How Smart Home Security Upgrades Offer Year-Round Benefits

Gifts to cover the homes of friends, family, or even your own place—both inside and out
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Photograph Courtesy of Ring

This article is sponsored by Ring. All prices and savings listed in this post are as of publication and could change; WIRED Brand Lab may earn a commission on products purchased.

Today, home security systems offer more than mere household protection. 

They’re also a way to keep tabs on your home while you’re away, track pets both inside and outside, allow access to visitors when you’re at the office, and monitor package deliveries—an increasing security concern for Americans.  

The good news? Staying on top of your deliveries—and protecting your whole house—is as simple as swiping on your smartphones with Ring home-monitoring devices. And with promotions running through the holiday season, there’s no better time to give the ultimate year-round gift to friends and family: peace of mind at home. Check out the options below.

Video Doorbell (2nd Generation)

Securing your home both inside and out is a top priority, and with the Ring Video Doorbell (2nd Generation), you never have to wonder who’s on the front porch. The doorbell, which runs on battery power, is simple to install and captures clear 1080p HD video to make it easy to see who’s there just by looking at your smartphones. In addition, Two-Way Talk and Quick Replies enable your loved ones to communicate seamlessly with a delivery person (or anyone else) from inside. The Video Doorbell (2nd Generation) also tracks package deliveries with Package Alerts. This setting, available on your smartphones through the Ring app, alerts homeowners when a package is detected in the designated area, which can be customized to suit your space. 

Video Doorbell Wired

For those who travel frequently or may split time between houses, there’s no better way to keep tabs on who’s at the doorstep than a video doorbell. Ring Video Doorbell Wired connects directly to the electricity supply of the hardwired doorbell, providing all the same features as the battery-powered Ring Video Doorbell—HD video and Two-Way Talk, advanced motion detection, and real-time alerts sent straight to your phones—but without the need to recharge or replace a battery. The device itself can even help deter potential package thieves when they see  the motion-detection camera. With more and more people doing their shopping online, the features are useful throughout the year, not just during the gift-buying season.

Stick Up Cam Battery

The front door isn’t the only place homeowners need to monitor. For large properties or homes with poor lighting, it’s often essential to add security both inside and out. That has usually been a pricey proposition, but the Ring Stick Up Cam Battery can be placed nearly anywhere without requiring wiring. Just set it on a flat surface or mount it to a wall. You can even move it from one locations to another if you decide a different spot is more important for monitoring. The Stick Up Cam Battery is particularly useful for second-home owners or those with detached garages, because they can always be connected to their home (or some portion of it) via their smartphones. It’s also great for monitoring pets when they need to go out late at night. Owners can view live feeds from the cameras or get real-time notifications of movement, even at night, via a night vision feature. With the Ring app, friends and family who have the camera can even get real-time crime and safety alerts from their neighbors and local public safety agencies to keep their home even more secure.

Floodlight Cam Wired Plus

For those with poorly lit areas around their home or an outbuilding on their property, extra lighting is often essential. The Ring Floodlight Cam Wired Plus, packed with 2,000 lumens of brightness, can light up driveways, side yards, and high-traffic areas when motion is detected. It’s great for navigating in the dark when taking out the trash and also helps to deter potential thieves in the night. The weather-resistant device can be placed just about anywhere, and it links to Ring doorbells and cameras, allowing homeowners to get the most out of their Ring setup.

Alarm Security Kit, 5-Piece Set

If you’re looking to help someone protect their home or apartment, this is the perfect starter kit. The Ring Alarm Security Kit, 5-Piece Set comes with a Contact Sensor to monitor a door or window, a motion detector to alert homeowners of activity, and all the basic equipment to set up an even larger home security network—including a keypad to arm and deactivate the alarm system and a base unit to control all of the sensors and keep the alarm online. With Alexa, the system can be armed and disarmed via voice control and third-party accessories, like smart locks, helping to keep the home even more secure. For those who travel frequently throughout the year or take extended breaks during summer vacation, the system can really come in handy—offering an easy way to protect your primary residence while you’re away, all through the smartphones in your pocket. The system could even save your friend or family member money, as some home insurance companies offer a safe home discount to homeowners who install security or alarm systems like Ring.

Check out more gift ideas to help keep family, friends, and even your own home safe year-round here.

This story was produced by WIRED Brand Lab for Ring.