the back, outdoors, we have a Canary device. It’s fine as well. It doesn’t yet have a feature for speaking through it thought it picks up sound. They say that feature is coming. Again, I’m counting on spotting any uninvited guest before they notice the device. I’m thinking about getting the indoor Canary. My neighbourhood is hit quite a bit with thieves. Even if they wear a hoodie, which I’ve seen on countless photos shared on NextDoor, I’m more interested in spotting their presence and alerting the police than worrying about being able to identify someone as this point. We also have a wimpy alarm system, but I’m not relying on it too much. We were broken into a while back when we weren’t diligent about turning it on and our dog had died–the other alarm system.
Great feedback. Ring also has a new floodlight product that I’m testing and will have an article about soon. I’m also testing a Kuna outdoor light. Many new producers continue to emerge in the home exterior camera sector. I think the Ring doorbell is my personal favorite. Thanks for the feedback Cecile!
Hi,
Thank you for the good review. I was thinking about getting a Arlo but went with the Ring Pro after reading the post. Can you share the 3d mounting bracket file? I am going to have to build a similar thing and thought the bracket would be helpful.
You can download it here:
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1242720
Enjoy!
-Ari
Thank you!
Do you have the 3D printer file for the other mounting bracket that goes over top of the door?
You can find any/all the things I’ve ever made here:
https://www.thingiverse.com/arijaycomet/designs
If it isn’t there, then I didn’t make it and hence don’t have a link to it. Hope this helps!
hi there, actually found your page looking for solutions to fit the ring pro on my teeny door jamb. i had just about given up! I was wondering if you would be so kind as to share your design for the smaller bracket you used for your ring pro mount, pictured above? The pinshape links you shared in the comments included only the adapter/mount for the original ring. Much gratitude in advance 🙂
ness, I just went ahead to my Thingiverse and uploaded the two PRO files (CAD file, STL file). You should find those there, now. I just used the same item and added two more files to snag– that should be what you need. If not LMK! Cheers….
thank you so much for doing that! alas, it would almost fit.. but not quite. my jamb must be even teenier than yours, so i’ll have to figure out some way to rig it with a lip around the corner like you did for your regular Ring, but i’m definitely 3D design-challenged. the search continues!
[…] reviews of my other Ring products, check out HERE for my doorbell, and then HERE for my flood light camera. This review will focus solely on the […]
Thanks for sharing your post, it was helpful! However I have yet to find the same bracket anywhere like you created. Have you made any others you’re willing to sell? I have the same door set up where the existing area is to narrow for my doorbell pro…
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1242720
See my link above. You will need a 3D printer. But the download CAD file is free. Hope this helps!
My doorbell setup is identical to yours and I have been looking for a way to mount our Ring. Would you be willing to make and sell me a custom mount like yours? Or, are you willing to sell me the file that was used to create the mount with a 3D printer?
Thanks,
John
The link to the CAD file no longer works.
Purposely removed. Got solicited to “make” the parts one too many times. Happy to email the STL files, but I don’t have ability to 3D print for people. Enjoy!
Email sent — enjoy!
Thanks again!