In this article, I give a full review of the Ring Security System, looking at its features and benefits including how to install the Ring system.
I’ve had this security system (and the Nest surveillance cameras) installed in my house for a couple of months now.
I’ve tested other security systems like the Nest Security System and SimpliSafe Security System, and the Ring Security System is right up there.
It’s top competitor. It’s a great security system for your home.
Features of the Ring Security System
The Ring Security System basically works on a WiFi network.
It comes with a base station with an alarm built in. This is the brains of the system.
It has a keypad – just like a traditional security system where you enter in a number to arm or disarm it or change the different modes that it has.
Then you have motion sensors and door sensors.
Now, those are the basic package and basic components of the security system.
It connects to your WiFi network so you can arm or disarm it from your home using the keypad.
You can also arm/disarm it with your phone (or anyone else you give access on your app), or using Alexa.
This is a great feature that I use all the time when I’m walking out the door – I just say ‘A.L.E.X.A arm security system’ and it does it.
Packages
There are packages anywhere from the $150 range up to the $300 range. The real difference being how many sensors you get with the system.
SENSOR TYPES
Ring Door and Window Sensors
The basic sensors are door and window sensors and motion sensors.
A door or window sensor is going to set off the alarm when a door or window is opened. These are just contact sensor with a little magnet inside them.
You place one piece on the door and the other on the door frame, and when the door is opened it is going to set off the alarm.
These are extremely easy to install. They have adhesive which sticks to the door and doesn’t require any wiring.
The whole Ring system is wireless – just need to plug in the base station and you’re good to go.
I have mine plugged in inside the closet – out of sight.
Notwithstanding having it in the closet, it is still very loud and I can hear it in every part of the house.
You can purchase additional sirens if you like. This is something to consider in larger homes.
Ring Motion Sensors
If you have multiple doors and windows in a room and you just want to secure the room you can use a Ring motion sensor.
I tested the motion sensor, and I’ll just say, I couldn’t sneak by it.
Typically you’d have the motion sensor disabled using home mode when you’re home.
You can customize the various modes of the Ring system so that the motion sensors are on when you’re at home.
You just have to be aware of whether they are so that you don’t accidently set the alarm off.
The motion sensors are good for bigger areas like the garage or you want to cover multiple areas at one time or when you aren’t concerned about not using the motion sensor when you are home and you are only going to use it when you’re away.
The Ring Security System has three different modes:
- Disarmed (deactivates all sensors, allowing you to move around your home freely;
- Home mode (only activates cameras, allowing you to still move around your home without setting off the alarm); and
- Away mode (activates the whole security system, offering you the greatest protection).
Now, there are a couple of other sensors that work with this security system.
This is what makes the Ring security system stand out from other systems – you can add other sensors.
Ring has done a great job in bringing out other sensors out to the market other than just the typical motion, door and window sensors.
They continually add sensors to their line up to add more functionality to the system.
One of these sensors is the Ring Alarm Flood and Freeze Sensor.
Ring Alarm Flood and Freeze Sensor
This sensor will detect if there is water wherever you place it.
So, if you place it near a water heater that starts leaking, it’s going to alert you.
If you place it near a sump pump that starts to overflow, it’s going to alert you.
The Ring Alarm Flood and Freeze Sensor will also alert you when water gets below 40 degrees Fahrenheit/4 degrees Celsius i.e. when your water pipes are at risk of freezing.
This sensor from Ring can help prevent the risk of your home water pipes freezing and that being an issue.
First Alert Ring Alarm System Compatible Fire & CO Detector (Z-Wave)
Another product that connects to the Ring security system is the First Alert Ring Alarm System Compatible Fire & CO Detector.
Keep in mind, it needs to be Z-Wave enabled.
This device will tie into your Ring system to give you alarm monitoring with the smoke, fire and carbon monoxide detector switch.
A lot of other security systems only offer security. However, the Ring offers a more comprehensive, holistic approach to protecting your home (not just your safety).
Read my hands-on reviews of the best smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors.
Ring Security System Smoke/CO Listening Device
There are a couple of more sensors that Ring has or that are compatible with the Ring security system.
You can get the smoke detectors that are either hardwired or battery powered that you can install in your house.
Alternatively, you can leave your existing smoke detectors as they are, and you can get what’s called a Ring Security System Smoke/CO Listening Device.
This listening device installs next to your existing smoke detector and it listens for it when it goes off and will then alert you on the app that smoke or fire has been detected.
It uses the sound of the listening device to communicate with the base station and then communicate with your phone or monitoring sensor.
This is a great option if you don’t want to take down your old fire/smoke detectors and you just want to retrofit and add functionality.
Ring Security System Dome Siren
There’s also additional sirens that you can get.
If you say place your base station on the 2nd or 3rd floor of your house and you want to have another siren near your garage or near your front door, you can do that.
The Ring Security System Dome Siren will scare off intruders when the alarm goes off.
These sirens are anywhere in the range of $30 and $60
A look at the Ring Professional Monitoring option
My favorite part of the system is that it doesn’t require a contract.
You get full functionality with the Ring Security System without professional monitoring and without a contract.
You can basically go to Amazon and you can purchase a Ring security system and set it up without professional monitoring.
It is going to alarm and scare off intruders and it is going to alert you on your phone.
So, despite it not coming with professional monitoring, you can just use your phone and call the police.
If you do want professional monitoring, they do have it and it is an incredible deal.
It’s $10 a month for professional monitoring with the Ring security system.
People who already have a security system built into their home are probably paying anywhere bet $30 and $70 a month with half the features, no integration with Alexa, very poor user interface on their phone.
The Ring doesn’t have any of those issues. It has a great user interface. It’s very reliable, works with Alexa and is continually adding products to their line-up.
If you’re someone who’s concerned about long term costs, you’re looking at the difference between $500 and $700 a year.
What Ring does that makes its professional monitoring deal even sweeter is that if you get professional monitoring with the Ring security system, they will throw in free video storage for Ring Smart Doorbells, Ring Smart Cameras, Ring Floodlights.
In other words, you get 60 days free storage for an unlimited amount of Ring camera products, including the Ring door line-up.
It’s a great deal because you get a comprehensive security system package.
Recap
Overall the Ring Security System has a lot of features.
Things are continuing to be added to the system.
The long-term advantage of the professional monitoring cost has outweighed the benefits of the features of the other security systems I’ve tried in the past.
It is just as reliable and has more features and many different types of sensors I can use as well as the sensors being lower cost so I can install more of them around my house.
I'm definitely going to stick with the Ring system for the foreseeable feature.
How to install a Ring Security System
Installing the Ring Security System is easy.
You can use tools if you want to screw in the sensors or you can just use the provided wall mounts they have with adhesive.
The adhesive is very reliable and very strong.
I’ve had it installed using the adhesive on a door we use every day and it hasn’t fallen off.
The adhesive works great. It has been through hot and cold weather, no problems.
So, you aren’t going to need any tools for the installation.
All you need is your phone and a Wi-Fi connections.
You are just going to walk through the setup instructions and you’re going to be able to set it up.
You start with the base station. You can add a keypad. You can add all the sensors.
Basically, you just scan the sensors into the app or enter the code in there and they are going to show up active on your phone and it just runs you through the setup from there.
You won’t need to call a professional to install the Ring Security System. You can easily to this yourself.
As long as you know how to use your smartphone, you’re going to be able to install this system.
Everything is wireless. Even the keypad is wireless. The only thing you need to plugin is the base station.
And the base station has approximately 100 foot range and there are network extenders for the Ring Security System.
In other words, if you’re getting a bad connection in one area of your home to some of your sensors, you can just buy a range extender and it will repeat the network and make sure your connection is reliable.
I actually have a network range extender in my home.
The base station was enough but the package I purchased (8 or 10 piece package) came with a network range extender so I put that in.
The network is great and very responsive.
A basic package typically include a keypad, which I suggest putting near your front door.
You can also purchase additional keypads. This helps especially if you don’t always enter your home from the one entry.
You can also arm and disarm you Ring system using ALEXA, which begs the question – could a burglar do that?
The answer is no! Because you have to actually give it a passcode. You have to speak the passcode to disarm your Ring system on ALEXA.
