Home security is important because it can protect your property, loved ones, and peace of mind from crime, fire, and other hazards. Home security systems can also deter potential burglars, alert you to suspicious activity, and provide evidence in case of an incident. Right now, there are many devices available that can enhance your home security, such as cameras, alarms, sensors, locks, lights, and smart home integration. These devices can help you monitor your home remotely, control access, detect threats, and automate responses.
Right now, one of the most popular options for an outdoor security camera is the modern and advanced option designed by a brand called Ring. These are the most preferred options right now amongst thousands of other choices. These affordable video doorbells allow you to see, hear, and speak to whoever is at your door through your smartphone or tablet. They also record motion-activated videos you can view later or share with others. Ring doorbell cameras are also highly portable and can be used outdoors and indoors. They can be powered by rechargeable batteries or hardwired to an existing doorbell setup.
However, one of the major concerns that can hinder portability for any electronic device is the battery life. The same goes for Ring doorbell security cameras as well. In fact, it is even more crucial to understand the device’s battery performance as you are going to trust the safety and security of your home on this handy little device. Therefore, we have prepared today’s guide revolving around the battery performance of a Ring doorbell camera. In this guide, we will cover some important information, such as the battery performance of the Ring doorbell camera, instructions on how to recharge the batteries, and some common doubts you may have about these cameras.
Ring Doorbell Battery Life Cycle
Before you buy any portable electronic device, it is important to verify its battery performance thoroughly to avoid any problems in the future. In this case, the battery life cycle refers to the process of charging and discharging the battery of your Ring video doorbell camera. The battery is usually a rechargeable lithium-ion unit that can last for several months or even a year, based on how often you use your device and the external environmental conditions.
As for the charging duration, it depends on the model of your device and the power source you use. For example, the Ring Video Doorbell 2 and 3 models have a removable battery pack that can be charged using a micro-USB cable. It takes about 5 to 10 hours to fully charge the battery pack using a standard USB power adapter. On the other hand, the Ring Video Doorbell 4 has a quick-release battery pack that can be charged using a USB-C cable. It takes only 4 to 5 hours to fully charge the battery pack using any standard USB power adapter.
The battery backup of the Ring doorbell battery refers to how long the battery can power your device before it needs to be recharged. The battery backup varies depending on the number of capture events, preferred image and video settings, and the weather conditions that affect your device. For example, if your device records a lot of motion events, uses live view frequently, or has high motion sensitivity, the battery backup will be relatively shorter than expected.
How To Charge a Ring Doorbell’s Battery?
Now that you have an idea about the device’s battery performance, let us talk about the charging scenario so that you can understand whether it is a viable option for your use. But first, you need to understand which type of battery power you are getting and then follow the steps according to the battery type or the Ring doorbell camera model you have. Here, we will offer a separate set of instructions for each type of battery available with Ring doorbell cameras.
1. Removable Lithium Battery Devices
Here’s the list of Ring Doorbell models that offer removable lithium batteries:
- Ring Doorbell
- Ring Doorbell 2
- Ring Doorbell 3
- Ring Peephole Cam
- Ring Spotlight Cam Battery
- Ring Stick up Cam Battery
- Ring Floodlight Cam Battery
So, if you have any of the models mentioned above, you need to follow the steps provided here in order to recharge the battery safely:
- Unscrew the faceplate from the doorbell and remove it by pressing in on the sides and carefully pulling it out and off.
- Remove the battery by pressing the release tab.
- Connect the micro-USB charger to the battery’s charging port. You can use the orange one included in your Ring box or any other micro-USB charger.
- Plug the other end of the charger into a USB power source, such as a wall adapter or a computer. Both red and green lights will illuminate the battery as it charges. It can take around 5-10 hours to charge, depending on the power source fully.
- Unplug the charger when only the solid green light is on, indicating the battery is fully charged.
- Slide the fully charged battery back into the doorbell until it clicks in place.
- Place the faceplate back on by slotting it in at the top and clicking it into place.
2. Non-Removable Lithium Battery Devices
However, if you have been using the Ring video doorbell for a long time now, you have probably purchased the original Ring video doorbell camera. Unlike the options specified above, this model used to be powered by a lithium battery which cannot be removed from the device. Therefore, you will have to follow the steps provided here to recharge the device safely:
- Remove the security screws at the base of the doorbell with a star-shaped screwdriver and lift the doorbell up and away from the mounting bracket.
- Plug the small end of a micro-USB cable into the port on the back of the device. You can use the orange one included in your Ring box or any other micro-USB cable.
- Plug the other end of the cable into a USB power source, such as a wall adapter or a computer. A blue light will move around the circle on the front of the device as it charges. It can take around 5-10 hours to charge, depending on the power source fully.
- Unplug the cable when the blue light is solid, indicating the battery is fully charged.
- Reattach the device to the mounting bracket using the security screws. Make sure to use only the short security screws, as using any other types of screws could damage the battery and cause a fire hazard.
Is It Possible To Improve Ring Doorbell Battery Life?
Yes, it is possible to improve the battery life of your Ring doorbell. However, you should know that several factors affect how long the battery lasts, such as the motion settings, the Wi-Fi connection, the advanced settings, and the local weather. So if you are using the device in adverse weather or with maximum performance options, you can do little to extend the battery life. But in any case, try out the following settings if you are experiencing extremely low battery performance with your Ring video doorbell and see if any of these help in your case.
- Adjust Your Motion Settings: The more motion events your doorbell detects and records, the more battery it consumes. So, you can reduce the number of motion alerts by narrowing down your motion zones, lowering your motion sensitivity, or turning off motion alerts altogether if not necessary.
- Check Your Wi-Fi Connection: A weak or unstable Wi-Fi signal can drain your battery faster, as your doorbell will try to reconnect frequently. You can improve your Wi-Fi connection by moving your router closer to your doorbell, rebooting it, upgrading your router, or removing any obstacles between them. You can also use a Ring Chime Pro, which is a Wi-Fi extender designed by Ring that works exclusively with Ring devices.
- Check Your Advanced Settings: Some features that enhance your video quality or functionality can also use more battery power. You can disable or adjust these features in the Ring app, such as Snapshot Capture, HDR, Pre-Roll, and Video Recording Length.
What Affects The Battery Life of Ring Doorbell?
The battery life of a Ring doorbell depends on many aspects, such as the weather, the activity usage, the settings, and the Wi-Fi connection.
- Weather: The Ring doorbell uses a lithium-ion battery, which can be affected by extreme temperatures. If it is too cold or too hot, the battery may not hold a charge well or may shut down due to overheating. To avoid this, you should install your doorbell in a shaded area and avoid direct sunlight or exposure to rain or snow.
- Activity Usage: The Ring doorbell consumes more battery power when it detects motion, records video, sends alerts, or uses live view or intercom features. The more events your doorbell goes through, the faster the battery will drain. To reduce this, you can adjust your motion settings to limit the number of alerts or the length of recordings.
- Settings: Some features that enhance your video quality or functionality can also use more battery power. These include snapshot capture, HDR, pre-roll, and video recording length. You can disable or adjust these features in the Ring app to save some battery life.
- Wi-Fi Connection: A weak or unstable Wi-Fi signal can drain your battery faster, as your doorbell will try to reconnect frequently. You can also improve your Wi-Fi connection by moving your router closer to your doorbell, rebooting it, upgrading your router, or removing any obstacles between them. You can also use a Ring Chime Pro, which is a Wi-Fi extender that works exclusively with Ring devices.
How To Monitor Battery Performance?
To ensure your doorbell’s functionality, your Ring doorbell provides you with security and convenience by allowing you to see, hear, and speak to visitors at your door. However, if the battery runs out of power, your doorbell will stop working and you will miss any alerts or events. Therefore, you need to monitor the battery level and recharge it before it gets too low.
Also, the battery life of your Ring doorbell depends on several factors, such as the motion settings, the Wi-Fi connection, the advanced settings, and the activity usage. By monitoring the battery level, you can identify which factors are draining your battery faster and adjust them accordingly to save some power. Here’s how you can check the battery status of the Ring doorbell app:
- First, you must open the Ring app on your phone or tablet. This app allows you to control and monitor your Ring devices.
- Then, you need to tap on the menu icon on the top left corner of the screen. If you have multiple Ring devices, you need to tap on Devices from the main menu.
- This will show you a list of all your Ring devices. After that, you must select the Ring doorbell you want to check from the list.
- Finally, depending on your app version, you need to tap on Device Health or Power Settings. This will show you the battery level of your doorbell.
Ring Battery Take to Charge – FAQs
Ans: If you have a 1st Gen Ring Video Doorbell or 2nd Gen Ring Video Doorbell, you cannot use both wired and solar charging at the same time. These models require you to remove the entire doorbell unit from the mount to charge it. You can either use a micro-USB cable to plug it into a power source or use a solar charger that attaches to the back of the device. However, you cannot use both methods simultaneously.
Ans: Using a damaged charging cable can prevent your Ring doorbell camera from getting enough power to charge the battery. You should use the orange micro-USB cable that came with your device or another compatible one certified by Ring. Low voltage or irregular supply can also affect the hardwired Ring doorbell cameras that rely on the existing doorbell circuit for a trickle charge.
Ans: If you are using a micro-USB cable, you can only charge one Ring doorbell at a time. Depending on the model, you need to plug the small end of the cable into the port on the back or the bottom of the doorbell. You also need to plug the other end of the cable into a USB power source, such as a wall adapter or a computer. Also, you cannot use a splitter or a hub to charge multiple doorbells with one cable, which may damage the devices or cause a fire hazard.
But as for a solar charger, it is possible to charge multiple Ring doorbells with one charger, as long as they are compatible with the solar charger model. For example, you can use the Ring Solar Charger (2nd Gen) to charge up to three Ring Video Doorbell 2, 3, 3 Plus, 4 or Battery Video Doorbell Plus devices.
Ans: While it is possible to use a portable solar charger, it is only compatible with some models of Ring doorbell cameras. You need to use the official solar chargers that are compatible with your device to avoid compatibility issues. These solar chargers are designed to attach to the bottom of your doorbell and provide a trickle charge to the battery. However, they require direct sunlight for at least four hours per day to work properly.
Conclusion
We hope you found the information you were looking for regarding your Ring Doorbell camera. Going through our guide today will also help you decide if you should add more Ring security cameras in your house, or use it as a safe and secure portable outdoor camera. You can also find step-by-step instructions on how to properly charge the battery of your Ring doorbell camera’s battery to avoid future problems. If you need any more help, you can reach us via the comment section, and we will respond to your query as soon as possible.
