Amazon's Ring is entering the smart lock market with a $249 device that solves the problem that has kept many people away from smart locks: what happens when the battery dies. The Ring Smart Lock, announced this week and reported by TechCrunch, Engadget, 9to5Mac and Bloomberg, carries a power dial on its front. Turn the latch wheel back and forth a few times and the lock generates enough energy to run for about 30 seconds — long enough to open the door with a fingerprint, the keypad, the Ring app or Alexa.
Ring founder Jamie Siminoff said the idea came to him while shopping for a lock for a rarely used vacation home, where he knew the battery would eventually die and visiting family or friends could get stuck outside. The lock is set to launch in the United States in the first quarter of 2027, after FCC authorization, in black, silver or brass.
Ring Smart Lock specs and power dial
The lock fits a standard single-cylinder deadbolt and needs no extra wiring. Inside sits a small motor and a supercapacitor: a few firm turns of the wheel produce roughly three volts, enough for full-power operation rather than a reduced low-power mode, per Engadget.
The rechargeable battery pack is rated for about a year per charge, and the Ring app alerts you when it is time to top it up. Once inside, you simply remove the pack and charge it as usual.
- Price: $249
- Launch: Q1 2027 in the US, after FCC authorization
- Finishes: black, silver, brass
