What Nobody Tells You About the Ring Battery Doorbell Plus (for Renters)
If you rent, the Ring Battery Doorbell Plus is made for you. No drilling, no wires—just stick it up, pop in the battery, and you’re good. The video shows everything from head to toe (yes, even your packages), and it works great with Alexa. You’ll get motion alerts and live view right away, and if you want smarter stuff like package detection or longer video history, there’s a paid plan for that. It’s easy to install, easy to charge, and easy to take with you when you move.
This image has been generated using AI for illustrative purposes only and does not represent an actual product image.
Getting to Know the Ring Battery Doorbell Plus: What You Need to See First
Renting complicates front-door tech: leases dislike holes, electrical wiring is off-limits, and moving out should be painless. The Ring Battery Doorbell Plus was built for exactly that reality—battery power you can swap in seconds, taller “head-to-toe” framing that shows shoes and packages, and a setup that doesn’t start with a drill.
The tall 1:1 view helps in narrow entries or when deliveries land right under the camera. Combined with color night vision, motion alerts, and two-way talk, it slides neatly into a smart home for renters without landlord drama. You get practical safety with minimal fuss.
Key Features of the Product
1536p HD+ with a tall frame. The headline feature is 1536p video paired with a near-square 1:1 frame, so visitors and parcels fit in one shot. Motion alerts feel timely, two-way talk is clear, and Quick Replies cover the door when you can’t. Privacy controls mask what you don’t want to capture, and the quick-release battery charges off the doorframe. The core specs and capabilities align with the device’s official spec sheet and long-term independent testing in major buyer’s guides.
Battery or low-voltage power. Most renters stick to the removable battery; if a lease later allows it, low-voltage trickle wiring reduces charging interruptions. Either way, installation stays approachable and reversible.
Privacy and control. Privacy Zones let you exclude neighbors’ doors or sidewalks. Motion Zones reduce corridor noise, and audio recording can be disabled if hallway conversations bleed into clips.
Getting It On the Door (No Drills Required)
Because it’s battery-powered, wiring is optional. The standard mounting plate uses small screws; many renters opt for compatible no-drill plates that bond to smooth doorframes and accept the same mount. Clean the surface, let the adhesive set, and keep the backing plate and security screws in a labeled bag for move-out day.
Lease-friendly habit: photograph the frame before mounting and after removal. Use the manufacturer’s cleanup method for adhesive residue. If you change apartments, the plate and doorbell travel easily.
Video Quality & Field of View (Why 1:1 Helps Renters)
Traditional 16:9 doorbells often miss what’s on the ground. The Plus’s 1:1 frame centers the vertical scene—sneakers to hat, plus the doormat zone where parcels live. On a phone screen, that taller frame feels natural: less pinching and tilting, more “yep, that’s my package.” The 1536p image holds detail on faces and labels, while color night vision clarifies shapes after sunset so clips don’t turn into gray mush.
This image has been generated using AI for illustrative purposes only and does not represent an actual product image.
Connectivity & App Experience (Wi-Fi, Latency, and Reliability)
The Battery Doorbell Plus uses 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi for range through walls. If Live View feels sluggish, check RSSI in the app, nudge the access point closer to the door, and avoid stacking extenders. In normal conditions, alerts and doorbell presses reach the phone quickly; Alexa announcements and routines kick in reliably once the network is stable.
Smart Alerts, Privacy Controls, and the Subscription Question
Out of the box you get motion alerts, two-way talk, and Live View. Package/person detection and longer video history come with Ring’s subscription. It isn’t mandatory; it adds filtering when things get busy and keeps more footage searchable. Privacy Zones, Motion Zones, and audio controls work with or without a plan, so you can dial the camera to your building’s norms.
Price & Accessibility (No Hype)
This model sits mid-tier among battery doorbells. Seasonal promos are common, and the value conversation centers on the tall framing, quick battery swaps, and steady day-to-day performance. If your priority is a renter-friendly install that survives move-out day, that combination tends to matter more than flashy add-ons.
Direct Comparison with Two Real Alternatives (Renter Context)
Nest Doorbell (Battery)
Where it’s strong: Tight Google Home integration, dependable alerts, HDR handling, and a tall view that keeps packages in frame.
Where Ring wins for renters: The Plus’s 1536p square image packs extra detail; the quick-release battery avoids taking the whole unit down to charge; and Alexa-centric homes appreciate native routines and announcements.
Eufy Video Doorbell Dual (Battery)
Where it’s strong: A second downward-facing camera for parcels and robust local-storage options to minimize subscriptions.
Where Ring wins for renters: Simpler app flow, easy battery swaps, and a broad accessory ecosystem. If you lean on cloud history and Alexa, Ring remains an easy fit.
Bottom line for renters: all three avoid drilling, but Ring Battery Doorbell Plus balances vertical coverage, reversible install, and everyday reliability better than most peers at this tier.
Make the Most of It: Practical Setup Tips for Apartments
Mounting height matters. Around 48 inches (1.2 m) from the ground typically frames faces and the doormat well. If your threshold is a step up or down from the sidewalk, a wedge (vertical tilt) or corner plate (horizontal tilt) corrects the perspective toward the approach instead of the street.
No-drill plates care about surfaces. Smooth painted wood or metal bonds best; rough stucco and textured brick don’t. In cold weather, let adhesive reach room temperature before applying.
Battery strategy. Keep a second battery charged. Swap takes seconds and avoids downtime; charging happens near a wall outlet, not at the door.
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Everyday Use: A Week In
Deliveries and narrow hallways. The square frame shines when parcels land close to the door or entries are tight. Confirming a package or a visitor becomes a glance, not a pinch-zoom.
Shared spaces. Tune Motion Zones to exclude neighboring doors and set Privacy Zones to mask shared corridors. During work hours, Quick Replies handle knocks politely.
Alexa routines. Door presses can trigger an announcement and briefly turn on a vestibule lamp or a hallway smart plug. Small touches like that make it feel integrated without remodeling.
Accessories Renters Actually Use
A wedge kit helps when the door sits above or below grade; a corner kit pivots the camera toward the walkway. A spare quick-release battery keeps the unit online while charging. A plug-in chime inside the apartment ensures you don’t miss presses when the phone is in another room. Neutral faceplates blend into different trims so the device doesn’t scream “new gadget” to property managers.
Maintenance & Troubleshooting Basics
Update firmware when prompted; motion and stability often improve over time. If notifications feel noisy, shrink zones before lowering sensitivity. When Live View stutters, check RSSI first, then adjust access-point placement. Cold snaps shorten runtime for any lithium battery—plan an extra top-up mid-winter. Save tiny screws and the original box so re-installing after a move is painless.
Privacy Etiquette for Shared Buildings
Aim the camera at your doorway and approach path rather than a neighbor’s entrance. Use Privacy Zones to block a shared corridor while leaving the doormat visible, and consider disabling audio if hallway chatter bleeds into clips. If your building has rules on exterior fixtures, a quick note explaining the removable, no-drill setup usually calms concerns.
Who Should—and Shouldn’t—Buy It
Choose the Ring Battery Doorbell Plus if you want a taller view without wiring and your home leans on Alexa. It’s especially compelling if you move often and want an install that travels with you.
Pick an alternative if you’re deep into Google Home (Nest Battery integrates most cleanly there) or if you want dual-camera package coverage and local-first storage (Eufy’s Dual). If you need radar-style alerts or dual-band Wi-Fi, look to Ring’s higher-end Pro line or a wired model.
Pros and Cons
Pros
Tall, 1:1 head-to-toe field of view keeps people and parcels in frame
1536p HD+ with color night vision maintains useful detail
Quick-release battery; reversible, no-wiring install; optional low-voltage later
Smooth Alexa routines and announcements
Cons
Smart alerts & longer history require a subscription
2.4 GHz only; network placement matters
Battery life varies with traffic and settings (common to all battery doorbells)
Our Take for Renters
If you rent and want a doorbell that doesn’t start with a drill, the Ring Battery Doorbell Plus is the most balanced choice in the Ring family: clean install, easy charging, and that taller frame that actually shows your packages. As your apartment evolves into a smart home for renters, this model plays nicely without forcing a remodel.
FAQ
Does it work without a subscription?
Yes. Live View, motion alerts, and two-way talk are included; a plan adds person/package detection and longer video history.
Can I install it without drilling?
Yes. No-drill plates for this form factor bond to smooth frames and accept the same mounting hardware.
How is the video different from older models?
It records 1536p HD+ with a tall 1:1 frame that shows the visitor and the doormat area for parcels.
Does it integrate with voice assistants?
It integrates with Alexa for door announcements and routines on Echo and Fire TV devices.
Does it support 5 GHz Wi-Fi?
No—this model connects on 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi; access-point placement influences Live View responsiveness.
