Ring is one of the most well-known providers of smart home and home security solutions, and despite a rough 2019, the company has continued to produce some of the best products in this space. Ring has done a much better job of responding to and addressing the increased demand for additional data privacy controls and promises additional customer controls. With a couple of new video doorbells recently released, we thought it was a good time to review what our favorite Ring products were for 2020.
Best Video Doorbell
Ring Video Doorbell 3 Plus
Staff Pick
One of the best and most popular video doorbells gets even better in 2020. It's battery-powered with improved motion detection and pre-roll recording technology, so you won't miss any visitors with this buzzer.
Best Indoor Camera
Ring Stick Up Cam
Last updated in late 2019, the Stick Up Cam is the true utility player in Ring's lineup. It works indoors or outdoors, can be powered by wire, battery, or solar, and it can be mounted or stand alone on a flat surface.
Best Outdoor Camera
Ring Spotlight Cam
More capable than the Stick Up Cam and less imposing or foreboding than the Floodlight Cam, the Spotlight Cam occupies a nice middle ground in Ring's outdoor camera lineup. It has a larger field-of-view than the Stick Up cam, along with a siren to ward off intruders and a spotlight to illuminate nighttime recordings.
Best Outdoor Lights
Ring Pathlights
These Pathlights are a nice reminder that home security devices don't have to be overly aggressive or sterile in their design. These look like ordinary landscaping walkway lights and can be purchased individually or in multipacks. A bridge is required for automation, however.
Best Indoor Lights
Ring Steplights
Following the same train of thought as the Pathlights, these Steplights provide a bit of form to go alongside their functionality. These work indoors are out and are ideal for patios, entryways, hallways, and staircases. They also require a bridge for automation.
Best Security System
Ring Alarm 5-Piece Kit
Ring makes several different alarm kits, ranging from this five-piece offering to customizable sets with dozens of components. Not only can you control your security system with Alexa, but you can also get professional monitoring for as little as $10/month from Ring Protect.
See more than before
If someone were to stop you on the street and ask you to name a Ring product, chances are the first thing that came to mind would be some sort of video doorbell. That's the product category the company cut its teeth on, and even its name is a reference to what a doorbell does! , and have really been impressed with their features, so we're happy to see a couple of new devices being introduced this year in the Ring Video Doorbell 3 and 3 Plus.
What makes the Video Doorbell 3 Plus so interesting is that it added some impressive functionality while maintaining a similar style and footprint to the Video Doorbell 2. This new device features enhancements like improved motion detection, a near motion zone that can activate when someone is anywhere from 5-15 feet in front of your door, and Pre-Roll technology that can record up to four seconds before you receive an alert. Other video doorbells and cameras have had similar features, but it's great to see them all rolled into one great Ring device.
This device is now available for pre-order, and will start shipping on April 8, 2020.
Best Video Doorbell
Ring Video Doorbell 3 Plus
The added features of the Ring Video Doorbell 3 Plus put this in strong competition against the Ring Video Doorbell Elite, at only half the cost of that premium device.
Works inside or outside
Whether you plan on moving in the near future, or you just want a camera flexible enough to move around your existing home, the Ring Stick Up Cam has you covered. Not only is it easy to set up for even the least-handy person (like me), but it works equally well both indoors and outdoors. It is available as a wired or battery-powered device, but you can also power it with Ring's solar attachment, or as you wish.
The Stick Up cam has a decent field-of-view for an outdoor cam at 130 degrees, but that should more than suffice if you plan on using it indoors. It records in 1080p and has two-way audio, live video, and motion notifications. This is also one of the most affordable Ring cameras you can get!
Best Indoor Camera
Ring Stick Up Cam
The Ring Stick Up Cam is one of the most flexible, and most affordable, Ring devices that you can get today.
Intruder Illuminator
If the Stick Up Cam is the most versatile video camera in Ring's lineup, then the Spotlight Cam might be one of the best values available. While it is only suited for outdoor use, it is capable of doing its job quite well. Plus, it's both more affordable and less obtrusive than the larger Floodlight Cam.
What the Spotlight Cam has going for it is a wider field-of-view than the Stick Up Cam (140 vs. 130 degrees), as well as two bright illumination strips, red LEDs, and a startlingly loud 110-decibel alarm to scare away an unwanted intruder. It has the same field-of-view as the Floodlight Cam but comes in around $50 cheaper. It also looks a lot better than the Floodlight Cam in my opinion.
Best Outdoor Camera
Ring Spotlight Cam
This is the outdoor security camera to get if you want the features of a larger floodlight in a more affordable and aesthetically pleasing package.
This is the way
Typically in a list like this, the winner for "best outdoor lights" would be some kind of imposing floodlight or fancy, color-changing party light, but I decided to go a little more low-key. What I like about the Ring Pathlights is that they look like any other high-end landscape lighting solution, and they don't have any undertones or ambitions of being a surveillance or monitoring product.
You can purchase the Pathlights individually or in multipacks from retailers like Amazon and Best Buy, so you can start small and extend your lighting as your budget and designs permit. They are battery-powered and will require a to be controlled by Alexa and connected with your other Ring devices.
Best Outdoor Lights
Ring Pathlights
These pathlights will not only protect your home, but they will enhance its evening curb appeal.
Watch you step
More than any other Ring product I can think of, the Ring Steplights serve much more as a utility than a security device. True they work well to illuminate your front porch or pathway, but they really shine (pun intended) as a way to keep internal hallways and stairwells lit up enough for you to walk in without turning on overhead lights or lamps, while still keeping a steady foot underneath.
Available in black or white, these low-profile lights just kind of dissolve into the background during the day. They're one of Ring's most affordable, and arguably least-appreciated products, and they can be purchased individually. Then you can add as many as you want to your setup later with the help of a .
Best Indoor Lights
Ring Steplights
Make sure you don't trip in the night with these handy steplights, which are available in black and white.
Home safe home
As much as I love the Ring Video Doorbell 3 Plus, if I had to pick a runner-up for best Ring product, the Ring Alarm kit just might be it. In fact, I've been eyeballing getting a version of this setup for my home for the past few months, and I might just be ready to pull the trigger.
At just around $200 for a five-piece starter kit, Ring gives you all of the functionality of a more expensive alarm system, with hooks into Amazon's Alexa smart voice assistant. You can ask Alexa to arm or disarm your system, and with Ring Protect you can have . This set is perfect for smaller homes up to 1,500 square feet, but you can always purchase additional components as you need to extend the protection to fit your space.
Best Security System
Ring Alarm 5-Piece Kit
Ring's smart security system is affordable and easy to set up. Plus, you can use Alexa to help control your system and add professional monitoring services.
Bottom line
Despite a few PR slipups and questionable decisions regarding customer data over the past year, I think it's fair to say that Ring still makes some of the best home security products available. And thankfully, it's heeded the call for .
My choice for the best Ring product in 2020 has its roots in Ring's DNA, and that is the new . I'm impressed with how many high-end features it was able to add in at half the price of its most premium doorbell (the Ring Elite).
Of course, if you aren't looking for a new video doorbell, Ring still makes some great connected home security devices. If what you want is a multipurpose camera, then the should be on your list. However, if you're more interested in general home improvement efforts, then I strongly recommend you take a look at either the or (or maybe both!).
Best Video Doorbell
Ring Video Doorbell 3 Plus
Staff Pick
One of the best and most popular video doorbells gets even better in 2020. It's battery-powered with improved motion detection and pre-roll recording technology, so you won't miss any visitors with this buzzer.
Best Indoor Camera
Ring Stick Up Cam
Last updated in late 2019, the Stick Up Cam is the true utility player in Ring's lineup. It works indoors or outdoors, can be powered by wire, battery, or solar, and it can be mounted or stand alone on a flat surface.
Best Outdoor Camera
Ring Spotlight Cam
More capable than the Stick Up Cam and less imposing or foreboding than the Floodlight Cam, the Spotlight Cam occupies a nice middle ground in Ring's outdoor camera lineup. It has a larger field-of-view than the Stick Up cam, along with a siren to ward off intruders and a spotlight to illuminate nighttime recordings.
Best Outdoor Lights
Ring Pathlights
These Pathlights are a nice reminder that home security devices don't have to be overly aggressive or sterile in their design. These look like ordinary landscaping walkway lights and can be purchased individually or in multipacks. A bridge is required for automation, however.
Best Indoor Lights
Ring Steplights
Following the same train of thought as the Pathlights, these Steplights provide a bit of form to go alongside their functionality. These work indoors are out and are ideal for patios, entryways, hallways, and staircases. They also require a bridge for automation.
Best Security System
Ring Alarm 5-Piece Kit
Ring makes several different alarm kits, ranging from this five-piece offering to customizable sets with dozens of components. Not only can you control your security system with Alexa, but you can also get professional monitoring for as little as $10/month from Ring Protect.
See more than before
If someone were to stop you on the street and ask you to name a Ring product, chances are the first thing that came to mind would be some sort of video doorbell. That's the product category the company cut its teeth on, and even its name is a reference to what a doorbell does! , and have really been impressed with their features, so we're happy to see a couple of new devices being introduced this year in the Ring Video Doorbell 3 and 3 Plus.
What makes the Video Doorbell 3 Plus so interesting is that it added some impressive functionality while maintaining a similar style and footprint to the Video Doorbell 2. This new device features enhancements like improved motion detection, a near motion zone that can activate when someone is anywhere from 5-15 feet in front of your door, and Pre-Roll technology that can record up to four seconds before you receive an alert. Other video doorbells and cameras have had similar features, but it's great to see them all rolled into one great Ring device.
This device is now available for pre-order, and will start shipping on April 8, 2020.
Best Video Doorbell
Ring Video Doorbell 3 Plus
The added features of the Ring Video Doorbell 3 Plus put this in strong competition against the Ring Video Doorbell Elite, at only half the cost of that premium device.
Works inside or outside
Whether you plan on moving in the near future, or you just want a camera flexible enough to move around your existing home, the Ring Stick Up Cam has you covered. Not only is it easy to set up for even the least-handy person (like me), but it works equally well both indoors and outdoors. It is available as a wired or battery-powered device, but you can also power it with Ring's solar attachment, or as you wish.
The Stick Up cam has a decent field-of-view for an outdoor cam at 130 degrees, but that should more than suffice if you plan on using it indoors. It records in 1080p and has two-way audio, live video, and motion notifications. This is also one of the most affordable Ring cameras you can get!
Best Indoor Camera
Ring Stick Up Cam
The Ring Stick Up Cam is one of the most flexible, and most affordable, Ring devices that you can get today.
Intruder Illuminator
If the Stick Up Cam is the most versatile video camera in Ring's lineup, then the Spotlight Cam might be one of the best values available. While it is only suited for outdoor use, it is capable of doing its job quite well. Plus, it's both more affordable and less obtrusive than the larger Floodlight Cam.
What the Spotlight Cam has going for it is a wider field-of-view than the Stick Up Cam (140 vs. 130 degrees), as well as two bright illumination strips, red LEDs, and a startlingly loud 110-decibel alarm to scare away an unwanted intruder. It has the same field-of-view as the Floodlight Cam but comes in around $50 cheaper. It also looks a lot better than the Floodlight Cam in my opinion.
Best Outdoor Camera
Ring Spotlight Cam
This is the outdoor security camera to get if you want the features of a larger floodlight in a more affordable and aesthetically pleasing package.
This is the way
Typically in a list like this, the winner for "best outdoor lights" would be some kind of imposing floodlight or fancy, color-changing party light, but I decided to go a little more low-key. What I like about the Ring Pathlights is that they look like any other high-end landscape lighting solution, and they don't have any undertones or ambitions of being a surveillance or monitoring product.
You can purchase the Pathlights individually or in multipacks from retailers like Amazon and Best Buy, so you can start small and extend your lighting as your budget and designs permit. They are battery-powered and will require a to be controlled by Alexa and connected with your other Ring devices.
Best Outdoor Lights
Ring Pathlights
These pathlights will not only protect your home, but they will enhance its evening curb appeal.
Watch you step
More than any other Ring product I can think of, the Ring Steplights serve much more as a utility than a security device. True they work well to illuminate your front porch or pathway, but they really shine (pun intended) as a way to keep internal hallways and stairwells lit up enough for you to walk in without turning on overhead lights or lamps, while still keeping a steady foot underneath.
Available in black or white, these low-profile lights just kind of dissolve into the background during the day. They're one of Ring's most affordable, and arguably least-appreciated products, and they can be purchased individually. Then you can add as many as you want to your setup later with the help of a .
Best Indoor Lights
Ring Steplights
Make sure you don't trip in the night with these handy steplights, which are available in black and white.
Home safe home
As much as I love the Ring Video Doorbell 3 Plus, if I had to pick a runner-up for best Ring product, the Ring Alarm kit just might be it. In fact, I've been eyeballing getting a version of this setup for my home for the past few months, and I might just be ready to pull the trigger.
At just around $200 for a five-piece starter kit, Ring gives you all of the functionality of a more expensive alarm system, with hooks into Amazon's Alexa smart voice assistant. You can ask Alexa to arm or disarm your system, and with Ring Protect you can have . This set is perfect for smaller homes up to 1,500 square feet, but you can always purchase additional components as you need to extend the protection to fit your space.
Best Security System
Ring Alarm 5-Piece Kit
Ring's smart security system is affordable and easy to set up. Plus, you can use Alexa to help control your system and add professional monitoring services.
Bottom line
Despite a few PR slipups and questionable decisions regarding customer data over the past year, I think it's fair to say that Ring still makes some of the best home security products available. And thankfully, it's heeded the call for .
My choice for the best Ring product in 2020 has its roots in Ring's DNA, and that is the new . I'm impressed with how many high-end features it was able to add in at half the price of its most premium doorbell (the Ring Elite).
Of course, if you aren't looking for a new video doorbell, Ring still makes some great connected home security devices. If what you want is a multipurpose camera, then the should be on your list. However, if you're more interested in general home improvement efforts, then I strongly recommend you take a look at either the or (or maybe both!).