Ring now sells two DIY security systems in the U.S.: Ring Alarm (2nd gen) and Ring Alarm Pro. Both can be professionally monitored through Ring Protect Pro at about $20/month or $200/year, and both use Z‑Wave sensors linked to a base station with a built‑in siren and battery backup. Alarm Pro adds an integrated eero Wi‑Fi 6 router, optional local video via Ring Edge with a microSD card, and 24/7 Backup Internet so your home network can fail over to LTE during ISP outages (PCMag, product page).
Day to day, you get strong value and broad Alexa integration. The Neighbors app keeps you aware of local safety activity; and since early 2024, police can no longer request user videos through Neighbors—agencies must use legal process or obtain consent outside the app (Ring support, news coverage). Ring also requires two‑step verification for accounts and offers optional video end‑to‑end encryption on supported cameras/doorbells (Ring E2EE).
Mr. Build It
Pros
- “Alarm Pro’s base station doubles as an eero Wi‑Fi 6 router and enables 24/7 Backup Internet for outages, which is rare at this price point” (Ring, PCMag).
- “Ring’s first‑party Glass Break Sensor and plug‑in Range Extender make coverage easier in large rooms/homes.”
Cons
- “Wireless gear still depends on placement and range; Range Extenders help, but signal hiccups or app glitches can occur like with any DIY system.”
- “Ring Alarm sensors are Z‑Wave and Alexa‑centric—Ring hasn’t announced broad Matter support for Alarm sensors as of late 2024” (Ring, CSA Matter).
Louis, DefendItYourself.com
Pros
- “Among major brands, Ring’s pro monitoring price is tough to beat—Protect Pro is about $20/month or $200/year.”
- “Hardware is reliable when sensors stay within Z‑Wave range and Wi‑Fi coverage is solid, especially with Alarm Pro’s eero.”
Cons
- “After past privacy issues, the FTC required stronger controls in 2023; Ring now mandates two‑step verification and offers optional E2EE for video” (FTC, Ring E2EE).
- “Feature updates roll out frequently; occasionally a change introduces bugs that need fixes.”
Julie Jacobson
Pros
- “Plans are contract‑free and affordable—Protect Pro adds 24/7 monitoring, LTE backup for the base station, and camera benefits for one location” (Ring Protect).
- “Ring’s cameras integrate tightly with the alarm; you can auto‑record on alarms and manage privacy zones and motion zones.”
Cons
- “Starter kits include only a few entry and motion sensors; most homes will add extra contact sensors to cover all doors/windows.”
Shane Whatley
Pros
- “The Ring app supports Home/Away modes, entry/exit delays, Mode Schedules, geofence arming reminders, and SOS from the app” (Ring Support).
- “Alarm Pro enables optional local video via Ring Edge with a microSD card for privacy‑minded setups” (PCMag).
- “Kits include a Range Extender to help keep Z‑Wave sensors connected across larger homes.”
Cons
- “Cellular backup for the alarm requires Protect Pro; Alarm Pro’s 24/7 Backup Internet includes a monthly cellular data allotment with pay‑as‑you‑go overages” (Ring Protect, PCMag).
- “Third‑party device support is curated, and Ring hasn’t announced broad Matter support for Alarm sensors yet” (Ring, CSA Matter).
Ring Alarm (4.5/5)
DIY security with dual‑path connectivity, Alexa integration, and optional local video on Alarm Pro
| Plans | Availability | Prices Starting At | Contract Length |
| Alarm Security Kit (five pieces) | Nationwide | Varies by promotion (see site) | Month-to-month |
| Alarm Security Kit (10 pieces) | Nationwide | Varies by promotion (see site) | Month-to-month |
| Alarm Security Kit (14 pieces) | Nationwide | Varies by promotion (see site) | Month-to-month |
Plans
Clear tiers: video-only (Basic/Plus) vs. full monitoring (Pro)
Ring’s subscriptions split cleanly between video storage and full alarm monitoring. Ring Protect Basic and Plus focus on camera/doorbell features (cloud video recording and rich notifications) and do not include professional monitoring for Ring Alarm. Ring Protect Pro (about $20/month or $200/year) adds 24/7 professional monitoring for Ring Alarm, LTE cellular backup for the base station, and includes camera benefits for an unlimited number of Ring cameras at one location in the U.S.; details can vary by region, so check the current Protect page for inclusions.
Equipment comes in three common kits: 5‑piece (base station, keypad, 1 motion, 1 contact, 1 range extender), 10‑piece (adds more contacts/motion), and 14‑piece (more door/window coverage). Pricing changes frequently due to promotions, but kits generally run from the low‑$200s to $300+ while Alarm Pro bundles cost more due to the built‑in eero and local video options (PCMag). Accessories include first‑party devices like the Glass Break Sensor, Flood & Freeze sensor, Smoke/CO Listener, and compatible Z‑Wave smart locks (Ring Support).
Professional monitoring covers intrusion and SOS signals, with fire/CO dispatch enabled when you add compatible devices (e.g., Smoke/CO Listener). Flood/Freeze typically triggers notifications and a monitoring call rather than emergency dispatch unless specified by current policies (Ring Support). Alarm Pro uniquely offers 24/7 Backup Internet for your home network with a monthly cellular data allotment included in Protect Pro and pay‑as‑you‑go rates for overages (Ring Protect, PCMag).
Who is each plan best for?
- Alarm Security Kit (five pieces) – Apartments/condos and small homes that need a base station, keypad, and coverage for a single entry and a main living area.
- Alarm Security Kit (10 pieces) – Multi‑entry homes that need more contact sensors and a second motion detector.
- Alarm Security Kit (14 pieces) – Larger homes wanting broad door/window coverage out of the box (more contact sensors).
Availability
Ring offers nationwide DIY availability with optional month‑to‑month professional monitoring via Protect Pro, so you can move without breaking a long contract (Ring Protect). This flexibility compares well with DIY rivals like SimpliSafe and ADT Self Setup, which also sell no‑contract monitoring tiers (SimpliSafe, ADT Self Setup).
Smart‑home integration centers on Alexa and supported Z‑Wave locks. As of late 2024, Ring has not broadly announced Matter support for Alarm sensors; Alarm Pro’s eero handles Wi‑Fi, and many eero models serve as Thread Border Routers for Matter devices in general, but Ring’s alarm sensors themselves remain Z‑Wave (Ring, CSA Matter, Google Home developers).
Ring Home Security Review
Contract & Pricing (5/5)
Protect Pro bundles 24/7 professional monitoring for about $20/month or $200/year. Plans are month‑to‑month with no long‑term contract, and Ring offers a 30-day, money-back guarantee. Practice Mode helps new monitoring accounts reduce false alarms during the first week, and some cities require alarm permits—Ring provides guidance during setup (Ring Support).
“Ring remains one of the lowest‑cost options for full professional monitoring.” – Louis, DefendItYourself.com
“Monitoring plans are contract‑free and affordable.” – Julie Jacobson
Customer Service (4/5)
Expect modern, omnichannel support: knowledge base articles, community forums, web forms, and live assistance with phone and chat, increasingly backed by AI for faster routing and answers (Ring Support, CX trends 2025). Across industries, satisfaction varies—telecom/ISP remains among the lowest‑scoring categories, underscoring why self‑service plus quick escalation matters (ACSI reports). For a third‑party snapshot of recent feedback, see Ring’s BBB profile.
“Ring is good to its customers, I love its flexible policies and access to support.” – Julie Jacobson
Ease of Installation (5/5)
Ring is designed for DIY. Most sensors are peel‑and‑stick, and setup flows through the app with step‑by‑step guides. Many users complete a kit in well under an hour, and Ring offers concise video tutorials for common tasks. Alarm bases include battery backup; with Protect Pro, the alarm also gets LTE backup. Alarm Pro adds eero Wi‑Fi 6 routing, optional Ring Power Pack accessories for extended backup, and local video options via Ring Edge (Ring).
Installing the Ring Video Doorbell can involve low‑voltage wiring, whereas most Ring Alarm sensors/keypads simply adhere to surfaces or plug in and join via the app.
Ring’s equipment takes the same easy DIY approach seen with SimpliSafe and ADT Self Setup, but Alarm Pro’s networking and cellular failover features stand out in this price tier (ADT Self Setup, SimpliSafe, PCMag).
“You can’t really go wrong with setting up your system. With the range extender, you don’t have to worry about where you’re placing your hub.” – Shane Whatley
Ring Alarm vs. Other Providers
| Prices starting at | Monitoring options | Installation options | |
| Vivint | $39.99/month (source) | Professional | Professional |
| SimpliSafe | $19.99–$29.99/month (source) | DIY and Professional | DIY and professional |
| Blue by ADT | $24.99/month (source) | Professional | DIY |
Further Reading
FAQs
Does Ring offer professional installation?
Ring builds its systems for DIY setup with in‑app guides and short how‑to videos, so most households won’t need a technician. If you prefer help, you can still hire a local installer or electrician, but Ring monitoring and warranty don’t require pro installation (video tutorials, Ring Support).
Does Ring rely on my Wi-Fi connection?
The base station connects via Ethernet or Wi‑Fi and includes a backup battery (typically up to roughly a day). With Protect Pro, the alarm gains LTE cellular backup so it stays connected to the monitoring center during broadband outages. If you use Ring Alarm Pro, 24/7 Backup Internet can also keep your home network online using cellular data; Protect Pro includes a monthly data allotment, and extra data is charged pay‑as‑you‑go (PCMag).
