Ring has introduced its first smart lock, a deadbolt priced at $249 that removes the need for traditional keys while addressing a persistent issue: dead batteries. The device features a manual dial that generates power when twisted, enabling users to recharge it without requiring a backup battery or USB connection. Jamie Siminoff, the company’s founder, described this solution as essential for smart locks, which frequently still include physical keys as a fallback option.
The dial requires between five and ten turns to restore power, with a green light signaling successful recharging. After recharging, the lock can be opened using a fingerprint, keypad, or through the Ring app. Unlike many competitors, this lock does not depend on external power sources such as 9-volt batteries or USB ports—features that become irrelevant when a user is locked out at night.
The lock’s design resolves a fundamental issue in smart locks
Many existing smart locks retain a keyhole, undermining their intended convenience. Siminoff’s frustration with this design flaw is evident in his statement: “If you have to have a key, it’s like, well, why have a smart lock?” The Ring Smart Lock eliminates this problem by using a standard battery pack, which Siminoff estimates lasts approximately one year. The product will be available in the first quarter of next year and does not require a subscription for basic functionality.
Ring’s entry into the smart lock market coincides with Apple’s planned launch of its own smart home products, including a deadbolt developed in partnership with LG. That lock, expected later this year, will support ultra-wideband technology for automatic unlocking as users approach. For now, Ring’s deadbolt connects via Amazon Sidewalk, a shared network of nearby Amazon devices, and integrates with Alexa for voice control and smart home automation.
A delayed but purposeful entry
Ring’s move into locks was not impulsive. The company’s first product, the Doorbot video doorbell, launched in 2013 alongside a third-party smart lock. Over the years, Ring has collaborated with other lock manufacturers but avoided building its own until now. Ring could have put its name on a lock and sold plenty of them, but Siminoff didn’t think the company belonged in the business until it had something different to offer.
The innovation centers on the mechanical simplicity of the hand-cranked dial, which Siminoff designed himself using Amazon’s AI tools. He calculated the necessary turns and ensured the components would fit together efficiently. He admitted surprise that the solution had not been implemented sooner: “I literally can’t believe that I just didn’t look at this and just fix the damn thing,” he said.
Privacy concerns have followed Ring in recent years, particularly after a Super Bowl advertisement for its Search Party feature drew criticism for AI scanning neighbors’ footage. The company canceled a planned partnership with Flock Safety, a license-plate-recognition firm, following public backlash. Siminoff defended the lock’s privacy features by highlighting Throw Away the Key Encryption (TAKE), a system that deletes Ring’s copies of encryption keys after use, storing them only on the user’s device.
“You do not need to compromise on privacy in order to have security,” he said. The lock will not integrate deeply with Ring’s cameras at launch, users can unlock the door manually from the app after viewing a visitor, but the system will not open automatically based on facial recognition. Siminoff emphasized that the lock remains a standalone security device, not a camera.
Expanding beyond the deadbolt
The lock’s launch coincides with Ring’s refresh of its camera lineup, adding four new 4K models and a 360-degree indoor camera. The Outdoor Cam 4K Plus, Spotlight Cam 4K Plus, and Floodlight Cam 4K Plus are available for preorder, while the Indoor Cam 4K and Pan-Tilt Indoor Cam 2K launch Wednesday. These additions expand Ring’s offerings beyond doorbells, reinforcing its position as a full provider for smart-home security. Siminoff said he’d take on other parts of the door, even the hinge, if he found a way to improve them. “I never thought we’d do a lock,” he said. “I really didn’t.”