Ring Video Doorbell (1st Gen, 2015)

Smart design ; Very easy setup ; Largely intuitive mobile app ; Decent-quality footage ; Reliable motion detection ; Talkback works well

Easy to steal ; No ring tone options ; Only one month of cloud storage included

Technically a great home security solution, but the higher-resolution Ring Video Doorbell 2 is a now a better choice.

Technically a great home security solution, but the required subscription service dents its value.

Multiple users can answer the door remotely, night vision and motion detection work well, noise cancellation makes audio clear

Battery down to 80 per cent after one week, needs dismounting and charging every time it runs flat, dependent on network performance

The Ring Video Doorbell provides a great service and adds an element of security to a product category which has long been just a minor peripheral.

Ring's audio quality is much better than Doorbot's, its 180-degree field of view lets you see a whole lot more and its motion detection zones work well.

I experienced occasional lag times and spotty video feeds.

Ring is a significant step up from Doorbot and its upcoming weather-sensing features show promise, but I'm still a little concerned about its ability to stream a consistently decent video.

Easy to install ; Works perfectly

Video recording features require paid subscription ; Doorbell ringtones can't be adjusted

Whilst £159 for a doorbell may sound like a lot of money, but the is so much more than just a doorbell. If you are concerned about your home security and who calls at your door when not at home (or are at home and just want to vet callers) this device...

Enormous security potential ; Intuitive app ; Easy installation ; Inexpensive

Latency in time-to-answer ; Plastic-y case components

We think the Ring Video Doorbell is a great addition to any home, and at just $99, is a steal.

Easy to install. HD video. Cloud recording. Motion detection notifications.

Pricey. No on-demand video. Audio could be better. Short battery life.

Conclusions With the Ring Video Doorbell, you can see who is at your door from the safety and comfort of your couch. It lets you accept or deny visitor calls, and uses motion detection to alert you of activity on your doorstep even when the bell hasn't...