No one can accuse you of hating smart home technology, and that doesn’t make you a technophobe. While this market has matured, it’s still a tangle of often confusing devices and incompatible platforms. But even if you’re not tech-savvy and avoid smart home devices like the plague, you should still get a Ring Video Doorbell.
Ring makes all sorts of devices, but there’s just one that should interest smart home haters. A Ring Video Doorbell Wireless is a great entry into the smart home market for several good reasons. It’s easy to install, easy to use, and has great convenience features. Plus, it gives you the peace of mind of knowing who’s at your door before you even approach it. Now you have another reason to get one: The Ring Video Doorbell is currently on sale for just $59.99.
Ring is largely responsible for making video doorbells so popular, but the company now has a lot of competition, and many of its competitors offer impressive products that are great alternatives to Ring devices.
One example is the Blink Video Doorbell, which is a popular, affordable option among BGR readers. Another example is the Arlo Essential Video Doorbell, which is currently heavily discounted.
These are both great options, but they can’t compete with the Ring Video Doorbell in a few key areas. Perhaps the biggest advantage is the deep integration with Amazon’s hugely popular Alexa assistant. It’s one of the things I appreciate most about my own Ring Video Doorbell. I can instantly see who’s at my door on any Alexa device like an Echo Show or a Fire TV.
At $99.99, the entry-level Ring Video Doorbell is Ring’s most affordable wireless model. The only cheaper option is the Ring Video Doorbell Wired, but that must be installed in place of an existing doorbell because it draws power from your old doorbell’s wiring.
The regular Ring Video Doorbell is wireless, so it’s powered by a battery rather than your doorbell’s wiring. This means you can install it anywhere in just a few minutes. It really couldn’t be easier.
If you already have a doorbell and want to use the same wiring, you can, as this model has optional cables that you can connect. That way, you never have to worry about charging the batteries. Or, if you don’t want to mess with all that, you can go with the completely wireless option and install it anywhere. The included battery lasts between 6 and 12 months, depending on usage. I installed this exact model in my parent’s house, and they go almost 12 months between charges.
Amazon has been offering a number of deals on the Ring Video Doorbell lately, but the retailer hasn’t included this entry-level model. That’s finally changing today, as the Ring Video Doorbell is down to just $59.99. Aside from a recent Prime Day sale that was only available to Prime subscribers, this is the lowest price yet for this model.
Or you can purchase it with a Ring Chime for $69.99. The bundle normally costs $135, so you’ll save even more than if you had just bought the doorbell separately.
Without Chime, you won’t be able to hear your doorbell like a traditional doorbell. Instead, you’ll just get Ring notifications on your phone and other connected devices. Personally, I prefer it that way.
I have a plug-in doorbell feature for my video doorbell and I always leave it unplugged for two reasons. First, my outdoor cameras send me notifications long before visitors actually arrive at my front door and ring the bell. And second, I don’t have to deal with my crazy dog barking every time someone rings the doorbell.
