Ring Doorbell vs Arlo (2021): Which Smart Video Doorbell Should You Buy?

Whether you’re getting your first video doorbell or upgrading the one you currently have, Ring and Arlo are two brands worth considering. The Ring Video Doorbell 3, for instance, is one of the top-rated options. With its wire-free installation and reliable monitoring features, it’s become a fixture across many homes in the country.

Arlo, on the other hand, is better known for its security cameras. It has, however, recently ventured into smart video doorbells, with the Arlo Essential Wireless Video Doorbell being the most comparable to Ring’s offerings. Which one should you buy? Check our review below to get the lowdown on these smart doorbells.

Ring Doorbell vs Arlo Comparison Chart

Design

The Ring Video Doorbell 3 sports a rectangular form while the Arlo Essentials Wireless Video Doorbell is oval-shaped. Both are weather-resistant.

It’s easy to differentiate between the Ring Video Doorbell 3 and the Arlo Essential Wireless Video Doorbell. The Ring doorbell sports a wider, rectangular form while Arlo is oval-shaped and narrower in profile. Arlo is bound to draw more comparisons from the likes of the SimpliSafe Doorbell and Nest Hello with its design.

Despite these differences, the setup of both Ring and Arlo devices is pretty standard. On top of both, you’ll find their HD camera. The bottom half, on the other hand, is reserved for the actual doorbell button. Ring’s button is surrounded by a blue light that flashes when pressed. It’s a nifty feature that provides visual cues to visitors, especially in low-light conditions. Meanwhile, Arlo’s Essential Video doorbell has a slightly recessed button that offers more tactile feedback.

Since these devices are exposed to the elements, Ring and Arlo guarantee their respective doorbells are weather-resistant. If you’re still worried, you can get protective silicone skins from third-party suppliers for Arlo’s device. Ring, on the other hand, offers its own lineup of tamper-proof covers. Plus, you can choose from a range of interchangeable colored faceplates if you want your Video Doorbell 3 to match your door’s decor.

Camera and Audio

Arlo has a slight edge over Ring doorbells when it comes to camera and audio.

The defining feature of these devices is their cameras. Both models support your standard 1080p HD video with HDR. Arlo’s device, however, offers a max resolution of 1536×1536 while also boasting a 180-degree field of view. This gives users a slightly wider viewing angle from top to bottom. Nonetheless, both Ring and Arlo users can stay connected and access live video for free. But if you need video history, you will have to pay for their plans.

Beyond angles and pixels, however, there are plenty of similarities between the Ring doorbell and Arlo. For instance, both devices offer night vision powered by infrared sensors. Motion detection is also a staple component for the two. And if you’re on a Ring or Arlo subscription, this feature will also record a playback video a few seconds before the motion sensors are triggered.

If you live in a high-traffic area, motion detection alerts are bound to be triggered frequently. Fortunately, both Ring and Arlo allow users to set areas of focus, minimizing unnecessary and annoying alerts. The Ring Video Doorbell 3 and Arlo Essential Wireless can double as intercoms, too. Ring’s model features two-way audio with noise cancellation. On the other hand, Arlo’s doorbell delivers two-way audio with SIP audio or video call as soon as the doorbell is pressed.

Subscription and Features

Ring and Arlo offer expanded services for their doorbells through paid subscriptions. Ring also offers faster connectivity thanks to dual-band WiFi support.

While the Ring and Arlo doorbells are already great out of the box, a subscription will expand the services you get from both. Ring currently offers two Protect Plans — Basic and Plus. Subscribing to any of the two gives users access to up to 60 days of video recording stored in the cloud. Both also allow video saving and sharing. However, the Plus plan adds 24/7 professional monitoring, extended warranties, and discounts on other Ring products.

Similar to the Ring Video Doorbell 3, Arlo’s Essential Wireless Video Doorbell works with two plans. However, the difference between the two is fewer compared to Ring’s Protect Plans. Arlo’s Secure and Secure Plus plans, for instance, both offer priority support and discounts for additional Arlo products. They also provide access to video history, although only for up to 30 days. The draw for a Secure Plus option, however, is support for 4K video resolution. It also includes an Emergency Response feature.

Both Ring and Arlo doorbells need Internet connectivity to work. Here, Ring’s model has the edge over Arlo as it offers dual-band WiFi for faster connectivity. Both also work with voice-assistant enabled devices like Alexa and Google Assistant.

Installation and Ease of Use

Ring and Arlo’s video doorbells are easy to install and manage.

If you want to set up a video doorbell fast, then the Ring Video Doorbell 3 and Arlo Essentials Wireless Video Doorbell are great choices. Both are wire-free devices that can easily be mounted. Ring and Arlo already include all the wall mounting tools you’ll need. If you’re not too fond of having to recharge the doorbells, however, both devices do come with a hardwire option.

Setting up and managing these doorbells are fairly easy. Ring and Arlo’s devices come with QR codes you simply need to scan to start setting them up. Ring’s companion app does feel a bit more intuitive compared to Arlo’s, but it will boil down to preference.

Verdict

Arlo’s Essential Wireless Video Doorbell has a slight edge over the Ring Video Doorbell 3 that translates to a pricier device.

Ring doorbells are some of the best-selling in the market today. The Ring Video Doorbell 3, for instance, is a feature-packed model with expanded services when you subscribe to a Ring plan. It’s easy to install and set up and comes with a reliable companion app. Arlo, on the other hand, is new to smart video doorbells. However, it doesn’t show with the Arlo Essential Wireless Video Doorbell. A sleek-looking device, it offers much of the same functionality as Ring’s models but with slightly better video quality and subscription features.

If you’re looking to get your first smart doorbell, Arlo is a great choice. Ring, however, has the numbers to reassure you if you want a well-vouched device.

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