When you review the Ring Indoor Camera, you need to know a bit more about the company. Known for its smart doorbells – it was the first company to launch them in 2013 – Ring offers a wide range of smart home security devices, from indoor and outdoor alarms and cameras to various video doorbells.
Featured as an indoor camera that lets you see, hear, and talk to people and animals from your smartphone or tablet (and being owned by Amazon, via some Echo devices as well), the Ring Indoor Cam is a must see if you want to keep an eye on your home when you are not around for whatever reason.
I tested the Ring Indoor Cam to see how it blended into the fabric of my home and how well it gave me direct access to my living room, whether I was outside or two floors up in my home office.
If you want to invest in smart security for your home, take a look at our selection of best indoor security cameras in the market now.
(Image credit: Ring)
Ring Indoor Cam: Specifications
Video: 1080p Full HD
Live view: Yes
Night vision: Yes
Use: Indoors only
Motion detection: Yes
Field of view: 140 ° diagonally; 115 ° horizontally; 60 ° vertical
Power: wired
Colors: White or black
Dimensions: H7.5 x Dia45.8cm (without stand)
Ring Indoor Cam: Installation & configuration
First, you will need to decide where you want your device installed. It can be placed on a shelf, mounted on the wall or mounted on the ceiling. No tedious installation is required if you choose to put it on a shelf, while mounting it to the wall or ceiling will require drilling holes in your wall (but the wall plugs and screws are included in the box).
Keep in mind that the indoor camera only works on AC power, so it will require access to a power outlet, but a 1.9 meter micro USB 1.9 is quite handy.
Once you’ve picked a location, setting up the camera is very straightforward, and if you’ve ever set up a Ring device at home, it’s even more true.
I decided to put the camera on a shelf in my living room because it is the busiest room in our house.
(Image credit: Avenir)
First of all, you need to download and install the Ring app on your smartphone. There’s a QR on the back of the camera – just scan it and follow the app’s instructions to link the camera to your new (or existing) Ring account.
I already have an existing Ring Doorbell at home, so the installation was particularly easy, but having experienced a Ring setup in the past, I can confirm that while you are, say, technically difficult, the installation is enough. safe. You just need to make sure your Wi-Fi signal is strong, have your password handy, and follow the instructions on your phone through the app.
Ring Indoor Cam: Features
The Ring Indoor Cam and associated app are packed with features with customization for motion detection, alerts and even an alarm siren.
Motion sensors
The Ring Indoor Cam has motion sensors that send notifications to your smartphone whenever someone enters the camera’s field of view. You can adjust the motion detection area to avoid specific areas, for example, if you have a pet, you can stop the bottom half of the image to trigger alerts, so you won’t be disturbed every time that your dog or cat enters the photo.
Unfortunately, I had to turn off motion sensitivity – my high jumping cat was not very interested in staying at ground level, and the alerts became unrelenting.
Live view
Whether or not the motion sensors triggered the camera, you can still watch the live stream through your phone wherever you are.
Image quality is clear but in low light – like my north-facing living room – some details can be difficult to read. The field of view is wide, however, depending on the location and angle of your camera to the outside.
You can watch live through the app from your smartphone, tablet, and even many Alexa devices. You just ask Alexa to show you the video, or in my case: “Alexa, show the living room”.
The privacy settings can be adjusted if you want to block part of the camera view.
(Image credit: Avenir)
Privacy
If there is an area that is in the camera’s field of view that you prefer to keep out of sight, this can be easily adjusted through the app.
Shared users
As with all Ring security products, you can allow multiple people to access your Ring devices. This is useful if you are away from home on vacation and want to give access to your neighbors or want to give secure access to the rest of your family.
Mermaid
The Ring Indoor Cam has a built-in siren. It is by no means deafening. It’s just used as a deterrent and something to surprise intruders, letting them know you can see them, but you can also do it directly using the two-way talk feature instead.
Ring Indoor Cam: Design
The Ring Indoor Cam is quite small and, for this purpose, is barely noticeable when placed on a shelf. But, yes, it would be a lot more versatile if it ran on battery power rather than being connected to the mains.
But for that, you’ll have to upgrade to Ring’s Stick Up Cam – a battery-powered indoor / outdoor security camera that’s arguably more flexible but costs almost double the indoor camera.
Ring Indoor Cam: Our verdict
(Image credit: Ring)
Compact, affordable, and easy to set up and use, the Ring Indoor Camera is a safe way to keep tabs on your property when you’re away from home. The low price allows you to splurge on many cameras if you want to get a full view of your property. Plus, the wide selection of features and settings make it more than just a point-and-shoot security camera.
