08 Nov
Blog

Ring Alarm Pro Review: Peace of Mind When You’re in the Dark

ring alarm pro test 2020q1 lifestyle insitu alarm base station keyboard input

Bell Alert Pro

RRP $ 300.00

"Never worry about power or internet outages again, because the Ring Alarm Pro will continue to work."

advantages

  • Double as a Wi-Fi 6 router

  • Backup of the internet for all devices

  • Lots of accessories to expand the system

  • Battery backup in the event of power interruptions

disadvantage

  • Separate app required for router settings

I have been using the Ring Alarm (2nd Generation) for almost a year now and have had very few complaints about the system or service. It kept me informed of what was going on in my apartment when and not being there, while frequent updates of Ring's services made the experience even sweeter. Add to that the range of Ring devices and accessories and it becomes a breeze if you're looking for a complete all-in-one security system for your home.

So how can Ring do it better? Maybe by making sure that all of my devices stay connected even when the power and internet go down. The Ring Alarm Pro serves this purpose but is different from other offerings in that it effectively acts as an Eero Wi-Fi 6 router to keep not only your Ring devices active and connected, but everything else on the network as well.

Setup and installation

The Ring Alarm Pro is available in a variety of configurations – which is good because it covers both small and large spaces – with the ability to add accessories to the system at any time. The five-part basic kit costs US $ 200 and consists of a base station, keyboard, contact sensor, motion detector, and range extender. I tested the eight-piece kit ($ 300) which has everything that is in the five-piece but includes three additional contact sensors.

Ring Alarm Pro in the closet.

In contrast to the Ring Alarm (2nd Gen), which I had hidden on a corner table, the Ring Alarm Pro has to be placed near your internet modem. If you already have a modem gateway that doubles as a router, you will need to connect the Ring Alarm Pro with an Ethernet cable. After setting it up through the Ring app, the only problem I stumbled across was connecting my previous sensors. They just didn't want to connect at first, but updating the Ring app seemed to fix the problem.

software

The Ring app went through a lot of updates, but it can be a bit overwhelming to navigate the app to find various settings. If you've been a long-time Ring user you shouldn't have too many problems, but anyone who is new to the Ring should have a serious look at the app. Regarding arming / disarming the security system, I like that the option is conveniently available right from the main screen. If there is one critical feature I would recommend to turn on, it is setting up the geofence – so that you will be automatically notified of arming / disarming the system based on your phone's GPS location.

In order to access or change some of the router settings, you will need to do so through the Eero app. This can cause confusion for some people as it is technically a separate app, but it is required if you are monitoring traffic on your network, changing the settings of the router, and adding additional Eero Wi-Fi 6 mesh extenders want to add. Personally, I would have preferred some of these options to be accessible through the Ring app as it means one less app to manage.

Home security performance

During the time I have been using the Ring Alarm (2nd generation), I have never had any problems. Whenever a door or window opens, I am informed about these events via the app, which can be combined with other automations, e.g. If you have pets nearby, I also recommend adjusting the sensitivity of your motion sensor as they can set off the alarm if they move. This happened once a year that I was using Ring Protect Plus and I got a call from Ring's professional monitoring service.

Ring motion sensor attached to the wall.

I really like that there are so many accessories connected to the Ring Alarm Pro home security system that you can sleep knowing that you are safe. Aside from the usual sensors, there are also those that can detect other hazards – like water collecting on a floor or even being able to watch out for fire / carbon monoxide sirens that you may already have.

Some home security systems can become vulnerable, but the Ring Alarm Pro cannot.

What really sets the Ring Alarm Pro apart from other home security systems is that it provides backup support for internet and power outages. This is not new in and of itself as other systems have similar automations, but what differs from Ring's offering is that Internet backup is available for all devices – not just the Ring Alarm Pro and its connected sensors. Would you believe it would work?

I tested this by unplugging the Ethernet cable connected to the Ring Alarm Pro from my modem, as well as the power cord. Within a minute, I received a notification that the Ring Alarm Pro was running on battery power and backup internet. I was very surprised to see that all of my devices, such as my laptop and smartphones, were still connected so I could keep working. Ring Protect Plus includes 3 GB of backup data service, but you can sign up for additional data through the Ring app for $ 3 per GB.

Bell alarm keypad on the table.

Fortunately, I haven't experienced an emergency situation, but I like how the Ring Alarm Pro takes that extra step to provide protection in other situations. Take, for example, an evening storm that cuts power for a few hours. Some home security systems can become vulnerable, but not the Ring Alarm Pro, which goes beyond that by providing total security.

WiFi 6 mesh router

There's no denying that I love multifunctional devices that eliminate the need to buy multiple devices – and the Ring Alarm Pro is one of them! Part Home Security Hub, part Wi-Fi 6 Router, it helps a growing smart home by expanding Wi-Fi coverage. Before installing the Ring Alarm Pro, I used an Eero mesh WiFi router with two other extenders in other parts of my home. Exchanging it with the Ring Alarm Pro and connecting the existing extenders was a breeze.

I appreciate the convenience of being able to expand the coverage when I move into a larger room.

Usually devices in my bedroom were struggling to stay connected to my living room router, but the Wi-Fi 6 mesh extender I set up helped fix the problem. Although my apartment is about 1,000 square feet, I appreciate the convenience of being able to expand the coverage if I ever move to a larger room with the Ring Alarm Pro. I can also see which connected devices are consuming the most data and even have the option to pause data usage. For parents, this is an incredibly powerful tool for managing device usage throughout the day.

Our opinion

Ring was a pioneer in the video doorbell space and has expanded into other categories to further expand its ecosystem. With the Ring Alarm Pro, it is the iterative home security system that needs to be beaten right now because it will really continue to protect your home if there is an emergency. Other systems have problems when the power or internet goes out and some of your other devices are left in the dark, but the Ring Alarm Pro keeps chugging as if nothing happened. And. oh yes it doubles as a Wi-Fi 6 mesh router!

Is there a better alternative?

Nothing matches the depth and utility that the Ring Alarm Pro offers, but SimiplSafe's home improvement security system is the closest competitor. While it may not have as many accessories and devices as Ring, SimpliSafe offers one of the best professional home monitoring services out there. In addition, many of the key devices, such as the base station and Smart Lock, are beautifully designed to match any facility.

How long it will take?

If the previous iteration of Ring is any indication, the Ring Alarm Pro should remain in good working order for a long time. Since this is a router and remains stationary, there is very little chance of it getting damaged – even more so if you're like me and place it in a locked room in your entertainment center. There is a one year limited warranty that covers it for defects.

Should you buy it?

Yes, you kill two birds with one stone, because the Ring Alarm Pro doubles as a Wi-Fi 6 mesh router and home security base station. You will never have to worry about home security and power outages again.

Editor's recommendations



04 Apr
Blog

Lenovo Smart Frame Review: Simple With Google Photos in Mind

Lenovo Smart Frame Review Subseries Gallery 2

"No Distraction Here: The Lenovo Smart Frame is about sharing your favorite memories."

  • Photo-realistic display

  • One of the largest picture frames ever

  • Convenient organization with Google Photos

  • Easy wall mounting

  • It is expensive

  • Does not support other photo services

Digital photo frames are nothing new. They've been around almost as long as the first commercial digital cameras. Over the years, arguably, the greatest innovation in digital photo frames has centered on smart displays – how smart displays effectively serve as photo frames and add value to them.

In Lenovo's view, the Photo Frame is again a stand-alone product with the power and help of Google Photos. Unlike other photo frames you've come across, the Lenovo Smart Frame wants to make its presence known with its huge 15 x 24 inch digital canvas. Compared to today's smart displays, it's an undeniable Goliath.

Realistic picture quality

I loved the first digital photo frame I bought in the early 2000s, but when I look back now, it was total rubbish. Not only was it low resolution, but the colors were bleeding through the sides and corners like no other. Of course, with today's digital photo frames, you won't have these worries.

The sheer size of the Lenovo Smart Frame dwarfs the vast majority of digital photo frames in circulation. While most are largely reserved for coffee tables, bedside tables, end tables, and cramped counters, the Lenovo Smart Frame yearns to be wall-mounted – or at least deserves to be propped up on its own pedestal or shelf. This is due to the sizeable 21.5-inch IPS panel. Not only is it significantly larger than other picture frame displays, but its realistic look is enhanced by its anti-glare coating. When viewed directly, this can be confused with a normal picture frame.

While the 1080p resolution works decently from a distance, I can see less detail in the images on closer inspection. This is obviously expected and is not a complete distraction. As long as the original image was captured correctly, it is still pleasing to the eye. The colors are also displayed well, and the viewing angles are excellent and do not distort at wide angles.

Thanks to Google's Ambient EQ technology, the Nest Hub smart displays are among the best for lifelike results. I have to admit, however, that the Lenovo Smart Frame's matte finish makes the display more realistic. Aside from the lack of a higher resolution display, it does it justice when it comes to presenting photos.

Google photos is a must

In order for photos to appear on the Wi-Fi connected Lenovo Smart Frame, you need to set up Google Photos – this is mandatory and the only option. This is a bit limiting and I would have liked wider support for other image services like Shutterfly. However, since this is Google Photos, it comes in handy that I can quickly fill an album to present on the Lenovo Smart Frame by selecting familiar faces. (This works on pets too.) Better to have to go through all of my albums manually.

In addition to showing my Google Photos, which can be shuffled in chronological order or via the Lenovo Smart Frame app, you can set up other “channels” to show other things besides photos. The only other options are the Art Gallery and Clock channels, which show curated graphics and the time, respectively. The latter only have a handful of clock widgets to choose from, but I really wish they could show other important information – like weather and temperature.

Although the Lenovo Smart Frame automatically flips through photos, it has a built-in motion sensor that makes it easy for anyone to scroll through them and the various channels. You have to be patient with these hand gestures because if you're like me and want to scroll through a set in a hurry, it can't keep up.

There are two ways to assemble the frame. I opted for the easy way of putting it on a wall with the power chord behind it, but later I used the included wall mount to mount it properly. While it's still heavier than other frames at 8.26 pounds without the metal frame mount, you don't need to find pins in the wall to attach it to the wall. Once it's on the wall, you can easily remove it by pulling on the switches on the back of the unit. If you have younger children who may be attracted to the power cord, a child-resistant clip is provided to make the cord easy to detach from the device.

Stick to what it does best

We have high expectations for displays these days, especially considering how smart displays are the command centers of some households. One can expect that the Lenovo Smart Frame can do more, e.g. B. Play videos, possibly act as a second screen, or even provide voice control with the Google Assistant. There was also a point where I wished I could have broadcast a video that I was watching on my smartphone. But, you know what? It doesn't do any of them. And who knows if it ever will.

This may be hard to swallow for some, but I understand Lenovo's intent. The company already makes its own line of Google Assistant-based smart displays (like the Lenovo Smart Display 7, which I love). The Smart Frame therefore serves only one purpose: A picture frame that inspires you with some of your favorite memories.

Our opinion

What can also be difficult to accept for some people is the $ 400 cost of the Lenovo Smart Frame. It's way above what you can find anywhere else, even for fancy smart displays that serve as frames for your photo memories and cost around $ 250.

Its size is undoubtedly its greatest asset. Few are ever as tall as 10 inches. So it's a picture frame worth mounting in a high-traffic area of ​​your home for family members and visitors to see. With the integration of Google Photos, you can no longer organize your favorite memories and move them into a picture frame.

How long it will take?

The Lenovo Smart Frame is mainly made of plastic and is solidly built. Since this is a heavy side, extra care should be taken where you place it if you don't plan to mount it on the wall. It comes with a one year limited warranty.

Is there a better alternative?

As mentioned earlier, smart displays like the Google Nest Hub are actually a better investment as they double as picture frames. Therefore, if you want to fill smaller spaces, these are the better option. Conversely, you won't find many picture frames larger than 10 inches. This is one of the few options to consider – especially those over 20 inches.

Should you buy it?

Yes, for its presentation style as the right photo frame that is easy to manage thanks to Google Photos.

Editor's recommendations




09 Mar
Blog

Klipsch T5 II True Wireless Review: Never Mind AirPods

klipsch t5 ii real wireless earbuds rating ry 3

Klipsch's T5 II wireless earbuds

"Klipsch's rocking demeanor turns into a killer set of buds."

  • Great fit

  • Inconspicuous design

  • Great sound quality

  • Solid battery life

  • Fun charging case

  • No wireless charging

  • No active noise cancellation

  • The call quality is not particularly good

Klipsch's T5 II wireless earbuds are stylish, compact, and sound great. But is that enough to set them above all other wireless earbuds?

If you're considering the Apple AirPods or just looking for an alternative, be sure to check out Klipsch's $ 200 T5-II wireless earbuds. They're the second generation of an already great set of earbuds, and while they (like the AirPods) don't have built-in noise cancellation, they have almost everything else. And unlike the AirPods, they are compact and comfortable to wear.

What's in the box?

Riley Young / Digital Trends

While the Klipsch T5 II comes with a printed manual, you can also access all the information in the manual via its app. The earbuds come with a nice selection of silicone earbuds – some oval and some round – which are vital for the comfort of the earbuds as well as their sound quality. With wireless earbuds, the comfort of fit is everything, and the T5 II excels in this area.

You will also find a braided fabric USB-C to USB-C charging cable and a USB-A to USB-C adapter.

The T5 II's charging case is … well, great – it feels and looks like a Zippo lighter. It's metallic and chunky and quite heavy, so it feels pretty nice in your hands. It also has a magnetic lid that feels very secure when it clicks into place. Given the weight, I didn't feel like pocketing the suitcase, but then again, I generally rarely pocket suitcases.

The case has a charging capacity of approx. 24 hours. Add this to the eight hours of playtime you get from the earbuds and that makes a total of 32 hours – which is very good in terms of the earbuds' battery life.

Comfort

Riley Young / Digital Trends

The earbuds themselves, as mentioned earlier, are very comfortable for a number of reasons. First, they're very light – about five grams each. The tube tip is also very slim, and because the tips are made of silicone, they fit snugly in the ear and provide an excellent seal. Due to their flat profile, the T5 II are more inconspicuous than other earbuds. You could easily wear these all day and forget you even have them.

Model selection

There are two other models in the T5 II line. The T5 II Sport offers additional fins and more water resistance. The T5 II McLaren Edition is similar to the Sport model, but offers some improvements in terms of design and aesthetics, as well as an included wireless charging pad.

External control

Riley Young / Digital Trends

There is a fingertip-sized button on the outside of each T5 II bud, and each button has different functions. Functions such as volume, playback, pause, answering calls, ending calls, skipping tracks, etc. are controlled via these buttons. However, it can be difficult to remember which page (and how often) to click for each function. There are guides in the app and manual to walk the user through all of the options, but it can be a bit confusing.

Now, I'm not blaming Klipsch for the complexity – it's difficult to do well controlling a wireless earbud, and we can't think of anyone doing that particularly well. Until you remember them all, be sure to keep this app or guide handy.

Noise suppression / transparency mode

Riley Young / Digital Trends

As mentioned above, these earbuds don't have built-in active noise cancellation. But because the silicone tips fit so well in your ear, much of the outside noise is cut down nicely. Once you start playing music you will not hear much of what is around you. If you want to hear more of your surroundings, you can also activate the transparency mode and move it up or down in the app to get as much or as little outside noise as you want. This is an extremely important feature that too few earbuds offer.

Call quality

These earbuds aren't specifically designed for call quality, but they get the job done. Klipsch's Buds do a good job of removing outside noise, but the sound of the voice itself felt very compressed – to the point that it sounds like an old-school landline phone.

Sound quality

Riley Young / Digital Trends

At first, I didn't get the sound quality I expected, especially because I'm familiar with the original T5. However, this happens when you don't have the right fit in the ear and although I thought I had a good seal, I realized it wasn't after swapping out the installed earbuds for something larger.

As soon as I did, everything opened up. The bass is very powerful, the midrange is very clear and the highs are articulate but never sizzling. Basically, it sounds like a Klipsch speaker. It's a lot of fun to hear with a kind of rock vibe.

There's an EQ built into the app, but I didn't like any of the options, so I set it to "Flat". Strangely, the sound signature is anything but flat. These earbuds sound for what they are, so you don't have to play too much with the EQ to get what you want. The default sound is powerful and engaging, with just enough texture and detail to be as interesting as it is fun.

I've listened to different genres of music and they all sounded great – the sound wasn't pigeonholed to make one genre sound better than another. And that's a big bonus because, for their price, they compete with a wide variety of true wireless earbuds. When it comes to sound quality, these are the absolute best up there.

Our opinion

I don't like much about the Klipsch T5 II True Wireless earbuds. Sure, call quality isn't great, and at times the controls feel a little unwieldy, but they do everything a set of high quality wireless earbuds have to do and they do everything very well. If you're willing to spend some cash on AirPods, I would definitely check out the Klipsch T5 II and see if they literally and figuratively fit better.

Is there a better alternative?

For their price, the Klipsch T5 II are a top choice. For about $ 30 more, the Jabra Elite 85t also offers great sound quality, wireless charging, a comfortable fit, and active noise cancellation. For a little less money, the Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro offers a similarly compact and inconspicuous fit, but it doesn't sound nearly as good.

How long will they last

The Klipsch T5 II are solidly built and last as long as their batteries.

warranty

Klipsch offers a two-year guarantee on the T5 II True Wireless earphones. Further information can be found on the Klipsch warranty page.

Should you buy it?

Yes, the Klipsch T5 II True Wireless earbuds sound great, fit well, and work like a charm.

Editor's recommendations