11-02-2025
Gadget review: Amazon's Ring Battery Video Doorbell is an affordable security measure
The UAE is one of the safest places on the planet and that's a big reason why we all love living here. But one can never be too careful. Ultimately, your safety is to a large extent in your own hands —or in the hands of the several security and surveillance gadgets that are now available in the market. One such gizmo is the Ring Battery Video Doorbell.
Video doorbells have become quite common as security devices of late. Not only do they give you an accurate picture (pun intended) of who's calling so that you can decide whether it's safe to open your door and let them in, but they are also being increasingly used in less secure parts of the world to keep a watch on and guard against porch pirates that sneak off with your Amazon package from your doorstep. Of course, this is not something that is common in the UAE, but it's always good to know that there are gadgets out there that can help you keep a watch on this. And a lot of these gadgets are from Amazon itself.
If you're looking for a top-tier video doorbell, the Amazon-owned Ring brand is bound to come up in conversation. The latest addition to the lineup, the Ring Battery Video Doorbell, is a compelling option.
This model is more affordable than its siblings, the Ring Battery Video Doorbell Plus and significantly cheaper than the high-end Ring Battery Video Doorbell Pro. However, those pricier versions do offer slightly better video resolution and additional features such as noise cancellation for audio.
Our test mule for this review was a standard Ring Battery Video Doorbell, a wireless, battery-powered device that you can mount almost anywhere and control from your smartphone. Design-wise, this doorbell sticks to Ring's signature aesthetic, so you'll recognise it instantly as a Ring device. Sporting dimensions of 6.19cm by 2.30cm by 12.65cm, it comes in two colourways and finishes — the Venetian Bronze (dark metallic) or the Satin Nickel (silver), which is the one we received from Ring to try out.
The packaging is compact, fitting in a set-up guide, security sticker, USB-A to USB-C charging cable, mounting bracket, screws with anchors and a removal tool for detaching the doorbell when it needs charging.
We found the installation to be straightforward. The device is built solidly, with a finish and heft that suggests it can last a while. Of course, positioning it on your door or a wall adjacent to it does require the drilling of a couple of holes for the screws to go in and hold it in place in the provided wall bracket. So if you're renting, you'd perhaps like to ask your landlord first before the installation.
When it came to the set-up of the device, it took less than about 10 minutes to make a Ring account online and have everything paired up and connected on our mobile phone. Previous users of Ring devices can, of course, connect to their existing Ring accounts and apps.
If you've used a Ring camera before, you'll find the mobile app intuitive. It also allows you to manage multiple Ring devices from one place. Like other Ring products, this doorbell includes a 30-day free trial of Ring Protect, which unlocks features like person and package detection, enhanced notifications, and 180 days of cloud video storage. After the trial, there is a monthly subscription fee for these added services, but you can use the doorbell without a subscription if you do not need the extra features.
From design to installation, the Ring Battery Video Doorbell seemed well-built and easy to set up, seamlessly connecting to Wi-Fi.
It includes the essential features such a device can be expected to come with, such as instant mobile alerts when the bell is pressed or when motion is detected; customisable motion zones and privacy settings; two-way audio for talking to visitors; preset quick responses; and a 'Do Not Disturb' mode to mute notifications.
How close is too close?
The camera on the device records in 1440 x 1440 HD resolution with a wide 150-degree 'head-to-toe' fisheye view. What this provides is a clearer look at people, pets and packages. However, the angle of the lens' coverage is not wide enough to keep in view very small items placed right against the foot of door.
We found the video and audio quality to be very good, as we did the low-light capture and night vision. There is also a live video feed available over Wi-Fi, and we found this to be quite stable, too.
Coming to the battery life, while Ring does not specify the hours you can get from a full charge, our test piece's battery showed a depletion of around 12 per cent from full in 15 days of non-stop usage. Going by this figure, we are inclined to believe market reports of a full charge lasting several months, depending on usage.
Compared to its elder siblings — the Ring Plus and Pro models — this version lacks the higher 1536p video resolution, which you will not miss in a video doorbell unless you're thinking of turning your doorstep footage into a YouTube channel. There is also one battery on this device, which is not removable, which means you will need to take the entire device off its bracket to charge, rather than just replace the spent battery with a fully charged one. Also, storing the video data on the cloud will require an extra subscription expense with this base Battery Video Doorbell.
With Ring's track record of producing high-quality video doorbells, this model lives up to expectations. Priced lower than its stablemates at Dh399, it's a more appealing option in our opinion, providing all the essential features you would expect in a video doorbell without geeking out on features that are not absolute musts.
We found the video feed to be clear, with reliable motion detection and prompt arrival of notifications. If you're in the market for a reasonably priced video doorbell that provides an adequate level of features, reliability and security sans frills that does not break the bank in terms of price, you can't go wrong with the Ring Battery Video Doorbell.
