After two months of daily use, the Ring Battery Doorbell Plus has proven itself as more than just another smart doorbell – it’s a comprehensive home security solution that delivers on its promises. With its upgraded HD+ video quality and innovative head-to-toe field of view, this wireless doorbell camera addresses the most common complaints about traditional video doorbells while maintaining the ease of installation that made Ring famous.
What Sets the Ring Battery Doorbell Plus Apart?
The Ring Battery Doorbell Plus stands out with its super clear HD+ video and taller Head-to-Toe field of view, powered by a quick release battery pack. Unlike standard video doorbells that often miss packages left on the ground or cut off tall visitors’ faces, this model captures everything from head to toe in crisp detail.
As smart homes become more integrated and AI and automation are becoming seamlessly integrated into our daily lives, the Ring Battery Doorbell Plus represents the evolution of home security from simple notification devices to intelligent monitoring systems.
Key Specifications:
- Video Quality: 1536p HD+ resolution
- Field of View: Enhanced head-to-toe vertical coverage
- Power: Rechargeable battery with 6-12 months life
- Installation: 100% wireless, no existing doorbell wiring required
- Price: $179.99 MSRP (frequently discounted)
- Storage: Cloud storage with Ring Protect subscription
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi 2.4GHz and 5GHz dual-band
Design and Installation: Wireless Freedom
The Ring Battery Doorbell Plus maintains Ring’s signature aesthetic with a sleek black design that complements most home exteriors. The build quality feels solid and premium, with weather-resistant construction that has withstood everything from scorching summer heat to winter storms during my testing period.
Installation Experience:
The wireless installation process is genuinely foolproof. Using only the included mounting bracket and screws, I had the doorbell operational in under 15 minutes. The quick release battery system means no complicated wiring or professional installation costs.
What’s in the Box:
- Ring Battery Doorbell Plus unit
- Rechargeable battery pack (pre-installed)
- Mounting bracket and hardware
- USB charging cable
- Setup guide and security stickers
The magnetic mounting system allows for easy removal when battery charging is needed, while the security screw prevents theft concerns.
Video Quality: HD+ Makes the Difference
The upgrade to HD+ resolution (1536p) represents a significant improvement over Ring’s standard 1080p models. During extensive testing in various lighting conditions, the enhanced resolution provides noticeably sharper detail for identifying faces, reading package labels, and monitoring activity.
Daylight Performance: Crystal clear video with excellent color reproduction and detail. License plates are readable from reasonable distances, and facial recognition works reliably for frequent visitors.
Low Light Performance: The infrared night vision performs admirably, though it’s limited to black and white footage. Motion detection remains accurate even in complete darkness, with clear enough detail to identify people and packages.
Head-to-Toe Field of View: This is where the Battery Doorbell Plus truly shines. The extended vertical field of view captures packages left on the ground while still showing visitors’ faces clearly. No more guessing what delivery arrived or missing important activity at ground level.
Motion Detection and Smart Features
The Ring Battery Doorbell Plus incorporates advanced motion detection technology that learns your home’s typical activity patterns to reduce false alerts while maintaining security effectiveness.
Motion Zones and Customization: The Ring app allows precise motion zone configuration, letting you focus monitoring on specific areas like walkways while ignoring street traffic or neighbor activity. During testing, this feature dramatically reduced unnecessary notifications.
Person Detection vs. General Motion: The AI-powered person detection works remarkably well, distinguishing between people, vehicles, and general motion like swaying trees or passing cats. This smart filtering makes notifications far more relevant and actionable.
Pre-Roll Feature: One standout feature is the 4-second pre-roll that captures activity before motion detection triggers, providing context for what prompted the alert. This has proven invaluable for understanding the full story of front door activity.
Battery Life: Real-World Performance
Battery life varies significantly based on usage patterns, but Ring’s estimates prove realistic under normal conditions. My testing involved a moderately busy front door with 15-20 motion events and 3-4 doorbell presses daily.
Real-World Battery Performance:
- Heavy Usage: 4-6 months (30+ events daily)
- Moderate Usage: 6-9 months (10-20 events daily)
- Light Usage: 9-12 months (5-10 events daily)
Charging Experience: The quick release battery charges fully in 5-6 hours using the included USB cable. Ring sells additional battery packs ($29.99) for zero-downtime operation – simply swap batteries and continue monitoring while the depleted pack charges.
Power-Saving Features:
- Customizable motion sensitivity reduces unnecessary activations
- Motion scheduling allows disabling detection during specified hours
- Live view timeout prevents accidental battery drain
Ring App Experience: Intuitive Control
The Ring mobile app serves as the command center for your doorbell, and it’s remarkably well-designed for both novice and advanced users.
Core App Features:
- Live video streaming with two-way audio
- Motion and doorbell press notifications
- Video history and sharing capabilities
- Multiple user access with customizable permissions
- Integration with other Ring and smart home devices
Notification Management: Push notifications arrive quickly (usually within 5-10 seconds of motion detection) and include thumbnail previews. The app allows granular control over notification timing, types, and recipient selection.
Video Storage and Sharing: Without a Ring Protect subscription, you can view live video and the most recent event snapshot. However, without a subscription to Ring Home, you won’t be able to review any videos or images you missed, and you won’t be able to save your videos or photos or share them with anyone.
Ring Protect Subscription: Necessary Investment?
The Ring Protect subscription unlocks the full potential of your Battery Doorbell Plus, though the device functions adequately without it for basic monitoring.
Ring Protect Basic ($4.99/month or $49.99/year):
- 180 days of video history storage
- Video downloading and sharing
- Person alerts and rich notifications
- Exclusive discounts on Ring products
Ring Protect Plus ($14.99/month or $149.99/year):
- Everything in Basic for unlimited Ring devices
- Extended warranty coverage
- 10% discount on future Ring purchases
- Professional monitoring (with Ring Alarm)
Value Assessment: For most users, the Basic plan provides essential functionality at a reasonable cost. The ability to review missed events and share video evidence makes the subscription worthwhile for security-conscious homeowners.
Smart Home Integration: Works With Everything
The Ring Battery Doorbell Plus integrates seamlessly with major smart home ecosystems, expanding its functionality beyond standalone operation.
Amazon Alexa Integration:
- Voice announcements when doorbell is pressed
- Live video viewing on Echo Show devices
- Motion alerts through Alexa routines
- Two-way communication via Alexa devices
Google Assistant Support:
- Stream doorbell video to Nest Hub displays
- Voice control for live viewing
- Integration with Google Home routines
IFTTT and Third-Party Integrations: Advanced users can create custom automations connecting Ring events to other smart home devices, such as turning on lights when motion is detected or sending notifications to multiple platforms.
Comparison with Competitors
The video doorbell market is crowded, but the Ring Battery Doorbell Plus holds its own against strong competition.
vs. Google Nest Doorbell (Battery): The Nest offers 24/7 continuous recording and better integration with Google services, but Ring provides longer battery life and more affordable cloud storage.
vs. Arlo Essential Video Doorbell: Arlo includes more advanced AI features and local storage options, but Ring offers better app experience and ecosystem integration.
vs. Eufy Security Video Doorbell: Eufy provides local storage and no subscription requirements, but Ring delivers superior video quality and more robust smart home integration.
Ring’s Advantages:
- Proven reliability and customer service
- Extensive smart home ecosystem compatibility
- Regular software updates and feature additions
- Wide availability and competitive pricing
- Strong resale value and brand recognition
Installation Scenarios and Compatibility
The wireless nature of the Ring Battery Doorbell Plus makes it suitable for various installation scenarios where traditional wired doorbells won’t work.
Perfect Installation Locations:
- Apartments and condos without existing doorbell wiring
- Historic homes where running new wires is impractical
- Temporary installations for renters
- Secondary entrances and side doors
- Vacation homes and rental properties
Mounting Considerations: The included mounting hardware works well for most standard door frames and exterior walls. For brick, stucco, or unusual surfaces, additional hardware may be required.
Privacy and Security Considerations
Ring has faced privacy scrutiny in recent years, leading to significant improvements in data protection and user control.
Current Privacy Features:
- End-to-end encryption for video streams (enabled by default)
- Local processing for person detection
- Granular sharing controls and temporary guest access
- Regular security audits and transparency reports
Data Handling: Video footage is encrypted during transmission and storage. Users maintain control over sharing permissions, and Ring cannot access videos without explicit user consent.
Long-Term Ownership and Support
Ring’s track record for long-term device support is generally positive, with regular firmware updates adding new features and security improvements.
Warranty and Support:
- One-year limited warranty on hardware defects
- 24/7 customer support via phone and chat
- Extensive online knowledge base and community forums
- Ring Protect Plus subscribers receive extended warranty coverage
Expected Longevity: Based on Ring’s historical support patterns, expect 4-5 years of feature updates and security patches. The replaceable battery system extends hardware lifespan significantly compared to devices with internal batteries.
Who Should Buy the Ring Battery Doorbell Plus?
After extensive testing, this doorbell excels for specific user profiles:
Ideal Buyers:
- Renters who can’t modify existing wiring
- Security-conscious homeowners wanting comprehensive monitoring
- Package recipients who need ground-level visibility
- Smart home enthusiasts seeking ecosystem integration
- Busy families who want reliable visitor monitoring
Consider Alternatives If:
- You need continuous 24/7 recording without gaps
- Privacy concerns outweigh convenience benefits
- Local storage without subscriptions is essential
- Budget constraints make subscription costs prohibitive
Real-World Use Cases and Scenarios
During my testing period, several scenarios highlighted the Ring Battery Doorbell Plus’s practical value:
Package Delivery Monitoring: The head-to-toe view captured multiple package deliveries that would have been missed by standard doorbells. This feature alone justifies the upgrade for frequent online shoppers.
Visitor Verification: Clear HD+ video made it easy to identify visitors before answering the door, particularly valuable for elderly family members or when home alone.
Security Incident Documentation: During a neighborhood car break-in incident, the doorbell’s motion detection captured relevant activity that assisted police investigation.
Remote Home Monitoring: While traveling, the doorbell provided peace of mind by monitoring all front door activity and allowing remote communication with service providers.
Final Verdict: 8.7/10 – Wireless Security Perfected
The Ring Battery Doorbell Plus succeeds at delivering professional-grade home security in a truly wireless package. The HD+ video quality and head-to-toe field of view address the most significant limitations of earlier models, while maintaining the ease of installation that makes Ring accessible to everyone.
Outstanding Strengths:
- Superior HD+ video quality with excellent detail
- Game-changing head-to-toe field of view
- Reliable long battery life with quick charging
- Seamless smart home ecosystem integration
- User-friendly app with robust features
- Professional installation not required
Notable Limitations:
- Subscription required for full functionality
- No continuous recording option
- Infrared-only night vision (no color)
- Cloud-dependent with limited local storage
- Occasional Wi-Fi connectivity sensitivity
Pricing and Purchase Recommendations
At $179.99 MSRP, the Ring Battery Doorbell Plus offers excellent value, though sales frequently bring the price down to $129-149. Factor in the Ring Protect subscription cost when budgeting for long-term ownership.
Best Purchase Strategy:
- Monitor for seasonal sales (Prime Day, Black Friday)
- Consider bundle deals with other Ring devices
- Start with Basic subscription and upgrade if needed
- Purchase extra battery pack for uninterrupted operation
Total First-Year Cost:
- Doorbell: $179.99 (or less on sale)
- Ring Protect Basic: $49.99/year
- Extra battery (optional): $29.99
- Total: ~$260 for complete setup
Disclosure: This review was conducted using a retail unit purchased independently. Ring provided no compensation or input on this review’s content.
Considering upgrading your home security? Share your video doorbell experiences and questions in the comments below!
