Welcome to the ultimate face-off of Ring Doorbell 4 vs Pro 2. If you’re at the crossroads of choosing the perfect video doorbell for your home, you’ve come to the right place.
The options seem endless, and choosing the right one can be a head-scratcher. That’s why we’re here to simplify things.
In this head-to-head clash of these video doorbells, we’ll cover the key differences and similarities, dig into the nitty-gritty specs, and help you decide which delivers the most bang for your hard-earned buck.
We’ll even toss in some essential tips for choosing the perfect video doorbell. Ring Doorbell Pro 2 vs Ring Doorbell 4 – let the showdown begin.
Ring Pro 2 vs Ring 4 – Detailed Analysis
Ring’s known for its nifty video doorbells, and today, we’re looking at two of their stars: the Ring Pro 2 and the Ring 4.
Both have their cool features, but what’s the real difference? Well, we’re about to spill the beans. So, stick around, and we’ll help pick the perfect fit for your home.
Key Similarities
- Audio: Both doorbells feature two-way talk with noise cancellation, allowing you to seamlessly communicate with visitors.
- Motion Detection: Both have advanced motion detection with customizable motion zones, providing alerts when motion is detected.
- Night Vision: Both come with infrared night vision sensors for crystal clear video in low-light conditions.
- Alexa Integration: Both doorbells can be paired with Amazon Alexa for various functions, including voice announcements and live video feeds on compatible Amazon Echo devices. Connect Ring Doorbell to Alexa and experience ease like never before.
- Ring Protect Plan: With a Ring Protect Plan (sold separately), you can record videos, review footage for up to 180 days, and share videos and photos for both doorbells. It also enables Alexa to make announcements & show live feeds on Echo devices, Fire TV, or Fire Tablets.
- Wi-Fi Connectivity: They offer enhanced dual-band Wi-Fi connectivity, supporting both 2.4GHz and 5GHz networks for a more reliable connection.
- Power Requirements: Both can be hardwired to existing doorbell wiring for continuous power.
- Ring App Control: Both are seamlessly controlled and customized through the Ring app on your smartphone or tablet.
- Installation: The average installation time for both doorbells is relatively quick, with 5 minutes for the Ring Doorbell 4 and around 15 minutes for the Ring Doorbell Pro 2.
- Quick Replies: Both doorbells offer a quick reply feature. It allows you to choose pre-recorded responses or ask visitors to leave a message. This feature acts like an answering machine for your front door.
- Notification Speed: For both motion notifications and ‘doorbell push’ notifications are pretty quick. 4-6 seconds for motion notifications and little to no delay for ‘doorbell push’ notifications.
Key Differences
- Video: When you download footage from the Ring Doorbell 4, it runs at 7 frames per second but when viewed through the app, it maintains a standard 15fps rate. This only happens when you turn on the pre-roll feature.
Although with HDR, the video quality for Ring 4 is slightly subpar compared to the Pro 2 which offers vibrant and lively footage. With 1586p at 24 fps, the video quality for Pro 2 is unbeatable.
- Audio: The Ring Doorbell 4 takes the win for the audio quality that is much clearer compared to the Pro 2. The audio on Pro 2 sounds slightly muffled when the person speaks from a distance of 3-4 feet.
- Pre-Roll: The Ring Doorbell 4 has a 4-second color pre-roll compared to the 6-second pre-roll of Pro 2. The video quality of the Ring 4 pre-roll is poor and pixelated and has no audio. Compared to the Pro 2 with crisp video and audio on pre-roll.
- Night Vision: The footage quality on both doorbells with night vision is amazing. However, the Ring 4 doesn’t display color footage even with the patio/porch lights turned on. The infrared sensors are active throughout the night with no option to turn it off.
Compared to the colored night vision on the Pro 2 with clear video with or without the porch/patio lights turned on.
- Motion Detection: The Ring 4 uses a PIR sensor located on the forehead of the doorbell to detect motion. It gets triggered by sensing changes in temperature. This type of motion detection is pretty accurate.
The Ring 4 motion detection may lack due to the following reason: The PIR sensor occasionally misses out on detecting motion if someone directly approaches the doorbell within its line of sight.
This is why you may sometimes only get the footage of people’s back when they’re walking away. On the other hand, the camera on the wired Ring Pro 2 is constantly on.
It utilizes motion zones set within the Ring app to detect motion. Since it’s always on, you’ll always get a 6-second pre-roll of recorded motion event. This is an important feature that enables you to see beforehand, who’s coming to your door.
- Power Source: While both can be hardwired, the Ring Doorbell 4 also offers the option to run on a removable, rechargeable battery pack. The Ring Doorbell Pro 2 requires a compatible doorbell transformer or a Ring plug-in adapter.
- Cool-off Period: The Ring Pro 2 consistently records in 1 minute increments as long as the motion persists (which can also be set to 2 minutes from the app). There’s no cool-off in the recording. The Ring 4, due to its battery-powered nature has different default settings with enhanced motion settings in order to conserve battery life.
If you want to set the recording length of Ring 4 similar to that of Pro 2, you can do that through the app by turning off the advanced motion detection.
- Doorbell Speaker Audio: The audio quality on the Ring Pro 2 surpasses the Ring 4. It is clearly audible with no muffling or distortion. While the Ring 4’s audio quality is slightly muffled.
- Alexa Greetings: The Pro 2 offers Alexa Greetings that the Ring 4 doesn’t have. Alexa takes the hassle out of the equation by talking to the visitors without you having to do anything.
- Aspect Ratio: The Pro 2 comes up on top with a 1:1 aspect ratio that provides a bird’s eye view of the visitor head-to-toe. Compared to the 16:9 of Ring Doorbell 4.
Result
The Best Value for Money Award goes to: Ring Doorbell Pro 2🏆!
Ring Doorbell 4 vs Pro 2 – Specifications
| Specifications | Ring Doorbell Pro 2 | Ring Doorbell 4 |
| Dimensions | 4.49 in. x 1.9 in. x .87 in. (114mm x 49mm x 22mm) | 5.1 in. x 2.4 in x 1.1 in (128mm x 62mm x 28mm) |
| Video | 1536p HD+ & HDR | 1080 HD Live Video |
| Field of View | 150° horizontal, 150° vertical | Field of view 160° horizontal, 84° vertical |
| Motion Detection | Advanced Motion Detection with customizable motion zones | 3D Motion Detection with customizable motion zones |
| Installation Time | 15-20 minutes | 5 minutes |
| Installation Type | Existing doorbell wiring is required | Battery-powered & can be wired. |
| Live View | ✅ | ✅ |
| 2-Way Talk | ✅ | ✅ |
| Bird’s Eye View | ✅ | ❌ |
| Alexa Greetings | ✅ | ❌ |
| Pre-Roll | 6-second pre-roll | 4-second pre-roll |
| Power | Hardwired Standard doorbell system, Ring plug-in adapter, or Ring hardwired transformer with 16-24 VAC/24VDC, 10-40VA max, 50/60Hz. | Runs on rechargeable battery. Can be hardwired to an existing doorbell system (8-24 VAC, 40VA max, 50/60Hz) or connected to a Ring plug-in adapter. Not compatible with halogen or garden-lighting transformers or DC transformer/power supply. |
| Internet | High-speed internet. 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac @2.4GHz and 5.0GHz. | Recommended minimum upload speed of 2 Mbps per device. 802.11 a/b/g/n wifi connection @ 2.4GHz & 5GHz. |
| Weather Resistant | ✅ | ✅ |
Ring Doorbell Pro 2 – Reasons to Buy
1. Enhanced Video Quality
- The video quality is notably better, providing you with crisp and clear visuals. You can see every detail, even the floor of your porch.
- You can spot people from a distance, making it easier to identify visitors or potential intruders.
2. Reliable Connectivity
- Unlike the Ring Doorbell Pro, the Ring Doorbell Pro 2 stays online consistently. No more frustrating offline moments.
3. Speedy App Performance
- The Ring app loads faster with the Ring Doorbell Pro 2, ensuring you can quickly access your camera feed when needed.
4. Precise Motion Detection
- The motion detection range is customizable, ensuring it covers your lawn and driveway while ignoring passersby on the sidewalk.
5. Continuous Recording
- This device offers continuous recording, capturing moments 6 seconds prior leading up to the motion detection. No more missing the crucial seconds.
6. Enhanced Night Vision
- It offers color night vision and HDR (High Dynamic Range) for better nighttime visuals. Adjusting settings can optimize it further.
Ring Doorbell Pro 2 – Reasons to Avoid
1. Compatibility Issues
- Despite claims of compatibility, some users may face challenges connecting the Ring Doorbell Pro 2 with their existing mechanical chime.
- This can result in the need for a new, more powerful transformer, which can be costly and require professional installation.
2. Initial Setup
- Setting up the Ring Doorbell Pro 2 might not be as straightforward as expected. Some users may encounter issues with included components like the “power pack,” which can lead to confusion.
3. Outsourced Tech Support
- The tech support provided by Ring is outsourced and may not always meet user expectations.
4. WiFi Adapter Issues
- The Ring Doorbell Pro 2 can be finicky when it comes to WiFi connectivity. To overcome connectivity-related problems, we recommend adding additional mesh routers or installing a Ring Chime which helps improve connectivity.
5. Doorbell Ringing
- The Ring Doorbell Pro 2 restricts users from repeatedly ringing the doorbell within a short time frame.
Ring Doorbell 4 – Reasons to Buy
1. Effortless Installation
- Setting up your Ring Doorbell 4 is a breeze and takes just a few minutes, even if you’re not tech-savvy.
- All you need is a screwdriver, and it comes with all the parts & accessories needed for easy installation on various surfaces.
2. Swappable Battery
- The Ring Doorbell 4 features a battery that can be quickly changed, eliminating the hassle of charging the doorbell. No need to worry about downtime waiting for a recharge.
3. Instant Alerts
- Stay informed with instant alerts whenever someone approaches your front door or driveway.
4. Convenient Mobile Access
- With the Ring app on your phone, you can easily check who’s at your doorstep, no matter where you are.
- Whether you’re 2,500 miles away in Hawaii, you can keep an eye on your neighbor’s visits via Wifi, with no additional cellular charges.
5. Impressive Battery Life
- The upgraded battery in the Ring Doorbell 4 is a game-changer. While battery health varies on the usage, you may still not need to charge it for months.
- Having an extra battery on hand is a smart move, and overnight charging ensures you’re always ready.
6. Additional Features
- This doorbell doesn’t stop at basic functions. It offers features like package notifications, timers to prevent unnecessary alerts, geolocation settings, and even battery health monitoring.
Ring Doorbell 4 – Reasons to Avoid
1. Missed Notifications
- Users living in busy areas or near busy streets may find that their Ring Doorbell 4 can be overly sensitive to motion, leading to frequent notifications triggered by passing vehicles.
- Adjusting sensitivity settings can help but might cause delays in detecting real visitors.
2. Battery Life
- Adjusting any settings within the Ring app directly impacts the device’s battery life.
3. Nighttime Video Quality
- Although the Ring Doorbell 4 provides good daytime video quality, its performance at night leaves room for improvement.
4. 2.4 GHz Limitation
- The Ring Doorbell 4 only connects to the 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi band, limiting its compatibility with 5 GHz networks, even when the signal strength is adequate for 5 GHz.
5. Limited Detection Accuracy
- It may fail to catch a dog’s activities despite being in the camera’s direct line of sight.
- Package detection can be unreliable. At times, it alerts you about a package when someone holding an item approaches the door but doesn’t mention it when a package is genuinely there.
6. Subscription Costs
- The subscription fees can be a bit bothersome, especially considering the initial investment in the doorbell itself.
- If this is a concern for you, we recommend checking out the best ring doorbell alternatives without a subscription.
Final Thoughts
In this comparison between Ring Doorbell 4 vs Pro 2, we’ve explored the features and functionalities that make each of these smart doorbells unique.
Whether you’re looking for the budget-friendly flexibility of the Ring Doorbell 4 or the advanced options of the Ring Doorbell Pro 2, there’s a solution to match your needs.
Both models provide high-quality audio and video, motion detection, and seamless integration with Alexa. It’s important to consider factors like your power source preference and the specific features that matter most to you.
Whichever one you choose, these Ring doorbells are designed to provide you with added peace of mind and convenience in managing your front door.
