Ring’s Smart Lock Still Works Even If The Power Goes Out Thanks To A Hand Crank
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Ring has announced a Smart Lock with a small hand crank that can generate enough electricity to operate the lock briefly if its battery runs out. The $249 lock is planned for the first few months of 2027, but Ring has not given a precise release date.

Ring has announced a Smart Lock with a built-in hand crank that can generate enough electricity to operate the lock for about 30 seconds if its battery runs out. The $249 single-cylinder deadbolt is planned for release in the first few months of 2027, offering a backup that does not rely on a spare battery, cable or external power source.

The crank is a small wheel on the front of the lock. According to the report by The Ambient, turning it back and forth three or four times generates enough power for the lock to function briefly. That window is intended to let a user unlock the door using the fingerprint reader, keypad, Ring app or Alexa.

The mechanism reportedly uses a small motor and a supercapacitor. A few firm turns produce around three volts, enough for normal operation for the short period rather than a restricted low-power mode. Ring says the built-in battery should last up to a year on one charge; that is the company’s stated estimate, not a guarantee for every household or usage pattern.

The lock will be available in Black, Silver and Brass and will use a single-cylinder deadbolt without requiring additional wiring. Ring has not set a precise launch day. The current window is the first few months of 2027, and the report says founder Jamie Siminoff hopes to bring it out closer to January than March. The company is accepting interest registrations.

At a glance
announcementWhen: Announced with a planned launch in the…
The developmentRing announced a smart deadbolt that uses a hand-cranked generator to provide short-term power when its built-in battery is depleted.

A Backup Beyond Batteries

Smart locks can leave users worried about access if their power source fails. Ring’s crank addresses that concern with a way to generate emergency electricity at the door, rather than depending on a charged spare battery, USB connection or another external supply. The feature may appeal to people who have hesitated to replace a conventional key because they fear being locked out.

The backup could also be useful at properties visited infrequently, such as remote cabins, where a depleted battery may go unnoticed for longer. That is a potential use described by Siminoff, not a demonstrated performance result. The crank provides only a short operating window, so it is best understood as an emergency way to unlock the door, not a replacement for routine battery maintenance.

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How Ring Plans Emergency Access

The lock’s crank is designed for a specific failure scenario: the built-in battery has run out and a user needs to operate the deadbolt. Instead of connecting a temporary power source, the user turns the wheel to generate electricity. Ring’s stated estimate is that this gives the lock around 30 seconds of operation, enough time to use one of its supported entry methods.

The product is part of a wider set of Ring hardware announcements. The company is also preparing four 4K cameras: the Outdoor Cam 4K Plus, Spotlight Cam 4K Plus, Floodlight Cam 4K Plus and Indoor Cam 4K. It has also announced a Pan-Tilt Indoor Cam 2K, whose base can rotate 360 degrees and tilt 175 degrees while tracking movement, according to the report. Those products provide context for the announcement, but the hand-crank lock is the unusual feature at its center.

“Concerns about losing access when a smart lock runs out of power can put people off buying one.”

— Jamie Siminoff, Ring founder, as reported by The Ambient

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Release and Testing Details Pending

Ring has not confirmed an exact launch date, and the reported early-2027 window could still change. The report also does not provide independent testing of how much effort the crank requires, how reliably it generates enough power, or whether the claimed 30-second operating period varies with conditions.

Other product details remain unspecified in the source, including the lock’s connectivity requirements, compatibility with existing door hardware, and how users will be alerted as the battery approaches depletion. Ring’s estimate of up to a year’s battery life is not accompanied by a stated test method. The announcement does not establish how the lock behaves if its electronics or the crank mechanism itself fails.

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Ring’s Planned 2027 Release

Ring’s next stated milestone is the planned launch during the first few months of 2027. The company has not announced a firm date, and Siminoff’s reported preference for a January release is not a confirmed schedule. People interested in the lock can register their interest with Ring, according to The Ambient.

Further product information, including detailed compatibility, installation and battery guidance, will be needed before buyers can judge how the lock fits their doors and routines. Until those details and independent reviews are available, the hand crank’s practical performance remains unverified beyond the specifications reported for the announcement.

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Key Questions

How does Ring’s hand-crank backup work?

The report says the lock has a small wheel on its front. Turning it back and forth three or four times generates electricity that can power the lock for around 30 seconds.

What can users do during the brief power window?

Ring says the short burst should allow access through the fingerprint reader, keypad, Ring app or Alexa. The source does not describe how the lock would behave if a particular entry method were unavailable.

When will the Ring Smart Lock be available?

Ring’s current planned window is the first few months of 2027. No precise release date has been confirmed.

How much will the lock cost?

The planned price is $249. Ring has not yet confirmed a precise launch date, according to the report.

How long is the battery expected to last?

Ring says the built-in battery should last up to a year on a single charge. The source does not specify the usage or testing conditions behind that estimate.

Source: rss

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