Ring indoor camera (2nd generation) in the test: Cheaper than Blink – but also better?

Amazon doesn’t just sell smart home electronics under its own name: its own brand, Ring, offers a variety of networkable products such as doorbells and security cameras. The range primarily includes cameras for indoor and outdoor use in different price ranges.

The Ring indoor camera of the 2nd generation stands out from the product range especially with its low price of around 60 euros. Like the larger products in the series, the small wired cam can be used as a standalone device with an app connection or in combination with Alexa, Echo Show and Fire TV products from the Amazon range.

The Netzwelt test explains in detail who the budget indoor camera from Ring is particularly suitable for and who should perhaps make a comparison with the other Amazon house brand Blink before purchasing.

installation

At first glance, the Ring indoor camera with its stand looks as if a horizontal surface had to be cleared in order to set up the device. However, the foot in question can also be rotated at its ball joint and used as a wall mount. There is hardly anything standing in the way of wall installation of the feather-light device.

You don’t necessarily have to drill for this: Weighing just over 100 grams including the power cable, the Ring indoor camera can also be attached non-invasively to walls and other vertical surfaces. Depending on the surface, a strip of good assembly tape may be sufficient.

If you want to install the device in the corner of the room for the maximum viewing area, you will actually fail because of the length of the USB cable supplied. The small indoor cam has neither a battery nor a battery compartment and must therefore be installed near a socket if the original accessories are to be used. Although the USB cable included in the delivery is an impressive two meters long, depending on the location of the power connection, it could still provide significantly too little leeway.

It is then possible to purchase an additional longer micro-USB cable for a reasonable price. This does not increase the overall price for successful installation, as the Ring indoor camera can be put into operation quickly without any additional accessories.

Furnishings

A quick roll backwards: The fact that the 2nd generation Ring indoor camera works without any accessories is not entirely true. A smartphone to use the app or, in case of doubt, a computer with a browser are of course required to set up the device and access the video feeds.

However, like with the comparable smallest devices in the Blink series, you don’t have to buy an additional sync module to connect the Ring indoor cam to the WiFi. The latter works relatively smoothly after setting up the smartphone app, which is somewhat lengthy for beginners, including account creation and WiFi connection.

Ring indoor camera in pictures

Here you can see first impressions.

A socket near your home router is ideal for successfully setting up the Ring indoor camera. Even if the device is to be used in a completely different corner later, a strong WiFi signal will help with setup. In the app you will receive clear instructions that are easy to carry out.

service

Once you have set up the Ring indoor camera, operating it via the app is easy. If you arm the camera, movements in the monitored area will also be displayed directly on your smartphone via push notification. To receive notifications, all you need to do is have an active data connection and enable the appropriate settings.

The camera cover, which can be used to cover the lens of the small Ring camera at any time, is particularly worth mentioning. In this way, the privacy of people at the location of the camera can be guaranteed without them having to use the app or disconnect the camera from the power connection.

If you have Alexa devices in your household, you can also access the video feed on an Echo Show or Fire TV by pairing your Ring and Amazon accounts. If you want to fully exploit the possibilities of your Ring indoor camera, you have to expect ongoing costs: The Ring Protect tariffs offer you additional display options and functions such as packet capture starting at 3.99 euros per month.

At ring Proctect plans from 3.99 euros per month*

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Ring interior camera: cheaper individually than a blink setup

You want to buy the cheapest camera on Amazon and are torn between the two subsidiaries Blink and Ring? There’s really only one question to answer: How many cameras do you want?

Since the Ring indoor camera works without additional hardware, it is ultimately cheaper than the individual devices from Blink. Ultimately, they need a sync module in order to be able to connect to the WLAN. When purchasing a smaller device like the Blink Indoor for the first time, you will incur additional costs because the WLAN module is not included in the scope of delivery of the cheaper models.

Even the incredibly cheap Blink Mini, including the sync module, costs more to purchase for the first time than the Ring indoor camera when the costs for the camera and additional hardware are added up. If you want to have more than one inexpensive camera, purchasing the compact Blink devices is worth it – because up to ten of them work with one WLAN module.

In addition, in households with small children, the Ring indoor camera is quite susceptible to damage with its somewhat wobbly camera cover and the rotating stand and cable. If you want to avoid accidents here, you might be better off opting for the wireless, no-frills Blink Indoor Cam.

Ring Indoor Cam (2nd Gen)

Editorial rating 7.3 Reader Ratings

3 reviews

Operation and functionality

8.0

Design and workmanship

6.0

Smart home compatibility

7.0

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Don’t agree? Are you looking for suitable alternatives? We have an extensive list of Ring Indoor Cam (2nd Gen) alternatives available for you in our surveillance camera overview.

Ring Indoor Cam (2nd Gen): data sheet

Here you can find the technical data for Ring Indoor Cam (2nd Gen). You can easily compare size, weight and other properties with other products.

Location	Inside
Operation	Electricity
resolution	Full HD
Viewing angle	143° diagonal, 115° horizontal, 59° vertical
Night vision	✔ Yes
voice control	✔ Yes
Cloud subscription	✔ Yes

View all technical data❯