Doorbell question (yes, doorbell)

8,068 posts 120 reps Joined Nov 2009

Mon, Mar 13, 2023 11:20 AM

Since many of the group here seem to be of ages where people buy their first house or an upgrade, have a question or several about doorbells.

We recently closed on a house circa 1910. It has a wired doorbell, which will be in the way when we move a wall to expand the downstairs half bath. A few questions:

Is there any great advantage to moving the existing wired unit or buying a different wired system?

Advantages/disadvantages of wireless systems. What are the considerations for choosing one of the zillion options?

Smart systems (i.e. Ring). Are they worth it? Recommendations to buy or avoid?

Ironman92 Administrator

56,729 posts 164 reps Joined Nov 2009

Mon, Mar 13, 2023 12:06 PM

We had one installed about 10 years ago….it went off when the wind blew hard. It kinda worked for about 6 months.

I know this helped a lot.

superman Senior Member

4,377 posts 71 reps Joined Nov 2009

Mon, Mar 13, 2023 2:18 PM

I have the Ring wireless and I love it. I wish I gotten it hard wired but it's nice to see who is at the door without getting up.

justincredible Honorable Admin

37,969 posts 246 reps Joined Nov 2009

Mon, Mar 13, 2023 2:23 PM

Ring is cool, it just sucks recharging it every so often. Our is OLD so we could probably use an upgrade soon.

-Society- Senior Member

1,348 posts 12 reps Joined Jun 2010

Mon, Mar 13, 2023 6:51 PM

Go with wired with a battery backup. I'm sure you already have enough electronics you have to keep charging. This one is important.

iclfan2 Reppin' the 330/216/843

9,465 posts 98 reps Joined Nov 2009

Mon, Mar 13, 2023 7:17 PM

Really like my wired Ring doorbell. I got the nicer one that can customize the area it notifies you of someone being there, bc we live on a main road and have cars continuously. I don’t pay for the monthly servicing though. I also have the security system but half of it is still in the box bc I am lazy.

Fred Garvin Senior Member

302 posts 6 reps Joined Nov 2009

Tue, Mar 14, 2023 7:18 AM

I have the Ring wired. Love it. I do pay the monthly fee, but it is minimal. It took a minute to zero in the motion area (don't alert me if somebody is walking by on the sidewalk), but once that was set up it has been great.

Only down side, I could not get it to work with my existing chime. Don't really need it though. When somebody rings the doorbell the phones go off as well as my Alexa devices.

superman Senior Member

4,377 posts 71 reps Joined Nov 2009

Tue, Mar 14, 2023 8:32 AM

posted by Fred Garvin
I have the Ring wired. Love it. I do pay the monthly fee, but it is minimal. It took a minute to zero in the motion area (don't alert me if somebody is walking by on the sidewalk), but once that was set up it has been great.
Only down side, I could not get it to work with my existing chime. Don't really need it though. When somebody rings the doorbell the phones go off as well as my Alexa devices.

If you call Ring, they'll send you a new chime for free. It's nice because the new ones have a built in night light

brutus161 The Navy Guy

1,688 posts 24 reps Joined Nov 2009

Tue, Mar 14, 2023 8:37 AM

We had Ring, but switched to Arlo a few years back. We like it a lot more.

birddog23 Senior Member

1,173 posts 8 reps Joined Aug 2010

Tue, Mar 14, 2023 9:41 AM

posted by brutus161
We had Ring, but switched to Arlo a few years back. We like it a lot more.

What do you like better about Arlo versus Ring?

brutus161 The Navy Guy

1,688 posts 24 reps Joined Nov 2009

Wed, Mar 15, 2023 3:17 PM

posted by birddog23
What do you like better about Arlo versus Ring?

I like the app better and Arlo works with Apple Home Kit. I have my entire house wired with Apple Home Kit, so that was important.

brutus161 The Navy Guy

1,688 posts 24 reps Joined Nov 2009

Wed, Mar 15, 2023 3:18 PM

posted by birddog23
What do you like better about Arlo versus Ring?

Also, I like the night vision on the cameras better than Ring's

queencitybuckeye Senior Member

8,068 posts 120 reps Joined Nov 2009

Fri, Mar 17, 2023 7:43 AM

Thanks for the responses, we decided to go with the Arlo wired product.

brutus161 The Navy Guy

1,688 posts 24 reps Joined Nov 2009

Fri, Mar 17, 2023 7:59 AM

posted by queencitybuckeye
Thanks for the responses, we decided to go with the Arlo wired product.

birddog23 Senior Member

1,173 posts 8 reps Joined Aug 2010

Fri, Mar 17, 2023 8:22 AM

We went with Ring. Just to spite all of you.

Installing this weekend.

brutus161 The Navy Guy

1,688 posts 24 reps Joined Nov 2009

Fri, Mar 17, 2023 8:40 AM

posted by birddog23
We went with Ring. Just to spite all of you.

Installing this weekend.

kizer permanente Senior Member

1,309 posts 18 reps Joined Aug 2017

Sat, Mar 18, 2023 9:42 PM

I’ve had Ring at an old house and google nest at this one. I prefer Google Nest.

Ironman92 Administrator

56,729 posts 164 reps Joined Nov 2009

Sat, Mar 18, 2023 11:32 PM

I have a dog that can probably hear me typing this post from 300 miles away…he’s our doorbell

Doorbell question (yes, doorbell)

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