Four Smart Gadgets Worth Pairing with a Ring Video Doorbell

Installing a Ring video doorbell is no longer a complicated affair for homeowners who want to improve security without major renovations. The device can be installed wirelessly, without even touching the conventional doorbell wiring. However, the real value of this smart doorbell only becomes apparent when it connects with other devices in a mutually supporting ecosystem.

Ring, which is under the Amazon umbrella, has developed a fairly complete line of home security products, from smoke alarms to broken glass sensors. The extensive Alexa ecosystem also allows thousands of third-party devices to be integrated. If the Ring app does not support a device, users can still add it through the Alexa app and create a Routine to connect it to the smart doorbell.

The following are four types of smart gadgets considered most useful for pairing with a Ring video doorbell, as compiled from various technology reviews.

First, an additional doorbell or chime. When choosing a wireless installation, the existing home doorbell will not ring when someone presses the Ring button. To address this, Ring provides the standalone Chime and Chime Plus. Both connect to the same Wi-Fi network as other Ring devices. The larger and louder Chime Plus can be programmed to produce different tones for each connected Ring device, so users can distinguish whether the doorbell or the backyard camera is ringing. Installation is simply a matter of plugging it into an outlet, but it is best to avoid outlets connected to a switch so it does not frequently go offline.

Second, smart lights. Additional lighting greatly helps identify faces, license plates, or other objects that are hard to see. Ring produces path lights, step lights, and outdoor floodlights that detect motion. To connect them all, a US$20 Ring Bridge is required. Once connected, users can create automations, for example turning on outdoor lights automatically when the doorbell detects motion, or starting recording when the floodlight is activated. Ring also has an A19 smart bulb for indoor lighting. Alternatively, Alexa routines can be used to integrate third-party lights without needing a Ring Bridge. Make sure device compatibility is the top priority.

Third, smart plugs. These devices may seem similar to smart lights, but there are creative uses to take advantage of. For example, in a work-from-home scenario with a desk fan, air purifier, or noise machine that is often on. Users can create an Alexa Routine that automatically cuts the power when the doorbell rings. That way, background noise is reduced so two-way communication with guests becomes clearer, and the risk of missing an important delivery decreases. Smart plugs can also be set to turn back on after a few minutes, giving residents time to welcome guests without having to turn them back on manually. Ring sells indoor and outdoor smart plugs, but connecting them to other Ring devices still requires a Ring Bridge. The broader Alexa ecosystem supports many third-party smart plug brands.

Fourth, smart displays. When busy in the kitchen, leaving work to open the door is not always possible. Smart displays such as the Echo Show 5, 8, or 11 can be the solution. After adding the Ring skill in the Alexa app, notifications from the doorbell will appear on the screen. Users can also view the live feed from the doorbell camera and talk two-way because the device is equipped with a microphone and speaker. The Echo Show offers other functions such as streaming music, watching videos, looking up recipes, and setting reminders. Certain Fire TV devices can also display the live feed, while speakers such as the Echo Dot and Echo Studio can be paired for two-way communication.

"We wanted to highlight smart gadgets that provide additional monitoring features and peace of mind when paired with a Ring doorbell," as stated in the source article, which also emphasized that the selected products have a minimum 4-star rating on Amazon and come from well-known brands.

The selection of these supporting devices confirms that modern home security no longer stops at a single device. Integration between devices enables faster responses and richer information. However, consumers need to pay attention to the need for a Ring Bridge, cross-brand compatibility, and the additional costs that may arise.

Going forward, the Ring product line and the Alexa ecosystem are predicted to continue growing, including the possibility of integration with devices based on the Matter standard. For homeowners in Indonesia who are starting to look at smart security systems, the question is no longer whether a smart doorbell is worth installing, but how broad an ecosystem they want to build and how deep the cost involvement they are ready to spend.