Ring Peephole Cam Review
This video doorbell from Ring works with peepholes, making it a great choice for apartments.
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Last Updated on Feb 27, 2023
What We Like
- Fits with peepholes
- Works with Alexa
- 1080p HD video
What We Don't Like
- No person detection
- Doesn't work with Google Assistant
- No cloud storage for free
Bottom Line
Otherwise known as the Ring Peephole Cam, this device is specifically made for doors with peepholes. Of course, the camera has the same high quality we've come to expect from Ring, with 1080p HD video, infrared night vision and two-way audio with noise cancellation for super clear sound.The easiest way to stop intruders is to make them think that you’re at home, and with video doorbells, you can do so from anywhere in the world. Video doorbells, by connecting to a mobile app, allow you to see and speak to your visitor as soon as they’re detected. Of course, this is a convenient feature in general, but it’s also becoming an increasingly popular component of smart home security.
Ring Alarm has made many great video doorbells that I’ve reviewed, from the Ring Video Doorbell 2 to the Ring Video Doorbell Pro. When I heard that they made a camera specifically for peepholes, I couldn’t wait to try it out! In this review, I’m doing a deep dive into the Ring Peephole Cam in terms of its design, features, installation process and of course, the Ring— Always Home app. We have a lot to go over, so let’s get started with this Ring Peephole Cam review!
Ring Peephole Cam/Ring Door View Cam Tech specs
| Installation | Over existing peepholes |
|---|---|
| Required door thickness | 24-55 mm |
| Power source | Battery |
| Battery life | 6-12 months |
| Resolution | 1080p HD |
Ring Peephole Cam Design
On the surface, the Ring Peephole Cam looks remarkably similar to its predecessors, in silver, black and blue. Of course, being intended for a peephole, it’s the smallest of Ring’s video doorbells. You’ll place the camera right over your peephole so it can capture your visitors, but don’t worry— you’ll still be able to see your visitors from your indoor peephole, as the Ring Peephole Cam doesn’t take away any capabilities you already had.
The Ring Peephole Cam works in temperatures from negative five to 120 degrees Fahrenheit indoors and from 32 to 104 degrees Fahrenheit outdoors. It has an IP rating of X5, meaning that it’s protected from water jets from any direction, which means it can withstand a rainstorm or two. The Ring Peephole Cam is battery-operated and the battery itself is rechargeable, making installation super convenient. It’ll connect to the Ring— Always Home app via Wi-Fi.
Other Innovative Doorbell Options
Ring shows its outside the box thinking with the Peephole cam, but it’s certainly not the only innovative doorbell out there. For other options, check out Vivint’s doorbell that records continuously to a microSD card, Kangaroo’s cloud subscriptions with theft reimbursement, and Zmodo’s doorbells with customizable greetings.
Ring Peephole Cam Features
Of course, when reviewing a video doorbell I always like to focus on the camera itself. If you’ve read my security camera reviews, then you’re probably already familiar with our Necessary Features Test, which matches technical specifications up with my experience testing a product in terms of video, audio, night vision, storage, smart platform integrations, and artificial intelligence. Is the Ring Peephole Cam up to snuff? Let’s find out!
Video Display
The Ring Peephole Cam has 1080p HD video display, the industry standard, plus a wide field of view of 155 degrees.
Audio
Naturally, the Ring Peephole Cam has two-way audio, allowing you to actually speak to your visitor remotely.
Night Vision
Not shockingly, this camera has excellent infrared night vision allowing you to see clearly even in the darkest of nights.
Storage
| Feature | Free | Protect Basic Plan | Protect Plus Plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coverage | No | One Ring Doorbell or Security Camera | All Ring Devices at One Address |
| Ring and Motion Alerts | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Custom Motion Detection | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Interact with Visitors Remotely | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Livestream | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Warranty | 1 Year | 1 Year | Extended Warranty |
| Length of Cloud Storage | No | 60 days | 60 days |
| Review, Share, and Save Ring Videos | No | Yes | Yes |
| Professional Monitoring for Ring Alarm | No | No | Yes |
| Exclusive Discounts at Ring.com | No | No | 10% Off Ring Products |
| Contract Terms | No | None, Cancel Anytime | None, Cancel Anytime |
| Monthly Price | $0 | $3 | $10 |
| Annual Price | $0 | $30 | $100 |
| Annual Savings | $0 | $6 | $20 |
When it comes to storage of any kind, you’ll need to invest in a Ring Protect plan. Of course, I wish local and cloud storage came free with the Ring Peephole Cam, but I’m not mad at the fact that you can buy local storage and 60 days of cloud storage for only three dollars a month.
Smart Platform Integration
The Ring Peephole Cam works with Amazon Alexa, not shocking as Amazon owns Ring. Unfortunately, there’s no integration with Google Assistant, so it may not be the best choice if you’re in the Google smart home ecosystem.
Artificial Intelligence
Double unfortunately, the Ring Peephole Cam doesn’t have any artificial intelligence capabilities like person detection or facial recognition, so you may receive some unnecessary notifications from movement from cars, pets— any moving object that’s not a human.
Extras
What if someone knocks on the door instead of ringing the doorbell? Fortunately, Ring has already thought of a solution. The Ring Peephole Cam comes with an impact sensor, so you will be notified if someone knocks. There’s also a feature called privacy zones that blacks out neighbor’s property from view— you’ll be able to designate these zones within the Ring app. And that’s it for the Ring Peephole Cam’s features!
Want to explore some more great options? Read my review of 2023’s best video doorbells.
Ring Peephole Cam Review: Video Edition
Want to see the Peephole Cam in action? Here’s Gabe with the Peephole Cam in our exclusive video review.
Installing the Ring Peephole Cam
To install the Ring Peephole Cam in your home, you’ll need a door that’s 24 to 55 mm thick (a standard width), along with a peephole. But being battery-operated, it’s something you can do yourself. Ring gives you a step-by-step guide and manual for the Ring Peephole Cam, which I suggest following to a tee. First, make sure to charge your Ring battery to completion, which allows it to last from six months to a year depending on usage. Next, take out your current peephole using the tools Ring provides for you. Place the camera so it faces the visitor, and use the tools to make sure it’s evenly placed.
Next, install the tube and wire to connect the camera to the battery, on the inside of your door. Make sure the wire is nice and taut in the battery’s port. Next, you can connect the Ring Peephole Cam to Wi-Fi by scanning the QR code in the battery case. From there, the Ring— Always Home app will walk you through the rest of the process, having you perform tests each step of the way to make sure you’re installing it correctly. For a more complicated product, this installation process was pretty straightforward.
The Ring— Always Home App
The Ring— Always Home app is where you’ll livestream footage, receive notifications, create privacy zones, see and speak to your visitors, and set up your Alexa integration. The app has 3.3 ratings on both the Google Play and Apple stores, which is pretty decent but not incredible.
“Love my ring. I originally brought and doorbell and spotlights at least a year ago. They work great. The connect was slow at first but I purchased the range extender,”
wrote Android-user Jenene Mitchell in a five-star review.
Recap of the Ring Peephole Cam
At $199, the Ring Peephole Cam is at average price for a video doorbell, and I think it’s worth the money. It has many of the Necessary Features that I’m looking for, plus it’s one of the only options that takes peepholes into accounts.
I think the Ring Peephole Cam is a great choice if you’d like…
- Peephole coverage: The Ring Peephole Cam is the only video doorbell I’ve seen meant specifically for peepholes, making it a great choice for apartment-owners or renters.
- Alexa integration: If you’re already part of the Amazon smart home ecosystem, then you’ll love commanding the Ring Peephole Cam using your voice alone.
- 1080p HD video: The Ring Peephole Cam meets industry standards in terms of video.
- Infrared night vision: I prefer this over a bright white light, which creates color night vision but is quite conspicuous.
But avoid it if you wanted the following features…
- Person detection: With no A.I capabilities, notifications may be more frequent and unnecessary than with.
- Google Assistant integration: Those in the Google ecosystems should probably check out the Nest doorbell, which works with Google Assistant.
- Free cloud and local storage: Although storage options are super affordable, unfortunately the Ring Peephole Cam doesn’t come with any storage on the house.
Ring Peephole Cam FAQs
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How do I install the Ring Peephole Cam?
To install the Ring Peephole Cam in your home, you’ll need a door that’s 24 to 55 mm thick (a standard width), along with a peephole. But being battery-operated, it’s something you can do yourself. Ring gives you a step-by-step guide and manual for the Ring Peephole Cam, which I suggest following to a tee. First, make sure to charge your Ring battery to completion, which allows it to last from six months to a year depending on usage. Next, take out your current peephole using the tools Ring provides for you. Place the camera so it faces the visitor, and use the tools to make sure it’s evenly placed.
Next, install the tube and wire to connect the camera to the battery, on the inside of your door. Make sure the wire is nice and taut in the battery’s port. Next, you can connect the Ring Peephole Cam to Wi-Fi by scanning the QR code in the battery case. From there, the Ring— Always Home app will walk you through the rest of the process, having you perform tests each step of the way to make sure you’re installing it correctly.
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How long does the Ring Peephole Cam battery last?
The Ring Peephole Cam’s battery can last anywhere from six to 12 months, but this will vary depending on usage.
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Can you use Ring doorbells at apartments?
You can use Ring doorbells at apartments. The Ring Peephole Cam in particular is made specifically for peepholes.