The Ring Spotlight Cam Pro was launched in 2022 in the high-end segment of connected cameras: dual-band Wi-Fi, but also “aerial view” and 3D motion detection. In addition to these features, the Ring Spotlight Cam Pro also has Audio+, 1080p HDR video quality, and two LED panels on either side of the camera lens that light up when motion is detected .
The main takeaways from the Ring Spotlight Cam Pro surveillance camera
- The Ring Spotlight Cam Pro is available for €230.
- This Ring camera features a removable rechargeable battery, has premium audio performance, and supports dual-band Wi-Fi, 2.4 and 5.0 GHz.
- Unfortunately, the video definition of the Ring Spotlight Cam Pro is not of sufficient quality (at 1080p), the projectors only have a brightness of 300 lumens and the Pro functions are only available by subscription.
To install the Spotlight Cam Pro, simply find a location for it. As it is battery operated, there is no need to install it near a power source or somewhere directly exposed to sunlight, although it is possible to get a solar panel separated. The included Quick-Release removable battery pack means you don’t have to take the camera apart when it’s time to recharge, making the process easier compared to other brands.
I set up the Ring Spotlight Cam Pro on the back fence to observe half of my yard. My yard is very dark and only has a light on one side where I have a floodlight camera, so I appreciate any extra light when I take the dog out before bed.
Maria Diaz/ZDNET
You cannot change the colorimetry, but you can adjust the brightness and schedule their lighting
I already had an Arlo Pro 5S that covered this area, but I decided to replace it with the Ring Spotlight Cam Pro to get more light on this side. I also have a Blink Outdoor 4 Floodlight camera that covers a lot of this side of the yard, but the area where I installed the Ring Spotlight Cam Pro is further back and not covered by the Blink.
The Spotlight Cam Pro’s spotlight has two small LED panels that light up when motion is detected. I would have preferred a more powerful spotlight for the price, but this isn’t a floodlight camera, so I can’t complain about the 375 lumens as a secondary feature on a battery-powered device. The light beams of this Ring Spotlight Cam Pro cover no more than 30 meters of the area during the night.
Maria Diaz/ZDNET
This Ring Spotlight Cam Pro also illuminates with a warmer light, at 3000° Kelvin, which is equivalent to a warm white tint. I prefer warm color for outdoor lighting, but if you prefer daylight or cool white outdoor lighting, like traditional floodlights, this Ring Spotlight Cam probably isn’t the best choice for you. Unfortunately, you cannot change the colorimetry of these projectors, but you can adjust their brightness and schedule their switching on.
High-quality audio is one of the best features of this camera
Where I set up this Ring Spotlight Cam Pro is a good 50 feet from my back door, so I was concerned that the camera wouldn’t be close enough to maintain a stable Wi-Fi connection, but it was not the case. The camera stays responsive and connected, and it quickly issues a notification when motion is detected.
Maria Diaz/ZDNET
The high-quality audio is one of the best features of this camera, without a doubt. I used it to talk to my husband from about 40 feet away and was able to have a normal conversation without yelling or straining to hear him, and without any interruptions from background noise.
Some features of the Ring Spotlight Cam Pro are only available with a Ring Protect subscription, which does not allow you to use your own microSD card as is the case with other brands. The Ring Protect subscription allows users to access cloud storage to view and share recorded video clips and past events, as well as additional features such as color video pre-roll (recording what took place before a detection), bird’s eye view and 3D motion detection.
Maria Diaz/ZDNET
The Ring Protect plan ranges between €3 and €10 per month and, in addition to the functions mentioned, it includes people alerts, the ability to arm and disarm the Ring system digitally, rich notifications, snapshot capture and Video history stored in the cloud for up to six months.
Purchasing advice for the Ring Spotlight Cam Pro surveillance camera
After a few weeks of use, I found this to be a reliable home security camera with all the extra features worth the price. The two-way talk audio quality is the most impressive I’ve ever tried, delivering crystal clear sound without echo.
On the other hand, I was slightly disappointed by the video quality, which only goes up to 1080p.
A surveillance camera of this resolution isn’t disappointing in itself, but it’s a notable difference from the 2K resolution Arlo Pro 5 I previously had that monitored this area of my garden, although the ‘Arlo is a little more expensive, at €250. To top it all off, the Eufy Floodlight Cam E340 floodlight camera across my backyard can reach 3K resolution and costs the same as this Ring camera!
Additionally, many smart home users are not willing to pay monthly subscription fees to access exclusive features, but there are many users who prefer the convenience of not having to worry about local storage and who appreciate the additional benefits offered by a paid subscription.
Source: “ZDNet.com”