Ring’s first smart lock wants to banish the dead-battery lockout, with a hand crank.
The Amazon-owned company announced Oct. 7 that its $249 Ring Smart Lock is planned for a US release in early 2027, pending Federal Communications Commission authorization. The keyless deadbolt includes a built-in power dial that Ring describes as a first-of-its-kind backup.
A crank that solves a real problem
A dead battery can leave smart-lock users unable to enter unless they have a backup key or external power source available. Ring founder Jamie Siminoff argues that requiring a backup key undermines the convenience of going keyless.
“If you have to have a key, it’s like, well, why have a smart lock?” Siminoff told GeekWire.
According to GeekWire’s interview with Siminoff, turning the dial roughly five to 10 times generates enough power to reactivate the lock, depending on how far and how quickly it is turned. A green light indicates when it is ready, allowing entry using a fingerprint, the keypad, or the Ring app.
The lock supports time-limited access codes for service providers — a dog walker can enter Tuesdays from 2 to 3 p.m., but never outside that window, the company said. It connects through Amazon Sidewalk, the shared network powered by nearby Amazon devices, so remote locking and status updates do not rely on home Wi-Fi, provided Sidewalk coverage is available. It fits a standard single-cylinder deadbolt with no additional wiring and comes in black, silver and brass finishes.
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The real innovation is in the cranks, not the code
Ring is entering an established market that includes Schlage, August, and Yale. Apple and LG Electronics are reportedly developing a smart deadbolt and other connected-home devices that would carry LG branding.
The practical distinction is the built-in emergency power source: users would not need a separate battery, cable, or backup key when the main battery runs down. How reliably that backup works in everyday use remains to be assessed once the lock ships.
What this means for homeowners
For buyers worried about dead batteries, the dial could remove the need to carry a separate emergency power source. It addresses battery depletion, but does not guarantee against every cause of a lockout.
The lock’s planned US release remains subject to FCC authorization. Before buying, check door compatibility, local Sidewalk coverage, and independent testing of the emergency-power feature.
Read more: If you’re building out connected-home security, compare Ring, Nest, Arlo, and Eufy security cameras to understand how storage, subscriptions, and ecosystem compatibility affect the total cost.