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A backyard spotlight camera impressed me in the best way (and it's at its lowest price ever)

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ZDNET's key takeaways The Ring Spotlight Cam Pro Battery typically sells for $230 but is currently on sale for $140

This Pro-level Ring camera has a removable rechargeable battery pack, top-of-the-line audio performance, and supports dual-band Wi-Fi, 2.4 and 5.0 GHz

Unfortunately, the Ring Spotlight Cam Pro's spotlights only reach 300 lumens in brightness, and the Pro features are only available with a subscription. $139.99 at Amazon

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The Ring Spotlight Cam Pro was released in 2022 as part of the company's high-end product lineup. It has since been updated from 1080p to 2K resolution and is currently on sale. Ring cameras from the Pro line tend to support more advanced video qualities, dual-band Wi-Fi, and bonus app features, like Bird's Eye View and 3D Motion Detection.

In addition to these features, the Ring Spotlight Cam Pro also has Audio+, 2K HDR video quality, and two LED panels on either side of the camera lens that light up when motion is detected.

Setting up the Spotlight Cam Pro is as easy as finding a spot for it. Because it's battery-powered, you don't need to install it near a power source or a place with direct sunlight access -- though you can get a separate solar panel. The included removable Quick-Release Battery Pack ensures you don't have to take down the camera when it's time to recharge, making that process easier compared to other brands.

I set up the Ring Spotlight Cam Pro on the back fence to look over one-half of my backyard. My backyard is very dark and only has a light fixture on one side, where I have a floodlight camera, so I appreciate any extra light I can get when taking the dog out before bed.

Maria Diaz/ZDNET

I already had an Arlo Pro 5S covering this area but decided to swap it out for the Ring Spotlight Cam Pro to get more light on that side. I also have a Blink Outdoor 4 Floodlight Camera covering a large part of this side of the yard, but the area where I installed the Ring Spotlight Cam Pro is further back and one that the Blink doesn't reach.

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