Ring Battery Doorbell (2nd Gen) Review: 2K Video at the Entry Price, With a Battery You Cannot Swap
The cheapest way into Ring's Retinal 2K generation, with a head-to-toe view and a built-in battery that means unmounting the doorbell to charge it.
The second-generation Battery Doorbell is Ring's entry point into Retinal 2K, and the video is the reason to buy it: owners upgrading from older Ring doorbells consistently describe a large jump in sharpness and a much wider head-to-toe view that finally shows packages on the step. Installation is quick, it needs no wiring, and it costs meaningfully less than the Plus. The compromises are real though: the battery is built in, so charging means taking the doorbell off the wall, Wi-Fi is 2.4GHz only, and anything beyond live view and basic alerts needs a subscription. Buy it if price and picture matter more than convenience.
- First-time smart doorbell buyers
- Renters and homes without doorbell wiring
- Ring households on a budget
- Anyone monitoring package deliveries
Pros
- Retinal 2K video with 6x Enhanced Zoom at the lowest price in Ring's 2K lineup
- 140 by 140 degree head-to-toe view that captures packages on the doorstep
- Sharp night vision
- Ten minute wire-free install, with a no-drill mount option for renters
- Three color finishes
- Fast notifications with text descriptions of the event
- Optional hardwiring for a continuous trickle charge
Cons
- Built-in battery, the doorbell must be unmounted to recharge it
- 2.4GHz Wi-Fi 4 only, no 5GHz support
- Recorded history, people and package alerts require a subscription
- Printed documentation is poor, owners struggle to even find the charging port
- Motion detection accuracy is inconsistent between owners
- No microSD slot or local storage
- The no-drill mount and the solar charger cannot be used at the same time
Who is the Ring Battery Doorbell (2nd Gen) for?
This is the least expensive doorbell in Ring's Retinal 2K generation, aimed at people who want sharp video without wiring or a large outlay. It records 2K with up to 6x Enhanced Zoom across a 140 by 140 degree square field of view, which shows a visitor from head to toe and the doormat at the same time, and it runs on a built-in lithium ion battery, so it mounts anywhere in about ten minutes. It can optionally be hardwired to an existing 8-24 VAC doorbell transformer for a trickle charge. It comes in Speckled Gray, Matte Mocha and Speckled White, works with Alexa, and joins the rest of a Ring setup in the same app.
What buyers love
Picture quality dominates the feedback. Owners replacing a first-generation Ring describe the difference as immediately obvious, both in resolution and in how much more of the porch, driveway and yard fits in frame, and the square head-to-toe aspect ratio gets specific praise for showing packages left at the door. Night footage is called sharp, and the enhanced zoom repeatedly surprises buyers who did not expect to use it. Setup is described as straightforward and app-guided, usually a few minutes, and a no-drill mount is available for renters. Notifications arrive quickly, the text descriptions of what triggered an event are appreciated, and buyers consistently rate the value highly given the price relative to the rest of the Ring range.
What to know before you buy
The battery is not removable. To charge it you unmount the doorbell and plug into a USB-C port hidden under a small rubber cover on the back, and more than one owner says they would have chosen a model with a swappable pack had they realised. A first charge takes roughly four hours, and the no-drill mount and the solar panel cannot be used together. The bundled documentation draws harsh criticism, with owners resorting to YouTube to find the charging port, and at least one reports only a single mounting screw in the box. Connectivity is 2.4GHz Wi-Fi 4 only, and while most owners report a stable connection, some experience drops. Motion detection is the other divided topic: it can miss people at the front door for some owners while alerting on traffic in the street for others. Saved video, people and package alerts and the smarter filtering all require a subscription.
Is the Ring Battery Doorbell (2nd Gen) worth it?
For a first smart doorbell, or as a cheap upgrade from an older Ring, owner sentiment is clearly positive: buyers get the same Retinal 2K sensor and wide square view as the pricier models for noticeably less money. The built-in battery is the compromise that defines it, and if the mounting spot is awkward to reach or you want a spare pack ready to swap, the Battery Doorbell Plus is worth the extra. Add the cost of a subscription to the mental price, since without one the device is limited to live view and notifications.
Frequently asked questions
Can you replace the battery in the Ring Battery Doorbell (2nd Gen)?
No. This model has a built-in, non-removable battery. To charge it you unmount the doorbell and use the USB-C port under a rubber cover on the back, or hardwire it to an existing doorbell transformer for continuous charging.
How is it different from the Battery Doorbell Plus (2nd Gen)?
Both record Retinal 2K with the same 140 by 140 degree view. The Plus adds a tool-free Quick Release Battery Pack, dual-band Wi-Fi 6 and an angled corner mount in the box, and costs more.
Does it need a subscription?
Not to work. Live view, two-way talk and motion notifications are free. Saving and rewatching recorded events, plus people, package and Familiar Faces alerts, require a Ring subscription.
Does it work on 5GHz Wi-Fi?
No. This model is single-band 2.4GHz Wi-Fi 4 only, so it needs a 2.4GHz network available at the door.
Does it work with Alexa, Apple Home or Google Home?
It works with Alexa, and with Home Assistant through a community integration. There is no Apple Home, Google Home, SmartThings or Matter support.
Can it be installed without drilling?
Yes, Ring sells a no-drill mount for it, which several owners use. Note that the no-drill mount cannot be combined with the solar charger accessory.
