Ring Chime Pro vs. Wi-Fi Extender

Comparing a Ring Chime Pro to a Wi-Fi extender is a bit like comparing pineapples to grapes. Sure, they fall within the six classifications for fruits but, they’re not the same. So, what’s the difference?

In practicality and purpose, a Ring Chime Pro and Wi-Fi extenders accomplish their respective tasks, but in different ways, and one is more streamlined than the other. The Ring Chime Pro is expressly for Ring devices, while Wi-Fi extenders are for everything, albeit in a limited capacity.

There are two Ring Chime Pros, and for this comparison, we will stick with the 2nd generation. Comparing it to just any Wi-Fi extender is a bit unfair, as many of them are extremely expensive, run on a higher 802.11ax standard, or fall under different categories. With that said, the most suitable Wi-Fi extenders to compare it to are the TP-Link AC1750, Rock Space AC1200, and Netgear Nighthawk X4.

Main Differences Between Ring Chime Pro and Wi-Fi Extenders

Just to clarify, the Ring Chime Pro is a repeater, as are the three comparison extenders. By definition, they all “extend” Wi-Fi signal, but only by repeating the signal received from the router. The Netgear Nighthawk also boosts the signal.

With the exception of the Nighthawk, repeaters don’t amplify the signal or extend the signal; rather, they take what is there and distribute it to dead zones throughout your home.

Also, the Ring Chime Pro is limited to Ring devices only, and that limitation is limited as well. While the Ring Chime Pro is dual-band, there are currently only three Ring devices that support the 5GHz band:

• Ring Doorbell 3
• Ring Doorbell 3 Plus
• Ring Doorbell Pro

The Ring Chime Pro also only works with cameras and doorbells. It will not include any other Ring devices, except the Ring Base Station at 2.4GHz.

Wi-Fi extenders will work with Ring as well as any other smart home devices. However, thirty-two devices are the practical limit for Wi-Fi extenders, whereas Ring can support more.

TP-Link AC1750 vs. Ring Chime Pro

While similar in price, the TP-Link AC1750 and the Ring Chime Pro are different cosmetically. In fact, one of the negatives against the TP extender is how it hogs an entire power outlet. The TP-Link is 6.4 inches long and 3.5 inches wide, taking up far more space than the Ring Chime Pro’s 4.06 in. x 2.72 in.

The TP-Link has three antennas, two foldable antennas on either side, and a retractable one at the top, like a trident poking out of a hard-shell mesh frame. The Ring Chime Pro has a more subtle, soft-mesh, grey center that vibes with its white, lateral edges. Also, the Ring Chime Pro has a night light.

The night light is aesthetically pleasing, with a low-key, downward-pointing light that is bright enough to keep you from tripping over your shoes without making your pupils contract. Overall, The Ring Chime Pro sports a better look than the TP-Link AC1200.

In functionality, both Ring Chime Pro and TP-Link are similar. Both have dual bands and the same networking standards. Both extend your Wi-Fi range 2,000 additional square feet.

	Ring Chime Pro	TP-Link AC1750
Dual Band	Yes; 2.4GHz/5GHz	Yes; 2.4GHz/5GHz
Range	2,000 sq. ft.	2,000 sq. ft.
Compatibility	Ring devices only	Any
Operating System Support	Possibly Windows 10	Windows/Linux/Unix/ Netware
Wireless Protocols	802.11a/b/g/n/ac	802.11a/b/g/n/ac
Data Speeds	N/A	450Mbps at 2.4GHz and 1,300Mbpd at 5.0GHz

Setup and Installation

The setup process for either the Ring Chime Pro or the TP-Link AC1750 is simple but different. The TP-Link uses WPS. If your router supports WPS, then setup is as simple as pressing the WPS button on your router, followed by pressing the same button on the TP.

The TP extender will blink blue while connecting and turn a solid blue once the connection is established. The whole process should take no more than a few minutes.

If your router doesn’t support WPS, there is an alternative method. Connect the TP-Link extender to your router with an Ethernet cable, then use your computer to go to http://tplinkrepeater.net/. You can add your extender from there.

The Ring Chime Pro is set up through the Ring app. On the back of the device, there is a code that you scan from the Ring app. Once scanned, simply plug the Chime Pro in, and you’re all set.

TP-Link AC1750 Pros and Cons

There are a few pros and cons to consider when comparing the TP-Link AC1750 to the Ring Chime Pro:

Pros	Cons
Easy setup with WPS or alternative method Dual-band 2.4 and 5.0GHz Solid range of 2,000 square feet Ethernet port Compatible with most operating systems Compatible with most smart home devices	Large enough to cover an entire wall socket panel Not as aesthetically pleasing

Rock Space AC1200 vs. Ring Chime Pro

The Rock Space AC1200 price point is $44.59, making it an inexpensive option over the Ring Chime Pro. With two lateral antennas, a black, plastic body, and dimensions of 3 x 2.5 x 2.5 inches, the Rock Space is an inch shorter and slightly narrower than the Ring Chime Pro.

The bottom of the unit has a single, gigabit ethernet port for a convenient access point. Even though it resembles the square-faced batman from The Lego Batman Movie, the Rock Space AC1200 has a slick look, even with the unusual wave pattern across the front panel.

It couldn’t look more different than the Ring Chime Pro, and its features are somewhat diminished in comparison. The average effective range is 1,292 sq. ft., while the Ring Chime Pro’s is 2,000 sq. ft. It also offers dual-band 2.4GHz and 5GHz, at lower speeds of 300Mbps and 867Mbps, respectively.

However, the Rock Space AC1200 is compatible with nearly every operating system, including macOS and both Android and iOS mobile platforms. It is also compatible with most smart home devices, including Ring.

	Ring Chime Pro	Rock Space AC1200
Dual Band	Yes; 2.4GHz/5GHz	Yes; 2.4GHz/5GHz
Range	2,000 sq. ft.	1,292 sq. ft.
Compatibility	Ring devices only	Any
Operating System Support	Possibly Windows 10	Windows XP/Vista/7/8/10/ MacOS/iOS/Android
Wireless Protocols	802.11a/b/g/n/ac	802.11a/b/g/n/ac
Data Speeds	N/A	300Mbps at 2.4GHz and 867Mbps at 5.0GHz

Setup and Installation

Like the TP-Link AC1750, the Rock Space has a WPS––Wi-Fi Protected Setup––for easy linking with a WPS enabled router. After you plug the Rock Space extender in and it is finished powering up, press the WPS button on the router, followed by the WPS button on the Rock Space.

If your router doesn’t have WPS, hook the Rock Space to your router via ethernet cable and use your browser to navigate to re.rockspace.local. Once there, you’ll be able to add the Rock Space Wi-Fi extender to your network.

The Rock Space AC1200 also has LED indicators that let you know if you’ve placed the device too far away from your router. When the LED indicator is blue, your signal is solid. Red or nothing at all means you need to move it for better reception.

Rock Space AC1200 Pros and Cons

In summary, here are the pros and cons of the Rock Space AC1200:

Pros	Cons
Easy set up with WPS or an alternative method Dual Band 2.4 and 5.0GHz Gigabit ethernet port Compatible with most operating systems Compatible with most smart home devices	Slower data speeds at 2.4 and 5.0GHz Range is mediocre

Netgear Nighthawk X4 AC2200 vs. Ring Chime Pro

If you prefer to rock 4k movies on multiple devices, running a graphics-intensive PC game, and streaming Apple Music or Pandora while engaging in a video chat, the Netgear Nighthawk X4 will accommodate your needs.

You’ll pay for it, too, at triple the cost of the Ring Chime Pro. With dimensions of 6.3 x 3.2 x 1.7 inches, it is slightly larger than the TP-Link AC1750 and also has no pass-through. The Nighthawk is squared off where the TP-Link is round, is all white, and has mesh lateral sides.

Netgear’s Nighthawk X4 supports MU-MIMO––multi-user, multiple users, multiple outputs––streaming and can reach data speeds of 450Mbps at 2.4GHz and 1,733Mbps at 5GHz. It uses “beamforming” technology as well. Rather than dispersing signal throughout the home, it beams wireless signal directly at the device. It can do this for multiple devices at once (MU-MIMO), eliminating most interference.

With all of these features, the LED display is a Christmas tree of lights for power, WPS, user-link, and client-link. On the bottom, there is a single port for a gigabit ethernet access point. The left side has buttons for power, WPS, and reset.

	Ring Chime Pro	Netgear Nighthawk X4
Dual Band	Yes; 2.4GHz/5GHz	Yes; 2.4GHz/5GHz
Range	2,000 sq. ft.	2,000 sq. ft.
Compatibility	Ring devices only	Any
Operating System Support	Possibly Windows 10	Windows XP/Vista/7/8/10/ MacOS/iOS/Android
Wireless Protocols	802.11a/b/g/n/ac	802.11a/b/g/n/ac
Data Speeds	N/A	450Mbps at 2.4GHz and 1,733Mbps at 5GHz

Setup and Installation

The Netgear Nighthawk X4 AC2200 supports WPS. Press the WPS button on the side of the panel, followed by pressing the WPS button on your router.

If you don’t have WPS on your router, you will have to plug the Nighthawk into your router’s ethernet port. Once you do that, go to http://mywifiext.net to access the Nighthawk and add it to your network.

You can also use this site to access the settings for the Netgear Nighthawk X4, change usernames, Wi-Fi passwords, and both name and organize your 2.4 and 5.0GHz bands.

Netgear Nighthawk X4 AC2200 Pros and Cons

Pros	Cons
Easy set up with WPS or an alternative method Dual Band 2.4 and 5.0GHz with super-fast speeds Gigabit ethernet port Beamforming MU-MIMO Compatible with most operating systems and smart home devices	Higher price Requires a lithium-ion battery Large and bulky with no pass-through

Ring Chime Pro Is More Than Just a Wi-Fi Extender

Wi-Fi extenders have obvious and distinct advantages over the Ring Chime Pro, as far as extending your home network is concerned. However, the Chime Pro excels at exactly what Ring intended it for, as an integral part of Ring’s doorbell and camera network. The Chime Pro functions as a doorbell chime, with additional features.

When installed with the rest of your Ring network, the Ring Chime Pro chimes along with your ring doorbell—alerting you even though you may be far away from the door and unable to hear the doorbell.

The second generation of Ring Chime Pros completely discarded the cheap, plastic design in favor of a modern design that is far more attractive. Also, the night light feature is one-of-a-kind amongst all Wi-Fi extenders. Ring also upgraded from a single band 2.4GHz to dual-band, bringing it in line with most common Wi-Fi extenders. 

The customers most likely to be in the market for a Ring Chime Pro will be owners of Ring products. Since the Ring Chime Pro is only compatible with Ring products, it makes sense as an addition to a Ring smart home/security setup. Ring’s current generations of doorbells and cameras will undoubtedly continue to upgrade to dual bands, making the Ring Chime Pro more effective and sensible.

Ring Chime Pro and Alexa

Before the launch of Ring’s 2nd gen Chime Pro, there were indications that it would have Alexa support. While this didn’t pan out—expect for the 3rd generation—there are still ways to utilize Alexa and Ring Chime Pro together.

Just because someone is at your front door doesn’t mean they’ll ring the doorbell. While the Ring Chime Pro will alert you when someone rings the doorbell, Alexa will alert you if there’s movement. With a Ring camera or doorbell installed, not only will Alexa let you know if someone is outside, you can view it through the Ring app, Echo Show 5, Echo Show 8, or Echo Show 10.

It’s a good combination and not one you can replicate with a Wi-Fi extender. Alexa Echo devices also chime when the doorbell is pressed, adding additional alerts throughout your home.

Benefits of Ring Chime Pro Over Wi-Fi Extenders

Besides a dual-band signal to incorporate all of your Ring devices, the Ring Chime Pro also has a variety of Chime tones, in case you want to change things up.

Changing the settings on a Wi-Fi extender requires logging in to that router’s respective website via lap or desktop and logging in. The Ring app is more user-friendly, allows changes to the Ring Chime Pro’s settings, and is more convenient. It’s also a great companion product with Amazon’s entire selection of echo devices, which has grown quite large.

It’s not overly large, has a simple setup scheme, and operates exactly as you would expect a Wi-Fi extender to function. The light indicators on the front even let you know if you’ve placed the Ring Chime too far from the router.

Ring Chime Pro 2nd Gen Pros and Cons

Pros	Cons
Seamless integration with Ring app and devices Dual-band 2.4 and 5.0GHz Wi-Fi repeater/extender Solid range of 2,000 square feet Night light Easy setup	Only compatible with Ring cams and doorbells Limited compatibility with operating systems Most Ring products only utilize 2.4GHz There are currently only three Ring devices with dual-band capabilities

In Summary

As an addition to an existing Ring security system, the Ring Chime Pro exceeds at what it was intended to do. But, if you’re looking for something to extend your connectivity and various smart home devices, the Chime Pro is probably not a positive investment. Wi-Fi extenders can do a lot to maximize signal and integrate your home network. They even function quite well with Ring products and Alexa.

If you own a Ring Doorbell, it’s easy to think that Alexa devices can serve the function of a Chime Pro, and a Wi-Fi extender can increase the areas in which you place them. This is largely true unless you’re not a fan of Alexa—in which case a Ring Chime Pro makes more sense.

However, its incompatibility with devices outside of the Ring lineup and even some of Ring’s own sensors, coupled with Ring’s current array of products that aren’t dual-band, make the Chime Pro a hard sell.

In conclusion, while the Ring Chime Pro—especially the 2nd generation—brings some interesting tools to the trade and is a quality device, its limitations keep it from a spot above Wi-Fi extenders.