Ring Stick Up Cam Plug-in vs. Stick Up Cam Battery: Which one is right for you?

Ring Stick Up Camera
Ring Stick Up Camera (Image credit: Android Central)

Ring Stick Up Cam Plug-In

Ring Stick Up Cam

Ring Stick Up Cam Plug-In offers you a wide field of view and a continuous stream of live footage so long as your power doesn't go out. It doesn't have to be completely tethered to the outlet, though, as you can add on a battery pack for when the power goes out. It also works inside and out.

Ring Stick Up Cam Plug-In

Versatile viewer

Works indoors and outdoors
Built-in siren to ward off intruders
Excellent Amazon Alexa, Echo integration
Battery pack (sold separately)
Has to be near a power source
No video recordings without a subscription
No 24/7 recording option

Ring Stick Up Cam Battery

Ring Stick Up Cam

This battery-powered Ring camera isn't chained down to an outlet, allowing you to mount it outside even if you lack outside power. The Ring Stick Up Cam Battery is also excellent for using inside your home, where it can be easily moved between rooms or hidden away to see if the pet sitter is actually taking Fluffy for walks or just enjoying your cable.

Ring Stick Up Cam Battery

Cut the cord

Works indoors and outdoors
Wire-free setup with battery pack
Built-in siren to ward off intruders
Good Amazon Alexa integration
If batteries die, so does your feed
No video recordings without a subscription
No 24/7 recording option

The new Ring Stick Up Cams are back and better than ever, but before you snatch up one — or four — for your home, you should be aware that not all Ring Stick Up Cams are created equal. Typically, the battery-powered version of a smart camera is the more flexible and desirable model. Still, the Ring Stick Up Cam Plug-In can provide added peace of mind with a continuous power supply. Let's dive into the comparison of the Ring Stick Up Cam battery vs. wired and see which comes out on top.

Ring Stick Up Cam Battery vs. Wired: Conveniences and headaches for each

All Ring Stick Up Cams are 1080p, "weather-resistant," internet-connected security cameras with remote-activated sirens to scare off intruders, infrared Night Vision for seeing in the dark, and affordable subscription plans through Ring Protect for 60 days of access to video recordings. Where the four Ring Stick Up Cams vary — the Plug-In, the Battery, the Elite, and the Solar — is primarily in how they are powered.

The Ring Cam Plug-In is powered by an AC adapter that plugs into a standard power outlet, though you can purchase a Quick-Release Battery Pack separately. The Ring Stick Up Cam Battery is powered by Quick Release Battery Packs and cannot be used while the Battery Pack recharges. However, you can purchase an Indoor/Outdoor Power adapter or Solar Panel separately. If you want to keep the Battery model online during the 5-10 hours, it takes a Battery Pack to recharge, you'll have to buy a second Quick Release Battery Pack.

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Header Cell - Column 0 Ring Stick Up Cam Plug-inRing Stick Up Cam Battery
Weather-proofing"Weather resistant""Weather resistant"
Power optionsAC adapter/plugQuick Release Battery Pack
Internet optionsWi-FiWi-Fi
Camera field of range110° horizontal
57° vertical
110° horizontal
57° vertical
Video quality1080p1080p
Customizable motion detection✔️✔️

Ring Stick Up Cam lifestyle image

Source: RingPictured: Ring Stick Up Cam Battery. (Image credit: Source: Ring)

These two devices are essentially the exact same camera. The only meaningful difference is how they are powered out of the box. If you need to put a camera in a spot that is not accessible to a standard power outlet, then go for the Stick Up Cam Battery. The drawback here is that you'll have to change the battery periodically, and you will want to have a back-up available. Of course, you can also purchase an Indoor/Outdoor Power Adapter or Solar Panel separately to keep the currents flowing.

If you are going to put this camera in a place that is easily accessible to a standard power outlet, then go ahead and get the Stick Up Cam Plug-In. Again, you can always purchase the Quick Release Battery Pack to have as an insurance policy for if/when the power goes out, but as long as you're connected, and the power is on, you're good to go.

Ara Wagoner

Ara Wagoner was a staff writer at Android Central. She themes phones and pokes YouTube Music with a stick. When she's not writing about cases, Chromebooks, or customization, she's wandering around Walt Disney World. If you see her without headphones, RUN. You can follow her on Twitter at @arawagco.