Ring Spotlight vs Stick Up — what is the difference?

If you're looking to upgrade your home security system this new year, a powerful security camera is what you need.

With brands coming up with better and sleeker cameras every year, it may be hard to choose the right one for you.

In Amazon's case, its line of Ring cameras have been a favorite among smart-home owners.

As of writing, Ring has three outdoor cameras and an indoor camera available: Ring Spotlight Cam, Ring Stick Up Cam, Floodlight Cam, and the Ring Indoor Cam.

But for this blog, we'll shine the spotlight (pun intended) on the first two.

Differences between Ring Spotlight & Ring Stick Up Cam

One of the major differences between the Spotlight Cam and Stick Up Cam is the presence or absence of a spotlight that shines a light on what's being captured.

As its name suggests, the Spotlight Cam has LED light strips attached to its front face.

The Stick Up Cam doesn't have a similar feature, so you'd have to find a third-party floodlight compatible with it.

While both have night vision, the Spotlight Cam, with its onboard LED light strips, will provide you with better and clearer night footage.

The Stick Up Cam also has a slightly better field of view at 150°, while the Spotlight Cam has 140°.

When it comes to the battery-powered variants, the Spotlight Cam battery has a longer battery life compared to the Stick Up Cam battery.

This is because the Ring Stick Up cam only has one 6000 mAh lithium battery while the Ring Spotlight Cam has two.

The Ring Stick Up Cam can be mounted on a wall or a desk, while the Spotlight Cam can only be mounted on a wall.

As for the alerts, the Spotlight Cam has a loud 110-decibel siren while the Stick Up Cam has a muffled sound.

Audio quality also appears to be better in the Spotlight Cam compared to the Stick Up Cam.

Similarities between Ring Spotlight & Ring Stick Up Cam

Both the Ring Spotlight and the Ring Stick Up have wired cameras and battery-powered camera variants.

They also have solar panel-powered variants, which you can connect to a Ring solar panel or Wasserstein Ring solar panel.

Both Ring devices have 1080p HD quality video recording, a two-way talk feature, and motion detection.

Night vision can be found in both cameras, but the Spotlight Cam is supported by six LEDs while the Stick Up Cam has four LEDs.

Ring offers the Ring Protect Plan, which allows you to use paid cloud storage where you can store video clips for a monthly fee.

Ring Spotlight Cam

The Ring Spotlight Cam's claim to fame is its onboard LED lights.

This motion-activated spotlight can light up every corner of your property, offering better night vision than the standard infrared night vision found in the Stick Up Cam.

Because of its excellent video-capturing capabilities in low-light conditions, this Ring camera is primarily used as an outdoor camera.

Installation

While it can only be mounted on a wall, the Ring Spotlight Cam's multiple power supply options allows you to install it anywhere in your house.

So whether you have the Ring Spotlight Cam battery or the wired version, you have plenty of choices on where to mount it.

But if you opt for solar power, just make sure you mount it on a spot that gets enough sunlight.

At the side of your home. We often take the sides of our houses for granted. And crooks can take advantage of this by sneaking from the backyard to the main entrance using these blindsides. Setting up a spotlight cam along the sides of the house can help you watch over inside even without windows, thanks to its live video feed, spotlights, and alarm features.

When a floodlight is too bright. While the Ring Floodlight Cam offers even better night vision than the Spotlight Cam, its powerful lights may be too much for a light sleeper. The Spotlight Cam provides just the right amount of light for clearly recorded videos at night.

If you want standard outlet power. The Spotlight Cam Wired plugs into your standard power outlets as compared to the Ring Floodlight Cam that connects to your junction box. This means you won't need complicated wiring to be able to enjoy continuous power on your outdoor security camera.

Features

• Built-in motion activated lights

• 110-decibel alarm (user-activated)

• 140° field of view

• 160° motion detection (Wired), 180° horizontal and 30° vertical (Battery and Solar)

• Custom motion zones (Wired) via the Ring App

• Operating temperature: -22º to 120º F (Wired),  -5 to 120º F (Solar/Battery)

• Two-way audio

• More expensive than the Stick Up Cam

Image quality

The Ring Spotlight security cameras have a 1080p resolution for sharp footage during the day. At night, expect lower-quality images, but the built-in two light bars help in capturing full-color images.

Battery

The battery-powered Spotlight Cam lasts around 6 to 12 months. It comes with a single rechargeable battery, but inside the device is a space that can accommodate an additional battery pack for even longer battery life.

Ring Stick Up Cam

With the Ring Stick Up Cam's versatile mounting options, it can be used as an outdoor camera or an indoor camera.

Depending on the model you choose, you can either use battery power, directly plug it into a wall outlet, or hook it to a solar panel for non-stop power.

Most of Stick Up Cam's features can be found in other ring cameras, but it's still one of the most popular Ring products because of its versatility.

Installation

On the fence. With various power supply options and flexible mounting, the Ring Stick Up Cam can be installed on both uneven and flat surface. Putting it along the fence will help you monitor activities on your front yard.

On your front porch. This is an option for those without a Ring Video Doorbell. You can still keep tabs on who's knocking on your door with the Stick Up Cam's live video feed. You can even use the two way audio feature to talk with anyone on the feed.

Areas far from power source. If you have the battery version, you can put it anywhere in the house. Unlike the wired version that involves wireworks, this model is powered by a local battery. As long as the spot has Wi-Fi signal, then you can install a Stick Up Cam.

Features

• Two-way audio

• No power over Ethernet

• No built-in lights or siren

• 130° field of view

• No custom motion zones

• Operating temperature: -4 to 122º F

• Cheaper than the Spotlight Cam

Image quality

Like other Ring devices, the Stick Up Cam has a 1080p resolution which produces sharp images during the day. But with the absence of a spotlight, its night vision suffers. It also has a narrower field of view, but it does have a diagonal view.

Battery

The Stick Up Cam has a large battery that's cylindrical in shape. According to Ring, its battery can last between 6 to 12 months on a single charge.

It has a stand attached to arms used to mount the camera on any flat surface. These arms are used to adjust the camera's viewing angle.

The battery version has a quick-release battery pack that makes switching batteries a breeze, while the wired model has a long USB cable for powering the camera.

Ring Spotlight or Ring Stick Up Cam — which one to choose?

It all boils down to your needs.

Lighting up your property when motion is detected is an added safety feature. If you want better security even with low visibility, go for the Ring Spotlight Cam. It even has a bonus siren to warn you of intruders.

If you're content with the basic security camera features and want an affordable option, go for the Stick Up Cam. It still has all the necessary features you need for outdoor use.

FAQ

Where to install Ring Spotlight Cam?

The Ring Spotlight Cam is perfect for low-light areas such as the side of your home. And since it has less powerful lights than the Floodlight, it's perfect to be installed near windows as it has just the right amount of brightness. And since the battery version has room for two battery packs, you don't have to worry about installing it near a power source.

Where to install Ring Stick Up Cam?

The Stickup Cam is versatile enough to be installed anywhere. Just make sure it's near a light source for better night vision.

Is the Ring Spotlight Camera worth buying?

Yes, with its built-in light strips and improved night vision, it's worth the additional few dollars.

Is there a monthly fee for the Ring Spotlight?

Yes, the basic subscription starts at $3.99 a month, with Plus and Pro starting at $10 and $20, respectively.

Is Ring Spotlight Camera bright enough?

Yes, it's bright enough to capture full-colored photos in low-light situations, but not as bright as the Floodlight Cam.

Does Ring Spotlight only work at night?

No, the Ring Spotlight works all day.

Can Ring Spotlight Cam replace the porch light?

Yes, you can install it in the entrance and exit doors to replace your porch light.

Does the Ring Stick Up Cam have a spotlight?

No, the Ring Stick Up Cam doesn't have a built-in spotlight.

How long does the battery last in a Ring Stick Up?

The battery should last between six to twelve months.

Do Ring Cameras get hacked a lot?

There isn't enough data to conclude, but all devices connected to the Internet can be hacked if you don't use proper security measures.

Which is better, Ring Spotlight or Ring Stick Up Cam?

It depends on your needs. If you want better security even with low visibility, go for the Ring Spotlight Cam. If you're content with the basic security camera features and want an affordable option, go for the Stick Up Cam.