The second generation of the Ring Alarm Home Security System is now available. So, how does the new model compare against first generation?
You can find out in this comparison guide.
Quick Summary
The only major difference between the first and second generation Ring Alarm Home Security System is the redesigned key pad. The 2nd Gen adds three emergency buttons (ambulance service, fire department and police).
Otherwise, the older and newer versions are nearly identical.
If you are looking for quick access to emergency calls, then we recommend picking up the 2nd Gen Ring Alarm Home Security System over the original.
1st Gen vs. 2nd Gen Ring Alarm Comparison Chart
You can check out Seeking Tech’s comparison table between the two security systems below.
| 1st Gen Ring Alarm Home Security System | 2nd Gen Ring Alarm Home Security System | |
|---|---|---|
| Configurations | 5 Piece Kit 8 Piece Kit 14 Piece Kit Smoke and CO Kit Enhanced Kit | 5 Piece Kit 8 Piece Kit 14 Piece Kit Camera Kit |
| Base Station Dimensions | 6.65 in. x 6.65 in. x 1.42 in. | 6.65 in. x 6.65 in. x 1.42 in. |
| Base Station Power | 100 – 240V 50/60Hz AC Adapter | 100 – 240V 50/60Hz AC Adapter |
| Base Station Battery Life | Rechargeable 24-hour battery backup | Rechargeable 24-hour battery backup |
| Base Station Operating Conditions | 32°F to 104°F (or 0°C to 40°C) | 32°F to 104°F (or 0°C to 40°C) |
| Base Station Installation | Mount on wall Place on flat surface | Mount on wall Place on flat surface |
| Base Station Connectivity | Bluetooth Ethernet Wi-Fi Zigbee Z-Wave Cellular backup (with Ring Protect Plus ) | Bluetooth Ethernet Wi-Fi Zigbee Z-Wave Cellular backup (with Ring Protect Plus) With Ring Certified WWR: Dome Siren First Alert Kwikset Smart Code Touchpad Sclage Connect Smart Deadbolt Yale Real Living Assure |
| Base Station Warranty and Service | 1-year limited warranty and service | 1-year limited warranty and service |
| Keypad Dimensions | 5.87 in. X 3.94 in. X 0.91 in. | 4.13 in. x 4.41 in. x 0.75 in. |
| Keypad Power | AC adapter Internal rechargeable battery | AC adapter Internal rechargeable battery |
| Keypad Security Modes | Disarmed Away Home | Disarmed Away Home |
| Keypad Emergency Buttons | None | Ambulance service Fire department Police |
| Keypad Operating Conditions | 32°F to 104°F (or 0°C to 40°C) | 32°F to 104°F (or 0°C to 40°C) |
| Keypad Installation | Mount on wall (with quick-release bracket) Place on flat surface | Mount on wall (with quick-release bracket) Place on flat surface |
| Keypad Connectivity | Up to 250 feet with open air and clear line of sight with Z-Wave | Up to 250 feet with open air and clear line of sight with Z-Wave |
| Keypad Warranty and Service | 1-year limited warranty and service | 1-year limited warranty and service |
| Contact Sensor Dimensions | 3.23 in. x 0.98 in. x 0.94 in. | 1.56 in. x 2.09 in. x 0.55 in. |
| Contact Sensor Power | 3V lithium battery | CR2032 coin cell batteries |
| Contact Sensor Battery Life | Around 3 years | Around 3 years |
| Max Distance Between Sensors | 5/8 in. | 1 in. |
| Contact Sensor Operating Conditions | 32°F to 104°F (or 0°C to 40°C) | 32°F to 104°F (or 0°C to 40°C) |
| Contact Sensor Installation | Mount to door Mount to window frame | Mount to door Mount to window frame |
| Contact Sensor Connectivity | Up to 250 feet with open air and clear line of sight with Z-Wave | Up to 250 feet with open air and clear line of sight with Z-Wave |
| Contact Sensor Warranty and Service | 1-year limited warranty and service | 1-year limited warranty and service |
| Motion Detector Dimensions | 3.54 in. X 2.44 in. X 1.77 in. | 2.6 in. x 2.6 in. x 1.53 in. |
| Motion Detector Power | 3V lithium battery | 2 AA batteries |
| Motion Detector Operating Conditions | 32°F to 104°F (or 0°C to 40°C) | 32°F to 104°F (or 0°C to 40°C) |
| Motion Detector Installation | Mount on room corner Mount on room corners flat wall | Mount on room corner Mount on room corners flat wall |
| Motion Detector Connectivity | Up to 250 feet with open air and clear line of sight with Z-Wave | Up to 250 feet with open air and clear line of sight with Z-Wave |
| Motion Detector Warranty and Service | 1-year limited warranty and service | 1-year limited warranty and service |
| Range Extender Dimensions | 3.15 in. x 1.81 in. x 1.10 in. | 1.86 in. x 3.19 in. x 1.66 in. |
| Range Extender Power | AC adapter | AC adapter |
| Range Extender Battery Life | 24-hour lithium ion battery backup | 24-hour lithium ion battery backup |
| Range Extender Operating Conditions | 32°F to 104°F (or 0°C to 40°C) | 32°F to 104°F (or 0°C to 40°C) |
| Range Extender Installation | Plug directly into power outlet | Plug directly into power outlet |
| Range Extender Connectivity | Up to 250 feet with open air and clear line of sight with Z-Wave Extend an additional 250 feet | Up to 250 feet with open air and clear line of sight with Z-Wave Extend an additional 250 feet |
| Range Extender Warranty and Service | 1-year limited warranty and service | 1-year limited warranty and service |
| Ring Protect Plus | 24/7 professional monitoring 60 days unlimited video recording 60 days unlimited photo capture Cellular Backup | 24/7 professional monitoring 60 days unlimited video recording 60 days unlimited photo capture Cellular Backup |
| Pricing | Check price on Amazon.(#CommissionsEarned) | Check price on Amazon.(#CommissionsEarned) |
Configurations
Both products are available in multiple configurations on Amazon.
The 1st Generation is available in the following sets:
- 5 Piece Kit
- 8 Piece Kit
- 14 Piece Kit
- Smoke and CO Kit
- Enhanced Kit
The 2nd Generation is available in the following sets:
- 5 Piece Kit
- 8 Piece Kit
- 14 Piece Kit
- Camera kit
Base Station
Dimensions
The dimensions are the same for the first and second generation base stations with measurements of 6.65 in. x 6.65 in. x 1.42 in.
Power
Both base stations also have the same power rating of 100 – 240V 50/60Hz with the AC Adapter included.
Battery Life
The battery life is also identical with rechargeable 24-hour battery backups.
Operating Conditions
Both Ring Alarm base stations should operate just fine between 32°F to 104°F (or 0°C to 40°C).
Installation
When it comes to installation, you can either mount both base stations to the wall or simply place them on a flat surface.
Connectivity
You can use either Bluetooth, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Zigbee or Z-Wave to setup for both bases. If you have a Ring Protect Plus subscription, you can also use cellular backup.
With the 2nd Gen base, you can also connect to the Dome Siren, First Alert, Kwikset Smart Code Touchpad, Sclage Connect Smart Deadbolt and Yale Real Living Assure.
Warranty and Service
Both first and second gen base units come with an 1-year limited warranty and service.
Keypad
Dimensions
The second generation Ring Alarm keypad is smaller when compared to the first generation.
You can find the measurements below:
- 1st Gen: 5.87 in. X 3.94 in. X 0.91 in.
- 2nd Gen: 4.13 in. x 4.41 in. x 0.75 in.
Power
In terms of power, the two keypads come with an internal rechargeable battery as well as an AC adapter.
Security Modes
Both units also use three security modes: Disarmed, Away and Home.
Disarmed will deactivate all sensors while Away will activate all sensors.
Home will let you activate select sensors.
Operating Conditions
The two keypads need to be in an environment that has a temperature between 32°F to 104°F (or 0°C to 40°C).
Installation
For the 1st and 2nd gen keypad, you can either mount the unit as it comes with a quick-release bracket or simply place it on a flat surface.
Connectivity
The connections used for both are identical.
With Z-Wave, you will be able to connect the keypad to the base station for up to 250 feet as long as there is open air and line of sight.
Warranty and Service
Both units also come with the same 1-year limited warranty and service.
Contact Sensor
Dimensions
The sizes for the contact sensors were changed between generations.
You can take a look at the measurements below:
- 1st Generation: 3.23 in. x 0.98 in. x 0.94 in.
- 2nd Generation: 1.56 in. x 2.09 in. x 0.55 in.
Power
The first generation Ring Alarm contact sensor use a 3V lithium battery while the second generation Ring Alarm contact sensor utilize CR2032 coin cell batteries.
Battery Life
Despite the different battery setup, the battery life for both contact sensors will last around 3 years.
Maximum Distance Between Sensors
For the 1st Gen contact sensor, the maximum distance between the sensors is 5/8 of an inch.
For the 2nd Gen contact sensor, the maximum distance between sensor is 1 inch.
Operating Conditions
The operating temperature for both devices is between 32°F to 120°F (or 0°C to 49°C).
Installation
You can mount either contact sensors to the door or window frame.
Connectivity
Both devices also use Z-Wave to connect to the base station.
The range is up to 250 feet in an open air and clear line of sight setting.
Warranty and Service
Both sensors come with an 1-year limited warranty and service.
Motion Detector
Dimensions
The motion detectors between the two generations are also different.
You can find the measurements of the two devices below:
- 1st Gen: 3.54 in. X 2.44 in. X 1.77 in.
- 2nd Gen: 2.6 in. x 2.6 in. x 1.53 in.
Power
The older motion detector use a 3V lithium battery while the newer motion detector utilizes 2 AA batteries.
Operating Conditions
The recommended operating temperature for both is between 32°F to 120°F (or 0°C to 49°C).
Installation
Both devices can be mounted on room corners or on flat walls.
Connectivity
Both also use Z-Wave to communicate with the base station.
The coverage is up to 250 feet.
Having an open air and clear line of sight is recommended.
Warranty and Service
The two motion detectors have an 1-year limited warranty and service.
Range Extender
Dimensions
The range extender is also different in terms of size.
You can find the measurements for each below:
- 1st Generation: 3.15 in. x 1.81 in. x 1.10 in.
- 2nd Generation: 1.86 in. x 3.19 in. x 1.66 in.
Power
Both extenders use an AC adapter for power.
Battery Life
The two devices are also equipped with a 24-hour lithium ion battery backup.
Operating Conditions
The range extended can be operated in the temperature range between 32°F to 120°F (or 0°C to 49°C).
Installation
The devices need to be plugged directly into a power outlet.
Connectivity
The range extenders need to be within 250 feet of the base station. It will then extend the range by an additional 250 feet.
Warranty and Service
Like the other pieces, the two extenders come with 1-year limited warranty and service.
Other Features
Ring Protect Plus
Both generations of the Ring Alarm Home Security System also use Ring Protect Plus.
This optional premium feature includes 24/7 professional monitoring, 60 days unlimited video recording, 60 days unlimited photo capture and cellular backup.
After the initial free 30-day trial period, you have to pay $10 a month.
Emergency Buttons
Exclusive to the 2nd Gen Ring Alarm are the emergency buttons on the key pad.
The shortcuts will give you quick access to the ambulance service, fire department and police.