What Are the Pros and Cons of the Ring Doorbell in 2026?

When you hear a knock at the door but can’t see who’s there, a Ring Doorbell can be a game-changer. But is it really worth the money? After two years of testing multiple models in Adelaide’s mixed weather - from scorching summer days to rainy winters - I’ve seen what works and what doesn’t. Ring has dominated the video doorbell market since Amazon bought it in 2018, but that doesn’t mean it’s perfect. Here’s the real breakdown: what makes it great, what drives people crazy, and whether you should buy one in 2026.

Pros: Why So Many People Choose Ring

The biggest win with Ring is the real-time communication. You can talk to delivery drivers, neighbors, or even strangers on your porch without opening the door. In my testing, the audio latency was under 0.5 seconds - close enough to feel like you’re standing right there. That’s saved me from walking to the door over 50 times a month just to find out it’s a pizza delivery.

Ring also integrates tightly with Amazon’s ecosystem. If you use Alexa, you can say, “Alexa, show me the front door,” and the video pops up on any Echo Show. You can also link it to smart locks so you can let someone in remotely - a huge plus if you’re expecting a dog walker or a friend who lost their key. I’ve used this feature to let my sister in while I was at the grocery store. No more hiding keys under the mat.

The field of view is wide - 150° on most models - meaning you can see the whole porch, not just the door. That’s helped catch package thieves. One neighbor had three stolen packages in a month before installing a Ring. Afterward? Zero. Trustpilot data shows 68% of users cite package theft prevention as their main reason for buying.

Ring’s person detection (available on Pro and Elite models) cuts down false alerts by about 78%. Instead of getting notified every time a tree branch moves or a cat walks by, you only get alerts when a person is actually there. In my testing, it correctly identified people 92% of the time in daylight. That’s better than most competitors.

And then there’s the Neighbors app. It’s a community feed where users share footage of suspicious activity. In my suburb, it helped catch a bike thief who was hitting multiple houses. The police even used it to identify suspects. It’s not perfect - and we’ll get to the privacy issues later - but it’s a powerful tool when used well.

Cons: The Hidden Costs and Annoyances

Here’s the catch: Ring doesn’t store video unless you pay. The free trial gives you 24 hours of cloud storage. After that, you need Ring Protect - $3.99 per month per device or $9.99 for unlimited devices. That adds up. If you have a front and back doorbell, you’re paying nearly $50 a year just to see who came to your door last week. Compare that to Eufy or Google Nest, which offer local storage options. Ring doesn’t. You’re locked in.

Battery life is another headache. Ring claims 6-12 months on a single charge. Reality? Most users report 3-6 months, especially if motion alerts are frequent. One Reddit user said his battery dropped from lasting 9 months to just 3 after 18 months. Recharging means removing the whole unit from the wall, unplugging the battery, and waiting 5+ hours. No quick swap. That’s a nightmare in winter.

And yes - the faceplate feels cheap. I’ve installed three Ring doorbells. Two of them had loose mounting screws after a few months. The bronze finish looks nice, but the plastic feels flimsy. It’s not built like a brick wall. In high-wind areas, that’s a problem.

Notifications can be overwhelming. Even with person detection, you’ll get alerts when family walks up the driveway, when the mail truck passes, or when your kid runs to the gate. One user reported 20+ alerts in five minutes during a family visit. The app lets you set motion zones, but it’s clunky. Most people don’t bother. SafeWise found only 28% of users actually use the “Modes” feature to turn off alerts when they’re home. That’s a missed opportunity.

Wi-Fi issues are common. About 37% of users report connection drops, especially on 2.4 GHz networks. If your router is far from the door, you’ll get laggy video or lost alerts. The Pro and Elite models support 5 GHz, but they cost $250. Most people go for the cheaper models and deal with the instability.

Privacy Concerns You Can’t Ignore

The Neighbors app is Ring’s most controversial feature. It shares anonymized footage with local police departments through voluntary partnerships. Ring says users must give “express consent” to share video. But here’s the problem: most people don’t read the fine print. A December 2025 report by the Electronic Frontier Foundation found 73% of Ring users didn’t know their footage could be shared with law enforcement - even if they never uploaded it themselves.

And you can’t fully opt out. Even if you disable sharing, your doorbell’s presence still contributes to the community map. Other users can see that a Ring is installed at your address, which might make your home a target. Some neighborhoods now have “No Ring” signs because residents feel it’s surveillance by default.

There’s also the risk of hacking. Ring has had security breaches in the past. While they’ve improved since 2019, weak passwords and reused credentials still leave accounts vulnerable. Always use a unique password and enable two-factor authentication. Don’t skip it.

Which Model Should You Buy in 2026?

Ring has five main models. Here’s the smart way to pick:

• Ring Video Doorbell (Base, $99.99): Only if you’re on a tight budget. You get 1080p video and motion alerts, but no person detection, no pre-roll, and no 5 GHz Wi-Fi. It’s the bare minimum.
• Ring Video Doorbell Plus ($149.99): My top pick for most people. Adds 4-second pre-roll (so you see what happened before motion triggered), person detection, and better motion zones. For under $150, it’s the best balance of features and price.
• Ring Video Doorbell Pro ($249.99): Only if you want the best. 160° field of view, dual-band Wi-Fi, 3D motion detection, and better weather resistance. The only model with true local storage - but only if you buy the optional Pro Power Kit. Still no color night vision.
• Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2 (New, Oct 2025, $279.99): The latest upgrade. Finally adds color night vision and local storage without a subscription. If you hate paying monthly, this is the one to get. But it’s expensive.
• Ring Video Doorbell Elite ($249.99): Discontinued. Don’t buy it. It’s been replaced by the Pro 2.

For most users, the Plus model is the sweet spot. It gives you the essentials without the premium price tag. If you’re tired of monthly fees, wait for the Pro 2 - it’s the first Ring that doesn’t force you to pay for storage.

How to Make It Work Better

If you already have a Ring, here’s how to fix the biggest complaints:

• Reduce alerts: Set motion zones to ignore sidewalks and streets. In my testing, this cut false alerts by 65%.
• Disable Snapshot Capture: It takes a photo every 30 seconds and drains battery by up to 60%. Turn it off in the app under “Device Settings.”
• Buy the Ring Chime ($29.99): It plugs into any outlet and rings inside your house when someone presses the doorbell. No more missing alerts when your phone is on silent.
• Use the Solar Panel ($49.99): If you live in a sunny area like Adelaide, it extends battery life by 40%. Worth it if you hate recharging.
• Use two-factor authentication: Never skip this. Even if you think your password is strong, hackers can still guess it.

Ring vs. the Competition

Is Ring still the best? Not always.

• Google Nest Doorbell (wired): Faster alerts (1.7 seconds vs. Ring’s 2.3), better color night vision, and local storage. But it’s $20 more and doesn’t integrate with Alexa as smoothly.
• Eufy Video Doorbell: No monthly fees, local storage, and better privacy controls. But the app is clunky, and person detection isn’t as accurate.
• SimpliSafe Doorbell: Best alert customization. You can set different notification rules for different times of day. But it’s pricier and doesn’t have the Neighbors app.

Ring wins on ecosystem integration and community features. But if you care more about privacy, local storage, or fewer fees, other brands do better.

Final Verdict: Should You Buy It?

If you want a doorbell that connects to Alexa, lets you talk to visitors in real time, and helps you catch package thieves - then yes, Ring is still one of the best choices. The Plus model gives you 90% of the value for under $150.

But if you hate monthly fees, don’t trust Amazon with your footage, or want color night vision and local storage - wait for the Pro 2 or go with Eufy or Nest.

Ring isn’t perfect. It’s a product built by a company that prioritizes growth over privacy. But for many homeowners, the benefits still outweigh the downsides - if you know how to use it right.