Ring Alarm vs Ring Alarm Pro: Which Security System Wins?
Are you looking to protect your home with a reliable security system? You’ve likely considered Ring, a leader in home security. But with two main options, the Ring Alarm and Ring Alarm Pro, how do you decide which is right for you? This comparison will break down the key differences to help you choose.
Both systems offer robust protection, but they cater to slightly different needs and budgets. The Ring Alarm is a great starting point for many, providing core security features and easy installation. However, the Ring Alarm Pro takes it a step further with advanced capabilities and professional monitoring options.
We’ll explore the features, performance, and value of each system. This includes comparing their hardware, subscription plans, and smart home integration capabilities. By the end, you’ll have a clear understanding of the strengths of both the Ring Alarm and Ring Alarm Pro, empowering you to make the best choice for your home security needs.
Specs at a Glance
| Feature | ring alarm | ring alarm pro |
|---|---|---|
| Base Station | Yes | Yes |
| Keypad | Yes | Yes |
| Contact Sensors | Yes | Yes |
| Motion Detectors | Yes | Yes |
| Professional Monitoring | Optional | Optional |
| Z-Wave Support | Yes | Yes |
| Cellular Backup | Optional | Included |
| Wi-Fi Connectivity | Yes | Yes |
| Smart Home Integrations | Yes | Yes |
| Built-in Siren | Yes | Yes |
| Ring Edge Local Video Storage | No | Yes |
| Processor | Standard | Faster |
Feature-by-Feature Breakdown
Professional Monitoring
- Ring Alarm: Offers optional 24/7 professional monitoring for a monthly fee. This includes dispatch of emergency services when a triggered alarm is verified. However, it requires a Ring Protect Plus subscription and can sometimes have delays in dispatch.
- Ring Alarm Pro: Also includes optional 24/7 professional monitoring with the Ring Protect Pro plan. It often boasts faster dispatch times and enhanced cellular backup, ensuring a more reliable connection for emergency response.
- Winner: Ring Alarm Pro
Cellular Backup
- Ring Alarm: Provides cellular backup, which activates when your internet goes down, ensuring your system remains online. The backup is provided through Ring’s cellular network. However, the connection can sometimes be slower.
- Ring Alarm Pro: Features a more robust cellular backup, often with faster speeds and a more reliable connection than the standard Ring Alarm. This is crucial for maintaining connectivity during power outages or internet disruptions.
- Winner: Ring Alarm Pro
Smart Home Hub Functionality
- Ring Alarm: Primarily focuses on security and doesn’t offer extensive smart home hub capabilities. It integrates with some smart home devices, but its functionality is limited compared to dedicated hubs.
- Ring Alarm Pro: Acts as a built-in smart home hub, supporting Z-Wave, Zigbee, and other protocols. This allows you to connect and control a wider range of smart home devices, expanding its functionality beyond security.
- Winner: Ring Alarm Pro
Processing Power & Storage
- Ring Alarm: Has limited processing power and local storage for video recordings. This can lead to slower processing times and a reliance on cloud storage.
- Ring Alarm Pro: Boasts increased processing power and allows for local video storage with a Ring Edge plan. This results in faster processing and reduced reliance on cloud storage, enhancing speed and privacy.
- Winner: Ring Alarm Pro
Wi-Fi Support
- Ring Alarm: Relies on your home’s Wi-Fi network for communication. This can be vulnerable to internet outages.
- Ring Alarm Pro: Includes a built-in eero Wi-Fi 6 router, providing a more reliable and secure Wi-Fi connection for the alarm system and other connected devices. It also extends Wi-Fi coverage.
- Winner: Ring Alarm Pro
Video Doorbell Compatibility
- Ring Alarm: Seamlessly integrates with Ring Video Doorbells and other Ring cameras, allowing you to view live feeds and receive notifications. However, the integration is the same as with the Pro.
- Ring Alarm Pro: Provides the same great integration with Ring Video Doorbells and cameras. This includes the ability to view live feeds, receive notifications, and access recorded footage through the Ring app.
- Winner: Tie
Pricing and Subscription Plans
- Ring Alarm: Offers a more affordable starting price for the base system. The Ring Protect subscription plans are also available at a lower price point than the Pro options.
- Ring Alarm Pro: Has a higher initial cost for the base system but provides more features. The Ring Protect Pro subscription plan is required for professional monitoring and some advanced features, increasing the overall cost.
- Winner: Ring Alarm
Expandability and Customization
- Ring Alarm: Can be customized with various sensors, such as contact sensors, motion detectors, and keypads. The system is easily expandable to cover larger homes.
- Ring Alarm Pro: Offers the same level of expandability as the standard Ring Alarm. It supports a wide range of accessories and is easily customizable to fit your home’s needs, plus the smart home hub capabilities allow for integration with a wider range of devices.
- Winner: Ring Alarm Pro
Winner by Category
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Value | ring alarm |
| Features | ring alarm pro |
| Ease of Use | Tie |
| Professional Monitoring | Tie |
| Smart Home Integration | Tie |
| Cellular Backup | ring alarm pro |
What They Have in Common
- Professional Monitoring: Both systems offer optional professional monitoring services, providing 24/7 support and emergency response.
- Smart Home Integration: Both the Ring Alarm and Ring Alarm Pro are compatible with popular smart home platforms, allowing you to control your security system alongside other smart devices.
- Cellular Backup: Both systems offer cellular backup to ensure connectivity even if your internet goes down. (Pro includes it)
- Z-Wave Compatibility: Both systems utilize Z-Wave technology, allowing you to connect and control a variety of compatible smart home devices.
- Customization: Both systems offer a variety of customizable settings, including sensor placement, notification preferences, and security modes.
Ring Alarm Vs Ring Alarm Pro Buying Guide
Installation and Setup
Both the Ring Alarm and Ring Alarm Pro offer straightforward installation processes, designed for easy DIY setup. The Ring Alarm typically involves plugging in the base station, placing sensors, and connecting to your Wi-Fi network. The Ring Alarm Pro builds upon this with a more powerful base station and the option for professional monitoring. Both systems guide you through the setup using the Ring app. Ring Alarm Pro features enhanced processing power which can lead to faster setup times. The overall process is user-friendly, catering to those with minimal technical expertise. The key difference lies in the Pro’s added capabilities and potential for more complex integrations.
Monitoring Options
Ring Alarm provides options for self-monitoring and professional monitoring services. Self-monitoring allows you to receive alerts on your smartphone and respond accordingly. Professional monitoring, available with a Ring Protect plan, provides 24/7 assistance from a monitoring center, who will contact emergency services if needed. Ring Alarm Pro offers the same self-monitoring and professional monitoring options but with added benefits. The Pro version can also act as a Wi-Fi 6 router, providing faster internet speeds and enhanced connectivity for all your devices. Pro’s monitoring is more robust.
Smart Home Integration
Both systems readily integrate with a variety of smart home devices, including Amazon Alexa. This allows for voice control and integration with other smart home systems, such as smart locks, lights, and thermostats. The Ring Alarm Pro offers a more robust smart home integration experience. It supports Z-Wave, which allows for more extensive device connectivity and compatibility. Ring Alarm Pro’s powerful base station is designed to handle a larger number of connected devices. The Pro’s ability to function as a Wi-Fi 6 router further enhances the smart home experience by providing improved network performance and coverage.
Cellular Backup
Both the Ring Alarm and Ring Alarm Pro offer cellular backup as a critical safeguard against internet outages. This ensures that your system remains operational and can still communicate with the monitoring center even if your home Wi-Fi goes down. Ring Alarm Pro provides a more advanced cellular backup solution, often with faster response times and improved reliability. This is particularly important for professional monitoring, where a reliable connection is crucial. Both systems prioritize the security of your home by offering this vital backup feature. The cellular backup is a key feature of both systems.
Hardware and Features
The Ring Alarm comes with a base station, keypad, contact sensors, and a motion detector as standard. You can add additional sensors and devices to customize your setup. The Ring Alarm Pro includes the same basic components, but the base station is more powerful and supports a broader range of features. Ring Alarm Pro also supports more advanced sensors. The Pro version offers enhanced processing power, ensuring faster response times and smoother operation. Both systems support a range of accessories, including flood and freeze sensors and smoke and carbon monoxide listeners. Ring Alarm Pro is the better choice for the more security-conscious.
Pricing and Value
The Ring Alarm is generally more affordable upfront, making it an attractive option for budget-conscious users. The Ring Alarm Pro has a higher initial cost due to its more advanced features and enhanced capabilities. Both systems require a Ring Protect plan for professional monitoring and video storage. When considering value, it’s important to evaluate your specific security needs and budget. Ring Alarm Pro offers greater value for the money for users who desire more advanced features, faster performance, and more comprehensive smart home integration. Ring Alarm is a good option for those starting out.
Who Should Buy What?
Buy ring alarm If…
- You’re looking for a simple, affordable, and easy-to-install home security system.
- You don’t need the advanced features offered by the Pro model.
- You want to start with a basic system and potentially expand later.
- You are on a budget.
Buy ring alarm pro If…
- You want a more powerful system with faster processing and more features.
- You need built-in cellular backup for peace of mind.
- You plan to use Ring Edge for local video storage.
- You want a system that can handle a larger number of devices and more complex smart home integrations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main difference between Ring Alarm and Ring Alarm Pro?
The Ring Alarm Pro has a more powerful base station, supports Wi-Fi 6, and offers more advanced features like local video storage and Z-Wave support. It’s designed for users who want a more robust security system with smart home integration capabilities. Ring Alarm is a simpler, more affordable option for basic home security needs. Pro has more processing power and enhanced security.
Does Ring Alarm Pro require a Ring Protect plan?
Yes, both Ring Alarm and Ring Alarm Pro require a Ring Protect plan for professional monitoring, cellular backup, and video storage. There are different tiers of Ring Protect plans, offering varying levels of features and storage. The basic plan covers basic features while the Pro plan offers enhanced features such as professional monitoring, 24/7 assistance, and extended warranty.
Can I use Ring Alarm without a subscription?
Yes, you can use Ring Alarm and Ring Alarm Pro without a paid subscription, but with limitations. You can self-monitor the system and receive alerts on your phone, but you won’t have professional monitoring or video recording. Without a subscription you’ll only receive notifications. Without a Protect plan, you’ll still be able to use the basic functions of the system.
How easy is it to install the Ring Alarm systems?
Both Ring Alarm and Ring Alarm Pro are designed for easy DIY installation. The Ring app guides you through the setup process, which typically involves plugging in the base station, placing sensors, and connecting to your Wi-Fi network. The process is user-friendly and doesn’t require any special technical skills. The Ring app provides step-by-step instructions.
How many devices can I connect to Ring Alarm Pro?
Ring Alarm Pro supports a greater number of connected devices compared to the standard Ring Alarm, due to its enhanced processing power and Z-Wave support. The precise number of devices depends on the type of devices you are connecting to your system. The Pro base station is built to handle a larger number of sensors.
Does Ring Alarm Pro have local video storage?
Yes, the Ring Alarm Pro supports local video storage, which is a feature not available with the standard Ring Alarm. You can store your video recordings locally on a microSD card, even if your internet connection is down. This provides an extra layer of security and privacy. Local storage is an advantage of the Pro version.
What is the range of the Ring Alarm sensors?
The range of the Ring Alarm sensors is approximately 250 feet from the base station, which is sufficient for most homes. The range can be affected by factors such as the construction of your home. You can use range extenders to extend the reach of your sensors. Range extenders can be added to the Ring Alarm Pro and Ring Alarm systems.
Final Verdict
The Ring Alarm is a solid and affordable option for those seeking basic home security. However, for users desiring enhanced features, superior performance, and more extensive smart home integration, the Ring Alarm Pro is the superior choice. Its more powerful base station, Wi-Fi 6 support, and local video storage provide a more comprehensive and future-proof security solution.
Winner: Ring Alarm Pro