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Ring’s January 2025 announcement covered three distinct things: a free 2K video upgrade for certain Floodlight Cam Pro and Spotlight Cam Pro cameras, new Kidde-made smoke alarms that connect to the Ring app, and optional professional smoke and CO monitoring for $5 per month. The camera upgrade is limited to the named models; the alarms’ app alerts depend on compatible equipment, power and connectivity. The announcement is not a new 2026 launch.
At a glance
| Announcement | Who it concerns | Cost | Key qualification |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2K video upgrade | Owners of eligible Floodlight Cam Pro and Spotlight Cam Pro cameras | No added charge, according to Ring | Do not assume every Ring camera or generation qualifies. |
| Ring-connected Kidde alarms | U.S. households seeking app-connected smoke or smoke/CO alarms | Home Depot listings checked August 2026: about $49.97–$74.97 | Smoke-only and smoke/CO, battery and hardwired versions are different products. |
| Smoke & CO Pro Monitoring | Eligible customers who want an agent-response layer | $5 per month on Ring’s plans page | Separate from the alarm’s local warning and app notifications; eligibility and local requirements apply. |
The free 2K upgrade is for two named camera families
Ring announced on January 6, 2025 that its 2K resolution upgrade would begin rolling out January 8 to the Floodlight Cam Pro and Spotlight Cam Pro. Ring said existing owners could enable the upgrade through the Ring app at no extra cost. See Ring’s announcement.
That is not a blanket upgrade for every Ring camera, every product with “Pro” in its name, or every generation. Ring’s current press materials include newer second-generation versions of these product families. Check the precise model and generation in your Ring app and current device documentation before counting on eligibility; a familiar product-family name alone is not enough. Ring’s current press materials show the newer naming.
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Ring calls its image-processing approach “Ring Vision,” describing it as a combination of software, hardware and image-quality expertise intended to improve sharpness, texture, color balance, contrast and motion smoothing. Those are Ring’s stated aims, not independently verified performance results. More pixels may help reveal detail in a suitable scene, but resolution alone does not guarantee better night footage, motion detection, field of view or identification. The announcement also does not establish changes to storage limits or subscription requirements for recording.
#1 Best Overall
- More 2K coverage anywhere you need it — With Outdoor Cam 2K, 2-Pack, White, expand 2K protection to more places around your property.
- Experience crisp clarity with Retinal 2K video — See all the crucial details across your home or business with wide-angle Retinal 2K. (Video quality may vary based on internet bandwidth and device temperature.)
- Zoom in up to 6x — Bring details into sharp focus with up to 6x Enhanced Zoom.
- Get 2K clarity in any light — See true color with Night Vision, even in low light, and automatically switch to crisp black and white in near darkness.
- Sound the siren with a tap — Activate the built-in siren from the Ring app to send unwanted visitors running.
Ring’s new Kidde alarms: choose the right type
The other hardware announcement was a family of Kidde smoke and smoke/CO alarms with Ring connectivity built in. Ring said the products would be available through The Home Depot in the U.S. beginning April 2025; they are now represented in Home Depot listings. The models differ in two important ways: whether they detect smoke alone or both smoke and carbon monoxide, and whether they are battery-powered or hardwired.
Home Depot prices checked in August 2026 were:
| Model type | Example listed price | Consider it when… |
|---|---|---|
| Battery-powered smoke alarm | $49.97 | You need smoke detection without hardwired installation; this is not a CO alarm. |
| Battery-powered smoke/CO alarm | $69.97 | You want both smoke and carbon-monoxide detection in one unit. |
| Hardwired smoke alarm | $54.98 | Your home has compatible hardwired alarm infrastructure; it is smoke-only. |
| Hardwired smoke/CO alarm | $74.97 | Your home has compatible wiring and you want combined detection. |
These are retailer listing examples, not guaranteed prices; promotions, store inventory, quantity and location can change them. The hardwired smoke/CO listing also showed a volume price for orders of four or more. Confirm the exact variant, included backup, installation requirements and current price on the product page before buying.
Rank #2
- Experience crisp clarity with Retinal 2K video — See all the crucial details across your home or business with wide-angle Retinal 2K. (Video quality may vary based on internet bandwidth and device temperature.)
- Zoom in up to 6x — Bring details into sharp focus with up to 6x Enhanced Zoom.
- Get 2K clarity in any light — See true color with Night Vision, even in low light, and automatically switch to crisp black and white in near darkness.
- Sound the siren with a tap — Activate the built-in siren from the Ring app to send unwanted visitors running.
- Put protection anywhere — Secure any space with easy mounting and a weather-resistant build.
What the app connection adds—and what it does not
Ring and Kidde describe real-time smoke or CO notifications through the Ring app, advance low-battery notifications (Ring says roughly seven days before the low-battery chirp), and voice alerts on listed products. Ring also says an added Ring-connected alarm can provide alerts from other eligible hardwired Kidde alarms. That should not be read as universal compatibility with every alarm brand or age.
Kidde warns that an interconnected event involving a non-Kidde alarm may appear as an “unknown device” in its support documentation. See Kidde’s explanation. Check the exact model’s manual and compatibility information before mixing alarms or replacing one device in an interconnected system. A local interconnect signal and an app’s ability to identify which alarm triggered it are not necessarily the same thing.
Rank #3
- Capture it all with Retinal 2K video — See every detail of your home or business in full view — powered by Retinal 2K. (Video quality may vary based on internet bandwidth and device temperature.)
- Zoom in 4x — Catch details at a distance with up to 4x Enhanced Zoom.
- True color, even in low light — With Low-Light Sight, just a little ambient light gives you true color video. In total darkness, your camera switches to crisp black-and-white to keep details sharp.
- Get real-time alerts, not interruptions — Receive real-time alerts on your phone when motion is detected.
- Connect to who’s there — See and respond to activity with Live View & Two-Way Talk.
An app notification is an additional remote warning, not a replacement for the alarm sounding inside the home. Remote alerts require the alarm to be set up and online, as well as functioning power, Wi-Fi, account pairing and phone notification settings. A lost internet connection, router outage or disabled phone notifications can interrupt remote awareness without changing what the local alarm does. Conversely, a hardwired alarm may continue operating on backup power during an outage while Wi-Fi equipment is unavailable.
Battery or hardwired: check the home before buying
- Battery-powered: A practical option where there is no compatible hardwired alarm wiring, and potentially easier for renters to replace or reposition with the landlord’s approval. Battery-powered does not mean maintenance-free: follow the model’s battery and replacement instructions. Wireless features and interconnection capabilities are model-specific.
- Hardwired: Intended for homes with suitable alarm boxes and wiring. Verify the voltage, backup arrangement, wiring harness and interconnect compatibility for the exact unit; a similar-looking connector is not proof that systems are compatible. Installation can involve electrical work, so use a qualified professional where needed and follow local code and the manufacturer’s instructions.
Kidde documentation for a comparable smart hardwired model specifies 120V AC, battery backup and 2.4GHz Wi-Fi, and says Wi-Fi features do not function without AC power. Those specifications should not automatically be applied to every Ring-enabled model; the exact product specification and user guide for the unit you buy should govern. Follow the specific alarm’s stated service life and replacement instructions as well.
Rank #4
- Experience crisp clarity with Retinal 2K video — See all the crucial details across your home or business with wide-angle Retinal 2K. (Video quality may vary based on internet bandwidth and device temperature.)
- Zoom in up to 6x — Bring details into sharp focus with up to 6x Enhanced Zoom.
- Get 2K clarity in any light — See true color with Night Vision, even in low light, and automatically switch to crisp black and white in near darkness.
- Sound the siren with a tap — Activate the built-in siren from the Ring app to send unwanted visitors running.
- Put protection anywhere — Secure any space with easy mounting and a weather-resistant build.
Optional monitoring costs extra
Ring announced 24/7 Smoke & CO Monitoring at $5 a month, with service beginning April 2, 2025. Ring’s current plans page lists Smoke & CO Pro Monitoring as a $5-per-month add-on. It is a separate service, not an automatic part of purchasing an alarm. Ring says it is available for its new smart alarms and the Ring Alarm Smoke & CO Listener, and does not require an existing Ring Home subscription.
The service is intended to add trained-agent involvement: following an alarm, agents may request emergency help and notify emergency contacts. Ring states that availability covers the 50 U.S. states, not U.S. territories, and excludes business or commercially zoned addresses. Check your address, current service terms and any local permit, false-alarm or response fees before enrolling. Monitoring cannot guarantee dispatch or response.
Best Value
- Experience crisp clarity with Retinal 2K video — See all the crucial details across your home or business with wide-angle Retinal 2K. (Video quality may vary based on internet bandwidth and device temperature.)
- Zoom in up to 6x — Bring details into sharp focus with up to 6x Enhanced Zoom.
- Light up large outdoor areas — Automatically illuminate your property and deter intruders with ultra-bright, motion-activated light.
- Sound the siren with a tap — Activate the built-in siren from the Ring app to send unwanted visitors running.
- Install it yourself or with a pro — Follow the instructions in the app for an easy DIY install or get a hand from an installation expert.
Keep the three functions distinct:
- Local alarm: The device’s audible warning in the home.
- App alert: A notification sent to the user over the connected system.
- Professional monitoring: A paid service in which agents may take specified response steps.
At $5 monthly, monitoring is $60 per year and $180 over three years, before taxes or local charges. The recurring cost is optional; it is not the same as the hardware price, and buying an alarm does not itself enroll you.
Which announcement is useful for you?
- You already own a camera: If it is an eligible Floodlight Cam Pro or Spotlight Cam Pro, check the Ring app for the no-cost 2K option. If it is another model or generation, do not assume it qualifies. Treat 2K as a possible detail improvement, not a fix for poor placement, lighting or connectivity.
- You are replacing alarms in a Ring household: The Kidde models may be convenient if remote alerts matter and your wiring or battery needs match a listed variant. If you already have hardwired alarms, verify compatibility across the entire interconnected system before replacing units.
- You want no subscription: Consider whether local audible detection and app features meet your needs; skip professional monitoring if its response layer is not worth the recurring charge. Confirm feature requirements for the specific product rather than assuming every feature is plan-free.
- You only need straightforward local alarms: A conventional compatible interconnected alarm may be a better fit if app alerts and Ring integration add little value. Choose a smoke/CO combination only if you want both kinds of detection; a smoke-only model does not detect carbon monoxide.
- You rent or lack alarm wiring: A battery model may avoid hardwired replacement work, but landlord approval, local requirements and the model’s placement instructions still matter.
For any alarm, install the required number in the locations specified by local code and the manufacturer, test and maintain it as directed, and plan an escape route. Smart-home connectivity supplements those basics; it does not replace them.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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