In order to ensure optimal operation its important to position your Ring Doorbell correctly for the best coverage of your front door and the surrounding area.
As a general guideline, the Ring Doorbell should be positioned approximately 48 inches or four feet above the ground, on a flat surface next to your front door. This height allows the camera to capture a full profile of the person standing in front of the door, without excessive headspace or distortion. The horizontal range of the doorbell’s camera is typically around 160 degrees, giving you a wide and comprehensive field of view.
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Determining the Ideal Position for Your Ring Doorbell
Understanding Your Ring Doorbell’s Field of View
To optimize your Ring Doorbell’s performance, you first need to understand its field of view. The device’s camera captures a certain horizontal and vertical range. Pay attention to the layout of your yard and the distance from your front door to the street when positioning your doorbell. Ensure there are no large objects obstructing its field of view, and take note of the height of your door when determining its placement.
Considering Motion Sensors and Detection Area
When installing your Ring Doorbell, motion sensors are crucial. Your doorbell uses these sensors to detect motion up to 180 degrees horizontally and anywhere from five to 30 feet outward from the fixture. Since these sensors are more sensitive to horizontal motion, consider the movement patterns in front of your door, such as passing cars or pedestrians. This will help you avoid false alarms and improve motion detection accuracy.
Accounting for Vertical and Horizontal Range
The ideal position for your Ring Doorbell should take into account both vertical and horizontal range coverage. The recommended height is 48 inches above the ground. Mount the doorbell flat against the door or wall for maximum efficiency. For additional angle adjustments, use available kits to fine-tune your device’s vertical or horizontal positioning.
Keep in mind that your doorbell camera will offer a more extensive vertical range than horizontal. Therefore, aim for a balance that meets your specific needs, ensuring the coverage area is sufficient and the detection area is adequately secure.
Choosing the Right Height and Angle
In this section, we will discuss the ideal height and angle for positioning your Ring Doorbell, ensuring optimal coverage and minimizing false alarms.
Setting the Correct Height for Optimal Coverage
Setting the correct height for your Ring Doorbell is crucial for optimal coverage. It’s essential to mount it four feet or 48 inches above the ground. Placing it at this particular height works best for most installations, regardless of whether you’re mounting it on your wall, door, outer wall, or door frame.
The motion sensors in your Ring Video Doorbell are designed to detect motion effectively at this height. For example, the Ring Video Doorbell Wired detects motion up to 155 degrees horizontally and from five to 25 feet outward, while the Ring Video Doorbell 2 can detect motion up to 180 degrees horizontally and from five to 30 feet outward.
Positioning your Ring Doorbell at the recommended height ensures that its motion detection and other features work as expected without missing any crucial activity around your home.
Minimizing False Alarms
Proper positioning of your Ring Doorbell also plays a significant role in minimizing false alarms. Since the device’s motion sensors are more sensitive to horizontal movement across the detection area, it is essential to ensure the doorbell is installed at the correct angle. Mounting it on an angle or with the included wedge will allow you to better focus the detection area and prevent false alarms caused by passing cars, pets, or other objects moving in the vicinity.
To help you minimize false alarms, consider the following tips:
- Adjust the sensitivity settings in the Ring application to suit your specific needs.
- Keep the camera lens clean by wiping it with a soft, dry cloth regularly to prevent dirt or debris from triggering false alarms.
- Consider excluding areas within your Doorbell’s field of view that might cause false alerts, like a busy street, by customizing the motion detection zone settings.
By paying close attention to the height and angle of your Ring Doorbell and following these tips, you can ensure the most effective coverage for your property while minimizing false alarms.
Installation Tips and Equipment
Hardwired vs Battery-Operated Options
When choosing a Ring Doorbell, consider the power source for your device. If you have an existing hardwired doorbell, you can simply replace it with a hardwired Ring Doorbell, which will maintain constant power and doesn’t require battery recharging. Alternatively, battery-operated Ring Doorbells provide the flexibility of placing the device in locations without existing wiring.
Wedge and Corner Mounts
To optimize the view from your Ring Doorbell, you may need to use wedge or corner mounts. These mounts adjust the angle of your device, ensuring the best coverage of your property.
- Corner mounts allow you to install your Ring Doorbell on an angled surface.
- Wedge mounts tilt your doorbell vertically to improve motion detection and reduce unwanted alerts.
Using Installation Kits
Ring Doorbells come with an installation kit that includes necessary tools and mounting hardware, such as a screwdriver, drill bit, and mounting screws. Follow these steps for a successful installation:
- Gather your tools, including a power drill, screwdriver, level, and the provided installation kit.
- Choose the perfect spot to install your Ring Doorbell, approximately four feet off the ground for optimal motion detection.
- Use the provided screwdriver to attach the mounting bracket to the chosen location.
- Connect the doorbell wires, if applicable, or insert the charged battery for battery-operated models.
- After securing the doorbell in place, connect it to your home Wi-Fi network and adjust settings through the Ring app.
By selecting the right power source, using wedge and corner mounts to optimize your Ring Doorbell’s view, and utilizing the installation kit, you can ensure proper installation and positioning for your device.
Advanced Features for Optimal Coverage and Security
Using Passive Infrared Sensors
Your Ring Doorbell uses passive infrared (PIR) sensors to detect motion up to a certain distance. These sensors are designed to be more sensitive to horizontal movement across the detection area than vertical movement. Your Ring Doorbell can detect motion up to a specific range, determined by the model you have:
- Ring Video Doorbell: up to 155 degrees horizontally and five to 25 feet outward
- Ring Video Doorbell 2: up to 180 degrees horizontally and five to 30 feet outward
These ranges help ensure that your camera will have a wide view of your property while minimizing false alerts. However, you should be aware of the limitations of PIR sensors, such as potential interference from heat sources or direct sunlight.
Screen Rotation
Ring Doorbells have a unique 1:1 aspect ratio, allowing you to see incoming visitors from head to toe. This wide view ensures optimal coverage of your doorway and enables you to identify anyone approaching.
To get the most out of this feature, ensure your Ring Doorbell is installed at the correct height: approximately 48 inches (or roughly chest-high) from the ground. This will ensure that the camera captures the best view of incoming visitors and reduces any blind spots in your video feed.
Horizontal Movement
Given that Ring Doorbells are more sensitive to horizontal movement than vertical, it’s essential to position your camera to cover a horizontal area effectively. For example, if your door is close to a walkway or driveway, have the camera angled in a way that it can detect movement in those areas.
To achieve optimal coverage, follow these steps:
- Install the doorbell at the recommended height of approximately 48 inches from the ground.
- Angle the camera towards the areas of interest, such as walkways, driveways, or stairs.
- Adjust motion settings in the Ring app to customize the motion zones and sensitivity.
By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your Ring Doorbell provides optimal security and coverage for your home’s entrance.
Conclusion
In order to achieve the best results from your Ring Doorbell, it’s essential to position it strategically. By considering the unique features of your home, you can find the optimal location to install this useful security device.
Remember to position your Ring Doorbell at a height of approximately 48 inches or four feet above the ground, on a flat surface next to your front door. This height allows the camera to capture the full profile of any visitors and offers the greatest coverage for motion detection.
Ensure the location offers a clear field of view, unobstructed by objects, and provides coverage up to five feet away. With a horizontal range of around 160 degrees and an extensive vertical range, the Ring Doorbell is specially designed to monitor a broad area.
Following these guidelines will help you to maximize the efficiency of your Ring Doorbell and enhance the overall security of your home. By installing and positioning the device correctly, you can enjoy the benefits of increased safety and peace of mind.