Ring Spotlight Cam Plus Review (UK): Light Up Your Driveway
Quick verdict
The Ring Spotlight Cam Plus Battery is an easy way to watch and light up a driveway, garden or side passage. Installation takes minutes, the spotlights are a genuine deterrent and the Ring app is simple to use. Video is 1080p rather than 2K, and you'll want a Ring subscription to save recordings.
Check current price on Amazon UKRing's Spotlight Cam Plus combines a wide-angle security camera with two bright, motion-activated LED lights. The battery version needs no wiring, so you can mount it almost anywhere outside your home and have it running in a few minutes.
Who is it for?
It's ideal for homeowners and renters who want to monitor a driveway, garden, back door or side passage without hiring an electrician. It works especially well if you already use Ring doorbells or Alexa devices. If you want sharper 2K or 4K footage, or a camera that works without a subscription, look at other models.
Key specs
- Video: 1080p HD, Live View, Colour Night Vision
- Field of view: 140°
- Lights: Integrated motion-activated LED spotlights with adjustable brightness
- Audio: Two-Way Talk with noise cancellation
- Siren: Remote-activated siren
- Motion detection: Advanced Motion Detection with customisable Motion Zones
- Power: Quick Release Battery Pack (1 included, holds 2); optional solar panel, plug-in adapter or wired kit
- Wi-Fi: 2.4GHz 802.11 b/g/n; needs 2 Mbps upload
- Size and weather: 12.6 x 7.6 x 8cm; works from -20°C to 48.5°C
- Warranty: One-year limited warranty, including theft protection
Lights and deterrence
The spotlights are the main selling point. They switch on when motion is detected, which can put off intruders before they reach the door, and you can adjust the brightness to suit your surroundings. You can also trigger the siren from the app, which Ring jokingly suggests for foxes digging up your flowerbeds. Two-Way Talk lets you speak to visitors or delivery drivers from your phone.
Video quality
The 140° wide-angle view covers a lot of ground, and colour night vision works better when the spotlights are on. Independent testers at TechGearLab found the wide view useful but said the 1080p footage can look somewhat pixelated, and colour accuracy is weak, especially at night. If you need to read number plates or pick out fine detail, a 2K camera is a better choice.
Battery and subscription
Battery life depends on how much activity the camera sees. TechGearLab got around three months in testing, and the camera can hold a second battery pack for longer runtimes. Live View, notifications and Two-Way Talk are free, but recording, reviewing and sharing videos requires a Ring subscription, which Ring says starts from £4.99 a month per device.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Bright motion-activated spotlights
- Wire-free install in minutes
- Wide 140° field of view
- Siren and Two-Way Talk
- Holds two batteries for longer runtime
Cons
- 1080p, not 2K
- Recording needs a Ring subscription
- 2.4GHz Wi-Fi only
- Night colour accuracy is weak
UK price
Ring often discounts this camera on its own site and on Amazon, so prices vary a lot. Check the current price on Amazon UK before you buy.
Verdict
The Ring Spotlight Cam Plus Battery is a simple, effective outdoor camera with spotlights that deter intruders and a set-up anyone can manage. Footage is only 1080p and you'll need a subscription to get the most from it, but for lighting and watching a driveway or garden it's a solid four-star choice.
FAQs
Does the Ring Spotlight Cam Plus need a subscription?
No, but it helps. Live View, notifications and Two-Way Talk are free. You need a Ring subscription, from £4.99 a month per device according to Ring, to record, review and share videos.
How long does the battery last?
It depends on how much motion the camera detects. Independent testing found around three months, and the camera can hold a second battery to extend that.
Can the Ring Spotlight Cam Plus be hardwired?
Yes. The battery version can also run on a solar panel, plug-in adapter or wired kit, all sold separately.
How we researched this review: we compiled this guide from Ring's official UK specifications and independent hands-on reviews from TechGearLab. We have not tested this unit ourselves.