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Latest Articles (Page 8)
How good is the video quality during the day and night?
Ring Doorbell Video Quality: Day and Night Performance
The Ring Video Doorbell (2020 model) delivers 1080p HD video quality that's generally quite good for identifying visitors and monitoring your front door area.
Daytime Video Performance
During daylight hours, the video quality is genuinely impressive. You'll get clear, detailed footage that's perfect for:
- Identifying faces of visitors and delivery personnel
- Reading license plates at close range (within 10-15 feet)
- Monitoring package deliveries and pickups
- Capturing general porch activity
The wide-angle lens covers most standard porch areas effectively, though image quality decreases toward the edges due to natural lens distortion.
Challenging Lighting Conditions
Direct Sunlight Issues: When the sun hits your doorbell directly, you might experience exposure problems where faces become shadowed or overexposed. The camera adjusts automatically, but extreme lighting can overwhelm the sensor.
Backlighting Problems: If your visitor has the sun behind them, their face may appear dark while the background is properly exposed.
Night Vision Capabilities
The infrared night vision provides functional black-and-white footage in complete darkness. The effective range is about 15-20 feet, with clarity decreasing at distance.
What Works Well: Determining if someone is present, general movement detection, identifying large objects or vehicles.
Limitations: Detailed facial recognition at distance, reading small text or license plates, color information (infrared only).
The Twilight Problem
The camera struggles during twilight hours when there's insufficient natural light for color video but too much ambient light for infrared to activate properly. This transition period often produces grainy or poorly exposed footage.
WiFi Impact on Quality
Your internet connection significantly affects video quality. Strong WiFi preserves more detail, while weak signals result in lower resolution and compression artifacts. The Ring app allows you to adjust quality settings to balance clarity with bandwidth usage.
For optimal video quality, ensure strong WiFi signal strength and consider upgrading to Ring Pro models if you need enhanced resolution and features.
Does Ring Doorbell work with existing mechanical chimes?
Ring Doorbell and Mechanical Chimes: What Actually Works
If you have a traditional mechanical doorbell chime inside your home, you're probably wondering if your new Ring Doorbell will work with it. The answer is yes, but with some important caveats.
Battery vs. Wired Models Make a Difference
Battery-Powered Ring Models: These can trigger your existing chime, but functionality is limited since there's no constant power connection. You may need a Ring Chime or Chime Pro for reliable indoor notifications.
Wired Ring Models: These integrate much better with mechanical chimes since they connect directly to your existing doorbell wiring. However, some older or incompatible chimes may require additional hardware like the Ring Pro Power Kit.
App Configuration Required
The Ring app includes specific settings to enable mechanical chime compatibility:
- Enable "Ring my in-home doorbell"
- Select "Mechanical" as your chime type
- Test functionality after setup
Common Issues and Solutions
Chime Too Quiet: Many users report their mechanical chime becomes quieter or inconsistent with Ring. This often results from voltage incompatibility.
Complete Failure: Some chimes won't activate at all. This typically indicates wiring problems or voltage mismatch between your transformer and Ring's requirements.
Intermittent Operation: If your chime works sometimes but not others, you likely have a voltage regulation issue.
The Reliable Alternative
For consistent performance, many users opt for the Ring Chime (.99) regardless of their existing setup. It provides:
- Guaranteed compatibility with all Ring models
- Multiple chime sounds and volume control
- WiFi extender functionality (Chime Pro model)
- No wiring modifications required
Troubleshooting Steps
If your mechanical chime isn't working properly:
- Check wiring connections in your chime box
- Test transformer voltage (Ring requires 16-24V AC)
- Consider adding bypass capacitors
- Consult Ring support for transformer compatibility
For most users, adding a Ring Chime provides the most reliable and hassle-free solution.
What WiFi requirements does Ring Doorbell need?
Ring Doorbell WiFi Requirements: What You Need to Know
Your Ring Video Doorbell requires specific network conditions to function properly. Understanding these requirements upfront will save you frustration during setup and ensure reliable performance.
Essential Network Requirements
2.4GHz WiFi Only: Ring Doorbell requires a 2.4GHz network with WPA or WPA2 security. The device does not support 5GHz networks, so ensure your router broadcasts 2.4GHz. Many modern routers combine both bands under one network name, which can cause connection issues.
Upload Speed Matters Most: Ring recommends at least 1-2 Mbps upload bandwidth per device for reliable video streaming. Download speed matters less, but 10+ Mbps is recommended for smooth app performance. Test your WiFi speed at your actual door location, not just inside your home.
Signal Strength Requirements
Signal strength should be -65 dBm or stronger (closer to 0 is better). Weak signals cause connection drops, delayed notifications, and poor video quality. The Ring app shows your signal strength in the Device Health section - check this before installation.
Common WiFi Problems and Solutions
Password Issues: Avoid special characters like asterisks (*) or pound signs (#) in your WiFi password. Ring works best with alphanumeric passwords.
Network Restrictions: Guest networks with restricted access and enterprise networks with complex authentication often cause problems. Ring works best on standard home WiFi networks.
Router Distance: If your door is far from your router, consider a WiFi extender or the Ring Chime Pro, which acts as both a doorbell chime and WiFi extender for Ring devices.
Testing Before Installation
Before mounting your Ring Doorbell, test the WiFi connection at your door location using your smartphone. If you're getting weak signal or slow speeds, address the network issue first to ensure reliable doorbell performance.
Strong WiFi is the foundation of a well-functioning Ring Doorbell system.
Is Ring Doorbell easy to install without existing doorbell wiring?
Installing Your Ring Doorbell: Easier Than You Think
When I first got my Ring Video Doorbell, I'll admit I was a bit intimidated by the installation. I'm not exactly a DIY expert, but it turned out to be way simpler than expected. If you can hang a picture frame, you can definitely install a Ring Doorbell.
What You Actually Need
The good news is that Ring includes almost everything in the box. You'll need:
- A basic drill (any standard drill works fine)
- A screwdriver
- About 10 minutes of your time
That's really it. They include a handy paper template that shows exactly where to drill, plus all the screws and anchors you need for most surfaces.
The Real Installation Process
Here's how it actually works:
Step 1: Hold up the template where you want your doorbell. Chest height works best - around 48 inches. Mark your holes with a pencil.
Step 2: Drill your holes. Start small and work up to the right size to avoid cracking anything.
Step 3: Screw in the mounting bracket. It's pretty forgiving - doesn't have to be perfect.
Step 4: Clip the Ring onto the bracket and open the app to connect it to your WiFi.
Seriously, that's it. The app walks you through the WiFi setup step by step.
The One Thing That Might Trip You Up
Before you start drilling, test your WiFi signal at your front door with your phone. If you're getting weak signal out there, your Ring will struggle too. You might need a WiFi extender or mesh network upgrade.
Different Surface Types
If you have wood siding or a standard front door area, you're set with the included hardware. Brick or stone? You'll want to grab some masonry drill bits from the hardware store. Stucco can be tricky - sometimes the included anchors work, sometimes you need heavy-duty wall anchors.
When in doubt, ask someone at Home Depot or Lowe's. They've seen it all and can point you to the right hardware for your specific situation.
Does Ring Doorbell work without a subscription?
The Honest Truth About Ring Doorbell Subscriptions
This is probably the question I get asked most: "Do I really need to pay monthly for my Ring Doorbell to work?" The short answer is no, but there's a pretty significant caveat.
What You Get for Free (And It's Actually Pretty Good)
Your Ring Doorbell absolutely works without paying Ring a monthly fee. You can:
- Watch live video whenever you want
- Talk to visitors through the app
- Get notifications when someone presses the doorbell
- Receive motion alerts when activity is detected
For basic "is someone at my door right now" functionality, the free version handles that perfectly.
Here's the Big Catch
Once that conversation ends or that motion event stops recording, that video is gone forever. No way to watch it again, save it, or use it as evidence if something suspicious happened.
Think about it: if someone steals a package or acts suspiciously, you'll get the alert in real-time, but you can't go back and review what actually happened. For many people, that defeats the whole point of having a security camera.
The Subscription Reality Check
Ring Protect starts at .99 per month. For that, you get:
- 60 days of video history for one device
- The ability to actually review incidents after they happen
- Smart alerts that differentiate between people and general motion
The /month plan covers unlimited Ring devices at your house, which makes sense if you're building out a comprehensive security system.
My Honest Recommendation
Start with the free version for a week or two. You'll quickly figure out whether you want to be able to review footage later (spoiler: most people do).
Once your first package gets delivered and you realize you can't actually see how the delivery person handled it, or when you get a motion alert at 2 AM and can't figure out what triggered it, you'll probably find yourself upgrading pretty quickly.
The peace of mind is usually worth the monthly cost for most homeowners. Plus, if you're already spending money on a quality doorbell camera, the subscription maximizes your investment.
How long does the Ring Doorbell battery last?
How Long Will Your Ring Doorbell Battery Actually Last?
If you're considering a Ring Video Doorbell, you're probably wondering how often you'll need to charge that battery. The honest answer? It really depends on your situation, but here's what you can realistically expect.
The Real-World Numbers
Most Ring Doorbell users get 6-12 months from a full charge, but that's quite a range. In practice, people with moderate doorstep activity (maybe 10-20 visitors or deliveries per day) typically see 8-10 months of battery life. That's pretty reasonable for most households.
However, if you live on a busy street or have very active foot traffic, you might find yourself charging every 3-4 months. It's not ideal, but it's manageable with proper planning.
Winter Changes Everything
Here's something Ring doesn't emphasize enough in their marketing: cold weather absolutely crushes battery performance. Users in northern states often report going from charging twice a year to charging monthly once winter hits.
Below 40°F, that lithium-ion battery starts struggling. We're talking about a 50% reduction in battery life during cold snaps. The good news? Performance bounces back to normal once spring arrives.
Simple Ways to Make Your Battery Last Longer
Want to squeeze more life out of each charge? These proven tweaks actually work:
Smart Motion Settings: Switch from "Frequently" to "Regularly" or "Periodically" in your motion frequency settings. You'll still catch everything important, but your battery won't work overtime.
Shorter Recordings: Cut your recording length to 30 seconds. You rarely need more than that to see what happened, and it makes a significant difference in power consumption.
Motion Zones Are Your Friend: Take five minutes to set up motion zones that exclude your neighbor's driveway or that busy sidewalk. Your battery will thank you for not recording every passing jogger.
The Bottom Line
The Ring app displays your battery percentage in the device settings and alerts you when running low. When charging time comes, plan for about 5 hours with a quality phone charger (2.1-amp) or up to 10 hours with an older, slower charger.
Most users find the battery life perfectly manageable once they understand what affects it and make these simple adjustments. For the ultimate convenience, consider purchasing a spare Ring battery to swap out while the other charges.
Best Stand Mixers: Complete Guide for 2025
Stand mixers eliminate the arm-aching work of hand mixing while delivering consistently superior results for everything from delicate meringues to robust bread doughs. However, choosing the right model requires understanding the significant differences in power, capacity, and features across price points from $100 to $600.
Our testing focused on real-world baking scenarios that home cooks actually encounter, evaluating performance, reliability, and value across different mixer categories. We analyzed which features matter most for various baking styles and frequencies.
These recommendations address every budget and skill level, emphasizing mixers that deliver professional results without unnecessary complexity or cost for typical home kitchen needs.
How long will the Google Pixel 8 receive Android updates?
Here's something that actually blew my mind about the Pixel 8: Google promised 7 years of updates. SEVEN YEARS! That's basically unheard of in the Android world.
What This Actually Means
Your Pixel 8 will get brand new Android versions until 2030. Think about that – Android 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, and 21. That's incredible longevity for any phone, let alone an Android device.
Plus you get:
- Monthly security patches (super important for keeping hackers out)
- Quarterly "Feature Drops" (basically surprise present updates with new features)
- Hardware support and parts availability for the full 7 years
Why This Is a Big Deal
Before this: Most Android phones got maybe 2-3 years of major updates. Even Samsung's flagship Galaxy phones only recently bumped up to 4 years. Google just said "hold my coffee" and went straight to 7.
Compared to iPhone: This actually matches or beats what Apple typically offers. iPhones usually get 5-6 years of updates, so Google is really pushing the envelope here.
Real-World Impact
For your wallet: You won't feel pressure to upgrade your phone every 2-3 years. This thing can legitimately last you into the next decade.
For the planet: Less electronic waste when people keep phones longer. It's actually a pretty big environmental win.
For your experience: You'll get all the latest Android features, security improvements, and Pixel-exclusive goodies for years to come.
The Fine Print
The 7-year clock started ticking in October 2023 when the phone launched, not when you bought yours. So if you buy a Pixel 8 in 2025, you're still getting updates until 2030.
Thinking about long-term value? Browse phone cases and screen protectors to protect your investment for the long haul.
Bottom line: This is one of the most compelling reasons to choose a Pixel 8. Even if you're not a tech person who cares about the latest features, keeping your phone secure and up-to-date for 7 years is pretty amazing value.
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