As a particularly nervous, but very design-conscious, person, I’ve spent the last few years looking for a home security solution that blends in with my home and offers the peace of mind I’ve been craving. And owing to an impulse buy from Amazon’s Early Prime Day Deals, I finally found it in the Ring Doorbell Camera (which I took home for 40% off).
Top Early Prime Deals on Ring Doorbell Cameras
- Battery Video Doorbell (2nd Gen), $99 (was $149)
- Battery Video Doorbell Plus (2nd Gen), $149 (was $249)
- Ring Wired Video Doorbell Pro (3rd Gen), $249 (was $399)
Whether you’re part of the 52% of Australians who worry about home security when they’re out (according to new data from Amazon), a concerned pet parent who wants to keep an eye on their furry friends, or, like me, sitting firmly in both camps, easing your concerns has never been more affordable. Ahead of Amazon Prime Day, which officially kicks off on the 7th of July and runs until the 14th, Ring is offering up to 40% off on a range of their sleek doorbell security cameras, with prices starting from just $99.
Personally, I did opt for their cheapest option: the Battery Video Doorbell (2nd Gen), and as you’ll soon see, even a base model can have an immense impact, and maintain that sense of calm (without reducing your home’s curbside appeal).
How the Ring Doorbell replaced my pet camera
But the appeal of this clever little camera isn’t purely security-focused. In fact, the ability to keep an eye on my dog, Lola, (who, until recently, I believed to be riddled with separation anxiety) was the real reason behind the buy. This may sound like a somewhat unconventional use of the camera, but the ability to keep an eye on my best furry friend has been more comforting than I ever expected; I am, after all, a helicopter dog-parent.
And according to new research, I’m not the only one who feels reluctant to leave their pets home alone. After surveying an array of Australian pet owners, Amazon found that one in three (33%) cited leaving pets home alone as their biggest concern when they’re away, a number that outranks fears of burglary by 2%. But, as I’ve come to find, flippantly selecting any old way to spy on pets doesn’t always work out. For successful surveillance, you have to be selective.
Originally, I was using the camera function on my Dreame Aqua 10 UltraRoller Robot Vacuum to monitor my pup. The issue, however, was that Lola is terrified of the thing. Every time I drove it into the living room for a quick check-up, she would be cowering in the corner; a behaviour I naturally interpreted as separation anxiety from having such a terrible mother, rather than a response to the hulking robot hurtling towards her. Add in the less-than-HD image quality, and it’s clear, in hindsight, just how dysfunctional my first pet camera alternative really was. I mean, just look at the image quality:
Unsurprisingly, switching to a Ring camera was much more successful, and while I loved using it as a doorbell camera, it served a much more important purpose when relocated to my living room. With a silent, still device to monitor her, Lola was visibly calmer, and as a result, I was too. Better yet, the camera’s 4K resolution removed the risk of misunderstandings, like blurry shadows on the sofa being mistaken for an ‘accident.’ And now that I’ve seen how comfortable she actually is when she’s left home along, I can finally leave the house without all the guilt.
Clever comparison table: Choosing between Ring’s top models
Design tip: If you choose a battery-powered model but hate the look of detached accessories, the Ring Doorbell Solar Charger ($79) acts as an invisible design extension, blending straight into the footprint of the doorbell housing itself.
| Model | Price (AUD) | Resolution & Zoom | Power Source | Best Architectural Fit |
| Wired Video Doorbell Elite (2nd Gen) | $749 | Retinal 4K / 10x Zoom | Power over Ethernet (Wired) | Luxury new builds; ultimate flush, premium integration. |
| Battery Video Doorbell Pro (2nd Gen) | $399 | Retinal 4K / 10x Zoom | Rechargeable Battery | High-end rentals or homes wanting top-tier clarity without wires. |
| Spotlight Outdoor Camera | $279 | Clear Overview | Hardwired / Battery Options | Side pathways, blind spots, and medium-sized garden zones. |
| Battery Video Doorbell Plus (2nd Gen) | $149 (was $249) | Retinal 2K / Enhanced | Quick-Release Battery | Busy households wanting effortless battery swapping. |
| Battery Video Doorbell (2nd Gen) | $99 (was $149) | Retinal 2K / 6x Zoom | Rechargeable Battery | Entry-level smart integration with a streamlined, classic design. |
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