How long does a Ring Doorbell battery last?

The battery on your Ring Doorbell is designed to last for quite some time before needing a recharge.

With normal use, Ring Doorbell batteries should be able to last for a few months if fully charged.

But some users may experience shorter Ring battery life than expected, and this could be due to a few factors.

If you're getting lesser battery power from your Ring device, here are some tips:

Ring Doorbell battery life comparison

There are four Ring devices available on the market: Ring, Ring 2, Ring Pro, and Ring Elite.

The first two are battery-powered, while the last two are hardwired.

While convenient, battery-powered doorbells can be a pain when the battery drains completely. You'll get notifications from the Ring app before the device shuts off. If it does die down, you'll have to set it up again in the Ring app.

If you don't want the hassle, then go for a hardwired option like the Ring Pro.

Ring

The first-generation Ring doorbell can be hardwired to an existing doorbell wire, or be powered with a rechargeable battery.

If you opt for the battery-powered one, you'll have to uninstall the entire doorbell to charge it and reinstall it after it's fully charged.

Ring says the battery should last between 6 to 12 months on a single charge, but it still depends on how much activity your video doorbell is recording.

Users from areas with cold temperatures report shorter battery life, and Ring admits that the battery drains more quickly below 40°F.

Some users say theirs last for about 1-2 months, while others see their batteries last past 6 months.

Since the original Ring Doorbell doesn't have a removable battery, you'll have to take it down for a recharge.

To do this, unscrew the two security screws attaching the device to the mounting bracket, and you should be able to easily lift it off the base.

Use the micro USB cable at the back of the doorbell to plug it to a power source.

It would take between 5 to 10 hours to fully charge your Ring doorbell, which means your front door will be unguarded for that period of time.

Ring 2

The Ring 2 is powered by a removable, rechargeable battery, so you won't have to take down the whole device for recharging.

Instead, you can have a second battery ready so you can swap batteries quickly and avoid any downtime.

The battery on the Video Doorbell 2 is also estimated to last between 6 to 12 months, or approximately 1,000 notifications before needing a recharge.

Recharging it is relatively easier than with the first-generation Ring, but it would still require tinkering with some screws.

First, remove the faceplate by unscrewing the security screw. Lift it off and push the release tab to easily slide out the battery.

The battery has a micro USB port, so you can plug it directly into a power source using the included cable.

While the main battery is charging, you can slide a spare battery into your device so you can still have surveillance on your front porch.

Factors affecting battery life

Weather conditions

Ring users have been reporting shorter battery life in cold climates.

Ring devices use Lithium Polymer batteries, which are known to struggle at holding charge at temperatures below 36°F.

So, you may end up having to charge more frequently.

On the other hand, exposure to high temperatures may shorten battery life.

Here are some critical temperatures to avoid:

• 36°F - charge holding capacity of the battery is greatly affected

• 32°F - the battery may not charge at all

• 5°F - the battery may stop functioning

Usage

The more activities your Ring Video Doorbell records, the more energy it requires.

If your motion detection is always on, other features like video recording and real-time alerts are activated.

The Live View and two-way audio communication features are two activities with the highest power consumption.

Bad connection

Your Ring Video Doorbell has to be connected to a good Wi-Fi signal strength.

A poor Wi-Fi connection means your Ring Doorbell has to transmit at a higher power to increase the Wi-Fi range.

What happens if the Ring Doorbell battery dies?

If your Ring Doorbell dies, you may have to set it up again on the Ring app.

To avoid this, don't ignore the low-battery notifications from the app.

Be prepared with extra batteries

If you're using Ring 2, it's best that you have extra batteries so you don't risk having to reset the device.

It will also avoid any downtime and ensure you have security up and running.

Tips to prevent Ring Doorbell battery draining

• Reduce the usage of the Live Feed feature

  The Live Feed feature requires a lot of power and drains your battery fast. Limit using this feature, especially when not needed.

• Adjust the motion detection system

  Lowering the motion sensitivity, adjusting the motion zones, and changing the motion frequency will help in preventing battery draining.

• Better Wi-Fi signal strength

  Place the Wi-Fi router closer to the doorbell or use signal boosters to increase signal strength.

• Charge your Ring doorbell battery only when it's low on power

  There have been studies showing how charging with a full or relatively complete battery could decrease battery life. It's recommended that you charge only when your battery is low on power.

• Avoid extreme climate

  As mentioned above, both cold and warm temperatures can affect your batteries.

• Use only the included charger.

  Otherwise, use a high-quality third-party charger.

How to charge your Ring Doorbell battery

Charging will depend on the Ring device that you have.

For the original Ring Video Doorbell, you'll have to remove the whole device.

To do this, unscrew the two security screws attaching the device to the mounting bracket, and you should be able to easily lift it off the base.

Use the micro USB cable at the back of the doorbell to plug it to a power source.

Ring 2 has a removable, rechargeable battery. But you'll still have to open the faceplate to access it.

To do this, unscrew the security screw and lift the faceplate off. Then, push the release tab to easily slide out the battery.

The battery has a micro USB port, so you can plug it directly into a power source using the included cable.

How long does it take to charge a Ring Doorbell battery?

The Ring Doorbell battery typically lasts between 5 to 10 hours to charge.

How often should you charge a Ring Video Doorbell battery?

According to Ring, their batteries are supposed to last between 6 to 12 months. But that will depend on a few factors as mentioned above.

Solar charger advantages

Solar chargers can power both battery-operated and hardwired Ring devices.

This ensures you have 24/7 security without any downtime, even when the power is out.

A good quality solar panel should be able to provide enough power to your Ring Video Doorbell even with just a few hours of sunlight.

Check out Wasserstein's line of solar panels compatible with top security camera brands.

FAQ

Do Ring batteries wear out?

Yes, factors like usage, weather condition, and poor Wi-Fi connection can wear out Ring batteries.

How do I know if my Ring battery is bad?

To check the battery percentage, open the Ring app and click on your doorbell. Select "Devices", then select "Device Health". Tap on Device Health to see the battery percentage. You will also receive a notification when the battery is low.

Do I have to charge the Ring Doorbell battery fully?

Yes, it's recommended that you charge your Ring Doorbell battery fully as you may see an incorrect battery discharge/reporting when setting up your device.

Why is my Ring Doorbell flashing blue?

The flashing blue light indicates that your doorbell is charging.

How do I reset my Ring Doorbell after charging the battery?

To perform a hard reset, hold down the black button for 15 seconds.

Why is the Ring Doorbell not working after charging?

If your Ring Doorbell doesn't work after charging, try disconnecting and reconnecting it with the app. If this doesn't work, take out the battery and reinsert it. If both options don't work, try to reset or hard wire your device.

Can you overcharge the Ring Battery?

No, the Ring Battery's charging circuit can detect when the battery is at 100%. The LED indicator will change color and your device will stop charging.

How do I know if the Ring Doorbell battery needs a recharge?

You'll receive a low battery notification similar to motion detection alerts. There will be a red “low battery” icon on your device dashboard.

How do I know if the battery is charged?

If you have the original Ring, the LED indicator will turn solid blue when it's fully charged. If you have Ring 2 or 3, the light will be solid green.