Amazon‑owned Ring has refreshed its flagship video doorbell, unveiling the Video Doorbell Pro 3 with a sharper 4K camera, upgraded Wi‑Fi 6 connectivity and a sleeker two‑tone design. The wired and battery versions launched in June 2026 promise clearer images, better low‑light performance and smarter alerts, aiming to keep Ring ahead of rivals such as Google Nest and Eufy.
Design and Build
The new doorbell keeps Ring’s familiar two‑tone colour scheme, circular button and signature chime, but the housing is more rounded and slightly larger than the 2021 predecessor. A glowing blue ring surrounds the bell button, and wired models ship with interchangeable faceplates to match exterior décor. Despite the slimmer look, the device measures 49.5 × 26 × 138.4 mm and feels solid in hand.
Camera and Imaging
At the heart of the upgrade is a 4K sensor that captures far more detail than the previous 1080p unit. Fine text such as name badges becomes legible, and digital zoom reaches 10× without losing clarity – enough to read a car number plate from roughly nine metres away, day or night. Low‑light performance has also been lifted; a monochrome infrared mode activates in darkness, delivering crisp footage of people, animals or passing vehicles even when street lights create mixed lighting conditions. The 140‑degree square field of view lets users see visitors from head to toe, even when they stand directly in front of the door.
Connectivity, Power and Storage
Ring has swapped the ageing Wi‑Fi 5 for dual‑band Wi‑Fi 6, providing higher bandwidth and lower latency at the front door where signals often weaken. In testing, the live view launched noticeably faster and a separate Wi‑Fi booster was no longer required. Power options remain flexible: a wired version needs a low‑voltage transformer or Ring’s plug‑in adaptor (both included), while a battery model offers true wireless installation. The wired variant records six seconds of full‑colour HD pre‑roll with sound before an event triggers, and can even run continuous 24/7 capture for a monthly fee; the battery model is limited to four seconds of lower‑definition pre‑roll without sound and does not work in low light.
Subscription, AI Features and Pricing
Basic operation – live view, real‑time notifications and door chimes – works without a plan, but storing clips requires a Ring subscription. The entry‑level Solo tier starts at £4.99 per month and saves 180 days of event video, extends live view and adds smart alerts that distinguish people, packages and vehicles. The Multi plan, for multiple cameras at one site, begins at £7.99 monthly. The top‑tier Ring Pro plan costs £15.99 per month and introduces AI‑driven video descriptions, a search function (e.g., “red car passing”) and facial recognition that labels frequent visitors. These AI tools can also be added to lower plans for £3 per camera each month, as can continuous 24/7 recording for the same add‑on price. The wired Video Doorbell Pro 3 retails at £219.99, matching the battery version; other Ring models range from £49.99 for a basic wired doorbell to £159.99 for the Wired Video Doorbell Plus. Competitors such as the Google Nest Doorbell (£179.99) and Eufy Video Doorbell E340 (£169.99) sit just below Ring’s premium offering.
Why it Matters
The Video Doorbell Pro 3 signals Ring’s commitment to pushing the mainstream smart‑home camera into higher‑resolution, AI‑enhanced territory while keeping installation flexible. By marrying a 4K lens with Wi‑Fi 6 and refining low‑light capture, the device addresses long‑standing pain points around image clarity and notification overload. For consumers, the upgrade means more reliable identification of visitors and fewer false alarms, though the reliance on a subscription for full functionality continues to be a point of consideration in an increasingly competitive market.
