Ring Spotlight Cam (2nd gen) review: Better battery life, sharper 2K video

The Ring Spotlight Cam (2nd gen) is a notable upgrade in the world of home security cameras. Released on June 3, 2026, it sports a higher resolution 2K camera that delivers a sharper image and allows for zooming in closer to view details. The camera also boasts improved low-light performance, brighter spotlights, and a larger battery capacity than its predecessor.

At $169, it's available as either a battery-powered or plug-in model, with solar and wired versions expected soon. Ring also launched a second-gen Floodlight Cam ($199), which features a Retina 2K camera and two 2000-lumen floods.

Design-wise, the Spotlight Cam retains a similar cylindrical shape to its predecessor, with a black cutout for the camera, IR sensors, and microphone on its face. Two LED light strips flank the camera, and the bottom twists off to reveal the battery compartment. The camera comes with one battery, but a second can be purchased for $50.

Each compartment is spring-loaded, with a metal tab to secure the battery in place. While the mechanism is neat, it feels a bit over-designed. A single screw secures the battery compartment cover, and there's a USB-C port on the rear for charging or connecting a solar panel.

In terms of performance, the Spotlight Cam offers colorful and detailed daytime video, allowing for the identification of individuals from about 20 feet away. However, it struggles with facial recognition in shadow, particularly on bright days. The camera's video quality is comparable to Ring's Floodlight Cam but not as detailed as Ring's Floodlight Cam.

The camera only shoots infrared video at night, which is generally good quality but lacks the detail of color night vision. However, it can illuminate scenes with its lights when detecting movement, adding color back to objects up to 15 feet away. Ring's AI provides detailed descriptions of movement, such as "a child riding a bike in the driveway" or "a raccoon walking across the grass."

Natural language search also works across all Ring devices, although this feature comes at an additional cost of $20 per month for the premium plan.

While the camera requires a subscription for most features, including video history, the 180-day storage period is the most generous among security camera companies. However, Ring's subscription model is pricier than that of some competitors, who offer similar capabilities without a subscription for video history. Additionally, the camera still relies on MicroUSB and Wi-Fi 4 in 2026, which may be seen as outdated.