Nest Doorbell review

We tested the Nest Doorbell (battery) for two months to see how it stacks up against other video doorbells.
Best video doorbell camera
Nest Doorbell Battery
Nest Doorbell (Battery)
4.3 out of 5 stars
4.25
  • pro
    Excellent smart detection
  • pro
    Affordable cloud storage
  • con
    Above-average price
pro

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John Carlsen
Aug 02, 2024
Icon Time To Read7 min read

Google's Nest brand offers perhaps the best smart detection in a video doorbell through its Nest Doorbell (Battery). This hot-dog-sized device makes it easy to speak with visitors, neighbours, and delivery people. Its video and sound quality come in clearly through the Google Home app, and installing the doorbell camera takes just a few minutes.

The Nest Doorbell (battery) introduces a couple of firsts for Google's doorbell camera lineup—it runs on battery power and has a free cloud storage option. Plus, you don't need a subscription anymore to use most of Google's excellent smart detection features.

pro
Pros
pro 3 hours of free cloud storage
pro Excellent smart detection without a subscription
pro Battery or wired installation
pro Affordable cloud storage plans
con
Cons
con Above-average price tag
con Relatively narrow field of view
con Facial recognition requires a subscription

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What's in the box

What's in the box with Nest Doorbell

Image: John Carlsen, SafeWise

  • Nest Doorbell (Battery)
  • Base plate and release tool
  • Wall anchors and screws
  • Wire connector
  • 20° wedge, spacers, and screws
  • Charging cable
  • Quick start guide and warranty information

Nest Doorbell video

Nest Doorbell video quality

The Nest Doorbell has a 960p video resolution that's lower than the 1080p you'll find on most video doorbells. Still, we think it looks great for something you'll almost exclusively use on a small screen. We like that the camera skips over widescreen video in favour of a tall aspect ratio, which makes it easier for the camera to see what's on your verandah.

Nest Doorbell Battery Video Quality

Daytime video quality on the Nest Doorbell (battery)
Screenshot: John Carlsen, SafeWise

The 145º field of view is a downgrade compared to most competitors, which come in at 160º or higher (like the Aqara G4 doorbell). We prefer a wider field of view on video doorbells since mounting them on a wall means they aren't adjustable like security cameras with traditional stands. We think the Nest Doorbell holds up well enough for the front door even with reduced peripheral vision.

It produced excellent daytime video quality in our tests, thanks to its HDR feature. This allows the camera to keep colour and light stable in both low and bright lighting conditions, making it easier to see visitors at your door.

Nighttime video quality doesn't look nearly as good due to the doorbell's tiny infrared LEDs and their meager light output—Arlo and Ring doorbell cameras have brighter nighttime video. Still, we think the camera captures more than enough detail when someone comes within 3 metres of the camera. Even though the night vision quality doesn't match daytime performance, this makes sense for a doorbell camera focusing on nearby objects and people.

If you're looking to monitor more than your front steps at night, we suggest getting an outdoor camera, which generally has better night vision than a doorbell camera.

Nest Doorbell video storage

Cloud storage

While viewing live video is always free, one of the biggest improvements with the newest Nest cams is three hours of free cloud storage. This is practically nothing compared to the 30 and 60-day options in paid Nest Aware plans. Still, it means you can download videos without a fee—an option you won't find on Ring and Arlo doorbells.

Compare Nest Aware plans

Price
Event video history
Continuous recording
Smart detection
Without a plan3 hoursNoneMotion zones, people, animals, vehicles, packages
Nest Aware30 daysNoneMotion zones, people, animals, vehicles, packages, familiar faces*
Nest Aware Plus60 days10 daysMotion zones, people, animals, vehicles, packages, familiar faces*

Info current as of post date. Offers and availability may vary and are subject to change.

Local storage

We're happy to see that Nest's newest cameras have local video storage, which gives you even more independence from a subscription. The onboard storage holds only an hour of footage, but Nest says this is enough for about a week's worth of recordings.

Whether you have access to the whole week of event recordings depends on having a Nest Aware plan when your internet and power come back after an outage. Free users have only three hours to view and download recent clips.

Nest Doorbell smart detection

Nest Doorbell Smart Detection

You can customise recording and notification settings based on what your doorbell camera sees.
Screenshot: John Carlsen, SafeWise

We love the smart motion detection in the Nest Doorbell (Battery) because the camera can tell the difference between subjects. Nest kept smart detection behind a monthly fee in older doorbell cameras, but now you can do almost everything without a subscription:

  • Packages: the doorbell sends you an alert as soon as the box hits your porch
  • People: get a notification when somebody walks up the path to your door
  • Animals: find out when your cat returns home after a long night of patrolling the neighbourhood
  • Vehicles: watch for cars arriving at your home, especially if you live on a quiet street
  • Motion zones: tell the doorbell where to look for motion in your front yard while ignoring anything off your property

This is all possible because of an upgraded processor on the Nest Doorbell that works independently of an internet connection. The only exception is that you still need a subscription for facial recognition, which tracks familiar faces for personalised notifications.

Nest Doorbell features

Aside from the video-centric features, Nest Doorbell has a few perks that help make it a convenient tool in your tech arsenal:

  • The Google Home mobile app is a handy tool to set up your doorbell and manage your other smart devices without jumping between multiple apps. It sends you a notification when a guest hits the doorbell button so you can answer the door from anywhere. You also get a heads up when smart detection spots activity.
Nest Doorbell Mute Chime and Announcements

You can also mute notifications and your doorbell chime in the Google Home app.
Screenshot: John Carlsen, SafeWise

  • Two-way audio comes through clearly on both sides. Thanks to the noise and echo cancellation, this makes for effortless conversations with visitors using your phone or smart display.
Nest Doorbell Quick Responses

The Nest Doorbell has three prerecorded messages to choose from.
Screenshot: John Carlsen, SafeWise

  • Prerecorded messages give you an easy out from answering the door when you're busy or need a minute to tame your bedhead for an important guest.

Nest Doorbell smart home compatibility

One of the main reasons to choose a Nest Doorbell is its compatibility with other smart home devices.

Google Assistant and Nest

You'll see the biggest benefits when linking your doorbell to other Nest products.

The Nest Hub smart display, which announces when someone rings the doorbell and lets you speak with them without your smartphone. Fair warning, though, every Google smart speaker and display in your home plays simultaneous loud notifications, which is a bit jarring when you're enjoying a peaceful evening.

If you subscribe to Nest Aware, you can name frequent visitors through the familiar face detection. When you label familiar faces, your Google Assistant learns to announce their name when they arrive on your doorstep. Nest can also talk to your Google Chromecast and send the live stream to your TV.

Light Bulb
Google Assistant links your doorbell to third-party smart home devices

While the Nest Doorbell isn't directly compatible with most other third-party smart home devices, Google Assistant and the Google Home app are. This means you can link products from brands like SmartThings, and Philips to control everything from the Google Home app.

Do Nest doorbells work with Amazon Alexa?

The wired Nest Doorbell has some compatibility with Amazon Alexa smart displays like Echo Show, which can show a live video feed from your doorbell. This isn't as robust as using the doorbell camera with Google Assistant, but it's a nice option for Alexa-centric homes.

We expect general smart home compatibility to improve with the new Matter smart home standard that just launched but it's too soon to tell.

Nest Doorbell installation

Although installing a Nest doorbell camera is a straightforward task, small variations depend on choosing a wired or battery-powered installation.

Doorbell wiring

We prefer using existing doorbell wires with video doorbells since you have a way to charge batteries without dismounting the camera every couple of months to charge via USB. It also connects the doorbell to a mechanical chime inside your home so it can work as a low-tech doorbell button when you're not recording video.

The entire installation process takes about 15 minutes with the following steps:

1. Charge the doorbell.

2. Install the Google Home app on your phone and sign in with your Google account.

3. Set up your doorbell using the app.

4. Turn off the power to your existing doorbell and remove the old button to access the wiring behind.

5. Install the Nest doorbell mounting bracket where the old button was.

  • Install the included wedge first if you choose to use it.

6. Attach the included wiring connectors to the back of the doorbell—it doesn't matter which wire goes on which screw.

7. Insert the doorbell wiring into the connectors and thread the excess wires into the wall before mounting.

8. Press the doorbell against the bracket and pull it down to lock it in place.

Battery power

If you'd rather a battery connection rather than a wired one, the Nest Doorbell can work anywhere it has a Wi-Fi connection. The installation process is simpler, though you need to remove the battery for recharging. It comes with a USB-C charging cable and no USB adapter, but the odds are high that you have a spare adapter in your junk drawer.

How the Nest Doorbell stacks up

Product
Best for
Price
Resolution (aspect ratio)
Field of view
Power source
Prerecorded messages
Learn more
Best overall Main camera:
2560 x 1920 (4:3)

Secondary camera:
1600 x 1200 (4:3)
Main camera: 160º

Secondary camera: 90º
Battery, wired
Icon Yes  LightYes
Runner up 960 x 1280
(3:4)
145ºBattery, wired
Icon Yes  LightYes
Best for smart homes 1920 x 1080 (16:9)162ºBattery, wired
Icon Yes  LightYes
Best budget doorbell 1920 x 1080
(16:9)
155ºBattery, wired, solar (panel sold separately)
Icon Yes  LightYes
Best PoE doorbell 2560 x 1920 (4:3)180°Wired (PoE)
Icon Yes  LightYes

Price is accurate as of post date. Read full disclaimer.

Final word

The Nest Doorbell (Battery) is one of the pricier options on the market, but it makes up for the higher price with subscription-free storage and dynamic smart detection. Plus, it has more affordable cloud storage than Ring (if you have multiple cameras) and better smart alerts than Arlo. It's also one of the best choices for anyone building a Google smart home.

A Nest Doorbell is an excellent choice if you're looking to upgrade your current doorbell camera. But if you're new to smart tech or want to save money, you might start with a cheaper option like Ring. Or you can see our top picks by heading over to our review of the best video doorbells.

Video: What to look for in a doorbell camera

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FAQ

There's no monthly fee if you're using either Nest Doorbell, which saves video for three hours and has built-in smart detection that works without an internet connection. You will, however, pay a monthly fee if you want more storage, continuous video recording, and facial recognition features.

You can record three hours of video on the Nest Doorbell (Battery).

Unfortunately, yes. Google has a few tips, but your best bet for catching thieves is a recording of the incident.

Wiring is optional, but included on the Nest Doorbell (Battery).

Google says the Nest Doorbell (Battery) lasts one to six months on a charge, depending on how often your doorbell records videos. You can adjust battery preferences in the Google Home app to eke out extra battery life. We tested the Nest doorbell mainly in standby mode, and it still holds around 50% charge after eight months.

You can install a Nest doorbell in around 15 minutes with a few basic tools. If you're connecting it to existing doorbell wiring, you'll need to turn off the power first. We recommend hiring an electrician if you're not comfortable with simple electrical work or don't have spare time.

Yes, but there's an option to turn off audio recording in the app.

How we reviewed the Nest Doorbell

Google sent us the new Nest Doorbell (Battery), which we've been testing for two months. We tried every feature we could find, looked at the video quality, and used it in a smart home environment to see how well it works with other smart devices.

Nest Doorbell Testing

Nest Doorbell (Battery) during our tests
Image: John Carlsen, SafeWise

We performed a basic installation using the battery-powered mode but didn't use existing doorbell wiring. In addition to our tests, we scoured the internet for tech specs, support articles, customer reviews, and videos for even more context. Read our full methodology to learn more about how we get our information and test products.


Disclaimer
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time of publish and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on the retailer’s website at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. SafeWise Australia utilises paid affiliate links.

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