Ring 4K Cameras: Battery, Wired or PoE?

Ring security camera and video doorbell installed at a home

Ring just launched a new 4K lineup, and we've already been installing it. We install every Ring product, so we've seen what works where.

Everybody's asking the same question. Which power option do I get? My answer: PoE wherever you can. Here's why.

The lineup and how each one is powered

Straight from ring.com:

Outdoor Cam 4K Plus: battery, solar, plug-in, wired or PoE.
Spotlight Cam 4K Plus: battery, solar, plug-in, wired or PoE.
Floodlight Cam 4K Plus: plug-in or wired.
Indoor Cam 4K: plug-in or PoE.

Battery

Battery cameras are easy to put up. That's the upside. The downside is you're climbing a ladder every few months to charge them. And 4K video eats battery. Ring hasn't published battery-life numbers for the new models yet, so I'd wait and see. Good for a spot you can't get a wire to, a rental, or a quick fix.

Solar

A solar panel keeps a battery cam topped off. Works fine on a sunny wall. Under Atlanta's tree canopy? Not so much.

Plug-in and wired

Constant power, no batteries. But the camera still sends video over Wi-Fi. Put five or six 4K cameras on Wi-Fi and your network is going to feel it. So will the cameras when the signal is weak at the far corner of the yard.

PoE

PoE stands for 'Power over Ethernet.' One network cable carries power and data. No battery, no Wi-Fi dropouts, and it doesn't fight your Netflix for bandwidth. This is what we install most. It just keeps working.

The catch: you need a cable to each camera. In new construction, that's easy. Add it to the prewire (our prewire checklist covers it). In an existing home, we can usually run cable through the attic to the eaves where most cameras go.

What I'd do on an Atlanta house

Front door: a wired doorbell. Always.
Driveway, garage and back yard: PoE Outdoor Cam 4K Plus or Spotlight Cam 4K Plus.
Over the garage or a dark corner: Floodlight Cam 4K Plus, wired into the existing light box.
That one spot with no way to get a wire: battery or solar, and accept the ladder trips.
Inside: Indoor Cam 4K. PoE if there's a cable nearby, plug-in if not.

And make sure the Wi-Fi is solid first. Ring and eero work well together, but only if the network is built right. More on that in why your "wireless" home still needs wires and our Ring security installs.

Lake and mountain homes

If you're not there every weekend, you don't want to drive two hours to swap a battery. PoE is the move. Call Ryan at (706) 982-3327.

FAQs

Frequently asked questions

PoE, battery, solar and installs.

Which Ring cameras come in PoE?

The Outdoor Cam 4K Plus, Spotlight Cam 4K Plus and Indoor Cam 4K all have PoE versions. The Floodlight Cam 4K Plus is plug-in or wired. One network cable powers a PoE camera and carries its video.

Do you install the new Ring 4K cameras?

Yes. We install all of Ring's products, including the new 4K models.

Is PoE better than battery for Ring cameras?

For most homes, yes. No charging, no Wi-Fi dropouts, and it doesn't slow down the rest of your network.

Can you install PoE cameras in an existing home?

Usually. We run cable through the attic to the eaves or soffits where most outdoor cameras go.

How long do the new Ring 4K batteries last?

Ring hasn't published battery-life figures for the 2026 4K models yet.

Do solar Ring cameras work in Atlanta?

They work on walls with good sun. Under heavy tree cover, they may not keep up.

Ring's New 4K Cameras: Battery, Wired or PoE?