Overall Findings
Nest Hello and Ring offer basic smart doorbell features, such as video and two-way communication. Each has some unique features, as well. With Nest Hello, for example, HDR video is helpful for night vision, and the facial recognition feature is like caller-ID for your front door. The Ring smart doorbell can be installed on a door without doorbell wiring. This is essential if you live in an apartment or condo home. Ring can also be easily integrated into the Google smart home universe. Ultimately, the smart doorbell you choose may come down to preference or a feature you can’t live without.
Basic Smart Doorbell Features: Both Function Well
Nest Hello connects to a mobile app via Wi-Fi and includes two-way communication for talking to people who are at your front door. Unlike the Ring, there’s a single model of Nest Hello currently for sale. Its camera shoots HD video at 1600x1200 up to 30 frames per second. There’s no rechargeable battery. To install a Nest Hello, you need to hardwire it to existing doorbell wiring. Like Nest Hello, Ring doorbells are equipped with a video camera, Wi-Fi, motion detector, and two-way audio. Ring sends notifications to your smartphone to let you know when someone rings the bell or, optionally, when someone enters Ring’s field of view. Ring allows you to talk to visitors even when you’re away from home since the Ring app works like a video chat app.
Extended Features: Nest Has the Edge
The Nest optional Nest Aware cloud subscription service provides advanced features, such as facial recognition and package detection. The facial recognition feature allows the Nest to learn the identity of people who come over often and identify them by name. Other Nest Aware features include better alerts for motion and sound, the ability to set four activity zones to monitor, 24/7 continuous video stream recording saved to the cloud, the ability to save video clips if Nest has captured something special, and more. Ring offers a Basic Protect Plan and Protect Plan Plus that unlock additional features. Both plans let you access Ring doorbell videos for up to 60 days, meaning you can review videos afterward to see why a motion alert went off or who rang your doorbell. You can also review, share, and save Ring videos. The Snapshot Capture feature gives you a good overview of what’s happening around your home between notifications.
Price and Model Options: Ring Has More Options
Nest Hello has only one model, which retails for $229. To get the most out of the smart doorbell, subscribe to Nest Aware. The basic plan is $5 a month (or $50 a year), while the next level is $10 a month. Ring has three models: the Ring Video Doorbell, which retails for $99; Ring Video Doorbell 2, which retails for $199; and the Ring Video Doorbell Pro, which retails for $249. Ring’s Basic Protect Plan and Protect Plan Plus are $3 and $10 a month, respectively. Ring has more options and is the most inexpensive model. However, Nest may get the edge here, as its Nest Aware adds many great features for the price.
Final Verdict
Ring is a pioneer in the smart doorbell arena. Its doorbells are a great choice if you want a good, basic connected doorbell functionality. If you can’t hardwire a doorbell to your door, then get Ring. The Google Nest Hello, however, has some compelling features that make it the best choice for some, especially when you factor in the Nest Aware add-ons, such as 24/7 video capture and facial recognition.
