Ring battery doorbells charge in two to four hours on a standard USB charger

Most Ring video doorbells with removable batteries—including the Ring Video Doorbell (2nd and 3rd generation), Ring Video Doorbell Plus, and Ring Video Doorbell Pro—take between two and four hours to fully charge from zero to 100 percent. The exact time depends on which charger you use and the battery's current state. A standard 5-watt USB charger (the kind that comes with many phones) will take closer to four hours. A faster charger with higher wattage can cut that down to two hours or slightly less.

Ring includes a micro-USB charging cable with most battery doorbell models, but you need to provide your own power adapter. If you use a charger rated for 2 amps or higher, you'll see faster charging than with a basic 1-amp adapter. The battery itself is a rechargeable lithium-ion pack that holds enough charge to run the doorbell for several months between charges, depending on how much motion and video recording happens at your door.

Key Takeaways

  • Ring battery doorbells charge in two to four hours using a standard USB charger, with faster chargers completing the job in two hours or less.
  • The charging cable comes in the box, but you need to provide a USB power adapter—a 2-amp or higher adapter charges faster than a 1-amp one.
  • You remove the battery from the doorbell to charge it; the doorbell itself stays mounted on your door during charging.
  • Battery life between charges typically runs three to six months depending on how often motion triggers video recording at your door.

What charger you need and where to find it

Ring includes a micro-USB charging cable in the box, but the power adapter is not included. You can use any USB power adapter you already own—from a phone charger, tablet charger, or wall outlet USB hub. The faster the adapter, the faster the charge: a 1-amp adapter takes longer than a 2-amp adapter, and a 2-amp adapter is faster than a 1-amp one. Most modern phone chargers are 2 amps or higher, so if you have a recent iPhone or Android charger sitting around, that will work.

If you don't have a suitable adapter, you can buy a basic USB power adapter for $10 to $20 at most electronics retailers or online. You don't need anything fancy—a standard USB-A to micro-USB adapter is all you need. Some people also use their computer's USB port to charge, though this is slower because computer ports typically deliver only 0.5 amps. Any adapter you already own will work fine, and there's no need to buy Ring-branded charging equipment.

How to charge your Ring doorbell battery

The battery is removable, so you don't charge it while it's mounted on your door. First, turn off the doorbell using the Ring app or by flipping the breaker if you have one installed. Then gently pull the bottom of the doorbell away from the wall bracket to release it. The battery slides out from the bottom of the unit—it's a rectangular pack about the size of a deck of cards.

Plug the micro-USB cable into the charging port on the battery (usually on the side or bottom) and connect the other end to your USB power adapter. A light on the battery or on the charger itself will indicate charging status—usually a red or amber light means it's charging, and a green light means it's fully charged. Once the battery reaches 100 percent, disconnect it and slide it back into the doorbell unit until you hear a click. The doorbell will power back on automatically once the battery is reinstalled.

Battery life between charges

How long the battery lasts before needing a recharge depends almost entirely on how much activity happens at your door. If your doorbell records video only a few times a day, the battery may last four to six months. If motion triggers video recording dozens of times daily—because you have a busy street, frequent deliveries, or pets moving past—you might need to recharge every two to three months.

Ring's app shows your battery percentage at any time, so you can check before it runs completely dead. The doorbell will continue to work at low battery levels, but Ring recommends recharging when you see the battery drop below 20 percent. If the battery does die completely, the doorbell stops recording and responding to motion until you charge it again. Checking the app once a month takes only a few seconds and helps you avoid unexpected downtime.

Hardwired Ring doorbells charge differently

If you have a Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2 or another hardwired model, there is no removable battery to charge. These doorbells draw power directly from your home's existing doorbell wiring (usually 16 to 24 volts AC). They don't need charging because they're always plugged in. The trade-off is that hardwired models require an electrician or someone comfortable with home wiring to install, whereas battery models can be mounted anywhere with just a drill and screws.

Some Ring doorbells, like the Ring Video Doorbell Wired, are also hardwired only and have no battery backup at all. If your power goes out, a hardwired doorbell without a battery stops working until power returns. Battery models keep working during outages because they run on their own power. If you want the reliability of hardwired power plus battery backup, the Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2 offers both—it connects to your wiring and has an internal battery that keeps it running if the power fails.

Charging in cold weather and storage

Lithium-ion batteries charge more slowly in cold temperatures, so if you're charging your Ring battery outdoors in winter or in an unheated garage, expect the two-to-four-hour window to stretch longer. Ring recommends charging at room temperature (around 68 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit) for the fastest charge. If you're storing the doorbell for an extended period, charge the battery to about 50 percent and store it in a cool, dry place—fully draining it or leaving it fully charged for months can reduce its lifespan.

If you live in a very cold climate and your doorbell is mounted outside, the battery may drain faster during winter months because cold reduces how much charge lithium-ion batteries can hold. Bringing the battery indoors to charge it at room temperature helps offset this. Once it's fully charged, you can reinstall it outside without any problem—the cold only affects charging speed and capacity, not the safety of a fully charged battery.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a fast charger or a charger with higher wattage?

Yes. Ring batteries are designed to accept standard USB charging, and using a 2-amp or higher charger will charge faster than a 1-amp charger. You won't damage the battery by using a faster charger—the battery itself regulates how much power it takes in. Most modern phone chargers are 2 amps or higher, so they're safe to use.

What happens if I leave the battery plugged in after it's fully charged?

Most modern USB chargers and the Ring battery itself have safeguards that stop charging once the battery reaches 100 percent, so leaving it plugged in for an hour or two after it's full won't harm it. However, leaving it plugged in for days or weeks at a time can reduce the battery's long-term lifespan, so it's best to unplug once charging is complete.

Can I charge the battery while it's still in the doorbell?

No. Ring battery doorbells require you to remove the battery before charging. The charging port is only accessible when the battery is out of the unit. This design prevents accidental water damage and makes it easier to charge indoors away from the weather.

How do I know when the battery is fully charged?

The charger or the battery itself will show a light indicator—usually green for fully charged and red or amber for charging in progress. You can also check the Ring app once you reinstall the battery; it will show the battery percentage within a few seconds of powering back on.

Do I need to turn off the doorbell before removing the battery?

It's a good idea to turn it off through the Ring app first to avoid any potential issues, but the doorbell won't be damaged if you remove the battery while it's on. If you have a hardwired connection as well, turning it off prevents the doorbell from trying to use the wired power while the battery is out.