Amazon-owned Ring is entering the smart-lock market with a $249 device that can be manually recharged when its battery runs out. This is expected to address one of the biggest concerns with keyless home security systems.
The Ring Smart Lock features a built-in power dial that allows users to generate enough electricity to restart the lock by turning it several times. Once powered back on, homeowners can unlock the door using a fingerprint reader, touchscreen keypad, the Ring app or Amazon Alexa.
The feature is designed to eliminate the risk of being locked out when a smart lock’s battery dies. Other smart locks typically rely on backup methods such as a physical key, an external battery connection or a USB port, which may not be readily available when a homeowner arrives at a locked door.
Ring founder and chief inventor Jamie Siminoff said the idea came from concerns about installing a smart lock at a vacation home that was used infrequently. He subsequently used Amazon’s AI tools to explore whether a hand-cranked mechanism could generate enough power to temporarily operate the lock.
The rechargeable battery in the Ring Smart Lock is expected to last about a year, with the Ring app notifying users when it needs to be charged. The device can also be used to provide temporary or scheduled access to other people, such as family members, cleaners or dog walkers.
The lock connects to Amazon’s Sidewalk network rather than relying entirely on a home’s Wi-Fi connection. This allows users to remotely check the lock’s status, lock the door and manage access through the Ring app. It can also connect with Ring cameras, doorbells and alarms and work with Alexa-enabled devices.
Ring’s entry into smart locks expands its home-security portfolio beyond its established range of video doorbells, cameras and alarm systems. The company is entering a market that already includes established manufacturers such as Schlage, Yale and Aqara, while Apple is also preparing to expand its smart-home hardware lineup.
The Ring Smart Lock fits a standard single-cylinder deadbolt and requires no additional wiring. It will be available in black, silver and brass finishes, with US sales expected to begin in the first quarter of 2027, subject to regulatory approval.
Ring is also expanding its camera portfolio alongside the lock, announcing new 4K indoor and outdoor cameras and a lower-priced 2K pan-and-tilt indoor camera.
For Ring, the smart lock represents an effort to extend its position in connected home security while tackling a practical problem that has limited consumer confidence in keyless locks: what happens when the technology runs out of power.
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Emmanuel Abara Benson is a business journalist and editor covering artificial intelligence, global markets, and emerging technology.
He has previously worked with Business Insider Africa and Nairametrics, reporting on finance, startups, and innovation.
His work focuses on AI, digital economy, and global tech trends.
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