The Ring Video Doorbell Pro 3 is a sleek and powerful upgrade to the popular video doorbell series, offering a range of exciting features that enhance security and convenience. With a 4K camera, improved low-light performance, and advanced AI capabilities, it's a top choice for homeowners seeking a reliable and intelligent doorbell system.
One of the standout features is the 4K camera, which captures incredibly detailed footage, making it easy to read writing, such as name badges, and even car number plates from a distance. The low-light performance is particularly impressive, with a monochrome infrared-illuminated mode that ensures clear visibility even in tricky mixed lighting conditions. This is a game-changer for those living in areas with varying street lighting.
The wide 140-degree field of view provides a comprehensive view of visitors, allowing you to see their entire body, even when they're close to the door. Additionally, the package detection feature is a handy addition, alerting you to boxes left at your door within a customizable zone. These features not only enhance security but also provide peace of mind, knowing you'll be notified of any unexpected deliveries.
The Doorbell Pro's radar-based motion tracking is another innovative feature. It creates a trace of a person's movement, providing an aerial view of your driveway. While it may not be as useful for those with short drives, it offers customization options to adjust the motion detection range, reducing unwanted recordings of the street. Privacy settings are also available to block out parts of the field of view, ensuring your neighbors' privacy is respected.
The upgrade to dual-band Wi-Fi 6 connectivity is a significant improvement over previous generations. It offers increased bandwidth and lower latency, ensuring faster live view sessions and a more responsive doorbell. This is particularly useful when you need to quickly see who's at your door, as it eliminates the frustration of slow response times.
However, it's worth noting that Wi-Fi 6 can still be jammed by criminals, which could disconnect the feed and stop recordings. To mitigate this, the Doorbell Pro offers a wired option, which requires a traditional low-voltage transformer or Ring's plug-in adapter for power. This wired model also provides six seconds of full-color, HD pre-roll video with sound before an event recording is triggered, allowing you to see more of what just happened.
The subscription model is an essential aspect of the Ring Doorbell Pro. While it can be used without a subscription for basic notifications, live view, and door rings, a subscription is required to fully utilize its features. The Ring Solo plan offers 180 days of saved event videos, extended live view sessions, and smart alerts, differentiating between people, packages, and vehicles. The Ring Multi plan is ideal for multiple cameras at a single location, and the Ring Pro plan adds AI-powered features like video descriptions and facial recognition.
The AI alert settings are particularly impressive, as they learn patterns of events and alert you only when something unusual happens. This feature is a game-changer for those suffering from doorbell notification fatigue, as it significantly reduces the number of alerts you receive while still ensuring you're notified of important events.
In terms of sustainability, Ring has made efforts to ensure the doorbell's longevity. They provide software updates until at least December 31, 2030, and the device is made from 25% recycled materials, including aluminum and plastic. Additionally, Ring offers trade-in and recycling schemes, demonstrating their commitment to environmental responsibility.
The Ring Video Doorbell Pro 3 is priced at £219.99 for the wired model and £219.99 for the battery model. While it may seem like a significant investment, the features and performance it offers make it a valuable addition to any home. The 4K camera, improved low-light performance, and advanced AI capabilities make it a top choice for those seeking a reliable and intelligent doorbell system.
