Winner
55% OFF
$44.99
$99.99
Updated October 2026
Data from the official Ring site.
2026 verdict
For the sharper picture at a lower outlay, the Ring Battery Doorbell (2nd Gen) is the better buy of these two Ring doorbells.
It records Retinal 2K with 6x Enhanced Zoom, adds familiar-face alerts on top of people and packages, and comes in three finishes. The Ring Battery Doorbell Plus answers with a slightly wider 150 by 150 degree view and, more importantly, a removable quick-release battery pack, so charging does not mean unmounting the doorbell. Both need a Ring plan for saved video, both are 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi only and both work with Alexa and Home Assistant. Choose the Ring Battery Doorbell (2nd Gen) for the newer sensor and the extra alert type, and the Ring Battery Doorbell Plus if a battery you can swap without taking the doorbell down matters more than resolution.
Works with
Connectivity
- Wi-Fi 2.4 GHz
vs
54% OFF
£59.99
£129.99
Works with
Connectivity
- Wi-Fi 2.4 GHz
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| Feature | Ring Battery Doorbell (2nd Gen) | Ring Battery Doorbell Plus | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $44.99 | £59.99 | Ring Battery Doorbell (2nd Gen) |
| Rating | 4.2 | 4.6 | Ring Battery Doorbell Plus |
| Alerts | Motion, People, Packages, Familiar Faces | Motion, People, Packages | Ring Battery Doorbell (2nd Gen) |
| Warranty | 1 year | 1 year | Tie |
| Connectivity | 2.4 GHz WiFi | 2.4 GHz WiFi | Tie |
| Integrations | Alexa, Home Assistant | Alexa, Home Assistant | Tie |
| Storage | Cloud | Cloud | Tie |
| Customizable Motion Zones | YES | YES | Tie |
| Voice Changing | NO | NO | Tie |
| Automatic Replies | YES | YES | Tie |
What the differences mean
Resolution
The Ring Battery Doorbell (2nd Gen) records Retinal 2K with up to 6x Enhanced Zoom, while the Ring Battery Doorbell Plus records 1536p. That is the clearest reason to pick the newer model: faces and plates stay legible further from the door.
Familiar faces
The Ring Battery Doorbell (2nd Gen) lists familiar-face alerts, though they need a Ring plan, so it can tell a known visitor from a stranger. The Ring Battery Doorbell Plus detects people and packages through a plan but does not offer familiar-face recognition.
Battery access
The Ring Battery Doorbell Plus uses a removable quick-release pack, so charging is a swap. The Ring Battery Doorbell (2nd Gen) has a built-in non-removable battery, so the doorbell has to come off the wall and be charged over USB-C, which owners of the newer model name as its main inconvenience.
Field of view
The Ring Battery Doorbell Plus quotes 150 degrees horizontally and vertically, a little wider than the 140 by 140 degree square of the Ring Battery Doorbell (2nd Gen). Both are tall enough to show a visitor and the ground at their feet, so the gap is modest.
Finishes
The Ring Battery Doorbell (2nd Gen) comes in Speckled Gray, Matte Mocha and Speckled White. The Ring Battery Doorbell Plus is listed without color options, which matters if the doorbell has to blend with a painted door or trim.
Which one to buy if
- you want the sharpest video for the least money
The Ring Battery Doorbell (2nd Gen) records 2K with 6x zoom, a step above the 1536p of the Ring Battery Doorbell Plus, and it is the more affordable of the two.
- you want the doorbell to recognize familiar faces
Familiar-face alerts are listed for the Ring Battery Doorbell (2nd Gen) and not for the Ring Battery Doorbell Plus, though either needs a Ring plan.
- the mounting spot is hard to reach
The Ring Battery Doorbell Plus has a quick-release pack you can swap, while the Ring Battery Doorbell (2nd Gen) must be unmounted to charge.
- the doorbell has to match the door
The Ring Battery Doorbell (2nd Gen) is offered in three finishes and the Ring Battery Doorbell Plus lists no color options.
- you want the widest possible view of the porch
The Ring Battery Doorbell Plus covers 150 by 150 degrees against 140 by 140 on the Ring Battery Doorbell (2nd Gen).
Winner
55% OFF
$44.99
$99.99
- + Price: $44.99
- + Alerts: Motion, People, Packages, Familiar Faces
- - Rating: 4.2 vs 4.6
54% OFF
£59.99
£129.99
- + Rating: 4.6
- - Price: £59.99 vs $44.99
- - Alerts: Motion, People, Packages vs Motion, People, Packages, Familiar Faces
What owners say
Owners of both Ring models say the same things about what works: the install is quick and wire-free, the head-to-toe frame finally shows the parcel on the step, night footage is sharp, and notifications arrive fast. Ring Battery Doorbell (2nd Gen) owners talk most about the jump in resolution and zoom over older Ring doorbells, and they warn that the battery is sealed in, so recharging means removing the whole unit, with a first charge taking hours and the printed guide unhelpful. Ring Battery Doorbell Plus owners single out the quick-release pack that made charging painless, the 1536p image, color night vision and responsive support, and their shared frustration is the Ring plan behind saved video and smarter alerts, plus 2.4 GHz-only Wi-Fi and a torx screw for the battery.
Upgrading from the Ring Battery Doorbell Plus?
Moving from the Ring Battery Doorbell Plus to the Ring Battery Doorbell (2nd Gen) buys a sharper 2K sensor, familiar-face alerts and a choice of colors. What it gives up is the quick-release battery pack and a little field of view, so anyone who values a battery they can swap without taking the doorbell down may prefer to stay with the Plus. The 2nd Gen is the newer generation of the same doorbell line, not a different class of device: the app, the alerts and the Ring plan work the same way on both.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better overall: Ring Battery Doorbell (2nd Gen) or Ring Battery Doorbell Plus?
The Ring Battery Doorbell (2nd Gen) is the better buy for most people because it records sharper 2K video, adds familiar-face alerts and comes in more finishes, for less. The Ring Battery Doorbell Plus is the better pick if you want a removable battery pack and a slightly wider view.
What is the biggest difference between the Ring Battery Doorbell (2nd Gen) and the Ring Battery Doorbell Plus?
The battery. The Ring Battery Doorbell Plus has a quick-release pack you can swap without tools, while the Ring Battery Doorbell (2nd Gen) has a built-in battery, so the whole doorbell comes off the wall to charge. The newer model makes up for it with 2K video and familiar-face alerts.
What colors does the Ring Battery Doorbell (2nd Gen) come in?
The Ring Battery Doorbell (2nd Gen) is listed in Speckled Gray, Matte Mocha and Speckled White. The Ring Battery Doorbell Plus is listed without color options.
Do both Ring doorbells need a subscription?
Neither needs a plan to ring, stream live or send motion alerts, but both require a Ring subscription for saved video and for person and package alerts. Familiar-face alerts, listed on the Ring Battery Doorbell (2nd Gen), also need a plan and are not offered on the Ring Battery Doorbell Plus.
Who should buy the Ring Battery Doorbell (2nd Gen)?
Buyers who want the sharpest Ring video for the money, familiar-face alerts and a choice of finishes, and who can live with unmounting the doorbell to charge it.
Who should buy the Ring Battery Doorbell Plus?
Owners who charge often or mount the doorbell high, and who value the quick-release battery pack and the slightly wider 150 by 150 degree view over the newer sensor.
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