Ring Doorbell Pricing, All Models Compared (2026)
Ring Doorbell Pricing, All Models Compared (2026)
Ring makes the most popular video doorbells in America, but their pricing is a two-part equation: the hardware you buy once, and the subscription you pay forever. This guide covers every Ring doorbell model with current pricing, every Ring Protect subscription tier, and the total cost of ownership so you know exactly what you’re signing up for.
If you’re comparing Ring against other brands, see our best video doorbells 2026 roundup and our Ring vs Arlo vs Wyze security cameras comparison.
Every Ring Doorbell Model and Price (2026)
Ring currently sells four doorbells at different price points:
Ring Video Doorbell (4th Gen), $100
The entry-level Ring doorbell. Records at 1080p HD with improved motion detection over the 3rd generation. Works on battery or existing doorbell wiring. Compact, easy to install, and covers the basics. This is the doorbell for budget buyers who want into the Ring ecosystem without spending much.
Key specs: 1080p HD, 155° horizontal field of view, battery or wired, two-way talk, motion detection
Ring Battery Doorbell Plus, $150
Ring’s best seller and the sweet spot for most buyers. Shoots 1536p Head-to-Toe video (taller aspect ratio that captures packages at your feet and faces at eye level). Improved color night vision and enhanced motion detection. Battery or wiring gives maximum flexibility.
Key specs: 1536p HD Head-to-Toe, 150° horizontal / 150° vertical, battery or wired, color night vision, enhanced motion zones
Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2, $230
Ring’s premium wired-only doorbell. Delivers 1536p Head-to-Toe video with 3D Motion Detection and Bird’s Eye View (radar-powered overhead map showing motion paths). Advanced pre-roll captures 4 seconds before motion triggers. Most accurate detection zones in the lineup.
Key specs: 1536p HD Head-to-Toe, 150° horizontal / 150° vertical, wired only, 3D Motion Detection, Bird’s Eye View, 4-second pre-roll
Ring Battery Doorbell (2nd Gen), $60
Ring’s ultra-budget option released for price-sensitive buyers. Basic 1080p video with standard motion detection. No Head-to-Toe aspect ratio, no advanced features. If you just want to see who’s at the door and don’t need package detection or color night vision, this is the cheapest way in.
Key specs: 1080p HD, standard field of view, battery only, basic motion detection
Full Doorbell Comparison Table
| Doorbell | Price | Resolution | Power | Aspect Ratio | 3D Motion | Pre-Roll | Color Night Vision | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Battery Doorbell (2nd Gen) | $60 | 1080p | Battery | Standard | No | No | No | Ultra-budget |
| Video Doorbell (4th Gen) | $100 | 1080p | Battery/Wired | Standard | No | No | No | Budget buyers |
| Battery Doorbell Plus | $150 | 1536p | Battery/Wired | Head-to-Toe | Wired only | No | Yes | Most people |
| Video Doorbell Pro 2 | $230 | 1536p | Wired only | Head-to-Toe | Yes + Bird’s Eye | Yes (4 sec) | Yes | Power users |
Ring Protect Plans: What You Actually Need
Here’s the uncomfortable truth about Ring: without a Ring Protect subscription, your doorbell is a live-view peephole. You can see who’s at the door in real-time, get basic motion notifications, and use two-way talk. But you cannot record video, review past events, or share clips.
What Works Free (No Subscription)
- Live view (watch your doorbell’s feed in real-time)
- Motion and ring notifications
- Two-way talk
- Alexa announcements
That’s it. If someone steals a package and you weren’t watching live, you have nothing.
Ring Protect Basic, $3.99/mo or $39.99/year (per device)
The minimum useful tier for a single Ring device:
- 180 days of cloud video recording
- Share and download video clips
- Snapshot Capture (periodic still photos between events)
- Person detection alerts
- Rich notifications with thumbnail previews
Limitation: Covers one device only. If you add a second camera, you need a second Basic subscription or upgrade to Plus.
Ring Protect Plus, $10/mo or $100/year (all devices)
The most popular plan for multi-device households:
- Everything in Basic for unlimited Ring devices
- 24/7 Ring Alarm professional monitoring (if you have Ring Alarm)
- Alarm cellular backup
- 10% off Ring.com purchases
- Extended warranties on Ring devices
- Alexa Guard Plus
Ring Protect Pro, $20/mo or $200/year (all devices)
The premium tier:
- Everything in Plus
- 24/7 Professional Monitoring with police/fire dispatch
- 24/7 Backup Internet (cellular data for Ring Alarm Pro router)
- Video verification for alarm events
- Digital security (VPN, data breach alerts via Eero)
Pro is only worth it if you use Ring Alarm Pro as your router and want cellular backup plus professional dispatch.
Feature Comparison by Subscription Tier
| Feature | Free | Basic ($3.99/mo) | Plus ($10/mo) | Pro ($20/mo) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Live View | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Two-Way Talk | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Motion Notifications | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Video Recording | No | Yes (180 days) | Yes (180 days) | Yes (180 days) |
| Person Detection | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Rich Notifications | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Snapshot Capture | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Unlimited Devices | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Ring Alarm Monitoring | No | No | Self-monitor | Professional |
| 10% Store Discount | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Professional Dispatch | No | No | No | Yes |
Total Cost of Ownership: 1, 2, and 3 Years
Single Doorbell + Basic Plan
| Doorbell | Hardware | 1-Year Total | 2-Year Total | 3-Year Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Battery Doorbell (2nd Gen) | $60 | $100 | $140 | $180 |
| Video Doorbell (4th Gen) | $100 | $140 | $180 | $220 |
| Battery Doorbell Plus | $150 | $190 | $230 | $270 |
| Video Doorbell Pro 2 | $230 | $270 | $310 | $350 |
Subscription: $39.99/year (Basic annual plan)
Doorbell + 2 Cameras + Plus Plan
More realistic for a full Ring setup:
| Setup | Hardware | 1-Year Total | 2-Year Total | 3-Year Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Doorbell Plus + 2 Stick Up Cams | $350 | $450 | $550 | $650 |
| Pro 2 + 2 Stick Up Cams | $430 | $530 | $630 | $730 |
Subscription: $100/year (Plus annual plan)
Is the Annual Plan Worth It?
Always. The math:
| Plan | Monthly Billing | Annual Billing | Annual Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | $47.88/year | $39.99/year | $7.89 |
| Plus | $120/year | $100/year | $20 |
| Pro | $240/year | $200/year | $40 |
If you’re committing to Ring, pay annually. There’s no reason not to.
Ring vs Subscription-Free Alternatives
The subscription model isn’t for everyone. Here’s how Ring compares to no-fee alternatives over 3 years:
| Ring Doorbell Plus + Basic | Eufy S330 Doorbell | Reolink WiFi Doorbell | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-Year Cost (doorbell only) | $270 | $170 | $100 |
| Video Quality | Excellent (1536p) | Excellent (2K dual) | Excellent (2K+) |
| Smart Detection | Person only | Person + Package | Person + Vehicle |
| Local Storage | No | Yes | Yes |
| Subscription Required | Yes | No | No |
| Alexa Integration | Excellent | Good | Basic |
| App Quality | 5/5 | 4/5 | 3/5 |
Ring’s advantage is software quality and Alexa integration. Eufy and Reolink win on total cost and local storage. For more subscription-free options, see our best security systems without monthly fees and our best doorbell camera without subscription guides.
What Happens If You Cancel Ring Protect?
If you cancel or let your subscription lapse:
- All recorded video history is deleted
- You lose the ability to record any new events
- Person detection stops working
- You keep live view, notifications, and two-way talk
- Your doorbell becomes a $60-230 live-view camera
This is the uncomfortable truth about Ring: you own the hardware, but you’re renting the functionality. The longer you’ve been subscribed, the more video history you lose when you cancel.
Ring Doorbell Pricing Compared to Arlo and Nest
| Ring Battery Plus | Arlo Essential Doorbell | Google Nest Doorbell | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hardware Price | $150 | $130 | $180 |
| Subscription (1 cam) | $3.99/mo | $3/mo | $8/mo (Nest Aware) |
| 3-Year Total | $270 | $238 | $468 |
| Resolution | 1536p | 1080p | 1.3MP |
| Smart Home | Alexa only | HomeKit, Google, Alexa | Google Home, Alexa |
| Local Storage | No | SmartHub ($80) | No |
Ring sits in the middle for total cost. Arlo is cheaper over 3 years with broader smart home support. Nest is significantly more expensive due to the higher Nest Aware subscription. For a full smart home ecosystem comparison, see our Google Home vs Alexa vs HomeKit guide.
Our Recommendation
For most buyers: Get the Ring Battery Doorbell Plus ($150) with Ring Protect Basic ($39.99/year). The 1536p Head-to-Toe video, person detection, and 180-day cloud history cover everything a typical home needs. Total 3-year cost: $270.
For Alexa-centric homes with Ring Alarm: Get the Battery Doorbell Plus with Ring Protect Plus ($100/year). You get unlimited device coverage, alarm monitoring, and the 10% Ring.com discount that pays for itself if you add more devices.
For budget buyers: The Battery Doorbell (2nd Gen) at $60 with Basic plan is the cheapest way into the Ring ecosystem. You sacrifice resolution and Head-to-Toe video but get full recording and person detection for $100/year total.
For the subscription-averse: Skip Ring entirely and buy a subscription-free doorbell. Eufy and Reolink offer comparable hardware with local storage and no monthly fees.
For a detailed breakdown of which Ring Protect plan you actually need, see our Ring doorbell pricing which plan guide.
FAQ
Can I use a Ring doorbell without any subscription?
Yes, but it’s severely limited. Without Ring Protect, you get live view, motion and ring notifications, and two-way talk. You cannot record video, view event history, share clips, or use person detection. For most people, a Ring doorbell without a subscription isn’t worth the hardware cost.
Which Ring doorbell is the best value?
The Ring Battery Doorbell Plus at $150. The Head-to-Toe 1536p video is a significant upgrade over the standard 1080p models, and it captures packages at your feet plus faces at eye level. The $50 premium over the basic Video Doorbell is worth it for the resolution and aspect ratio improvement alone.
Is Ring Protect Plus worth it for just a doorbell?
Not really. Ring Protect Plus ($10/mo) becomes worth it when you have 3+ Ring devices (Plus is cheaper than 3 × Basic) or when you own a Ring Alarm system and want professional monitoring. For a single doorbell, Basic ($3.99/mo) gives you everything you need.
Does Ring ever discount subscriptions?
No. Ring Protect subscription prices have never gone on sale. The only “discount” is the annual billing plan, which saves $8-40/year compared to monthly billing. Hardware prices drop significantly during Prime Day and Black Friday (30-50% off), which reduces your total cost of ownership.
How does Ring’s pricing compare to Arlo and Nest?
Ring is in the middle for total cost. Arlo is slightly cheaper over 3 years with broader smart home support. Nest is significantly more expensive due to the higher Nest Aware subscription ($8/mo vs Ring’s $3.99/mo for comparable single-camera coverage). Ring’s advantage is the Alexa ecosystem and the Ring Alarm integration if you want a unified security system.