These 7 Accessories Make the Ring Alarm Even Better
This hardwired alarm detects smoke and CO and interconnects with non-smart models. It works without a subscription or can be professionally monitored.
Why you need it: According to the National Fire Protection Association, 59% of home fire deaths result from the absence of a smoke alarm or the presence of a faulty one. This makes having good smoke alarms, whether smart or basic, essential. With smart smoke alarms, you can monitor the device status (without those 2:00 a.m. chirps) and get alerts about smoke and carbon monoxide even when you’re not home — and if you have a monitoring service, you can also get immediate help.
Why we recommend it: This hardwired detector can be used without a subscription, with a Ring Home plan, or with the standalone $5-per-month 24/7 Smoke and CO Professional Monitoring plan. (It also can be used with and without the Ring Alarm system.) With a monitoring plan, someone will call you in the event of smoke or carbon monoxide detection and/or will automatically send emergency services. An especially nice feature is that this alarm can interconnect with hardwired non-smart Kidde detectors: When I tested it using fake smoke, it triggered every hardwired alarm in my house, along with the Ring keypad and the base station. The Kidde Ring Smart Smoke Alarm is identical but without carbon monoxide detection.
Unlike with many smart detectors, you can silence this Ring model only by using a physical hush button on the device (unless the smoke subsides first). Also, if you pay for pro monitoring, and carbon monoxide is detected, emergency services will always be dispatched, even in the event of a false alarm.
Another good option: If you already have hardwired smoke/CO detectors and aren’t ready to buy a new one, Ring also offers the Ring Alarm Smoke and CO Listener. Unlike detectors, this device doesn’t detect smoke or emit sound itself. Instead, it “listens” for alarm sounds from your existing detectors. Should one go off, the listener alerts your Ring base station, sends a smartphone alert, and notifies your monitoring service (if you have a subscription).
