One of the biggest annoyances of smart doorbells is false alerts. Every new product on the market aims to find ways to cut down the number of times a passing pedestrian or a waving tree branch will set off an alert. The Doorbell Pro 2 uses radar technology to measure the distance between an object and the camera, so that the system is alerted when a designated threshold is crossed, rather than when motion is detected in the camera’s field of view. Existing Ring products, such as the Ring Video Doorbell Pro, already feature customisable motion detection zones. Users can choose to exclude areas, like a window or path, within the camera’s field of vision. But up until now, this has essentially been a two-dimensional system. The ability to measure the distance of an object from the camera should make the system much more accurate and give users more options when it comes to customising which areas of their property they want to monitor.
Features of the Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2
3D motion detection: this uses radar – measuring the distance from and angle in front of the camera – to give users more ability to choose what sets off an alert. Bird’s Eye View: this looks like a pretty interesting feature. The app will be able to display an aerial map (presumably built on the radar tech) to provide more information about a motion event and to show where it began. Improved 1536p HD video (including colour night vision): the Ring Video Pro has high-quality 1080p Full-HD but the new doorbell should provide significantly clearer images. This will be the first Ring product to display at this level, although there are competitors that already do so. Head to toe video: Some Ring users have had issues with the field of vision. It’s frustrating if you see someone approach the door but can’t tell whether or not a package has been left on your doorstep. The longer, head to toe camera view should sort that out. Two-way audio with noise cancellation: the doorbell will also feature an array microphone to help limit sound distortion.
Ring Protect
Buy the Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2 and you’ll also get a free 30-day trial of Ring Protect, which offers additional features including advanced pre-roll, which shows you a video clip of the seconds leading to a motion alert. Ring Protect subscribers in the US who buy this doorbell will also be able to set up Alexa Greetings. If you can’t come to the door, Alexa can offer to take a message or give information on where to leave parcels. At this stage, it doesn’t look as though this feature is available to UK users. You can use a Ring doorbell without a subscription but you won’t be able to save video. The Protect Basic package costs £2.50 per month (£24.99 per year) and allows you to connect a single doorbell or camera. It’ll allow you to save a 30-day video history, save and share videos and capture snapshots. If you have more Ring products, like cameras, the Protect Plus package allows you to connect an unlimited number of devices for £8 per month (£80 per year).
Buying info
To see what we think of it, read our Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2 review, as well as others include the wired Ring Video Doorbell Pro or the battery operated Ring Video Doorbell 3 Plus, check out our reviews. For more options, have a look at out our round-up of the best smart doorbells we’ve tested. Emma is Home Tech Editor at Tech Advisor. She covers everything from kitchen appliances to smart home devices, from floor care to personal care to air care technology. She’s particularly interested in environmentally conscious brands and products that save people time and money.
