You’re standing in the middle of Target. The red carts are clicking by, and you’ve finally made it to the electronics section in the back. There it is—the Ring Video Doorbell. It looks sleek on the shelf. You’ve probably seen the grainy footage on "Nextdoor" of a porch pirate swiping a package, and you’ve decided it’s finally time to get one. But here's the thing about buying a Ring Video Doorbell Target shoppers often overlook: the price on the sticker is rarely the price you should actually pay.
Honestly, the smart home market is a bit of a mess. Target is a massive retailer, and while they carry the full lineup—from the Battery Doorbell Plus to the Wired Doorbell Pro—their inventory management means you're often looking at a mix of 2024 models and brand-new 2025 stock. If you grab the first box you see without checking the generation, you might end up with older camera sensors for the same price as the new stuff.
It’s frustrating.
Retailers like Target use "Target Circle" to hide the real discounts. If you aren't signed into the app or using your RedCard (now called the Target Circle Card), you’re basically leaving $20 to $50 on the table every single time. Smart home tech is one of those categories where the hardware is a loss leader. Amazon owns Ring, and they want these devices in your house so you’ll subscribe to Ring Protect. Target is just the middleman, but they are a middleman with a very specific price-matching policy that most people forget to use.
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Why Buying Your Ring Video Doorbell at Target is Actually a Strategy
Most tech enthusiasts will tell you to just buy from Amazon since they own the brand. They aren't wrong, usually. However, Target has this weirdly aggressive price-matching loophole. If you see the Ring Video Doorbell Target has in stock for $99, but Amazon or Best Buy has it for $79, Target will almost always match it right at the register. You just have to show them the app.
I’ve seen people walk in, grab a Ring Battery Doorbell (the 2024 release), and pay full MSRP because they wanted the instant gratification of taking it home. I get it. Waiting two days for shipping feels like an eternity when your neighbor just had a bike stolen. But Target’s "Circle" rewards often stack in ways that Amazon’s coupons don't. Sometimes you get a "Spend $100, get a $20 gift card" offer. If you time that with a Ring sale, you’re essentially getting the doorbell for nearly 40% off.
The Battery vs. Wired Debate on the Target Shelf
You’ll see two main types of boxes. The battery-powered ones are the "all-rounders." They’re easy. You screw them into the doorframe, and you’re done. But let me tell you something nobody tells you in the store: the battery version has a slight lag.
It has to "wake up" when it detects motion.
By the time the camera starts recording, you might just see the back of a delivery driver's head. If you have the wiring from an old-school doorbell, for the love of everything, buy the wired version. The Ring Video Doorbell Target sells in the wired "Pro" configuration is infinitely better because it’s always on. It uses something called "Pre-Roll," which captures the few seconds before the motion started. That’s the difference between seeing a face and seeing a blurry shoulder.
Don't Get Fooled by the Packaging
Ring is notorious for naming things in confusing ways. You’ll see "Ring Video Doorbell (2nd Gen)" and "Ring Battery Doorbell Plus." They look almost identical.
The "Plus" models usually have Head-to-Toe video. This is huge. Standard doorbells have a wide, horizontal view. That's great for seeing the street, but it sucks for seeing the package sitting right at the base of your door. The Head-to-Toe view uses a square aspect ratio. You can actually see if the FedEx guy dropped the box or if he hid it behind a planter.
What About the Subscription?
This is the part where people get grumpy. You buy the hardware at Target, you install it, and then three weeks later, you get an email. Ring tells you your trial is over. If you don't pay the $4.99 a month (for the Basic plan), your "smart" doorbell becomes a "dumb" doorbell.
Without the subscription:
- You get notifications.
- You can see the live feed.
- You cannot save or share videos.
If someone steals your package at 2:00 PM and you don't check your phone until 2:05 PM, that footage is gone forever unless you pay the fee. It’s a recurring cost that Target doesn't exactly put on a big sign in the aisle. Jamie Siminoff, the guy who started Ring (and famously got rejected on Shark Tank), built the company on this service model. It works. It’s reliable. But it’s an extra $60 a year you need to budget for.
Installation Realities Target Won't Tell You
If you buy the battery version, you’ll be taking that thing off the wall every few months to charge it. Or, you’ll be buying a second battery so you can swap them out without downtime.
Pro tip: Target sells a solar charger mount. It’s a little plastic frame with solar wings that sits behind the doorbell. If your front door gets even four hours of sunlight, you will never have to charge that battery again. It’s the single best accessory you can buy, yet it’s usually tucked away in a corner of the shelf where nobody looks.
Understanding the "Target Circle" Game
Target changed their rewards program recently. It used to be simpler. Now, you have to "save" offers in the app. Before you put that Ring Video Doorbell Target box in your cart, open the app and search for "electronics coupons."
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Sometimes there are "category coupons" that aren't specific to Ring but apply to anything in the tech department. Also, check the "Open Box" section if your Target has one. People buy these doorbells, realize their Wi-Fi doesn't reach the front porch, and return them two days later. You can find "repackaged" Ring Pros for $50 off just because the tape on the box was broken.
Technical Nuances: Wi-Fi and Chimes
Your Ring is only as good as your router. If your router is in the living room and your front door is behind two layers of brick and a coat closet, the video quality will be terrible. It will stutter.
Ring sells a "Chime Pro" which acts as a Wi-Fi extender specifically for the doorbell. Target usually stocks these right next to the cameras. If your phone signal is weak at your front door, you’re going to need that Chime Pro. Otherwise, you’ll be staring at a "Connecting..." spinning wheel while the person at the door walks away.
The Privacy Factor
We have to talk about it. Ring has a partnership with law enforcement through the "Neighbors" app. Some people love this because it creates a digital neighborhood watch. Others hate it because of the privacy implications.
Recently, Ring changed their "Request for Assistance" tool, making it harder for police to directly ask users for footage without a warrant, which is a win for privacy advocates. You can opt-out of all that stuff in the settings. You don't have to share anything with anyone if you don't want to.
Comparison of Popular Models at Target
- The Entry-Level (Ring Video Doorbell - 2nd Gen): It’s cheap. It’s 1080p. It’s fine for a basic apartment. But you have to remove the whole unit to charge it.
- The Mid-Tier (Battery Doorbell Plus): This is the sweet spot. Removable battery pack. Head-to-toe video. It’s usually around $150, but it hits $99 during Target Circle weeks.
- The High-End (Video Doorbell Pro 2): This uses radar for "3D Motion Detection." It shows you a "bird's eye view" map of where someone walked on your property. If you have a big front yard, this is the one.
Actionable Steps for Your Purchase
If you're ready to head to the store, do these three things first.
Check your Wi-Fi signal at the door. Stand outside with your phone and run a speed test. If you're getting less than 2 Mbps upload speed, your Ring experience is going to be laggy. You might need a mesh Wi-Fi system or a Chime Pro before you even bother with the doorbell.
Download the Target App and join Circle. It’s free. Don't let the cashier talk you into a credit card if you don't want one, but the Circle program is mandatory for getting the actual sale prices. Search for "Ring" in the app while you're standing in the aisle to see if there’s a hidden "Bonus" reward.
Look at your existing doorbell. Is there a button with a light on it? If so, you have wires. Buy a wired model. It’s smaller, sleeker, and you’ll never have to worry about a dead battery on the day a thief decides to show up.
When you finally get the device home, don't just use the included screws if you're mounting into brick. Get a masonry bit. The little plastic anchors Ring provides are "okay," but a solid mount is your first line of defense against someone just ripping the camera off the wall.
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Once it's up, set your "Motion Zones." If you don't, every car driving past your house will trigger a notification. Your phone will buzz every three minutes, and you'll end up hating the device within a week. Carve out the sidewalk and the street in the app settings so the camera only cares about people actually stepping onto your property.
Buying a Ring Video Doorbell Target style is about being a smart shopper in a sea of red labels. Don't pay full price, check your wiring, and make sure your Wi-Fi is up to the task before you drill that first hole.