Ring Battery Doorbell Plus Review: 3 Months Later - Here's the Truth

Transparency Disclosure: I purchased this Ring Battery Doorbell Plus with my own money ($149.99 retail) three months ago. I have used it daily on my front porch, exposing it to rain, direct sunlight, and freezing temperatures. I have no direct relationship with Ring or Amazon, and this review is based entirely on my personal testing data.

When you unbox a new smart doorbell, the battery is full, the plastic is shiny, and the notifications feel exciting. But home security isn't about day one; it's about day ninety. After 3 months of testing, I've found that while the video quality is a significant upgrade, the "battery life" claims on the box don't match reality once you enable the features that actually make the device useful.

Quick Verdict

• Rating: 7.5/10
• Best For: Amazon Alexa users, renters who cannot hardwire, and homeowners worried about package theft.
• Not For: People living in regions that stay below freezing for weeks, or anyone who refuses to pay a monthly subscription fee.
• Price: ~$150 (Hardware) + Subscription.
• Bottom Line: The "Head-to-Toe" video is excellent and solves the blind-spot issue of previous models. However, to get that performance, you will likely charge the battery every 4-6 weeks, not every 6 months.

1. Specs & Unboxing

The packaging is standard Ring fare. Inside, you get the doorbell unit, the quick-release battery pack, a corner kit (crucial for angled entryways), installation screws, and a Torx security screwdriver.

Key Specifications I Verified:

• Video: 1536p HD+ (1536 x 1536 resolution).
• Field of View: 150° Horizontal, 150° Vertical.
• Connectivity: 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi @ 2.4GHz only.
• Charging: Micro-USB (Not USB-C).

What's Missing: A Chime. Unless you already own an Amazon Echo device or a Ring Chime, this doorbell will only alert your phone. If you want a traditional "ding-dong" inside your house, you need to spend an extra $30-$50.

2. Design & Build Quality

The design is recognizable immediately. It uses the familiar black and silver aesthetic of the Ring Video Doorbell 4, though the lens arrangement is different to accommodate the fisheye view.

Durability Observations: After 90 days, the glossy black plastic faceplate has held up well against UV light, though it attracts pollen and dust like a magnet. I have to wipe it down weekly to keep the lens clear. The build feels solid, but I was disappointed to see Ring still using a Micro-USB port on the battery. In 2025, everything should be USB-C for faster charging and cable compatibility.

Security Concern: The device is secured by a star-shaped security screw at the bottom. The metal on this screw is surprisingly soft. After removing the battery for charging three times, I noticed the head starting to strip slightly. Be very gentle with the included orange screwdriver.

3. Features & Performance: The 90-Day Test

"Head-to-Toe" Video Quality

This is the main selling point. The 1536p square aspect ratio is designed to show you packages left on the doormat. Does it work?

The Test: I placed a standard 12-inch box directly against my door threshold. The Result: Success. Unlike the standard Ring Doorbell (2nd Gen), which would cut the video off at waist height, the Plus captured the entire box.

However, mounting height is critical. I found that mounting it at exactly 48 inches (4 feet) provided the best balance. If you mount it higher (like at eye level, 60 inches), you lose the floor view. If you mount it lower, faces look distorted due to the fisheye lens.

Battery Life Reality

Ring marketing materials often suggest battery life can last "months." Based on my data, this is highly optimistic and assumes minimal settings.

My Battery Drain Data (Average Temp 50°F):

To get the most security out of this device, I enabled "Snapshot Capture," which takes a photo every hour to fill in the timeline. With this on, and about 15 motion events a day (mail, delivery, kids), I lost about 2-3% battery per day. Expect to charge this monthly, not twice a year.

Cold Weather Performance

I tested this during a cold snap where temperatures hit 25°F (-4°C). I verified a critical limitation mentioned in the official Ring support documentation: the battery physically stops accepting a charge at 32°F. Even if you hardwire this doorbell to your home's transformer, the battery will drain in freezing weather because it cannot trickle charge. Once the sun came out and warmed the unit, charging resumed.

4. What I Loved

• The 1536p Resolution: It is noticeably sharper than the 1080p on my older Ring unit. I could read the logo on a delivery driver's shirt from 15 feet away.
• Smart Alerts: The "Package Detection" feature is accurate. I received a specific notification saying "Package Detected" rather than just "Motion Detected," which saved me from checking the phone for every passing car.
• Echo Show Integration: I have an Echo Show 8 in my kitchen. The "Auto-Live View" feature is seamless-someone presses the button, and my kitchen display immediately shows the video feed without me asking.
• Color Night Vision: While not perfect, it attempts to add color to low-light scenes, making it easier to identify the color of a car or jacket compared to standard green/black night vision.

5. What I Didn't Love

• The Subscription Requirement: I cannot stress this enough: without a Ring Protect subscription (starting around $50/year), this device is severely limited. You get live alerts, but no recorded video. If a package is stolen while you are in the shower and you miss the alert, there is no video evidence to look back on.
• Wi-Fi Range (2.4GHz Only): This model does not support 5GHz Wi-Fi. My router is about 25 feet away through one brick wall. My signal strength (RSSI) hovered around -58 to -60. Occasionally, this caused a 3-second delay between the button press and my phone ringing.
• No Pre-Roll: Unlike the Ring Video Doorbell 4, the Battery Plus does not have "Color Pre-Roll" (the 4 seconds of video before the motion starts). It has a black-and-white preview that is low resolution and often blurry.

6. Comparisons

Ring Battery Doorbell Plus vs. Ring Video Doorbell 4

I tested the Ring 4 last year. The Ring 4 has better "Pre-Roll" technology (color video before the event), but lower resolution (1080p). The Plus has significantly better resolution (1536p) and the Head-to-Toe view. Choice: If you care about seeing packages on the floor, get the Plus. If you care about capturing the seconds before a crime happens, get the Ring 4.

Ring Battery Doorbell Plus vs. Eufy Security Video Doorbell (Battery)

The Eufy model 2K stores video locally on a HomeBase inside your house, meaning no monthly fees. Choice: If you hate subscriptions, buy the Eufy. However, the Ring app is more polished, and the notification speed is generally faster on the Ring.

7. Real User Feedback

I spent hours combing through verified buyer reviews to see if my experience was unique. Common Praise: Most users agree that the video quality is a massive step up from the 2nd Gen Ring. The "Package Alerts" are also a crowd favorite. Common Complaints: The number one complaint mirrors my findings-battery life. Many users feel misled by the "up to 6 months" claim. Another frequent frustration is the "Motion Verification" delay, which sometimes results in recordings starting only after the delivery driver is already walking away.

8. Value Analysis & Total Cost of Ownership

The hardware price is just the entry fee. To evaluate if this is worth it, you must look at the 3-year cost.

• Hardware: ~$150
• Ring Protect Basic (3 Years): ~$150 (Assuming ~$50/year)
• Total 3-Year Cost: ~$300

Is it worth it? If you are already in the Amazon ecosystem (Echo, Fire TV), yes. The integration value is high. If you are just looking for a camera and don't care about smart home features, you are overpaying compared to Blink or Wyze alternatives.

9. Who Should Buy This?

• Online Shoppers: The Head-to-Toe view is the best feature for monitoring deliveries.
• Renters: The battery design means you don't need to mess with electrical wiring, and it can be removed when you move.
• Existing Ring Users: If you already pay for the "Plus" plan for other cameras, adding this one doesn't increase your monthly bill.

10. Who Should Skip This?

• Budget-Conscious Buyers: The subscription is essentially mandatory for security.
• Cold Climate Residents: If you live in Minnesota or Canada, battery doorbells are a hassle. Look for a wired-only version like the Ring Pro 2.
• 5GHz Wi-Fi Users: If your home network is 5GHz only or congested on 2.4GHz, you will experience connection issues.

11. Where to Buy Ring Battery Doorbell Plus

I have verified these retailers currently stock this model. I recommend checking Amazon first as they own Ring and often have the best bundles.

Best Overall Value:
Amazon.com - Typically has the lowest price and fastest shipping. Look for bundles that include a Chime or Echo Dot for free.

Electronics Retailers:
BestBuy.com - Good option if you want to pick it up today. They also offer Geek Squad installation if you aren't handy with a drill.
BHPhotoVideo.com - Reliable stock and no tax in certain states.

Buy Direct:
Ring.com - Sometimes offers exclusive faceplate colors not found at other retailers.

12. FAQ

Does the Ring Battery Doorbell Plus work without a subscription?

Technically, yes. You can see the Live View and answer the doorbell when it rings. However, it will not record any videos. If you miss the notification, you cannot see who was there. I strongly recommend factoring in the subscription cost before buying.

Can I hardwire it so I never have to charge the battery?

You can hardwire it to your existing doorbell wires (8-24 VAC), but this only trickle charges the battery. In my testing, if you have high motion events or freezing weather, the battery will still drain faster than the hardwiring can charge it. You will still need to manually charge it occasionally.

Does it work with Google Home?

Barely. You can link it to Google Assistant, but you cannot view the video feed on a Google Nest Hub automatically like you can with an Echo Show. If you use Google Home, I recommend the Nest Doorbell (Battery) instead.

What happens if someone steals the doorbell?

Ring has a theft protection policy. If you file a police report, they will generally replace the stolen unit for free. This is a nice peace-of-mind feature given the device is just screwed into plastic anchors.

Final Verdict

The Ring Battery Doorbell Plus is the best battery-powered doorbell Ring has made to date, strictly due to the video quality and field of view. It solves the biggest annoyance of older models-not seeing the packages.

However, it is not perfect. The battery life is average, the Micro-USB charging feels dated, and the cost of ownership is high due to the subscription. If you accept those trade-offs for the convenience of the Amazon ecosystem, it is a solid 7.5/10 product.