Ring, owned by Amazon, is launching a new smart lock that addresses a common consumer concern: the fear of being locked out if the battery dies. The device includes a hand-crank power dial that can temporarily power the lock to open the door, allowing users to recharge the battery.
The introduction of a smart lock with a built-in, user-powered backup mechanism directly addresses a significant barrier to adoption for smart home security devices, potentially increasing consumer confidence and market penetration for Ring and the broader smart lock industry.
Ring, an Amazon-owned company known for its video doorbells, is expanding into the smart lock market with a new device designed to alleviate a common consumer anxiety: the possibility of being locked out due to a dead battery. The new smart lock features a unique power dial that allows users to hand-crank the lock to open it if the battery runs out. This addresses a concern that Ring founder Jamie Siminoff experienced when looking for a lock for his vacation home, where infrequent use could lead to a dead battery.
Siminoff explained that the idea was to create a lock that could be powered just enough to open with a hand crank, allowing the user to then access and charge the rechargeable battery pack. The battery is expected to last approximately one year, with the Ring app providing low-battery alerts. The app will also enable users to grant temporary access to visitors, and the company plans to eventually allow third-party app integration for features like managing access codes for services such as Airbnb.
The Ring smart lock offers multiple access methods, including a fingerprint reader, a backlit touchscreen keypad, the Ring app, and voice commands via Alexa. Siminoff believes that addressing the anxiety around battery failure will be a key selling point, differentiating it from other smart locks that may have less convenient or secure backup methods, such as hidden physical keys.
The device is designed to fit a standard single-cylinder deadbolt and will be available in the U.S. in the first quarter of 2027, following FCC authorization. It will be offered in three finishes: black, silver, and brass. In addition to the smart lock, Ring also unveiled four new 4K cameras: the Outdoor Cam 4K Plus, Spotlight Cam 4K Plus, Floodlight Cam 4K Plus, and a pan-tilt Indoor Cam 4K.
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