Domotics, more commonly known as home automation, creates a system that can oversee and manage different aspects of the house like appliances, lights, thermostats and entertainment systems. Additionally, you can add a modern spin to your home security, alarm systems and access control by replacing the traditional doorbell. However, comparing Ring Chime vs. Chime Pro, two popular Ring devices, can be tricky when you want to find the best fit for your smart home.
Ring is a company that prioritizes convenience and security as they reinvent the doorbell with their technology-embracing products. The Ring Chime and the Ring Chime Pro are some of their most popular takes on modernizing how people knock and how we answer our doors. So if you are thinking of beefing up your home security, start by comparing the features and functionalities of these consumer favorites.
What are Smart Doorbells?
Smart doorbells, such as the Ring Doorbell system, utilize internet connectivity for replacing the traditional buzzer. With the inclusion of a video function that lets you view live footage of your front door, you can see who is knocking remotely via a phone application or through the integrated home automation system. In addition, the Ring doorbell setup is a reliable option as it offers many smart features.
Since the Ring camera detects motion, you can use the Ring Video Doorbells to find out if someone is coming to your door before they get there. Additionally, adding smart lights can help with illuminating the door area automatically so that you can still see clearly at night. If you want to increase the convenience and security of your home, you should start making a comparison between Ring Chime Pro and Ring Chime.
Ring Chime vs. Chime Pro: Product Reviews
1. Ring Chime
- Plug Ring Chime into any standard power outlet, and get instant alerts...
- Plug and play: Plug it in, connect it to your Wi-Fi network and link...
- Compatible with Ring Video Doorbell, Ring Pro and Stick Up Cam....
- Volume control: Adjust the volume directly from the free Ring app....
- Do not disturb mode: Disable alerts anytime so you can get some peace...
The Ring Chime is a simple speaker that uses Wi-Fi to connect to your current Ring doorbell system. First, you can attach the unit to a standard wall socket via its plug. Afterward, installing the device is easy since you can turn the switch on and head to the Ring App to set it up.
Your purchase of the Ring Chime comes with a handy user manual that helps you install the unit. Additionally, the guide has all the information you need to figure out how to use the device. Since the Ring Chime works with the Ring Video Doorbell system, you are guaranteed that you will not need any additional purchase to make the most out of your current home security layout.
If you want to select between multiple chimes, adjust the volume of the current one or use a do-not-disturb mode when you do not want any unwanted visitors, this product has you covered. The Ring Chime links to all Ring devices in your home via a stable Wi-Fi connection to give you audible alerts when someone is at your door.
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2. Ring Chime Pro
- Bring flexibility, convenience, and peace of mind to your home with...
- Extend your wifi signal up to 2000 sq. ft to boost the network for all...
- Hear real-time notifications when your connected cameras and doorbells...
- Easily set up by plugging into a standard outlet and connecting via...
- Includes a built-in nightlight that automatically turns on for added...
The Ring Chime Pro combines two useful features in one product; a reliable doorbell chime and a capable Wi-Fi extender. Like the previous generation Chime, Pro versions also work with any Ring device and have the plug design to ensure simple installation. In addition, the product comes with a helpful user guide for setting it up.
Plug the Ring Chime Pro into any power outlet, then connect it to your Wi-Fi router. Afterward, go into the Ring App to set up various customizations to fit your home. For starters, you can choose your desired ring, set up a do-not-disturb mode and tweak the volume of the doorbell sound. Plus, you can use the LED indicator to determine whether the internet connection is stable and working.
The Wi-Fi extender in the Ring Chime Pro allows this device to offer more to the consumer. As the name suggests, this feature boosts the WiFi signal in your home so that it can reach more rooms. Consequently, you can get notifications from distant rooms without your Ring gadgets needing a direct connection to your WiFi router.
PROS
CONS
Ring Chime vs. Chime Pro: Detailed Comparison
1. Connectivity
Converting your house into a smart home requires taking advantage of the internet to improve the convenience and security of your home. However, having a decent home Wi-Fi network speed in your home may not be enough to ensure that all your devices are always connected as the signal attenuates the further you get from your WiFi router. Consequently, it may be difficult to ensure that you receive alerts about who is at your door when you are not hovering around the living room.
Both the Pro and Ring Chime products utilize the Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n connection to support a maximum bandwidth of 54 Mbps and a 2.4 GHz frequency that extends WiFi coverage. Despite that, the Ring Chime Pro includes a 5GHz frequency that is much faster and has a larger bandwidth. This additional feature makes the Chime Pro a better fit for people looking to get the most out of their Ring devices.
The Ring Chime Pro and Ring Chime can link to any number of Ring Video Doorbells and Stick-Up Security Cameras. However, since the Chime Pro version uses a faster connection, you will not have trouble connecting to see or hear who is at your door. Moreover, regardless of the speed difference in these Ring devices, you will get alerts almost the exact time someone is knocking at your door to ensure no notifications are delayed.
2. Alerts
If you often find yourself in a room that is far from your front door, it might be tricky to know if someone is there if you only have a doorbell installed. The Ring Chime Pro and Ring Chime are designed to plug into a standard wall socket, connect to the home's Wi-Fi network, link to existing Ring devices and contain a speaker that enables you to hear notifications when someone approaches or uses the smart doorbells. Thus, you can strategically place these Ring products to hear them easily or use the Ring App to receive alerts through your phone.
Unfortunately, the Ring Chime speaker lacks the alert amplification feature present in the Ring Chime Pro that boosts the notification sounds' volume. If you live in a spacious house or with plenty of rooms, the Ring Chime Pro is the best fit for your home. Alternatively, some people have taken to buying more than one Ring Chime to achieve the same results.
Aside from alert amplification, the Ring doorbell products allow you to choose between different seasonal chimes to find the right fit for your home, apartment or office. Additionally, you can tweak the volume of the sound notifications so that they are not too quiet or too loud for the residence. Finally, you can use the Ring App to access the do-not-disturb mode and temporarily disable notifications. These extras add and an additional layer of convenience to the Ring Chime and Ring Chime Pro.
3. Ease of Installation and Use in the Ring App
If you already have a Ring Video Doorbell, Ring Smart Lights, a RingStick Up Security Camera and any other Ring device in your home, you can go for either the Ring Chime or the Ring Chime Pro. Both these devices are compatible with the other range of Ring products available on the market. Plus, installing the devices is simple since they are made to plug into a power outlet.
You can connect to your router's WiFi network, and the LED indicator present on the Chime Pro and Ring Chime versions allows you to check if they have connected. Afterward, you can use the Ring App to seamlessly connect the Ring Video Doorbell, Ring Security Cameras and Ring Smart Lights to the smart doorbells.
Moreover, you can buy more than one Ring Chime set or Ring Chime Pro set, depending on the size of your home. The ease of installing these devices ensures that you can continue adding them to strategic points throughout the house without worrying about setup issues. Hence, you can hear notifications of the doorbell chime from anywhere in the house when someone is at your front door.
4. Size and Design
The Ring Chime and the Ring Chime Pro are about the same size, allowing them to fit into any standard power outlet without becoming obtrusive. Additionally, the compact and sleek design of the devices allows them to fit into any interior decor without feeling out of place.
The built-in nightlight Ring Chime Pro feature adds more appeal to the product. You can turn all the lights off in the house and use this source to illuminate your steps. Plus, the built-in nightlight is not too bright to be distracting.
5. Additional Features of the Ring Devices
As mentioned above, when doing the Ring Chime vs. Chime Pro comparison, the Wi-Fi extender feature of the Ring Chime Pro unit stands out. Unfortunately, some buyers confuse this advantage with buying an actual WiFi extender for your home. However, this extra access point does not allow you to connect your phone or laptop from rooms far from your router's WiFi network.
Instead, the Ring Chime Pro extends the connectivity reach of any Ring device installed far from the WiFi signal source. So, you do not have to buy another device to ensure the products work together. Thus, you can save money while still having peace of mind that the Ring doorbell will alert you when you are far from your home and in a faraway room.
Conclusion
In the Ring Chime vs. Chime Pro comparison, the latter emerges as an obvious winner. Admittedly, the Ring Chime Pro is more expensive than the other model since it can act as an extra access point to other Ring devices installed in your home. However, this price increase is not significant if you consider that the product offers alert amplification so that you can hear whenever someone is at the door.
So, if your living space is extensive, it makes sense to go for the Chime Pro. Moreover, do not forget that the Chime Pro and Ring Chime connect to existing Ring doorbells. Thus, you should already have the system in place before you head out to buy.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Ring Chime vs. Chime Pro
1. What is the difference between the Ring Chime and the Ring Chime Pro?
The Chime Pro will double as a Wi-Fi extender while still being louder than the Ring Chime model. Along with design choices in how the two products look, these two features differentiate the products.
2. Is the Chime Pro necessary?
If you live in a small house or apartment, the extra features offered by the Chime Pro may not be worth the extra cost. In this case, you can go for the Ring Chime as it has what it takes to cater to your needs. Otherwise, you will need the louder Chime Pro that also acts as an extra access point for any Ring device too far from your Wi-Fi source.
Image Source: flickr.com
