Review: Ring Outdoor Cam Plus — versatile and now 2K

Ring has lately begun upgrading the optics of some of their security cameras to a higher resolution, 2K.  Some cameras received software upgrades to obtain the 2K resolution but some cameras do not have the requisite optics and need a whole new hardware upgrade.  One of these is the Outdoor Cam – now in the 2025 version, called the Outdoor Cam Plus.

The Outdoor Cam Plus delivers not only 2K resolution but also Ring’s clearest picture, thanks to Ring Vision —a combination of software, hardware, and Ring’s internal expertise.  The dynamic image processing delivers life-like colour and picture clarity in a new security camera that works just as well outside as it does inside.

What’s in the box

Ring has a standard set of inclusions in the box of their security cameras – the camera, a battery (if required), mounting screws for soft walls and for bricks, a Ring security sticker, mini-USB charging cable (come on Ring, what is this 2002?), basic instructions and a tool to tighten or loosen the security screw so the battery doesn’t get stole

The Outdoor Cam Plus is slightly different though in that it does not include a specific tool to tighten the security screw on the camera – and that is because the camera only includes a standard philips head screw to keep the battery safe, rather than a small star screw.  Strange choice, but do you need that in a security camera that sits up high?  Is someone going to come and steal the battery?  Unlikely, but it is still a downgrade from Ring.

Design + features

The Outdoor Cam Plus looks like an enlarged version of the standard Indoor Cam from Ring.  It includes a mount that does allow it to bend and cover more area than previous versions but you may need to be a bit forceful with it to get it into position.

The camera is button-free with the stand able to be mounted underneath for placement on a ceiling or table and on the rear of the camera for it to be mounted on a wall.  I mounted the camera on a wall for the review so had to unscrew the mount from the bottom of the camera and screw it into the back of the camera.

While the camera is larger than the standard Indoor Cam from Ring, it is still smaller than their other outdoor offerings.  While the Outdoor Cam Plus does include a weather-resistant build, it does not include a light of any type to shine on unsuspecting visitors to your property.

The Outdoor Cam Plus does include a speaker and microphone, so it supports two-way talk – this works well enough, but for me I’ve only used it once on a different camera and a “excuse me?  What are you doing there mate?” was enough to them to run so there’s no need for Rhode quality microphones or speakers for a long back and forth conversation.  

Features

The Outdoor Cam Plus includes all of Ring’s usual features, such as smart responses, motion detection, smart alerts, HDR, colour night vision, smart video search and infrared lights for night vision.  I feel don’t need to explain most of these, given they are relatively self-explanatory from their titles.

Setup, installation and App

The installation of the camera was incredibly easy, especially as I was drilling the mount screws into a wooden alfresco frame.  Then it was a matter of mounting the camera to the mount frame – you should probably do most of the setting up of the camera before doing this as the barcode to add the camera is on the rear of the device and basically inaccessible after it has been mounted.

Speaking of the barcade, it is incredibly small and you may struggle to get your phone’s camera to focus on it – I struggled, so I ended up adding it manually, which was easy, as well as once you turn the camera on, it enters its pairing/Wi-Fi Direct mode for setup.  

Even if you complete all the setup (except for the motion zones) before mounting the camera, the rest of the setup can be done at any time.  The setup of the camera on the app doesn’t include every possible setting, so I recommend going through all of them anyway, just to see what you want or don’t want for this camera.

The app is relatively easy to use, but I have been using it as my go-to security camera app for a few years now.  There are times when you feel it is taking you in a circle around the app but all the settings are there – it can just sometimes take a bit of time to find out where they are.  

Video and snapshot quality

Going from 1080p cameras to a 2K one is a fairly big jump, and the resultant image quality is improved.  Recently, my Spotlight Cam Pro received the software upgrade to bring its resolution to 2K, and that is positioned directly next to the Outdoor Cam Plus, and as you can see, the images and videos are of very similar quality.  

The image quality on the Outdoor Cam Plus was good but not great. It did not give the same quality 2K that I get from the Spotlight Cam Pro, positioned right next to it and that was disappointing.  Not only was the image from the Spotlight Cam Pro seemingly better detailed but the lighting was better with less shadowing and a much better picture of my face.  This is most likely due to the improved optics in the bigger Spotlight Cam Pro – the Outdoor Cam Plus is $150 cheaper than the Spotlight Cam Pro so that should be expected.  

When you consider the price difference, though, it is a better bang for your buck with the Outdoor Cam Plus camera.  That, in the end, is up to you and your needs though.

At night, the photos and video are really good, even in the dead of night and a completely dark setting. Compared to the Spotlight Cam Pro, the two videos are definitely comparable and it is difficult to notice much of a difference at all. Zooming the image though shows the processing in the newer Outdoor Cam Plus is much better with the noise filtered out a lot more resulting in a more pleasing image.

Battery Life

The battery life of Ring’s security cameras has improved a lot in the last few years and now I feel comfortable that, even with many of the more battery-intensive features on, the battery life will be an acceptable time – several weeks. 

Measuring the battery life of the Outdoor Cam Plus, it dropped around 5% every couple of days – that allows for the extra use that I have when I’m continually checking it, using the features, and setting it up while reviewing it.  Extrapolating this, it should last around 30-40 days on a single battery charge – I’d say closer to 30 though just to be safe.  The app will tell you when the battery is low.

That is where the problem is.  You then have to charge the battery and Ring still only has a microUSB charging port, in the battery, which means incredibly slow charging.  I’m not sure why they don’t update these to use a USB-C connection, especially since the cameras are now powered by USB-C instead of a proprietary plug, so USB-C is already part of their little walled garden.  

My solution is that I have a spare battery or two that I have bought from Bunnings that I have on rotation, so if one of my battery-powered cameras runs out, there is another full and ready just to be swapped in. Hopefully, the now-empty battery is charged by the time another battery-powered camera needs a replacement.

Ring does offer the ability to power your cameras using USB-C power, either from a power socket or from one of their (or other branded USB-C) solar panels.  I use solar panels for my other outdoor cameras because they are too high to change batteries and are nowhere near a power outlet. 

Should you buy it?

The Ring Outdoor Cam Plus is a good camera, but it is not great. If you want great though, you are going to have to fork out a lot more than the $179 that this one will set you back. At $179 though, it offers good daylight image quality, excellent night imaging and all the features you could ever need.

If you have the money and want to set your house up right to start with and want a Ring camera I’d recommend the Spotlight Cam Pro, which comes with better sensors and a spotlight on it, but it is nearly twice the cost. If you are on a tight budget though, and are in the Ring/Amazon ecosystem, then the Ring Outdoor Cam Plus is a good option for an outdoor security camera — especially for night imaging.

Outdoor Camera Plus is available now in Black or White for $179 AUD and $179 NZD on Ring.com, Amazon.com.au and select retailers in Australia and New Zealand including jbhifi.com.au, jbhifi.co.nz and noelleeming.co.nz.