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Reviewed ByRebecca EdwardsFor over 11 years, SafeWise experts have conducted independent research and testing to create unbiased, human reviews. Learn how we test and review.
The Ring Alarm system is a low-budget, low-commitment DIY home security system for renters and homeowners alike. Part of what makes Ring so popular is its compatibility with third-party devices like smart locks, smart speakers, and light automation.
From Ring’s own video doorbells to third-party devices, we found compatible equipment to make your Ring Alarm more than just a security system.
In the UK? Check out our Ring UK review.
Ring’s cameras have impressed us for years. The company’s wireless cameras, outdoor cameras, and video doorbells earn top spots among our recommendations.
Ring works with plenty of third-party devices, but when it comes to cameras, you have to stay within the Ring family. The good news is you’ve got plenty of cameras to choose from, each with HD live feed and easy setup.
Ring offers nine video doorbells. Many of them have similar features, but the instructions for installing each Ring doorbell may differ depending on their power source. If you already have a traditional wired doorbell, you can choose from any of them.
Learn more: How do Ring video doorbells work?
Need help with set up? Read our Ring video doorbell troubleshooting guide.
We take a closer look in our Ring Video Doorbell comparison. There, you’ll find a full review on each doorbell in the Ring family.
The Ring Doorbell, Peephole Cam, Battery Doorbell Plus, and Ring Doorbell 4 all work with batteries, so you can set up a video doorbell in a few minutes without an existing one. Renters, these are for you.
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Read the video transcription: the best Ring video doorbells for renters.
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Hardwired doorbells like the ones below may take a little longer to install, but they’re easier to use in the long run. Without a battery to charge, your doorbell is up and running 24/7.
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Pre-roll and advanced pre-roll let you see what happened just before the video doorbell captured motion.
If no motion is detected immediately after a four- or six-second clip, that footage is automatically deleted.
Ring also offers bundles with its video doorbells. If you don’t have a Ring Alarm system yet, you can add a doorbell to your kit for a small discount. There are also bundles with Ring-compatible smart locks and cameras.
The doorbells have optional add-on accessories like solar chargers for battery-powered doorbells or a chime box for a more traditional doorbell feel.
If you have an Amazon Echo or Google Home smart speaker, you can link them to your doorbell. Once connected, the smart assistant will announce that someone’s at the door via its speaker or screen. This means you can keep cooking, watching TV, or playing with your kids and answer the door at the same time.
Alongside video doorbells, Ring has a handful of cameras that add eyes to your security system. If you need help with setup, check out our Ring camera troubleshooting guide.
The Ring Spotlight Camera Plus is small but mighty. It streams a live feed (1080p HD) to the Ring app from outside your home.
It has a powerful built-in spotlight that can shine continuously or when it detects motion. The Ring Spotlight Camera is easy to install and looks great on garages and sheds. It can also illuminate dark pathways on the side of your house or other blindspots.
Check out our Ring spotlight camera review for more details.
The Ring Floodlight Camera Plus is another outdoor security camera from Ring. Like its smaller counterpart, it sends HD live feed to your phone or tablet.
Its two powerful floodlights brighten up walkways or darker areas around your home. Installation is a little more involved with this model, but the heavy-duty camera, ultra-bright lights, and blaring siren make it a worthy addition to your Ring system.
Ring recently released an updated version called Ring Floodlight Camera Wired Pro. It retails for about $250 and includes dual-band Wi-Fi and Bird's Eye View motion tracking.
Check out our Ring floodlight camera review for more details.
The Ring Stick Up Cam is an indoor/outdoor camera with multiple power options (plug, battery, or solar charger). It mounts to the wall or stands on a table. To install it on the ceiling, buy a separate mounting kit for about $20.
We had the opportunity to test this camera for a week. See all the details—including some footage—in our full Ring Stick Up Cam review.
The Ring Indoor Cam (2nd gen) looks like a mini version of the Stick Up Cam. It’s a helpful addition to entryways, nurseries, and public areas of your house where you need an extra set of eyes.
Like all the Ring cameras (indoor, outdoor, or doorbell), it works with your Amazon Echo. If you have an Echo Show, it can stream its HD live feed to your smart speaker, allowing you to watch the kids in the playroom or keep an eye on the pets at the back door.
Technically yes, though unlikely. Read our article "Can Ring Cameras Be Hacked" for more info. You can also check out the video below on how to prevent hacking with end-to-end encryption.
Read the video transcription: how to set up Ring end-to-end encryption.
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The Schlage Encode Smart Wi-Fi Deadbolt is among the best smart locks on our list, and it works with your Ring Alarm system and Alexa.
When you connect it to your home network and your Ring Alarm system, you can access the Schlage lock from anywhere with Wi-Fi. You can also program the Schlage lock or unlock when you arm or disarm your system, nixing that nagging “did I lock the door?” voice as you drive off to work.
The Schlage-Ring pairing also makes it easier to add additional access codes for different members of your family or create a unique code for one-time visitors like the housesitter, dog walker, or maintenance workers. After their visit is over, you can delete their code without changing any of yours.
In addition to its smart features, the Schlage Encode lock has a built-in siren and a space for a traditional key in case the keypad malfunctions. (Even the smartest smart locks aren’t immune to dead batteries.)
The Schlage Camelot Electronic Deadbolt is a sleek lock that comes in different finishes to match your home. It has an LED touch screen that’s resistant to smudges and fingerprints. Plus, its glow makes it easier to see what code you’re entering in the dark.
Once you’ve set up your deadbolt, you can connect it with your Ring system and Alexa speaker. This means you can lock or unlock the door with a simple voice command or set it on a timer to open the door when the kids get home or welcome expected guests.
This smart lock works with Alexa as well as your Ring system. If you’re busy or out of the house, you can lock or unlock your door by asking your smart speaker. This is a huge help for busy parents or home cooks who may not be able to let their visitors in.
The Yale Living Assure lock is a multi-talented smart lock that’s widely compatible with different platforms.
You can control the Yale lock through your Ring Alarm system app or Alexa speaker through voice, programmed schedules, or the simple touch of a button on your app. And, when paired with a video doorbell, you can see who’s at the door and let them in or leave the door locked. It’s a handy feature for anyone who gets a lot of deliveries (or takeout).
It comes with a nine-volt battery backup inside to prevent lockouts from dead batteries. You can learn more about this and other Yale models in our Yale Smart Lock review.
In addition to Ring Alarm, the Yale Living Assure lock works with Samsung SmartThings, Wink, Alexa, and Nest Protect.
Kwikset Smart Code 907 is another Ring-compatible door lock that works closely with your home security system. You can lock and unlock this Kwikset model from the Ring app or set it to lock or unlock when you arm your system.
Like all the other Ring-friendly smart locks, this one also works with Alexa. And its simple, soft-button keypad makes it easy to manually open or lock the door for yourself or visitors.
If you're not sold on the look of a keypad on your front door, check out the Level Bolt. It installs under your existing deadbolt faceplate and remotely locks or unlocks via the Ring app. Your key will continue to work too.
There's also the Level Lock, which pairs the Level Bolt with a touch-sensitive faceplate for those times when you don't have your phone or key on you.
Ring works with other smart door lock models from Schlage, Yale, and Kwikset. Visit the Ring website to see a full list.
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Ring sells its own line of smart light bulbs and outdoor lights, such as the solar steplight. You'll need the Ring Bridge for them to work. Alternative brands include Philips Hue and Lifx.
Philips Hue is a favorite among the best smart bulbs because it’s so easy to adjust and install. It has a whopping 16 million color variations to set the mood for any situation. Hue bulbs also come in white if you want something simpler.
They’re a little pricier than other smart bulbs out there, but the color variations are worth it.
Because they work with Ring and Alexa, you can set automations to trigger lights when the doorbell rings or a door unlocks, for example. Get creative with holiday colors outside or curate mood lighting for nights in.
The Lifx Smart Bulb is one of the most affordable smartbulbs on the market with many of the same features as the Philips Hue. It doesn’t match Hue’s color range, but Lifx has variations like a candle white with softer light for lamps and smaller lights.
Lifx bulbs connect to Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and, of course, Ring Alarm.
Follow our step-by-step guide to connect your Lifx smart light bulb to your Amazon Alexa. We have more videos about Lifx and Alexa on our YouTube channel.
The Wemo Smart plug is a bite-size smart home option. This simple little device can turn anything that plugs in into a smart device once you connect it to your home Wi-Fi.
Coffee makers, hair straighteners, your favorite desk lamp—they can all turn on and off with the press of a button on the Ring app. We liked Wemo so much, we included it in our lineup of the best smart plugs.
Ring is a part of the Amazon ecosystem, so naturally it’s compatible with the Amazon Smart Plug. This smart plug also works with your Amazon Echo to control devices you plug into it.
You can add this smart plug to Alexa routines to turn on lights, your computer, or your coffee maker when you start your day. Or set it to turn off devices when you arm your Ring system and leave the house.
Find more ideas for how to use smart plugs and get creative with your new smart home devices.
Your Ring Alarm security system works with IFTTT and Z-Wave protocols. There are tons of products out there that use both, so we didn’t list everything under the sun that would match with your Ring system. Generally, if a device uses IFTTT or Z-Wave, it should be compatible with your Ring system.
We’ll define IFTTT and Z-Wave so you can see how they fit into your smart home.
IFTTT is short for “If This Then That.” It helps you create automations with the smart home devices in your house. Ring works with IFTTT, meaning you can add your security system to automation chains.
With the right equipment, you can create automations like these:
You can search the IFTTT site for automations other users have created with their devices. When you find one that matches your devices, you can download the automation and program your devices into your routine.
Z-Wave is another common protocol for smart home devices. Whether or not you have a Ring Alarm system, Z-Wave devices are compatible with each other, allowing you to create a customized smart home system with various device brands.
Visit the Ring website to see a full list of Z-wave devices that work with the Ring alarm system.
Smart speakers are one of the best entry-level smart home devices. And the most popular ones, the Amazon Echo and Google Home, both work with Ring security systems.
Your Amazon Alexa or Google Home smart speaker works as a smart hub for all your other devices. Lights, locks, cameras, you name it. If it’s compatible with either of the two major players, you can link it to make your Ring security system smarter.
Product | Works with Ring | Price | Streams camera footage on screen | Read more |
 Yes | $89.99 | Amazon Echo Show | Ultimate Guide to Alexa | |
| Yes | $99.99 | Google Nest Hub Max | Ultimate Guide to Google Home |
Smart speakers linked with your security system also means you can arm and disarm your system with your voice. A simple “Alexa, I’m home,” can be the magic words that disarm your system, turn on the lights, and fire up the thermostat.
As an Amazon product, Ring works better with Alexa and Echo devices. We have a list of more Alexa-compatible devices to add to your home.
TVs might seem separate from home security systems, so Ring’s integration is a pleasant surprise. If you have a Samsung Smart TV model 2018 NU7400 and later, 2019 RU7400 and later, or 2020 TU8500 and later, you can stream live footage from your Ring camera to your TV.
Just like with live feeds on an Amazon Echo, you can watch the feed from the nursery while your baby sleeps or see who’s dropping in through your video doorbell.
Find the full instructions on Samsung’s site.
We found Ring-compatible accessories for your garage door like the Chamberlain Smart Garage Control. It can pair with Ring to open or close your garage door, and its sensor can tell you if you left your garage door open when you leave (and close it for you).
Ring also works with the Ecolink Garage Door Tilt Sensor. This device won’t open or close your garage door, but it can tell you if it’s open or closed while you’re away.
Check out our list of the best smart garage door openers to learn more about options for securing your garage.
You can also connect water shutoffs and valves to your Ring system. The Flo by Moen series works with Ring. Although it’s expensive, it can prevent water damage, save on utility bills, and conserve water.
Water leak sensors are another affordable solution for sensing leaks, but they aren’t equipped to shut off your water main in an emergency. (Some of the sensors on our list may not integrate with Ring.)
Smart thermostats like the Ecobee SmartThermostat can lower your energy bills by reading the environment in your home. This and other Z-Wave thermostats like it connect to Ring through IFTTT, adding a layer of comfort to your home security system.
To use a thermostat that skips IFTTT and connects directly with Ring, go for the Honeywell T9. Like the Ecobee, it's on our list of best smart thermostats. We like the T9 model better than the T5, which also works with Ring.
By connecting a smart thermostat to your Ring security system, you can create an automation that kicks on your thermostat when you disarm your system or one that shuts it off when you arm the alarm and head out.
We’ve gathered a few basic questions about Ring and its compatible devices on this page. But we’ve only scratched the surface. Check out our dedicated Ring FAQ for more Q&A content.
Unfortunately, no. While Ring works with Z-Wave devices, you won’t have as much luck with Zigbee. That said, you can still add Zigbee devices to your Amazon Echo.
Your Ring system shares your home Wi-Fi network with other devices. When you add a device to your Ring security system, it can find it through that network. Some devices may use Bluetooth to work with Ring.
So far, we haven’t found a limit. You can pair an unlimited amount of devices to your Ring system, which opens a lot of possibilities for creative automations and routines. However, actual performance will depend on your Wi-Fi bandwidth.
The basic Ring 5-Piece Alarm Kit starts at $199. You can bundle your system with accessories like video doorbells and smart locks.
If you want to add professional monitoring to your system, you can start a Ring Protect subscription for $20 per month.
Ring Protect is Ring’s subscription service that adds features like professional monitoring and video storage to the long list of what your system can do. A subscription starts at $3 per month or $30 per year, with monitoring starting at $20 per month.
No. Although Ring does work with an impressive number of third-party brands, Abode takes the compatibility cake.
Learn more about Ring vs. Abode.
Brand | Installation | Monthly cost
 | Best for | Self-monitoring option |
| Professional | $29.99/mo. | Best professional home security |  No | |
| DIY or Pro | $21.99/mo. | Best DIY home security | Yes | |
| Professional | $45.99/mo. | Most trusted security brand | No | |
| DIY or Pro | $17.99/mo. | Best customer rating | No |
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