If you’re in the market for a doorbell camera, you may be facing an endless number of tech reviews to compare features. It’s enough to make your head spin. And at the end of those reviews, you’re likely still torn. Two of the most popular wireless home doorbell cameras out there are the Ring Doorbell and the Nest Doorbell. So who would win the Ring vs Nest battle?
For today’s comparison, we’re looking at the lowest cost version of each that doesn’t have to be hardwired. This way it’s easy to compare installation and overall cost. If you’re looking at a doorbell camera as a gift, this might be your best bet for ease of installation and regular use.
Both the Ring and Nest function over Wi-Fi with HD or 4K video, 2-way audio (talk and listen), cloud storage, and are controlled via phone app. Each is an excellent camera to keep tabs on your home. The fact that you can do so using either without hardwiring an extensive security system is a bonus. But in comparing the Ring vs Nest Cameras, which one is better for your money?
We are summing up the Ring vs Nest question with a few key points: cost, system compatibility, and special features.
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Ring vs Nest: Cost
The Ring doorbell cameras without hardwiring start at $59. And fortunately, they don’t have any further costs to view the camera live. However, if you’d like to review and download videos, you’ll need a monthly subscription. To view and download old footage, share, and review videos, packages start at $3.99 per month, or $39.99 per year for one device. If you prefer 24/7 professional monitoring, it’ll run you $20 a month, or $200 a year.
On the other hand, the Nest Doorbell with a rechargeable battery costs $119. Their add-on service, Nest Aware, is currently $6 a month and covers all additional Nest products in your home. Nest Aware allows you to view old videos for up to 30 days, along with the ability to share or save clips.
Note: Regardless of which product you choose, you’ll really want the ability to download and share clips. Should something happen in or around your home, being able to review clips makes working with law enforcement or insurance easier. You may want to factor in the monthly subscription into your cost estimates.
The verdict: The Ring Doorbell will cost you less to purchase and less per month overall to review and save video clips.
Ring vs Nest: System Compatibility
When determining whether to buy a Ring versus a Nest system, it helps to know how each system integrates with other smart home technology systems you already own.
Ring is owned by Amazon, so it works best with Alexa. Nest is owned by Google, so it integrates the easiest with Google Assistant. If you’re an Apple HomeKit user, you unfortunately will have to control the cameras via their respective apps. So you won’t be able to fully integrate either camera to your smart home setup.
The verdict: it’s a tie. Go with whatever camera integrates best with the rest of your devices.
Related: New Amazon devices introduced in 2022.
Ring vs Nest: Special Features
First of all, both the Ring and the Nest doorbell cameras feature custom motion zones, people detection, and package detection. The capabilities help monitor your home with intelligent alerts. Neither doorbell camera in its battery (non-wired) version offers continuous recording due to limited battery life.
Second, both cameras offer night vision with 2-way audio and noise cancellation technology to make your saved videos a bit more clear.
And finally, in terms of video quality, the Ring Doorbell features 1920 x 1080 resolution and 155 degrees vertical, 90 degrees horizontal field of view. The Nest Doorbell resolution is 960 x 1280, HDR, and its field of vision is 155 degrees vertical, 90 degrees horizontal. So while the Ring may have better video quality, the Nest allows you to have a larger field of vision. Essentially, you’re able to see more area and motion around the camera.
The verdict: Nest wins.
So Who Wins in the Ring Versus Nest Debate?
Both doorbells are excellent choices if you’re looking to compare the Ring vs Nest. If you don’t already have other smart home devices to integrate, then the two main differentiators between the devices are price versus video quality.
If your main concern is price and you only plan on having one camera at home, the Ring is your best bet.
The decision is different if video quality is most important to you. With the Nest you’ll have a wider image to capture more of your porch to protect against package thieves with just one camera. In that sense, Nest is a solid choice.
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