Video doorbells are a fantastic way to keep tabs on your home and provide an extra layer of security. The Ring Video Doorbell is one of the most popular models on the market and has received rave reviews, and for a good reason.

From package delivery to keeping an eye on visitors, there are plenty of reasons to own a video doorbell. But is a Ring doorbell right for you? Here are several reasons why you might want to reconsider getting a Ring Video Doorbell.

1. All Electronic Devices Can Be Hacked

Hacker at desktop computer

Like any piece of technology, video doorbells are vulnerable to hacking. In 2019, The Washington Post reported that a hacker gained access to a Ring camera in a children's room and began talking to the 8-year-old girl who was in the room. While Ring has since taken steps to increase security, this incident highlights the importance of being vigilant about the security of all your devices.

Your Ring Doorbell can be hacked and used to spy on you or your family if you don't take the necessary precautions. From regular software updates to strong passwords and two-factor authentication, there are several ways you can help keep your Ring doorbell safe from hackers.

All Wi-Fi-enabled devices are potential targets for hackers, even cloud-based ones like the Ring. Cloud storage is a great way to ensure that you never lose your footage, but it also means that someone else can access it.

2. Phantom Visitors

Faceless kids in phantom costumes on Halloween night in town

One of the most common complaints about Ring doorbells is false alerts. Because the doorbell uses motion detection to detect visitors, any movement in front of the door can trigger an alert, even if there's no one there. Although this happens to all types of motion-sensing devices, it can be especially frustrating if you receive a lot of false alerts.

This can be caused by everything from a gust of wind to a passing car, and it can quickly become frustrating. If you're someone who values privacy, you may not want to have your video doorbell constantly going off for no reason.

Whether you live in an area with a lot of foot traffic or just have a particularly windy front yard, false alerts can be a major downside to owning a video doorbell and can make you paranoid about what's going on outside your home.

The good news is that you can avoid accidental motion triggers on your Ring video doorbell by adjusting the sensitivity settings.

3. Privacy Concerns

Another potential downside of owning a video doorbell is the privacy concerns that come with it. By their very nature, video doorbells are designed to record people who are coming to your door, which raises a number of privacy concerns.

Ring doorbells may not be safe if you're concerned about privacy. Not only do you have to worry about hackers gaining access to your footage, but you also have to worry about the government collecting your footage without consent. According to The Intercept, Amazon admitted to giving police access to Ring footage without a warrant or consent from Ring user.

4. Third-Party Trackers

Business Man Asking to Sign Contract Agreement

When downloading the Ring app, you're consenting to have your data collected and shared with third-party companies. An investigation by EFF of the Ring doorbell app for Android found that it shared a wealth of data with third-party trackers, including your IP address, mobile carrier, and device type.

While this information may not seem like a big deal, it can be used to build a profile of you and your family. While Ring's privacy notice says that it does not sell personally identifiable information, it's important to be aware of the data that is being shared with these third-party companies.

5. It Can Be Stolen

Video doorbells are a great way to detect porch pirates, but they can also be stolen themselves. Because they're small and easy to remove, thieves have been known to target video doorbells.

In one case, a thief in Colorado Springs was caught on camera stealing a Ring doorbell from a home. The homeowner had left the doorbell unsecured, and the thief was able to simply pull it off the door and take it with him.

While this is an isolated incident, it highlights the importance of securing your video doorbell to your door. Many video doorbells come with security screws that make it more difficult for thieves to remove them, so be sure to use them if your doorbell comes with them.

6. It Might Not Improve Your Home Security That Much

While a video doorbell can be a helpful addition to your home security system, it's important to remember that it's not a replacement for a traditional home security system. A video doorbell is only as good as the person monitoring it, which means that you or someone else will need to be watching the footage at all times in order to truly improve your home security.

Additionally, a video doorbell will only give you a limited view of what's happening outside your door, which means that it won't be able to detect intruders who are entering your home from another location. For these reasons, it's important to have a comprehensive home security system in place before adding a video doorbell.

7. Internet Access Quality

block app from internet access

Most video doorbells require a strong internet connection in order to function properly. This means that if you live in an area with spotty internet service, your video doorbell might not work as well as you want it to. From a delayed video feed to choppy audio, a weak internet connection can cause a number of problems for video doorbell users.

A Ring video doorbell can go offline for a number of reasons, including a weak internet connection, an incorrect Wi-Fi password, or a problem with the router. This will prevent you from being able to access your footage, which can be frustrating if you're trying to review footage of an incident.

Additionally, even if you have a strong internet connection, using a video doorbell can significantly slow down your Wi-Fi. This is because video doorbells use a lot of bandwidth, which can tax your home's internet connection.

Should You Get a Ring Doorbell?

So are Ring doorbells worth it? There might be a better way to secure your home. While a safe home is a secure home, you don't need a video doorbell to achieve that. There are a number of other ways to secure your home from intruders, and many of them are more effective than a video doorbell.

When it comes to home security, it's important to find the system that works best for you and your family. For some, that might be a video doorbell. But for others, a more comprehensive approach might be best.