Ring Alarm Kit Review

Knowing your home is secure is a peace of mind everyone needs, whether you’re at home or away. That’s where the Ring Alarm Kit comes in handy.

Not only will you have greater confidence in your home’s security, but you can easily verify that knowledge and place additional safeguards in motion from anywhere, at any time.

As a plus, the Ring Alarm Kit is easy to set up, you can receive notifications right on your phone, and it’s entirely customizable.

With that said, not everyone was pleased with this home security system. Some users noted the app as buggy, some disliked its lack of compatibility with other smart devices, and other users found issues with false alarms.

Are these deal-breakers or minor incidents? Before you make your final decision, let’s take a closer look at the Ring Alarm Kit.

Ring Alarm Kit: The Details

Specs

• Product Dimensions: 6.65 in. x 6.65 in. x 1.42 inches
• Product Weight: Approximately 2 lbs.
• Product Type: Alarm system.
• Compatible with Amazon Alexa? Yes.

How Does It Work?

While you may think setting up an alarm system is complicated, especially if you lack the technical know-how, that is luckily not the case with the Ring Alarm Kit. Set-up is a fairly simple task.

You will first download the Ring mobile app from the Google Play or Apple store on your phone. Once the app is downloaded and open, it will instruct you from there.

Start by tapping the icon that says “set up a new device,” and then look for the barcode on each of the devices you’re adding.

You can scan each code using the app and then you pull out the battery tab on each device to ensure the app picks it up. After that, you can name each device and assign it a room.

If you’re installing a sensor to a door, Ring will ask you what type of door it is (front door, back door, etc.). This is necessary so it can set the proper entry countdown, letting it know if the door has been open too long and when it should alert a third party.

Say the back door is open and you want that to never be opened; it will sound the alarm as soon as the sensor picks up that the door is open.

When connecting the keypad, the Ring app will walk you through setting up a four-digit PIN for disarming or arming the security system. If you are going with professional monitoring, you will also need to develop a verbal password.

Professional monitoring means that you can pay $10 a month to Rapid Response Monitoring Services, allowing you to have outside security professionals on standby, should you need them. It’s an extra level of security you may want.

To mount all the sensors, Ring provides the hardware and even the 3M sticky tape included in your kit. You need only install it or stick it on – and you’re ready to go.

Ring: The Brand

Founded in 2012 by Jamie Siminoff, Ring actually started with the name Doorbot. It was crowd-funded and raised $346,000, despite the inventor only looking for $250,000.

It wasn’t until the company was featured on Shark Tank in 2013 that it changed to Ring.

Today, Ring makes everything from security systems to video doorbells to smart lighting. Their stated mission is to “reduce crimes in communities.”

Ring Alarm Kit Review

The Positives

Easy to Set Up

Based on tester feedback, the Ring Alarm Kit is very easy to set up. All the necessary equipment for installing the devices is included in the package, and the app provides an easy, step-by-step walkthrough for establishing the system.

Even if you lack technical know-how, you can secure your home with the Ring in under an hour. So those who don’t consider themselves ‘tech-savvy’ won’t have to worry. Ring also allows customers to add additional sensors when they need for more convenience.

There will be no need for tools, and you won’t have to seek outside help from a professional to get this up and running. The company has designed this smart alarm bundle to be convenient and easy to work with, so you’re home will feel secure in no time with fewer hassles.

Convenient

What’s more convenient than an alarm system that monitors your home, updates you on changes, and can even alert outside authorities in an emergency?

There’s no need to personally check in on the system, as the phone notifications keep you up to date when necessary, and not before.

Should you need outside help, the professional monitoring package lets you access response teams that can assist you.

As a perk, the alarm system works with Amazon Alexa and the Amazon Echo if you’d like to connect it for voice commands. So while you can easily control the functions of this system through the app on your phone, Ring makes it so you don’t even have to lift a finger if you don’t want to!

You can simply ask Alexa to arm the home when you’re heading out the door and leave all your worries behind.

Customizable

The Ring Alarm Kit is also entirely customizable. You can personally select where each sensor is located, what PIN code is used for the keypad, what each sensor is named, and whether you sign up for the professional monitoring.

Many users appreciated the option to opt out of extra services, rather than being locked into a contract. Even better, you can sign up for individual months without being dedicated to a reoccurring subscription.

Leaving town in April and want extra security? Purchase the upgrade for that month only, and not for others.

Ring also allows you to customize the sensitivity of the sensor which will reduce any triggers of false alarms if you have pets or guests in the home. You can be as protected as you want to be, whenever you want.

Alarm Volume

Testers also liked the alarm’s volume. It was loud enough to wake them up or alert a next door neighbour that something was amiss.

There’s no point to an alarm system if you can’t actually hear the alarm. On the other hand, the volume isn’t excessive to the point of causing damage or discomfort. Some alarms that are too loud usually end up with the user disarming it all together.

Thankfully, it appears that Ring found the perfect in between. You’ll know when something is happening and can respond as necessary, but you won’t go deaf in the process.

Ring also makes it possible to adjust the volume on the base, giving you more customization abilities with your Ring Alarm Kit.

Affordable

Customers and testers loved how well-priced the Ring Alarm Kit is. Ring blasts itself above the competition by giving a well-rounded security kit that includes everything you need to keep your home secure without breaking the bank.

With the inclusion of Amazon Alexa and the Echo Dot, you know you’re getting a real bang for your buck with these convenient smart features.

Customers will also receive a one-year warranty included with their purchase, protecting users against any errors caused by manufacturing. Simply put, if this device doesn’t work as advertised, Ring promises to replace or repair it.

What’s great is that customers have been super pleased with Ring’s customer service department. They’re known for being helpful and responsive so there’s no worry about dealing with troublesome service. Sounds like Ring is dedicated to helping their customers feel secure.

The Negatives

Buggy App

Some testers had issues with the Ring app. It would crash suddenly, freeze, or fail to connect with the sensors or base correctly.

Since an alarm system has to notify you accurately and immediately, this could be a massive downfall.

When the app isn’t working or fails to open, you can’t exactly receive the alert. Hopefully, Ring will figure out these bugs and update the app to operate more smoothly.

Isn’t Compatible with all Smart Devices

A few users stated they would’ve appreciated if the Ring Alarm was more compatible with other smart devices and smart systems. Mainly, they wished the alarm could link with third-party devices.

While it is compatible with Z-wave, that isn’t the case for many other systems. Hopefully, more smart devices will be added to the compatibility list the longer the Ring Alarm Kit is out.

False Alarms

Occasionally, testers found the alarms going off when nothing was wrong and no one had opened a door with a sensor on it.

Some had false alarms go off with such frequency that they questioned how effective the system was for their needs.

While being very sensitive is great for catching even the slightest problem, false alarms are frustrating and may condition you to ignore the alarm completely. That could be very dangerous. You want an accurate system, not a jumpy one.

Here’s a video showing what the Ring Alarm Kit looks like out of the box and installed.

Overall Verdict

After going over all the positives and negatives, we do recommend the Ring Alarm Kit.

It provides notifications right on your phone, it’s easy to set up, and it creates peace of mind when you’re not at home. What more could you ask for?

As a bonus, you don’t have to pay a monthly fee, lessening its overall cost. There do appear to be a few bugs, but with time, those are sure to be resolved.

Based on tester feedback, there are more positive experiences to be found than negative ones with this product.

Where to Buy the Ring Alarm Kit

Ring has really grown in popularity and as a brand overall since they became a part of the smart technology world. They’ve used innovation and their expertise to bring smart technology to a number of devices from doorbells to lighting.

Thanks to this brand’s success, you’ll be able to find items like the Ring Alarm Kit both in-store and online.

While it’s usually best to check tech, home improvement or security stores, you can kick-start your search with the following online retailers.

• Best Buy (from $249)
• The Home Depot (from $219)
• Wal Mart (from $299)

And of course, you can also find this smart alarm bundle on Amazon.

That’s the end of our Ring Alarm review. Curious to give this kit a try?