Is the Ring Solar Charger Worth It?

On this page (7 sections)

1. Is a Ring solar charger worth it for your doorbell?
2. Which Ring solar charger fits your model?
3. How much sunlight does a Ring solar charger need?
4. How should you set up and care for a Ring solar charger?
5. When should you choose solar or a spare battery?
6. What mistakes can make a Ring solar charger a poor fit?
7. Is a Ring solar charger worth it for you?

A Ring solar charger can extend time between charges if it matches your battery doorbell and its mounting spot gets direct sunlight each day. Check your exact model before buying, because the newest and earlier chargers support different doorbells.

Solar is a good fit when you want to reduce how often you remove and recharge a battery. It is less appealing for a shaded porch or a doorbell outside the listed compatibility groups.

In those cases, a charged spare battery offers a more predictable backup.

Is a Ring solar charger worth it for your doorbell?

A Ring solar charger is worth considering when your doorbell is compatible and the charger can get regular direct sun. It is designed to extend the time between charges, but it does not guarantee that you will never need to recharge.

The newest charger is described as having a 33% increase in solar charging capacity over the previous generation. The earlier charger is described as keeping a compatible doorbell charged up to 35% longer than previous solar charger generations.

Those figures use different comparisons, so they are not a direct head-to-head result.

Ring says battery life varies with the doorbell, settings, motion notifications, and sun exposure. Frequent activity or a shaded mounting spot can limit how much a solar charger helps.

Which Ring solar charger fits your model?

Match the charger to the full model name and connector before you buy. The newest charger fits a different set of models from the earlier charger, and a shared word such as “Plus” does not mean two doorbells use the same accessories.

The newest Ring Solar Charger fits the newest Ring Battery Doorbell, Battery Doorbell Plus, and Battery Doorbell Pro. It comes with a secure mounting bracket and weather-resistant built-in solar panels.

The earlier Ring Solar Charger fits select Video Doorbell 3, Video Doorbell 3 Plus, Video Doorbell 4, Battery Doorbell Plus, and Battery Doorbell Pro models with a fork-style power connector. It does not fit Video Doorbell 2 or other Ring doorbells that use a micro-USB connector.

If you're unsure which accessory matches your doorbell, use our Ring doorbell accessories guide. For battery removal and charging steps, see how to charge a Ring Doorbell battery.

Does the Ring solar charger fit the Battery Doorbell 2K Plus?

The newest charger's compatibility details name the newest Battery Doorbell Plus, not every model with “Plus” in its name. The Battery Doorbell 2K Plus has a removable Quick Release Battery Pack, but check its exact charger compatibility before choosing a solar accessory.

Its battery pack can be removed, recharged, and snapped back into place. Read our Ring Battery Doorbell Plus review for more on that model, or compare the Battery Doorbell Plus and Pro if you're choosing between them.

How much sunlight does a Ring solar charger need?

Ring recommends ample direct sunlight each day for the newest charger. For the earlier charger, Ring recommends at least 3–4 hours of direct sunlight per day for best performance.

Judge the proposed mounting spot, not just the direction your door faces. A porch roof, wall, tree, or nearby building may block direct sun for part of the day.

Check the spot at different times if the light changes throughout the day. If it stays shaded, a solar charger may not reduce battery upkeep as much as you want.

Ring also says doorbell settings and motion notifications affect battery life, so sunlight is only one factor.

How should you set up and care for a Ring solar charger?

Choose a compatible mounting location with regular direct sun, then use the included secure mounting bracket. A good location gives the built-in panels exposure without making access to the doorbell awkward.

Before installing, confirm the exact doorbell model and inspect the area for shade at different times of day. Make sure the proposed position works for the charger and its connection to the doorbell.

Follow the installation instructions for your specific model.

After setup, pay attention to whether your charging routine changes. If the battery still needs frequent charging, consider whether the spot receives enough sun and whether motion activity or settings are affecting battery life.

The panels are weather-resistant, but that does not remove the need to check the setup occasionally. Keep the charger positioned as intended and make sure the mount remains secure.

If you move the doorbell or change its settings, reassess whether the solar setup still suits it.

When should you choose solar or a spare battery?

Choose solar for a compatible doorbell with a sunny mounting spot; choose a spare battery when you need ready backup power or your entry is shaded. Both can make sense if you want solar assistance and a charged pack available for a swap.

A solar charger depends on sun exposure at the door. A spare battery depends on having charged it ahead of time, but it does not rely on the mounting location getting sunlight.

The Ring Quick Release Battery Pack works with compatible battery-powered Ring cameras and doorbells. Its quick-release tab lets you change the battery without moving the device.

A spare pack suits a shaded entry, changing weather, or a household that wants a charged backup available. Check the compatibility details for your exact doorbell before buying.

What mistakes can make a Ring solar charger a poor fit?

The most common mistake is choosing by product name alone instead of matching the exact doorbell model. “Plus” appears in different model names, but that does not guarantee compatibility with the same charger.

A second mistake is assuming that daylight means direct sunlight. A bright porch can still be shaded by its roof or nearby structures, so assess the charger’s actual position.

It is also easy to expect a solar charger to eliminate charging altogether. Ring describes these accessories as extending battery life, and battery life varies with device settings, motion notifications, the doorbell, and sun exposure.

Keep a charging plan or spare battery if losing power would be inconvenient.

Is a Ring solar charger worth it for you?

Pick the newest Ring Solar Charger if you have one of the newest Battery Doorbell, Plus, or Pro models and a sunny mounting spot. Pick the earlier charger only for its supported Video Doorbell 3, 3 Plus, 4, Battery Doorbell Plus, or Battery Doorbell Pro model with a fork-style connector.

If your doorbell or connector does not match, skip that charger. If the entry is shaded or you want backup power on hand, choose a compatible Quick Release Battery Pack and follow our guide to charging a Ring Doorbell battery.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Ring Solar Charger worth it?

It can be worth it if your compatible Ring doorbell has a spot with ample direct sunlight each day and you want to extend the time between charges. It is less likely to help much in a shaded location.

Check your doorbell model before choosing, since the newest and earlier chargers have different compatibility lists.

How much sun does a Ring Solar Charger need?

Ring recommends ample direct sunlight each day for its newest Solar Charger. For the earlier model, Ring recommends at least 3–4 hours of direct sunlight per day for best performance.

Shade, the doorbell model, device settings, and motion notifications can affect battery life.

Which Ring doorbells work with the newest Solar Charger?

The newest Ring Solar Charger is compatible with the newest Battery Doorbell, Battery Doorbell Plus, and Battery Doorbell Pro models. The earlier charger fits select Video Doorbell 3, Video Doorbell 3 Plus, Video Doorbell 4, Battery Doorbell Plus, and Battery Doorbell Pro models with a fork-style power connector.

Does a Ring Solar Charger replace charging the battery?

Ring describes both chargers as ways to extend battery life, so plan for the possibility that you may still need to recharge. How often depends on the doorbell, settings, motion notifications, and sun exposure.

A spare Quick Release Battery Pack can keep backup power ready for compatible devices.