Nest vs. Ring: Home Security Cameras

TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. Security Camera Comparison Tables 2. An Introduction to Ring 3. An Introduction to Nest 4. Overview of Ring Devices 5. Overview of Nest Devices a) Nest Security Camera Products 6. Step-by-Step Comparison of Ring and Nest a) Design: Ring vs. Nest b) Features: Ring vs. Nest c) Ease of Installation: Ring vs. Nest 7. List of All Wins, Ties, and Losses 8. Verdict: Ring or Nest? 9. Frequently Asked Questions 10. Investing in Better Security

When it comes to security cameras, Nest and Ring dominate the market. This doesn’t come as much of a surprise as both manufacturers make very reliable products that are considered some of the best available.

But what makes a good security camera? Are there advantages to one brand over the other? As both manufacturers have a variety of products, it can be rather confusing to the average consumer. Worry not. In this guide, we’ll provide a comprehensive comparison and review of both the security camera and video doorbell products of each brand.

Features	Nest		Ring
	Nest Outdoor	Nest Outdoor IQ	Stick Up Cam	Spotlight Cam	Floodlight Cam
Alert Types	Email, Push Notifications, IFTTT	Email, Push Notifications, IFTTT	Email, Push Notifications, IFTTT	Email, Push Notifications, IFTTT	Email, Push Notifications, IFTTT
Battery Life	Not Applicable	Not Applicable	Rated 6 to 12 months	Rated 6 to 12 months	Not Applicable
Cloud Storage Ability	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Connection Type	Wi-Fi	Wi-Fi	Wi-Fi	Wi-Fi	Wi-Fi
Continuous Recording	Available with Nest Aware	Available with Nest Aware	Unavailable	Unavailable	Unavailable
Digital Zooming Capability	8x Digital Zoom	12x Digital Zoom	Digital Zoom Available in Ring App	Digital Zoom Available in Ring App	Digital Zoom Available in Ring App
Field of View	130 degrees	130 degrees	110 degrees	140 degrees	140 degrees
Frames per Second	30 fps	30 fps	30fps	30 fps	30 fps
Livestream Capability	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Local Storage Ability	Unavailable	Unavailable	Unavailable	Unavailable	Unavailable
Mobile App Availability	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Monitoring Type	Sound and Motion	Sound and Motion	Motion Only	Motion Only	Motion Only
Night-Vision Ready	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Power Source	Outdoor Adapter	Outdoor Adapter	Wired, Battery Pack, or Solar Charger	Wired, Battery Pack, or Solar Charger	Wired
Price (Approx.)	From $189 to $296	From $400 to $700	$80	$150	$190
Required Upload Speeds	At least 2Mbps upload for a single camera. At least 5mbps for 2 to 3.	At least 2Mbps upload for a single camera. At least 5mbps for 2 to 3.	1Mbps or higher	1Mbps or higher	1Mbps or higher
Resolution	1080p	1080p	1080p	1080p	1080p
Third-Party Integration Ability	Connects to Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri	Connects to Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri	Connects to Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri	Connects to Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri	Connects to Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri
Two-Way Talk Ability	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Warranty	Two-Year Limited Warranty	Two-Year Limited Warranty	One-Year Limited Warranty	One-Year Limited Warranty	One-Year Limited Warranty
Weatherproofing	IP65 Certified	IP66 Certified	IPX5 Certified	IP55 Certified	IP56 Certified
Web App Availability	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes

Before its acquisition by Amazon in February 2018, Ring was an independent startup formerly known as Doorbot, established by Jamie Siminoff. In Siminoff’s own words, the company took root from a discussion with his wife about reinventing the doorbell. Touted by his wife as being akin to caller ID for the front door, he later went on to crowdfund the idea.

After their success in kickstarting the venture, and even an appearance on the reality show, Shark Tank, Doorbot was eventually rebranded into the company we know today. With a spike in sales, an equity investment by Shaquille O'Neal, and $200 million more of venture capital, Amazon eventually took an interest in the company in 2018.

Since then, Ring has been one of the foremost innovators in video doorbell devices, popularizing them enough to gain competitors in the market. Its products have become synonymous with doorbell security cameras and have been instrumental in protecting the homes of many of its customers from theft.

Nest began as a startup established by Tony Fadell and Matt Rogers, former Apple engineers seeking to create innovative products for an emerging market. The thermostats then available didn’t meet Tony Fadell’s standards, and he set out to fix that. Eventually, the company branched out to include devices like carbon monoxide and smoke detectors.

In 2014, Google acquired the company and eventually merged it with another acquisition, Dropcam. Together, these two formed the Nest Security Camera division of Nest Labs and created more cutting-edge security system technologies. Nest Labs has become quite the contender when it comes to smart security camera systems today.

Having merged into Google’s Hardware division in February 2018, it has become an important member of the Google Home Devices team. With the considerable technological and financial support of Google funding its development, Nest Labs’ products are certainly a market leader when it comes to home security.

Ring has a wide range of devices relating to home security. Its most famous product is the Video Doorbell line, but it also has security cameras available. Below, we’ll highlight five of its most recent Video Doorbell options, along with three of its outdoor home security camera products. Take a glance at each to see if a product strikes your fancy.

Ring’s first foray into the security camera market was the Ring Stick Up Cam, released in 2015. It comes in several different power options that allow users to choose a product that will fit their needs.

The Stick Up Cam comes in either wired, battery, or solar charger options. Each option is a kit all on its own. The power peripherals are available as standalone accessories, so if you wish to switch to a different power option, you can just get the additional hardware needed.

The camera itself records videos in high definition 1080p and 30fps. Its field of view extends for 110 degrees, and the motion-detection zone feature in the app lets you designate alert areas. The camera is strictly motion-triggered, though, and continuous video recording (CVR) is unavailable. This can be alleviated somewhat by the livestreaming capability, but the lack of CVR is definitely a drawback.

As local storage options are unavailable, a Wi-Fi upload speed of at least 1Mbps per camera is needed. You can easily access video recordings through the mobile or web app that all Ring devices can connect to. Third-party apps like Amazon’s Alexa, Google’s Assistant, and Apple’s Siri can be used to further increase the flexibility of the Stick Up Cam.

Two-way communication is available for the Stick Up Cam, giving you the ability to speak with anyone on the other side of the lens. Alternatively, you can give a verbal warning to anyone that’s acting suspiciously whenever you get an alert in the system. As Ring’s debut in the security camera market, the Stick Up Cam does come with a lot of great features.

Cost at time of review

The wired and battery versions of the Stick Up Cam normally go for $99.99, but at the time of writing, they are on sale for $79.99. The solar power version retails for $148.99.

See Best offer on the Wired version
See Best offer on the Solar-powered version

What’s in the box?

• All kits include
• One Stick Up Cam device
• Wall anchor and screw kits
• One security decal
• One user’s manual

The wired kit comes with

• A power adapter rated both for indoor and outdoor use

The battery-powered kit includes

• A quick-release rechargeable battery
• A charging cable (Micro USB)

The solar-powered kit includes

• A quick-release rechargeable battery
• A charging cable (Micro USB)
• A solar panel

Ratings:

Security.Org Ratings: 9.5 / 10

CNet.Com Ratings: 4 / 5

PCMag.Com Ratings 4 / 5

BestBuy.Com Reviews: 4.6 / 5

Average Ratings from Top 5 Reviewers from Google: 4.27 / 5

 

The Ring Spotlight Cam

Released in July 2017, the Ring Spotlight Cam sought to improve many of the features that the original Stick Up Cam offered.

Like the Stick Up Cam, the Spotlight Cam comes in solar-powered, battery-powered, and wired versions. Each version is still a kit on its own, so if you wish to have more than one power option, you’ll either have to buy more than one kit or get the power accessory that you want added.

The Spotlight Cam has a wider field of view at 140 degrees, while still recording videos at high definition 1080p and 30fps. Continuous recording is still unavailable, but livestreaming can be used if the owner wants to see a continuous video feed of the monitored areas.

There are no local storage options, so you’ll need at least 1Mbps Wi-Fi upload speed per camera If you want lag-free recording, the recommended speeds are at least 2Mbps per camera. Video can be remotely accessed either through the Ring mobile or web app at any time. It also comes with a Sidewalk Bridge feature that allows it to connect with Amazon Sidewalk in case the Wi-Fi goes down. This enables it to still give alerts until Wi-Fi is restored.

As with the Stick Up Cam, the Spotlight Cam comes with two-way communication features, along with several extras. It has a high-powered spotlight along with a 110-decibel alarm that you can remotely turn on when you want to. This additional deterrent makes it harder for any potential criminals or trespassers to commit nefarious acts.

Cost at time of review

Both the wired and battery versions normally retail at $199.99. As of the time of writing, they’re on sale for $149.99. The solar panel version normally sells for $248.00 but is also on sale for $149.99.

See Best offer on the Wired version
See Best offer on the Solar-powered version

What’s in the box?

All kits Include

• One Spotlight Cam device

• One mounting base
• A screw kit and installation tools
• One security decal
• One user’s manual

The wired kit comes with

• A power adapter rated both for indoor and outdoor use

The battery powered kit includes

• A quick release rechargeable battery

• A USB charging cable

The solar powered kit includes

• A quick release rechargeable battery
• A USB charging cable
• A solar panel

Ratings:

Security.Org Ratings: 9.5 / 10

CNet.Com Ratings: 4 / 5

PCMag.Com Ratings 4 / 5

BestBuy.Com Reviews: 4.5 / 5

Average Ratings from Top 5 Reviewers from Google: 4.27 / 5

 

The Ring Floodlight Cam

The latest in the Ring Security camera product line, the Ring Floodlight Cam, is the best of what Ring has to offer, improving on both the deterrents and security features its predecessors provided.

Unlike the Stick Up Cam and the Spotlight Cam, the Floodlight Cam only comes wired as both the lights and the siren take up a considerable amount of power. This makes it a little more complicated to install, but it can still be a DIY project if you don’t want professional help.

The most prominent feature of the Floodlight Cam is its two 3,000-degree Kelvin lights. When set, these will automatically turn on 1,800 lumens of brightness whenever motion is detected in the motion zones that you set up on the app.

Its 140-degree field of view allows it to record videos at high definition 1080p at 30fps. Continuous video recording is still unavailable, though livestreaming options can be used. It still comes with the 110-decibel siren of its predecessor and is a very handy additional deterrent to drive away any potential intruders.

As with other Ring products, no local storage option is available, so a Wi-Fi upload speed of at least 1Mbps is needed, but 2Mbps or more is recommended. Livestreaming of the video feed is available as there isn’t a continuous video recording option.

Cost at time of review

The Ring Floodlight Cam normally costs $249.99, but at the time of writing is on sale for $189.99

See Best offer on Amazon

What’s in the box?

• One Ring Floodlight Cam
• One mounting bracket
• Screw kits and installation tools
• Two security decals
• Installation hook
• One user’s manual
• One installation guide

The Nest product line includes one video doorbell camera and two security camera products. They’re listed below to provide you with an idea of the features they have on offer.

Nest Security cameras were some of the first products released after Nest Labs was merged with Dropcam. It has two outdoor security camera offerings, the Outdoor and the Outdoor IQ. Their specifications are listed below.

 

The Nest Outdoor

Considered one of the best security cameras on the market, the Nest Outdoor is a top-of-the-line security camera, but at a relatively low price. For anyone looking for a camera to fit their security needs, the Nest Outdoor should be one to take note of.

The camera records videos at high definition 1080p. Its field of view at 130 degrees is captured at 30fps, allowing users to see a great deal of activity. As the camera itself monitors both movement and sound, you’ll be sure to get alerts whenever something is amiss.

A drawback of the Nest Outdoor is that it needs to be plugged in to operate. Unlike some Ring models, there are no battery or solar panel options. This does limit the places where you can install the camera, but the kit itself comes with all the necessary tools for setup.

As the camera is constantly powered, users can take advantage of its continuous video recording capability. This is certainly an advantage over Ring, as the Nest Outdoor can keep recording without the need to be motion-triggered. Local storage options aren’t available though, so you may need a Nest Aware subscription in order to store video recordings. A free account only has about three hours-worth of storage, whereas a subscription gives you 30 days.

Communication with anyone on the other side of the camera is available via Nest Outdoor’s two-way communication system. If you want to control any camera functions, then this can be done remotely either through the mobile or web app. The Nest Outdoor also works quite well with third-party apps like Amazon’s Alexa, Apple’s Siri, and Google Assistant.

The Nest Outdoor needs at least 2Mbps Wi-Fi upload speed per camera to function. For optimal performance, consider getting 5Mbps or more for setups of more than one camera. Higher speeds are recommended if you want to avoid lag in your video feed.

Costs at time of review

The Google Nest Outdoor, at the time of writing, sells for $194.99 for its one-camera kit. The two-camera kit sells for $333.33.

See Best offer on the one-camera kit
See Best offer on the two-camera kit

What’s in the box

• The Nest Cam Outdoor Camera device. Standard kits are in units of one or two
• One mounting magnet for each camera in the kit
• A camera wall plate for each camera in the kit
• One power adapter
• One wall plate for the adapter
• Screws kits
• Several wall anchors
• Several cable clips
• A welcome guide
• One installation guide

Ratings:

Security.Org Ratings: 9.2 / 10

CNet.Com Ratings: 4 / 5

PCMag.Com Ratings 4 / 5

BestBuy.Com Reviews: 4.6 / 5

Average Ratings from Top 5 Reviewers from Google: 4.24 / 5

 

The Nest Outdoor IQ

A step up from the Nest Outdoor, the Nest Outdoor IQ improves upon the last generation’s features to deliver better performance. Anyone that’s looking for the cutting edge of what security cameras have to offer will need to check out the Nest Outdoor IQ.

As with the Outdoor, the Outdoor IQ records videos in high definition 1080p and 30fps. Its 130-degree field of view offers a wide angle of vision to detect any activity that may be of interest. The camera comes with 12x magnification that allows users to zoom in on any point, giving a clearer view of captured events. Like the Outdoor, the Outdoor IQ detects both sound and movement, giving alerts whenever you set it to do so.

Like the previous generation, the Nest Outdoor IQ needs to be constantly plugged in to work. If you want to place a camera in an area that doesn’t have an electrical outlet handy, this is a detail to seriously consider. Installation itself shouldn’t be that much of a problem as the kit comes with all the setup tools that you’ll need.

As with the Nest Outdoor, you don’t have local storage available when using the Outdoor IQ. A subscription to Nest Aware is recommended, as the free three-hour cloud storage does fill up rather quickly. As continuous video recording is available with the Nest Outdoor IQ as well, the 30 days of video storage offered by the subscription is rather useful.

The Nest Outdoor IQ also has a built-in microphone and speaker, allowing users to talk to anyone that they can see via the camera. The web and mobile apps offer great controls for those that want to adjust their camera’s features remotely.

You’ll need at least 2Mbps of Wi-Fi upload speed in order to fully take advantage of the features of the Nest Outdoor IQ. If you have more than one camera set up, then at least 5Mbps is recommended. The higher your speeds, the better the performance will be. As you’ll be uploading video to the cloud, getting uninterrupted video feeds is always the best option.

Costs at time of review

The one-camera kit retails at $399.99 at the time of writing. The two-camera kit sells for $699.99.

What’s in the box

• One Nest Cam IQ Outdoor device. Two-camera kits are also available
• One wall plate for each camera
• One power cable
• A hex key
• One set of screws
• One set of wall anchors
• One set of cable clips
• One installation guide

Category	Nest	Ring
Design	Win
Features	Win
Alert Types	Tie	Tie
Battery Life	Tie	Tie
Cloud Storage Ability	Tie	Tie
Connection Type	Tie	Tie
Continuous Recording	Win
Digital Zooming Capability	Win
Field of View	Tie	Tie
Frames per Second	Tie	Tie
Livestream Capability	Tie	Tie
Local Storage Ability	Tie	Tie
Mobile App Availability	Tie	Tie
Monitoring Type	Win
Night Vision Ready	Tie	Tie
Power Source	Tie	Tie
Price		Win
Required Upload Speeds	Tie	Tie
Resolution	Tie	Tie
Third Party Integration Ability	Tie	Tie
Two Way Talk Ability	Tie	Tie
Warranty	Win
Weatherproofing	Win
Web App Availability	Tie	Tie
Emergency Response Times		Win
Ease of Installation		Win
Monthly Subscription Package		Win

If you’re looking for a video doorbell camera, a Ring product is your best bet. With the wide array of products available, with prices and features to fit all kinds of requirements and budgets, you’ll definitely find a Ring Doorbell to suit your needs. Nest still has a long way to go if it wishes to compete with Ring in this category.

The same can’t be said about security cameras, as Nest is definitely better in this area. The fact that it can capture continuous video recording is a big plus. When you add in the facts that its cameras are certified weatherproof, that they have the ability to properly zoom in, and that they can detect both motion and sound, Nest becomes an easy pick in this category. Ring may have doorbell cameras locked down, but Nest has better security cameras overall.

Overall Verdict

 

Can Ring be stolen?

Yes. An intrepid thief can always make off with your Ring Video Doorbell or Security Camera if they’re committed enough to remove it from its mounting. Although theft of the security cameras themselves requires a bit more work, as they’re wired, it can still happen.

Fortunately, Ring offers theft protection coverage for products directly purchased from its authorized retailers. A police report must be made within 15 days of the theft, and an application must be submitted to Ring. Check the warranty paperwork that came with your product for details or visit its theft protection page.

Can Nest be stolen?

Although making off with the Nest Hello Doorbell or the Nest Camera Outdoor or Outdoor IQ isn’t exactly easy, it can still happen. Theft protection is offered only for the Nest Hello and can be done by following the instructions on its theft protection website.

For the Outdoor or Outdoor IQ, it’s best to secure them properly and place them in harder-to-reach areas as they aren’t covered by the warranty.

Does Ring need Wi-Fi?

All Ring products except the Ring Video Doorbell Elite require Wi-Fi to function. The Ring Video Doorbell Elite can use an ethernet connection.

Does Nest need Wi-Fi?

Yes. Nest’s doorbell cameras and security cameras require Wi-Fi. There is no local storage, so an internet connection is essential.

How often do I need to charge Ring?

If you have a Ring product that uses a rechargeable battery, charging needs to be done at least once every six to twelve months. The period may be longer or shorter depending on how often your cameras get triggered. To be safe, schedule a charge every six months or get an extra battery for quick replacement.

How often do I need to charge Nest?

All Nest products from the Nest Hello, to the Outdoor and Outdoor IQ need to be constantly plugged in to work. There are no batteries to charge.

Interesting IFTTT recipes for Ring

Here are a few interesting links for those that wish to integrate their Ring devices with IFTTT

Turn on your lights when Ring senses motion.

Call you on your phone when Ring detects motion at home.

Or send an SMS message instead.

Turn on the porch lights whenever motion is detected.

When the doorbell rings, log it on a Google Spreadsheet.

Interesting IFTTT recipes for Nest

If you want to use Nest with IFTTT, you can do so by using these recipes. Do note that this is only for the Outdoor and Outdoor IQ. The Nest Hello no longer supports IFTTT.

If the Nest camera detects movement, turn on your lights.

If an event occurs, get a notification.

Any motion detected gets logged on a spreadsheet.

Receive a phone call whenever Nest detects motion or sound.

For many, the protection of their home is of utmost importance. Investing in a better security system will always be worth it for those who want to protect themselves from any untoward incidents. Whether you need a doorbell camera or a security camera, we hope that this comprehensive guide has helped you to find what you’re looking for.

Do you have any questions or clarifications regarding the products mentioned here? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.

Which would you buy?