The Popular Home Security Brand You Probably Didn't Know Amazon Owns

Amazon is best known for offering fast delivery on everything from toilet paper and toys to cucumbers and computers. In addition, Amazon specializes in helpful gadgets to upgrade your smart home. But you might not have realized that Amazon also owns one of the most popular home security brands — Ring.

In a bid to be a leader in smart home security, Amazon acquired Ring in 2018. While Amazon may own Ring, the smart home doorbell has become a household name in itself. Ring has sold more than a million doorbells and it's estimated to be in the top spot of global video doorbell brands. At the time of the acquisition, experts eyed the possibility for Ring to serve Amazon's interests in expansions like in-home grocery delivery. While it hasn't happened yet, Amazon could one day deliver perishables like milk inside your house instead of leaving them on your doormat to spoil.

On Amazon, the best-selling video doorbell is Ring. Specifically, it's the Ring Battery Doorbell, which has a built-in battery that needs periodic recharging. But if you don't want to commit to regularly removing the doorbell for charging, there is an option for hardwire installation. It comes in two finishes — satin nickel or venetian bronze. 

As you'd expect of an Amazon-owned smart home brand, Ring plays nice with Echo devices. Echo devices can pick up on motion-detection alerts from Ring and announce them for you. And an Echo Show lets you see and talk to anyone at your Ring doorbell, much the same way you would use the Ring app on your phone. That has its perks if your phone is on the charger in another room of your house but you need to answer a Ring alert. The Ring also has color night vision so you can see who or what is outside your door in the dark, making this a clever gadget to keep your home safer at night.

Here's a twist: Amazon also owns the second best-selling video doorbell on its platform. The Blink Video Doorbell costs less than the Ring version and runs on three AA batteries, making it a popular dupe for the Ring doorbell. So instead of recharging the doorbell, you'll just need to periodically replace the batteries. Blink says you can expect up to two years of battery life. Interestingly, Amazon bought Blink in December of 2017 — just a few months before it announced it was also buying Ring. Blink doorbells tend to be more affordable while Ring doorbells present more premium features and finishes. Regardless of which one you buy, it's a win-win for Amazon.