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There’s no denying it, Ring has some of the best video doorbells around. Though the company has built its empire around those handy gadgets, that hasn’t stopped Ring from diversifying its home security portfolio to include various indoor and outdoor cameras for every part of the home. One such stellar product is the Ring Indoor Cam.
Even though it’s been out for more than a couple of years now, the Ring Indoor Cam is still the only proper indoor security camera in Ring’s lineup. That’s shocking when you think about the competition’s selections, but it’s been one of the few stalwarts that has remained in use in my home office. Since I’ve been using it for so long, I’ve been able to get a good idea of how it stacks up against the newer competition.
Specifications
- Dimensions: 1.81 x 1.81 x 2.95 inches
- Weight: 3.7 ounces
- Field of view: 140° diagonal, 115° horizontal, 60° vertical
- Resolution: 1080p video capture
- Operating temperature: -5°F to 113°F (-20°C to 45°C)
Included in the box
- Indoor Cam
- Power supply cable
- User manual
- Security stickers
- Screws and wall anchors
Ring Indoor Cam Review: Setup & Installation
Setting up Ring’s products has never been a cumbersome process, and the Ring Indoor Cam holds true to that rule. The Ring app guided me step-by-step in connecting the camera to my home’s WiFi network. The whole process took me a little over five minutes, so I’m confident that anyone could set it up with minimal assistance.
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The included screws and wall anchors allow you to mount the camera on walls and corners, where you’ll likely get maximum coverage. Instead of doing this, I’ve kept it on my desk this entire time, so that it strategically pointed towards the window in my home office.
Ring Indoor Cam Review: Design
There’s nothing too dramatic with the Ring Indoor Cam’s design. It’s generic-looking with its cylindrical, all-plastic construction. That said, I’m still frequently taken aback by how incredibly lightweight it is versus other cameras. At 3.7 ounces, it makes direct rivals like the Google Nest Cam Wired feel hefty at a staggering 14.1 ounces.
I’ve dropped the Ring Indoor Cam a handful of times over the course of the last two years, but the tough plastic casing has been resilient. Another new addition that Ring came out with not too long ago was a manual privacy cover that goes over the camera. It’s a good gesture, but I still prefer an automatic privacy shutter that can be controlled remotely because there have been a handful of times when I’ve forgotten to slide open when I leave my apartment.
Ring Indoor Cam Review: Camera
What can I say about the Ring Indoor Cam’s 1080p camera? It’s still more than acceptable, despite the emergence of richer features in other cams such as 2K video capture and support for HDR.
By today’s standards, I’m still inclined to say that the quality is passable. I’m still able to make out details within the footage, but it struggles with high-contrast scenes and colors appear flat in tone. Often, details are also indistinguishable from the window in my office because it can’t handle the exposure difference between the ambient lighting in the office and the bright sunny conditions outside of the window.
There’s also the noticeable fisheye effect around the corners and edges. While it may be a distracting quality for some, it’s not too much of an issue in my experience because it still has a pretty wide 140-degree field of view. Night vision performance is solid, even without the help of color night vision.
Security
When it comes to keeping an eye out, the Ring Indoor Cam has been a reliable lookout for me when I’m not at home. Motion detection has been spot on and there are even options to customize motion zones through the Ring app to further minimize false alerts. It can also distinguish people courtesy of Ring Protect, which contributes to fewer redundancies as well.
In order to reap the true potential of the Ring Indoor Cam, you really need to subscribe to one of Ring’s Protect plans, which starts at $3/month for a single camera. The biggest benefit of it is cloud storage for all events (60 days of video history with Ring Protect Basic). Without it, though, you’ll only be given notification alerts for events. This is still useful if you’re able to see the alerts right away on your phone, just because you can access the live feed to see what’s going on.
Ring Indoor Cam Review: Privacy
When it first came out, the only meaningful privacy featured with the Ring Indoor Cam was the option to simply turn it on/off through the app. Luckily, Ring has expanded on this front with useful features such as geo-fencing, local video storage (with the help of the Ring Alarm Pro), and even an add-on privacy cover you can install. The latter’s a nice gesture, but since it’s a manual cover, it lacks the convenience of automatic shutters that some newer cameras offer.
Our Verdict: Still a Worthy Investment After All These Years
Despite being more than a couple of years old, the Ring Indoor Cam is still worth getting especially if you’re already invested in Ring’s ecosystem. It’s an affordably priced security camera that has all the essential features you need to safeguard your home.
So Should You Buy it?
Yes. Its $60 cost also makes it an easy buy that won’t dramatically impact your wallet.
Pros
- Simple and easy setup
- Solid construction
- Reliable detection
- Affordable cost
Cons
- Struggles with high-contrast scenes
- Requires subscription for video history
- Muted color tones
How Long Will it Last?
As I’ve detailed, it’s constructed out of plastic, but it’s the durable variety that has allowed it to withstand countless drops. Ring does include a 1-year limited warranty that covers defects.
What Are Some of the Alternatives?
In the time since its release, we’ve seen several indoor cameras accompanied by superior specs and features. Here are some of the Ring Indoor Camera’s most direct alternatives.
Wyze Cam V3
Just when you thought cameras couldn’t be cheaper … The Wyze Cam V3 sets the benchmark for entry-level cameras everywhere with its IP65 water-resistant construction, local storage, continuous recording and color night vision.
Arlo Essential Indoor Camera
When it comes to preserving your privacy, no one does it better than Arlo and their Essential Indoor Camera with its automatic privacy shutter. The convenience of shutting or opening the camera remotely adds more peace of mind.
Eufy Solo IndoorCam P24
Why have a static camera when you can access the pan and tilt functions of the Eufy Solo IndoorCam P24? Not only will you have complete 360-degree visibility, but you’ll even have the ability to capture video in 2K resolution thanks to this indoor camera.