Ring
In the era of $ 20 smart cameras and $ 60 video doorbells, it may seem surprising to see a new doorbell camera debut with a $ 250 price tag. But that’s exactly how much Ring’s new Video Doorbell Pro 2 costs – and the price gets you a whole host of impressive features, from 3D radar up to 1536p resolution, wide angle (and high) viewing angle. This new Ring doorbell is a luxury item, and one with the ambition to save. Whether it lives up to its potential remains to be seen.
The new Video Doorbell Pro 2 follows in the footsteps of the Video Doorbell Pro, which launched in 2017 with the same high price tag (although that was a bit more common for the course back then). That device was solid, if somewhat mundane. However, the small design was a nice step forward.
Unlike its predecessor, this new Doorbell Pro 2 boasts some really interesting features. For example, the radar allows users to track the movement of a person approaching the door in greater detail by setting physical thresholds, such as the edge of the front yard, to determine whether an object is worthy of notification or not. Then it gives a bird’s eye view of the garden, with a dotted line indicating the person’s path. It’s a useful feature if, for example, you’re concerned about someone lining the house.
The video brings a less interesting but no less welcome upgrade: the resolution is higher than all other Ring doorbells and higher than most competitors. Plus, users can see all the way to the front door, meaning parcels standing right next to the door are no longer out of sight. While this is not new – the $ 150 Arlo Video Doorbell has an aspect ratio that lets you see packages next door – it’s a feature more video doorbells should have.
An array microphone also helps to reduce sound distortion, and the Doorbell Pro 2 also benefits from the latest Ring updates such as end-to-end video encryption and Smart responses with Alexa
The Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2 is available for pre-order today and will ship on March 31, 2021.