Today's video doorbells have evolved far beyond simple door alerts. Let's dive into two popular options - the Ring Wired Doorbell Plus ($150) and Google Nest Doorbell Battery ($180) - to help you choose the right one for your home.
When Ring launched its first video doorbell in 2014, it revolutionized home security. Google entered the market later with Nest, bringing AI-powered features to the game. Both these latest models, released in 2023, represent significant technological advances over their predecessors.
The most noticeable distinction between these doorbells is video quality. The Ring Wired Plus delivers 1536p resolution (often called 1.5K) with HDR (High Dynamic Range, which helps balance bright and dark areas in the same shot). This higher resolution makes a real difference when you need to identify faces or read package labels.
The Nest Doorbell offers 960x1280 resolution, which is technically HD but noticeably lower quality. While still perfectly functional, the difference becomes apparent in challenging lighting conditions or when you need to zoom in on details.
Here's where these doorbells take distinctly different approaches:
Both doorbells offer advanced detection features, but their approaches differ:
Your existing smart home setup should heavily influence your choice:
After extensive testing, here's how they compare in daily use:
Ring's hardwired connection provides near-instant notifications and live view access. The Nest, especially in battery mode, can take 2-3 seconds longer to wake up and show live video.
Ring's color night vision produces clearer, more detailed images after dark. Nest's night vision is adequate but shows less detail and color accuracy.
Both offer clear two-way audio with noise cancellation, but Ring's audio seems slightly clearer in windy conditions.
Understanding the subscription models is crucial:
Both doorbells are well-built for outdoor use:
The Ring's slightly wider temperature range might matter in extreme climates.
Both companies regularly update their devices' software, adding new features and improving performance. Ring has committed to security updates for at least four years, while Google typically supports its devices for several years with regular feature updates.
The Ring Wired Doorbell Plus and Google Nest Doorbell represent two different philosophies in smart home security. Ring focuses on premium video quality and deep Alexa integration, while Nest emphasizes flexibility and free AI features.
Your choice ultimately depends on your specific needs, existing smart home setup, and whether you prefer better video quality (Ring) or more flexible installation options (Nest). Both are excellent devices that will serve well as your home's digital doorkeeper.
| Ring Wired Doorbell Plus | Google Nest Doorbell Battery |
|---|---|
| Price - Initial hardware investment | |
| $150 | $180 |
| Video Resolution - Affects ability to identify faces and read packages | |
| 1536p HDR (notably clearer image quality) | 960x1280 HDR (adequate but lower detail) |
| Field of View - Determines how much you can see | |
| 180° diagonal (full head-to-toe view) | 145° diagonal (may miss close objects) |
| Power Options - Impacts installation flexibility and maintenance | |
| Hardwired only (16-24 VAC required) | Battery or hardwired (2-3 month battery life) |
| Subscription Cost - Affects long-term ownership cost | |
| $4/month required for most features | $6/month optional, basic features work without |
| Smart Home Integration - Consider your existing ecosystem | |
| Amazon Alexa, Ring ecosystem | Google Home ecosystem |
| Motion Detection - Affects notification accuracy | |
| Advanced with subscription only | Free AI detection for people, packages, vehicles, animals |
| Video Storage - How long you can access recordings | |
| Cloud only, requires subscription | 3 hours free event history, more with subscription |
| Operating Temperature - Important for extreme climates | |
| -5°F to 120°F | -4°F to 104°F |
| Response Time - How quickly you can view live video | |
| Near instant (hardwired advantage) | 2-3 second delay (especially in battery mode) |
| Night Vision - Critical for evening monitoring | |
| Color night vision with superior detail | Standard night vision with adequate performance |
| Two-Way Audio - Quality of visitor communication | |
| HD audio with noise cancellation | HD audio with noise cancellation |
The Ring Wired Doorbell Plus ($150) offers better video quality and faster response times, while the Google Nest Doorbell Battery ($180) provides more flexible installation options and free AI detection features. Ring is better for video quality, while Nest offers more installation flexibility.
The Ring Wired Doorbell Plus costs $150, while the Google Nest Doorbell Battery is priced at $180. However, Ring requires a subscription ($4/month) for most features, while Nest offers basic features without a subscription.
Yes! The Ring Wired Doorbell Plus works with Fire TV devices, while the Google Nest Doorbell integrates with Chromecast. This makes both options great for home theater setups, allowing you to see visitors on your big screen.
The Ring Wired Doorbell Plus has superior 1536p resolution compared to the Nest Doorbell's 960x1280 resolution. This difference is particularly noticeable when viewing on larger screens like TVs or monitors.
The Ring Wired Doorbell Plus requires a subscription ($4/month) for most features including video recording. The Nest Doorbell includes basic features and 3-hour video history free, with optional premium features available through subscription.
The Ring Wired Doorbell Plus offers superior color night vision with better detail, while the Nest Doorbell provides adequate but less detailed night vision performance.
The Ring Wired Doorbell Plus works best with Amazon Alexa devices, while the Nest Doorbell integrates seamlessly with Google Home. Choose based on your existing smart home ecosystem.
The Ring Wired Doorbell Plus requires hardwiring to existing doorbell wiring, while the Nest Doorbell can be installed either hardwired or battery-powered, offering more flexibility.
The Nest Doorbell includes free AI detection for people, packages, vehicles, and animals. The Ring Wired Doorbell Plus offers similar features but requires a subscription.
The Ring Wired Doorbell Plus offers a wider 180° diagonal view compared to the Nest Doorbell's 145° view, providing better coverage of your entryway.
The Ring Wired Doorbell Plus provides near-instant notifications due to its hardwired connection. The Nest Doorbell may have a 2-3 second delay, particularly in battery mode.
Both are weather-resistant, but the Ring Wired Doorbell Plus has a slightly wider operating temperature range (-5°F to 120°F) compared to the Nest Doorbell (-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: blackwiredesigns.com - homedepot.com - ring.com - ring.com - youtube.com - de-de.ring.com - ring.com - youtube.com - youtube.com - build.com - safehome.org - bestbuy.com - security.org - aesindianamarketplace.com - googlenestcommunity.com - abt.com - ny.home.myorustore.com - support.google.com - target.com
