We’re living in the age of the smart home, where all kinds of daily tasks and processes can be automated and streamlined for the convenience and comfort of the homeowner.
2021 Ring Doorbell 4 Update:
The new RING Doorbell 4 was released, and it is very similar to the Ring three-plus.
Pros: The only major update is it has a clear full-color pre-roll.
Cons: Not yet updated with the Windows Ring app.
The Ring Doorbell 4 is currently the same price, so it’s a no-brainer to get that instead of the ring three-plus.
Ring 3 vs. Ring 3 Plus Comparison Table
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From dimming the lights to setting up a security alarm, smart home devices make daily life simpler in a lot of different ways, and digital video doorbells are one of the most impressive examples of what this kind of technology can be capable of, with the Ring 3 and Ring 3 Plus being among the most popular models.
With a video doorbell like a Ring 3 installed on your front door, you’ll be able to actually load up an app on your smartphone or TV when someone comes to call, whether they’re a friend, neighbor, or delivery person.
Thanks to the app and smart home integration of these devices, you’ll be able to see exactly who is outside without even needing to lift a finger. What’s more, you can see it all from almost anywhere, even while you’re at work or away from the house for other reasons.
This allows you to communicate with delivery drivers, let guests know when you’ll be home, or deter would-be thieves and intruders from your property, and there are many different uses and possibilities when it comes to video doorbells.
Both the Ring 3 and Ring 3 Plus have been released to much fanfare from smart home enthusiasts across the globe, but what’s the difference between them and which model is the best option for your home? This guide will help you find out.
Table of Contents
How We Started
There are a lot of different models of video doorbells out there, each with their own unique tech specs and feature lists. Ring is one of the most popular doorbell makers in the industry right now, setting the standard for other companies to follow.
Founded in 2013, it started off with the original Ring video doorbell, before going on to make some big improvements with the Ring 2, and then taking the concept even further with the third generation of models, in the form of the Ring 3 and Ring 3 Pro, released in 2020.
In order to find out which of these two models is right for you, we’ve taken an in-depth look at each one, analyzing the similarities and the differences and assessing the overall value for money and quality aspects of each one.
Our comprehensive look at the Ring 3 and Ring 3 Plus will help you decide which model to buy and install on your front door, and we’ll look at a range of different factors in order to come to a definitive conclusion, including camera, audio, ease of use, installation, and unique features.
In the end, your own preferences, budget, and situation will have an impact on which of these doorbells you should choose. Those who are most concerned about value for money might opt for one model, while the other might be more appealing in terms of its feature list.
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Ring Video Doorbell 3 Plus includes enhanced features such as adjustable motion zones – including the added rear zone that reduces false notifications – and dual-band wifi connectivity. And with extended 4-second Pre-Roll that lets you see what happened before motion was triggered, you’ll always know who’s at your door.
Similarities and Differences
When you first look at the Ring 3 and Ring 3 Plus, you might struggle to see any difference at all between the two. They certainly have an enormous amount in common, beginning with the fact that they’re almost identical in terms of size and appearance, as well as boasting the same general tech specs.
Both of these models can record in 1080p resolution, and both are able to run off a built-in battery or connect to your system via hardwired installation. They both offer cameras with 160-degree horizontal fields of view, and both can connect to 2.4 and 5Ghz Wi-Fi networks.
So where do they actually differ? Well, the biggest key difference between the Ring 3 and the Ring 3 Plus is the fact that the plus model comes with one extra feature that can make a real difference to its usefulness: pre-roll.
In simple terms, the pre-roll feature allows the Ring 3 Plus to capture events around your front door more clearly and in better context than the Ring 3. It works by recording motion four seconds before actually triggering a motion event and issuing you with an alert.
Basically, it lets you see the build-up to an event at your front door, such as someone walking down the path, as well as them arriving at the door. With the Ring 3, you won’t get these extra early seconds, which may take away some context from your videos.
Pre-roll won’t necessarily have a huge impact on how you use your Ring doorbell on a day to day basis, but it can have a big impact on certain situations, which we’ll cover below.
Unique Features
As stated, the big difference that separates the Ring 3 Plus from the regular Ring 3 is the presence of the pre-roll feature. This feature is also present in the Ring Pro, and it’s actually improved in the Ring Pro, with the early seconds of video recorded in full color, rather than black and white, like they are on the Ring 3 Plus.
The pre-roll feature has been heralded as a major breakthrough for video doorbell technology since Ring introduced it with the Ring 3 Plus and Ring Pro, and Ring was the first to bring this feature to the battery-powered doorbell market.
Pre-roll works with the use of a series of low-powered cameras, fitted inside the Ring 3 Plus. These cameras record the initial four seconds up to a motion event on the camera’s local memory. Then, when a motion event occurs, you get to see those early seconds before it happened as a picture-in-picture, letting you learn more about the build-up to an event.
This feature can be turned on or off, so it doesn’t need to be used, and it does have the disadvantage of using up more of your battery power, so you may get slightly shorter charges with the Ring 3 Plus compared to the Ring 3. However, it has many uses, and the pre-roll videos can be stored in the Ring cloud if you pay for a Ring Protect plan.
One of the main benefits of pre-roll is the additional layer of security it can provide to your property. For instance, if someone attempts to steal your Ring device or take a parcel from your porch, you’ll have some extra footage of the event, and the perpetrator, to show to police in order to track them down.
This unique feature is the only one separating the Ring 3 and Ring 3 Plus. They both offer 1080p video resolution, two-way communication, 5Ghz Wi-Fi connectivity, and advanced motion detection too when compared to prior Ring models like the Ring 2.
Design and Dimensions
Another area in which the Ring 3 and Ring 3 Plus differ, albeit very slightly, is in terms of design and size. This can be quite an important factor to think about, as video doorbells get fitted to the front of homes, and many people want to have an attractive, modern device sitting outside, rather than one which looks unattractive in any way or is too big and bulky to fit properly.
In terms of size, the Ring 3 measures up at 5.1 x 2.4 x 1.1 inches and has the classic Ring design, with a classy, contemporary feel. The top half is dedicated to the camera, which sits in a black housing, while the bottom section is covered up with a metallic faceplate and centered around the doorbell button.
The Ring 3 comes with Satin Nickel and Venetian Bronze faceplate options that you can switch between.
The Ring 3 Plus is ever so slightly different in terms of size, measuring up at 5.05 x 2.5 x 1.08 inches. This makes it a little shorter than the Ring 3, but slightly wider. The differences are negligible, but could make a difference during installation, depending on the size of your door frames.
Like the Ring 3, the Ring 3 Plus ships with Satin Nickel and Venetian Bronze faceplates to choose from and features an almost identical aesthetic.
Since both of these models have the same faceplates, more or less the same sizes, and identical designs too, there’s no really way to separate them in terms of appearance.
Installation and Ease of Use
When it comes to video doorbells, there are usually two different ways to install them.
You can either simply attach them to the door frame and rely on the built-in battery, if provided, as a power source, or you can have the doorbell hardwired into your existing doorbell wiring, which provides a constant power source and no need for battery charging.
User preferences can vary on this matter. Some people prefer to have their doorbells wired up so they don’t need to worry about the charging process, but others enjoy the convenience of a battery, which makes the installation a lot easier and means that there’s no need to interfere with any of the wiring. This is often a plus for people living in rented properties.
When it comes to the Ring 3 and Ring 3 Plus, you get the best of both worlds. Both of these models come with built-in batteries, as well as the option to be hardwired into your existing doorbell system. This makes them both highly flexible, allowing the user to decide how they want to install and use each one.
As the Ring 3 and Ring Plus both offer the same installation options and general ease of use, neither model can be classed as being better than the other in this particular category.
See, hear, and speak to anyone at your door from anywhere with Ring Video Doorbell 3. Get real-time notifications when visitors press your doorbell or trigger the built-in motion sensors. And adjust your motion settings so you can focus on key areas and only receive notifications when you want.
Smart Home Integration
More and more people are searching for smart home products to elevate their home lives and enhance their day to day routines, with countless options out there to help you dim lights, lock doors, activate appliances, and much more, all wirelessly through smartphone apps and voice-controlled home assistants.
Since Ring is now a subsidiary of Amazon, smart home integration with Alexa is an essential part of all Ring products. Both the Ring 3 and Ring 3 Plus therefore work perfectly well with Alexa and can also be connected to other smart home systems such as Smartthings, IFTTT, and Fire TV, letting you control them in a range of intuitive ways.
Once the smart home system has been set up with your Ring 3 or Ring 3 Plus, you’ll be able to receive alerts on your phone when someone comes to the door and then use simple voice controls to potentially lock or unlock the door, as well as communicating with your visitors or delivery drivers.
As with many other categories in this comparison, the Ring 3 and Ring 3 Plus both have the same levels of smart home integration, so are evenly matched.
Camera Performance
Back when Ring first launched, the initial video doorbell produced by the company was a little lacking in the camera department, but Ring has made big strides since then, launching the Ring 2 with 1080p video resolution and offering even clearer and crisper images with the Ring 3 and Ring 3 Plus as well.
Both of these models are fitted with the same camera technology, able to record very clear, detailed images, even in low light conditions, and when it comes to field of view, they can record up to 160 degrees horizontally, and close to 90 degrees vertically.
This allows you to see along the street in both directions, depending on the location of your home, and all around the porch too.
The Ring 3 Plus has the advantage of coming with a series of additional, low-powered cameras that record black and white footage for the pre-roll feature. They won’t work very well in dimly-lit areas or at night, but offer something a little extra when compared to the regular Ring 3, giving the Plus a slight advantage.
Audio Performance
When it comes to audio, both the Ring 3 and Ring 3 Plus are once again, evenly matched, fitted out with the same technology and able to offer the same standards of performance and clarity.
Compared to the Ring Pro, both of these models may be found to be lacking a little in terms of audio crispness, but they’re perfectly sufficient and even stronger than prior Ring models.
On both the Ring 3 and Ring 3 Plus, you’ll be able to communicate with visitors or guests outside your door, with minimal delay and reduced background noise too. For the pre-roll feature on the Ring 3 Plus, no audio will be recorded, only video.
Battery Life
Battery life is another key feature to think about when comparing video doorbells like the Ring 3 and Ring 3 Plus, and this is one area in which we can find some differences. Even though both of these devices have the same battery strength overall, the Ring 3’s battery is able to last a little bit longer.
This is because the Ring 3 Plus needs to use a little extra power recording video for the pre-roll feature. It only records in black and white, without audio, and is designed to have a minimal impact on power consumption overall, but it still does have an effect, so will need to be taken into consideration.
Both of these devices can last up to 12 months on a single charge, according to Ring, but in use, results may vary, depending on the number of alerts and motion events recorded at your door. Some users report having to recharge their Ring 3 and Ring 3 Plus devices every few months.
Price
We also have to take the price into account when looking at these two different doorbells, and many people have their own budgets to consider when shopping for smart home devices like a Ring 3 or Ring 3 Plus.
Again, there is a bit of a difference here, with the Ring 3 Plus coming at a slight premium, when compared to the standard Ring 3. You’ll need to pay around $30 extra for the Ring 3 Plus, which will give you the added benefit of the pre-roll feature.
If you’re a budget-conscious shopper looking for a good all-round doorbell and don’t feel the need for pre-roll, the classic Ring 3 should suffice for you. However, when you consider that the pre-roll could help to save you money in the future if any potential crimes occur at your door and you need to make a claim, the higher price tag might seem justified.
Ultimately, the overall value of each model will depend on what you want out of it. Some users will feel that the pre-roll is more than worthy of the higher cost, while others won’t get much or any use out of it and therefore won’t see the need to pay extra.
You also have to note that, with both the Ring 3 and Ring 3 Plus, you can opt to pay a monthly or yearly fee for access to the Ring Cloud. This will store your videos, including pre-roll footage if you pay for the Ring Protect plan, on the cloud for easy access, as and when you need it.
Alternatives
When it comes to video doorbells, Ring is one of the best brands in the business, but there are other options out there.
Eufy Security
Eufy is making some big headway in the video doorbell market with its technologically advanced, high-performing models, and the Eufy Security is a great alternative to consider if you’re hesitating between the Ring 3 and Ring 3 Plus.
Offering 2K video resolution, superior face detection capabilities, crystal clear audio-visual quality, and a long list of additional features too, this model is certainly worthy of consideration for homeowners thinking about getting their own digital doorbell device.
Nest Hello
The features offered by the Nest Hello are impressive. One of the best security cameras out there, it offers some features that Ring Pro doesn’t. I recommend you to read my Nest Hello vs. Ring pro review if you want to know more.
READ: FULL NEST HELLO VS. RING PRO REVIEW
Who Should Get This?
Ring 3 Video Doorbell
The Ring 3 is one of the best video doorbells you can buy right now. Building on everything the Ring 3 established and adding to it with superior motion detection, better camera quality, smarter Wi-Fi connectivity, and a range of other additional features too, it covers all the bases.
This doorbell is super simple to set-up and really easy to use, working wonderfully with the matching Ring app, along with the smart home integration options too. Plus, it can be installed however you like, either running off the battery or via a wired power supply.
Overall, it’s a great choice for many users, excelling in all the areas that matter the most like video quality, audio clarity, connectivity, and intuitive design. It’s also more affordable than the Ring 3 Plus, making it a good choice for budget-conscious shoppers.
Ring 3 Plus Video Doorbell
As stated, the main thing that sets the Ring 3 Plus apart from the Ring 3 is the presence of the pre-roll feature, and this really can make a difference to the overall usefulness and effectiveness of the doorbell itself.
The pre-roll may seem simple at first, but has a lot of uses, helping to add context to your motion events and provide you with additional video footage, if needed. On the downside, this feature comes at the cost of a slightly higher price tag and negligibly shorter battery life.
However, even with these two drawbacks, the Ring 3 Plus is a great choice for your home doorbell, excelling in all key areas to the same standards as the regular Ring 3, offering clear audio, crisp video, and dependable performance, each and every day.
Our Pick
Overall, both the Ring 3 and Ring 3 Plus have some solid technology and great features that help them stand out as some of the finest video doorbells money can buy right now. Choosing the right one is ultimately a question of how much the pre-roll feature matters to you.
Our Pick: Ring 3 Plus
For us, the Ring 3 Plus just about does enough to get the nod. It takes everything great about the regular Ring 3 and builds on it, with only a marginally higher price for a really great feature.
Update Our Pick: Ring 4
The all-new ring 4 came out in April 2021. It has all features from the ring 3 plus; the biggest update is the full-color pre-roll. See the comparison chart below.
Ring Video Doorbell 3 Plus includes enhanced features such as adjustable motion zones – including the added rear zone that reduces false notifications – and dual-band wifi connectivity. And with extended 4-second Pre-Roll that lets you see what happened before motion was triggered, you’ll always know who’s at your door.
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