Home security used to mean expensive systems with professional installation and monthly monitoring fees that add up fast. Video doorbells changed that equation by putting smart security within reach of regular homeowners who want to know who’s at their door without the hassle or cost of traditional setups. Ring has become synonymous with video doorbells and their newest battery doorbell model just hit an all-time low for Black Friday on Amazon. Originally priced at $99, this doorbell now sells for just $49, which really is a massive 50% discount on one of the most popular smart home security devices available today.

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Everything You Need to See Who’s There

The head-to-toe video coverage solves one of the most annoying problems that first-generation video doorbells had: missing important details because the camera failed to capture enough vertical space. Earlier cameras often showed visitors’ faces but cut off packages left on the ground or they captured the doorstep but missed facial details.

This newest model extends the vertical field of view to show everything from someone’s head down to items placed at ground level, meaning you can see delivery drivers, visitors, and any packages they leave behind in one frame. This extended view becomes especially useful for monitoring porch pirates, since you’ll capture clear footage of anyone approaching and leaving with packages.

With Live View, you get real-time access to your doorbell’s camera feed anytime you want to see what’s going on outside your front door. You can open the Ring app on your phone and instantly see a live stream without having to wait for the alerts from motion or doorbell presses; this is pretty handy when you’re expecting a delivery or want to check if the kids have made it home from school. Two-way talk essentially changes your doorbell into an intercom system, allowing you to have conversations with visitors at your door without being there. The speaker and microphone offer clear, audible audio in both directions and allows you to instruct delivery drivers where to leave packages.

It does this through its continuous motion detection and alerts your phone whenever movement triggers the sensors in front of your door. You can even adjust the motion zones to focus on certain areas, like your walkway or porch, and ignore activity on the sidewalk or street to reduce false alerts from passing cars and pedestrians. You get notifications within seconds of the doorbell detecting motion, resulting in nearly instantaneous awareness of activity at your door.

Because it’s battery-powered, this design eschews the need for wiring to an existing doorbell, which opens installation up to renters and homeowners who do not have doorbell wires run to their front door. You can mount this doorbell anywhere within range of your Wi-Fi using the included mounting bracket and screws; total time usually comes in at less than 15 minutes, even if you’ve never installed a smart device before. The rechargeable battery lasts several months on a single charge, depending on how much activity your doorbell sees, and recharging takes a few hours via the included USB cable.

The Venetian Bronze finish brings a sleek, metallic look that complements just about any exterior color scheme better than the usual black or white options. That darker bronze tone goes particularly well with more traditional home styles, wooden doors, and earth-tone exteriors to give your entrance a classier look than the standard doorbell designs. Its weather-resistant build shields the internal electronics from rain, snow, extreme temperatures, and direct sunlight to keep it working throughout the season. Ring rates this doorbell for outdoor use in temperatures between -20°F to 120°F, which pretty much covers the conditions throughout most residential areas.

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