Ring Alarm 5-Piece Kit Review (2026)
Updated March 2026 · Tested by Silent Security
The Ring Alarm 5-Piece Kit is one of the best-value entry points into home security. It ships with a base station, keypad, contact sensor, motion detector, and range extender — enough to secure a typical apartment or small home. Professional monitoring is a flat $20/month with no contract, which is dramatically cheaper than most competitors.
What You Get in the Box
The 5-piece kit covers the basics: the base station connects to your WiFi and has cellular backup (included in monitoring plan). The keypad lets you arm/disarm with a PIN. One contact sensor covers a door or window. One motion detector handles a room. The range extender boosts Z-Wave signal for larger homes.
Adding on is easy — Ring sells additional contact sensors ($20 each), motion detectors ($30), glass break sensors ($40), flood/freeze sensors ($30), and keypads ($50). The Ring ecosystem is enormous, and all devices connect to the same app.
Monitoring Options
Self-monitoring (free): You get app alerts when sensors trigger. You manually call emergency services. No monthly fee.
Professional monitoring ($20/mo): 24/7 monitoring center that calls you and dispatches police/fire/medical. Cellular backup and unlimited video recording included. No contract — cancel anytime.
Installation
Ring Alarm is genuinely easy to install. The base station plugs into power and ethernet (or WiFi). Sensors use adhesive mounts — no drilling required. The app walks you through setup step by step. Most people complete installation in under 20 minutes.
Comparison to SimpliSafe
Both are top DIY choices. Ring wins on price and Amazon ecosystem integration. SimpliSafe wins on privacy practices (never had FTC issues), slightly better hardware quality, and a cleaner app. If privacy is your top concern, SimpliSafe is the better pick. If you're already on Amazon/Alexa, Ring makes more sense.
Pros
- No long-term contract required
- Affordable $20/month professional monitoring
- Very easy 15-minute DIY installation
- Works with Alexa for voice control
- Large ecosystem of add-on sensors and cameras
- Self-monitoring option at no extra cost
- Cellular backup included in monitoring plan
Cons
- FTC settlement over privacy violations (2023)
- Camera footage shared with police without warrants (prior policy)
- Requires Ring subscription for most cloud features
- Camera storage needs additional subscription
- Design is plastic-heavy — less premium feel
- Some features locked behind higher-tier plan
Detailed Ratings
Company Background & Trust
Ring agreed to pay $5.8M and implement stronger privacy protections after the FTC found Ring employees and contractors had accessed thousands of customer video recordings without authorization, and that Ring had failed to implement basic security practices.
Ring admitted in 2022 that it had provided doorbell footage to police 11 times without user consent or a warrant in the first half of that year alone. After public backlash, Ring changed its policy to require user consent or a court order.
- Ring's core security hardware is solid and affordable — the alarm system is genuinely good value
- Privacy practices have improved following the FTC settlement and are now more transparent
- As an Amazon company, Ring integrates deeply with Alexa and Amazon ecosystem — if you use Amazon, this works seamlessly; if you're Amazon-averse, consider SimpliSafe or Abode
- Neighbors app (bundled with Ring) has received criticism for fostering racial profiling in community alerts
Ring makes excellent, affordable security hardware backed by Amazon's infrastructure. However, past privacy violations and data-sharing practices with law enforcement earned this caution rating. The 2023 FTC settlement shows accountability, and practices have improved. Best for users who are already in the Amazon ecosystem and comfortable with that relationship.
Complete Ring Ecosystem Kit
Pair your Ring Alarm with these components for full-home coverage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Ring Alarm require a monthly fee?
No — you can use Ring Alarm with no subscription for basic self-monitoring with app alerts. Professional monitoring (24/7 dispatch) is $20/month with no annual contract.
Can I use Ring cameras with Ring Alarm?
Yes — Ring cameras and Ring Alarm share the same app and ecosystem. With a monitoring plan, camera footage is included at no extra cost.
Does Ring Alarm work without WiFi?
The base station has cellular backup. If your WiFi goes down, the system continues working and can contact the monitoring center via cellular.
How does Ring Alarm compare to ADT?
Ring is significantly cheaper ($20/month vs. $45+/month for ADT) with no contract vs. ADT's 3-year contracts. ADT has deeper monitoring infrastructure and longer history. Ring wins on value and flexibility.