Ring Peephole Camera Review

If you reside or work in an apartment, then the peephole lens installed in your front door is a key security feature that allows you to see who is at the door before opening it and letting them in. The Ring Peephole Cam ($199) is a modern upgraded version of a peephole lens with a combination of specially designed features for apartment dwellers or anyone who uses a peephole lens. For those who live in a modern apartment like these apartments for rent in Tampa, it’s recommendable to get this Ring Peephole Cam to improve your home security features. 

The doorbell and door peephole camera device is entirely wireless, with motion detection, video recording, Amazon Alexa voice command compatible, and easy to install so you can set it up yourself. Another great thing about the camera is that it doubles as a traditional peep hole lens.

The Ring Peephole Camera can be linked to other Ring devices. It is compatible with IFTTTT applets so you can connect to it through smart devices and watch it clear day and night video, which has earned it bright reviews from thousands of users and our recommendation.

Design

Dimensions wise the Peephole Cam is similar to Ring Video Doorbell Pro. The exterior component measures 3.8 x 1.8 x 0.7 inches (HxWxD), which is only slightly smaller than the ring doorbell’s Pro version. The design and color scheme of black and silver is also parallel to Video Doorbell Pro.

The Ring Peephole Camera’s internal parts are impressive with an HDR 1080p camera, night vision thanks to three infrared LEDs, a motion sensor, two way audio with microphone and speaker, and a doorbell button encircled by an LED ring. To use the doorbell as a traditional peephole, there is also a simple lens.

Ring Peephole Doorbell has a white compact interior component measuring 4.4 x 2.2 x 1.1 inches that holds the rechargeable removable lithium-ion battery pack. The Ring peephole battery can be taken out and charged using the USB cable with the doorbell. The wireless connectivity is thanks to the 802.11n (2.4GHz) Wi-Fi radio. The interior component also has knock detection through an impact sensor and a peephole tube with a privacy cover.

The peephole camera starts recording as soon as the doorbell button is pressed, a door knock or motion is detected. You will also receive a push alert to your phone before the recording begins. There is also a live video-on-demand option.

Price Plans

As with all other Ring devices, you will need a Ring Protect plan subscription, which allows you to save your videos in the cloud storage for 60 days so you can view, share and save videos. For a single device, go for the basic $3 per month or $30 per year plan. 

However, if you have multiple Ring camera devices, we suggest the Plus Plan $10/month or $100/year, including a 24/7 professional monitoring for the Ring Alarm system.

Features and Compatibility

The app is easy to use and navigate with three options – Nearby Incidents, History, and Lights (if you have Ring’s Smart lighting) located at the top of the screen. The Nearby Incidents option allows you to watch recent events reported by neighbors who use the Ring Neighbors app, and the History button takes you to all data from your Ring devices. You can watch, download, or delete the video.

Choose the Peephole tab to view the timeline of recorded video, including timestamps. The Go Live button turns on the live feed from your peephole camera.

For full-screen more, Turn the phone horizontally or select the square icon located in the bottom right corner. The doorbell microphone button at the bottom of the screen turns on the two-way audio, while the speaker button will mute and unmute the sound.

For accessing the doorbell settings, click the gear button you’ll find in the screen’s top right corner. You can also disable and enable ring and motion alerts, enable push alerts, configure motion and video settings, configure knock detection settings, and link the Ring Peephole Camera to other Ring Devices in your home or office.

These features ensure that your security is top-notch, and the peephole cam is in sync with other ring security devices and triggers ring camera recording and turns on the right lights if any suspicious activity is detected.

Apart from the previously-mentioned features, you can also adjust the ringer volume, temporarily snooze motion alerts, share access to the Peephole with other users, and link the Peephole with a Ring Chime.

Ring Peephole Cam supports IFTTT applets; therefore, you can pair it with most third-party lighting systems, sirens, and door locks. The best thing is that the peephole camera is also compatible with Amazon Alexa voice commands, so you can directly watch peephole camera recordings on your Amazon smart display or Fire TV device.

If that is not it, then Ring Peephole Camera allows you to control specific lights, locks, and smart plugs via the Ring app. The Peephole Cam works with the Ring mobile app, available for Android and iOS. When successfully installed, your ring devices will get their own tab with their name on the Cameras screen along with the latest still image of the activity. 

All-in-all Ring Peephole Cam offers a vast array of features that makes it one of the best peephole cameras for top-notch security.

Installation

If you talk about Ring Peephole Camera’s installation, don’t worry because its installation is quick and easy. Follow our step by step instructions for installing the Ring Peephole Camera without a hassle.

• Charge the battery.
• Download the Ring app and create your account.
• Open the app, and from the drop-down menu on the left, select “Set up a Device.”
• Select “Doorbells” from the drop-down menu.
• Now scan the QR code that is located on the setup sheet.
• Next, choose a location for the installation (your home or office address).
• Select a name for your Ring Doorbell.
• Now confirm the app whether or not you have already installed the device.

In case you have not installed the Ring Peephole Camera, then don’t worry as it comes with a detailed on-screen video and text instructions. These instructions will help you replace your existing peephole lens with the Ring Peephole Camera.

After successfully installing the doorbell, we tested the video quality. Ring Peephole Camera impressed us with its sharp 1080p video. It showed vibrant colors during the daytime and crisp black-and-white vision during the nighttime.

How to Install Ring Peephole Cam – Video Guide

Performance

If you talk about the motion and doorbell alerts, then Ring Door Camera performed excellently! The alerts arrived instantly, and the recorded video was as detailed and crisp as the live feed.

Watching recorded videos via Amazon Fire TV Stick was also a breeze, and the video quality was crisp and top-notch. The Philips Hue light efficiently turned on when the doorbell was pressed. The two-way audio was loud and clear. The Knock Detection feature also performed flawlessly; the push alert and video recording system allowed us to attend the visitors more securely than ever.

Integration With Smart Platforms

Suppose you already have Google Assistant Smart Ecosystem installed and working in your apartment. In that case, Ring products might not be the ideal choice for you since The Ring PeepholeCam is only compatible with Amazon Alexa, which is understandable because Amazon acquired Ring in 2018. Therefore, integration with Google Assistant is out of the question.

AI Technology

We will forgive you for expecting some AI capabilities from the Ring PeepholeCam. Unfortunately, there are none; this apartment peephole camera disappoints with no facial recognition or person detection technology; this is a problem because the system will be prone to providing alerts triggered by other movements. So, you better be ready to get a notification just because a car or any other object moved outside your door.

Additional Features

While the Ring Peephole Cam may lack some fancy Artificial intelligence capabilities, it does have some additional features that make it a worthwhile investment, such as the impact sensor. 

The smart impact sensor will alert you if someone knocks on the door instead of ringing the doorbell. You can also assign privacy zones within the camera’s field of view to block out the neighbor’s property, so you won’t get notifications if someone or something moves near the next door entrance.

Concerns

Soon after Amazon bought Ring, some serious security and privacy issues came to light that was a cause for concern. The company faced some heat due to flaws related to their camera. Amazon and Ring quickly addressed these problems and remedied the situation before current users and future buyers completely abandoned the ship.

In late 2020 and early 2021, Ring had to deal with considerable criticism for its privacy and security practices. When the alarming news of hackers infiltrating Ring cameras emerged, users were seriously concerned and demanded answers. Reused passwords and login data obtained from data leaks from services were the reason behind the hackings. Owners that didn’t have two-factor authentication set up or weak Wi-Fi passwords were also vulnerable. The reports of Ring Doorbell hacking go back to 2019.

By March 2021, Amazon Ring had taken significant steps towards fixing the security vulnerabilities that were allowing hackers to access networks and Ring doorbells. Enhanced privacy settings and two-factor authentication were added to the system. Nonetheless, we suggest that you also consider the negative reports in your research before buying a Ring camera for your property.

FAQs

What Ring Doorbell Should I Purchase?

With so many doorbell alternatives available, how do you determine which one is best for you? The first model, the Video Doorbell, is a high-quality product with valuable features that run on batteries. It is less expensive and less difficult to set up than other models. It also offers a 720p HD video providing clear images. The Video Doorbell 2 is the following model. It boosts the resolution of videos to 1080p HD for sharper visuals. It also comes with a fast-release battery. Both variants are really simple to install. You can also opt for the Video Doorbell Pro, a more expensive device integrated into your home. It will require the services of an electrician to install, but it will provide a long-lasting solution that does not require batteries. It delivers 1080p HD video.

What Stores Sell Ring Doorbells?

The good news is that you can purchase a Ring Doorbell online as well as from select local wholesalers. The Ring can be bought at Safe Home at the most affordable cost. The Ring is also an Amazon product.

What is the price of a Ring Doorbell?

The Ring Doorbell can be bought in a variety of configurations. Prices vary depending on the item. The original product, the Video Doorbell, costs $99. The Video Doorbell 2 costs $199. You can also get the Video Doorbell Pro for $249 and the Door View Cam, which is the newest model, for $199.

Home How Much Does a Ring Doorbell Installation Cost?

You do not have to engage a local specialist to assist you in setting up the Ring Doorbell. This is due to the fact that Ring is designed to be a DIY solution. It doesn’t involve any hardwiring, so you do not need to worry about costly electrical cables. Furthermore, it is pretty simple to install in most homes.

Is Ring charged a monthly fee?

The Ring does not require a monthly service package to function. You can, however, do so using the Ring Video Recording option. The Basic plan is $3 per month or $30 per device annually. Alternatively, you can pick the Protect package for $10 per month or $100 per year for all of the Ring cameras you have. This enables you to save streaming video for a maximum of sixty days and download it to your local storage.

Is the Ring Doorbell waterproof?

It is intended to be extremely long-lasting. It is meant to withstand rain but is not waterproof. That is, do not immerse it in water.

Is a Ring Doorbell a wireless doorbell?

The Ring Doorbell may be controlled wirelessly. It operates on a built-in battery. If you prefer a hardwired alternative, you can attach it to the current doorbell wiring.

Is the Ring Doorbell battery operated?

Ring Doorbell variants are available in both battery-operated and hardwired configurations. Because of the built-in, long-life batteries, you can use a Ring without being hardwired.

Will the Ring Doorbell function through glass?

While you are able to secure your Ring Doorbell to a glass surface, it might not function as effectively as it should. The Ring must be able to identify motion in order to function. This ability may be limited by the sheet of glass in front of it. It relies on the type of glass and thickness, as some people report success and others report failure.

Can a Ring Doorbell run without an internet connection?

To use the Ring Doorbell, you must have an internet connection. The doorbell cannot communicate with your app and share information without it. The Ring Doorbell supports a wide range of wireless routers, including those that support 802.11 B, G, or N and work at 2.4 GHz. If you are missing appropriate internet access, you must upgrade in order to gain access. Otherwise, it will be unable to connect and transmit audio and video feeds to your devices.

Will SimpliSafe work with Ring Doorbell?

This is determined by the Ring Doorbell model you choose. The Ring Doorbell Pro, one of the types available, is compatible with the SimpliSafe Security System. You may use the two to spot and record motion and events when you connect the two. However, this is not compatible with the normal Ring Doorbell. It is also incompatible with the existing SimpliSafe doorbell cameras. Both systems must be purchased and configured to function together. Your SimpliSafe Security System’s security sensors might then activate the Ring to begin recording. This can improve the security of your system.

Will the Ring Doorbell be compatible with Alexa?

One of the primary reasons many people like the Ring Doorbell is that it is compatible with Amazon Alexa. If you have other Alexa-enabled devices in the house, you are aware that they act as voice assistant tools. You must configure your Alexa to recognize the Ring to use this feature. Once configured, Alexa will tell you when someone knocks on your door. For example, if you’re sitting in the living room and don’t want to stand up, you may ask Alexa to show you who’s at your door using your Portal or any Alexa-connected device. This allows you to handle your doorbell from wherever you are – your phone’s app or whatever video display device you own.

Will the Ring Doorbell be compatible with Google Home?

Ring Doorbell is now updated for use with Google Assistant, also. You may directly connect your Google House device to your Amazon Alexa account if it has a screen and can be used as a voice assistant in the home. However, there are certain restrictions. You may connect your Ring Doorbell to the Google Home, allowing you to control the device with your voice. However, it does not enable the capability to stream video from your Ring to Chromecast, which may limit its utility for many individuals.

Is it possible to record the Ring Doorbell?

The Ring Doorbell detects motion outside your door. Once it does, it starts recording what is going on. You can keep that recording for a more extended amount of time if you subscribe to the Ring Basic or Protect memberships. This is how it works. When someone activates the Ring Doorbell – either by motion or by pushing the button – the device sends an alert to the application that someone is present. It generates a live stream that lets you listen, speak, as well as see what is going on. The footage can then be saved for a maximum of 60 days if you’ve got Ring footage recording enabled. This comes with an additional cost.

Is the Ring Peephole Cam no longer available for purchase on Ring.com?

Yes, the Ring Peephole Cam is no longer available as a standalone product on Ring.com as of April 2021.

Is the Ring Peephole Cam available as a standalone product?

Ring ensures to constantly innovate on behalf of our customers to create products that best meet their home and security needs while giving them as much choice as possible. However, Peephole Cam is no longer available as a standalone product.

Will the Ring Peephole Cam continue to be supported?

Yes. The Ring Help Center and Customer Support team will continue to assist with the Ring Peephole Cam.

Does the warranty that came with the Ring Peephole Cam still apply?

Yes. The ring will honor all warranties that come with the purchase of a Ring Peephole Cam.

Verdict

We highly recommend Ring Peephole Cam for several reasons. The Ring Door View Cam is easy to install and simple to operate. The Ring app offers a vast array of features that help you improve your home and office door security. The app also allows easy access to peephole camera recordings.

The few cons you might want to consider before purchasing the video quality are badly affected by stormy nights. It is also quite a battery hurry, especially if you use the motion detection or live view extensively. You also have to pay for the Ring Protection Plan subscription. So, if you are not willing to pay the on-going cost, then Ring Peephole Cam might not be for you.

However, features like 1080p HD video, infrared night vision, two-way audio, wireless connectivity, Alexa integration, and several other smart features combined make it the best Peephole Camera of current times, and we highly recommend Ring Door Peephole Camera.

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