Ring Indoor Cam Plus Review: Affordable 2K Video and Smart AI Alerts
The Ring Indoor Cam Plus is a plug-in home security camera that offers sharp 2K video, better-than-average low-light color, and enhanced digital zoom. It also uses generative AI to provide detailed event descriptions, single-event alerts, and intelligent video searches. Additionally, it interacts with third-party smart home devices when used with IFTTT applets. The camera performed well in testing and can be controlled using Alexa voice commands. However, a paid subscription is required to access recorded video and unlock several features. At $59.99, it's an affordable addition to homes that use Ring security devices or Alexa for home automation. For $10 less, the Arlo Essential Pan Tilt Indoor offers more features, including mechanical pan and tilt, Google Assistant support, and face recognition.
The Indoor Cam Plus looks identical to the second-generation Ring Indoor Cam, with a cylindrical shape and a round tilt-and-swivel base. It measures 3.8 by 1.9 by 1.9 inches (HWD) and comes in black or white. The camera can be placed on a flat surface or mounted on a wall or ceiling using the included hardware. It also comes with a 6.5-foot USB-C power cable, a USB power adapter, and a quick start guide.
The camera's lens uses Ring's Retinal 2K technology to capture 2K (2,560 by 1,440) video with a 115-degree field of view. This technology also enables AI-enhanced 4x zoom and improved color reproduction in low-light conditions. If there's not enough light for color video, the IR LED will kick in. The camera has a manual cover that slides over the lens for privacy, but the shutter does not turn off the microphone.
The status LED on the front glows solid blue when the camera is recording, slowly blinks blue during setup, pulses blue during two-way talk, and flashes blue and red when Wi-Fi is disconnected. A button on the top of the camera is used for setting up the device, and around back is a USB-C power port. The camera also includes a 2.4GHz Wi-Fi radio and a 75dB siren.
The Indoor Cam Plus uses AI to provide features such as video descriptions that tell you exactly what's going on during a motion event, smart video search that makes it easy to find specific footage based on its content, and AI single event alerts that reduce notification clutter. Unlike the Nest Cam Indoor and the Arlo Essential Pan Tilt Indoor, it doesn't support face recognition.
The Arlo Pan Tilt Indoor camera's AI feature, called Arlo Intelligence, provides face and vehicle recognition, as well as event descriptions. It also allows you to request alerts for specific events. The Arlo camera can distinguish between motion caused by animals, deliveries, people, and vehicles, and recognize flames in the event of a fire.
The Indoor Cam Plus works with Alexa voice commands and supports third-party devices that utilize IFTTT applets. It utilizes the same Ring mobile app for Android and iOS as the company's other devices. When you tap the panel, it opens a live stream that can be viewed in full-screen mode.
Notifications with event descriptions were timely and accurate. The camera responded instantly to Alexa voice commands to display video on an Echo Show. I set up an Alexa routine to have a Tapo L535E smart bulb turn red when the Ring camera detected motion, and it worked as expected.
The Indoor Cam Plus is a solid performer. It produced sharp 2K video with good color saturation, both during the day and in low-light conditions. Black-and-white night video was also sharp, with strong contrast.
Final Thoughts
The Ring Indoor Cam Plus offers an affordable way to keep an eye on the inside of your home when you're not there. It's a good deal whether you're adding it to your existing Ring ecosystem or just getting started. However, you'll need to be prepared to spend at least an additional $49.99 per year for access to video recordings, or up to $199.99 per year for a subscription that unlocks the full potential of this camera. If you require a wider view of your room, consider the Arlo Essential Pan Tilt Indoor, which offers more features at a higher price point.
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About Our Expert
John R. Delaney
Contributing Editor
Experience
I’ve been working with computers for ages, starting with a multi-year stint in purchasing for a major IBM reseller in New York City before eventually landing at PCMag. I spent more than 14 years on staff, most recently as the director of operations for PC Labs, before hitting the freelance circuit as a contributing editor.
