While I’ve always valued safety and have strived to stay aware of my surroundings, it became a huge priority in our home after we became parents. My neighborhood is in the heart of the hustle and bustle of the historic district, so we constantly get foot traffic in our area, whether it’s soliciting salesmen or Amazon deliveries.
After using the Ring Video Doorbell and Outdoor Ring Camera (comes in a bundle) for a few days, I’ll admit that I get it now. It’s not just about catching porch burglary attempts or talking to strangers from your phone. It’s about convenience, awareness, and keeping up with your home while you’re away.
Getting my Ring Video Doorbell + Outdoor Camera set up
I thought I’d have to put off setting it up for a few days, assuming it would require tools I didn’t have or time I didn’t want to spend. But in the end, the install was fast. Ring includes the screwdriver, screws, mounting bracket: the whole deal. No drilling unless you’re mounting it into something unusual, and no hardwiring if you don’t want to.
The app walks you through everything step-by-step, and within 15–20 minutes, it was on my doorframe, charged, and connected to Wi-Fi.
Putting it to good use at home
Here’s what surprised me: I started checking the Ring app the way I check the weather; not because I needed to, but because it was nice to know what’s going on.
Motion alerts come straight to your phone (and your smart speaker, if you set it up that way). You can pull up a live view, talk to whoever’s there, or just wait and watch the video later. I’ve answered the door from the couch, from the office, and once while waiting in a grocery store line. That part still feels like magic.
The two-way audio is clear enough to hold a quick conversation — “Leave the package behind the plant, thanks!” — and the video is sharp, even at night.
What I learned about battery life + subscription
For me, I get around 3-5 motion events a day, so Ring estimates I’ll get about a month per charge. I’ve had the Ring for 8 days and so far I’ve only used about 15% percent of the battery.
Without a subscription, you can still get real-time notifications and live view but no recorded video. If you want to review footage or save clips, you’ll need Ring Protect (starts at $4/month). We currently don’t have the subscription, but we’re debating adding it. When we tried the free trial, we were able to go back to review the footage from the day. Without it, we’re still able to check in on our house to see what’s happening in real time.
What I didn’t love
- Motion alerts can get noisy until you fine-tune your zones. Expect a few days of tweaking.
- The battery isn’t super fast to charge. This was something I noticed before installing. Not a big deal, but it’s probably worth noting if you forget to charge it ahead of a trip.
- You’ll probably want the subscription. It’s not required, but most of the features you’d care about like reviewing footage are locked behind it. Since getting the doorbell, we’re convinced of the value of having the subscription so we can get the full experience out of our security features.
Here’s why you should consider adding this to cart
It will make small moments smoother. You’ll stop sprinting to the door when the bell rings. You’ll catch deliveries even when you’re not home. And yes, you’ll probably become one of those people who sends their friends clips of raccoons or strangers doing weird things on the porch.
For what it costs, it delivers a solid blend of security, convenience, and everyday utility. I didn’t expect to keep checking my doorbell app like a mini neighborhood surveillance system, but I love it.
Would I recommend it? Definitely, especially if you’ve ever missed a delivery, wondered who rang the bell, or just want a smarter way to manage your front door.
Shop the Ring Video Doorbell online at HSN. The bundle they offer is quite amazing because you’ll score a video camera additionally for your home’s exterior. Bonus: Through September 30, new customers can use coupon codes HSN2025 for $10 off $20+ purchases, or WELCOME2025 for $15 off $35+ purchases.
This review was produced in partnership with HSN.