Ring Door Bell 1 Vs Ring Door Bell 2 : Which One Is Better

Smart video doorbells are slowly but surely becoming an important device in home security. They are a new trend, and various companies are continuously manufacturing and improving their versions to meet the needs of the customer. If you’re looking to buy a video doorbell for your home, Ring video doorbell models are definitely worth considering.

A Ring doorbell essentially works as a security camera, intercom, motion sensor, and peephole, it’s an all in one device. The ring is well-known for its durable, function, and reliable video doorbells. Two of their best models are Ring 1 and Ring 2. But between Ring 1 and 2, which one is better?

Are the features of Ring Video Door Bell 2 worth paying more for? Or will the original Ring Video Door Bell 1 model suit your home just fine? In this article, we will go through the common features and differences between each model. This may help you choose the one that will suit your home better.

Ring Video Door Bell 1 Vs Ring Door Bell 2

After several hours of testing, we can safely say that both these models will ensure proper security at your doorstep. You will be able to monitor whatever is happening at your doorstep, no matter where you are or how far you are from home.

This will help you keep track of packages delivered, visitors, and suspicious activity as well. Both devices are compatible with smartphones and PCs so you can choose whichever’s more convenient for you.

Via the Ring app, you will receive alerts whenever your doorbell detects motion or when someone presses the doorbell. Also, all Ring doorbells have Lifetime Theft Protection and will be replaced if they get stolen. Moving on, we will be discussing each model in detail, and then their similarities and differences.

1. Ring Video Doorbell 1

When this product was first released, it was a real game-changer and made a great impact in the field of home security. It gained instant popularity and great reviews due to its features. Still a bestseller, here are some of its important aspects.

a) Installation

Both Ring Video Door Bell 1 and Ring Video Door Bell 2 are wireless doorbells and hence, don’t require any drilling. The installation can be done DIY, and this saves a lot of money that would go into the professional installation. Reading the instruction manual you can install this device in a simple, step-by-step manner. If you still have questions or doubts, you can refer to the video manual.

b) Design & Features

It is not enough for a device to just serve its purpose. If it is going to be installed in your home, and be visible to everybody, it should also be aesthetically pleasing. The aesthetic appeal also plays an important role in product popularity, especially for the elite crowd.

Although the Ring video doorbell doesn’t look a traditional doorbell, it does have quite an appealing and sleek design. Its dimensions are 0.9 x 2.4 x 5 inches, and it weighs about 1 pound. Its features include night vision, motion detection, and 2-way communication. Here are some of its pros and cons:

2. Ring Video Doorbell 2

 The Ring Video Door Bell 2 is a newer model and is garnering a lot of attention. It is more advanced and sophisticated than its predecessor and exceeds it in almost every aspect.

a) Installation

The installation process is pretty similar to that of Ring 1, and you can install it as wired or wireless based on your preference. You will then need to connect your device with your smartphone. Here is the initial guide to setting it up.

• Install the Ring application.
• Click ‘Set up a device’.
• Choose a name for your device
• Verify your address and continue
• Insert the batteries into your device, and press the button on its top right corner
• Connect it to your smartphone via your home Wi-Fi

We found the above process extremely easy and convenient and did not face any connectivity issues while installing and setting up our device.

The convenience of setting up this doorbell is another big reason why you should definitely consider Ring 2 if you’re thinking of installing a smart doorbell in your home.

b) Design & Features

This model is slightly larger than its predecessor, its dimensions are 2.4 x 2.4 x 5.1 inches. It still has a sleek and aesthetically pleasing design that will easily blend into your home.

It is available in 2 colors; Satin Nickel and Venetian. So you can choose whichever goes best with your home décor. It has all the same features as its predecessor; motion sensing, 2-way communication, night vision, cloud storage, etc. 2 better features to note are the customizable motion sensing zone and the better video quality (1080p). One thing to note, however, is that its field of view is smaller than that of Ring 1.

Common Features

Both have Wi-Fi powered live video and audio feed which enable you to see and communicate with whoever is at your doorstep. Both have motion sensors designed to detect activity up to 30 feet using passive infrared. However, we found that Ring 1’s motion sensing ability sometimes faced issues.

Each device has flexible power source options; you can either go for hardwiring or use a rechargeable battery. From our experience, we would recommend that you go for hard wiring, it is hassle-free and you do not have to worry about it running out of power. Also, if the doorbell runs out of battery power, the on-demand live view becomes unavailable until you recharge the battery.

Both models also feature night vision. However, we found that that the night-vision records in black and white. So if you are particular about the night vision feed being in color as well, you might want to go for a different company.

Installation is a breeze in both, and they are both compatible with Android, iOS, and Windows. These features enhance their convenience and user-friendliness. Ring is looking to integrate with Homekit, but we are not sure when this will happen.

Comparison Summary

Differences

1. Charging The Battery

While both feature hard wiring and battery options, installation is a lot easier if you opt to use a rechargeable battery. That being said, the charging process is different in both the models.

With the Ring doorbell, you need to remove the entire device off the wall and take it inside when its battery needs charging. The doorbell needs to be carefully removed using a screwdriver, and charging is then done via a micro-USB. The Ring 2 doorbell has a much easier charging process.

Ring 2 overcomes its predecessor’s cumbersome charging process in every way possible. It features a swappable battery. When the device has run out of power, only the battery needs to be taken out for charging. This gives Ring 2 a definite edge over Ring Video Door Bell 1.

2. Video Resolution

Both models feature DH resolutions but here too, Ring 2 surpasses Ring. Its image quality is 1080p compared to Ring’s 720p. This may not seem like a big difference, but some people might prefer having sharper quality images and videos to ensure better security. It will help you identify people better.

3. Battery Life

As mentioned earlier, you can always choose to go for hardwiring to ensure non-stop power. If you opt for a rechargeable battery, however, you will have to consider the battery life. The Ring doorbell will last for 6-12 months while we found the Ring 2 Doorbell’s maximum limit to be only 6 months.

4. Field of View

Ring Video Door Bell 2 has a 180-degree horizontal and 140-degree vertical field of view. It has an edge over its successor in this category. Despite boasting excellent features, the Ring 2 model only has a 160-degree horizontal and 100-degree vertical field of view which is rather disappointing considering its other wonderful features.

5. Colors

This is not really a difference based on features or capability. If you care about how the doorbell looks on your porch and how well it blends with your home, this might be an important aspect to consider. Although both models are quite aesthetically pleasing, the Ring 2 is sleeker.

With Ring 1, you have to choose the color while making the purchase. It comes in 4 shades; Antique Brass, Polished Brass, Satin Nickel, and Venetian Bronze. Make sure you pick the one that will look best in your home.

With Ring 2 on the other hand, you do not have to pick a color while making your purchase. The product has an option of interchangeable face-plates that come with the product, so you can choose whichever looks best once the product arrives. The only downside is, there are only 2 color options for this, Venetian Bronze and Satin Nickel.

Final Talk

Both models will definitely add security to your doorstep. They have a lot of common features, and many differences as well. Ring 1 offers the basic functions of a smart doorbell along with a wider field of view.If you’re willing to settle for ordinary video quality, and you’re okay with dealing with a few motion sensor issues sometimes, go for Ring Video Door Bell 1. It has similar features to its successor but costs less.We, however, would recommend the Ring Video Door Bell 2 model. Except for a few compensations, such as the lower field of view and the battery life, you are ensured of better video quality, customizable motion detection capabilities, and easier battery charging. For convenience and better security, the Ring Video Doorbell 2 is what you should opt for.