If you’re looking to step up your home security, a smart floodlight camera is a great option. Ring’s Floodlight Cam security cameras are a popular choice for monitoring outdoor areas around your home.
I installed and tested two popular models from Ring – the Floodlight Cam Wired Pro and Floodlight Cam Wired Plus. After hands-on time with both, I’ll compare the features and help you decide which Ring camera fits your needs and budget.
Why I Chose Ring Floodlight Cams
Outdoor security cameras provide 24/7 monitoring and crime deterrence. I like the “two birds with one stone” approach of security floodlights with built-in cameras. We already have floodlights around our house, so it made sense to upgrade to smart models.
The Ring brand appealed to me for a few reasons:
- Established a reputation for reliable performance
- Wireless installation is easier than running wires
- Integrates with other Ring products and the Alexa ecosystem
- Subscription plans provide cloud storage and advanced features
If you need guidance on installing Ring Floodlight Cams, check out this handy how-to guide on installing the Ring Floodlight Camera.
I ultimately chose the flagship Ring Floodlight Cam Wired Pro for my front yard and the more affordable Wired Plus model for the backyard.
Here’s how they compared after extensive real-world testing.
Overview of Features
Ring Floodlight Wired Pro vs. Plus both cameras record 1080p video and have motion-activated floodlights, 2-way audio, built-in siren, and customizable motion detection zones.
They connect to your Wi-Fi network to enable remote viewing and integration with Alexa. Here’s a quick comparison of the specs:
| Feature | Wired Pro | Wired Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Resolution | 1080p | 1080p |
| Floodlights | 2000 lumens | 2000 lumens |
| Field of View | 140° horizontal, 80° vertical | 140° horizontal, 80° vertical |
| Siren | 110db | 105db |
| WiFi Frequency | Dual band 2.4GHz and 5GHz | 2.4GHz only |
| Night Vision | Color | Color |
Unboxing – What’s in the Box?
Both floodlight cams come packaged with all the hardware needed for installation. Here’s what comes in the box with each model:
Ring Floodlight Cam Wired Pro Box Contents:
- Floodlight camera unit
- Mounting bracket
- Plastic mounting plate
- Orange combination drill bit/screwdriver tool
- Wire nuts for electrical connections
- Assorted screws and bolts
- Quick start guide
- Ring sticker
Ring Floodlight Cam Wired Pro Features
- Two-Way Talk with Audio+
- 1080p HD video, HDR
- Color Night Vision
- 3D Motion Detection
- Bird’s Eye View
- Real-Time Notification
- Flood Light
- 110db Siren
- Dual-Band Wi-Fi
Ring Floodlight Cam Wired Plus Box Contents:
- Floodlight camera unit
- Mounting bracket
- Plastic mounting plate
- Orange combination drill bit/screwdriver tool
- Wire nuts for electrical connections
- Assorted screws and bolts
- Integrated mounting strap
- Quick start guide
- Ring sticker
Ring Floodlight Cam Wired Plus Features
- Two-Way Talk
- 1080p HD video
- Color Night Vision
- Advanced Motion Detection
- Real-Time Notification
- Flood Light
- 105db Siren
- Single-Band Wi-Fi
The inclusion of wire nuts, screws, and mounting plates makes installation straightforward. The combo drill/screwdriver tool is also handy for getting set up quickly.
Design and Build Comparison of Ring Floodlight Wired Pro vs Plus
Let’s look at the physical design and construction of each floodlight cam.
Housing and Base
The Wired Pro has an angular silhouette with both plastic and metal construction. The housing is plastic while the internal components are metal.
The Wired Plus uses an all-plastic housing. This makes it lighter, but some may perceive it as less durable. Both use a plastic mounting plate.
Floodlights
The Wired Pro floodlights are oval-shaped and made of plastic. They have a screw drive system to lock their position.
The Wired Plus floodlights are circular and made of plastic with no screw locks. They rely on friction to stay in position.
Adjustability
Both models allow the floodlights themselves to tilt up and down and rotate side to side. The cameras can also angle in different directions.
The Wired Plus floodlights have a 180-degree stopping point in their rotation. The Wired Pro lights can turn a full 360 degrees.
Color Options
The Wired Pro comes in either black or white housing. The Wired Plus is only available in white.
Installation Bracket
The Wired Pro uses a traditional S-hook to hang the floodlight during installation.
The Wired Plus has an integrated metal strap that affixes to a hook on the mounting plate. This gives you hands-free installation.
Installation Process
Installing either floodlight cam takes about 10-15 minutes. Here are the steps I followed:
- Turn off the power to the electrical box you’re replacing at the breaker.
- Unmount your existing floodlight if you have one.
- Mount the included metal bracket to the electrical box with screws.
- Attach the plastic mounting plate to the bracket with screws.
- Hang the floodlight cam on the hook (Wired Plus) or S-hook (Wired Pro).
- Connect the black (hot), white (neutral), and green (ground) wires using the included wire nuts.
- Tuck the wired connections into the electrical box.
- Slide the floodlight cam onto the mounting plate and secure it with the end caps.
- Use the combo tool to tighten the end caps.
- Adjust the floodlight and camera angles as needed.
- Turn the power back on at the breaker and switch. The camera will power on.
The Wired Plus was a bit simpler to mount thanks to the handy strap. But overall, the process was quick and straightforward with both models.
Wi-Fi Connectivity
Connecting the cameras to Wi-Fi network is also a breeze. Just follow these steps in the Ring app:
- Create a Ring account if you don’t already have one.
- Tap “Set Up Device” and select the floodlight cam.
- Scan the QR code on the camera unit.
- When prompted, select your 2.4GHz WiFi network (5GHz works too for Wired Pro).
- After a minute or two, the camera will connect.
The Wired Pro can connect to both 2.4GHz and 5GHz networks while the Wired Plus is 2.4GHz only. This matters if you have a mesh Wi-Fi system – the Pro will likely have better connectivity.
Features Comparison of Ring Floodlight Wired Pro vs Plus
Now let’s dive into the core features and specs of Ring Floodlight Wired Pro vs Plus. While the two models are very similar, the Wired Pro does have some exclusive bells and whistles.
Video Resolution
Both the Wired Pro and Wired Plus shoot video at 1080p HD resolution. This level of detail is sufficient for most users’ needs.
Field of View
The cameras share the same 140-degree horizontal and 80-degree vertical field of view. This allows you to see a wide area without distortion or fish-eye effect.
Night Vision
Night video on both models has been captured in full color thanks to built-in LEDs. You’ll get more natural and usable footage at night compared to traditional black-and-white video.
Motion Sensing
A PIR sensor detects movement up to 30 feet away and triggers the floodlights and recording. The Wired Pro adds radar for enhanced motion detection.
Activity Zones
You can set up custom motion detection zones in the app. This allows tailoring of which areas will trigger alerts. Both models support activity zones.
Motion Alerts
When motion is detected, you’ll receive instant notifications on your phone. You can customize the sensitivity as needed.
Live View
See real-time video on demand by tapping into the video feed. Live View lets you visually verify what’s happening.
2-Way Talk
Speak to visitors using the built-in microphone and speaker. 2-way audio allows remote communication through the camera.
Siren
Trigger a 110+ decibel siren remotely to scare off intruders. This alarm deters crime and lets you actively intervene.
Floodlights
The built-in LED floodlights illuminate 2000 lumens when motion is detected. They deter criminals and provide visibility.
Color Night Vision
Infrared LEDs enable full-color nighttime video. This gives you a more natural picture compared to traditional black & white footage.
Adjustable Lights
Both models allow you to tilt and rotate the floodlights to aim them precisely where needed.
Customizable Brightness (Plus only)
The Wired Plus allows adjusting the exact brightness of the floodlights in the app. The Wired Pro is simple on/off control.
Radar Motion Tracking (Pro only)
The Wired Pro incorporates radar tracking that traces the exact motion path and distance of people on your property.
Bird’s Eye View (Pro only)
Get an aerial map view of motion triggers right on your property. See where events occurred for added context.
3D Motion Detection (Pro only)
Advanced motion settings on the Pro allow customizing motion sensitivity at different ranges (5ft, 10ft, 30ft).
As you can see, the core capabilities like 1080p video, night vision, motion alerts, 2-way audio, and customizable zones are present on both models. The Wired Pro elevates things with advanced motion tracking via radar and more intelligent detection.
Video and Image Quality
Since these are security cameras, the most important function is capturing identifiable footage day and night.
Here is how the video and image quality compare:
- Daytime Video: Excellent 1080p HD clarity and colors on both models. The footage is crisp with a wide 140-degree field of view. No noticeable difference in quality.
- Night Vision: Very good night vision thanks to built-in spotlights. Color night vision provides more natural footage than black & white cameras. The Pro seemed to have brighter and sharper night footage in my tests.
- Motion Alerts: I get notifications instantly as soon as a person enters the detected motion zones. Alerts are fast and accurate on both cameras.
- Live View: Tap into a live stream any time to see real-time video. The minimal delay runs smoothly with good detail. Handy for checking what’s happening at home.
- Still Images: The cameras can capture snapshot images triggered by motion or on demand. Good for identifying faces or unusual activity. Quality is perfectly fine for security purposes but not Photography.
- Two-Way Audio: Decent microphone and speaker for voice communication. Audio is usable for deterrence and greetings, although an echo is present.
Overall, both cameras deliver very good HD video and images that capture faces, license plates, clothing colors, etc. The smarter motion detection gives the Wired Pro a slight edge at night when it’s harder to discern details. But both Ring floodlight cams stood up well in my video tests.
Smart Features
In addition to security, these WiFi cameras provide some handy smart home integration:
- Alexa Compatible: You can say “Alexa, show me the front yard camera” to pull up a live view on Echo Shows and Fire TV. Or use Alexa routines to automatically turn on floodlights.
- Ring Ecosystem: View doorbell and security cam feeds in one app. Get a property-wide view of activity.
- IFTTT integration: Connect to IFTTT for automation like flashing Hue lights when motion is detected.
- Chime compatibility: Wirelessly connect a Ring Chime to hear alerts inside your home.
- Sharing: You can add family and friends to share and view footage for added security.
- Geofencing: Floodlights can automatically turn on when you leave the house and turn off when you return.
- Motion Snooze: Disable alerts for set periods, like when you’re doing yardwork and expect motion.
These integrations add convenience to your security camera. I especially like using Alexa voice commands to check the cameras.
Subscription Options
Ring cameras include basic live streaming, motion alerts, and 2-way talk for free. To unlock the full potential, their cloud subscription plans add advanced features:
Ring Protect Basic
- 60 days of video recording per camera
- Photo capture on motion events
- Video review of motion events
$3/month or $30/year per device
Ring Protect Plus
- 60 days of video recording per camera
- Photo capture on motion events
- Video review of motion events
- 10% off Ring products
- Extended warranty
$10/month or $100/year for unlimited Ring cameras at one location
I recommend the low-cost Basic plan as a minimum to get video recording in the cloud. The Plus plan adds value if you have multiple Ring devices. Being able to review past footage for a month is extremely useful.
Pros and Cons Comparison
Based on my testing and experience living with these cameras, here are the notable advantages and disadvantages of each model:
Ring Floodlight Cam Wired Pro
Pros:
- Advanced motion tracking technology
- Radar tracing of motion paths
- Bird’s eye aerial view map
- Brighter floodlights
- Metal internal construction
- 5GHz WiFi connectivity
Cons:
- More expensive
- Trickier adjustable floodlights
- No floodlight brightness setting
Ring Floodlight Cam Wired Plus
Pros:
- Lower cost
- Lighter plastic construction
- Easier adjustable lights
- Built-in strap for installation
- Customizable floodlight brightness
Cons:
- No radar motion tracking
- No bird’s eye view
- 2.4GHz Wi-Fi only
As you can see, the Wired Pro model justifies its higher price with more advanced features and performance. But the Wired Plus still delivers great basic functionality for budget-focused buyers.
Verdict – Which Model is Right for You?
So which of these smart floodlight cameras should you choose? Here are my final recommendations:
- The Ring Floodlight Cam Wired Pro is ideal if you want best-in-class motion tracking and intelligent detection. The additional visibility into motion events adds security value for the increased price ($249.99). This is Ring’s most advanced outdoor camera.
- The Ring Floodlight Cam Wired Plus gives you 95% of the functionality at a more affordable cost ($199.99). Unless you need radar tracking or aerial mapping, this model will fully satisfy your needs for protecting your home.
You can’t go wrong with either pick. I suggest the Ring Floodlight Cam Wired Pro if your budget allows, and you value high-tech security capabilities. Otherwise, the excellent Ring Floodlight Cam Wired Plus saves money for a minimal compromise on features.
