Tech Talk

Ring launched the Ring Video Doorbell 3 in 2020 with a big set of upgrades. Newfound support for 5GHz networks makes it more compatible with modern wireless home networks, meaning it'll last longer than the Ring Video Doorbell 2 did. It's also got customizable motion zones and the ability to add privacy zones to your videos, letting you block out portions you don't want to be recorded. Ring Video Doorbell 3 also improved battery life and overall performance when compared to Ring Video Doorbell 2.

2021's Ring Video Doorbell 4 continues those trends with support for pre-roll footage and quick replies, which were previously reserved for Ring Video Doorbell 3 Plus or the Ring Video Doorbell Pro family. Ring has also dropped the price of Ring Video Doorbell 3, making it a more affordable upgrade than previously. Either way, it's time to ditch that old Ring Video Doorbell 2 and get an upgrade.

Ring Video Doorbell 3: It's all in the motions

From the outside, you'd be hard-pressed to tell the difference between the second and third-generation Ring Video Doorbells. The hardware that resides under that familiar plastic housing is a very different story, though, and it directly affects how motion is detected. A brand new adjustable motion zone, called the Near Zone, can detect motion within 5-15 feet of the Ring Video Doorbell 3's camera. That helps cut down on the number of false notifications caused by cars driving by (usually more than 15ft away) and bugs flying or crawling in front of the camera (which are much closer than 5ft from the camera).

You can also adjust any specific section of the video within the app that you want the Ring Video Doorbell 3 to monitor for motion. This helps significantly cut down on the number of erroneous motion detection notifications that pop up. For example, you'll finally be able to block out sections of the video where a flag regularly waves, cars drive by, or trees tend to blow. That means the doorbell can now detect motion only where it's actually wanted — on your porch.

Cutting down on notifications is essential in a world where we're constantly bombarded by too much information all day long. No one wants their video doorbell to spam them with useless notifications. This could eventually create an environment where you ignore the notifications designed to help secure your property.

These features have been offered on the older wired Ring Doorbell Pro, but that requires quite a bit of extra installation and wiring that renters aren't normally allowed to do. The Ring Video Doorbell 3 brings these features to the battery-powered world with a rechargeable battery and doesn't skimp on features.

Ring Video Doorbell 3: Privacy and connectivity

While the ability to exclude certain sections of the video from recording motion detection is excellent, blocking them out from recording completely is even better. That new ability is a massive step in the right direction for privacy advocates and concerned consumers alike, and it's rightly called Privacy Zones.

There are several reasons you might want to exclude portions of the Ring Video Doorbell 3's video from recording, and, thankfully, the way to do it is easy. From within the app, you can simply draw a shape around the area you'd like to exclude, and from then on, recordings from the camera will black this section out and ignore its existence altogether.

In addition to being better in touch with privacy concerns, the Ring Video Doorbell 3 can be better in touch with your network thanks to the addition of 5GHz Wi-Fi support. Home routers began offering 5GHz signals years ago to increase bandwidth and speed and help reduce wireless traffic interference. While 5GHz won't physically go as far in the home, the best mesh routers like Google WiFi or Ubiquiti AmpliFi will help extend this faster network while increasing coverage.

The Ring Video Doorbell 2 only supports the slower 2.4GHz Wi-Fi bands, which are also more prone to interference from common appliances like microwaves and cordless home phones. Ring Video Doorbell 3's ability to utilize both the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands means that it can select the faster 5GHz band to deliver higher quality audio and video, but can always fall back on the 2.4GHz band if that 5GHz one isn't strong enough outside your front door.

Ring Video Doorbell 3 vs. 2: Small changes make a big difference

The leap between generations of Ring Video Doorbells isn't massive, but a few key differences make the Ring Video Doorbell 3 an easy choice. Ring Video Doorbell 3 is actually $20 less expensive than Ring Video Doorbell 2 was brand new and offers better connectivity, more privacy options, and the ability to hone motion detection to help reduce erroneous notifications. Those are all essential upgrades and create a more trustworthy product that's more likely to inform you of something important while still protecting your personal privacy.

An extra $20 (for a total of $200) will net you a Ring Video Doorbell 4, as well, which delivers all the same great features of Ring Video Doorbell 3 will a few extras. For that $20, you'll get the addition of 4-second pre-roll footage — a great way to get additional context by seeing what happened 4 seconds before motion was detected — as well as quick replies for when you can't (or don't want to) answer the door.

See all the right things

Ring Video Doorbell 3 in Satin/Nickel

A substantive choice

$180 at Amazon $180 at Best Buy $180 at Home Depot

Ring Video Doorbell 3 brings a few key improvements to the table, like better motion detection and privacy features, as well as the ability to handle faster, modern 5GHz Wi-Fi networks.

Saying goodbye to a legend

Ring Video Doorbell 2 with HD Video

Great if you've already got one

See it at Amazon $120 at Home Depot

The Ring Video Doorbell 2 was notable for its time, but it's getting harder to find since it's now discontinued.