Nest Doorbell Review

Google Nest 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, neighbors, 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.

Google still sells the Nest Hello—the wired predecessor to the Nest Doorbell (Battery)—though it's now called the Nest Doorbell (Wired). (Hey Google, product names with parentheses are painful on so many levels.)

While both doorbells offer many of the same core features, the Nest Doorbell (Battery) is superior in nearly every way because it doesn't require a Nest Aware subscription to use most features. Still, the Nest Doorbell (Wired) is a better choice for folks wanting continuous video recording with Nest Aware Plus—an option not available with the battery-powered version.

• 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

The Nest Doorbell (Battery) 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 favor of a tall aspect ratio, which makes it easier for the camera to see what's on your porch.

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.

We think it's worth upgrading to a paid plan for added benefits like e911 emergency assistance and extra cloud storage, even with the free cloud storage.

While Nest Aware Plus has the option to record 10 days of continuous video, this feature doesn't work with the Nest Doorbell (Battery), whether you connect it to doorbell wiring or not. But we're glad the option's still available for the Nest Doorbell (Wired).

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.

This is all possible because of an upgraded processor on the Google Nest Doorbell (Battery) 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 personalized notifications.

Unfortunately, the Nest Doorbell (Wired)'s older processor requires an internet connection for smart detection. Plus, you'll need a Nest Aware plan for everything beyond person detection—and it doesn't even support animal or vehicle detection.

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.

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

You'll see the biggest benefits when linking your doorbell to other Nest products. We're big fans of linking the doorbell to a Nest x Yale smart lock since you have a hands-free way to let visiting family members in during the holidays while you finish prepping for dinner.

Another awesome companion device is a 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.

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.

Unfortunately, the Nest Doorbell (Battery) isn't compatible with Alexa yet, and Google doesn't say whether it's in the plan. We expect compatibility to improve with the new Matter smart home standard launching in 2022, but it's too soon to tell.

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

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 install process takes about 15 minutes with the following steps:

1.Charge the doorbell if using a Nest Doorbell (Battery).

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.

       a. 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.

This process is the same for both Nest video doorbell models, though you might need to install an additional chime connector with the Nest Doorbell (Wired).

If you want more flexibility to install your doorbell wherever you want, then the Nest Doorbell (Battery) 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.

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.

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Google sent us the new Nest Doorbell (Battery), which we've been testing for two months—originally for our updated Nest cameras review. (We've also tested the Nest Doorbell (Wired) in the past.) 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.

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