Ring Chime and Chime Pro for the Ring Doorbell – Everything You Need to Know

Doorbells have become the standard way of announcing guests and visitors to a person’s household. The technology has advanced leaps and bounds since its invention, and the doorbell chime has progressed accordingly. One of the best smart chimes on the market is the Ring Chime, an accessory of the equally popular Ring Video Doorbell.

In this article, we’ll show you all the pros and cons of the Ring Chime and the Ring Chime pro, including its features and specs. Read on to find out everything you need to know about the Ring Chime and Ring Chime pro along with handy guides and tips.

The Ring Chime line of products have two distinct models, the Ring Chime, and the Ring Chime Pro. The differences of each are outlined below.

The Ring Chime is a wireless chime accessory for your Ring Doorbell. Designed to complement Ring’s battery-operated doorbell models, it can be used for hardwired versions as well. People who don’t have existing chimes can connect their Ring Doorbell to the Ring Chime and enjoy its many features.

The Ring Chime comes with multiple alert tones that you can use to personalize the way Ring alerts you to visitors. With its wireless design, you can plug the Ring Chime to any electric outlet and get alerts practically anywhere. You can customize the Ring Chime via the app to give you alerts whenever the Ring Doorbell detects movement, turning it to an impromptu security system.

The Ring Chime Pro may not have the amplifier, nightlight, and Wi-Fi extender of the Pro, but it does its job relatively well. The Ring Chime extends the convenience of any Ring Doorbell product and adds to its already extensive features.

Pros:

• Less expensive than the Ring Chime Pro
• Customizable via the Ring app
• Can be plugged almost anywhere

Cons:

• Doesn’t have Wi-Fi extender
• Has less reach than the ring Pro
• Doesn’t have an amplifier and nightlight

What’s in the box

• Ring Chime device
• Quick Start Guide

SMARTHOME News Rating: 4.4 / 5

Average Rating Around the Web: 4.3 / 5

The more advanced model of the Ring Chime, the Ring Chime Pro provides additional features that further extend the capabilities of the Ring Doorbell.

With the Ring Chime Pro, never miss another alert or notification. The built-in amplifier ensures that you’ll be able to hear the Ring Chime Pro wherever you are in your home. With the Ring Chime Pro’s volume adjustment settings, you can customize how loud your chime needs to be.

Another great feature that the Ring Chime Pro has is its Wi-Fi extender. Not only does this feature boost the signal of your Wi-Fi for your Ring Doorbell, it does so for all your other Ring gadgets as well. With the Ring Chime Pro, you’ll lessen any delays between someone ringing your doorbell and you receiving an alert.

The Ring Chime Pro nightlight can be toggled to an automatic mode which makes the device light up whenever the room goes dark. Too bad that it can only be set to off or automatic mode via the app. There’s no way to adjust the settings automatically.

Many of the Ring Chime Pro’s features make it a handy gadget for larger homes. But for smaller areas, they may seem a bit superfluous. If you live in a house that doesn’t need the Wi-Fi boost, or sound amplification, the additional cost may not be worth it.

Pros:

• With Wi-Fi extender
• Built-in amplifier
• Nightlight mode lights up in dark areas

Cons:

• A bit more expensive than the regular Ring Chime
• Nightlight only has off and automatic mode
• Smaller homes may not need additional features

What’s in the box

• Chime Pro device
• Quick Start Guide

SMARTHOME News Rating: 4.5 / 5

Average Rating Around the Web: 4.4 / 5

Do you need a Ring Chime or Ring Chime Pro for your Ring Doorbell? That really depends on your doorbell model, and how you power it. If you’ve hardwired your Ring doorbell to an old installation, there’s a good chance that you’re already using an existing chime. This makes buying an additional chime unnecessary. If you’re operating the Ring Doorbell as a wireless system, however, there are many benefits to acquiring a Ring Chime or Ring Chime Pro as well.

First, the Ring Chime and the Ring Chime Pro are wireless. This means that you can place them anywhere that your Wi-Fi signal can reach, and where there’s an available wall socket. This makes it very convenient for homes that don’t have prior doorbell wiring.

The Ring Chime also allows a lot of personalization options for users via the Ring app. If you want to fully adjust the volume or the tones of your doorbell chime, then the Ring Chime gives you that customizability.

The Ring Chime offers a great deal of convenience for Ring Doorbell owners. It’s certainly isn’t a mandatory purchase as the Ring Doorbell can work with other chimes. If you want a chime that’s designed specifically for the Ring Doorbell, then look no further.

Should you get a Ring Chime or a Ring Chime Pro? The answer to that question really depends on a few important factors. These include your budget, Wi-Fi coverage, and the size of your home.

The Ring Chime Pro isn’t that much more expensive than the Ring Chime, with the Pro costing about $49.99 as compared to the Ring Chime’s Price of $29.99. If you’re on a tight budget though, even twenty dollars can be a significant cost.

The other factor of home size will affect the usefulness of the Ring Chime Pro’s exclusive features, namely the amplifier and the Wi-Fi extender. If your home isn’t really large enough to have Wi-Fi signal problems, then the Wi-Fi extender may seem useless. This is the same for the amplifier. If the regular Ring Chime can be easily heard anywhere in your home, then you don’t really need an amplifier to increase the sound.

The nightlight, which is another Ring Chime Pro exclusive feature, isn’t really that big of a deal maker. It’s handy, sure, but isn’t as convenient as the Pro’s other features.

One of the selling points of the Ring Chime Pro is its Wi-Fi extender. This feature allows the Pro to be placed practically anywhere in your home, while extending the reach of the Wi-Fi signal to other Ring devices in the area. Although this makes the Pro into a two-in-one device, it does have a few limitations when compared to a normal Wi-Fi extender.

One big downside is that the Ring Chime Pro is limited only to other Ring Devices. Other gadgets won’t benefit from the extended Wi-Fi signal, and if you use other non-Ring devices that’s a big letdown. If you have other gadgets that need a stronger Wi-Fi signal, you’ll probably benefit more from another Wi-Fi extender rather than the Chime Pro.

A definite plus is that if you do use a lot of Ring products, it will connect all of them seamlessly. The Chime Pro isn’t limited to the number of Ring devices that it can support. Most Wi-Fi extenders can’t boost gadgets above a certain number depending on the model.

The Ring Chime Pro is dual band, supporting both 2.5 GHz and 5 GHz connections under the 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac protocol.

Both the Ring Chime and Ring Chime Pro, either 1^st or 2^nd Generation, are compatible with all existing Ring Doorbell and security camera products. It can be plugged into any standard wall outlet in your home. If you’ve hardwired a Ring Doorbell and prefer to use the Ring Chime rather than a previous mechanical or digital chime, it can be set up using the Ring app.

The distance that your Ring Chime or Ring Chime Pro can operate effectively depends on the Wi-Fi coverage in your home. As both the Chime and Chime Pro are completely wireless, the lack of a signal means that the device won’t work properly.

The construction of your home may also affect the signal strength of your Wi-Fi. Stucco, brick, and concrete tend to weaken Wi-Fi signals. Therefore, Ring Chime operable distances can change depending on the kind of walls you have.

You can check the current signal strength of your Wi-Fi in relation to the Ring Chime via the Ring App. Signals between -60 and 0 RSSI or Received Signal Strength Indicator means that you have a steady connection. Any number above or below this means that you may want to move the Ring Chime closer to your home router.

Both the Ring Chime and the Ring Chime Pro require the Ring App in order to sync with your other Ring products. The app is available for both Android and iOS from the Google Play Store and Apple App Store respectively.

The app isn’t dedicated to only the Ring Chime, but rather to all Ring devices as a whole. It offers a one-stop shop to customize any Ring gadget that you may own.

As mentioned, the Ring Chime and the Ring Chime Pro aren’t mandatory for Ring Doorbell owners. In fact, hardwired models of the Ring Doorbell can use existing doorbell chimes if the owner wants to. The Ring Doorbell is also compatible with other wireless digital doorbells such as:

Ring Video Doorbells are Alexa compatible and can therefore be integrated with your existing Alexa smart home hub. This means that if you already have Echo devices around your house, you can use Alexa to tell them to respond to Ring alerts.

You can connect your Ring Doorbell to Alexa by doing the following:

1. Open Alexa on your mobile device.
2. Click on the Menu icon on the bottom right of the screen.
3. From the menu, choose Skills 7 Games.
4. Type Ring in the search bar.
5. Once you see Ring in the results, tap Enable.
6. Sign in to your Ring account.
7. Once signed in tap on Discover Devices.
8. Once discovered, tap on the Ring Video Doorbell you just installed.
9. Enable Doorbell Press.

You will now be notified via your Alexa devices whenever someone presses your doorbell. Do note that your Alexa devices must not be on Do Not Disturb mode, and Communications and Announcements in the settings should be enabled.

The Google Assistant is also compatible with Ring Doorbells, and Google Home devices can be used as an alternative to the Ring Chime. To enable Google Home on your Ring Doorbell, follow these steps:

1. Open the Google Home app on your mobile device.
2. Tap on + on the upper left side of the screen.
3. Tap on Set up device.
4. Tap on Works with Google.
5. On the search bar, type in Ring.
6. Log in to your Ring account.
7. Tap on Allow to begin pairing.

Once paired, you can turn on notifications on your specific Google devices so you’re alerted whenever someone presses the doorbell.

Ring also works with a number of mechanical doorbell chimes, though this requires hardwiring the doorbell itself and connecting the chime. If you already own an existing mechanical doorbell, you can check the list to see if it’s compatible with your Ring Doorbell model. If your particular chime isn’t on the list, you may want to purchase a new chime.

Some digital chimes also work with Ring devices. The Ring website has a list of compatible digital chimes that you can use with your Ring product. As with mechanical chimes, if your current device isn’t on the list you may have to buy a new chime.

Chimes aren’t the only way to get notifications from your Ring Doorbells. Other smart devices can be set up to provide notifications whenever someone is at the door. Smart device connectivity can be achieved by using IFTTT recipes to sync these gadgets together.

Smart lights, mobile devices, even robotic vacuum cleaners can be programmed to respond to a doorbell press. All that’s required is the right IFTTT recipe to make it work.

The process of setting up the Ring Chime and Ring Chime Pro are similar. They’re also relatively easy as it mainly involves downloading the app and syncing the chime. First, you’ll need to properly install your Ring Doorbell. Once that’s done, syncing your Ring Doorbell and Ring Chime or Chime Pro can be done by following these steps:

1. Install the Ring app on your mobile device
2. Sign in to your Ring account. If you don’t have one, you can create one using the Ring signup page.
3. On the home screen, tap on Set Up a Device.
4. Choose Chimes.
5. You’ll need to scan either the QR Code or the MAC ID Barcode of your Ring Chime or Chime Pro to continue. The QR Code is normally located on the front of the device. The MAC ID Barcode is on the back. Both the QR Code and the MAC ID Barcode can also be found in the packaging and on the Quick Start Guide.
6. If you can’t scan the code, choose Set Up Without Scanning, then tap on Chime to proceed with installation.
7. If you’ve previously set up a Ring Device, the app will ask you to confirm your location settings from a list. If this is your first time setting up a Ring device, enter your location.
8. Choose an electric outlet near your Wi-Fi router and plug your Ring Chime or Ring Chime Pro. The Ring logo in front of the device should start pulsing green to indicate setup mode.
9. Name your Ring Chime to distinguish it from your other Ring gadgets.
10. If the Ring Chime hasn’t been set up before, it will automatically go into setup mode. If you’ve setup this particular device previously and want a fresh setup, press and hold the button at the side of the Chime device for five seconds while it’s plugged in.
11. Tap Continue on the app.
12. If you’re on Android, the Ring Chime should automatically join your current Ring network. On iOS, tap on Join once prompted by the app.
13. Enter your Wi-Fi ID and password then tap on Continue.
14. You can now personalize your Ring Chime settings on the app.

Once synced, the Ring Chime or Ring Chime Pro can be plugged into any outlet in your home within the reach of your Wi-Fi signal. Ring Chime Pro operates as a Wi-Fi extender, so it can also boost the signals to other Ring devices in the area.

Wi-Fi signals can deteriorate depending on the materials of the walls and the presence of obstacles in your home. You can find out whether or not your Ring Chime is getting enough Wi-Fi signal by checking Device Health in the app. To do this:

1. Open the Ring app.
2. Tap on the three lines icon on the top left corner of the screen.
3. From the menu, tap on Devices.
4. Tap on the Ring Chime or Ring Chime Pro you want to diagnose.
5. Tap on Device Health on the icons below.
6. The current signal strength will be under Network Signal Strength. Anything between -60 and 0 is optimal. If the value is beyond these, you may want to move the Ring Chime or Chime Pro nearer to your Wi-Fi router.

Below are some handy troubleshooting tips for your Ring Chime or Ring Chime Pro.

1. The Ring Chime Won’t Ring or Isn’t Working
   The two main causes of the Ring Chime or the Ring Chime Pro refusing to work are a.) Network Issues and b.) Loss of Power. To check if either one is the problem, do the following:
   1. Issues With the Wi-Fi Network
      • Check your router for errors. Make sure that the wires are properly connected, and all indicator lights are green.
      • See if other devices have trouble connecting to your Wi-Fi. If yes, your Wi-Fi network may be currently down.
      • Turn off your router then wait a few seconds before turning it back on. This will prompt a router reset. See if your Ring Chime or Chime Pro reconnects with the network.
      • If these solutions don’t work, check if the Ring Chime has lost power.
   2. Loss of Power
      • If your Ring Chime or Chime Pro’s LED light isn’t glowing, try unplugging the device then plugging it back in. This should initiate a reset.
      • If the LED isn’t lighting up, try plugging the device into a different socket. If the LED lights up after doing this, the previous outlet may be faulty.
      • If the device refuses to light up even on an active outlet, there might be something wrong with your Ring Chime. Contact Ring’s customer support page for more information.
2. Resetting a Ring Chime or Ring Chime Pro
   • Resetting a Ring Chime and Ring Chime Pro is a simple process. It can be done by following these steps:
     • Plug in your Ring Chime device.
     • Press the button on the side of the gadget for five seconds. If you’re using a 1^st generation Ring Chime or Ring Chime Pro, the reset button is inside a hole in the side. Use a paper clip or pin to press the button and hold it down for fifteen seconds.
     • The LED indicator at the front should start flashing green to indicate that it’s in setup mode.
3. Ring Chime Can’t Connect to Wi-Fi
   As indicated above, if your Ring Chime or Ring Chime Pro is experiencing network issues, it may refuse to connect to your Wi-Fi. There may also be several reasons as to why the Ring Chime isn’t properly connecting to your network:
   1. The Wi-Fi signal is too weak, try moving the Ring Chime closer to your router.
   2. The current Wi-Fi SSID or password is incorrect. Try entering the proper Wi-Fi network name and password.
   3. The Ring Chime may require a Firmware update.
   4. If you’re using a 1^st generation Ring Chime, you may be connected to a 5GHz network. The 1^st Gen only works on a 2.4 GHz connection. 
   5. Your Wi-Fi may be experiencing problems. Check your router.
   6. If these solutions don’t work, try contacting customer support.
4. The Ring Chime Is Blinking Green
   A green indicator light can mean several things depending on whether or not the light is blinking. A green indicator light can mean any of the following:
   1. Solid Green – The Ring Chime is booting up
   2. Blinking Green – The Ring Chime is in setup mode
   3. Alternating Green and Blue – The Ring Chime is currently having a Firmware update
   4. Alternating Green and Red – Current Wi-Fi password is incorrect
5. What Does the Blinking Blue Light Mean?
   1. A blue LED indicator light can mean one of the following:
   2. Solid Blue – Ring Chime is connected and LED is enabled
   3. Blinking Blue – Ring chime is currently connecting
6. Why Is the Ring Chime Blinking Red?
   1. A red LED indicator on your Ring Chime may mean one of the following:
   2. Solid Red – No Wi-Fi signal is detected
   3. Blinking Red – There is currently no internet connection

7. Changing Wi-Fi on the Ring Chime
   You can change the current Wi-Fi network of your Ring Chime or Ring Chime Pro via the Ring app. To do so, follow these steps:
   1. Open the Ring App.
   2. Tap on the three lines icon on the top left corner of the screen.
   3. From the menu, tap on Devices.
   4. Choose the Ring Chime or Ring Chime Pro you want to reconnect to a different Wi-Fi network.
   5. Tap on Device Health from the icons below.
   6. Tap on Change Wi-Fi Network.
   7. Enter the Wi-Fi network details.

Below are some of the most frequently asked questions regarding the Ring Chime and the Ring Chime Pro.

1. How Do You Charge the Ring Chime?
   Unlike the Ring Doorbell, you don’t need to charge the Ring Chime or the Ring Chime Pro. The Ring Chime device plugs directly into any regular power outlet. This is how it draws power. The Ring Chime doesn’t have any internal or external batteries, nor will it operate while unplugged.
2. How Do I Change the Chime on Ring Chime?
   You can change the particular tone on the Ring Chime or Ring Chime Pro via the Ring app. To do so, follow these steps:
   • Open the Ring App.
   • Tap on the three lines icon on the top left corner of the screen.
   • From the menu, tap on Devices.
   • Choose the particular Chime or Chime Pro with the tone you want to change.
   • Tap on Audio Settings on the icons below.
   • Tap on Chime Tones.
   • Select a tone from the list. Once chosen, your Ring Chime or Chime Pro will now have that particular chime as an alert.
3. What Chimes Are on the Ring Chime?
   Ring likes to keep its list of chimes and tones varied in order to add more customization options for its users. Expect holiday-themed tones on certain dates, and check the tone list frequently to see any new updates.
4. Will Ring Chime Work With Nest Hello?
   No. The Ring Chime is a Ring only device and doesn’t have compatibilities with any other smart products. There hasn’t been any announcement indicating that the Ring Chime or Ring Chime Pro will ever be compatible with a non-ring product.
   
   Although the Ring Doorbell can use other chimes, the same isn’t true with the Ring Chime or Ring Chime Pro. If you’re not using a Ring Doorbell or a Ring Security Camera, there’s no point in getting a Ring Chime.
5. Can I Use Multiple Ring Chimes Throughout My House?
   Yes. The Ring Chime supports multiple device support. You can either have one Ring Chime and multiple Ring Doorbells, or have one Ring Doorbell and have multiple Ring Chimes. Once properly set up, multiple Ring devices can be programmed to work either separately or together.

6. How Do Multiple Ring Doorbells and Ring Chimes Work Together?
   Ring Doorbell and Ring Chime integration works via the Ring App. You can either assign a set of Ring Chimes to work with only a particular doorbell, or have them work with multiple Ring Doorbells.
7. Can the Ring Chime Work Outside?
   No. The Ring Chime is neither waterproof or weather proof. It was designed to be used indoors and may experience errors if exposed to moisture. If the outside electric outlet that you wish to plug the Ring Chime into is protected from rain, use may be possible. Do note that any sudden temperature fluctuations may cause the device to malfunction. It’s also important to know that the warranty will not cover damage due to exposure to the elements.
8. What Voltage Will the Ring Chime Work With?
   The Ring Chime and the Ring Chime Pro were made to support any regular electrical outlet in the location that they are sold. If you bought your Ring Chime or Ring Chime Pro in the US, it will operate on any standard outlet of 120 volts at 60 Hz AC.
9. Does the Ring Chime Have a Warranty?
   Yes. The Ring Chime and Ring Chime pro come with a one-year limited warranty. To check the details of this warranty, refer to Ring’s warranty page for more information.
10. Can My Ring Chime Allow Me to Speak With People Ringing the Doorbell?
    No. The Ring Chime only has a one-way speaker to give alerts and notifications when someone is at the door. To use the Ring Video Doorbell’s speak function, use the Ring App to connect with the doorbell’s two-way speaker system.

The Ring Chime and the Ring Chime Pro can really enhance the convenience and customizability of your Ring Doorbell. Their wireless connectivity and plug in design allow you to easily set them up practically anywhere in your home. If you’ve just bought a Ring Doorbell and have no existing chime, a Ring Chime or a Ring Chime Pro is certainly an accessory worth considering.

Do you know of other nifty features of the Ring Chime and Ring Chime Pro that weren’t covered here? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.