Ring Home Security System Review

A 2024 Ring Security System Review (tried and tested)

Searching for reviews on Ring security systems? This Ring security system review will cover everything you need to know about the company, its products, and the experience you might expect owning them. I recently installed two Ring cameras and have worked with the company’s app extensively, and I can give you a first-hand report on what the system is like. We’ll cover the company’s hardware, its customer service experience, and the support it provides during installation and use of its products and services.

While Ring has garnered solid reviews from around the internet, it has received mixed reviews from the people actually using its technology. The Better Business Bureau rated it a B+, but customers have sent 876 complaints to the BBB in the last three years, with 251 closed in just the last 12 months. Customers also rated it a low 1.14 out of 5 on the site, though reviews in other places are slightly more positive.

I will give you an overview of Ring’s pricing and product offerings and talk about the homes and customers that I think could be the best fit for the company. By the end of this review, you’ll be able to make a confident choice about the security system that best fits your needs and home. First, let’s dive into the pros and cons of a Ring system.

Ring Pros and Cons

Verdict

If you’re looking at the most simple home security coverage available and don’t want complicated installations or services, Ring is a great option.

The company’s wide selection of cameras and products offers a solution for nearly any home, making it an ideal choice to get started in a hurry.

Additionally, Ring sells its products on Amazon and at other retailers, and there are often sales that make the hardware even more affordable.

VIDEO: Ring Doorbell Camera Review

Video source: This YouTube video review on Ring was initially published on Wayne Winton’s YouTube channel.

About Ring

Ring started 12 years ago with products designed to make it easier and safer to identify home visitors. The company’s video doorbell was one of the early products on the market, and it remains a solid option in the industry today.

Ring says it has “secured tens of millions of homes,” and Amazon’s purchase of the company in 2018 puts it on solid financial ground going forward. Despite its success, however, Ring’s primary product has been its video doorbell system, and cameras in general are among the company’s most prominent product offerings.

Most of Ring’s more compelling features come bundled in subscription plans that make the affordable video camera purchase not feel so cheap.

That said, pricing lands on the more reasonable end of the spectrum, starting at around $60 for an entry-level camera and ranging to $350 or so for the range-topping products.

The company offers financing through Affirm, with options to pay for up to 12 months. However, we recommend consumers compare top-rated loans before applying for financing through Affirm, just so that you can be sure to obtain the lowest APR. Just because a company offers financing through a particular lender doesn’t mean that you have to use that lender.

Key Features of a Ring Home Security System

Ring is regarded as one of the top video doorbell makers in the industry, though its competition has grown considerably in recent years. The company offers products ranging from video doorbell systems to in-car cameras to lighting solutions.

Ring offers professional monitoring and the option for professional installation by a third-party company, and its app is easy to use without a significant learning curve.

• User-friendly app with great features
• Professional or self-monitoring options available
• Ring offers an extensive range of affordable hardware
• Connections can use Wi-Fi or cellular
• Budget systems are available with the ability to add more features later

Review of Ring Outdoor Cameras

Ring’s outdoor cameras come in a few sizes, shapes, and types, including stick-up cameras, floodlight cameras, and spotlight cameras.

I opted for the simplest stick-up cameras and purchased two, one for the back of my house and one for the front porch. Installation is straightforward, and the quick app connection makes viewing the camera angle and adjusting the aim simple.

Review of Ring Indoor Cameras

Some of Ring’s cameras offer indoor and outdoor capability, but the video quality is strong regardless of the model. Indoor performance is strong, with the high-definition video quality shining through in a variety of lighting conditions.

The Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant integrations make it easy to control the cameras, though some of the best Ring features require a subscription fee.

There’s another downside with the cameras’ field of view, where their somewhat limited 115-degree vision can be limiting in larger spaces.

Ring Alarm System Reviews

Ring also offers whole-home alarm systems, combining several Amazon products in one comprehensive security device. The systems are flexible, powerful, and affordable for most, and the company offers professional monitoring for a subscription fee.

Ring includes a base station, and customers can add a range of additional products, including motion sensors and range extenders that help the system work in larger homes.

While Ring’s indoor cameras have a somewhat limited field of view, the alarm system helps make up for that with excellent connectivity throughout the house.

Many people find that the base station’s range reaches far beyond what is expected, enabling the installation of sensors and other devices in more “remote” areas.

Ring Car Cam

Yes, you’re reading that correctly. Ring also offers an in-car camera that records inside and outside the vehicle and can detect would-be thefts and accidents.

The camera plugs into the vehicle’s OBD-II (on-board diagnostics port used for vehicle maintenance) port and can record external video in HD.

That said, like other Ring products, the Car Cam requires a subscription to get recording features, and the subscription is also required to get access to LTE connectivity via a mobile device for on-the-go video transmission.

Getting Started with Ring and Costs

The good news here is that getting started with Ring won’t cost you an arm and a leg, nor will it require hours on the phone with a sales rep.

 Ring Customer Service

Ring offers robust customer support options on its website, ranging from an extensive library of help documents to step-by-step instructions and guides. The company also has 24/7 voice customer service, and online chat is available. The Ring Community, where users can share questions and get answers directly from Ring professionals, is open and free to use anytime.

Ring Alternatives

Ring might be a top-rated company, but there are several others to be aware of in the industry.

ADT

ADT is one of the largest and most well-known home security companies around, making it one of Ring’s most significant competitors. The company offers a much wider array of products and has more options for professional monitoring. It’s also generally well-reviewed for its installation and support services, and its monitoring service is one of the best in the business.

That said, ADT is more expensive than Ring and more complicated to sign up for and start.

It’s much easier to choose a Ring plan online and order equipment, and the self-installation option is a big value for many customers. That makes ADT a better choice for more complicated home situations, while Ring is more suited to straightforward installations.

Vivint

Vivint offers a wide range of products, including consultation services and professional installation. Its Smart Hub system brings centralized control, and the app is one of the most functional in the business.

• Users report great customer service.
• Vivint’s customizable packages can make it a great value for some homeowners.
• There’s also 24/7 live monitoring and a long list of customization options.

Like ADT, Vivint is more expensive than Ring, and the live monitoring costs add up over time. It doesn’t offer a DIY option, requiring professional installation – though it does occasionally offer free install promotions.

Customer Complaints Against Ring

Our team at TrustedCompanyReviews.com dug through Ring’s BBB complaints. Below, we’ve highlighted the common themes inside Ring customer complaints.

• Price Increases: Customers are unhappy about recent price increases for the Ring Protect Plan, finding them unfair and exceeding inflation rates. They also criticize the difficulty in cancelling the automatic renewal.
• Customer Service: Several complaints highlight poor customer service experiences, including long wait times, dropped calls, and unhelpful interactions with support agents.
• Product Issues: Customers have reported problems with Ring devices, including malfunctioning cameras, difficulty connecting to Wi-Fi, and unexpected charges for inactive subscriptions.
• Warranty Concerns: Some customers expressed dissatisfaction with Ring’s warranty policies, claiming that replacements were denied despite having paid for extended warranties.
• Security Concerns: One complaint raises concerns about Ring’s past data privacy issues and the potential for unauthorized access to user videos.

This summary is based on a limited sample of BBB complaints submitted against Ring and may not represent the overall customer experience with Ring. We recommend you visit the BBB directly and get the most up-to-date information on Ring customer complaints.

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About Author

Teague-Residential & Automotive Product Researcher