The Ring Home Security System fancies itself as an “affordable and comprehensive DIY” security setup.
Since its entry into the market, Ring Home Security has become one of the top names and most recognizable brands.
Whether you want to protect an apartment or a multi-bedroom home on a plot of land, Ring Home Security makes it simple to customize your package and find what’s best for you.
Overview and Key Features
The Ring home security system stands out in the market due to its wide availability and user-friendly design. Easily accessible both online and at well-known retailers such as Lowe's and Home Depot, this system simplifies home protection. Its ease of setup and installation, combined with the flexibility to enhance features over time, makes it a top choice for homeowners.
Opting for a Ring security system means acquiring a comprehensive package. Right from the box, you get a full array of security essentials, including sensors, alarms, and a keypad. The simplicity of its installation process means you can secure your home without spending excessive time or effort.
Beyond the popular Ring doorbell and security cameras, the system offers extensive features. Notably, it includes a 24-hour battery backup, ensuring continuous protection even during power outages. This applies to both the Alarm and Alarm Pro systems by Ring.
The Ring Alarm system, the brand's standard model, comes packed with essential elements like the Base Station, Keypad, Contact Sensor, Motion Detector, and Range Extender in the Security Kit box. This provides a solid foundation for any home security setup.
For those seeking advanced security, the Ring Alarm Pro system is an ideal upgrade. It integrates an eero WiFi router into the Base Station, enhancing your home's security network and ensuring stronger, more reliable protection.
Distinctive Features:
- 24/7 Backup Support: Internet and battery backup ensure uninterrupted monitoring during connectivity issues or power outages.
- Professional Monitoring: Affordable packages offering professional monitoring, starting around $200 with a $20 monthly fee.
- Alexa Integration: Seamless compatibility with Alexa, allowing voice-activated control and integration through the Home Base.
Cost and contract information
Ring home security system truly is one of the most cost-effective on the market today. You will be hard-pressed to find an all-encompassing option in the neighborhood of $200, and beyond that, Ring’s $20 monthly monitoring fee is among the lowest among all its competitors.
Ring home security starter kits begin around $179 and, depending on the level of involvement you’re looking for, packages can cost upwards of $400.
Pricing Structure
One benefit of Ring’s Protect plans – Protect is the subscription service that provides monitoring for your system – is that you can choose a plan that’s right for you.
Ring Protect Basic
Basic plans start at $3.99 per month (you will save between $7-40 annually if you pay for a year-long subscription rather than monthly payments). Ring Basic provides monitoring for one camera, and includes digital features like arming and disarming the system via mobile device.
Ring Protect Plus
Protect Plus plans start at $10 a month and include video monitoring for all cameras in one physical location. This plan also includes the digital features of the Basic plan, as well.
Ring Protect Pro
Protect Pro is Ring’s most comprehensive and all-inclusive home security plan. Protect Pro plans start at $20 per month (or $200 annually if you opt for one lump payment) and is considered to be Ring’s “ultimate” home security subscription.
Available Purchasing Options
The Ring home security system is widely available from multiple sources. You can purchase Ring security on their website, through Amazon or other online retailers like Home Depot and Lowe’s, as well as physical store locations through the United States.
Ring lists retail partners like Kohl’s, Best Buy, Costo, Target and Office Depot (among others) as its primary sellers.
Coverage and policies
Ring Alarm Home Security is a DIY wireless system that establishes a connection using Wi-Fi; no landline is required. The system includes free cellular backup with its professional monitoring plan for a more secure connection. Ring Alarm and services are available in the United States and Canada.
All Ring home security products come with a one-year warranty.
All Ring products come with the aforementioned warranty and a theft protection plan. Customers who choose to purchase a Ring Protect subscription are eligible for an extended warranty, as well.
While subscriptions are not required, they are encouraged as Ring Protect offers more features and monitoring flexibility. Without a Ring Protect plan, you can only view one video feed at a time from your Ring system and that’s through the Base Station or mobile app.
Ring Equipment
The fundamental idea of the Ring home security system is to provide an easy-to-use and comprehensive product that’s ready to go once it arrives. Everything you need to install your Ring system and activate it is included in your kit, whether it’s a basic kit or one of their more advanced options.
Here are the five basic components of the Ring home security system:
- Ring Base Station: Acts as the system's command center, connecting all Ring devices and providing battery backup during power outages.
- Ring Keypad: Enables easy arming and disarming, offers diagnostic information, and displays audio-visual feedback from networked devices.
- Contact Sensors: Compact and easy to install, these sensors monitor the status of doors and windows, working even during power outages.
- Motion Detector: Covers a 90-degree radius to detect movement in any area, battery-operated for convenience.
- Range Extender: Amplifies Base Station signals for larger areas, ensuring all components stay connected, with battery backup support.
Additional Products:
Doorbell cameras, indoor/outdoor security cameras, Ring always home cam, spotlight and floodlight cameras, various accessories, walkway lighting, and vehicle integrations.
Ring Home automation Integration
Ring’s home security systems are designed to connect to, and be compatible with, some of the leading Smart Home products on the market.
Ring's "Works with Ring" Program enables pairing Z-Wave products via its app, using the base station as a bridge. This allows integration of compatible devices, such as smart locks, with the Ring Alarm system.
Home Automation Features
When you buy a Ring home security system, you can connect various other Smart Home products. These include:
- Amazon Echo (Dot, Show)
- Chamberlain Smart Garage products
- Yale Smart Locks
- Leviton outlets, switches and dimmers
- GE switches and dimmers
- Amazon Smart thermostat
- Honeywell Smart thermostat
Ring Customer Experience
Ring’s customer support and troubleshooting teams garner mixed reviews from customers. While the accessibility is excellent compared to competitors, some customers have cautioned that their issues weren’t resolved in a satisfactory manner.
Ring customer support is available on its website from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET, and by phone, you have 24-7 access to their team. Ring also provides a detailed troubleshooting and FAQ guide on its website for additional information.
Support and Troubleshooting
As mentioned above, Ring makes its customer support available essentially around the clock when issues arise. If you cannot resolve an issue by those methods, the Ring Help Center page is a great resource.
Installation
If you’re wondering how to set up the Ring home security system, don’t fret. It’s quick and easy.
Ring’s installation is DIY and can be completed in minutes. Once you have downloaded the Ring app and powered on your devices, the app will walk you through the installation process step by step and confirm you’ve completed everything properly.
Ring Alarm Security kit is wireless, with peel-and-stick adhesives. You won’t have any annoying cables dangling from your walls. Keep in mind that Ring’s equipment has dual power options (wireless and hardwired) for many components, like some wireless doorbell cameras. If you purchase hardwired equipment, we recommend you hire a professional technician to do all its installation.
If you don’t have the time to take on a DIY task or don’t have too much technical experience, you should ask a friend to help out with the installation process. Unfortunately, Ring Alarm does not offer a professional installation service.
Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Ring earns high marks from a variety of sources – primarily for its user-friendly nature and customizable structure. From starter kits to fully-involved systems that cover all the bases, Ring’s product offering is robust and tailored to virtually any customer’s needs.
Depending on the size of your home or the number or areas you’re looking to protect, there’s a Ring plan or product bundle made for you.
Read out home security comparisons for Ring, Nest and Frontpoint: