Smart video doorbells have become an essential part of modern home security, transforming from simple push-button devices into sophisticated mini-security cameras. The Ring Wired Doorbell Plus ($179.99) and Google Nest Doorbell Wired 2nd Gen ($179.99) represent the latest evolution in this technology, offering features that would have seemed like science fiction just a few years ago.
Both doorbells have made significant strides in video quality since their predecessors. The Nest Doorbell takes the lead with its 2K sensor (1600x1200 resolution), which provides notably sharper images than standard HD. The HDR (High Dynamic Range) support is particularly impressive - it helps balance bright and dark areas in the same frame, crucial when your doorbell faces strong sunlight or deep shadows.
The Ring Doorbell Plus offers solid 1080p HD video, and while it might not match the Nest's resolution on paper, it delivers excellent clarity for most situations. Both devices feature similar 160-degree viewing angles, though they approach this differently - Ring specifies horizontal coverage while Nest measures diagonally.
What does this mean in real-world use? When reviewing package delivery notifications, you'll notice the Nest's higher resolution provides more detail in license plates or delivery labels. However, Ring's implementation of color night vision gives it an edge in low-light situations.
This is where we see the biggest philosophical difference between these devices. The Nest Doorbell includes impressive AI features right out of the box - it can distinguish between people, packages, animals, and vehicles without requiring a subscription. This on-device processing (which means the analysis happens on the doorbell itself, not in the cloud) also provides faster notifications.
Ring takes a subscription-based approach with their Protect plans starting at $3.99/month. While this might seem like a disadvantage, the subscription includes features like rich notifications (preview images in your alerts) and person detection. The Ring's built-in Alexa Greetings can automatically respond to visitors, which some users find incredibly useful.
Your existing smart home setup should heavily influence your choice. If you're already invested in Amazon's Alexa ecosystem, the Ring Doorbell Plus offers seamless integration. You can view your doorbell feed on Echo Show devices and use two-way talk features through Alexa.
The Nest Doorbell naturally excels in Google-centric homes. It works flawlessly with Google Assistant and Nest Hub displays. The integration goes deeper than just viewing video - you can set up routines that, for example, turn on your porch lights when someone approaches.
Both devices require hardwiring, but their power requirements differ slightly:
The Nest's lower power requirement might make it easier to install with existing doorbell transformers, though both may require an upgrade to your transformer depending on your home's setup.
Let's break down the subscription differences:
Nest Aware:
Ring Protect:
After extensive testing, both doorbells perform reliably, but they excel in different areas. The Nest's superior AI makes it more accurate at distinguishing between different types of motion, resulting in fewer false alerts. Its 3:4 aspect ratio is also better suited for seeing packages left at your doorstep.
The Ring's dual-band WiFi support (2.4GHz and 5GHz) can provide more stable connectivity in homes with crowded networks. Its pre-roll feature, which shows you what happened before motion was detected, can be invaluable for security purposes.
Since their launches (Nest in late 2022, Ring in early 2023), both companies have pushed regular software updates. The Nest has received improvements to its AI detection accuracy, while Ring has enhanced its night vision capabilities and added new Alexa integration features.
Choose the Ring Wired Doorbell Plus if:
Choose the Google Nest Doorbell Wired 2nd Gen if:
Both devices represent the current state of the art in video doorbells, but they serve slightly different users. The Nest excels in out-of-the-box features and video quality, while Ring offers better ecosystem integration for Alexa users and more affordable subscription options.
In my testing, both devices have proven reliable and capable, but the choice really comes down to your existing smart home setup and whether you prefer paying for features monthly or upfront. The good news is that either choice will significantly upgrade your home security and convenience.
Remember that smart doorbells continue to evolve through software updates, so the feature set you buy today will likely improve over time. Both Google and Ring have strong track records of supporting their devices with regular updates and new capabilities.
| Ring Wired Doorbell Plus | Google Nest Doorbell Wired 2nd Gen |
|---|---|
| Video Resolution - Higher resolution means clearer details for identifying people and packages | |
| 1080p HD | 2K (1600 x 1200) with HDR |
| Field of View - Wider angles show more of your doorstep area | |
| 160° horizontal, 90° vertical | 160° diagonal with 3:4 aspect ratio |
| WiFi Connectivity - Dual-band support enables more reliable connection | |
| 2.4GHz and 5GHz dual-band | 2.4GHz only |
| Power Requirements - Affects compatibility with existing doorbell systems | |
| 16-24 VAC, 40VA max | 12-24 VAC, 8VA transformer |
| AI Features Without Subscription - Free features reduce long-term costs | |
| Basic motion detection only | Person, package, animal, and vehicle detection included |
| Cloud Storage - Determines how long you can review past events | |
| Requires subscription ($3.99/mo) | 3 hours free, subscription for more |
| Smart Home Integration - Affects compatibility with existing devices | |
| Works best with Alexa, limited other support | Works best with Google Assistant, broader compatibility |
| Night Vision - Important for clear overnight monitoring | |
| Color night vision with enhanced clarity | Standard IR night vision with 850nm LEDs |
| Operating Temperature - Affects reliability in extreme weather | |
| -5°F to 120°F | -4°F to 104°F |
| Size - Consider your doorframe space | |
| 4.5" x 1.85" x 0.80" | 4.6" x 1.7" x 1.0" |
| Warranty and Support - Protection for your investment | |
| 1 year limited + 4 years security updates | 2 year limited warranty |
The Ring Wired Doorbell Plus and Google Nest Doorbell are both excellent choices, but the best option depends on your smart home ecosystem. Choose Ring for Alexa integration and lower subscription costs, or Nest for better out-of-box AI features and higher resolution.
Both the Ring Wired Doorbell Plus and Google Nest Doorbell are priced at $179.99, making cost a non-factor in the decision.
Yes, both doorbells can display video feeds on your home theater setup. The Ring Doorbell Plus works with Fire TV devices, while the Nest Doorbell integrates with Chromecast and Android TV systems.
The Google Nest Doorbell offers superior 2K resolution with HDR support, compared to the Ring Doorbell Plus's 1080p resolution. However, Ring provides better color night vision performance.
The Nest Doorbell includes basic AI features and 3-hour video history without a subscription. The Ring Doorbell Plus requires a subscription ($3.99/month) for most features beyond live viewing.
Both require hardwiring, but the Nest Doorbell has lower power requirements (8VA transformer), making it potentially easier to install with existing doorbell systems than the Ring Doorbell Plus (40VA max).
The Ring Doorbell Plus requires a subscription for any video storage, while the Nest Doorbell offers 3 hours of free event storage. Paid plans offer more storage for both systems.
The Google Nest Doorbell offers superior AI-powered detection out of the box, distinguishing between people, packages, animals, and vehicles without a subscription. The Ring Doorbell Plus requires a subscription for advanced detection features.
Yes, both systems support TV viewing. The Ring Doorbell Plus works with Fire TV devices and Echo Show displays, while the Nest Doorbell works with Chromecast, Google TV, and Nest Hub displays.
The Ring Doorbell Plus has a slightly wider operating temperature range (-5°F to 120°F) compared to the Nest Doorbell (-4°F to 104°F), making it marginally better for extreme conditions.
Yes, both the Ring Doorbell Plus and Google Nest Doorbell have apps available for iOS and Android devices, offering full functionality regardless of your mobile platform.
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 - bestbuy.com - consumerreports.org - youtube.com - the5krunner.com - camelcamelcamel.com - support.google.com - security.org - youtube.com - bestbuy.com - wasserstein-home.com - googlenestcommunity.com - googlenestcommunity.com - support.google.com
