Ring Video Doorbell 4 Review

Ring practically invented the video doorbell category, and the Doorbell 4 shows the maturity of a product that's been refined over many generations. It may not have the flashiest specs on paper, but it delivers where it matters most: reliability and useful features.

The standout feature is color Pre-Roll video. Most video doorbells start recording when motion is detected, which means you often miss the first few seconds of activity — like a package being placed on your porch or someone approaching your door. The Ring Doorbell 4 captures four seconds of color video before the motion event triggers, giving you crucial context. In practice, this has been invaluable for understanding exactly what happened during an event.

Dual-band Wi-Fi is another practical advantage. Many competing doorbells only support 2.4GHz, which can be crowded and unreliable in homes with many smart devices. The Doorbell 4's 5GHz support provides a faster, more stable connection, resulting in quicker live view startup and more reliable notifications.

Installation flexibility is appreciated. You can run it entirely on the rechargeable battery — just mount it, connect to Wi-Fi, and you're done in 10 minutes. When the battery needs charging (roughly every 2-3 months depending on activity), the battery pack slides out without unmounting the doorbell. Alternatively, hardwiring to existing doorbell wiring provides continuous power and triggers your existing indoor chime.

Alexa integration is where Ring shines brightest. When someone presses your doorbell, every Echo device in your home announces "Someone is at the front door." If you have an Echo Show, it automatically displays the live camera feed. You can talk to visitors through any Alexa device without picking up your phone. It's seamless and genuinely useful.

The 1080p resolution is adequate for identifying visitors and activity, though competitors like the Arlo Video Doorbell now offer 2K. For most doorstep distances, faces are clearly visible and details are sharp. Night vision uses infrared LEDs, providing clear black-and-white footage up to 25 feet.

The main drawback is the subscription requirement. Without Ring Protect ($4.99/month), you can see live video and get alerts, but you can't review recorded clips — which largely defeats the purpose of a security camera. Factor this recurring cost into your purchase decision.

The lack of Google Assistant and Apple HomeKit support is the other significant limitation. If you're not in the Amazon/Alexa ecosystem, the Google Nest Doorbell is a better choice.