Ring doorbells come with two power options: hardwired to your home's electrical system, or battery-powered
Ring makes several doorbell models, and not all of them work the same way. Some require you to connect them to your existing doorbell wiring — the same wires that powered an old mechanical doorbell. Others run entirely on rechargeable batteries and need no wiring at all. A few models let you choose: they can run on batteries alone, or you can wire them in for continuous power. Which type you get depends on which Ring model you buy and what your home already has.
The battery-powered models are popular because they work in rental apartments, on gates, and on homes where running new wires would be expensive or impossible. The hardwired models are popular because you never have to remember to charge them. Understanding which one you have — or which one you want — matters for installation, maintenance, and whether the doorbell will keep working during a power outage.
Key Takeaways
- Ring Video Doorbell (2nd and 3rd generation) and Ring Video Doorbell Pro run on hardwired power only and do not have removable batteries.
- Ring Video Doorbell Battery and Ring Video Doorbell SE Battery both use rechargeable batteries and can be installed without any wiring.
- Battery-powered Ring doorbells typically hold a charge for three to six months depending on how often motion and video are triggered.
- Hardwired Ring doorbells need 16 to 24 volts of power from your existing doorbell transformer and will not work if that power is cut.
- Some Ring models support an optional battery backup that keeps the doorbell working for a few hours if your home loses power.
Which Ring models have batteries you can remove and recharge
Ring Video Doorbell Battery and Ring Video Doorbell SE Battery are the two models designed to run on removable rechargeable batteries. Both use the same type of battery pack — a rechargeable lithium-ion battery that slides out of the back of the doorbell. You charge it by plugging it into a standard USB-C cable, the same type used by many phones and tablets.
The battery lasts between three and six months on a single charge, depending on how much activity your doorbell sees. A doorbell in a quiet neighborhood with few visitors and little motion detection might go four to six months. A doorbell on a busy street or in a high-traffic area might need charging every three months. Ring includes one battery pack with the doorbell, so you can swap in a fresh one while the first one charges.
These models are designed for people who do not have existing doorbell wiring, or who rent and cannot modify the building. They mount directly to your door frame with screws and connect to your Wi-Fi network. No electrician is needed.
Hardwired Ring doorbells and why they do not have removable batteries
Ring Video Doorbell (2nd and 3rd generation), Ring Video Doorbell Pro, and Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2 are hardwired only. They have no removable battery and cannot run on battery power alone. Instead, they draw power directly from your home's existing doorbell transformer — the same device that powered your old doorbell.
A doorbell transformer is a small box, usually mounted in your basement, attic, or garage, that steps down your home's 120-volt power to 16 to 24 volts. Ring hardwired doorbells need between 16 and 24 volts to operate. If your home does not have an existing doorbell transformer, an electrician can install one, which typically costs between $100 and $300 in labor and parts.
Hardwired doorbells have one major advantage: they never need charging. As long as your home has power, the doorbell works. They also tend to have faster response times and more reliable video streaming because they have constant power available. The trade-off is that they stop working if your power goes out, unless you add a battery backup module.
Battery backup for hardwired Ring doorbells during power outages
Ring sells a Backup Battery module that works with some hardwired models. It is a separate device that mounts near your doorbell transformer and stores enough power to keep your doorbell running for a few hours if your home loses electricity. It does not keep the doorbell working all day or all night — just long enough to bridge a brief outage.
The backup battery is optional and costs extra. It is useful if you live in an area with frequent power interruptions, or if you want the doorbell to keep recording video during an outage. Without it, a hardwired doorbell goes dark the moment the power cuts, and you lose video and motion detection until power returns.
The backup battery itself is recharged by your home's power when the electricity is on, so it requires no separate charging routine. It sits in standby mode until needed.
How long battery-powered Ring doorbells actually stay charged
Real-world battery life depends on three things: how many times the doorbell records video, how many motion alerts it sends, and the weather. Cold temperatures drain batteries faster than warm ones, so a doorbell in a northern climate during winter will need charging more often than one in a mild climate.
Ring estimates three to six months per charge, but that assumes moderate use — a few visitors and motion events per day. A doorbell that records 20 or 30 motion events per day, or that has video streaming running constantly, will drain faster. Conversely, a doorbell on a quiet street with few visitors might stretch to six months or longer.
You can extend battery life by adjusting your motion detection settings in the Ring app. Turning off motion detection in certain zones, or setting it to high sensitivity only (so it ignores small animals and passing cars), reduces the number of times the doorbell wakes up and records. Every recording drains the battery.
Comparing battery-powered and hardwired Ring doorbells side by side
| Feature | Battery-Powered Models | Hardwired Models |
|---|---|---|
| Installation | No wiring needed; mounts with screws | Requires existing doorbell wiring or new transformer installation |
| Charging | Remove battery, charge via USB-C every 3–6 months | Never needs charging; powered by home electricity |
| Power outage | Continues working on battery | Stops working unless backup battery module is added |
| Video quality | 1080p (SE Battery) or 1080p (Battery) | 1080p (2nd/3rd gen) or 2K (Pro models) |
| Response time | Slightly slower due to battery power management | Faster; constant power available |
| Best for | Renters, homes without doorbell wiring, gates | Homeowners with existing wiring, always-on monitoring |
What to do if you are not sure which Ring model you have
Check the back of your doorbell. If you see a battery pack that slides out, you have a battery-powered model. If the doorbell is permanently mounted and has wires running into it, it is hardwired. You can also open the Ring app, go to your device settings, and look at the device name — it will say "Battery" or "Pro" or "2nd Gen" in the title.
If you are shopping for a Ring doorbell and are unsure which to buy, ask yourself whether your home has existing doorbell wiring. If yes, a hardwired model will be cheaper over time because you never buy replacement batteries. If no, or if you rent, a battery-powered model is simpler to install. If you want the doorbell to work during a power outage, choose battery-powered, or choose hardwired with the optional backup battery module.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a Ring doorbell without batteries or wiring?
No. Every Ring doorbell needs either a hardwired connection to your home's electrical system, or a rechargeable battery. There is no plug-in option that does not require one or the other. Battery-powered models are the closest to "no setup" because they need only screws and Wi-Fi.
If my Ring doorbell is hardwired, does it have a battery inside?
Hardwired Ring doorbells do not have a removable battery. Some models have a small internal capacitor that keeps the device alive for a few seconds during a power dip, but it is not designed to power the doorbell for any meaningful length of time. If you want backup power, you must buy the separate Backup Battery module.
What happens if I do not charge my Ring battery doorbell?
The doorbell will stop recording video and sending motion alerts once the battery is fully drained. It will not damage the battery to let it fully discharge, but you will have no video or notifications until you charge it again. Ring sends app notifications when the battery is low, usually when it drops below 20 percent.
Can I replace the battery in a hardwired Ring doorbell with a rechargeable one?
No. Hardwired models are not designed to run on batteries and do not have a battery compartment. If you want battery power, you would need to buy a battery-powered Ring model instead. Hardwired models are built to draw power from your home's electrical system only.
Do Ring doorbells work during a power outage?
Battery-powered Ring doorbells continue working during a power outage because they run on their own battery. Hardwired models stop working unless you have added the optional Backup Battery module, which provides a few hours of power. After that runs out, the doorbell goes dark until power returns.