You are most likely familiar with Ring video doorbells and maybe even have one yourself, but many people don’t know that Ring also offers security cameras. If you’re interested in owning your own Ring camera, this quick guide will provide information about the four models currently available, including their costs, features, and subscription plans.

The four models of Ring cameras from the cheapest to most expensive are Indoor Cam, Stick Up Cam, Spotlight Cam, and Floodlight Cam. The Spotlight Cam and Stick Up Cam come in three options: hardwired, battery-operated, or solar power operated. There are two optional subscription plans for video recording and professional monitoring.

When deciding which Ring cameras are best for your smart home, there are many factors to consider, such as cost, power source, and motion detection features. You will also need to choose a subscription plan if you want your Ring cameras to record video. Read on to learn more about all these features and more!

Ring Camera Models and Costs

All Ring cameras have the following features in common:

  • 1080p HD video resolutionLive viewNight vision2-way audioConnects to a 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi networkWork with Alexa and Google Assistant

Apart from these similarities, Ring camera models are all very different. Understanding the differences between them will help you choose the best one for your smart home.

Comparing Ring Camera Models

The chart below summarizes the differences between the four Ring camera models currently available on the market:

Indoor Cam

The Indoor Cam is Ring’s cheapest security camera. However, despite the affordable price, the camera has the same 1080p HD video resolution as all of Ring’s other cameras.

As the name suggests, Indoor Cams can only be used indoors. They work great in any room because they can be easily mounted on a shelf, desk, table, wall, or ceiling. The camera has a built-in wall mount.

A key disadvantage of the Indoor Cam worth mentioning is that the motion detection technology is not as advanced as the other Ring cameras.

While you can create your own uniquely shaped motion detection zones, the camera cannot differentiate between people and other moving objects; this means you will get the same notifications for any movement from a person walking through the room to a pet jumping on the sofa.

Stick Up Cams

There are four different types of Stick Up Cams: Battery, Wired, Solar, and Elite. The first three types are almost identical, but the main differences between them are the price and the power source. Here’s a comparison of the four Stick Up Cams:

While the Stick Up Cam Battery and Wired versions are the same price, you can see from the chart that you get some additional features with the Stick Up Cam Wired for no extra cost!

This hardwired camera is the only Stick Up Cam that has a built-in siren. The siren can be activated from anywhere using the Ring app, and the siren cannot be activated through motion detection, which helps you avoid false alarms.

Stick Up Cam Wired also has more advanced motion detection abilities that can differentiate between human and non-human shapes. However, this feature is only available if you have a Ring subscription plan.

Stick Up Cam Elite

The Stick Up Cam Elite is the same size as the other three Stick Up Cam models, so you may be wondering what makes the Stick Up Cam Elite more expensive. There are three significant features of this camera that justify its high price tag:

  • The Stick Up Cam Elite has a larger field of view than all other Ring camera models. Both the horizontal and vertical fields of vision exceed those of even the Floodlight Cam, which is more expensive.The Stick Up Cam Elite is the only Ring camera that uses an Ethernet cable as its source to connect to the internet. A weak or unstable Wi-Fi connection causes most issues that users experience with their Ring cameras. Therefore, the Stick Up Cam Elite is Ring’s most reliable camera because it doesn’t use Wi-Fi. The other three Stick Up Cams require the purchase on an additional mount to install them on a ceiling or wall. However, the Stick Up Cam Elite has a built-in mount that allows it to be installed anywhere without any extra equipment.

One downside of the Stick Up Cam Elite is that the installation process is a little more complicated than that of the other Stick Up Cams and the Indoor Cam. Watch this video for the instructions on installing your Stick Up Cam Elite.

Lastly, while the Stick Up Cam Elite can be installed outside and is water-resistant, the Power over Ethernet adapter is not water-resistant and must be connected inside and plugged into your Internet router. Therefore, to install the Elite camera outdoors, you will need a long Ethernet cable to run from inside your home to outside.

Spotlight Cams

Like the Stick Up Cam, the Spotlight Cam has four options: Battery, Wired, Solar, and Mount. The Spotlight Cam Mount is the most expensive of the four models and the most complicated to install. It can replace your home’s existing security lights or be installed using a junction box.

Besides the power source, the Spotlight Cams are all very similar. The only other main difference is that the Spotlight Cam Wired, like the Stick Up Cam Wired, has person detection when you have a Ring Protect plan.

All Spotlight Cams have the following features that Indoor Cams and most Stick Up Cams do not have:

  • Built-in LED lights that are motion-activatedA siren that can be activated anytime through the Ring appAn IP55 weatherproof rating that makes them resistant to dust and waterThe ability to work in temperatures as low as -22°F

The LED lights on a Spotlight Cam are activated when motion is detected in your customized motion zones. You can also turn the lights on and off manually and adjust their brightness in the Ring app. When the spotlights are on, the camera has color night vision.

For proper motion detection, your Spotlight Cam should be mounted to an outside wall nine feet above the ground using the included mounting bracket. It can be attached to any outdoor wall, including stucco and brick, with the provided wall anchors and drill bit. Click here for installation instructions.

Floodlight Cam

The Floodlight Cam is a unique Ring camera. It is made for outdoor use with two motion-activated LED floodlights that provide 1,800 lumens of brightness. This will illuminate a large yard to deter potential intruders and help you see when you need to go outside in the dark.

The Floodlight Cam offers some advanced light settings that the Spotlight Cam does not have. In the Ring app, you can schedule the floodlights to turn on and off at specific times. You can also customize motion zones for the lights separate from the regular motion zones, and you can set how long the lights will stay on for after they have been motion-activated.

The Floodlight Cam also has:

  • Color night vision when the floodlights are onA siren that can be activated anytime through the Ring appPerson detection with a Ring Protect planThe ability to work in temperatures as low as -22°FAn IP56 weatherproof rating, which makes it more water-resistant than the Spotlight Cam

The downside of the Floodlight Cam is that you are limited in where you can install it. Its only power source option is to be hardwired to a junction box. You can use an existing junction box or hire an electrician to install a new one.

Ring Camera Subscriptions

One of the great features of all Ring cameras is that they work in a limited capacity without having to pay a monthly or yearly subscription. With one of Ring’s two subscription plans, however, your Ring camera will have even more capabilities.

What You Can Do with or without a Ring Subscription

Without a Ring subscription plan, your Ring cameras will still send you motion detection alerts. You can view the camera’s live feed anytime and use 2-way audio. However, without a paid subscription plan, you cannot record video.

Recording video ensures that your home is always protected. With both of Ring’s subscription plans, your camera will automatically record when motion is detected and save the recordings to a cloud for 60 days.

With a Ring subscription, you can even download and share the video recordings with family, friends, and community members. Simply save the recording onto your phone, tablet, or computer. Then, you can edit it, share it online, or send it to family and friends just like any other video. You can even delete footage once you’re done reviewing it or want to free up space.

To share your security videos with your community members, download the Ring Neighbors app. Like other social media apps, you can post videos, and others can comment on them. Anyone can use the Neighbors app for free but sharing recordings from your Ring camera requires a Ring subscription.

Comparing Ring Subscription Plans

Ring offers two different subscription plans: Protect Basic and Protect Plus.

Here’s all you need to know about the Protect Basic plan:

  • $3 a month or $30 a yearOnly covers one cameraIncludes video recording, video sharing, and screenshot capture

The Protect Plus plan is more expensive but offers more:

  • $40 a month or $100 a yearCovers all the Ring devices in your homeIncludes everything offered with Protect BasicProfessional monitoring if you have Ring AlarmExtended warranty on all devices that are still under the one-year limited warranty when you sign up for the plan10% off Ring devices on the Ring website

What’s the Best Ring Camera?

The best Ring camera for you depends on where you want to put the camera and how you want to use it.

If your goal is full protection for your home, we recommend purchasing a variety of Ring cameras based on the size and set-up of your home and yard. Ring offers several bundles with cameras, video doorbells, and Ring Alarm devices.

Ring Packages

Indoor Cam, Stick Up Cam, and Spotlight Cam can be purchased in pairs. Most people don’t need a security camera in each room, but it is helpful to have two placed in key areas in the home. For example, if you have two Indoor Cams, one can be pointed toward your front door, and the other pointed toward the back door.

Floodlight Cams can be purchased in bundles of two or three with a Video Doorbell 3 or Doorbell Pro. These Floodlight Cam + Ring Doorbell bundles are great for homes with large yards. Keep in mind that to use a Floodlight Cam, you need to connect it to your home’s existing wires through a junction box. Check out these videos for help with DIY installation. 

If you aren’t comfortable handling electrical wires, Ring offers professional installation starting at $99.99. Click here to schedule your installation.

Best Cameras for Indoor Use

The Stick Up Cam is the best option for indoor use because of its versatility. When purchasing a Stick Up Cam, you can choose the type of power source you prefer, which gives you the freedom to use the Stick Up Cam anywhere in your home. It can be easily mounted on a wall or ceiling with the Stick Up Cam Mount. The mount is not included with the camera but can be purchased here for $19.00. 

The Stick Up Cam Elite is the best option for large rooms as it has a larger field of view than other Ring cameras. Use this link to purchase the Elite.

If you have minimal space to install your security camera, then the Indoor Cam may be a better choice for you because it is smaller than the Stick Up Cam. It’s also the best choice for folks looking for security on a budget as it’s the cheapest Ring camera at $59.99.

Best Cameras for Outdoor Use

For outdoor use, the Floodlight Cam is best. It has very powerful lights that will illuminate your yard when motion is detected. The light settings can even be adjusted to only turn on when the motion detected is from a person, so that your lights are not triggered by any animals or objects in your yard.

The Floodlight Cam also has the best weatherproof rating of all of Ring’s outdoor cameras. The IP56 rating means the camera is protected from dust and intense water pressure, such as that from a severe thunderstorm.

If you prefer to use a wireless or solar-charged outdoor camera, then the Spotlight Cam is for you. It has the most options for outdoor installation as it can be installed on any type of wall material such as wood, stucco, and brick. For mounting on a stucco or brick wall, you will only need a drill.

Conclusion

Ring offers four different security cameras with a variety of various features and prices ranging from $59.99 for the Indoor Cam to $249.99 for the Floodlight Cam. The Floodlight Cam has the most advanced light and motion detection settings for outdoor use, while the Stick Up Cam and Indoor Cam are both great for indoor use.

However, no matter which of the four different types of Ring cameras you choose from, you are sure to find a match that best fits your home’s security needs.