From PCMAG · John R. Delaney · · 2m
Kidde Ring Smart Smoke + CO Alarm Review
Smart smoke and CO alerts but limited home integration.
In brief
Smart smoke and CO alerts but limited home integration. Kidde Ring Smart Smoke + CO Alarm (RGCUAR-RW) sends real-time alerts but lacks Ring camera and Alexa compatibility. Originally reported by PCMAG.
Smart Smoke + CO Alerts
Kidde Ring Smart Smoke + CO Alarm (RGCUAR-RW) sends real-time push alerts on your phone when smoke or carbon monoxide levels reach dangerous thresholds.
Real-Time Push Alerts
The alarm uses the Ring mobile app to send instant notifications when triggered or when batteries are low.
Limited Integration
It does not interact with Ring cameras or Alexa smart home devices despite being owned by Amazon.
Price and Value
At $74.97, it's a good value for a smoke\/CO detector that interconnects with other alarms for whole-house protection.
Hardwiring Requirement
The alarm requires hardwiring, unlike the battery-powered X-Sense Wi-Fi Combination Smoke and CO Alarm (SC07-WX) at $45.99.
Professional Monitoring
Ring's 24/7 Smoke and CO Professional Monitoring plan costs $5 per month or $50 per year for emergency dispatch.
App Interface
The Ring dashboard shows the alarm's name, location, and status (Clear, Smoke, CO) with settings for event history and device health.
Installation Process
Installation involves connecting house wires to the AC cable and setting up via the Ring app with QR code scanning.
Smoke Sensor Test
The smoke sensor activated with SmokeSaber aerosol spray, triggering a voice alert and push notification.
Hush Button Limitation
The alarm requires multiple hush button presses to silence after smoke detection due to residual smoke.
Alternative Option
The battery-powered X-Sense Wi-Fi Combination Smoke and CO Alarm (SC07-WX) offers easier installation at $45.99.
Professional Monitoring Plan
The plan includes 60 days of smoke and CO event history in the Ring app and emergency dispatch.
Missing Features
No button to silence the alarm, unlike the X-Sense model which has a hush button.
Ring App Limitations
The alarm does not integrate with Alexa devices despite Amazon ownership, creating a gap in smart home functionality.
Overall Rating
The Kidde Ring Smart Smoke + CO Alarm (RGCUAR-RW) scores 3.5 out of 5 for good performance with limited smart home integration.
Key Takeaway
For homes using Kidde smoke and CO detectors, this alarm provides reliable alerts but lacks Ring camera and Alexa compatibility.
The short version
Kidde Ring Smart Smoke + CO Alarm (RGCUAR-RW) sends real-time alerts but lacks Ring camera and Alexa compatibility.
