Ring Wired Video Doorbell (2nd Gen) review: Reliable, wired doorbell with clear views and audio

Ring has quite a reputation for being one of the best video doorbell brands on the market, and it continues to prove it with its Ring Wired Video Doorbell. The brand’s latest wired doorbell, the Ring Wired Video Doorbell has Ring’s newer design which is slimmer, sleeker and more stylish than before.

Aside from looks, Ring has upgraded the Wired Video Doorbell with better features than its predecessors, including clear Retinal 2K resolution, crisp audio for two-way talk and its ever trustworthy Ring app. I spent some time testing the latest generation of the Wired Video Doorbell and here’s how I got on.

Ring Wired Video Doorbell review: price and availability

The Ring Wired Video Doorbell (newest generation) is available to buy for £59.99 / $79.99 at Ring and select retailers, like Amazon. As of writing, it’s been discounted to just £39.99.

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Ring describes the Ring Wired Video Doorbell as its entry-level model, hence the low pricing. At this price, it doesn’t come with a chime but you can add one on which comes to a total of £89.98.

To use the Ring Wired Video Doorbell, you need the Ring app. With the app, you get a 30 day free trial before you can pay a monthly subscription which starts at £4.99 / $4.99 or an annual one which starts at £49.99 / $49.99. You can use the Ring app for free but you won’t have access to certain features.

Ring Wired Video Doorbell review: unboxing and setup

I don’t have the most experience with wired doorbells so the Ring Wired Video Doorbell was completely new to me. Once I’d gotten it out of its compact box, I found clear instructions which walked me through the entire installation process, and I was surprised to find that the wiring was no problem.

I didn’t have existing wiring so I needed to add an adapter but this came at a little extra cost. It took hardly any time at all, and also gave me peace of mind about battery life. I’ve tested Ring doorbells before, and have always found their battery to be long lasting but having a wired option also meant I really didn’t have to worry about battery life unless my power cut out!

The app was straightforward and had clear instructions and illustrations. Again, as I’ve tested Ring products before, I already had the app set up so it was extremely simple to add the Ring Wired Video Doorbell to my plan.

Ring Wired Video Doorbell review: design and features

As mentioned already, the Ring Wired Video Doorbell is a hardwired video doorbell so it’s best for those who have pre-existing doorbell wiring or who prefer to connect their security devices to the electricity in your home. It has a similar design to other wired and wireless doorbells, with a large camera at the top and circular doorbell at the bottom.

The Ring Wired Video Doorbell has Retinal 2K video resolution for clear images and video. It has up to 6x Enhanced Zoom to see movement happening from far away while still keeping the same clarity. The camera also has a wide field of view with head-to-toe views so you can see everything going on outside your door.

With the app, the Ring Wired Video Doorbell has live view and two-way talk so you can check in on your home in real-time and talk to visitors. It also comes with motion detection so when the Ring Wired Video Doorbell picks up movement, you’ll receive quick and reliable alerts to your smartphone. The app also unlocks other detection features, like Familiar Faces, Video Descriptions and Single Event Alert.

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Ring Wired Video Doorbell review: performance

Once it was set up and the app was installed, the Ring Wired Video Doorbell was up and running straightaway. My first initial thought was how good the Ring Wired Video Doorbell looked at the front of my house. It matched well with my door which I found reassuring as it looks pretty inconspicuous and isn’t an eyesore.

I was extremely impressed with the high quality resolution of the images and video. Alongside the viewing angles, the Ring Wired Video Doorbell captured everything happening outside and around my property. While in use, I didn’t notice any blind spots or uncovered areas, and I was also able to see my doorstep, car and campervan so it felt like I had an extra layer of security over these objects.

The real star of the show is the Ring app. While I found that the notifications could be disruptive at times, and sometimes a bit too much, I tweaked a few settings in the app so it only notified me about the really important things. Aside from that, alerts came through clearly and quickly, and the overall price is affordable and competitive.

Another handy part of the app was how user-friendly it was to the account holder and multiple people. It was useful for streaming across a number of devices so family members could all see the doorbell which gave me greater reassurance and security.

The two-way talk audio was crystal clear, and extremely helpful when speaking to guests and delivery people. I also found the chime to work really well which is a nice added extra alongside the app.

Ring Wired Video Doorbell review: verdict

For hardwire security fans, the Ring Wired Video Doorbell ticks all your boxes. It’s easy to install, has impressive video and covers every area of your home. As always with Ring, the app truly shines, and it’s a welcome addition to my home’s security setup.

The only negatives I could find were irritating notifications but once I’d customised them, everything ran smoothly. Wireless doorbell people probably won’t want to use the Ring Wired Video Doorbell, but it fits the bill for many homeowners.

Ring Wired Video Doorbell review: alternatives to consider

Ring has many wired and wireless video doorbells, so if you don’t like the look of the Ring Wired Video Doorbell or want something more advanced, Ring is a good place to start.

If it’s a budget price you’re after, Blink is hard to beat and is Ring’s sibling as both are owned and operated by Amazon. The Blink Video Doorbell (2nd Gen) is cheap, simple to set up and has sharp video quality. It may be basic but it’s really reliable.

If you’d prefer a wireless option, the Arlo 2K Wireless Video Doorbell is our favourite wireless model in our video doorbell guide. It’s got quick installation, and a strong all-round specs sheet.