Ring Starter Kit Guide: How Many Alarm Pieces Does Your Home Need?
As Amazon Associates, we earn from qualifying purchases. This means we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you if you click through and make a purchase.
Ring is best known for video doorbells, but its Ring Alarm line is a do-it-yourself home security system that many first-time buyers start with. Instead of hiring an installer to run wires, you place small wireless sensors on doors and in rooms, plug in a central hub, and control everything from the Ring app on your phone. Kits come in different sizes so a studio apartment and a four-bedroom house can each start with the right number of pieces, and you can add more sensors later.
The five alarm kits below differ mainly in how many sensors come in the box and whether the hub doubles as a Wi-Fi router (the Alarm Pro models do), while the sixth item, the Ring Spare Parts Kit, is not an alarm at all but a mounting kit for the Ring Battery Doorbell (2nd Gen).
Ring Alarm Starter Kits Compared
| Kit | Suggested Home Size | What Is in the Box | Built-in Wi-Fi Router |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ring Alarm 14-Piece Kit | 2-4 bedrooms | 1 Base Station, 2 Keypads, 8 Contact Sensors, 2 Motion Detectors, 1 Range Extender | No |
| Ring Alarm 8-Piece Kit | 1-2 bedrooms | 1 Base Station, 1 Keypad, 4 Contact Sensors, 1 Motion Detector, 1 Range Extender | No |
| Ring Alarm 5-Piece Kit | Condos and apartments | 1 Base Station, 1 Keypad, 1 Contact Sensor, 1 Motion Detector, 1 Range Extender | No |
| Ring Alarm Pro (14-Piece Kit) | Not listed | 1 Pro Base Station, 2 Keypads, 8 Contact Sensors, 2 Motion Detectors, 1 Range Extender | Yes, eero Wi-Fi 6 |
| Ring Alarm Pro (8-Piece Kit) | Not listed | 1 Pro Base Station, 1 Keypad, 4 Contact Sensors, 1 Motion Detector, 1 Range Extender | Yes, eero Wi-Fi 6 |
| Ring Spare Parts Kit | Doorbell accessory | Wall mounting plate, push-pin tool, screws, mounting anchors | No |
Ring Alarm 14-Piece Kit for Family Homes
Ring
Ring Alarm 14-Piece Kit (newest model), Wireless smart home or business security system, expandable, easy setup, Mobile App Control, 24/7 Professional Monitoring, Alexa Compatible
Price and specifications are read from the Amazon product page and can change.
Ring Alarm 14-Piece Kit
Best for: 2-4 bedroom homes with many entry points
Pros
- Eight contact sensors included
- Two keypads for two entrances
- Two motion detectors
Cons
- Remote arming needs Ring Protect plan
- No built-in Wi-Fi router
The Ring Alarm 14-Piece Kit is the largest standard kit, and Ring pitches it as a great fit for 2-4 bedroom homes. Inside you get one Base Station, two Keypads, eight Contact Sensors, two Motion Detectors and one Range Extender. In plain words: the Base Station is the brain that sounds the siren and talks to your phone; the Keypad is the panel by the door where you type a code to arm or disarm; a Contact Sensor is a two-part piece that notices when a door or window opens; a Motion Detector notices movement in a room or hallway; and the Range Extender repeats the signal so sensors far from the Base Station stay connected.
You receive mobile notifications through the Ring app when the system is triggered, and the same app shows your other Ring devices. Two keypads mean you can put one at the front door and one at the back or garage door, and eight contact sensors cover a good number of doors and ground-floor windows. For arming from anywhere, keeping the system online if the Wi-Fi goes down and voice arming with Alexa, you need a compatible Ring Protect plan, sold separately.
This kit suits a family house with several entrances. If you also want to replace an aging Wi-Fi router, the Ring Alarm Pro 14-piece version further down includes the same sensor count plus a router.
Ring Alarm 8-Piece Kit for Smaller Homes
Ring
Ring Alarm 8-Piece Kit (newest model), Home or business security system with optional 24/7 professional monitoring
Price and specifications are read from the Amazon product page and can change.
Ring Alarm 8-Piece Kit
Best for: 1-2 bedroom homes and small offices
Pros
- Four contact sensors
- Keypad and motion detector included
- Range extender in the box
Cons
- Only one keypad
- Monitoring is a paid plan
The Ring Alarm 8-Piece Kit is described as a great fit for 1-2 bedroom homes. It includes one base station, one keypad, four contact sensors, one motion detector and one range extender. That is enough to cover a front door, a back door and a couple of windows, with one motion detector watching the main living space.
The spec list names a white color, smartphone compatibility, voice control and lithium-ion battery chemistry, though the listing does not specify which pieces use that battery. Like every Ring Alarm kit, it sends phone alerts through the Ring app, and the optional Ring Protect plan adds remote arming, backup connectivity and 24/7 professional monitoring for police, fire and medical response. Ring also lists it as suitable for small businesses.
Pick the 8-piece kit if you live in a small house or a two-bedroom apartment with more than one door. If you only have a single entry door, the 5-piece kit may be all you need; if you have three or more bedrooms, the 14-piece kit saves you buying extra sensors.
Ring Alarm 5-Piece Kit for Apartments
Ring
Ring Alarm 5-Piece Kit (newest model), Wireless smart home or business security system, expandable, easy setup, Mobile App Control, 24/7 Professional Monitoring, Alexa Compatible
Price and specifications are read from the Amazon product page and can change.
Ring Alarm 5-Piece Kit
Best for: Apartments and condos with one door
Pros
- Smallest, simplest starter kit
- Keypad plus motion detector
- Expandable with more sensors later
Cons
- Only one contact sensor
- Remote arming needs Ring Protect plan
The Ring Alarm 5-Piece Kit is the entry point to the system and is aimed at condos and apartments. It comes with one Base Station, one Keypad, one Contact Sensor, one Motion Detector and one Range Extender. For a typical apartment, that means the contact sensor goes on the front door and the motion detector watches the main room.
Even the smallest kit keeps the full feature set: phone notifications, the Ring app, optional Ring Protect subscription for remote arming and professional monitoring, and Alexa voice control once you subscribe. Because the system is wireless, renters can usually set it up without drilling, though the listing does not specify how each sensor mounts, so check your lease if you are unsure. Before buying, it helps to know whether you want the alarm to work with a wider smart home platform; our smart home platform guide explains the basics.
This is the kit for a first apartment, a dorm-style unit or a gift for a new renter. It gives way to the 8-piece kit as soon as you have windows at ground level or a second door to protect.
Ring Alarm Pro 14-Piece Kit with Built-in eero Router
Best for: Small homes upgrading Wi-Fi and security
Pros
- Built-in eero Wi-Fi 6 router
- Four contact sensors
- Everything for install in the box
Cons
- Only one keypad and motion detector
- Monitoring sold separately
Ring
Ring Alarm Pro (newest model), 14-Piece Kit, built-in eero Wi-Fi 6 router and 30-day free Ring Home subscription
Price and specifications are read from the Amazon product page and can change.
Ring Alarm Pro
Best for: Larger homes wanting alarm plus mesh Wi-Fi
Pros
- Built-in eero Wi-Fi 6 router
- Up to 900 Mbps, 1,500 sq. ft
- 14 pieces with two keypads
- 30-day Ring Home trial
Cons
- Two apps to set up
- Router covers 1,500 sq. ft. alone
The Ring Alarm Pro 14-piece kit is what Ring calls its best home security system. The sensors match the standard 14-piece kit: one Alarm Pro Base Station, two Keypads, eight Contact Sensors, two Motion Detectors and one Alarm Range Extender. The difference is the Base Station, which has a built-in eero Wi-Fi 6 router. A router is the box that creates your home Wi-Fi network, and “mesh” means you can add more matching units (eero 6 extenders, sold separately) to spread strong Wi-Fi through a bigger home.
The listing states speeds up to 900 Mbps and coverage up to 1,500 sq. ft. from the base unit, plus optional online threat protection for your network. Setup uses both the Ring and eero apps: plug in the Pro Base Station and place the sensors. The Pro also connects with Ring accessories like the Alarm Glass Break Sensor, Alarm Smoke & CO Listener, Alarm Flood & Freeze Sensor, security cameras, video doorbells and Ring Smart Lighting. This kit includes a 30-day free Ring Home subscription.
Choose it for a larger home when your old router needs replacing anyway. If your Wi-Fi already works well, the standard Ring Alarm 14-Piece Kit gives the same sensors without the router.
Ring Alarm Pro 8-Piece Kit for Router Upgrades in Smaller Homes
This Ring Alarm Pro kit is the 8-piece version. It includes one Alarm Pro Base Station, one Keypad, four Contact Sensors, one Motion Detector and one Alarm Range Extender, so its coverage matches the standard 8-piece kit. The built-in eero Wi-Fi 6 router offers the same up to 900 Mbps and up to 1,500 sq. ft. coverage as the larger Pro kit.
Everything needed for installation is in the box, and setup runs through the Ring and eero apps. It also works with the same list of add-ons, from smoke and CO listeners to flood and freeze sensors. The listing names a 30-day free Ring Protect Home subscription, so you can try remote arming and monitoring features before deciding on a plan.
This suits a small house or apartment where the internet setup is also due for a refresh. If you do not need a new router, the Ring Alarm 8-Piece Kit does the security job on its own.
Ring Spare Parts Kit for the Battery Doorbell
Best for: Battery Doorbell (2nd Gen) owners
Pros
- Wall plate, screws and anchors
- Includes push-pin tool
Cons
- Not an alarm kit
- Fits Battery Doorbell (2nd Gen) only
The Ring Spare Parts Kit often appears next to the alarm kits in search results, but it is a doorbell accessory, not a security starter kit. It includes a wall mounting plate, a push-pin tool, screws and mounting anchors, and it is compatible with the Ring Battery Doorbell (2nd Gen).
It is handy if you lost the original hardware, are moving your doorbell to a new home, or want a second mounting plate. You will need a drill or screwdriver for the screws and anchors; if you are putting together a first toolbox, our tool starter kit guide covers the basics. Skip it if you are shopping for an alarm system, since it contains no sensors or base station.
How to Choose the Right Ring Starter Kit
Count your doors and reachable windows. Each contact sensor covers one door or window. The 5-piece kit has one, the 8-piece kits have four and the 14-piece kits have eight. Pick the kit that covers your entrances, then add sensors later if needed.
Count your entrances for keypads. If you come and go through both a front door and a garage door, the two keypads in the 14-piece kits save you walking across the house to disarm.
Decide on the router question. The Ring Alarm Pro kits replace or add a Wi-Fi 6 router. That is useful if your Wi-Fi is slow or patchy, less so if you just upgraded your internet equipment.
Think about monitoring. Without a plan, you get phone alerts through the app. A compatible Ring Protect plan adds remote arming, a way to keep the system online if the Wi-Fi goes down and 24/7 professional monitoring, meaning a monitoring team can request emergency police, fire or medical response.
FAQ
Which Ring Alarm kit should I buy?
Match the kit to your home: the 5-piece for condos and apartments, the 8-piece for 1-2 bedrooms and the 14-piece for 2-4 bedrooms. Choose an Alarm Pro version if you also want a new Wi-Fi 6 router.
Do I have to pay for Ring Alarm professional monitoring?
No, it is optional. The kits send phone notifications on their own. Professional monitoring, remote arming and Alexa arming need a compatible Ring Protect plan sold separately.
What is the difference between Ring Alarm and Ring Alarm Pro?
The Pro Base Station includes a built-in eero Wi-Fi 6 router with speeds up to 900 Mbps and coverage up to 1,500 sq. ft. The sensor counts match the standard kits of the same size.
Can I add more sensors to a Ring starter kit later?
Yes. Every kit is expandable with additional Alarm Sensors and accessories sold separately, and the Pro listing names glass break, smoke and CO, and flood and freeze sensors.
Is the Ring Spare Parts Kit part of the alarm system?
No. It is a mounting kit for the Ring Battery Doorbell (2nd Gen), with a wall plate, push-pin tool, screws and anchors.
Does Ring Alarm work with Alexa?
Yes, you can arm and disarm by voice with Alexa once you have a Ring Protect subscription.
