Winner
Updated November 2026
Data from the official Arlo and Ring sites.
2026 verdict
The Arlo Essential Wireless Video Doorbell narrowly beats the Ring Battery Doorbell Plus by working with far more smart home platforms at the lower price of these two battery doorbells.
It pairs with Google Home, SmartThings, Alexa and Home Assistant, reaches Apple Home through an Arlo SmartHub, and its paid plan adds animal and vehicle alerts that Ring does not offer at all. The Ring Battery Doorbell Plus has the better camera, 1536p with color night vision in a square 150 by 150 degree view, and owners rate it higher; it also keeps motion zones, privacy zones and quick replies free, where the Arlo gates motion zones behind Arlo Secure. Both run on a battery with optional wiring, both stay on 2.4 GHz and both need a plan to keep video. Choose the Arlo Essential Wireless Video Doorbell for a Google Home or SmartThings home, and the Ring Battery Doorbell Plus for the sharper picture in an Alexa home.
Connectivity
- Wi-Fi 2.4 GHz
vs
Works with
Connectivity
- Wi-Fi 2.4 GHz
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| Feature | Arlo Essential Wireless Video Doorbell | Ring Battery Doorbell Plus | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.1 | 4.6 | Ring Battery Doorbell Plus |
| Integrations | Google Home, Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Samsung SmartThings, Home Assistant | Alexa, Home Assistant | Arlo Essential Wireless Video Doorbell |
| Alerts | Motion, People, Packages, Animals, Vehicles, Familiar Faces | Motion, People, Packages | Arlo Essential Wireless Video Doorbell |
| Customizable Motion Zones | Subscription required | YES | Ring Battery Doorbell Plus |
| Automatic Replies | NO | YES | Ring Battery Doorbell Plus |
| Warranty | 1 year | 1 year | Tie |
| Connectivity | 2.4 GHz WiFi | 2.4 GHz WiFi | Tie |
| Storage | Cloud | Cloud | Tie |
| Voice Changing | NO | NO | Tie |
| No Subscription Required | NO | NO | Tie |
What the differences mean
Smart home platforms
The Arlo Essential Wireless Video Doorbell works with Google Home, Alexa, SmartThings and Home Assistant, plus Apple Home through an Arlo SmartHub. The Ring Battery Doorbell Plus works with Alexa and Home Assistant only, so it cannot show up on a SmartThings setup or a Google Nest Hub.
Video
The Ring Battery Doorbell Plus records 1536p with color night vision; the Arlo records 1080p in black and white at night. The Ring's square 150 by 150 degree view is taller, while the Arlo's 180 degree diagonal view is wider.
What the plan unlocks
Both need a subscription for saved video and person or package alerts. Arlo's plan also covers animal and vehicle alerts, which Ring does not offer, but it gates motion zones too, which Ring gives away.
Privacy and quick replies
Both offer privacy zones. Only the Ring answers visitors with automatic replies, and it keeps event video cached during a power cut without a plan, which on the Arlo needs a subscription.
Which one to buy if
- your home runs on SmartThings or a Samsung setup
The Arlo Essential Wireless Video Doorbell works with SmartThings; the Ring Battery Doorbell Plus does not.
- you want the sharpest image and color at night
The Ring Battery Doorbell Plus records 1536p with color night vision.
- you want alerts for animals or cars
Arlo's plan adds animal and vehicle alerts, which the Ring does not offer.
- you want motion zones without a subscription
The Ring Battery Doorbell Plus includes customizable motion zones for free.
Winner
$129.99
- + Integrations: Google Home, Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Samsung SmartThings, Home Assistant
- + Alerts: Motion, People, Packages, Animals, Vehicles, Familiar Faces
- - Rating: 4.1 vs 4.6
- - Customizable Motion Zones: Subscription required vs YES
- + Rating: 4.6
- + Customizable Motion Zones: YES
- + Automatic Replies: YES
- - Integrations: Alexa, Home Assistant vs Google Home, Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Samsung SmartThings, Home Assistant
- - Alerts: Motion, People, Packages vs Motion, People, Packages, Animals, Vehicles, Familiar Faces
What owners say
Owners of both battery doorbells like how easily they go up without wiring and call the picture clear, and both groups warn about the subscription. Ring Battery Doorbell Plus owners single out the quick-release battery pack, a tall view that shows parcels on the step and Ring's support, and complain that saved recordings and smarter alerts need a paid plan, that it is 2.4 GHz only and that it charges over micro-USB. Arlo Essential Wireless Video Doorbell owners praise the 180 degree view, prompt alerts and solid battery life, but their frustration runs deeper: live view and recordings stop after the trial without Arlo Secure, some report older Arlo devices disabled by forced app updates, and a few received refurbished or scratched units.
Frequently Asked Questions
Arlo video doorbell vs Ring: which is better, the Arlo Essential Wireless Video Doorbell or the Ring Battery Doorbell Plus?
The Arlo Essential Wireless Video Doorbell, narrowly, for its wider platform support and lower price. The Ring Battery Doorbell Plus has the better camera with 1536p and color night vision and is rated higher, so pick it if image quality and an Alexa home matter most.
Does the Ring Battery Doorbell Plus work with SmartThings or a Samsung TV?
The Ring Battery Doorbell Plus does not work with SmartThings; it supports Alexa and Home Assistant. The Arlo Essential Wireless Video Doorbell does work with SmartThings, as well as Google Home, Alexa and Home Assistant.
What is the biggest difference between the Arlo Essential Wireless Video Doorbell and the Ring Battery Doorbell Plus?
Platform support against picture quality. The Arlo Essential Wireless Video Doorbell reaches Google Home, SmartThings and Apple Home through an Arlo SmartHub, while the Ring Battery Doorbell Plus has the sharper 1536p camera with color night vision.
Do both need a subscription?
Yes, for saved video and person and package alerts. The Arlo Essential Wireless Video Doorbell also gates motion zones behind Arlo Secure, while the Ring Battery Doorbell Plus keeps motion zones, privacy zones and quick replies free.
Who should buy the Arlo Essential Wireless Video Doorbell?
Google Home, SmartThings and existing Arlo Secure households that want a wire-free doorbell with a wide view and animal and vehicle alerts.
Who should buy the Ring Battery Doorbell Plus?
Alexa and Ring households, renters and apartments that want the better picture, color night vision and a painless quick-release battery.
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