Which Ring doorbell should I buy? A simple guide to the different options
Hardwired vs battery? Pro vs Plus? Here's what you need to know
by https://www.techradar.com/uk/author/ruth-hamilton · TechRadarFeatures By Ruth Hamilton published 17 June 2026
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Ring is the brand behind many of the best video doorbells on the market. The brand makes a range of hardwired and battery-powered doorbells, but most of them look roughly the same, so figuring out which one you need can be tricky. Below you'll find a straightforward guide to your options, including the key differences to look out for, whether hardwired and battery is better, and how the specs compare across the models.
These doorbells are widely available to buy from various retailers, but Ring's parent company is Amazon, so that's generally your best bet for the lowest prices. There's an Amazon Prime Day coming up (June 23-26) and we're pretty confident we'll see some strong discounts across the Ring range, so now's a good time to shop.
Read on for a closer look at your Ring video doorbell options, and all the information you need to figure out which one's right for your home.
US — Ring doorbell options
UK — Ring doorbell options
Battery vs hardwired Ring doorbells: which should I buy?
The first thing you'll need to decide when picking up a Ring doorbell is whether you want a battery powered or hardwired model. There's also the option of using a plug-in adapter with one of the hardwired doorbells, which lets you connect it to a regular power outlet if you don't have doorbell wiring already in place.
The general consensus online is quite strongly in favor of hardwired options. Although these are slightly more involved to install than a battery powered bell, if your have a standard doorbell/transformer setup (with 16-24V) already in place, swapping in the Ring model should be relatively straightforward. Many people will be able to do it themselves, but you could also get a professional in.
The main complaint around the battery options is that they're slower to respond and the video clips are shorter than on the hardwired versions, in a bid to save power. That, and you'll have to remember to charge them up every few weeks. Ring does sell solar charger mounts ($44.99 / £39.99), but they will need to be in a relatively sunny spot, with 3-4 hours of direct sunlight a day, to make a difference.
What's the difference between the different Ring doorbells?
Once you've decided on battery or mains-powered, your next decision is which model to opt for. There are standard, Plus and Pro options to choose from, as well as a super-pricey Elite wired option. One key difference is the image quality — cheaper models offer 2K picture, whereas the pricier models will serve up the much clearer and more zoomable 4K. More expensive models also have more advanced night vision, which might be important if you're dealing with nocturnal disturbances.
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