The Ring Alarm system is commonly sold as a package deal and is part of Ring’s effort to drive its wedge into the smart home security market alongside the likes of SimpliSafe. The Ring Alarm System is one of the lowest-priced home security packages available, and the quality—considering the cost—is top-notch.
This guide will help walk you through the cost of the Ring Alarm packages available, the devices that come with each package, and third-party devices compatible within the Ring ecosystem.
What Are the Costs of the Different Ring Alarm Kits?
There are four separate Ring Alarm packages to choose from, each with a number of devices and listed at different prices:
Each package is designed for smaller to larger residences. All of the Ring Alarm Systems available are the 2nd generation versions.
Ring Alarm 5-Piece Kit (2nd Gen)
The Ring Alarm 5-Piece Kit comes with a range extender, one contact sensor, one motion sensor, a keypad, and the Ring Base Station. This kit is perfect for a small apartment or condo and, like every Ring Alarm Kit, is expandable with Ring compatible devices.
The larger kits will come with many additions to the same devices, so we’ll only cover the new ones in the higher tier packages from here. The Ring Keypad and Base Station come with every kit and are required with each one.
- The Ring Alarm Base Station is the hub of the entire setup. Everything operates through it, much like a bridge. It’s responsible for keeping all of your Ring devices online.
- The contact sensor is good for a single door or a window. When the system is armed, it will alert you if the window or door is breached.
- The motion sensors are best when placed in room corners at an elevated level to alert you to any movement that comes within its proximity.
- The Ring Range Extender is connected by Z-wave—as are all of the Ring Alarm devices—and extends your range out by 250 feet in every direction. It works best if installed in line of sight with your base station.
Ring Alarm 8-Piece Kit
The Ring Alarm 8-Piece Kit comes with everything from the 5-piece kit with the addition of 3 more contact sensors. That comes out to a three-pack of contact sensors for $50. Since a two-pack of contact sensors will run you $39.99, you’re getting one for half the price.
This is the most popular package that Ring offers. Most small homes and apartment buildings or even small condos are adequately covered by the 8-piece kit.
Ring Alarm 10-Piece Kit
For $10 more, you get an extra contact sensor and an extra motion sensor. While this kit option definitely exists—it’s listed on the Ring website under Ring Alarm Products—it doesn’t seem to get the same level of publicity as the 8-piece.
It looks like Ring was trying to establish a happy medium with small home owners or apartment residents who feel like the 8-piece kit is one or two devices short of full home coverage.
Ring Alarm 14-Piece Kit
The 14-piece kit is Ring’s attempt to cover larger residences with an additional 3 contact sensors—for a total of 8–and an extra keypad to cover one side of the home and another.
How Much Does Ring Alarm Cost with Add-Ons?
Ring offers several package deals when you purchase a Ring Alarm Kit:
Some of the other options, however, are a mixed bag.
Smoke and CO Listener
For the same price as the Echo Dot version, you can get the Ring Alarm 5-Piece Kit with the Smoke/CO Listener for free. Normally the Smoke/CO Listener retails for $34.99, but it isn’t a detector. It only listens for the sound of a smoke detector’s alarm and sends you a notification.
Now you can weigh the necessity, or lack thereof, of a free Listener, but there are other ways to receive smoke and carbon monoxide notifications.
Echo Show 5
The Ring Alarm 8-Piece Kit is the one with the most options. Two of the options come with a free Echo Show 5 ($54.99). While the Echo Show 5 isn’t on par with the 4th Gen Echo Dot, it’s close and has a smart screen to boot. It also has a 2MP camera for Alexa Video calls and can play several streaming networks, primarily YouTube, Netflix, Hulu, and Prime Video.
However, is on a small screen, barely the size of a standard smartphone, depending on whether or not you prefer slightly superior sound over a smart display with more features.
Ring Indoor Cam
The Ring Alarm 8-Piece has two options that come with the Ring Indoor Cam ($59.99).
The Ring Indoor Camera isn’t going to blow your socks off, but it still features 1080p HD resolution, two-way talk, night vision, and all of the other standard features you’d expect in a Ring camera that will tie directly into your Ring Alarm system.
The 8-Piece kit that includes a Ring Indoor Camera and free Echo Show 5 is a no-brainer. It literally retails for the same $299.99 as the other 8-Piece kit option.
Ring Video Doorbell
Finally, there are two 8-Piece Kit options with the Ring Video Doorbell (2020) ($99.99).
The Ring Video Doorbell has improved motion detection, 1080p HD resolution, is easy to install, and comes in two colors, Venetian Bronze and Satin Nickel. With color names like that, why not?
Once again, the 8-piece kit that comes with the Ring Video Doorbell at $339.99 also comes in another version with the same doorbell and a free Echo Show 5 for the same price. That’s an easy choice.
How Much Are Ring’s Deluxe Alarm Kit Packages?
All four standard Ring Alarm Kits offer additional Ring products as a “plus” or “deluxe” option, though the 10 and 14-piece kits are usually advertised. All of them are reasonably priced, and some come with additional devices that you should strongly consider as complements of the original kit.
The deluxe editions consist of the 10-piece alarm kit and the 14-piece alarm kit with additional premium Ring devices. The price for both of these is a drastic increase over the rest but may be worth it over buying single Ring products over time.
- Ring Video Doorbell 3 ($179.99):Dual-band Wi-Fi, customizable motion zones, 1080p HD resolution, and a removable, rechargeable battery pack.
- Ring Spotlight Camera (battery) ($199.99): Motion-activated alerts, two-way talk, one year of battery life, 1080p HD resolution, and 350 Lumen spotlight.
- Solar Security Sign: Solar powered battery keeps your security sign lit up.
The only additional devices that come with the 14-piece deluxe version are three extra contact sensors and an extra keypad.
There’s not much that separates the two deluxe packages, so unless you just need the extra sensors, the 10-piece deluxe kit is the better choice for the cost.
How Much Do Ring Alarm-Compatible Devices Cost?
This is just a short list of some of the Ring devices, along with their prices, that are compatible with Ring Alarm. Most of the others were part of the deals and options structures listed above.
All of these additional devices are completely compatible with Ring Alarm and should link with it without any issues.
How Much Do Third-Party Devices Compatible with Ring Alarm Cost?
The following are a few examples of third-party devices that are compatible with the Ring Alarm with a cost breakdown of each:
Ring has been very meticulous in how carefully they’ve kept their particular devices within the Ring Alarm bubble. However, smart locks, plugs, and bulbs from particular manufacturers are just as compatible with Ring Alarm as the other Ring devices mentioned above.
How Much Does It Cost to Install a Ring Alarm System?
Ring Alarm doesn’t cost anything to install. It is entirely a DIY project. All Ring devices are simple to mount or install wherever they’re needed.
The Ring Alarm system comes with detailed instructions, and Ring.com offers video tutorials to anyone having trouble setting up their security system.
You do have the option of hiring a third party for a professional installation, but that’s entirely up to you. Ring is currently partnered with OnTech, a professional smart home installation company that has set prices for the type of setup you want:
What Are the Costs of the Ring Protect Plans?
There are three tiers of Ring Protect plans available: the free version, Ring Protect Basic, and Ring Protect Plus.
You can certainly go with the free option, but it sort of defeats the point of the entire alarm system. The Ring Protect Basic Plan isn’t much of a compromise. For $3 per month, you get coverage for a single device. The most basic Ring Alarm Kit comes with five devices.
The Ring Protect Plus is where you really get most of the bang for your buck. Protect Plus covers all of your devices and includes 24/7 professional monitoring, just like a standard home security plan, except you’re not tied into a contract, and most of those plans will run two to three times higher in price.
Also, you get another year of warranty coverage for devices that automatically come with a 2-year warranty. With the addition of 10% discounts on all Ring products for the length of time you remain a Plus subscriber, that’s an outstanding value for less than half the price of the competition.
Do You Have to Pay for a Ring Subscription?
You don’t have to pay for a Ring subscription plan. But to take full advantage of a Ring Alarm System, it’s highly advisable. The $3 plan covers a single device for one month or $30 for an entire year.
The $10 plan includes every Ring device you own for one month or $100 for one year.
You’re not locked into a contract, and either plan is entirely optional. However, the $10 Ring Protect Plus plan is specifically tailored to the Ring Alarm System with 24/7 professional monitoring, extra warranty coverage, and 10% discounts on any future Ring purchases.
Can You Get a Discount on Ring Alarm Devices?
While Ring Alarm systems don’t have discounts on the devices within each kit, they provide massive discounts on several devices associated with or otherwise compatible with the Ring Alarm System.
None of Ring’s cameras are part of the Ring Alarm system, and neither is the Echo Show 5. However, combined with the Ring Alarm packages, those items are heavily discounted if not completely free of cost.
Subscribers to this plan get a 10% discount on all Ring devices they choose to purchase, including devices within the Ring Alarm lineup.
Are Ring Alarms Worth the Cost?
Ring Alarms are worth the cost; they consistently receive high praise for their effectiveness and value. There are no upfront fees, no contractual obligations, and the optional Ring Protect Plus plan is very inexpensive compared to other home security system prices.
The only upfront cost is the devices themselves. With all of the kits, discounted packages, and optional add-on devices, the Ring Alarm setup that you choose is highly customizable.
While other home security systems offer separate packages, no one offers the variety you get from Ring. Also, there are no installation costs.