Is It Easy to Move the Ring Alarm System

Editor's Note Ring has recently released the Ring Alarm Pro system with built-in eero Wi-Fi 6 router. Also keep an eye out for the Ring Protect Pro monitoring plan and the upcoming Ring Always Home indoor drone camera. Ring sure has lots up their sleeve lately.

Amazon's Ring is one of the biggest names in home security today. With packages and pricing that won't stretch the wallet, the Ring Alarm system is positioned for growth in the years to come. But it begs the question, "Is Ring really more affordable than other home security systems?" And, "Do they offer kits that will suit your home and your needs?" Our experts have researched and tested Ring Alarm from top to bottom, and we're sharing our findings with you today.

Key Features

• Wireless & Cellular Monitoring
• DIY Installation
• Intrusion Protection
• Environmental Protection
• Low Monitoring Fees
• Home Automation
• Wi-Fi and 3G Cell Alerts

Ring Alarm Pricing

When it comes to pricing out home security, you have to consider two things. First things first, equipment costs. You'll typically have to pay the equipment costs upfront and out-of-pocket. Then, you have to consider monthly monitoring fees. Many companies, like Ring, don't require it, but we usually recommend a professional monitoring plan. It gives you an added layer of protection.

Ring – Equipment

We've researched a lot of security systems, and Ring's equipment prices are the second lowest we've seen. Their base packages for the classic Ring Alarm start at $159.99 for a five-piece kit and range up to $339.99 for the eight-piece kit with a Ring Video Doorbell. From our experience, Ring's most expensive kit is priced similar to the cheapest kits of other brands. Now, that's not to say Ring is a better value. But it's certainly the more affordable option.

Overview of Ring Alarm Prices

Ring Alarm Security Kits	Price
5-Piece Kit	$159.99
5-Piece Kit + Smoke/CO detector	$209.99
5-Piece Kit + Wired Video Doorbell	$254.99
8-Piece Kit + Indoor Cam (2nd Generation)	$259.98
8-Piece Kit + Video Doorbell (2020 release)	$339.99
Ring Alarm Pro 8-Piece Kit with Built-in eero Wi-Fi 6 Router	$299.99
Ring Alarm Pro 14-Piece Kit with Built-in eero Wi-Fi 6 Router	$379.99
Custom Kits	Pricing Variable

As far as monthly monitoring plans go, Ring is the cheapest we've seen. Their two traditional paid plans cost $3 and $10 per month. The $3 per month plan is for cloud storage of one video doorbell or security camera, while the $10 per month plan gives you cloud storage for unlimited doorbells and cameras. The latter is the option that most Ring camera users choose. When it comes to actual 24/7 professional monitoring of Ring Alarms, the cost goes up to $20 a month. This plan comes with everything in the $10 per month plan, but also with all sorts of connectivity perks that we'll discuss in a bit. If you own a Ring Alarm or Ring Alarm Pro, this is the plan we recommend. Note that Ring also offers annual plan discounts.

Overview of Ring Monitoring Plans

Ring Monitoring Plans	Price
Ring Basic	$3 per month ($30 per year)
Ring Protect Plus	$10 per month ($100 per year)
Ring Protect Pro	$20 per month ($200 per year)

Another thing to consider is the cost associated with upgrades, accessories, and add-ons. For instance, you can purchase additional entryway sensors or an extra keypad. You can also integrate Ring security cameras and environmental sensors into your alarm system. But all of these options come at a price. We'll cover this in-depth. For now, let's discuss the Ring Alarm packages and monitoring plans in more detail to see what makes sense for you.

Ring Alarm Packages

The Ring Alarm comes in three main kits or packages, which is fairly standard for the industry. Depending on the size of your apartment or home, you can purchase a kit that fits your space, and then customize your Ring Alarm with additional sensors, keypads, and other add-ons. The nice thing about DIY kits like Ring is that you can easily add new devices in a matter of minutes.

Ring Alarm Features

Days Tested	100+
No. of Packages	3+
Difficulty Level	Easy
System Cost	$199.99+
Monitoring Fees	$9.99 per month

Now, let's take a look at the packages you can choose from, starting with the 5-piece kit.

Ring 5-Piece Kit

Do you live in an apartment or condo? If so, this option might be the right fit for your space. This kit costs $159.99 and comes with one door and window sensor and one motion detector, so you will most likely have to purchase an additional sensor or two. You also get the Ring base station, one keypad, and a range extender. The 5-piece kit performed well during our tests. But it lacked a comprehensive device selection, and it was unable to secure all our doors and windows.

Key Stats & Specs

• Secures one door or one window
• Adds motion detection for one room
• Covers up to 1,000 sq ft (one room)
• DIY installation

Ring 8-Piece Kits

Aside from the five-piece kits, Ring has eight-piece kits available that come with either a video doorbell or security camera. The eight-piece kit comes with four door sensors, a motion sensor, and a range extender, so it should be good enough to protect an average-sized home. The kit that comes with a Ring Indoor Cam costs $259.98, while the one with a Ring Video Doorbell costs $339.99.

Ring – Motion Detector

Key Stats & Specs

• Secures up to four windows or doors
• Includes motion detection for one room
• Includes a keypad
• Works for 1-2 bedroom homes
• DIY installation

Ring Alarm Pro 8-Piece Kit

The newer, much more advanced security system from Ring is called the Ring Alarm Pro, and it differs from the classic Ring Alarm because of its base station. The Ring Alarm base station functions as a hub and siren for the system, while the Ring Alarm Pro base station features a built-in eero 6 router. That means that it can provide secure Wi-Fi connection to your home, in addition to physical security.

Ring Alarm Pro kits start with the eight-piece kit, which includes four door sensors, a motion sensor, and a range extender — basically, the same things included in the Ring Alarm eight-piece kit. That being said, it costs $299.99, a bit more expensive than the Ring Alarm kit because of the improved base station. If you want Ring to handle your physical and digital security, this is a good option.

Ring – Keypad

Key Stats & Specs

• Secures up to four windows or doors
• Includes motion detection for one room
• Includes a keypad
• Built-in secure router
• Works for 1-2 bedroom homes
• DIY installation

Although Ring is one of the most affordable security systems, it's not exactly the most advanced, which is something we cover in our full Ring Alarm review. Each Ring package comes with a decent lineup of features and technology. Beyond home protection, we didn't really experience many extra benefits. For starters, Ring's home automation options are few and far between. It does work with Alexa, but that's about it.1 Also, Ring's mobile app doesn't allow for advanced customizations.2

SafeHome.org's Ring Alarm App setup

If you're on the market for a fairly simple system that is affordable, easy to install, and easy to use, then we recommend Ring Alarm for those purposes. However, if you're looking for a home security package with more robust home security and automation features, you might want to explore options from companies such as Vivint, Frontpoint, or ADT. With that said, the Ring Alarm has garnered quite the market share because it's relatively cheap and able to get the job done.3 And our testing has confirmed this fact.

FYI: Since Ring Alarm is an Amazon product, you won't want to miss the savings on Ring Alarm for Prime Day. Learn more about how to save big bucks in our full guide to Ring Alarm's Prime Day sales and deals.

Mobile Alerts	Ring Alarm sends mobile alerts to your smartphone whenever a door or window is open or the alarm is triggered. You can sync Ring doorbells, cameras, and the alarm to the Ring App to customize your mobile alerts and notifications.
Surveillance Cameras	Ring's security cameras make them one of the best options on the market for surveillance. They offer indoor and outdoor security cameras, as well as video doorbells. You can choose from both wireless and hardwired security cameras.
DIY Installation	Ring offers DIY installation. The setup is easy and includes all the tools needed for installation. It takes anywhere from 5 to 15 minutes to install each component. You can view helpful setup guides on the Ring website, as well.
Smart Home Options	Ring allows you to control the alarm system, video cameras, doorbell cameras, and smoke detectors from a smartphone or tablet. You can arm and disarm the system from anywhere and receive notifications regarding activity in your home.
Disaster Protection	Ring offers a Z-Wave smoke and carbon monoxide alarm. You can connect the detector to your Ring Alarm system and receive instant notifications whenever there is smoke, fire, or carbon monoxide detected in your home. Ring Alarm also features a Flood & Freeze Sensor. This device detects freezing temperatures and water in your home.
Remote Control	You can remotely control your Ring Alarm system from anywhere in the world using the convenient Ring app. The app is available for both Android and iOS.
Voice Response	Ring's video doorbells offer a two-way talk. You can see, hear, and speak to people through the camera from your smartphone, tablet, or PC.
Power Outage Protection	Ring offers backup battery protection on its equipment. If there is a power outage or failure, it will notify you immediately.
24-7 Monitoring	Ring offers 24-7 professional monitoring with cellular backup.

Equipment Upgrades

Once you decide on a Ring Alarm kit, you have plenty of options to upgrade and customize your system. Overall, the equipment costs are less than the industry average. For instance, most security companies sell entryway sensors for $30 to $50 apiece, while Ring offers them for only $20 a pop. Their video doorbells and environmental sensors are also more affordable than the competition. But we've found Ring's outdoor security cameras to be similarly priced compared to brands in the same category (not professional-grade).

Did You Know: If you purchase a home security system that works with Alexa, you can use voice control to arm and disarm your system, along with other commands?

Also, once you have add-on equipment installed, you're almost guaranteed to save money with Ring's $20 per month professional monitoring plan. Here is a rundown of Ring add-on costs:

Ring Security System Products	Product Type	Cost
Alarm Keypad	Control	$50.00
Alarm Motion Detector	Sensor	$30.00
Alarm Flood & Freeze Sensor	Sensor	$35.00
Alarm Smoke and CO Listener	Sensor	$35.00
Alarm Contact Sensor	Sensor	$20.00
Indoor Cam	Security Camera	$59.00
Spotlight Cam Battery	Security Camera	$199.00
Spotlight Cam Wired	Security Camera	$199.00
Spotlight Cam Solar	Security Camera	$229.00
Spotlight Cam Mount	Security Camera	$249.00
Floodlight Cam	Security Camera	$249.00
Stick Up Cam Battery	Security Camera	$179.99
Stick Up Cam Wired	Security Camera	$179.99
Peephole Cam	Security Camera	$99.00
Stick Up Cam Solar	Security Camera	$229.99

Monitoring Plans

This area is where we experienced true value with Ring. If you're not familiar with professional monitoring, it essentially connects your system to a monitoring center in case of a break-in or emergency. When your alarm goes off, the monitoring center is immediately notified and responds with the appropriate action.4 Ring's response times vary, but they average about 30 seconds.

Tip Many brands like Ring offer a 30-day free trial of their monitoring service. It's worth trying for one month, and if you don't like it, you can cancel for free.

Ring's monitoring plan costs are among the cheapest in the industry. If you go with the Ring Alarm, you'll want the Ring Protect Plus plan or Ring Protect Pro plan which cost $10 and $20 per month respectively. The $3 per month plan is for users with a single device installed, such as a Ring Video Doorbell or Spotlight Cam.

Ring plans don't require a long-term contract, and you can cancel at any time without penalty.5 Ring Alarm's flexibility is a substantial benefit in our eyes, as many companies require you to sign a 12- or 36-month contract to use their systems. WWe find that most users tolerate paying $30 per month or more for 24/7 professional monitoring, that is until they realize it's only $20 per month with Ring.6

OK, so you're probably wondering what's the deal with the new Ring Protect Pro plan. Ring has teamed up with eero, another Amazon-owned company, which bills itself as "the new standard for home Wi-Fi." For $20 monthly, you'll get 24/7 monitoring with 3 GB of cellular backup (per month) if your internet goes down. There are other perks, too, like eero Secure features that include threat protection, content filtering and ad blocking, as well as the Alexa Guard Plus, a nifty hands-free emergency helpline.

One thing to note here, though: Ring actually moved some of the Ring Protect Plus ($10 a month) to Ring Protect Pro, including professional monitoring. Before, Ring Alarm users only needed to pay $10 per month for monitoring, but now, they have to shoot for the $20 per month plan to enjoy the same benefits. So is $20 per month worth it? Well, we'd say so, given that professional monitoring usually costs $30 or higher. Plus, with all the connectivity features Ring threw in, it's a great plan for Ring Alarm Pro users.

One more thing: If you own a business, Ring Alarm might have some money-saving options for you. Explore our in-depth Ring Alarm for Business guide for plenty of helpful tips, cost comparisons, and more.

Overall Value of Ring Alarm

Ring offers three straightforward packages, ranging from $199 to $329. Once you choose a kit, you will likely want to upgrade your Ring Alarm system over time. Depending on the options you desire, this upgrade can cost upwards of $100 to $300 or more. Then, if you want to sign up for professional monitoring, expect to pay $20 per month. As you can see, the prices can add up over time. However, compared to other systems we've tested, Ring Alarm is still one of the best values for your dollar.

If you think the Ring Alarm system is a good fit for your budget and lifestyle, we can offer a few recommendations.

First, choose the kit that will secure every entryway in your home. For instance, if you have a front door and two windows, go with Ring's 10-piece kit. This kit will leave you with a couple of extra sensors, but you never know what your living situation might look like in the future.

Then, we recommend going with the Ring Protect Plus plan for 24-7 professional monitoring. If you find that you don't need it, don't worry, Ring makes it easy to cancel. Finally, if or when your budget allows for it, upgrade your system with a few Ring cameras. Their cameras are relatively cheap, and they allow you to tap into live stream video of your home remotely. All in all, we found the Ring Alarm to be a good value.

Ring Alarm FAQs

Does Ring offer a guarantee?

Yes, Ring has a 30-day money-back guarantee. They also offer a 1-year limited warranty. This is nice, but note that it's fairly standard for the industry.

Is Ring Alarm wireless?

Yes, all of Ring's products are wireless, so you don't have to deal with unsightly wires or criminals cutting your cords.

Is Ring hard to install?

No, like most DIY home security systems, Ring is fairly easy to install. Just be sure you follow the step-by-step instructions. Plan to spend about 20-30 minutes on installation and setup.

Is Ring compatible with Alexa?

Yes, Ring is compatible with Alexa. Both Ring and Alexa are owned by Amazon, so it only makes sense that they play well together.3

How much does Ring Alarm cost?

Ring Alarm is affordable, starting at $159.99 for a 5-piece kit. You can self-monitor for free, but professional monitoring costs $20 per month, which is much cheaper than most other brands on the market.

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Source: https://www.safehome.org/security-systems/ring-alarm/