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Amazon announced the Ring Smart Lock, a $249 smart lock that can generate enough emergency power to unlock a door by turning its thumb-turn dial. The company says it is expected to arrive in the US in early 2027, pending FCC approval; the number of turns required and other practical details have not been specified.
Amazon has announced the Ring Smart Lock, a $249 lock designed to let people regain entry if its rechargeable battery dies: turning the interior thumb-turn dial generates enough power to unlock the door, the company says. The lock is expected to go on sale in the US in early 2027, pending FCC approval.
Ring’s emergency charging method is built into the lock’s thumb-turn dial. Amazon says turning it “a few times” can produce enough power to unlock the door and let the user access the home, then fully recharge the lock’s battery. The company has not given a precise number of turns or further technical details about how much power the mechanism produces.
The lock also supports entry with a fingerprint reader and a backlit touchscreen keypad. Owners can register multiple users and set schedules or temporary access codes that expire after a chosen period. The Ring app can be used to lock, unlock and monitor the device, and users can control it with voice commands through Alexa-compatible devices.
Amazon says the lock requires no wiring and uses its replaceable Quick Release Ultra Battery Pack. Rather than connecting directly to home Wi-Fi, it communicates through Amazon’s long-range, low-power Sidewalk network. Ring plans to offer black, silver and brass finishes. The Verge reported the expected price and availability based on Amazon’s announcement.
A Backup Built Into the Lock
Many battery-powered smart locks need an alternate way to supply power when their batteries run flat. The Verge’s report describes options used by other locks, including hidden USB ports or contacts for a 9-volt battery. Ring’s approach makes the emergency power source part of a control users already turn to operate the lock, potentially reducing the need to carry or locate a separate battery during a lockout.
That is a practical distinction, but it does not remove the need to manage the lock’s battery or establish how reliably the dial can provide emergency power in real conditions. The feature is particularly relevant to people who want app-based access or scheduled guest codes without depending on a physical key as their only backup. The announced price, $249, and the wait until 2027 will also matter to buyers comparing smart locks.
Connectivity is another consideration. Because the lock uses Sidewalk rather than home Wi-Fi, remote access and alerts depend on suitable Sidewalk coverage. Amazon says the network can support those functions where coverage is adequate; its availability should not be assumed for every home.
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Ring’s Lock Joins a Wider Launch
The Ring Smart Lock is part of a broader set of Ring product announcements, but it has no built-in camera. People who want video of visitors will need to pair it with a separate smart doorbell or camera. That distinction matters because the lock’s access features do not themselves identify who is at the door.
Amazon also announced new cameras, including the Indoor Cam 4K at $99.99, available at the time of the report, and a new entry-level Pan-Tilt Indoor Cam 2K priced at $69.99. The 2K model can rotate and tilt to follow subjects, and both indoor models have physical privacy shutters that disable the camera; the 2K model’s shutter also disables its microphone. These products were announced alongside the lock, but they are separate devices and do not change how the lock’s emergency charging works.
For the lock itself, the announced details establish the planned price, entry methods, battery system and network connection. They do not amount to a hands-on assessment: the product is not expected to reach US customers until 2027, and FCC approval remains pending.
Power and Coverage Details Await
Several product details remain unconfirmed or unspecified in the announcement as reported by The Verge. Amazon has not stated the exact number of turns needed for emergency power, how long the process takes, or whether the dial can provide enough power under different battery or operating conditions. The stated purpose is to unlock the door and allow access, followed by a full recharge; the available information does not establish that the dial alone will fully recharge a depleted battery.
The US launch is conditional on FCC approval, and the early 2027 timing is an expectation rather than a confirmed sale date. Amazon has also not specified Sidewalk coverage for individual locations in the supplied report. As with other connected features, the availability of remote commands and alerts may depend on network access. Product testing and additional specifications could clarify these points closer to release.
FCC Review Before US Release
The next stated milestone is FCC approval, which is pending. Amazon expects the Ring Smart Lock to become available in the United States in early 2027; the company has not given a specific date in the reported announcement. Further information on final specifications, coverage requirements and the emergency charging procedure may arrive before launch. Until then, prospective buyers can compare the announced features and price, but cannot yet assess the lock’s real-world performance from the information available.
Key Questions
How does the Ring Smart Lock work if its battery dies?
Amazon says turning the lock’s thumb-turn dial a few times generates enough power to unlock the door. The user can then enter and fully recharge the lock’s battery. The exact number of turns has not been stated.
How much will the Ring Smart Lock cost?
The announced price is $249. Amazon plans to offer black, silver and brass finishes.
When will the lock be available?
It is expected to be available in the US in early 2027, pending FCC approval. No specific release date was provided in the report.
Can the lock be used without Wi-Fi?
The lock connects through Amazon’s Sidewalk network, rather than relying on a home’s Wi-Fi connection. Remote access and alerts depend on adequate Sidewalk coverage in the location.
Does the Ring Smart Lock include a camera?
No. The lock has no built-in camera. Ring says users who want video should pair it with a smart doorbell or a separate Ring camera.
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