When it comes to smart doorbells, Ring has long been dominating the smart home market. It is true that there are some decent alternatives like Vivint, but they can’t keep up with the latest integration features offered by Ring.
Moreover, the video quality and the reliability of the Ring units are also superior when you compare them with other options. However, when you’re using AC doorbell chime, things can get a bit complicated.
Many owners seem to be confused about the viability of the Ring unit with a regular doorbell chime. So, let’s go over whether or not you can use a Ring with a regular doorbell chime.
Can You Use Ring With Regular Doorbell Chime? (Explained)
The answer to this question depends entirely on the connection status of the regular chime installed in your household. A regular doorbell chime will only work with the Ring unit when you’re wiring it directly with the smart device. It is common knowledge that you can’t make use of wireless features with the regular chime, and the only method is to connect them through electrical connections. So, if you’re installing the Ring doorbell in place of a traditional wired doorbell, then you don’t have to think about any issues with the chime.
The compatibility of the doorbell chime also plays a role in the functionality of the unit with the Ring doorbell. So, you need to make sure that the doorbell chime is 8 to 24 volts and then try to connect it with the doorbell again. If the doorbell chime is not compatible with this power range, then you won’t get any performance through the Ring doorbell. For this reason, your first focus should be on checking the power status and the compatibility of the doorbell chime.
Your best bet is to browse through the official compatibility guide provided by Ring and then match it with the regular doorbell chime installed in your home. The upside is that the majority of doorbells fall within the 8 to 24 volts range, and there is a good chance that you have a similar unit installed in your house. So, you won’t have to think about purchasing a new smart chime for your Ring doorbell.
Once you’re sure that there are no compatibility-related issues with the smart device, just remove the current doorbell and charge your Ring unit fully. After that, you just have to connect the wiring according to the instructions in the user manual and then fix the mount on the door frame. Now, you can check the response from the doorbell chime after the unit is installed, and hopefully, you won’t have to worry about any issues.
Overall, you can use a regular doorbell chime with Ring as long as the doorbell is compatible and there are no issues with the wiring connections. So, just install the Ring unit by making use of the existing wiring connections, and the regular doorbell should work. Ideally, you won’t have to replace the wiring or install a new doorbell if your existing AC unit is in good shape. Just make sure that the wiring is in good shape before securing the base plate to avoid further complications.
Should You Buy A Smart Chime?
If you’re not dealing with any budget-related issues, then putting your money into a decent smart chime is a good option. You will enjoy many benefits from a new chime, and it will perfectly match your Ring unit. So, if you don’t want to bother with electrical connection and compatibility-related issues, then putting money into a smart chime is your best bet. It will make your life easier, and you won’t have to worry about damaged wiring.
On top of that, smart chime brings several features and customization options to the owners. You will have complete control over the sound, tone, and duration of the chime. Moreover, the configurations can be updated any time from your phone, and you can also change the location without worrying about the wiring. So, yes, putting your money into a smart chime is not a bad decision, and a decent chime will serve you for decades. Just make sure not to go with cheaper brands and choose an established dealer for your Ring doorbell chime.