Skip to Content

Ring Launches Second-Generation Video Doorbell With 1080p Video and Removable Battery

by

Ring today launched the Video Doorbell 2 with 1080p video, up from 720p, and a removable, rechargeable battery pack.

ring video doorbell 2
Ring's original Video Doorbell also has a battery, but it's not removable, so the whole doorbell has to be unmounted and taken inside every six to twelve months or so to be recharged with an included Micro-USB cable. A removable battery pack makes recharging the video doorbell much more convenient.

Alternatively, the Video Doorbell 2 can continue to be hardwired with an 8-24 VAC transformer part of existing wired doorbell setups.

Ring's second-generation video doorbell also features customizable, interchangeable silver and brown faceplates, and improved infrared night vision with a 160º field of view and 180º horizontal motion detection angle. It continues to have two-way audio with noise cancellation, and so-called bank-grade encryption.

ring video doorbell 2 mac iphone
Ring connects to a home's Wi-Fi network and streams live video and audio to a paired iPhone and iPad through the free Ring Video Doorbell app on the App Store [Direct Link]. Video recordings can be saved in the cloud for up to 60 days with Ring's optional $30 per year, per camera subscription plan.

Ring's Video Doorbell and Video Doorbell 2 are not compatible with Apple HomeKit. A company spokesperson said the Ring Pro and Floodlight Cam will be HomeKit compatible most likely by the end of this year.

Ring is accepting orders for the Video Doorbell 2 on its website for $199, the same introductory price as its original Video Doorbell, now $179. The sleeker, hardwired-only Video Doorbell Pro is also available for $249.

Ring said the Video Doorbell 2 is also available today at all 15,000 major U.S. retailers that carry its devices, including Best Buy and Home Depot.

Tag: Ring

Top Rated Comments

Westside guy Avatar
114 months ago
They are dragging their feet on HomeKit support because supporting HomeKit would mean customers no longer have to subscribe to their monthly service to see the device remotely.
Seriously? You have to pay a monthly subscription for a doorbell?
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
114 months ago
But the important thing is does this offer HomeKit support?
Yeah its HomeKit or NoKit for me.
[doublepost=1497890609][/doublepost]
Ring's Video Doorbell and Video Doorbell 2 are not compatible with Apple HomeKit.
Then why even give them a post here?
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
114 months ago
A 1080p video camera on your doorbell makes about as much sense as putting a Xeon into an iMac.
Oh, so then you agree it's a good idea, then?

With the fairly wide-angle lens that those "security" applications have (which tend to make things look smaller), having high resolution really helps when you are trying to zoom-in on something digitally.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Joe Rossignol Avatar
114 months ago
But the important thing is does this offer HomeKit support?
I've added an update to the article.

Ring's Video Doorbell and Video Doorbell 2 are not compatible with Apple HomeKit. A company spokesperson said the Ring Pro and Floodlight Cam ('https://www.macrumors.com/2017/01/04/ring-floodlight-cam/') will be HomeKit compatible most likely by the end of this year.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
b0nd18t Avatar
114 months ago
Shame they didnt change how enormous and ugly it is
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
114 months ago
A 1080p video camera on your doorbell makes about as much sense as putting a Xeon into an iMac.
How can you possibly complain about wanting to see something as clearly as possible? I swear, many of you seem to live to complain on this board.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

macbook air blue

What's Coming in the M5 MacBook Air

Thursday February 26, 2026 3:57 pm PST by
Along with the low-cost MacBook, Apple could introduce a refreshed version of the MacBook Air next week. Most of the focus will be on the new machine, but the MacBook Air is expected to get some useful internal updates. M5 Chip The next-generation MacBook Air will adopt the M5 chip, which Apple already introduced in the iPad Pro and MacBook Pro models that came out last year. Apple's M5...
Apple Announces Special Event in New York Feature 1

Apple Teases 'A Big Week Ahead' With Announcements Starting Monday

Thursday February 26, 2026 6:06 am PST by
Apple CEO Tim Cook today teased "a big week ahead," with announcements starting Monday. His post included an #AppleLaunch hashtag with a colorful Apple logo, along with a short video that ultimately shows an Apple logo on the lid of a Mac. Apple is reportedly planning a three-day stretch of product announcements from Monday, March 2 through Wednesday, March 4, with up to five new products...
ipad mini 7 1

Could Apple's OLED iPad Mini Finally Be a Kindle Killer?

Friday February 27, 2026 12:08 pm PST by
With a similar screen size and easy, one-handed grip, the iPad mini has always been the Apple device that overlaps most with dedicated e-readers. Now, amid rumors pointing to an OLED display for the next generation, could the iPad mini finally replace devices such as the Kindle and Kobo? The shift from LCD to OLED could make the iPad mini far more appealing as a reading device. OLED panels...