Ring home security review: Smart systems compared with competitors

Ring has established itself as a leading name in the smart home security system market. Founded in 2013 by entrepreneur Jamie Siminoff, Ring originally started as Doorbot, a smart doorbell that allowed users to see, hear, and speak to visitors at their door through their smartphones. 

Since then, Ring has expanded its product line-up to include various security devices and solutions, such as video doorbells, security cameras, smart lighting, and a comprehensive home security system called Ring Alarm. Ring’s products are easy to install, focusing on DIY installation and user-friendly design. In 2018, Ring was acquired by Amazon, further solidifying its position in the home security and smart home markets.

Smart home security systems like Ring’s provide a sense of security and protection for you, your family, and your property. By deterring crime, alerting you to potential threats, and enabling a rapid response from authorities, it can reduce the likelihood of theft, vandalism, and other incidents. Additionally, these systems often come with a range of features that can be tailored to suit your needs, from data back-up and storage to smart home integration. 

Ring’s ecosystem allows users to monitor their homes remotely, receive notifications of suspicious activity, and communicate with visitors or intruders through their devices. The company also offers two subscription services, Protect Basic and Protect Plus, which provide additional features, including video storage, assisted monitoring, and cellular data backup for the security system.

Ring are most well-known for their smart doorbell, but have a range of devices and accessories that can create a secure system. (Ring)

Advancements in technology have led to a new era of security solutions for homes and businesses. Smart security systems are quickly gaining popularity as they offer enhanced protection, convenience, and customisation compared with traditional security systems. 

Smart security systems use the internet to connect with smartphones, computers, or tablets, allowing users to access, monitor, and control their security devices remotely. This feature provides convenience and peace of mind, as users can watch their property from anywhere in the world. Traditional security systems, on the other hand, are isolated and can only be accessed and controlled on-site. This increased connectivity also allows homeowners to integrate other smart home devices, such as lights and thermostats, to create a cohesive smart home environment. 

Ring, and other smart security systems, provide instant notifications and alerts to users via phone notifications in the event of a security breach or unusual activity. These real-time updates enable homeowners to respond quickly and effectively, potentially preventing further damage or loss. The system from Ring includes advanced video surveillance features such as live high-definition video, night vision, and motion detection. Users can store video footage on the cloud, making it easily accessible and providing added security. 

Traditional systems may only trigger on-site alarms or alert a monitoring centre, without directly notifying the user, and lack the video capabilities of a smart system.

Another reason why homeowners choose smart security over traditional systems is their high level of customisation and flexibility. They can be tailored to the specific needs and preferences of the user by adding or removing devices, adjusting settings, and configuring rules. 

Ring, for example, offers three different security modes – home, away, and disarmed – allowing users to quickly and easily set or stop their alarm. It also has the option of additional security codes for guests, which is especially useful if you employ a cleaner or dog walker. 

Traditional alarm systems typically come with a fixed set of features and offer limited flexibility in terms of configuration.

• Equipment cost: Prices range from £8.99 for contact sensors and £59.99 for doorbell cameras, up to £219.99 for a wired outdoor floodlight video camera
• Monthly fee: £3.49 for the Ring Basic Protect (one device), and £8 for the Ring Protect Plus for unlimited devices
• Power outage backup: Yes, rechargeable battery or solar power add-on
• Mobile phone backup: Yes, using the cloud
• Live streaming: Yes
• Push alerts: Yes, via the app
• Remotely arm/disarm system: Yes, via the app
• Voice assistants: Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant (with limited functionality)
• Apps for: iOS and Android devices

Ring offers various packages that can be matched to suit any size of home. (Ring)

Compared with ADT, SimpliSafe and Verisure, Ring offers the cheapest monthly subscription charge, and sits in the mid-price range. Both ADT and Verisure require a minimum monthly commitment – the former being 36 months, while the latter require six months.  

Although ADT appears more affordable, it doesn’t offer DIY installation options and, as a result, works out significantly more expensive than the other three systems. You also must commit to professional monitoring as there is no option for self monitoring. Verisure also uses the same model with professional installation and monitoring only.

Ring offers a range of smart home security packages with varying price points. The basic packages are suitable for small homes and apartments, while larger packages are ideal for the average four-bedroom property. 

The packages can be upgraded to your circumstances, with extra products easily integrated. However, these come at an additional cost, and you may be better advised to purchase a larger package instead if you want to expand the package with several more products. Ring discounts packages in sales frequently, or tout the inclusion of an additional product for free. 

Although the prices for Ring home security packages are comparable with other brands, the benefit that they can be quickly and easily installed, using the included sticky pads, means there are no installation costs to factor in. However, Ring does have a professional installation service, if you prefer, at an additional price. This service isn’t available in Scotland, Wales or postal code zones EX, TR, TQ, and PL.

Our researchers found that the Ring packages are well-considered, cater to a broad range of user requirements, and offer good value for money. If you need to add extra components, however, these can rapidly drive the price up. If this would provide a better security solution for your home than the standard packages, it may be worth waiting until Ring has a sale to reduce costs.

Equipment costs

Ring offers two levels of cover plans – Protect Basic and Protect Plus, on top of its standard free coverage. These plans provide additional features, such as video storage and professional monitoring, to enhance the functionality of Ring’s devices.

Ring Protect Basic covers one device, such as a video doorbell or camera, and saves the captured videos for reviewing, downloading and sharing later. It doesn’t, however, provide professional monitoring.  

Its Protect Plus subscription covers unlimited devices, so is more suitable for larger properties. It also offers Assisted Monitoring, which alerts your emergency contacts via an automated call wherever a security issue is detected. This is an opt-in or out service, with no long-term commitment necessary.

Each Ring home security package contains the components required to set up your home’s system, including the adhesive pads to fix the surveillance devices. It also has an extensive range of additional accessories, including solar panels designed to power your devices.

Our experts have broken down the packages to give you an overview of the equipment. 

Base Station

The base station is your home security network’s hub, connecting all your devices. It incorporates a siren and backup battery, providing power for up to 24 hours. 

Alarm Keypad (2nd Gen)

The keypad allows you to control your system, input codes and arm alerts. It can be wall mounted if you wish, and extra keypads can be incorporated and placed around your home.

Ring’s system can be activated or disarmed via their app. (Ring)

Alarm Contact Sensor (2nd Gen)

When mounted on door and window frames, these sensors will alert you when the contact is broken when opened. 

Alarm Motion Detector (2nd Gen)

To get the most from your motion sensors, they should ideally be mounted in corners, enabling them to cover as wide a range as possible. When movement is detected, you’ll receive a notification. Customisable smart detection allows the system to ignore pets and only sends alerts if intruders exist. However, you can also set it to monitor your pet’s movements if you wish. 

Alarm Range Extender (2nd Gen) 

The range extender ensures full connectivity throughout your home, extending the signal from the base station to every Ring component.

Indoor Camera

Designed to be compact and discreet, the plug-in Ring indoor camera can be wall or surface mounted. It offers HD video, two-way communication, motion-activated alerts, and night vision. It has a sight-range of 140 degree diagonal, 115 degree horizontal and 60 degree vertical.

The indoor camera can be used to secure a house when empty or to keep an eye on children or pets remotely. (Ring)

Video Doorbell (2nd Gen) 

Powered by a rechargeable battery, Ring’s video doorbell is equipped with HD video, two-way communication, night vision, and customisable motion detection, with a range of 155 degrees. Using wifi connectivity, the doorbell sends instant notifications to your mobile device. 

The video doorbell arrives with the appropriate mounting bracket and tools for the installation. Once the bracket is attached, line up the slots on the bracket with the corresponding holes in the doorbell, and click into place. 

Ring also offers a wired video doorbell as an optional accessory.

Ring’s video doorbell allows users to communicate with visitors using the two-way audio. (Ring)

Ring’s UK customers have given the company a low 2.5 stars out of five on Trustpilot, slightly higher than those in the US have awarded (1.3 stars).

The positive Ring reviews on Trustpilot mention the quality of its products, helpful customer service, and ease of installation. Conversely, several users have experienced poor customer support and some mentioned issues with the mobile app. 

It should be noted that Ring is an Amazon-owned company, and a significant number of customers have left reviews on that platform, with under 20 reviews on Trustpilot. More than 4,300 customer reviews on Amazon have awarded Ring 4.5 stars, and it is the best seller in the Home Alarm Systems category – 94 per cent of customers give Ring four or five stars. 

Ring’s user-friendly mobile app allows you to access, monitor, and manage your security devices from anywhere in the world. It’s compatible with Android and iOS operating systems and supports integration with other smart home devices. 

Ring’s app offers a wide range of features designed to give you customised control over your home security:

• Voice control: Control your Ring devices using voice commands with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant
• SOS button: If you have Ring Alarm with professional monitoring, this feature allows you to request medical, fire, or police dispatch during an emergency 
• Live view: Provides real-time video feeds from your cameras and doorbells
• Motion alerts: Receive instant notifications on your smartphone when your devices detect motion
• Two-way talk: Communicate with visitors using your devices’ built-in microphones and speakers 
• Video history: Review, save, and share recorded videos. This requires a Ring Protect Plan subscription
• Device health: Monitor the device’s battery life, signal strength, and firmware updates 
• Modes: Switch between Disarmed, Home, and Away modes to control your Ring system
• Ring neighbours: Connect with other Ring users in your area to share information about local security incidents, suspicious activity, or lost pets

Ring offers nine ready-made home security packages, catering to a wide range of user circumstances and budgets. Our experts have considered three typical homeowner scenarios and reviewed the packages we feel best to meet those needs.

The medium alarm, doorbell and indoor camera pack from Ring has enough devices to cover the average UK home (Ring)

• What you get: 
  • 1x Base station
  • 1x Alarm keypad (2nd Gen)
  • 2x Alarm contact sensor (2nd Gen)
  • 2x Alarm motion detector (2nd Gen)
  • 1x Alarm range extender (2nd Gen) 
  • 1x Indoor camera
  • 1x Video doorbell (2nd Gen) 

• Upfront cost: £419.95
• Monthly fee: £3.49 for Protect Basic, or £8 for Protect Plus (optional)

The Medium Alarm, Doorbell + Indoor Cam Pack provides enough devices to cover the average UK family household. We considered the lifestyle of a busy family with parents and one or two younger members living in a three- or four-bed property. The house might be empty during the day while people work or attend school. Video doorbells are becoming increasingly popular with the rise of doorstep crimes. A family with visitors, deliveries, and one or more cars parked on a driveway will likely find a video doorbell a helpful security device. 

The contact sensors could be fixed to the exterior rear door and window frames, with the Ring Alarm covering the front of the property, while the motion detectors would cover the main hallway and either the living room or stairs. The living room would be the ideal location for the indoor camera if the family had pets they wanted to keep an eye on, but it would also be ideally placed to capture intruders. 

Depending on the size of the house, the range extender ensures that long-range connections are stable, allowing the base station to be placed unobtrusively. We envisioned the keypad control unit to be attached to the wall in the hallway, near the front or kitchen doors, allowing easy access. 

With this setup, the main entrance points, high-traffic areas and the potential route of any intruder are covered. 

The package is a reasonable price for the included devices and can easily be added to if necessary.

Package score

This Ring five-piece kit offers enough sensors for a flat or small house (Ring)

• What you get: 
  • 1x Base station
  • 1x Alarm keypad (2nd Gen)
  • 1x Alarm contact sensor (2nd Gen)
  • 1x Alarm motion detector (2nd Gen)
  • 1x Alarm range extender (2nd Gen) 
• Upfront cost: £219.99
• Monthly fee: £3.49 for Protect Basic, or £8 for Protect Plus (optional)

Smaller properties require fewer home security devices to provide peace of mind. We feel Ring’s Small Alarm Pack offers the perfect coverage for a small home or flat and, if it’s a rental property, the price point is low enough that a tenant or landlord could consider installing it. Plus, the peel-and-stick adhesive fixings are ideal if you move away and want to reinstall.

With the motion detector and contact sensor, you’ll receive notifications if someone enters the property through a door or window. For added security in a rental home, by combining this package with Ring’s Protect Plus, landlords can enjoy the protection of Assisted Monitoring, ideal for when the house is untenanted.

Package score

Our research shows this 10-piece kit from Ring should work well for a larger home (Ring)

• What you get: 
  • 1x Base station
  • 1x Alarm keypad (2nd Gen)
  • 4x Alarm contact sensor (2nd Gen)
  • 3x Alarm motion detector (2nd Gen)
  • 1x Alarm range extender (2nd Gen) 
  • 1x Indoor camera
  • 1x Video doorbell (2nd Gen) 
• Upfront cost: £489.93
• Monthly fee: £3.49 for Protect Basic, or £8 for Protect Plus (optional)

If you have a large property to protect, we feel Ring’s Large Alarm, Doorbell + Indoor Cam Pack is worth considering. It contains four contact sensors which can be placed on strategic entrance points, such as rear doors and windows which are hidden from the road or neighbours. The three motion detectors could cover the main routes through the house, such as the hallway, kitchen and living room. The indoor camera could provide video surveillance along the hallway. The video doorbell ensures all movement around the front door is covered and allows two-way communication between the homeowner and visitor. 

Although this is Ring’s most expensive package, we feel it offers good value for money for the amount of protection it provides.

Package score