The second generation Ring Video Doorbell is now available. So how does the new version of the product compare to the two other recent iterations, the Ring Video Doorbell 3 and Ring Video Doorbell 3 Plus? You can find out in this comparison guide.
Quick Summary
The Video Doorbell (2nd Gen) only supports 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi for wireless connectivity while the Ring Video Doorbell 3 and Ring Video Doorbell 3 Plus are compatible with both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Wi-Fi.
The Doorbell 3 and Doorbell 3+ also comes with faceplates for visual customization not found with the second generation Doorbell.
For power, the Doorbell (2nd Gen) uses a built-in rechargeable battery while the Doorbell 3 and Doorbell 3+ uses removable rechargeable battery packs.
In terms of field of view, the Video Doorbell (2nd Gen) has a slight vertical coverage advantage while the Video Doorbell 3 and Video Doorbell 3+ have a slight horizontal coverage advantage.
Last but not least, the Video Doorbell 3+ comes with the exclusive pre-roll feature that will record footage four seconds before the motion sensor got triggered.
Aside from the aforementioned differences, the door bells have identical features. Overall, the new Video Doorbell (2nd Gen) is a more budget friendly version of the product. If you don’t mind the missing features, then we recommend picking up the new model.
If you want better performance, we recommend getting either the Video Doorbell 3 or Video Doorbell 3 Plus. The standard model is more affordable of these two products while the Plus version comes with the aforementioned exclusive pre-roll feature.
If you are interested, you can purchase any of the three products on Amazon with the following links:
Video Doorbell (2nd Gen) vs. Video Doorbell 3 vs. Video Doorbell 3+ Comparison Chart
| Ring Video Doorbell (2nd Gen) | Ring Video Doorbell 3 | Ring Video Doorbell 3 Plus | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colors | Satin Nickel Venetian Bronze | Satin Nickel Venetian Bronze | Satin Nickel Venetian Bronze |
| What's in the Box | Ring Video Doorbell (2nd Generation) Micro USB Charging Cable Mounting Bracket User Manual Security Sticker Installation Tools and Hardware | Ring Video Doorbell 3 Mounting Bracket Rechargeable Battery Pack Satin Nickel and Venetian Bronze Faceplates Wedge and Corner Kits USB Charging Cable Installation Tools and Hardware User Manual Security Sticker | Ring Video Doorbell 3 Mounting Bracket Rechargeable Battery Pack Satin Nickel and Venetian Bronze Faceplates Wedge and Corner Kits USB Charging Cable Installation Tools and Hardware User Manual Security Sticker |
| Dimensions | 4.98 inches x 2.44 inches x 1.10 inches (or 126.5 mm x 62 mm x 28 mm) | 5.10 inches x 2.40 inches x 1.10 inches (or 128 mm x 62 mm x 28 mm) | 5.10 inches x 2.40 inches x 1.10 inches (or 128 mm x 62 mm x 28 mm) |
| Wiring Setup Requirements | 8-24 VAC, 40 VA max, 50/60Hz doorbell transformer | 8-24 VAC, 40 VA max, 50/60Hz doorbell transformer | 8-24 VAC, 40 VA max, 50/60Hz doorbell transformer |
| Average Install Time | Approximately 5 minutes | Approximately 5 minutes | Approximately 5 minutes |
| Pre-Roll Support? | No | No | Yes |
| Video Features | 1080p HD Video Live View Night Vision | 1080p HD Video Live View Night Vision | 1080p HD Video Live View Night Vision Pre-roll (sub 1080p and no night vision) |
| Field of View | 155° horizontal and 90° vertical | 160° horizontal and 84° vertical | 160° horizontal and 84° vertical |
| Motion Detection | Multiple adjustable motion zones | Multiple adjustable motion zones | Multiple adjustable motion zones |
| Audio Communication | Two-way talk with noise cancellation | Two-way talk with noise cancellation | Two-way talk with noise cancellation |
| Optional Ring Protect Plan | $3 a month per device or $10 a month per household | $3 a month per device or $10 a month per household | $3 a month per device or $10 a month per household |
| Power | Built-in rechargeable battery | Removable rechargeable battery packs | Removable rechargeable battery packs |
| Internet Requirements | High-speed internet | High-speed internet | High-speed internet |
| Connectivity | 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi connection @ 2.4 GHz | 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi connection @ 2.4 GHz 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi connection at 5.0 GHz | 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi connection @ 2.4 GHz 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi connection at 5.0 GHz |
| Operating Conditions | -5°F to 120°F (or -20°C to 48°C) Water resistant | -5°F to 120°F (or -20°C to 48°C) Water resistant | -5°F to 120°F (or -20°C to 48°C) Water resistant |
| Warranty | 1-year limited warranty | 1-year limited warranty | 1-year limited warranty |
| Pricing | Check price on Amazon. | Check price on Amazon. | Check price on Amazon. |
Colors
All three video door bells are available in either Satin Nickel and Venetian Bronze.
What’s in the Box
You can take a look at what’s included in each product below.
Door Bell (2nd Gen):
- Ring Video Doorbell (2nd Generation)
- Micro USB Charging Cable
- Mounting Bracket
- User Manual
- Security Sticker
- Installation Tools and Hardware
Door Bell 3:
- Ring Video Doorbell 3
- Mounting Bracket
- Rechargeable Battery Pack
- Satin Nickel and Venetian Bronze Faceplates
- Wedge and Corner Kits
- USB Charging Cable
- Installation Tools and Hardware
- User Manual
- Security Sticker
Door Bell 3+:
- Ring Video Doorbell 3
- Mounting Bracket
- Rechargeable Battery Pack
- Satin Nickel and Venetian Bronze Faceplates
- Wedge and Corner Kits
- USB Charging Cable
- Installation Tools and Hardware
- User Manual
- Security Sticker
Dimensions
The second generation Ring Video Doorbell is nearly identical in size when compared to the Ring Video Doorbell 3 and Ring Video Doorbell 3 Plus. You can take a look at the exact measurements below:
- Doorbell (2nd Gen): 4.98 inches x 2.44 inches x 1.10 inches (or 126.5 mm x 62 mm x 28 mm)
- Doorbell 3: 5.10 inches x 2.40 inches x 1.10 inches (or 128 mm x 62 mm x 28 mm)
- Doorbell 3 Plus: 5.10 inches x 2.40 inches x 1.10 inches (or 128 mm x 62 mm x 28 mm)
Wiring Setup Requirements
You can hardwire the 2nd Gen Ring Video Doorbell, Ring Video Doorbell 3 and Ring Video Doorbell 3 Plus to an existing doorbell setup. To do so, you will need a 8-24 VAC, 40 VA max, 50/60Hz doorbell transformer. The devices are aren’t compatible with DC, halogen and garden-lighting transformers.
Average Install Time
Installation should be relatively fast for all three door bells. According to Amazon, the setup should take around 5 minutes.
Pre-Roll
Pre-Roll is an exclusive feature for the Ring Video Door Bell 3+. With this activated, the camera will be able to shoot 4 seconds before the motion sensor got triggered.
Video Features
The second generation Video Doorbell, as well as the Video Doorbell 3 and Video Doorbell 3+, all feature 1080p HD Video, Live View and Night Vision.
The pre-roll shooting of the Video Doorbell 3+ is capable of recording at sub 1080p with no night vision.
Field of View
When it comes to field of view, the Video Doorbell (2nd Gen) has a better vertical coverage while the Ring Video Doorbell 3 and Ring Video Doorbell 3 Plus have the better horizontal coverage. You can find the full FoV specs below.
Ring Video Doorbell (2nd Gen):
- 155° horizontal and 90° vertical
Ring Video Doorbell 3 and Ring Video Doorbell 3 Plus:
- 160° horizontal and 84° vertical
Motion Detection
All three products feature advanced motion detection, which includes multiple adjustable motion zones.
Audio Communication
The Video Doorbell (2nd Gen), Video Doorbell 3 and Video Doorbell 3+ use two-way talk with noise cancellation.
Optional Ring Protect Plan
All three door bells support the optional Ring Protect Plan, which costs $3 a month per device or $10 a month per household. With this subscription, you will be able to save, share and view photos and videos from the devices.
Power
The second generation Ring Video Doorbell uses a built-in rechargeable battery. Both the Video Doorbell 3 and Video Doorbell 3 Plus use the removable rechargeable battery packs.
Internet Requirements
According to Amazon, all three devices require a “high-speed internet.”
Connectivity
The Ring Video Doorbell (2nd Gen) supports 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi while the Ring Video Doorbell 3 and Ring Video Doorbell+ support 2.4 GHz and 5.0 GHz Wi-Fi. You can find out what wireless connection is supported for each of the products below.
Ring Video Doorbell (2nd Gen):
- 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi connection @ 2.4 GHz
Ring Video Doorbell 3 and Ring Video Doorbell+:
- 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi connection @ 2.4 GHz
- 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi connection at 5.0 GHz
Operating Conditions
The operating conditions are the same for the three devices. The temperature range is between -5°F to 120°F (or -20°C to 48°C). The doorbells are also water resistant.
Warranty
All three Ring Video Doorbells include a 1-year limited warranty.