Ring Video Doorbell Complaints | Top 12 Downsides

If you’ve heard of Ring Video Doorbell, you must also be aware of the complaints that come with it.

While the Ring Video Doorbell has become a household name in home security and is certainly one of the best options available, there can be seen a lot of customer reviews highlighting some common drawbacks and failings of this device. 

If you’re deciding to buy it or are looking for some honest reviews during your buying decision, we’ve compiled a list of the drawbacks for you here. 

Design and Aesthetics

The first thing that might catch your eye about the Ring Video Doorbell is its considerable size. Tipping the scales at around five inches tall, nearly two and a half inches wide, and just over an inch thick, it’s a pretty sizable gadget.

For those with narrower door frames, this can present a spatial challenge. Its design leans towards the boxy and rectangular, reminiscent of earlier models, which might not be everyone’s cup of tea, particularly for fans of sleek and modern looks.

While Ring throws in the bonus of swap-out faceplates for a touch of personalization, the material feels a tad on the lighter side, almost bordering on cheap – not a great impression for some.

Installation Hurdles

Ring does a good job of packing in all the bits and bobs you’ll need for setting up. Yet, for many, the array of screws, wire extenders, and the likes can feel like an enigma.

If you’re expecting a quick guide as soon as you boot up the app, brace yourself – the instructions are hidden in the app’s labyrinthine settings.

This not-so-intuitive approach can be a thorn in the side, especially if you’re itching to get things up and running swiftly.

And a heads up for those who like power tools: the doorbell’s design isn’t very drill-friendly, so you’ll be getting cozy with the bundled screwdriver.

Battery Vs. Hardwired

Ring’s Video Doorbell lets you go either the battery route or the hardwired way. Opting for battery power sounds convenient, but it has its quirks.

Every time the battery peters out, you’re looking at detaching the faceplate and wrestling out the battery for a juice-up – a bit of a dance that leaves you without a doorbell in the meantime.

Ring’s bold claim of the battery lasting anywhere from half a year to a full one is commendable. But, as with most things, your mileage might vary depending on how often it’s used and some of the nifty features like the Snapshot Capture.

Functionality Concerns

The Ring Video Doorbell offers impressive video quality with a 1080p HD lens and a 160-degree field of view. However, the video quality at night can be compromised due to glare from the infrared sensor.

While the doorbell provides advanced motion capture capabilities, it lacks smart features like person and package detection, which are available in other brands at a similar price point. This limitation means users have to be more proactive in monitoring their alerts.

Subscription Services

To maximize the features of the Ring Video Doorbell, users are encouraged to subscribe to Ring Protect. While the doorbell offers basic functions without a subscription, accessing advanced features like video history, video saving, and Snapshot Capture requires a monthly fee. This added cost can be a deterrent for some users.

Community Service

Ring’s community-based security app, Neighbors, is designed to foster a virtual neighborhood watch. While this feature can be seen as a positive step towards community safety, it raises privacy concerns.

Even though participation in Neighbors is opt-in, completely opting out is not straightforward. Users who are particular about their privacy might find this feature intrusive.

Lack of Facial Recognition

Unlike some of its competitors, Ring doorbells do not offer facial recognition. This feature can be crucial for homeowners who want to differentiate between known and unknown visitors instantly.

Wi-Fi Compatibility Issues

While some Ring doorbell models are compatible with a 5 GHz network, others only work with a 2.4 GHz network. Users have noticed that doorbells connected to the 5 GHz network tend to notify faster when their cameras detect movement or people.

General Motion Notifications

Most of Ring’s video doorbells notify users for any kind of movement, leading to a plethora of unnecessary notifications, especially if the doorbell faces a busy street.

Although some advanced models like the Ring Video Doorbell Pro and Elite allow users to receive notifications only when they detect people, this feature is not universal across all models.

Limited Google Assistant Integration

For those heavily invested in Google’s ecosystem, it’s worth noting that Ring doorbells don’t play as nicely with Google Assistant as they do with Amazon’s Alexa. Want to stream your doorbell’s video footage to a Chromecast? Unfortunately, that’s not currently possible.

And, when it comes to voice commands, Google Assistant users might feel a bit left out, as the range of commands is notably slimmer compared to what’s available with Alexa.

Storage Costs

If you were hoping for complimentary cloud storage with your Ring doorbell, prepare for a bit of a letdown. Beyond a 30-day trial of Ring Protect, you’re going to need to shell out for a subscription if you want to keep accessing your video history in the cloud. This could be an unforeseen expense for some users.

Audio Quality

The ability to have a two-way conversation through your doorbell is genuinely futuristic and useful. However, Ring users have reported that the speaker can sometimes churn out a sound that’s a little on the tinny side.

This can muddy the waters when trying to have a clear conversation through the device.

Conclusion

All these points shed light on the user experience of integrating a Ring Video Doorbell into a home security setting. Every product has its strengths and weaknesses, and while the Ring doorbell brings a lot to the table, it’s essential to keep these limitations in mind if you’re considering purchasing one.

There’s no doubt that the Ring Video Doorbell stands tall in the burgeoning video doorbell industry but there are some reviews that are not-so-good. So, for those looking to add this gadget to their homes, it’s crucial to balance its advantages against the criticisms.

This way, you can make an informed decision tailored to your specific home security requirements. If you still wish to buy it, go ahead, as I am not suggesting you not to. The positives still heavily outweigh the negatives. This is especially true if you for the Ring Doorbell 3 (2nd Gen) as most of these issues have been fixed.

Click below on the image to get the best price for Ring Doorbell 3 on Amazon:

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