The Ring Smart Lock is Amazon’s first smart lock, and it costs $249. It reads your fingerprint, takes a PIN, and has a hand crank that brings it back to life when the battery dies. It isn’t on sale yet, though: Ring says it arrives in the first quarter of 2027.
Here’s what you need to know before you start eyeing your front door.
Here are the facts that matter most, in about ten seconds:
- Price: $249, with no subscription mentioned in coverage so far.
- Release: Q1 2027, with no exact date given.
- Fits a standard single-cylinder deadbolt, with no extra wiring.
- Four ways to open the door: fingerprint, keypad, Ring app, and Alexa.
The big caveat is regulatory, and we’ll get to it below.
What the Ring Smart Lock gives you for $249
According to Android Authority, the lock has a fingerprint reader and a backlit touchscreen keypad. You can also use the Ring app or ask Alexa on an Echo device.
It attaches to the deadbolt you already have. You keep your existing hardware and swap the interior part, which should make installation a one-evening job for most people.
You can also give friends or family remote access and set time slots for each person. That’s handy for a dog walker who only needs the door on weekday afternoons.
It also connects with Ring doorbells, alarms, and cameras. If you already live in Ring’s world, that’s the main draw.
The hand crank that fixes the dead-battery problem
Every smart lock has the same nightmare: the battery dies and you’re stuck outside. Ring’s answer is a small energy crank built into the thumbturn.
Ring’s pitch is simple: crank it a few times and the lock powers itself back up. The Next Web adds that the dial sits below the keypad and restores enough charge to run the fingerprint reader and the backlit keypad.
This is a clever fix, but treat it as a backup, not a reason to ignore low-battery alerts. You’d still rather change the batteries on your own schedule than in the rain.
Why Amazon Sidewalk matters for remote locking
Remote locking, status updates, and PIN syncing run over Amazon Sidewalk instead of your home Wi-Fi, according to The Next Web. Opening the door happens on the device itself.
In practice, a Wi-Fi outage shouldn’t strand you. The catch is that Amazon says Sidewalk is available only in the United States, so the lock’s headline feature may not travel well.
If you’ve been following Apple’s push into door hardware, our look at the LG smart home accessories Apple helped design covers a rival lock. Apple’s own plans are in our post on the smart home hub reportedly coming October 13.
The FCC catch: you can’t buy it yet
Amazon’s own disclosure, quoted by The Next Web, says the lock “has not been authorized as required by the rules of the Federal Communications Commission.” It can’t be sold or leased until it is.
That’s normal for a product announced months early. Still, it means the Q1 2027 window could slip, so don’t plan a home upgrade around it.
The new Ring cameras arriving alongside it
Ring launched a full 4K camera range on the same day. Per Android Authority, here’s how the lineup and pricing look:
| Camera | Price | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Outdoor Cam 4K Plus | $149.99 | Pre-order |
| Floodlight Cam 4K Plus | $219.99 | Pre-order |
| Spotlight Cam 4K Plus | $199.99 | Pre-order |
| Indoor Cam 4K | $99.99 | Available now |
| Pan-Tilt Indoor Cam 2K | $69.99 | Available now |
All five use Retinal Vision 4K imaging and come in white and black. If you want a camera today, the two indoor models are the only ones you can buy right now.
Amazon is also pushing Alexa into new places this month. Our guide to the new Alexa tablets and their prices has the details.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the Ring Smart Lock cost?
It costs $249. Coverage so far doesn’t mention a subscription for basic lock features, but Ring hasn’t published full plan details.
When does the Ring Smart Lock come out?
Ring says the first quarter of 2027 and hasn’t given an exact date. It also needs FCC authorization before it can be sold.
Does the Ring Smart Lock need Wi-Fi?
Not for the basics. Remote locking uses Amazon Sidewalk, and opening the door happens on the device. Sidewalk is US-only, according to Amazon.
What happens if the battery dies?
You turn the built-in crank a few times. That recharges the lock enough to run the fingerprint reader and keypad again.
Will it fit my door?
It fits a standard single-cylinder deadbolt. If your door has a double-cylinder lock or an unusual deadbolt, check Ring’s compatibility list once it’s published.
Our take: worth waiting for the reviews
The hand crank is a smart idea and $249 is a fair opening price, especially if you already own Ring gear. But a front-door lock is the one gadget where first-generation bugs really hurt, so wait for hands-on reviews and the FCC sign-off before you commit.
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