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Ring Alarm Pro: An Insightful Review of a Modern Home Security System
Choosing the right security system for your home can be a daunting task, given the multitude of options available today. However, the Ring Alarm Pro 14-Piece Kit steps into the fray as a promising contender, combining home security with a built-in eero Wi-Fi 6 router for a secure, speedy internet connection. Designed to protect against break-ins and more, this system guarantees a peace of mind with its array of features. From customizable home protection to easy installation, this kit comprises one Alarm Pro Base Station, two Keypads, eight Contact Sensors, two Motion Detectors, and one Alarm Range Extender—all crafted to ensure comprehensive security. Before you dive in, here's an in-depth analysis based on customer experiences and feedbacks.
Usability and Installation
One of the most appealing aspects of the Ring Alarm Pro system is its relatively simple installation process, which is emphasized by numerous customers. Here’s how usability and installation stack up:
Pros
- Seamless Setup
Many users agree that the Ring Alarm Pro stands out for its ease of installation and configuration through both web and mobile apps. Whether you prefer a desktop or a handheld device for setup, the experience is reported to be smooth and intuitive. - Customizable Security Zones
Users appreciate the ability to create custom security zones and arm their systems in ways that best suit their personal needs.
Cons
- Initial Connectivity Issues
A few users reported connectivity issues when initially integrating the Alarm Pro as a gateway router into their existing network. Since then, software updates from Eero have resolved these issues for most users.
Network Features and Performance
The integration of the eero Wi-Fi 6 router into the Ring Alarm Pro is designed to boost connectivity and ensure reliability. Let's explore the network features:
Pros
- Comprehensive Safety Settings
With the integrated eero, users receive a plethora of safety settings and logs, facilitating troubleshooting and detailed bandwidth monitoring. This adds a layer of security not just physically but digitally. - Consistent Updates
The ongoing software updates have greatly enhanced the system's performance, minimizing disconnection instances previously observed by several customers.
Cons
- Limited Ethernet Ports
Customers note that the limited number of Ethernet ports (one) could restrict those who opt to hard-wire their devices. This often necessitates purchasing an additional switch for expansion.
Comprehensive Coverage and Battery Management
Ring Alarm Pro promises extensive coverage and a reliable backup system in cases of connectivity issues, an aspect many users appreciate.
Pros
- Robust Range Extender
Users have praised the range extender's ability to efficiently maintain device connectivity throughout large homes. - Intelligent Battery Features
Easy battery replacement in individual sensors, with the system providing notifications when battery levels are low, is highly appreciated.
Cons
- Poor Adhesive on Sensors
The absence of spare adhesive pads for the sensors is a frequent complaint. The adhesive issues sometimes result in jarring or loosening, particularly with door sensors.
Subscription Services and Additional Costs
The Ring Alarm Pro offers several subscription services for enhanced capabilities.
Pros
- Optional Upgrades
With subscriptions, users can access services like 24/7 emergency support, as well as backup internet connectivity, which is considered invaluable by many in cases of internet outage.
Cons
- Subscription Costs
Some users feel the costs associated with the subscription services, especially for video storage, add up significantly. This implies that while initial setup might seem affordable, long-term costs can be higher.
Conclusion
The Ring Alarm Pro emerges as a robust, full-featured home security solution elevated by the integration of an eero Wi-Fi 6 router. Users consistently highlight its easy installation and expandability as major advantages. However, potential buyers should weigh in additional expenses due to subscriptions and hardware limitations like adhesive pad replacements and limited Ethernet ports.
Despite some initial network issues, the feedback indicates that recent updates have rectified these problems, offering a seamless blend of security and connectivity, making it a worthy investment for those looking to bolster their home security infrastructure in a comprehensive manner.
In summation, while the Ring Alarm Pro holds up well under scrutiny for most users, there remains some room for improvement, particularly concerning network connectivity and accessory durability. Those who navigate its quirks find a security system that balances innovative technology with practicality—a fitting guardian for any modern home.
Specification Ring Alarm Pro (newest model), 14-Piece Kit, built-in eero Wi-Fi 6 router and 30-day free Ring Home subscription:
Comments from Amazon:
I already had a mesh network created with 4 Eero Routers, working fine without any connectivity issues. I purchased this to add an additional router to improve connectivity on some of the smart devices outside home too, along with replacing my existing alarm system. The setup was pretty seamless, but right after I added this as the gateway router to my network, I started getting connectivity issues with my network. Every minute or so, the network keep disconnecting from my phones and other devices, and then it reconnect immediately after that. You wouldn't notice it usually, but if you are on a video call you can see the video freezes for sometime and then resumes. This keeps on happening every minute or so, making it unusable. I removed the Alarm pro from my eero mesh network and brought back the original 4 router mesh network I had, and then it started working good again. So it is definitely something with this Eero Built-in router. The issue happens even if I have my devices connected to one of the other nodes, so something is killing the entire network for sure. I spent hours with the Ring customer support to figure out the problem, and they were not able to fix the issue either. The security system seems to be working fine, but without having the network built-in, you wont get backup internet option, which means you are not getting what you are paying for the annual monitoring fee. I would instead go with a Simiplisafe system or if you really want to stick with Ring, go with the model without a built-in router. I hope Eero/Ring can find out the issue with this and send a software update for the same issue. Note: Resetting the entire system, adding and removing the routers back, or even creating separate network, none of that helps. Update. I tried powering off my original network equipment, and created a new network with the Ring Alarm Pro, with no other devices added. With this also I Can see the phone connected to this network keeps disconnecting every minute (even when standing right next to it with the phone.). Update Feb 2023: - Thank you for the Customer service and engineers at Eero. They took the feedback from this and now with the Software updates applied, the above disconnect issue is all gone. The network functions seamlessly. And with the newer updates you no longer need to have The Ring Alarm Pro's unit as the gateway unit. This helps when you upgrade your Eeros to the newer / faster versions. You would always want the fastest version to be connected to the modem. In case of an internet outage from the modem, the entire network automatically switches to LTE from the Ring Alarm Pro unit.
I have no complaints about the system so far. It seems like solid construction. All of the devices, like the door sensors and motion detectors were picked up by the device immediately and worked with no issues when connected. The range extender is great and helps make all of the devices work around my 1800 square-foot home. It’s nice to know that. I also have battery back up and cellular back up when I subscribe to the plan to know my home is still secure if there is an outage.
We purchased the 14-piece system for our newly built house. The system was easy enough to setup and install. The good (mostly on the Ring system): 1. Easy to install and configure the Ring alarm system via the web or mobile app.. your choice. 2. Easy to expand to you run out of $$$. just press a button and the new devices that were lost and now found on your system. 3. Eero has safety settings for internet activity and logs for bandwidth testing, etc. Make easy to troubleshoot issues with applications and other WIFI devices. 4. Custom modes and arming options. You can create custom zones for your own needs to arm the system. 5. Kit is relatively cheap for currently security systems out there. 6. Battery replacement in the sensors are easy to do and cost is not that high.. just a few button batteries and the system tells you if any are low. A few dislikes (mostly on the Eero system): 1. No separation of 2/5ghz WiFi channels of the Eero device. Even when you switch off the 5ghz temporary, some devices do not like that option. 2. Eero device has no ability to configure or monitor via a web URL.. you must use the app. I don't like this at all as when I am in front of my PC I can check the Ring alarm system and its settings.. why not have one for the Eero too? 3. Only 1 Ethernet port on the Eero switch. That is NOT good.. You cannot get your true internet speed you pay for with WIFI and if you have devices you wish to hard-wire, you only choice is to by another switch to expand it. 4. Stick and no forgiveness. I placed a door sensor too close to the frame and now when we open and close the slider it jars the cover for the battery sensor and it becomes troubled.. So my options are to either deal with it .. or buy another sensor.. since they give you no spare adhesive pads. 5. Gotcha on monthly fees for saving video to cloud (if you buy cameras) $20.00 a month may not sound like alot .. but that is why the system is cheaper.. so get you coming and going forever. 6. Neighborhood app.. Uggg. check the internet.. it is buggy and broken most of the time. If you want to use it.. better start working on it prior to installing your system One other observation.. Do NOT buy the optional battery packs... You are much better off buying a good UPS that the Ring system will plug into thereby giving you a battery backup and a surge protector ast the same time.. and it actually being cheaper. Just my take.. Close to perfect, but not there yet.