Ring’s newest addition to their family of smart home products is the Pan-Tilt Indoor Cam, boasting a 360-degree view of your home. While it’s a great indoor security camera, its slightly higher price compared to the existing Indoor Cam (2nd Gen) might leave you wondering which is the best option for your smart home. This comprehensive comparison dives into pricing, design, resolution, features, and more to help you make the right decision.
Pricing and Monthly Fees
The Pan-Tilt Indoor Cam costs $80 and is available in white, black, charcoal, starlight, and blush colors. The Ring Indoor Cam (2nd Gen) is slightly more affordable at $60 and comes in the same five color options. Both cameras require a Ring Protect Plan, offering three tiers and a free plan. However, the Basic Plan, costing $5 per month, is likely the most appealing option as it unlocks features like a 180-day video history and smart notifications.
Winner:
Ring Indoor Cam (2nd Gen)Design and Installation
The upper half of both the Pan-Tilt Indoor Cam and the Indoor Cam (2nd Gen) share a similar design. Both feature a manual privacy shutter, a rectangular black section housing the camera unit, and a perforated area at the bottom for speakers and microphones. The Indoor Cam (2nd Gen) sticks to this basic design, resulting in a sleek and solid-looking gadget. The Pan-Tilt Indoor Cam, however, features a circular device that allows the camera to swivel and pivot, giving it added functionality. This unique design might seem a bit odd, with a cylindrical tube attached by a thin stick to a circular base, but it offers significant advantages.
Installation is similar for both cameras, as they are standard plug-in security cameras. After plugging them in, simply sync them with your Ring mobile app, and the app will guide you through the entire process.
Winner:
TieResolution and Night Vision
Both the Pan-Tilt Indoor Cam and the Indoor Cam (2nd Gen) capture 1080p footage and support color night vision. While many cameras on the market offer 2K or even 4K resolution, the 1080p produced by these Ring cameras looks perfectly fine when viewed on your phone.
Winner:
TieFeatures and Spec List
Both cameras capture 1080p footage, but the Pan-Tilt Indoor Cam stands out due to its ability to capture all corners of a room. Unlike the Indoor Cam (2nd Gen), which has a fixed viewing angle of 143 degrees, the Pan-Tilt can be remotely controlled, allowing you to pan or tilt it to capture a full 360 degrees. This feature is a major selling point, as you might need to purchase multiple Indoor Cams to cover as much of your home as a single Pan-Tilt Cam.
Beyond the Pan-Tilt functionality, these security cameras share other notable features: a built-in siren, two-way audio, the option for wall or ceiling mounting, and a manual privacy cover to block the camera.
Winner:
Ring Pan-Tilt Indoor CamWhich Is the Better Security Camera?
The Ring Pan-Tilt Indoor Cam emerges as the better camera because it allows you to cover more of your home without needing multiple devices. When placed in a central location, it easily captures all corners of a room, making it particularly appealing for open floor plans. The Indoor Cam (2nd Gen), while more affordable, is a solid alternative for those on a budget or who don’t need the maneuverability of the Pan-Tilt. It essentially offers the same camera experience, minus the pivot feature.
Ultimately, the Pan-Tilt Indoor Cam is worth the extra $20 for most users, but if budget is a primary concern or your home layout doesn’t benefit from the Pan-Tilt feature, the older Indoor Cam (2nd Gen) remains a reliable option.
