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Thursday, December 5th
Ring, founded in 2013 by Jamie Siminoff and acquired by Amazon in 2018, is known for its smart home gadgets like video doorbells, security cameras, and alarms. It's a popular system, often advertised online. Many customers try it due to the helpful connectivity features and fully wireless setup. They offer services in both Canada and the US, and their systems use the Utah-based Link Interactive. This means your system can connect to home Wi-Fi or use the 4G LTE network if Wi-Fi is unreliable; this way alerts are always sent through the fastest pathway available.
Pick your ideal system with free shipping on $49+
Ring lets you build a custom home security system with a variety of wireless components. Whether you want just the basics or a full suite of devices, you can select what you need. Rather than using a quiz like other companies, you can just pick through the different Ring devices and add them to your online cart. Ring includes all the major wireless security system tools as well as some advanced monitoring devices like smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, or smart home devices like light dimmers and thermostats and electronic locks. To save money, you can also check out the Certified Refurbished section on Ring's website. As an added bonus, orders over $49 qualify for free shipping.
Three kits to get started
If you prefer a ready-made kit, Ring offers three categories to choose from: Connected Starter Kits, Protected Starter Kits, and Whole Home Starter Kits. Each category has several price ranges to fit different needs, whether you want to secure just your front door or your entire home. You can either get the most basic option of a particular package or add on extra devices to service a larger home. Here's a breakdown:
Monitoring for $4.99 to $20 per month
Ring offers three monitoring plans. The Basic Plan costs $4.99/month or $49.99/year, the Plus Plan is $10/month or $100/year, and the Pro Plan is $20/month or $200/year. Both the Plus and Pro Plans cover an unlimited number of devices in your home.
The Basic Plan allows you to self-monitor through smartphone alerts, with no contract required.
Customers report issues with service reps
Ring's reputation is mixed. They offer a 30-day satisfaction guarantee for returns and have a "B+" rating and accreditation from the Better Business Bureau. However, customer reviews are varied. On Trustpilot, over 70% of more than 4,800 reviews are 1-star, citing issues like short battery life and frequent system "offline" status. Many customers have reported negative experiences with Ring's customer service and complained about the fact that their Ring devices weren't actually monitoring due to outages.
Offline too often to be competitive
While Ring has benefits like a good return policy and affordable pricing, its customer service is a major concern. Compared to companies with better reputations and services, Ring falls short. In order to rise in the rankings, Ring would have to show a much higher commitment to customer service and offering more reliable equipment that is regularly online and monitoring as it is supposed to be. While it's not the worst wireless home security option, there's room for improvement, especially in customer service and the amount of time that the devices and services are actually online.
Whether you're a renter or homeowner, there's a universal concern everyone has: security. Living in an apartment or home is expensive, and you want to protect your residence, your belongings, and yourself. Among the numerous security options available, wireless security systems are becoming increasingly popular.
Why pay for complex wired installations and long-term service contracts when you can opt for a wireless system that offers flexibility and convenience? These systems provide robust security without the hassle, and when you move, you can easily take the system with you and set it up at your new place.
The first decision to make when selecting a wireless security system is whether you prefer to monitor your home yourself using apps and camera feeds or if you want 24/7 professional monitoring. Professional monitoring usually involves extra costs, but many people find comfort in knowing that their home is being watched around the clock. If you prefer to save money, you can choose to monitor the system on your own.
Next, consider what equipment you need for your wireless home security setup. At the very least, you'll likely require door sensors for all first-floor entry points and a panel or touchscreen hub for arming and disarming the system. Other popular components include indoor and outdoor cameras, video doorbells, and sensors for smoke, fire, and carbon monoxide. Some companies allow you to purchase pieces of equipment individually, while others offer packages with the option to add extra components as needed.
If you're mindful of your budget, a wireless home security system gives you control over your spending. You can decide how much to invest and what features to include. If you opt out of professional monitoring or plan to add more components later, wireless systems make these adjustments easy. Remember that adding advanced features like video cameras with storage may increase your monthly costs, but it's entirely your decision.
Now that you have a general idea of what you want in a wireless home security system, how do you choose the right provider? Here are some factors to consider:
To help you protect your home and loved ones, Top Consumer Reviews has evaluated and ranked the most popular wireless home security systems available today. We're confident that this information will help you choose the best coverage at a price you can afford, allowing you to enjoy peace and security in your home. That way you can get back to enjoying your activities outside and at home with the confidence that your home, loved ones, pets, and possessions are protected.
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