Ring Intercom vs Ring Intercom Video: Seeing is believing, but is it worth it?

Smart intercoms2 products

Quick verdict

The Peek-A-Boo Showdown

Choose the base Ring Intercom if you just want to buzz people in from your couch. Pick the Video model only if you suffer from intense curiosity about who is knocking at your apartment building door.

  • Our pickRing Intercom Audio
  • Best valueRing Intercom Audio

Side by side

FeaturePhoto of Ring Intercom AudioRing Intercom AudioPhoto of Ring Intercom VideoRing Intercom Video
Price€30.99€48.99
Video CapabilityThe Video version actually lets you see who is bothering you at the door.Not supportedReal-time video feed (winner)
InstallationBoth use the same straightforward, renter-friendly wiring approach.DIY / Non-permanentDIY / Non-permanent
Remote AccessYou get the same remote buzzing capabilities regardless of the visual feed.Voice and App controlVoice and App control

Product by product

Ring Intercom AudioOur pickBest value

Minimalists on a budget

A functional, no-frills upgrade for your old analog intercom. It gets the job done without adding unnecessary complexity to your wall.

What We Liked 👍

  • Easy to install for renters
  • Reliable remote door unlocking
  • Integration with Alexa voice

What Could Be Better 👎

  • Lacks any visual verification
  • Subscription needed for history

Ring Intercom Video

The security-conscious snooper

The same smart guts as the original but with a camera tacked on. Perfect if you need to verify if that delivery person is legit.

What We Liked 👍

  • Adds live video streaming
  • Simple retrofitting to old systems
  • Virtual keys for guests

What Could Be Better 👎

  • Requires regular battery charging
  • Subscription model for extra features

More eyes, same wires

So, you want to make your relic of an intercom system smart. Good luck, because it is usually a tangle of copper wires that look like they were installed in the late eighties by someone who hated their job. Both versions of the Ring Intercom are designed to sit over your existing unit, effectively tricking it into talking to your phone. It is clever engineering, honestly, even if the software occasionally has a mid-life crisis after an update.

The primary difference here is the camera. The standard Audio model is for those who are content with just hearing who is at the door, while the Video version tries to save you from opening the portal for a solicitor or a particularly persistent neighbor. Spec sheet says it is an upgrade, but reality says you are just adding another battery you will eventually forget to charge.

Is the view worth the extra coins?

If you already have a decent security camera setup in your hallway, you probably do not need the video feed. Save your money and stick to the Audio version. However, if your building's entrance is a dark void and you have a habit of letting in complete strangers, that video feed might actually be worth the premium. Just remember that no matter how much tech you throw at it, you are still dealing with the same analog wiring under the hood.

Who wins the buzzer wars?

Most people should stick with the Ring Intercom Audio. It is the cheaper, more focused way to fix the problem of not being home for a package. If you are the type who likes to watch people on your phone before deciding to ignore them, the Ring Intercom Video is the only logical choice for you.

  • Our pickRing Intercom Audio
  • Best valueRing Intercom Audio

Prices on amazon.es as of October 2, 2026. Prices may change.

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  • Smart Home
  • Ring Intercom
  • Home Security
  • Video Doorbell