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Head-to-head · Best Video Doorbells

Arlo Essential Video Doorbell (2nd Gen) vs Ring Battery Doorbell Plus

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

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The short answer

Arlo Essential Video Doorbell (2nd Gen) comes out ahead by a narrow margin (4.5 vs 4.4). Arlo Essential Video Doorbell (2nd Gen) is best for: Buyers with wide porches or wraparound entry steps who need maximum field of view, and who accept paying Arlo Secure for recording features. Read the strengths below before deciding.

Arlo Essential Video Doorbell (2nd Gen)
Higher ratedRanked #3 in Best Video Doorbells
Arlo Essential Video Doorbell (2nd Gen)
1 source$49.99as of Oct 23

Buyers who care most about field of view should look at the Arlo Essential Video Doorbell 2nd Gen, which also has the squarest 1:1 framing in the category. Its 180 degree lens and HDR handling are genuinely best-in-class on wide porches, and the on-device AI is mature. Like Ring, it gates the recording features most people expect behind a subscription, here Arlo Secure, so budget for the monthly cost.

Strengths
  • — AI-powered detection differentiates people, vehicles, animals, and packages with low false-positive rates
  • — Built-in siren for direct deterrent activation
  • — Direct Wi-Fi connection with no hub required for the wireless model
Watch-outs
  • — Arlo Secure subscription at 7.99 a month required for video recording, smart alerts, and activity zones
  • — Two-way audio can sound thin compared to Ring or Eufy
$49.99 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →
Ring Battery Doorbell Plus
Ranked #2 in Best Video Doorbells
Ring Battery Doorbell Plus
3 sources$95.62as of Jun 7

Want a top-tier video doorbell without rewiring or hiring an electrician? The Ring Battery Doorbell Plus is the pick. Its 1536p square-aspect feed, color night vision, and Quick-Release Battery add up to the easiest install in the category, and Tom's Guide names it the best battery-powered Ring you can buy. Note that a Ring Protect subscription is effectively mandatory for the recording features most people expect from a video doorbell.

Strengths
  • — 1536p head-to-toe video with 150 by 150 degree field of view captures packages and tall visitors in frame
  • — Quick-Release Battery Pack swaps in seconds without uninstalling the device
  • — Sub-3-second notification delivery with thumbnails attached
Watch-outs
  • — Most useful features locked behind a Ring Protect subscription starting at 4.99 a month
  • — Package detection unreliable in shadowed porches per reviewer testing
  • — 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi only with no Wi-Fi 6 or mesh-friendly band steering
$95.62 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →

How they stack up

Arlo Essential Video Doorbell (2nd Gen)

Out-frames every other model in this roundup with a true 180 degree 1:1 lens that the Ring Battery Doorbell Plus and Google Nest Doorbell Wired 2nd Gen cannot match. Falls behind the Eufy Security Video Doorbell E340 on subscription cost and night-vision color, and behind the Aqara Smart Video Doorbell G4 on HomeKit integration.

Ring Battery Doorbell Plus

Beats the Aqara Smart Video Doorbell G4 on resolution and FOV while costing only slightly more, and ships a smoother first-run setup than the Eufy Security Video Doorbell E340. Falls short of the Google Nest Doorbell Wired 2nd Gen on free event history but installs anywhere battery power can reach.

Specs side-by-side

SpecArlo Essential Video Doorbell (2nd Gen)Ring Battery Doorbell Plus
Resolution1536 by 1536 (1:1 square)1536p HD+
Field of View180 degrees diagonal150 by 150 degrees
Power SourceBattery or hardwired (model dependent)Battery (Quick-Release) or hardwired 8-24 VAC
Battery LifeUp to 6 months per charge6-12 months per charge
Cloud Storage Subscription RequiredYes, Arlo Secure from 7.99/mo for video historyYes, Ring Protect from 4.99/mo for video history
Local StorageNone (cloud only)None
EcosystemAlexa, Google Assistant, IFTTT, SmartThingsAlexa, Ring app
Field of View Aspect Ratio1:1 square—
Night VisionColor and IRColor Night Vision
Two-Way AudioYes—
Weather RatingIP65-5 F to 122 F operating range
Smart NotificationsPerson, vehicle, animal, package (with Arlo Secure)Person, package, motion zones
Wi-Fi Standard—Wi-Fi 4 (802.11 b/g/n) 2.4 GHz
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