On the fence about buying a Ring security camera? Compare the benefits & drawbacks below

Millions of people across the country use Ring security cameras to keep an eye on their front porches, backyards, and driveways. These handy devices offer the app-driven convenience you’d expect from 21st-century tech and give the everyday person a way to prioritize home security without breaking the bank. 

They’re not without their drawbacks, however. Many users have faced glaring privacy and cybersecurity issues, so depending on what you’re looking for in terms of home security, they may not fit the bill. Use the pros and cons breakdown below to weigh your options and choose if a Ring security camera is right for you.

The Pros

1. Affordable

Right off the bat, the most attractive part about Ring security cameras is their affordability. If you don’t want to shell out thousands for a full home security system, you can get a Ring doorbell up and running for anywhere from $50-150. 

2. Easy to Install

They’re notoriously easy to install, too. Set up takes around fifteen minutes tops, and if you already have a doorbell, it’s as easy as connecting the existing wiring to the Ring security camera and fastening it to the wall.

3. 24/7 Access & Automatic Motion Detection With the Ring App

Once you have it set up, you can access the video feed through the Ring app from anywhere, as long as you have WiFi. If the camera detects motion within a certain range, it will automatically notify you through the app so you can check who’s at your door or on your property. 

4. Two-Way Communication

The device even features two-way communication, allowing you to chat with (or shoo away) your visitors in real time, whether it’s a delivery driver, a potential intruder, or the neighborhood cat.

5. HD Video Quality & Easy Smart Home Integration

In terms of video quality, Ring security cameras provide live, high-definition footage any time of the day, with the ability to zoom in and get a closer look if you need to. With the features and fidelity you get for the price, it makes sense why these devices are so popular. And although they may not be equipped to protect the whole house, they’re designed to easily integrate into a smart home security system.

The Cons

1. Limited Coverage

If you’re planning on outfitting your home with a full-service security system, a Ring security camera may not give you the coverage you’re looking for. It only has so much range, and if you’re ready to go the whole nine yards, you’ll probably want to invest in a package deal rather than taking a piecemeal approach.

2. Privacy Concerns

If you value your personal data and want to limit who gets access to it, a Ring security camera may not be the best option for you. In January of 2020, the Electronic Frontier Foundation released a report showing that Ring (now owned by Amazon) sends the data they collect from users’ phones to five third-party companies.

The following are the companies and the various data they receive from your phone:

• Facebook – Your time zone, device model, language preferences, screen resolution, and a unique identifier.
• Crashlytics – The extent of the data shared had yet to be determined at the time of reporting.
• AppsFlyer – Certain actions (interactions with the Neighbors app, for example), your carrier, when you first installed and launched Ring, multiple unique identifiers, the app you installed from, and data from sensors on your phone, including the magnetometer, gyroscope, and accelerometer.
• Branch – Multiple unique identifiers, your IP address, device model, screen resolution, and DPI.
• MixPanel – Your full name, email address, OS version, device model, whether Bluetooth is enabled, and app settings, such as how many locations you have a Ring security camera installed.

Luckily, Ring now allows you to opt out of sharing your information with third parties. However, looking at their track record, that may not be the only privacy concern to worry about.

In 2023, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) charged the company with failing to protect users’ privacy by allowing an employee to “access consumers’ private videos.” 

3. Vulnerable to Cyberattacks

In that same complaint, the FTC also outlined that Ring “failed to implement basic privacy and security protections, enabling hackers to take control of consumers’ accounts, cameras, and videos.”

Their report showed that over 55,000 users had had their devices hacked. These cyberattacks allowed the hackers to access users’ private videos and even the two-way communication feature on their devices, which they used to harass and threaten many of the victims.

Per the FTC order, Ring was required to update their privacy and security program, but this is still something to keep in mind when weighing the pros and cons. After all, when you buy a home security device, you’re placing you and your family’s safety in its hands.

Does the Ring Security Camera Fit Into Your Home Security Plan?

For those who are very protective of their personal information, the breaches mentioned above may be too difficult to overlook. But if you’re willing to move past them, you’ll get to enjoy some fantastic features at a reasonable price. 

We hope this pros and cons breakdown will help you make your decision, and if you’re interested in staying safe beyond your front yard, check out our website to learn how the Rescu app can get you emergency help twenty times faster than 911.