The catch
Ring Alarm 8-Piece Kit
Ring Alarm cannot be controlled natively through Google Home or Apple Home.
Side by side
Ring Alarm 8-Piece vs 14-Piece Kit: 14-Piece gets you coverage for eight openings and two keypad locations
Quick verdict
In an average home the 8-Piece package is easier to place. The 14-Piece is worth its cost once eight openings and two arming points are in use.
Before you buy
Why, and what it costs you
Where these two really part ways
Ring Alarm 8-Piece Kit is the better match for “Alerts in the app, no monitoring contract required” and “A cellular path for broadband outages”. Ring Alarm 14-Piece Kit is the better match for “Wider coverage, suited to a larger house”.
Where this comes from
This lines up the current strong and useful fit ratings for the exact products. It does not roll them into one overall score.
The catch
Ring Alarm 14-Piece Kit
Labeling, placing and testing fourteen pieces takes longer.
Ring Alarm 8-Piece Kit
- Why pick it
- Your priority entries are covered by four contacts
- One keypad is all you need
- The catch
- Ring Alarm cannot be controlled natively through Google Home or Apple Home.
Ring Alarm 14-Piece Kit
- Why pick it
- Your count of accessible openings came to eight
- Keypads on two floors are what you want
- The catch
- Labeling, placing and testing fourteen pieces takes longer.
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What this page compares
The bigger kit leans harder into entry coverage and also brings a second keypad.
This one comes down to contact sensors and keypads first, then to the limits of your own setup.
Which one fits
Pick the situations that sound like you
Wider coverage, suited to a larger house
Ring Alarm 8-Piece Kit lists “One” for keypads, while Ring Alarm 14-Piece Kit lists “Two”. This can be a compatibility or access requirement. Match it to your home and the way you come and go each day.
- Ring Alarm 8-Piece Kit
- Good
- Ring Alarm 14-Piece Kit
- Better fit
The alarm keeps operating in a power cut
The central hub or recorder has backup power included.
- Ring Alarm 8-Piece Kit
- Better fit
- Ring Alarm 14-Piece Kit
- Good
A cellular path for broadband outages
When home internet is down, eligible hardware and service provide a cellular connection.
- Ring Alarm 8-Piece Kit
- Better fit
- Ring Alarm 14-Piece Kit
- Depends
Alerts in the app, no monitoring contract required
Before you add any optional paid response service, there is a useful mode you manage yourself.
- Ring Alarm 8-Piece Kit
- Better fit
- Ring Alarm 14-Piece Kit
- Depends
Several doors and windows get a sensor
Ring Alarm 8-Piece Kit lists “Four” for contact sensors, while Ring Alarm 14-Piece Kit lists “Eight”. For contact sensors, this affects what it can detect, record or navigate without you stepping in.
- Ring Alarm 8-Piece Kit
- Similar
- Ring Alarm 14-Piece Kit
- Similar
In practice
Differences you will notice
Where these two really part ways
Ring Alarm 8-Piece Kit is the better match for “Alerts in the app, no monitoring contract required” and “A cellular path for broadband outages”. Ring Alarm 14-Piece Kit is the better match for “Wider coverage, suited to a larger house”.
How we worked this out
This lines up the current strong and useful fit ratings for the exact products. It does not roll them into one overall score.
These needs do not split the pair
Both meet the same 3 of the 3 needs this comparison is built around, so the choice comes down to “contact sensors” and “keypads”.
How we worked this out
Both products are checked against the same needs. The first verified differences still standing are named here.
Models that handle “Several doors and windows get a sensor” and “Wider coverage, suited to a larger house”
9 of the 22 home security systems checked handle both “Several doors and windows get a sensor” and “Wider coverage, suited to a larger house”. Both make the cut.
How we worked this out
You can reproduce the count by filtering the current category for models with a strong or useful fit on both needs.
Option A
Ring, 2nd Gen
Alarm 8-Piece Kit
Four contact sensors make this the balanced Ring package, and it keeps a single motion detector and extender.
- Best for
- Average homes with two or three bedrooms
Facts we checked
- Comes with four contact sensors and one motion detector
- Comes with one keypad and one range extender
- A 24-hour backup battery is in the base station
Option B
Ring, 2nd Gen
Alarm 14-Piece Kit
Eight openings are covered by Ring’s largest standard package, which also puts a keypad in two parts of the house.
- Best for
- Larger homes where broad entry coverage is needed from day one
Facts we checked
- Eight contact sensors are included
- Two keypads and two motion detectors are included
- One range extender is included
Spec by spec
Where they really differ
| Spec | Ring Alarm 8-Piece Kit | Ring Alarm 14-Piece Kit | In practice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contact sensors | Four | Eight | For contact sensors, this affects what it can detect, record or navigate without you stepping in. |
| Keypads | One | Two | It may be a compatibility or access requirement. Fit it to your home and to how you come and go each day. |
| Motion detectors | One | Two | For motion detectors, this affects what it can detect, record or navigate without you stepping in. |
Trade-offs
What each pick costs you
With Ring Alarm 8-Piece Kit
- A paid plan is required for full monitoring and cellular features.
With Ring Alarm 14-Piece Kit
- You still have to buy cameras separately.
By the numbers
What the data shows
What we found across the home security systems we compare, plus the checked facts behind each finding.
How many fit
9 of the 22 models checked meet every need here: “Several doors and windows get a sensor”, “Wider coverage, suited to a larger house”, and “Daily arming from a physical keypad”.
9 models fit, out of 22 checkedShow the facts and the math
How we countedThe count uses each product's current fit ratings for “Several doors and windows get a sensor”, “Wider coverage, suited to a larger house”, and “Daily arming from a physical keypad”. A need with no documented match is not counted.
| Product | Needs it meets | Facts we checked | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ring Alarm 8-Piece Kit |
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| |
| Ring Alarm 14-Piece Kit |
|
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Ready to buy
See today’s price and what owners say
Open either model on Amazon for the current price, customer reviews and delivery options.
Ring Alarm 8-Piece Kit
Your priority entries are covered by four contacts
See price & reviews on AmazonRing Alarm 14-Piece Kit
Your count of accessible openings came to eight
See price & reviews on AmazonEach link opens in a new tab.
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