Ring's Video Doorbell 2 isn't my all-time favorite smart buzzer -- that'd be the SkyBell HD (mainly because it offers free cloud storage of your recorded video; every one else charges for that). But you have to hardwire SkyBell for it to work; the Ring 2 runs on wires or a rechargeable lithium ion battery. The ability to install this doorbell pretty much anywhere, no wires needed, is a huge selling point. Bonus: Unlike Ring's original battery-powered buzzer, you don't have to remove the entire Video Doorbell 2 when it's time to charge -- just take out the battery.

It performs well, too. Expect prompt alerts whenever a visitor rings the doorbell, or if its built-in motion sensor detects nearby activity. Ring's partnerships with Amazon's Alexa, IFTTT and Wink also don't hurt. If you want a battery-powered smart doorbell, the Ring 2 is the right answer. Otherwise, take a look at SkyBell, the August Doorbell Cam or Ring's Video Doorbell Pro.

Battery or wires? The choice is yours.

Check out the chart below for details on how the Video Doorbell 2 compares to other smart buzzers. 

	Ring Video Doorbell 2	SkyBell HD Wi-Fi Video Doorbell	Ring Video Doorbell Pro	August Doorbell Cam
Price	$199/£155/AU$299	$199/£155/AU$265	$249/£195/AU$325	$199/£155/AU$265
Color finish	Satin nickel, venetian (both finishes included with purchase)	Brushed aluminum, oil-rubbed bronze	Satin nickel, venetian, satin black, pearl white	silver, dark gray
Power source	Hardwired or removable, rechargeable battery	Hardwired	Hardwired	Hardwired
Resolution	1,920x1,080p HD	1,920x1,080p HD	1,920x1,080p HD	1,280×960p HD
Field of view	160 degrees	180 degrees	160 degrees	120 degrees
Live streaming	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Cloud storage	Yes, 60-day storage for $3 per month.	Yes, free.	Yes, 60-day storage for $3 per month.	Yes, 30-day storage for $5 per month.
Mobile app	Android and iPhone	Android and iPhone	Android and iPhone	Android and iPhone
Web app	Yes	No	Yes	No
Night vision	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Alerts	Motion	Motion	Motion	Motion
Activity zones	Yes	No	Yes	No
Dimensions (HxWxD)	5.1 x 2.5 x 1.1 inches	2.8 x 2.8 x 0.9 inches	4.5 x 1.9 x 0.8 inches	2.9 x 2.9 x 0.9 inches
Third-party integrations	Alexa; IFTTT; Wink	Alexa; IFTTT; Nest	Alexa; IFTTT; Wink	Alexa; IFTTT; Nest
Operating temperature range	-5 to 120 degrees F (-20 to 48 degrees C)	-40 to 140 degrees F (-40 to 60 degrees C)	-5 to 120 degrees F (-20 to 48 degrees C)	-13 to 122 degrees F (-25 to 50 degrees C)

Every smart doorbell I've tested has at least one unique feature. For the Video Doorbell 2, it's the removable, rechargeable battery. For Ring's Video Doorbell Pro, it's the narrow doorframe-friendly design. The SkyBell HD offers free cloud storage -- and August's Doorbell Cam integrates seamlessly with other August products, like its HomeKit-enabled Smart Lock. 

While I wish Ring offered some sort of entry-level free cloud video storage option, I really like that every Video Doorbell 2 purchase comes with easy-to-remove face plates in different color finishes: satin nickel and venetian. Its smart home partnerships with Amazon Alexa via the Echo Show, IFTTT and Wink also add appeal. 

Say, "Alexa, show me the front door" to pull up a live video feed on the Amazon Echo Show's screen. 

IFTTT is a free web- and app-based service that lets you connect your Ring Video Doorbell 2 to other smart home devices, like Philips Hue LEDs so that "If someone rings your doorbell, then your Philips Hue bulbs will flash." 

Wink helps to consolidate your connected home devices to one hub and one app. Pair the Video Doorbell 2 to Wink so you can view your live feed alongside other smart products.

Installation, configuration, Wi-Fi!

Ring makes the Video Doorbell 2's configuration extremely simple. Download the Ring app on your Android or iOS device, create an account (if you don't already have one from an existing Ring product), and follow the instructions to set up your smart doorbell.