Ring’s Latest Smart Home Sensors Rely on Sidewalk Connectivity Instead of Wi-Fi or Z-Wave

Ring has unveiled an exciting new lineup of security sensors, switches, and smart home devices that utilize its innovative low-power, long-range Sidewalk connectivity protocol. These devices can connect to your smart home without the need for a hub or even Wi-Fi.

Sidewalk operates using three established wireless technologies: Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), LoRa, and 900 MHz. According to Ring founder Jamie Siminoff, it “provides the benefits of a cellular network at the cost of a Wi-Fi one,” essentially creating a cellular-like network tailored for IoT devices.

The Sidewalk network is powered by gateways located in homes and businesses, including Echo smart speakers, displays, and select wired Ring cameras. This community-based network uses a minimal amount of bandwidth from these devices’ internet connections to transmit low-data messages.

Set to launch in March, the new sensors and switches include a variety of options such as indoor and outdoor door sensors, a motion detector, a glass break sensor, and a panic button. Additional offerings include a smoke and CO alarm listener, a flood and freeze sensor, and a temperature and humidity sensor.

The devices connect seamlessly to the Ring app via Sidewalk and can be monitored professionally with a Ring Protect subscription, all without needing a Ring Alarm hub. For those already using Ring Alarm, these sensors are compatible with the existing Z-Wave-based system.

In addition, Ring is introducing a new air-quality monitor and sump pump monitor, along with a range of Sidewalk-enabled smart plugs and switches, including a smart light switch, smart fan control, and a remote.

Another notable addition is the Ring Car Alarm, equipped with GPS to track your vehicle’s location in real time and send alerts for any movement or location changes. This product is available for preorder now.

Launched in 2020, Sidewalk is a free-to-use, low-power, low-bandwidth, long-range IoT network. While Ring cameras have utilized Sidewalk connectivity to send alerts even when home Wi-Fi is down, the company has not fully leveraged this technology in its products until now. Siminoff notes that the network has reached a critical mass, making it the right time to adopt it as a primary protocol. “The network is enormous,” he states. “The US has incredible coverage, and we are launching it in Mexico and Canada, with plans for global expansion by the end of 2026.”