Ring home security system review

Our Ring home security review assesses how it measures up to the best home security systems in the UK regarding pricing, performance, warranties, and more.

ring product range photo
Homeowners can choose from a variety of packages (image credit: Ring)

Ring offers some of the most user-friendly home security systems on the market. Its ready-made systems can be upgraded and customised to suit your needs and are designed for easy DIY installation.

Its devices come with plenty of advanced features from AI motion detection to night vision, and more can be unlocked by taking out a Ring subscription. Being an Amazon company, it is compatible with Alexa.

Our experts have analysed Ring’s home security catalogue and compared it with other popular home security systems. We’ve looked closely at performance, price points and features to help you understand whether Ring is a good fit for you. 

60-second review

Rating: ★★★1/2

Since each package can be expanded and customised to fit different household sizes, Ring home security systems are a great option for most properties.

Installation is a simple DIY job, as is customising your setup with additional video doorbells, cameras and sensors. Optional add-ons, including motion detectors, range extenders and sirens, offer further protection and allow you to create a more comprehensive package. 

Thanks to its easy-to-navigate interface and simple installation, Ring is a good choice for households with little tech knowledge. However, tech enthusiasts will be pleased to hear that being an Amazon company, Ring is compatible with Amazon Alexa and can be controlled remotely from selected Echo devices. 

Overall, Ring offers a range of reliable home security systems that cater to different price points and household types. Ring’s most notable disadvantage stems from privacy concerns in the US, which may be off-putting for some users.

How do Ring home security systems work?

You can purchase the Ring home security system as a complete pack or as individual components. 

All systems are available in 4 sizes: S, M and L and XL. The company currently offers 3 packages. 

  • Alarm Pack: The basic 5-piece starting pack includes Ring’s 2nd generation alarm keypad, 1 base station, 1 contact sensor, 1 motion detector and 1 range extender.
  • Alarm + Camera Pack: This package contains an additional indoor security camera and can be tailored to an indoor or outdoor configuration. Ring suggests adding a siren for enhanced outdoor security.
  • Alarm + Doorbell + Camera Pack: This pack includes a video doorbell kit for outdoor monitoring.

Each Ring Alarm Pack contains the base station (17cm x 17cm x 3.7cm) that operates on ethernet, wifi and Z-Wave (plus cellular backup with Ring’s Protect Plus subscription). 

The Ring Alarm System has 3 modes: Away, Home and Disarmed. Home will keep a selection of sensors active (eg your glass break sensors), Away arms all sensors and Disarmed disables all sensors. Users can switch between modes by pressing the mode button on the keypad and entering their PIN. 

You can add shared and guest users (the number of additional users permitted isn’t specified) to provide them with full or timed access. For example, if you have a cleaner or a neighbour feeding your cat who needs to use the system during set times, you can grant them limited access. 

As Ring is an Amazon product, you can integrate your alarm with Alexa and use the Ring Alarm to trigger events, such as turning off your lights whenever the alarm is set to Away mode. You can also install a loud outdoor siren that lights up at night – this can be hardwired or used with a battery pack. Unfortunately, Google Assistant is incompatible with the system, and other devices such as Philips Hue, can’t be used alongside Ring. 

Our top package pick

We’d recommend opting for the Alarm + Indoor Camera 2nd Gen Pack is size medium, as it’s comprehensive enough to secure a small house at a relatively affordable price. For £319.96, you get a Base Station, keypad, 2 alarm contact sensors, 2 alarm motion detectors, an alarm range extender and a 2nd Gen Indoor Camera.

Key specifications

ring doorbell camera app
Ring’s most popular device is its doorbell camera (image credit: Ring)
  • Installation type: DIY 
  • Price range: From £219.99 to £489.92 
  • Subscription options: £4.99 per month for Ring Protect Basic; £8 per month for Ring Protect Plus 
  • Number of packages: 3 base packages, available in S, M and L sizes
  • Monitoring: Self-monitoring and optional paid assisted monitoring (for Ring Alarm only)
  • Warranty: 1-year limited warranty (extended warranty included with Ring Protect Plus) 
What we like
Ring offers some of the cheapest home security systems on the market
Its systems can be customised and upgraded as needed
Ring systems are built for DIY installation and monitoring
Ring offers a wide range of devices from cameras to sensors and video doorbells
What we don't like
Ring has been the subject of a class action lawsuit in the US due to privacy concerns
The company has a very low Trustpilot rating (but reviews are far better on Amazon)

What equipment does Ring offer?

Cameras

Ring offers a range of indoor and outdoor cameras, starting with its Indoor Camera 2nd Gen which comes with 1080p resolution, 2-way talk and a manual Privacy Cover. It also comes in a range of colourways including dusty rose and grey, which most competitors do not do. Ring also offers an indoor Pan and Tilt camera to increase your coverage.

For outdoor spaces, Ring has a standard Outdoor Camera with motion activated notifications, 2-way talk and night vision. You can also upgrade to the Outdoor Camera Plus, which comes with enhanced wide-angle 2K video. All of these can be battery- or solar-powered (at an additional cost).

If you want an additional deterrent, Ring has a range of floodlight cameras, including the Spotlight Cam Pro (2K video) and the Floodlight Cam Wired Pro (2K video).

Video doorbells

Ring is perhaps best known for its video doorbells. The brand offers wired models (Video Doorbell Wired, Wired Video Doorbell Pro, Video Doorbell Elite) and wireless models (Battery Video Doorbell, Battery Video Doorbell Plus, Battery Video Doorbell Pro and Peephole Camera), all of which comes with HD video, 2-way talk and app notifications. With a Ring subscription plan, you also have the option to have your doorbell call you when someone is at the door.

Alarms, sirens and motion sensors

All of Ring’s security systems come with alarm motion detectors, which are not available to buy separately. You can also choose to add an outdoor siren to your system.

How does the Ring home security system compare?

Our pick for the best overall home security system is SimpliSafe due to its comprehensive packages, DIY installation process and extensive subscription plans. 

However, if you are working on a tighter budget, you may find that Ring is better suited to your home, as it’s more affordable. That said, its sister company Blink offers even cheaper devices and systems.

Verisure is our second pick of best home security systems. Its home security packages are customised to meet the needs of individual homes. It’s also a good choice if you would rather have free professional installation within 24 hours of your order. However, the company’s lack of transparent pricing may be a deterrent for some households. 

Our top three recommended providers

How much does a Ring home security system cost?

Ring is a fairly affordable home security system brand in terms of its packages and subscription costs. 

Below, we have compared the prices of the cheapest home security systems from popular brands so you can see how Ring stacks up.

Home security system brandCheapest package cost (excluding installation and subscription costs)
RingFrom £219.99 for a 5-piece package
VerisurePrices on quotation
SimpliSafeFrom £284.96 for a 4-piece package
SwannFrom £179.99 for a 2-piece package
BlinkFrom £108.74 for a 2-piece package
YaleFrom £219.98 for a 5-piece package
TapoFrom £84.99 for a 2-piece package
Prices accurate as of March 2026.

What Ring customers say

As of February 2026, Ring has a very low Trustpilot rating of 1.3 stars out of 5, which is sadly not uncommon among home security providers. Negative reviews highlight that doorbells are prone to disconnecting and that customer service can be hard to reach or struggle with solving issues. Customers also report difficulties renewing their subscription plan without upgrading to a more expensive one, and the lacklustre professional monitoring.

On Amazon, on the other hand, its products are rated 4 stars and above.

“I have phone ring today about a technical issue I was having. The last time I did so, was about 5 years ago. Both 5 years ago and today their service has been outstanding. Their agents are professional and technically spot on. In addition, they have not lost the human side of things and really try and help you solve issues by holding your hand and speaking practically.”

“Bought a Doorbell plus & Chime and was happy with the results. After the 30 day trial bought the basic subscription.
Decided a few months in, to add another outside camera. Wasn’t aware that the basic subscription service only allowed one camera recording, and it was difficult to establish from the site and chat bots how I could upgrade my subscription without cancelling my basic subscription.
Started a monthly subscription to include both cameras with no confidence what would happen to my first subscription. Ring refunded, pro-rata, my basic subscription and transferred me to the monthly within days – No problems.”

“Paying for ring plan which is meant to cover all devices at home. One has developed fault and ring are refusing to replace it. Impossible to raise a complaint as they will tell you a manager will call back. They never do. Refused to provide copy of transcript. Now trying to obtain refund through credit card. What has gone wrong with Ring”

Final verdict

Ring’s home security systems are suitable for any house thanks to the flexibility of each package. This flexibility is also reflected in the pricing, making Ring a great choice for budget-conscious homeowners. 

However, the company’s history of privacy violations cannot be ignored, and this contributes to Ring’s lower score. When investing in a Ring home security system, ensure you set a secure password and regularly check your account to guarantee nothing is amiss. 

Ultimately, if you want a reliable home security system that’s compatible with the Amazon Alexa ecosystem, Ring is one of the best options. However, if you’d prefer a more comprehensive system or need 24/7 professional monitoring, we recommend looking into brands such as SimpliSafe or Verisure.

Rating: ★★★1/2

Methodology

Our experts have conducted hours of research to compile a list of the best security systems. There are many options on the market and they all have their pros and cons. However, our list includes some of the best security systems to consider for every need. Whether you are looking for a security system on a budget, easy installation, or a customisable package, one of the security systems above will surely be an excellent choice.

A home security system is an investment in your protection. After all, the best home security system aims to keep your family and property safe and protected from burglary, fire, home intrusion, and flood, among other threats.

We considered the following factors:

  • Reputation, including customer reviews
  • Variety of packages available
  • Security features and functionality
  • Upfront and contract pricing
  • Usability

For more information, read our article on how we review home security systems.

*SimpliSafe Promotion Terms & Conditions
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