Getting a home security system that is not pricey and difficult to install gives you a whole new level of peace of mind. Opting for a traditional home security system requires expensive pro installation and signing long contracts. However, there are many smart versions of the home security system that are easy to install and offer a monitoring plan if you want it.
But not all DIY security systems available in the market are trustworthy. That is why we are introducing you to the Ring Alarm security system, which is a tested, comprehensive, reliable, and easy-to-use home security system.
So, let’s start our Ring Security System review.
About Ring Alarm Home Security System
Ring Alarm home security system is the smart version of a traditional home security system without radically changing the working mechanism. It uses various entryway, motion, and carbon monoxide/fire sensors with Ring’s other home security cameras to monitor a house for intrusions and emergencies. It also offers a friendly wireless alarm arrangement. It is the combo of the best of both worlds.
Pros and Cons of the Ring Home Security System
Let’s first have a brief look at the advantages and disadvantages of the Ring home security system:
Advantages
- Huge Cameras range
- Affordable security system
- Smart Neighbors app, which provides local security alerts
- Easy installation
- Reasonable monthly monitoring service is $10 per month
- Some of the cameras have motion detection and night vision
- Support various wireless protocols
- Many camera options like ring doorbell cameras
Disadvantages
- Offer few sensors in starting package
- Feature reset is tough
- Complex keypad
- Offer no key fob
- The monitoring center do not get visual verification from the camera
- The starter package is limited
- Offer a fewer number of security devices compared to other security companies.
- Sensor sizes are rather large.
What’s In Ring Home Security System Package?
Ring home security system kit contains one motion detector, one contact sensor, the base station, a range extender, and a keypad. You can buy some of this equipment in the basic alarm kit, while others must be purchased separately.
The base station connects to the home Wi-Fi and buzzes a loud siren. For a single entrance, it is enough, but for more than one entrance door or window on the ground floor, you may need more than one motion detector or contact sensor. You can connect this with your portable device, your phone, or tablet to control the security.
Base Station:
This is the heart of the ring security system. It connects all the devices and contains a loud siren.
Contact Sensor:
This sensor works as either a door or window sensor. When windows and doors are open, the contact sensor starts monitoring.
Keypad:
It gives physical control of the security system. With the keypad, you can view the system status and arm and disarm the security system. Keypad has panic buttons, which is nice, but you need to press them for three seconds for them to work. Those three seconds are not long, but in an emergency like prowler breaking, the minimum delay would be better.
Motion Sensor:
It provides the motion detection of the area where it is kept. The motion sensor picks up the motion in a radius of 90 degrees using a passive infrared sensor (PIR).
Ring Protect Plus Camera:
All cameras of the Ring record in HD. Many outdoor Ring Cameras come in hardwired, or even solar-powered models, or battery-powered. This camera supports cloud storage for about two months. You can download the footage from the Ring Cameras.
Range Extender:
The ring Alarm security kit is the only one that includes a range extender. It amplifies the signal from the base station by strengthening the Ring Alarm Z-wave mesh network. This allows placing the device away from the base station, thus covers more areas.
Range extender costs extra as it is an add-on, so it is helpful for those with bigger homes and/or outdoor equipment. Range extenders enhance the Wi-Fi reach of the home and strengthen the connections for surveillance.
Ring Installation and Setup
Ring provides all the instructions that you need to set up the security system. You can get instructions on printed materials in the box and directions from the app.
Ring security system Installation begins with the base station. Plug the base station into the power socket and connect it with the home network via Wi-Fi or ethernet. Then you need to install the Ring app on your smartphone and create an account on it. This app will guide you in the installation process.
Next, simply pull the battery tabs out of different bits one by one and choose where to put them. It will take about 15 minutes.
How To Use Ring Alarm?
The process of using the ring alarm is straightforward. You can plug in your Ring base station someplace focal in your home. It will help in assisting the alarm with entering all rooms.
There are different security modes or settings on the Ring Alarm to protect a house in different ways depending on the user’s current needs.
§ Arming And Disarming
Like any other traditional alarm system, the keypad of the Ring Alarm arms and disarms the system. You need to type a four-digit pin and press the ‘Away’ button. It will trigger the timer for 60-second along with the red light.
Both base station and keypad flash make a noise to let the user know what is going on during the arming and disarming of the system. There is also a ‘Home’ mode that you can enable while staying in. It will arm the contact sensor by default. When the alarm is set, the LED Ring on the base station shines red, and when it is off, it shines blue.
You can charge the keypad via MicroUSB and can mount it anywhere in your home. Not just is installation simple, but the security system is smarter than many other systems available.
§ Ring App Makes Things Easier
Users can control the whole thing from the Ring app and can remotely arm and disarm the system. If anything happens, you can get notifications. You can see the various sensor states such as battery levels of various bits, when the door is closed or open, battery levels of various bits. You can also change the settings like the level of the volume alert and brightness of the LEDs.
- Adjusting Delay Settings
You can delay the alarm depending on your needs which is effortless to do. If you don’t know how to change the settings, Here’s the ticket: In the Ring application, go to “setting” → “modes,” → “delays.” After applying these settings, you can adjust the delays in the alarm. It is as simple as it could be by just changing a few settings.
Integration With Old Devices:
If you have an old Ring Alarm, you can absolutely use it again. There can be many ways to use it, but the simplest and easiest is to mix your old and new sensors. All gadgets that demand the Z-Wave network are viable and coordinate flawlessly into the Ring Z-Wave base station.
Wireless Protocol:
The Ring security system uses Z-wave for the wireless protocol to connect different components that reach up to 76 meters from the base station.
Each device has its own range extender, so an additional range extender is needed only when you live in a big house, or your place has obstructions and thick walls.
Battery Life:
The motion sensor and replaceable 3V lithium batteries in the contact should last about three years. On the other hand, the rechargeable battery of the keypad lasts from six to nine months.
Compatibility with Alexa:
The Ring Alarm is also compatible with Alexa. Both of these are owned by Amazon, so their system plays well together. You can also check when and who armed or disarmed the alarm using its feature to allow everyone to set their own pin.
That includes guest codes which are very handy for tradespeople or neighbors. The alarm system easily integrates with any other Ring products you use like recording cameras, floodlights to fire up, and other bits when the alarm or delay entry is triggered.
Pricing
In the United States, the Ring Alarm security starter kit costs $199 and £249 in the UK. Additional contact sensors cost $20/£20, keypads $50/£59, and motion sensors $20/£39.
There are three different packages that the Ring Alarm home security system offers:
- Small ($199.99)
- Medium ($249.99)
- Large ($329.99).
Customer Service
The call centers of the Ring Alarm security system are available 24/7 in three time zones.
Warranty and Guarantee
Ring offers 12 months warranty and a 30-day money-back guarantee. That’s a good offer but not up to the industry standard.
Should You Buy Ring Alarm System?
The company programs the sensors you have ordered to communicate with the specific base station before packing up the security system. This means that when the user gets the equipment, it is already connected and makes setup easy and super fast.
So, what have you decided after reading our Ring Alarm review?
Ring Alarm home security system is simple, cheap, and works well. Among others, it charges the lowest monthly monitoring fee. Thus, if you want a basic home security kit that does an excellent job, the Ring Alarm home security system is for you.