REAL

Knock, knock. Have you ever wanted to check who’s at the door without getting up and actually checking? Maybe you should invest in a doorbell camera. As Ring states, ‘It’s like caller ID for your front door.’ Let’s break it down and figure out if you should invest in a Ring doorbell or not.

Ring was founded in 2013 and by 2018 it was acquired by Amazon. Their first product made in 2013 was simply a doorbell with internet connectivity, a motion detector, and a high definition camera. When the doorbell is pressed, you’ll be able to see via an app on your phone who is at your door. You’ll also be able to communicate verbally through the doorbell and app as well.

Would this deter criminal activity from your home? The statistics aren’t wrong. In 2016, Ring partnered with the Los Angeles Police Department to install Ring doorbells as part of a burglary protection program. 10 percent of homes in Wilshire Park, California were installed with the door cameras. Within the first six months of the program, the LAPD data showed that there was a considerable decrease in break-ins, at least 55 percent. The video on the doorbells also aided the LAPD in identifying more criminals.

While some people would have no problem purchasing the Ring doorbell, it is a pricey investment. The cheapest option is one hundred dollars and the price only goes up from there. If you have an Amazon smart device, your Alexa would be able to connect to your doorbell. If you like being connected to technology, this would be a worthwhile investment.

Do you want to see when your kids are coming home from school? Do you want to make sure your package is being delivered? Do you want to make sure the delivery guy is going to the right house? These are all great reasons to invest in a Ring doorbell. The app is free and it’s on every single device you probably own already. You’ll get a notification when someone rings. Just open the app and check out your doorstep!

If you’re looking to casually invest in your security a Ring doorbell is a great option. Their store has many more advanced options for security, but if you’d just like to start small that’s an option too.

Why wouldn’t you want a ring doorbell? Maybe you’re renting a property and can’t actually install anything. That’s fair. The doorbell can be pricey, but that 100 dollars you’re spending will last as long as the doorbell does. Ring has a subscription service for certain features you’d have to pay for (like storing video), but it’s cheaper than its competitors at only 3 dollars a month. Another factor is your internet. If you don’t have the best connection or speed, this will factor into the video feed on your doorbell as well.

Is Ring for you? Compared to some of its competitors, this is a steal. If you’re looking into upgrading your home security or even just starting out with a few things, you should check out Ring and see if it’s a fit for your home.