Smart video doorbells have become essential for modern home security, and two popular options are the Google Nest Hello Video Doorbell and Arlo Essential Wired Video Doorbell. Let's dive into how these devices can transform your front door experience and which one might be right for you.
When the Nest Hello launched in 2018, it set a new standard for video doorbells with its AI-powered features and HDR video. The Arlo Essential, released later as part of Arlo's expanding smart home lineup, brought competition with superior specs at a lower price point. Both devices have seen software updates and improvements, though the hardware has remained largely unchanged.
The pricing difference between these devices is significant. The Nest Hello at $179.99 represents the premium end, while the Arlo Essential at $79.99 for HD or $129.99 for 2K offers compelling value. However, price alone doesn't tell the whole story.
Both devices require monthly subscriptions for advanced features:
The Nest Hello delivers 1600x1200 resolution with HDR (High Dynamic Range), which helps balance bright and dark areas in the same frame - particularly useful when someone is standing in front of a bright sky. The Arlo Essential offers 1536x1536 resolution in its base model, with a 2K option available that provides noticeably sharper images.
Arlo takes the lead with a 180-degree field of view compared to Nest's 160 degrees. This difference is noticeable when trying to see packages left close to your door or visitors standing to the side.
Both doorbells use infrared LEDs for night vision, but the Nest Hello's implementation produces clearer images after dark, with better contrast and detail.
The Nest Hello excels with its AI-powered detection system that can:
The Arlo Essential offers more basic motion detection with:
Both doorbells feature two-way audio, but implementation differs:
The Nest Hello works best within Google's ecosystem but offers limited integration with other platforms. The Arlo Essential provides broader compatibility:
Both devices require existing doorbell wiring (16-24V AC), but setup experiences differ:
In daily use, several factors become apparent:
The Nest Hello typically responds faster to events and button presses, with minimal lag in live view. The Arlo Essential can sometimes have slight delays, especially when accessing live view.
Both devices are weather-resistant and well-built, but long-term reliability reports favor the Nest Hello slightly.
Google and Arlo both provide regular updates:
Over three years:
The Nest Hello and Arlo Essential represent different approaches to video doorbells. The Nest Hello focuses on advanced AI features and reliable performance, while the Arlo Essential delivers excellent value with competitive specs.
For most users, the Arlo Essential's value proposition is hard to beat, especially with the 2K option. However, if you prioritize advanced AI features and are willing to pay a premium, the Nest Hello remains a compelling choice.
Remember that both devices require ongoing subscriptions for full functionality, so factor this into your long-term budget. Whether you choose the premium features of the Nest Hello or the value-oriented Arlo Essential, both will significantly upgrade your home's security and convenience.
| Google Nest Hello Video Doorbell | Arlo Essential Wired Video Doorbell |
|---|---|
| Price - Initial Investment | |
| $179.99 (premium pricing) | $79.99 (HD) or $129.99 (2K) |
| Monthly Subscription Cost - Required for advanced features | |
| Nest Aware: $6/month | Arlo Secure: $4.99/month |
| Video Resolution - Impacts clarity and detail of recordings | |
| 1600x1200 with HDR (better for challenging lighting) | 1536x1536, 2K option available (sharper overall) |
| Field of View - Determines how much you can see | |
| 160° diagonal (good but not class-leading) | 180° diagonal (best-in-class coverage) |
| Night Vision - Critical for security after dark | |
| Advanced IR with better contrast and detail | Standard IR LEDs, good but less refined |
| AI Features - Affects smart detection capabilities | |
| Advanced AI with facial recognition, package, and person detection | Basic motion detection with person and package alerts |
| Smart Home Integration - Platform compatibility | |
| Limited to Google Home ecosystem, basic Alexa support | Works with Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple HomeKit, IFTTT |
| Storage Options - How footage is saved | |
| Continuous recording with subscription | Event-based recording only |
| Two-Way Audio - Quality of visitor communication | |
| Full duplex with noise cancellation | Standard two-way audio with pre-recorded messages |
| Installation Requirements - Power needs | |
| 16-24V AC wired only | 16-24V AC wired, more flexible mounting options |
| Weather Resistance - Durability factors | |
| -4°F to 104°F operating range | -4°F to 113°F operating range |
| Response Time - How quickly you can view feed | |
| Near-instant response (<2 seconds) | Slight delay (2-4 seconds) |
| Image Processing - How well it handles difficult lighting | |
| HDR processing for excellent dynamic range | Standard processing with good color accuracy |
The Arlo Essential Video Doorbell offers better value at $79.99 with comparable features to the $179.99 Nest Hello. However, the Nest Hello provides superior AI features and HDR video quality, making it ideal for users prioritizing smart detection and challenging lighting situations.
The Google Nest Hello costs $179.99, while the Arlo Essential is available at $79.99 for HD and $129.99 for the 2K version, making Arlo the more budget-friendly option.
The Nest Hello offers superior night vision with better contrast and detail compared to the Arlo Essential, making it more effective for monitoring dark entryways and viewing visitors after sunset.
Yes, both the Nest Hello and Arlo Essential can display their feeds on smart TVs and home theater systems. They work with various streaming devices, though Nest integrates better with Chromecast while Arlo offers broader compatibility.
The Arlo Essential offers higher resolution with its 2K option, while the Nest Hello provides better HDR performance for challenging lighting conditions. For pure resolution, Arlo wins, but for overall image quality in varying conditions, Nest Hello performs better.
Yes, both require subscriptions for advanced features. The Nest Hello needs Nest Aware ($6/month) while the Arlo Essential requires Arlo Secure ($4.99/month).
The Arlo Essential provides a wider 180-degree field of view compared to the Nest Hello's 160-degree view, offering better coverage of your entryway.
The Arlo Essential offers broader compatibility with Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple HomeKit, while the Nest Hello works best within the Google ecosystem but has limited third-party integration.
The Nest Hello offers more advanced AI-powered detection with facial recognition and specific object detection, while the Arlo Essential provides basic motion detection with person and package alerts.
Both the Nest Hello and Arlo Essential require existing doorbell wiring (16-24V AC), but Nest offers a more polished setup experience through the Google Home app.
The Nest Hello offers continuous recording with a subscription, while the Arlo Essential uses event-based recording, which requires less bandwidth but might miss some activity between events.
Both doorbells are weather-resistant, but the Arlo Essential has a slightly wider operating temperature range (-4°F to 113°F) compared to the Nest Hello (-4°F to 104°F).
We've done our best to create useful and informative comparisons to help you decide what product to buy. Our research uses advanced automated methods to create this comparison and perfection is not possible - please contact us for corrections or questions. These are the sites we've researched in the creation of this article: bestbuy.com - beachcamera.com - youtube.com - cnet.com - walmart.com - jacksonsystems.com - shoplineusa.com - safehome.org - energywisemnstore.com - walmart.com - support.google.com - safehome.org - arlo.com - arlo.com - bestbuy.com - arlo.com - wasserstein-home.com - arlo.com - arlo.com - prnewswire.com - telquestintl.com
