Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Smart Home
  3. Products

Digital Trends may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site. Why trust us?

Ring Video Doorbell Wired vs. Ring Video Doorbell 3

By

One of the leading video doorbell brands, Ring doorbells offer impressive audio and video, quick and easy install, and an intuitive mobile app for checking your front door on the go. Ring has several bells to choose from, based on your needs and preferences. Two popular options are the new Ring Video Doorbell Wired and the Ring Video Doorbell 3. There are several differences between both bells, which is where we come in. In this side-by-side, we’ll look at both Ring devices, observing criteria like design, features, and price, to help you determine which Ring bell is best for you.

Design

Ring Video Doorbell 3
Image used with permission by copyright holder

The Ring Video Doorbell Wired is one of Ring’s smallest video bells. Measuring 3.98 inches tall, 1.8 inches wide, and 0.88 inches deep, the bell matches the rectangular aesthetic of the rest of Ring’s product suite. Out of the box, there’s only one faceplate option (standard matte-black), although you can purchase additional plates, along with wedge and corner kits, if you need them. In the box, you’ll find the Video Doorbell Wired itself, installation tools and screws, a quick starter guide, user manual, and security sticker.

Recommended Videos

The Ring Video Doorbell 3 is one of the bigger Ring bells on the block, but for good reason — the optional battery pack. Measuring 5.1 inches tall, 2.4 inches wide, and 1.1 inches deep, the Doorbell 3 comes with two faceplate choices: Satin nickel and Venetian bronze. You’ll find a full wedge and corner kit in the box, too, if you need to bump the bell out past certain exterior features of your home’s entryways. Other in-the-box finds include the Doorbell 3’s battery, installation hardware and tools, a USB charging cable, mounting bracket, user manual, quick start guide, and security sticker.

Related

In terms of the overall design, the Doorbell Wired offers a slimmer profile. If you’re after the battery, you’ll need to contend with the larger shell of the Doorbell 3. That being said, we’ll call this category a tie.

Winner: Tie

Installation

The Video Doorbell Wired requires an existing doorbell system for power. According to Ring, the install process should take about 15 minutes. To begin, you’ll want to power down the breaker to your home’s bell system. Locate the chime box in your home and remove the cover. Use the provided Ring cables to connect both terminals in the chime box. You can also use the Ring plug-in adapter or a dedicated transformer (16-24 VAC, 40VA max, 50/60Hz). Outside, you’ll want to remove your home’s doorbell. Connect the existing wiring to the back of the Doorbell Wired, then mount the bell to your door’s exterior framing. Once all the leads are properly connected, turn the breaker back on. Download the Ring app on your preferred mobile device (if you haven’t already) to complete the rest of the install.

It’s also important to note that if you’re using your home’s existing doorbell wiring to power the Doorbell Wired, your doorbell chime won’t work. To keep the chime going, you’ll need to purchase the Ring Chime with your doorbell product.

The Video Doorbell 3 can be powered by a rechargeable battery or through a hardwire connection to your home’s existing bell system. For battery power, simply insert the pack into the bell, mount to your door framing using the screws and hardware, then pop the faceplate on. If you’d rather hardwire the bell, the install process is the same as the Video Doorbell Wired.

The Doorbell 3 can be paired to both a 2.4GHz or 5GHz network, while the Doorbell Wired can only live on the 2.4GHz band. Consider this if your home’s network is overloaded with web-connected devices.

Winner: Ring Video Doorbell 3

Features and performance

Ring Video Doorbell Wired footage
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Both the Doorbell Wired and Doorbell 3 offer full 1080p HD video, live view, night-vision capabilities, and two-way audio (with noise cancellation) for communicating with guests at your front door. You’ll find advanced motion detection and customizable motion zones on both bells, too. With custom motion, you’ll be able to use the Ring app to draw motion zones around to scan within. Only motion that is detected inside the boundaries you draw will trigger a motion alert. In terms of viewing space, the Doorbell 3 offers enhanced resolution with up to a 160-degree field of view and 90-degree vertical viewing. The Doorbell Wired isn’t far behind, offering a 155-degree field of view and 90-degree vertical viewing.

One of the big advantages of the Doorbell 3 is the device’s battery pack. If your home loses power for any reason, the Doorbell Wired won’t work. Thanks to external power, the Doorbell 3 will stay online, even if the bell is hardwired.

Ring Video Doorbell 3 on Ring mobile app
Image used with permission by copyright holder

With the additional Ring Protect Plan (with prices starting at $3/month and the first 30 days for free), there’s more to unlock for each bell. One of these features is Pre-Roll footage. Exclusive to the Doorbell Wired, this allows the camera to record up to six additional seconds of footage before a motion event begins, helping you paint a clearer picture of the motion event. There’s no Pre-Roll feature for the Doorbell 3, although you can find it on the Ring Video Doorbell 3 Plus. Another feature, available for both bells, is People Only Mode. When enabled, this issues a motion alert to your device only if it’s a person that your doorbell detects. Then there are Rich Notifications (available for both bells). When enabled, this plants a snapshot preview in your motion alert. If you can see it’s just your in-law in the thumbnail image, there’s no need to unlock your phone to view the full motion alert.

For $10/month and the first 30 days for free, you can get a Ring Protect Plus plan. This includes all the benefits of a Ring Protect plan, along with 24/7 emergency surveillance from Ring, extended warranties on all your home’s Ring devices, as well as 10% off select products on Ring.com. Do note that if you plan on using Ring’s 24/7 surveillance, you’ll also need a Ring Alarm kit.

Amazon households will be glad to know that both the Doorbell Wired and Doorbell Pro are compatible with Alexa devices. Use an Echo speaker to communicate with front-door guests, or view live, front-door footage on your Echo Show. Neither bell offers support for Google Assistant.

We’re calling this one a tie. While you won’t get the full 160-degree horizontal view and 5GHz compatibility with the Doorbell Wired, the hardwired device does include the useful Pre-Roll feature.

Winner: Tie

Price

The Ring Video Doorbell Wired is currently available for pre-order through Ring.com and for $59. The Doorbell Wired officially hits shelves on February 24. Right now, you can save $9 off the cost of a Ring Chime by purchasing the Doorbell Wired and Chime together for $79.

The Ring Video Doorbell 3 sells for $199 through Ring.com and Amazon.

Winner: Ring Video Doorbell Wired

The verdict

Depending on your needs and wants, there’s a reason to buy each bell. If you’re shopping on a budget or want the most minimalist design for your home, we’d recommend the Ring Video Doorbell Wired. Do keep in mind that if your home loses power, the Doorbell Wired goes down, too. If you don’t want to mess with your home’s doorbell wiring, and don’t mind dropping a few bucks, the Ring Video Doorbell 3 is probably the best bet for you and your front door.

Editors’ Recommendations

Topics
Michael Bizzaco
Michael Bizzaco
AV Contributor
Michael Bizzaco has been selling, installing, and talking about TVs, soundbars, streaming devices, and all things smart home…
Blink Mini 2 vs. Ring Stick Up Cam Plug-In: Which budget security camera is best for you?
The Blink Mini 2 placed on two books.

Blink and Ring are two of the best-known security companies, and they're responsible for many of the best security cameras on the market. The Blink Mini 2 and the Ring Stick Up Cam Plug-In are popular choices for frugal shoppers, as they carry reasonable price tags, yet offer most of the features you'd expect from a well-rounded camera. But if you only need one, which is right for you -- the Blink Mini 2 or the Ring Stick Up Cam Plug-In? Here's a look at both to help you decide.
Pricing and monthly fees

The Blink Mini 2 is one of the most affordable security cameras money can buy. It clocks in at just $40, though Blink often slashes its price to just $30. If you'd like to use the camera outside, you can bundle in the Weather Resistant Adapter for a total of $50.  The Ring Stick Up Cam Plug-In is more expensive at $100, though with the launch of the Stick Up Cam Pro, it's typically available for $70.

Read more
Ring Pan-Tilt Indoor Cam vs. Wyze Cam Pan v3: Which is the better pan-tilt camera?
The Pan-Tilt mounted on a wall.

An indoor camera capable of panning and tilting is one of the best ways to improve the security of your home. These devices make it easy to capture all corners of a room with a single device, making them a cost-effective way to keep tabs on a property. The Wyze Cam Pan v3 is one of the cheapest options on the market, but Ring has recently launched its own Pan-Tilt Indoor Cam that's quickly become popular with shoppers.

But is the expensive Ring Pan-Tilt Indoor Cam better than the Wyze Cam Pan v3? Or should you save yourself a few bucks and opt for the cheaper security camera? Here's a look at both to help you decide.
Pricing and monthly fees

Read more
Google Nest Doorbell vs. Ring Video Doorbell (2nd Gen): which is better for your front door?
Ring Video Doorbell 2nd gen on doorway

Take a stroll through any neighborhood, and you're bound to encounter more than a few video doorbells. These nifty devices have grown in popularity over the years, with companies like Ring, Google, Arlo, and Wyze offering their own take on the hardware. But of all the products available today, few are as well-regarded as the Google Nest Doorbell and Ring Video Doorbell (2nd Gen).

These two devices are easy to install, capture high-quality footage, and bring an added layer of security to your front door. But which of the two is the better purchase -- the Nest Doorbell or the Ring Video Doorbell? Here's a look at both video doorbells to help you decide.
Design

Read more