Smart video doorbells have become an essential part of modern home security, serving as your digital doorman while providing peace of mind. Today, we're comparing two popular options: the SimpliSafe Video Doorbell Pro ($169) and the Google Nest Doorbell Wired 2nd Gen ($179.99).
When SimpliSafe released their Pro doorbell in 2018, it represented a significant step forward in home security integration. Google's 2nd Gen Nest, launched in 2022, brought AI-powered features to the forefront. The tech landscape has shifted considerably since SimpliSafe's release, with AI detection becoming increasingly sophisticated and expectations for smart home integration growing.
Both doorbells capture 1080p HD video, which provides clear images of visitors and packages. The SimpliSafe Pro offers a slightly wider 162° field of view compared to Nest's 160°. While this difference seems minimal, those extra degrees can matter when monitoring wide porches or capturing activity at the edges of your entryway.
The HDR (High Dynamic Range) capabilities of both cameras help balance bright backgrounds with shadowy porches - a common challenge for doorbell cameras. However, Google's more recent release shows slightly better performance in extreme lighting conditions, likely due to newer image processing technology.
Here's where we see the biggest technological leap between these generations. The Nest Doorbell includes impressive AI detection features at no extra cost:
SimpliSafe uses a dual-sensor approach, combining heat signature detection with image classification. While effective, it's not quite as sophisticated as Nest's AI implementation. That said, SimpliSafe's approach can be more reliable in extreme weather conditions since it doesn't rely solely on visual detection.
The ecosystem you're invested in might make this decision easier. The Nest Doorbell integrates seamlessly with Google Home devices, offering features like:
The SimpliSafe Pro works with both Alexa and Google Assistant but in a more limited capacity. However, if you're using SimpliSafe's security system, the integration there is excellent, with the doorbell camera activating automatically during security events.
Let's break down the real costs of ownership:
While Nest's hardware costs slightly more, its free tier offers more functionality than SimpliSafe without a subscription. However, SimpliSafe's plans are more affordable if you need extended storage.
Both doorbells require existing doorbell wiring:
The installation process is similar for both, taking about 30 minutes for someone comfortable with basic electrical work. Both companies provide clear installation guides and compatibility checkers on their websites.
Both doorbells are designed for outdoor use, but their weatherproofing differs slightly:
The SimpliSafe Pro has proven reliable in extreme conditions, thanks to its dual-sensor system. The Nest Doorbell handles most weather conditions well but may show reduced battery backup performance in very cold weather.
Choose the SimpliSafe Video Doorbell Pro if:
Choose the Google Nest Doorbell if:
After testing both devices extensively, I've found that each excels in different scenarios. The Nest's AI features are truly impressive, correctly identifying packages and people with remarkable accuracy. SimpliSafe's dual-sensor approach, while less sophisticated, proves more reliable in challenging weather conditions.
The video quality difference is minimal in everyday use, though Nest's newer image processing shows its advantages in extreme lighting conditions. Both provide clear night vision, with SimpliSafe's dual-sensor system offering slightly better motion detection in complete darkness.
The smart doorbell category continues to evolve, with AI capabilities becoming increasingly sophisticated. While the SimpliSafe Pro remains competitive despite its older design, the Nest Doorbell represents the current state of the art in AI-powered home security. However, SimpliSafe's strength in traditional security integration shouldn't be overlooked.
Consider your specific needs, existing smart home ecosystem, and long-term costs when making your choice. Either option will serve you well as a digital sentry for your front door, but their different approaches to the same problem mean there's likely a clear winner for your specific situation.
| SimpliSafe Video Doorbell Pro | Google Nest Doorbell Wired 2nd Gen |
|---|---|
| Price - Base hardware cost without subscription | |
| $169 | $179.99 |
| Video Resolution - Determines image clarity and detail | |
| 1080p HDR | 1080p HDR |
| Field of View - Affects how much of your entryway is visible | |
| 162° (slightly wider coverage) | 160° (standard coverage) |
| Motion Detection - How accurately it identifies activity | |
| Dual-sensor (heat + image) detection | AI-powered detection with free person/package/vehicle recognition |
| Night Vision - Capability to monitor in darkness | |
| Infrared LED with dual-sensor backup | Infrared LED with 850nm wavelength |
| Storage Options - How long you can access recorded events | |
| Requires subscription ($5/mo minimum) | 3 hours free, subscription for extended storage |
| Smart Home Integration - Ecosystem compatibility | |
| Basic Alexa/Google support, deep SimpliSafe integration | Full Google Home integration, basic Alexa support |
| Power Requirements - Installation considerations | |
| 8-24 VAC, 30VA max | 12-24 VAC, 8VA minimum |
| Operating Temperature Range - Weather tolerance | |
| -4°F to 122°F | -4°F to 104°F |
| Subscription Costs - Long term ownership expenses | |
| $5/mo basic, $10/mo advanced | Free tier available, $6/mo Aware, $12/mo Aware Plus |
| Additional Features - Extra capabilities | |
| Secret alerts, custom motion zones | Face recognition, local backup, package alerts |
| Release Date - Product maturity | |
| October 2018 | October 2022 |
The Google Nest Doorbell Wired 2nd Gen offers more advanced AI features and better smart home integration, while the SimpliSafe Video Doorbell Pro provides better value and security system integration. Nest is better for smart home enthusiasts, while SimpliSafe is ideal for security-focused users.
The Nest Doorbell offers basic features including AI detection for free, with extended storage available through subscription. The SimpliSafe Pro requires a subscription ($5/month minimum) for video recording and storage.
Both the SimpliSafe Video Doorbell Pro and Nest Doorbell offer 1080p HDR video. SimpliSafe has a slightly wider field of view at 162° versus Nest's 160°, but real-world quality differences are minimal.
Yes, both doorbells can display video feeds on smart TVs. The Nest Doorbell works especially well with Chromecast-enabled displays and Google Home hubs, making it ideal for home theater integration. The SimpliSafe Pro can display on Fire TV devices through Alexa.
Both cameras use infrared LED technology for night vision. The SimpliSafe Pro has an advantage with its dual-sensor system, while the Nest Doorbell uses newer image processing for clear night footage.
Both the SimpliSafe Pro and Nest Doorbell require existing doorbell wiring and take about 30 minutes to install. SimpliSafe works with 8-24 VAC systems, while Nest needs 12-24 VAC.
The Nest Doorbell features superior AI-powered detection, identifying people, packages, and vehicles without a subscription. The SimpliSafe Pro uses a dual-sensor system that's reliable but less sophisticated.
The SimpliSafe Pro requires $5-10/month for video storage. The Nest Doorbell offers free basic features, with optional Nest Aware ($6/month) or Aware Plus ($12/month) subscriptions.
The Nest Doorbell integrates deeply with Google Home ecosystem and offers basic Alexa support. The SimpliSafe Pro works with both Alexa and Google Assistant but offers more limited functionality.
The SimpliSafe Pro has a wider operating temperature range (-4°F to 122°F) compared to the Nest Doorbell (-4°F to 104°F), making it slightly more suitable for extreme climates.
Yes, both doorbells can stream to TVs. The Nest Doorbell works seamlessly with Chromecast and Google TV devices, while the SimpliSafe Pro can stream through Fire TV or other Alexa-enabled displays.
The SimpliSafe Pro at $169 offers better value if you want basic functionality and security integration. The Nest Doorbell at $179.99 provides better value if you want AI features without a subscription and Google Home integration.
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: trustedreviews.com - jeffgeerling.com - security.org - support.simplisafe.com - security.org - simplisafe.co.uk - consumerreports.org - bestbuy.com - support.simplisafe.com - simplisafe.com - simplisafe.com - safehome.org - 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
