Ring vs. Nest doorbell: a guide for new homeowners

If you’re a first-time homeowner looking to boost your home security, choosing the right smart doorbell for your home can feel like navigating a maze of features, brands, and specifications. The decision often boils down to two major contenders: Ring® and Google® Nest. Both brands offer compelling benefits, but finding the one that best fits your needs requires a closer look at what truly matters in a video doorbell.

At Asurion, we’re here to help you break down the tech specifics, from standout features to customer support and warranty, ensuring you make an informed choice that you’ll be satisfied with every time you hear that doorbell ring. Here’s our take on Nest vs. Ring doorbells.

Things to think about

Whether you choose Ring or Nest, both brands provide reliable, high-quality options that cater to a range of user preferences and needs. Before we dive into specifics, there are a few things you’ll want to consider.

Features that make a good video doorbell

A top-tier video doorbell should do more than just show you who's at the door—it should enhance your home security and fit seamlessly into your daily routine. Look for high-definition video quality, reliable night vision, wired and wireless options, and responsive motion detection. Additionally, consider ease of installation, the user-friendliness of the app, and how well it integrates with other smart home systems.

Why good customer support and warranty matter

Investing in a smart doorbell is just the start—the real value often lies in the ongoing support and warranty offered by the brand. Good customer service can simplify troubleshooting and resolve potential issues swiftly, enhancing your overall experience. A robust warranty, on the other hand, protects your investment and ensures long-term reliability and performance.

Wired or Wireless?

When selecting a smart doorbell like Ring or Nest, one of your key decisions is choosing between wired and wireless models. Each type has its advantages that cater to different homeowner needs and preferences. With wired doorbells, you don’t have to worry about replacing batteries, though you’ll need to connect it to your home’s power supply for it to work. If you decide to go wireless, the doorbell update is a little less permanent, but you might want to stock up on rechargeable batteries.

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Ring vs Nest

Ring or Nest? When choosing between the two, each brand has its unique strengths. By weighing these factors—specifications, ecosystem compatibility, and the pros and cons of each system—you can better decide which smart doorbell aligns with your home security needs and technological preferences.

Here's a closer look at what each brand offers.

Ring Doorbell

Specifications

Ring doorbells offer various models with features like 1080p HD video quality, infrared night vision, two-way audio, and adjustable motion zones. They also have options for battery-powered or hardwired installations, making them versatile for different home setups.

Ecosystem Support

Ring products are seamlessly integrated with Amazon Alexa, making them a great choice for those already using Amazon smart home devices. This integration allows for voice commands and interactions through Echo devices.

Pros:

• A broad range of models with varying features to suit different budgets and needs
• Extensive community features through the Neighbors® app, enhancing neighborhood security
• Optional Ring Protect Plan for additional services, like recording and sharing videos

Cons:

• When using this service, you do give them access to your data
• Requires a monthly subscription plan starting at $4.99 a month for recording and saving camera video

Nest Doorbell

Specifications

Nest doorbells are known for their sleek design and high-quality video. They support two-way audio, high dynamic range (HDR) video, have intelligent alerts that differentiate between people and other movements, and offer facial recognition in some models.

Ecosystem Support

As part of the Google ecosystem, Nest doorbells work smoothly with Google Home® and other Google devices. This integration offers benefits like controlling the doorbell through Google Assistant™ and receiving announcements on Google Home speakers.

Pros:

• High video quality with HDR support helps in varying lighting conditions
• Facial recognition technology allows for more personalized smart alerts (available on specific models).
• Stylish design that blends well with modern home aesthetics.

Cons:

• Models are generally more expensive than Ring, with fewer model options.
• Some extra features, like saving videos and facial recognition, require a Nest Aware subscription, which costs $8 a month.