Nest vs. Ring – Video Doorbells Compared – Which Is Best for You?

1. Introduction to Ring 2. Introduction to Nest 3. Overview of Ring Devices 4. Overview of Nest Devices 5. Step-by-Step Comparison of Ring vs. Nest a) Design: Ring vs. Nest b) Features: Ring vs. Nest c) External Monitoring Options d) Emergency Response Times e) Ease of Installation: Ring vs. Nest f) Picture Quality: Ring vs. Nest g) Monthly Subscription Packages Explored h) User Interface and App: Ring vs. Nest i) Automation Compatibility j) Support, Customer Service, and Warranty 6) Final Scores 7) Verdict: Ring or Nest? 8) Winner Overall: Nest 9) FAQs About Ring and Nest

Google Nest and Ring provide some of the most popular smart home devices around. Their impeccable record of state-of-the-art software paired with easy-to-use gadgets has made them worthy of praise.

Both Nest and Ring products focus on making your smart home more secure. With cameras as their primary concern, their top priority is to make sure you know what is going on in your neighborhood at all times.

If you’re looking to make your smart home even smarter, we think that you can’t go wrong with either option. But which is better?

In this article, we’ll take a more in-depth look into every device Google Nest and Ring have to offer to determine who makes the smarter homes.

	Ring						Nest
Name	Video Doorbell 2020	Video Doorbell 3	Video Doorbell 3 Plus	Video Doorbell Pro	Video Doorbell Elite	Peephole Cam	Nest Hello
Installation Type	DIY	DIY	DIY	DIY	Professional	DIY	DIY or Professional
Resolution	1920 x 1080	1920 x 1080	1920 x 1080	1920 x 1080	1920 x 1080	1920 x 1080	1600 x 1200
Field of View (degrees)	155	160	160	160	160	155	160
Night Vision	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes
Live Feed	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes
Cost	$99	$199	$229	$249	$349	$129	$229
Charging	Battery or wired	Battery or wired	Battery or wired	Wired	Wired	Battery	Wired or AC adapter
Connection	Wi-Fi	Wi-Fi	Wi-Fi	Wi-Fi	Wi-Fi or Ethernet	Wi-Fi	Wi-Fi
Pre-Roll	No	No	Low Fidelity	Full HD	Full HD	No	Full HD color
Face Detection	No	No	No	No	No	No	Yes
Color Options	Satin Nickel, Venetian Bronze	Satin Nickel, Venetian Bronze	Satin Nickel, Venetian Bronze	Satin Nickel, Pearl, Venetian, Black	Satin Nickel, Pearl White, Venetian, Satin Black	Satin Nickel	Black
Smart Notifications	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Two-Way Communication	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Subscription Cost (Basic)	$3 monthly /$30 per year per device	$3 monthly /$30 per year per device	$3 monthly /$30 per year per device	$3 monthly /$30 per year per device	$3 monthly /$30 per year per device	$3 monthly /$30 per year per device	$6 monthly /$60 per year for all devices
Subscription Cost (Plus)	$10 monthly /$100 per year for all devices	$10 monthly /$100 per year for all devices	$10 monthly /$100 per year for all devices	$10 monthly /$100 per year for all devices	$10 monthly /$100 per year for all devices	$10 monthly /$100 per year for all devices	$12 monthly /$120 per year for all devices
Event Recording	60 days on subscription	60 days on subscription	60 days on subscription	60 days on subscription	60 days on subscription	60 days on subscription	30/60 days depending on plan
24/7 Video Recording	No	No	No	No	No	No	Yes
24/7 Video Storage	No	No	No	No	No	No	10 days with Plus subscription
Neighborhood App	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
AI Assistant	Alexa	Alexa	Alexa	Alexa	Alexa	Alexa	Google Assistant
IFTTT	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Emergency Calls	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
People Detection	Basic plan	Basic plan	Basic plan	Basic plan	Basic plan	Basic plan	Basic plan
Warranty	1 year, extended with Plus subscription	1 year, extended with Plus subscription	1 year, extended with Plus subscription	1 year, extended with Plus subscription	1 year, extended with Plus subscription	1 year, extended with Plus subscription	2 years
Theft Protection	Replacement within 15 days	Replacement within 15 days	Replacement within 15 days	Replacement within 15 days	Replacement within 15 days	Replacement within 15 days	Replacement within 6 months

Founded in 2013, Ring’s flagship product is its Ring Video Doorbell. Since its humble beginnings as a startup, it has successfully grown into one of the best smart home security companies in the United States. In 2018, Amazon acquired Ring, further strengthening the brand’s identity as one of the top performers in its class.

Besides its go-to Video Doorbell, Ring has expanded its range of products to include smart alarm systems, security cameras, and even intelligent lighting.

Ring is proud of its incredible 24/7 support availability and affordable monthly plans.

Furthermore, Ring has pushed for community support through its product, launching a neighborhood-based app to accompany the devices that allows footage to be passed to the police efficiently.

As a brand that focuses heavily on security through the efforts of the entire community, Ring is one of the safest, most trusted options for smart home security systems available.

Unlike Ring, Google Nest started out in 2010 with a smart thermostat device, slowly accumulating popularity and products as the company grew. In 2014, Google acquired Nest, but the company remained separate from Google until 2018.

Nest’s success lay in its innovative design, and this was compounded by support from one of the world’s leading tech companies. Following its takeover, Nest depreciated the stand-alone software solutions it used to have and integrated all of its capabilities into Google’s infrastructure.

Currently, items branded under Google Nest include its original smart home solutions, such as thermostats, doorbells, cameras, alarm systems, and locks. However, Google Nest also includes more exotic items such as Chromecast and Google Home in its lineup of products.

With Google’s name behind it, Nest is one of the safest and most trustworthy options for smart homeowners, especially those that favor integrating every aspect of their house under one account.

At present, Ring offers a wide selection of their second- and third-generation Video Doorbell models. Below, we’ll go over each one in more detail.

The Video Doorbell 2020 release is an updated version of the Video Doorbell 2. While it might be an older generation model, don’t be fooled. The 2020 boasts impressive features, with 155-degree vision and a ‘near motion zone’ that focuses on the distance between five and fifteen feet from your door. The zone is implemented to reduce the number of false alerts.

The second generation introduced 1080p video resolution, and this model is no exception.

The Video Doorbell 2020 needs to be wired in through an existing doorbell cable line or a newly made installation, but it does have a rechargeable battery.

Cost at Time of Review

At the time of writing, the Video Doorbell 2020 costs $99.99 on Ring’s online store and comes with a free one-month trial of Ring Protect.

What’s in the Box

• Ring Video Doorbell (2020 Release)
• Micro USB Charging Cable
• Mounting Bracket
• Installation Tools and Hardware
• User Manual
• Security Sticker

The newest generation of Ring’s Video Doorbell models, the Video Doorbell 3, improves on the security features of Ring’s flagship product. The Doorbell 3 has an increased field of vision of 160 degrees and near-zone detection to reduce unnecessary alerts. The new generation has also improved the Wi-Fi connection, allowing for 2.4Ghz and 5GHz dual-band networks to ensure the doorbell is securely connected.

There are no significant improvements in the video quality itself, with two-way communication and 1080p resolution available, but these are some of the best characteristics available on the market today.

Furthermore, the Video Doorbell 3 has simplified the installation process. It includes a rechargeable battery pack, but it can also be hard-wired into an existing doorbell cable system or a transformer to charge the battery continuously.

Cost at Time of Review

The Video Doorbell 3 is currently $199.99, but there’s an ongoing discounted price of $139.99. The doorbell comes with one month of Ring Protect.

What’s in the Box

• Ring Video Doorbell 3
• Rechargeable, Quick-Release Battery Pack
• Satin Nickel and Venetian Bronze Faceplates
• Wedge and Corner Kits
• USB Charging Cable
• Mounting Bracket
• Installation Tools and Hardware
• User Manual
• Security Sticker

The Plus edition of the Doorbell 3 comes with additional features. Compared to the standard Doorbell 3, it has all the same essential characteristics, such as dual-band Wi-Fi and an increased field of view. The addition is the added Pre-Roll feature, which allows you to see four seconds of video before the motion sensor event is triggered. The resolution of the Pre-Roll is less than 1080p and is in black and white to conserve battery life.

The Video Doorbell 3 Plus is recommended for well-lit areas to take advantage of the Pre-Roll function.

As with the standard Doorbell 3, the Plus comes with a rechargeable battery that can be hard-wired into your electrical installations.

Cost

$229.99. The Doorbell 3 Plus comes with a month of free Ring Protect.

What’s in the Box

• Ring Video Doorbell 3 Plus
• Rechargeable, Quick-Release battery pack
• Satin Nickel and Venetian Bronze faceplates
• Wedge and Corner kits
• USB Charging Cable
• Mounting Bracket
• Installation Tools and Hardware
• User Manual
• Security Sticker

The Doorbell Pro version is one of the most compact devices Ring produces, but it doesn’t lose any preexisting features. With two-way communication and 1080p video feed, it’s one of the best doorbell cameras on the market.

The Pro, however, doesn’t have a battery and needs to be wired in to work.

Cost

$249.99 with a month of free Ring Protect service.

What’s in the Box

• Ring Video Doorbell Pro
• Four Removable Faceplates (Satin Nickel, Pearl, Venetian, Black)
• Retro Kit Plate
• Wedge and Corner Kits
• User Manual
• Security Sticker
• Installation Screws and Tools

The Elite is a professional-grade doorbell camera that will ensure the best possible security. The Elite needs to be installed on a current cable line by professionals. The Elite is also compatible with an Ethernet cable, so you don’t need to use Wi-Fi to connect it.

Cost

$349.99 with a month of Ring Protect included.

What’s in the Box

• Video Doorbell Elite
• Low-Voltage Bracket
• 50 ft. (9.14m.) & 3 ft. (1m.) Ethernet Cable
• PoE Adapter
• Mounting Hardware
• Screwdriver
• User Manual

The Peephole Cam is a smart home solution for apartments, and it slots where a regular peephole should be. This wireless, compact device still has the 1080p video feed and two-way communication we expect from a modern Ring product. While it still has some limits, such as no night-vision, it also comes with a traditional lens that lets you use it as a regular peephole.

Cost

$129.99

What’s in the Box

• Peephole Cam
• Rechargeable Battery Pack
• USB Charging Cable
• Installation Screws and Tools
• User Manual
• Mounting Hardware

Unlike Ring’s multiple choices, Google Nest has only one doorbell device.

The hallmark Google Nest doorbell device, the Hello, is one of the top candidates for the best smart home doorbell. With a sleek design, this compact device features 1600x1200p video in a 4:3 ratio designed to view the entire person in front of the door better. The Hello is Wi-Fi compatible but must be wired into the preexisting infrastructure or used with its own cable adapter.

The Hello features continuous video streaming and recording and also has built-in face detection software to alert you when any familiar faces come knocking.

Cost

$229 with a current promotion of $179.99

What’s in the Box

• Nest Hello Video Doorbell
• Chime Connector
• 15° Wedge
• Release Tool
• Masonry Drill Bit
• Window Decal
• Wallplate
• Extension Wires
• Wall Anchors
• Screws
• Quick Start Guide

Now that we’ve provided a brief overview of all available devices for both Ring and Nest, it’s time to put them to the test and see which is the better doorbell camera for your smart home.

Ring

Although they come in several unique designs, the general schematic of all Ring devices is a small, innocuous device that won’t look too out of place on your wall. The Doorbell 2020 has a slightly outdated design, but it still has all the essential security and protection features. The Peephole Cam has a very compact outer shell, but the interior can look a bit hefty as a result. Overall, we’re very pleased with how Ring devices look.

Nest

The Hello has a very compact design, coming in at only 1.7 inches in width and 1 inch in depth. It’s oval-shaped and looks more like the Peephole Cam than a doorbell. However, it lacks any color options, whereas Ring has multiple faceplate finishes for its more advanced doorbells.

 

Features: Ring vs. Nest

Ring

Ring features 1080p video across all of its newer generation devices, which is unparalleled in the doorbell camera market. All devices have motion detection and will notify you when their motion and sound sensors pick something up. When it comes to additional features, most options have night-vision included in their video and are able to live stream when events do happen on your device. All Ring devices also have a live video feed available, so you can check up on what’s going on in front of your smart house from the convenience of your phone.

Ring’s application suite also features a neighborhood app that lets the entire community make their homes more secure. The neighborhood app allows you to see the incidents in all nearby houses that have Ring security installed.

Nest

Nest Hello features a somewhat unusual 1600x1200p resolution video. The 4:3 aspect ratio shows a lot more in height than standard 16:9 screens. This can be especially useful in viewing the entire person in front of your door.

When it comes to additional features, Hello also has a powerful night-vision capability and 24/7 live streaming capability. Since it’s not battery powered, you won’t have to worry about it running out of juice.

Nest also features a face detection module in its pricing plan. This can be a real lifesaver in emergencies and can significantly help make your house that bit more secure. It also has the ability to pre-record automatic responses. While we’re not exactly sure of the usefulness of this function, it can help with some uninvited guests or the mail. What is most certainly useful when it comes to mail is Hello’s package detection feature, which will instantly notify you of any new packages arriving at your door.

 

External Monitoring Options

Ring

Ring has a professional monitoring option for its Ring Alarms. The highly qualified team of personnel will monitor your device for any events 24/7 and immediately notify the authorities if needed. Its staff will make a call to ascertain the severity and the potential risk of the situation and contact emergency services for you if required.

Furthermore, you can monitor the video camera yourself directly from your home or even your phone. Ring has a mobile app that directly integrates all of your Ring devices and allows you to watch a live stream of your Video Doorbell while away from home. The app will also send you notifications of any motion or sound that the camera picks up.

Doorbell Pro takes that a step further and allows you to watch the footage for up to four minutes before the motion sensor is triggered, providing greater security.

Nest

Google Nest pushed its Nest Aware plan in May 2020, intending to simplify external monitoring. With Nest Aware, you can set up professional 24/7 monitoring on your alarm. However, if you only have a Nest Hello, you can still use its simple monitoring software.

Nest Aware will notify your mobile device of any potential threats and risks and call emergency contacts or services if you require them.

 

Emergency Response Times

Ring

Ring’s external monitoring team will reach out to you to make sure an emergency contact is provided. Ring has also partnered with various local police departments, especially through its neighborhood app, to ensure that their response times stay minimal and that every distress call is genuine. As far as we can tell, there are no outstanding issues with response times and the service works well.

Nest

Nest Aware has the option to contact authorities directly from your mobile device immediately. There seem to be no issues with response times, which is enhanced by the fact that Aware’s signaling system to your device is crisper and allows for more control over calling the authorities.

 

Ease of Installation: Ring vs. Nest

Ring

For most Ring devices, the box package contains all the DIY tools you’ll need to connect your Video Doorbell or Peephole Cam. However, you’ll still need to run cables if your device is hard-wired and you don’t have an installation for doorbells in your house (which is, admittedly, unlikely).

Ring offers professional mounting service for its Doorbell Elite edition.

You’ll also need to install a chime for your doorbell to ring somewhere other than on the app. Ring also offers a series of chimes as a replacement for the traditional chimes, which feature customizable sounds for particular alerts.

However, if you’re running Ring devices on battery power, you’ll need to take them offline for a bit to recharge them.

Nest

Nest has both DIY and professional installation options available for its Hello. We found it reasonably easy to install. If you don’t have an established doorbell infrastructure, Nest offers an adapter with 20 feet of wire to make the Hello compatible with a standard outlet.

You’ll also need to install a chime for your doorbell to make actual sounds in the house, and Nest offers Google Home devices as a chime replacement.

 

Picture Quality: Ring vs. Nest

Ring

Ring’s doorbell cameras all have 1080p high-quality footage in a 16:9 aspect ratio. All cameras except the Peephole Cam are equipped with a powerful night mode that uses infrared light to give a clear image of your doorstep. Most cameras have 155 or 160 degrees of vision.

Ring’s Pre-Roll feature on some of the more advanced devices also records in lower resolution, and only in black and white. Any footage is helpful, and we understand the energy-saving concerns, but this will slightly put a dent in Ring’s overall score for this category.

The Video Doorbell Pro and Elite have color and HD Pre-Roll features as they are hard-wired.

Nest

Hello has a slightly different resolution, with a 1600x1200p 4:3 aspect ratio. While it may seem outdated, the taller aspect ratio helps you get a better view of the entire porch area, which is the primary goal of a doorbell camera, anyway. The camera has 160 degrees of view, which is among the highest in its class, and we have no complaints about that.

Nest Hello also has night-vision and it captures video 24/7 in crystal clear full-color resolution for you to watch, although you’ll need a subscription to record the footage.

 

Monthly Subscription Packages Explored

Ring

Ring offers two monthly subscription packages in their Ring Protect service and a free service for their video doorbells.

The free service of every doorbell includes basic access to the Ring App, motion notifications, two-way communication through the doorbell, and access to the real-time feed of your doorbell. Ring also offers theft protection on their devices by supplying you with a replacement if you report the theft within 15 days.

The basic subscription plan improves their free service by adding up to 60 days of storage of any notifications and events from your Video Doorbell. You can also download these videos to your computer and share them with other people through your mobile device.

Additionally, the basic subscription allows you to set up a Snapshot capture sequence, where the doorbell will take a snap at predetermined intervals to provide you a brief overview of what’s happening on your porch. The notifications can also be improved to alert you only when the doorbell camera notices a person in view. The basic subscription costs $3 a month or $30 a year, per device.

The Protect Plus subscription adds more safety features, such as remote technical monitoring of your alarm, as well as an extended warranty on your Ring devices. Furthermore, you will achieve a 10% discount on some Ring products, which notably includes every Video Doorbell we’re going over in this review. The Plus subscription will cost you $10 a month or $100 a year. The Protect Plus subscription can use an unlimited number of devices.

Nest

Nest Aware offers a free service with its Hello app. This encompasses the basic functionalities such as event notifications, live feed viewing, and pre-recorded responses.

However, to get the most out of Nest Hello, you’ll need to purchase a subscription to Nest Aware. For the basic Nest Aware subscription, you get access to 30 days of footage for all of your Nest devices. You also get the option of utilizing Hello’s powerful person and package recognition software to receive more intelligent notifications. You’ll also be able to download and share any footage that Hello has recorded. Nest Aware subscription costs $6 per month or $60 annually and covers all of your Nest devices.

With Nest Aware Plus, you get a total of 60 days of event history, and you also get ten previous days of full video storage from your Hello. Nest Aware Plus costs $12 a month, or $120 a year.

 

User Interface and App: Ring vs. Nest

Ring

Ring utilizes its Ring app to integrate all Ring devices under one software solution. Through the app, you can arm your house to protect it from intruders, lock it, control and monitor your cameras, and even set up lights in response to opening the doors.

The Ring app also includes the Neighborhood Alert feature, which lets you look at any events on Ring systems happening in your surroundings.

The app makes your events and footage easy to access, and you definitely won’t get lost in its menus.

Nest

The Nest app comes with a simplistic design that lets you know what is going on in your house. If you have a Nest Aware subscription, it will also be able to link its face recognition to profiles on your app to let you know who exactly is at your door. Additionally, you can directly call authorities from your app. The app does this by connecting to the local police department of the address in your saved profile, rather than the nearest department from where you currently are. This allows you to waste no time in case of emergencies if you’re away.

Nest’s video storage can be viewed through the app quickly, but you’ll need a subscription to access it.

The Nest app can also be migrated to the Google Home app, which offers all of the features and further integrates Nest with other Google Home devices.

 

Automation Compatibility

Ring

Ring makes all of its devices compatible with one another. With a slew of Ring products, you don’t really need any other devices to make your smart home safe.

Ring is compatible with Amazon Alexa out of the box. With Alexa as your home assistant, you can command your doorbell wherever you are. If you have an Amazon Fire TV device, you can also watch the camera feed directly on your TV. While you can get some cooperation between Ring and Google Assistant, Alexa will simply offer more features.

Ring also has plenty of IFTTT compatibility, allowing you to connect it to other appliances in your home. For example, you can turn on the lights in your hallway as soon as the doorbell rings.

Ring devices offer a sort of IFTTT by themselves, and their cross-compatibility makes Ring a self-encompassing smart home security system.

Ring uses Z-Wave technology rather than Zigbee, so if you’re looking to get the most out of your home security, make sure that your other appliances also use Z-Wave protocol.

You can also have a brief overview of all devices that are compatible with Ring in the link here.

Nest

Due to being under Google’s wing, Nest has direct compatibility with Google Assistant. You can also expect a limited amount of compatibility with Amazon Alexa, but we’d recommend using Google Nest with Google Assistant to achieve the best results.

Additionally, you can use Chromecast-enabled products to view your Nest cameras, and some Lenovo Smart devices also come compatible with Nest’s video feeds.

The Nest devices don’t directly support either Zigbee or Z-Wave, but you can get around that by using a Google Assistant-ready hub to control both sets of devices. Something like SmartThings hub will be perfect to join your security and appliances together.

Nest has minimal support for IFTTT, so it works best as an isolated security system. We believe this is due to safety concerns from Google’s side, but we are still a bit disappointed.

 

Support, Customer Service, and Warranty

Ring

Ring’s customer service was usually direct and helpful, but we sometimes encountered problems even they couldn’t fix. Ring app holds scores of 3.8 on the Google Play store and 4.4 on the App Store. This is indicative of a competent support team and good customer service capabilities.

Ring offers a one-year warranty on all of its products, which is extended if you have a Protect Plus subscription. They also have a theft warranty for all devices and will provide you with a replacement device.

Nest

The Nest app holds scores of 4.2 and 4.7 on the Google Play and the App Store, respectively. Its support team is well equipped to deal with most of the issues presented and works quickly to resolve any problems. Overall, we are quite pleased with how its customer support treated us.

Nest offers a two-year warranty on Nest Hello and provides no additional extended warranty deals.

 

Final Scores

Category	Ring	Nest
Design	Win
Features		Win
External Monitoring	Win
Emergency Response Times	Tie	Tie
Ease of Installation	Tie	Tie
Picture Quality		Win
Subscriptions		Win
User Interface and Apps		Win
Automation Compatibility	Win
Support, Customer Service, Warranty	Tie	Tie

Overall, we think that Nest offers a better stand-alone solution for home security.

While Ring offers a far better suite of automation and compatibility with other smart home devices, Google Nest Hello will deliver top-notch results at a price that is comparable to advanced Ring Doorbells.

If you’re planning on making your smart home safer, both of these are reliable options and will make your life easier and more manageable.

The features you receive through both Ring and Nest are comparable, and differences can be very minute, and certainly down to personal preferences. For example, video quality only differs in the aspect ratio of the video feed. While we preferred how Nest provided a better overview of the actual porch, you might like the broader picture around it.

Here are some IFTTT interactions for Ring devices:

1. Turn off music when someone’s at the door with harmony products.
2. Make it appear you’re home while on vacation with hue lights.
3. Keep a log of your visitor times.
4. Save visits in your Google Calendar.
5. Flash lights when the doorbell is pushed, especially useful for those with impaired hearing.

Nest Hello has ceased support for IFTTT in 2020, and therefore there are no viable recipes for IFTTT customization.

If your Ring Video Doorbell or any other camera is stolen, report the theft to the police and obtain a theft report. If you have any clips of the report, give them to the authorities. Send the report to Ring Support within 15 days and they will send you a replacement device.

If your Nest Hello is stolen, file a police report. Give the police any video clips your Nest may have recorded during the theft. Request a police report copy and send it to Nest’s Support within six months, and you will receive a replacement device.

Ring doesn’t passively record conversations but does provide audio in recordings of events. Its two-way communication allows it to pass and save audio files.

You need to install a regular doorbell chime to Ring’s Video Doorbell if you want to hear a sound in your house instead of only on your app. Additionally, Ring offers Chime and Chime Pro, which you can use to customize sounds according to notifications and visitors.

Yes, Ring devices use Wi-Fi to connect to hubs. Video Doorbell Elite has an option to connect directly via Ethernet cable instead.

Yes, Nest devices need to use a Wi-Fi connection.

If your Video Doorbell is wired into the house, it doesn’t need to charge. If you’re using a USB adapter (included in your Ring box) to charge the batteries, it will take between five and ten hours.

The Nest Hello is hard-wired into your installations and doesn’t require charging.