Amazon's Ring enters smart-lock market with hand-powered backup

Amazon.com Inc.'s Ring brand is venturing into the smart lock market, introducing its first-ever lock for $249. This device is scheduled to launch in the first quarter of 2027, offering a solution to a sector dominated by traditional lockmakers. The smart lock features a manual power dial, designed to eliminate battery failure concerns, a common issue in connected door hardware. This move by Amazon aims to strengthen its smart home ecosystem at the entry point of the household.

The lock utilizes Amazon Sidewalk connectivity to process remote commands and access management, eliminating the need for residential Wi-Fi networks. This strategic entry puts Ring in competition with established leaders like Schlage, August, and Yale, as well as tech rivals who are expanding their hardware footprints. The move follows reports of Apple's ambitions in the smart lock market through a partnership with LG Electronics Inc., indicating a growing competition in the connected home sector.

This expansion into hardware is part of Amazon's strategy to drive deeper integration across its consumer hardware portfolio, including Ring doorbells and Alexa-enabled Echo devices. However, the commercial adoption of the device is contingent on obtaining regulatory approval from the Federal Communications Commission, as the device has not yet received final authorization.