Ring - Alarm Starter Home Security Kit (1st Gen) - White

I am shocked that people complain and complain. This system is a security alarm and does what it was meant to do. This system is self managed which means you can add additional items and control to your liking as far as it’s limits. Works best within Ring ecosystem. Doorbell, security lights and alarm. Also at 100 a year I am not complaining. Paid up front and no more 40.00 month bills and limited control. Also alarm companies want to charge more if you add addition items. Ring is on their way to the top and with Amazon support it will only get better. Only if they supply a discount for prime members that would put them in the right position to advance this already great system. Thanks ring for allowing me a tax refund by saving me money that I didn’t see on my payroll check.

The Ring Alarm system is my first foray into the Ring ecosystem of products, and I must say I'm very pleased. I've had the product almost a month now and here's a few things that really stand out to me. PROS: - Ease of use. I was able to easily connect the system to my Wi-Fi mesh network. They give you written instructions in the box, a video guide in the app, and tons of links to helpful FAQs on their website should you run into trouble or have concerns about where to best place the sensors and whatnot. Seriously well thought out and designed. All my concerns I had going into it were addressed throughout the process. Additionally, the app (using your location) automatically sends you a message once you're finished with set-up, and direct links you to your city's website regarding permits your area may require in order for you to operate one of these alarm systems in your home. Really dang cool. They even give you a trial period where for the first 7 days of your alarm being set-up, they will not contact local authorities if it's triggered; giving you a good amount of time to get familiar with the system and make any last minute changes to your where your sensors are placed and such. This system and the app, like I said, are really well designed. You can set your alarm status all through your phone on the app, or you can use the physical keypad that it comes with. -Options. Another thing I appreciate about this system is the options Ring gives you. For instance, I mentioned using the keypad, you have the option to mount it to the wall, or you can even keep it mobile (albeit plugging it in when it needs to be charged) and move it throughout your house. Same for the Chime base station box itself, you've got a number of options. You can connect via WiFi, or you can use direct Ethernet connection. You get to choose the noise it makes when sensors are triggered, how loud it is, if certain sensors ring right away or if there's a bit of a delay before it goes off so you have time to turn off the alarm (for something like an entry way for example). You've also got plenty of options in terms of alarm plans as well. The highest plan is only $10 a month (which can be cancelled at any time by the way) and gives you 'professional monitoring.' Meaning, that if your power goes out or something, your system will then connect via cellular as a backup and still remain online (up to 24 hours). This top teir plan is automatically gifted to you for 30 days (not including your 7 day trial period for setting the system up). They also do not charge you any move fees or anything like that (since you're the one who's gonna have to bring the stuff with you and set it all up again ;]) so no worries there. CONS: Not many. The only thing I can think of is that both their site and the box claim 'comes with everything you need to set-up!' And while this is TECHNICALLY true, the one thing that kind of annoyed me is that though you can most certainly mount your base station unit, it does NOT come with any of the material to do so. This is especially odd considering everything else in the box comes with a mounting kit that has both screws and adhesive to place it up (the keypad, sensors, motion detector). Other than that very minor annoyance, I've had a perfect experience with the system. Would easily get my recommendation to anybody looking for an alarm system.

Got the Ring Alarm system on launch date. Let me start by saying that the installation was very easy. All sensors, motions detectors, range extender, keypads and base station synced without a hiccup. The door/window sensors are a bit larger than your usual sensors but they do the job and aesthetically looks good so it makes up for the size. The 2 motion detectors work flawlessly. All my sensors are installed on the walls using the included 2-sided adhesive tape. So far I haven’t encountered any adhesive issues with all my equipments. The keypads are nicely lit up although I would like them to update the lights to light up both the “Away” and “Home” buttons during operation. I work at nights and when I was trying to disable the alarm I couldn’t figure out which button is which. Not a big negative but definitely needs improvement on the next software update. Also would’ve been nice if the key pad had a LED screen on it so we can tell if we’ve inputed enough digits for the pin# or still missing some. My kit came with a free Ring yard sign and that was a big bonus. It gives you this extra feeling of security knowing that the sign is lit up and stands out at night. It’s definitely a good addition to my Ring Doorbell Pro, Ring Spotlight Cam and Ring Floodlight. So far so good with the system, especially for a 24/7 monitoring security system for $100/year. You really can’t beat that!

The holiday promotion made tickled my wallet and after a couple of hours of research, I pulled the trigger. Great bundle with the needed sensors and key pads for my house. I did not get the monitoring yet, but you can't beat the low price for it's professional services. Easy to install, can control via Alexa/Echo or via app. Had 3 false alarms yesterday via motion sensors and had to lower down the motion setting to see if that helps. Took 1 star for the lack of sleep ;)

Easy to install and very low price for 24 seven monitoring I would recommend this to everyone

Ok let me start with cons which is only one right now. That would be the size of the contact sensors. Understand that this system just launched and so far I am happy with the results. Lot of people complaining about WiFi outages. Yes if you lose WiFi u lose connection is why they offer a 100.00 a year professional monitoring that adds the option of cellular backup. I get all notification on my device when no WiFi, backup power, etc.. I also have it on a battery backup along with my router to extend power. Great system which I believe over time will improve greatly. I was paying 38.00 a month. Paid 100 and done for a year. Saving overtime....Priceless! Let me add that the panels have sensors so they light up when you walk up to them. I am also able to name each sensor so I know exactly which window or door was opened or closed. Also it keeps a history with time and day all in app

This bundle was perfect for our home. Great option to have two keypads. My only caution is that you need a power source and I’m not a fan of visible wires or cables. I had to feed the wires through the wall so it was a clean install. Otherwise awesome option to alternative security. Especially when we used to pay $50 a month and now I pay $9 when you Pre pay for the whole year.

Quick thoughts: I really like this alarm and find it to function very well. Previously I had the Nest Secure and find the Ring alarm to be a more complete package. The Ring alarm is easy to install and you don’t have to pay for monitoring unless you want to. The alarm will still function without monitoring and will alert you via the Ring app if it goes off. The expandability of the Ring alarm is a major plus and the cost for extra sensors is quite reasonable. I would highly recommend this alarm to anyone not sure of what to get. I find to be the best value and backed by a large company (Amazon now owns Ring). The alarm components don’t come in a fancy box or physically “feel” as premium as the Nest did. However, you don’t unbox and feel the alarm but once to install it. The functionality is what’s important and the Ring feels of high quality in use. Now the full review: Install: First, download the Ring application to your phone and create a Ring account. From there you’ll be walked through each step as you install the base station, keypad, and sensors. Base station install: You can use Wifi or a wired connection to your router. The base station can be placed on a flat surface like a table to counter if you want. The more secure method though is to mount it to a wall. I have mine hidden behind a display cabinet to delay it being found. The alarm is built into the base station and is quite loud. Serves as a great deterrent and given the location of my base station it cannot be easily disabled when sounding. You’d have to move a several hundred pound piece of furniture. Sensor install: The app will give guidance on how to mount the sensors and verify they are installed properly before moving forward. You don’t need to be super tech savvy to install and use this alarm. All needed hardware is included to install the sensors. I used the included sticky tape and it worked quite well. If your not confident in the sticky tape provided you can buy stronger tape at the hardware store and just cut it to size. You can use the provided screws to mount the sensors as well if you prefer a super stable mounting platform. The sensors include tamper sensors too so if the sensor is at any point opened it will alert you via the Ring app. Programming the alarm: Arming: The alarm is easy to program via the Ring application on your phone. Within the app you can change the alarm pin code and make temporary ones to give out if a visitor is coming and your not home. The pin is what you use to arm and disarm the alarm via the included keypad. The keypad is rechargeable to you don’t have to plug it in except to recharge it. Within the Ring app you can see the battery level of the keypad so you know when to charge it. You can leave it plugged into an outlet if you want to, it uses micro usb to charge and include the charging cable in the box. I charge my keypad once every two months and use it daily. You can also use the Ring app to arm and disarm the alarm. I prefer the app to disarm so the alarm is off as I pull into my garage. Delay function: You can set the delay time for when you leave and when you arrive home. It can be between 0 seconds and 180 seconds. The away delay is set independent of the arrival delay. For example you can set the delay to arm the alarm when you set it to 120 seconds so you have time to leave and lock up prior to the alarm setting. You can then adjust the arrival delay to 0 seconds if you want so that the alarm goes off instantly when a sensor is set off. I really like this function as I don’t want the alarm to delay going off if I am sleeping. It also helps deter a would-be intruder if they hear an alarm as soon as they try to make entry into a home. The 0 second delay for setting the alarm off is only available if you choose self monitoring though. So if you pay for Ring monitoring (you don’t have to, all functions work without it) then you must include a delay before the alarm with go off. Siren sound: This seems to be updated with firmware updates to the base station. I just updated mine and the siren sound now has two tones and is incredibly loud. It is a sound that I would choose for an alarm if I could. The alarm siren cannot be modified or changed by the user. Chime: You can set each door or window sensor to chime when they are opened and the alarm is off. You can choose between 5 or so chimes and each sensor can be programmed on its own. So you can have a different chime for the front and back door and the windows. You can also set it so only certain sensors chime. The motion sensors cannot be set to chime. Sensitivity: Each motion sensor has adjustable sensitivity if you need to adjust it after install. This is done within the Ring app. The door and window sensors are not adjustable and don’t need to be as they don’t sense motion. Sensor batteries: Each sensor runs on a battery that is included with the sensors. I have had mine installed for over 3 months and the battery level is still showing full. I am confident I won’t change the batteries for at least a year, probably a lot longer. You check the battery level within the Ring app. The keypad is rechargeable and the charge on it lasts about 2 months for me. I use it daily. Monitoring: You can pay for monitoring if you choose to. Unlike some other alarms you don’t lose any alarm functionality by self-monitoring though. The only difference is if your alarm goes off you won’t get a phone call from the alarm company telling you it is sounding and you’ll have to call the police yourself if they are needed. You’ll have to decide if that is important to you. If you chose to pay for monitoring it is easy to set up within the Ring app on your phone. What happens when the alarm goes off: The siren on the base station will sound when the alarm is triggered by a sensor. You will receive a notification on your phone from the Ring app that your alarm is sounding and it will identify which sensor set it off. You can disarm the alarm within the Ring app or with the keypad. If you don’t have internet service to receive the notification within the Ring app then you won’t know it is sounding until you get service back. You can also choose to receive an email when the alarm goes off. If you pay for monitoring then the monitoring service will call you when the alarm sounds. This may be of benefit if you frequent areas that don’t have internet service for your phone. What’s the siren sound like: It’s loud and sounds exactly how you want an alarm siren to sound. There seems to be two tones that work simultaneously and cause a disorienting sensation when you’re near the base station. Certainly a great deterrent as there’s no guessing there’s an alarm going off. Is it easy to use: Yes, very. How does it compare to the Nest Secure: The Ring alarm is a much better value and offers more expandability than the Nest does. I would recommend the Nest for small space like an apartment or similarly sized area. Even so, I still prefer the Ring as it does the same things for quite a bit less money. The Nest feels more premium, but as I stated earlier, you don’t feel your alarm. You use it. If you have a lot of other Nest products then it might be worth the extra cost for the Nest Secure. It will integrate well with your Nest cams and shows an image from the camera closest to the sensor that set off your alarm if you have Nest cams and the Nest Secure. So that is one benefit. I have 5 Nest cams and still chose the Ring alarm over the Nest though. It just makes more sense for me. I can look at my cameras if the alarm goes off. I also find the Ring base to be more securely mounted (and hidden) versus the Nest Secure base. The Nest base if designed to be set on a table or desk and not mounted to a wall. I didn’t like that. Do I recommend the Ring Alarm: Absolutely. I researched every alarm available that I could install myself and settled on this one. It has full functionality without having to pay for monitoring (some other brands limit what you can do unless you pay for monitoring) and just plain works without issue. In over 3 months there hasn’t been a single false alarm or issue. The Ring brand is heavily invested in this product and they are a very stable company. If given the opportunity to select any alarm for free, I would still choose the Ring Alarm. It is just that good.