Ring is taking a different approach to one of the biggest worries around smart locks: what happens when the power runs out. Its new Ring Smart Lock includes a rechargeable battery, but it also has a built-in charger that lets users create power by turning the front latch back and forth.
That hand-crank feature is designed to keep the lock usable without physical backup keys. Turning the wheel three or four times generates enough power to run the lock for about 30 seconds. Inside the hardware, a small motor and a supercapacitor use a few strong turns to generate around three volts.
Ring founder Jamie Siminoff thinks smart locks have not become popular because users worry about losing access when the battery dies. The new lock addresses that concern with a power source built into its thumb-turn dial.
How the Ring Smart Lock’s emergency power works
The process is simple: twist the front latch back and forth to generate power. A few turns can provide enough energy to unlock the door, while the lock’s built-in battery should last a full year on a single charge.
Andrew Liszewski described the system this way: “Just ‘a few times’ of turning the dial can generate enough power to unlock the door and fully recharge the lock’s battery.” The hand crank gives the lock a backup power option without requiring a separate key or wired connection.
Installation does not require wiring because the Smart Lock uses Ring’s replaceable Quick Release Ultra Battery Pack. The lock also connects wirelessly to other devices through Amazon’s low-power, low-bandwidth, long-range Sidewalk network.
The Ring Smart Lock does not include a camera. Users can open, lock, and monitor it through the Ring mobile app, or control it with voice commands through Alexa-compatible devices such as Echo smart speakers.
Price, timing, and available finishes
Ring plans to launch the Smart Lock for $249. The company has not set a launch date beyond the first few months of 2027, but it hopes to release the product closer to January than March.
The lock is expected to become available in the US in early 2027, pending FCC approval. Buyers will be able to choose from black, silver, and brass finishes.
The timing leaves Ring with a product that is announced well before its planned release. For now, the key details are the same: a rechargeable battery, a manual power system, app and voice controls, and a price of $249.
Ring expands its camera lineup
Ring also has new security cameras available starting Oct. 7, 2026. The lineup includes the Outdoor Cam 4K Plus, Spotlight Cam 4K Plus, Floodlight Cam 4K Plus, and Indoor Cam 4K.
The Outdoor Cam 4K Plus comes in battery, wired, solar, and PoE versions and costs $149.99. The Spotlight Cam 4K Plus costs $199.99 and includes a 550-lumen deterrent light, while the Floodlight Cam 4K Plus costs $219.99 and can illuminate large spaces.
The Indoor Cam 4K costs $99.99 and has a 115-degree field of view with a privacy shutter. Ring is also offering the Pan-Tilt Indoor Cam 2K, which can mount to a wall or stand on its own, though it requires tethered access to a power source.
A new entry-level 2K indoor camera costs $69.99. It uses computer vision-based motion detection and supports full 360-degree rotation with 175-degree tilt.
Together, the new devices give Ring two ways to address common smart-home concerns. The Smart Lock focuses on access when its battery runs down, while the camera lineup covers different power options, viewing areas, and mounting needs.
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