Amazon's Ring Battery Video Doorbell: Review

Amazon's Ring Battery Video Doorbell has launched to a lower price point, meaning people can take their privacy a bit more seriously from the comfort of their front room - or anywhere they want really.

If you're already familiar with the Ring Doorbell's looks, this latest model won't exactly surprise you with its aesthetics.

But in some ways, that's part of its charm - it may be lower-priced to make it more amenable to wider marketplace, yet it's not skimped on the quality of how it looks. Set-up and installation of the device is a lot simpler than it seems.

Measuring just  6.19 cm x 2.30 cm x 12.65 cm (4.98 in x 2.44 in x 0.91 in), the bell's compact nature and look makes it a fit with just about any front entrance, putting a design aesthetic that's uniquely Amazon's but also a little timeless thanks to its sleek look.

Setup with the bracket will depend on your own DIY skills to be frank, but its simplicity speaks volumes to how easy Amazon wants to make it to help you into their own ecosystem. 

And while the accompanying app takes a little longer to negotiate, once it's done, you're relatively away and laughing. 

From mobile alerts from the button being activated to two-way audio, there's plenty here that you'd expect from a video doorbell. And while it's not a security camera per se, it does provide a peace of mind that's somewhat hard to deny.

Yet while the Doorbell Pro and Plus offer enhanced video, the Doorbell battery's video is good enough for your daily needs. From a 1440 x 1440 pixel HD video feed (labelled a "head-to-toe" vision by the company itself), you can see perfectly well what's outside your door when you need to.

The tech works just as well with other Amazon Alexa-connected devices in the house, but it's really in the app that the phone works best with just a few taps here and there allowing you to see what's going on at the front.

It's hard to call the Amazon Ring Battery Doorbell life-changing, but for those with mobility issues or basic security fears, the comfort level it provides is undeniable. You will need to buy a Chime if you're not already the owner of one, something which in truth feels a little bit of a disappointment given the basic package is a little too basic for just get up and go.

Paired with other devices such as the Amazon Show Echo the video component becomes vital and more than just functional.

And while it comes with a trial of Ring Home, the package that offers 24/7 recording, you will have to fork out more to stay in the eco-system if that's what you particularly want to do. If your Wi-Fi is stable enough as well, the feed will be fine - but wobble on that thanks to your ISP makes the Doorbell a little uncertain in places.

Equally as useful for small businesses as it is for homeowners in general, the Ring Battery Video Doorbell does provide the basics well. It's a shame it's lacking a Chime within the basic package too (though bundle deals exist) - but for getting started and staying connected to your smart home's system, there's no better way to ensure the gateway to your prized possessions is securely guarded and can maintain that from whereever you may be in your own house.