Ring Launches Smart Smoke Alarms, Announces 2K Camera Upgrades

Ring, known for pioneering the video doorbell, is expanding its smart home offerings through a collaboration with leading fire safety brand Kidde, announcing advanced smart smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms.

Ring’s new app-connected smart alarms offer an optional 24/7 professional monitoring service, enhancing home safety and user convenience. The new lineup features two primary devices:

• Kidde Smart Smoke Alarm with Ring Integration: Priced at $54.97, this hardwired alarm includes a battery backup and connects directly to the Ring app via Wi-Fi, eliminating the need for a separate hub or Ring Alarm system.
• Kidde Smart Smoke and CO Alarm with Ring Integration: Available for $74.97, this device offers combined detection capabilities for both smoke and carbon monoxide, providing comprehensive protection.

Both alarms utilize Kidde’s enhanced sensing technology, boasting 25% faster response times and up to three times more precise smoke detection. This advancement reduces false alarms commonly triggered by cooking activities, ensuring accurate alerts.

Upon detecting unsafe levels of smoke or CO, these alarms send real-time notifications through the Ring app, enabling homeowners to respond promptly, even when away. Additionally, the system provides approximately seven days’ advance notice of low battery status via the app, allowing timely replacements and preventing disruptive chirping sounds.

Notably, installing one of these new alarms enables real-time alerts from other compatible hardwired Kidde alarms within the home.

The Smart Smoke Alarm and Combination Alarm (Smoke + CO) will be available exclusively through The Home Depot in the U.S., starting April 2025, with broader retail distribution planned later in the year. The optional 24/7 monitoring service will commence on April 2, 2025.

In addition to the new alarms, Ring is upgrading its existing outdoor security cameras. The Floodlight Cam Pro and Spotlight Cam Pro models will receive a free firmware update, enhancing video resolution from 1080p to 2K. This improvement offers greater image clarity and detail, particularly beneficial for devices monitoring larger outdoor areas.

The rollout of this update is scheduled to begin on January 8, 2025. Existing users can access the enhanced resolution through the Ring app at no additional cost.