Ring has unveiled an innovative solution to one of the biggest pain points holding back smart lock adoption: the fear of being locked out due to a dead battery. The upcoming Ring Smart Lock, expected to launch in early 2027 for $249, includes a mechanical hand crank that can power the lock for up to 30 seconds when its battery runs completely flat.

How the Hand Crank Works

The hand crank sits on the front of the lock, serving as the latch wheel. Just three or four back-and-forth turns of the crank generate enough electrical charge to keep the lock fully operational. These manual motions drive a small motor that charges a supercapacitor, which builds up approximately three volts of power. This charge is sufficient to maintain normal lock functionality for roughly half a minute, rather than forcing the device into a reduced low-power mode.

That 30-second window is designed to give homeowners enough time to unlock their door using any of the available methods: the fingerprint reader, keypad, Ring mobile app, or voice command through Alexa. The practical goal is simple: ensure you can always get inside, even in an emergency scenario.

When You’ll Actually Need It

hand crank mechanical backup power
Photo by Khanh Do

The reality is that most homeowners will likely never need to use the hand crank. Ring has rated the built-in battery to last approximately one year per charge, which means the crank serves as a backup mechanism for truly rare emergencies rather than something you’ll rely on regularly. However, Ring founder Jamie Siminoff designed the lock specifically around worst-case scenarios, recognizing that battery anxiety represents the primary barrier preventing consumers from switching to smart locks.

The hand crank proves especially valuable for vacation homes, remote cabins, and other properties that owners visit only occasionally. As other manufacturers like ULTRALOQ continue to develop new smart lock innovations, Ring’s power-generation approach addresses a unique segment of users: those who might arrive at an unvisited property only to discover the battery has depleted during months of inactivity. The crank eliminates the risk of being stranded without power generation capability.

What This Means for Smart Lock Shoppers

smart door lock fingerprint keypad
Photo by Maria Ziegler

The introduction of mechanical backup power fundamentally shifts the conversation around smart lock reliability. By engineering a solution that requires zero external charging infrastructure, Ring demonstrates that consumer concerns about battery failure are legitimate and worth solving. This move may influence how other manufacturers approach emergency access features going forward.

The Ring Smart Lock will be available in three finishes: Black, Brass, and Silver. It uses a single-cylinder deadbolt that requires no additional wiring or complicated installation, making it accessible to renters and homeowners alike. With smart home ecosystems becoming more interconnected, the ability to unlock via fingerprint, keypad, app, or voice assistant positions this lock as a flexible choice for households with different preferences and accessibility needs.

Ring is planning to launch the Smart Lock in early 2027, with the company hoping to release it closer to January than March. A registration page for interested buyers is already live, allowing consumers to secure their place in line. The $249 price point places it in the mid-to-premium range of the smart lock market, competitive with other feature-rich models that lack the battery emergency backup.

The Bigger Picture

Ring paired the Smart Lock announcement with updates to its camera lineup, expanding the Retinal 4K range with four new models. However, the smart lock captures attention because it solves a problem that has discouraged mainstream adoption. While smart home device consolidation and changes continue to affect the market, Ring’s focus on solving real-world pain points demonstrates a customer-centric approach to product development.

For shoppers evaluating smart locks, the hand crank feature represents an important consideration. It signals that Ring has thought through edge cases and is willing to invest in mechanical solutions when technology alone falls short. Whether you live in a primary residence or manage a seasonal property, this backup mechanism provides genuine peace of mind. As the smart lock market matures, consumer expectations around reliability and emergency access will likely increase, and Ring’s innovation may establish a new baseline for what buyers should expect from high-end smart lock products.