Ring announces first smart lock that can be hand-cranked when its battery dies

Amazon announced the Ring Smart Lock, its first smart lock, according to The Verge and TechCrunch. The lock has a charger built into its thumb-turn dial, so a user can turn the dial to generate power if the rechargeable battery dies. Amazon did not say how many turns are needed, but said "a few times" generates enough power to unlock the door, after which the battery can be fully recharged, The Verge reported.

The Ring Smart Lock is priced at $249 and is expected to be available in the US in early 2027, pending FCC approval, according to The Verge. TechCrunch reported it will go on sale in the first quarter of 2027 after receiving FCC authorization. Both outlets reported it will come in black, silver, and brass finishes, and TechCrunch reported it fits a standard single-cylinder deadbolt.

Unlocking options include a fingerprint reader, a backlit touchscreen keypad, the Ring mobile app, and voice commands through Alexa-compatible devices, according to The Verge. The Verge reported users can register multiple people, schedule when they have access, and set temporary codes that expire automatically. Siminoff said the app also lets users configure access for people who need periodic entry, such as dog walkers or house cleaners, and that the company eventually wants to let third-party app makers build software for the lock, TechCrunch reported.

Siminoff said the idea came from shopping for a lock for a vacation home. "I struggled because this particular house will get used very little, and I know the freaking battery will die on it," he said, according to TechCrunch. He said he worried that visiting family or friends could get stuck outside, and that he used AI to start working on a lock that could be hand-cranked just enough to open.

Installation requires no wiring because the lock uses Ring's replaceable Quick Release Ultra Battery Pack, The Verge reported. The lock connects to other devices over Amazon's low-power, long-range Sidewalk network instead of home Wi-Fi, according to The Verge. The Verge reported the lock does not include a camera, so users need to pair it with a smart doorbell or a Ring camera to see who is entering.

Ring also announced new cameras alongside the lock. The Verge reported five new Ring security cameras, while TechCrunch reported four new 4K cameras: the Outdoor Cam 4K Plus, Spotlight Cam 4K Plus, Floodlight Cam 4K Plus, and a pan-tilt Indoor Cam 4K. The outlets described the indoor pan-tilt model differently: The Verge listed a $69.99 Ring Pan-Tilt Indoor Cam 2K that rotates 360 degrees and tilts 175 degrees, while TechCrunch listed a "pan-tilt Indoor Cam 4K." The Verge also reported a $99.99 Indoor Cam 4K with a 115-degree field of view and a shutter that physically blocks the camera, plus a $149.99 Outdoor Cam 4K Plus, a $199.99 Spotlight Cam 4K Plus with a 550-lumen light, and a $219.99 Floodlight Cam 4K Plus.