Nest vs Ring: The Ultimate Video Doorbell Showdown for 2026

Based on expert testing from Security.org, Consumer Reports, and thousands of real user reviews

The short answer: The Nest Doorbell wins for most users thanks to free smart detection (person, package, animal, vehicle alerts without a subscription), superior HDR video quality, and facial recognition capability that Ring simply doesn't offer. While Ring costs less upfront and has cheaper subscriptions, Nest's 3 hours of free cloud storage and smarter AI make it the better long-term value. Get Nest Doorbell on Amazon for $132 →

The Fighters

	Nest Doorbell (Wired, 2nd Gen)	Ring Battery Doorbell Plus
Price	$132 on Amazon	$120 on Amazon
Best For	Google Home users who want smart AI without subscriptions	Alexa users who want budget flexibility
Resolution	960p with HDR	1536p
Field of View	145 degrees	155 degrees
Free Cloud Storage	3 hours	None
Smart Detection	Free (person, package, animal, vehicle)	Requires subscription
Subscription	$8/month	$4.99/month

Google Nest Doorbell mounted on modern home entrance with sleek pill-shaped design

The Death Match: 6 Rounds, 1 Winner

We're scoring each round from 1-10. Higher score wins the round. Let's fight!

Round 1: Video Quality

This is where specs can be deceiving. Ring technically offers higher resolution at 1536p compared to Nest's 960p. But resolution isn't everything.

Nest's HDR technology is the real game-changer here. When your doorbell faces harsh sunlight or deep shadows (which is basically every front door), HDR balances bright and dark areas in the same frame. According to Security.org, this makes a "huge improvement in video quality" over Ring's standard exposure.

Nest also uses a 3:4 portrait aspect ratio instead of Ring's landscape format. This means you see visitors head-to-toe AND can spot packages on your doorstep without blind spots. Reddit users confirm: "The Nest Hello records everything and the HDR feature makes a huge improvement in video quality."

Ring's wider 155-degree field of view does capture more horizontal space, but many users report video quality is "meh unless it's perfect lighting."

Nest Doorbell	Ring Doorbell
8/10	7/10

Round 1 Winner: Nest Doorbell — HDR and portrait format beat raw resolution for real-world doorbell use.

Score after Round 1: Nest 8 | Ring 7

Round 2: Smart Detection & AI

This round isn't even close.

Nest Doorbell includes on-device AI that distinguishes between people, packages, animals, and vehicles—completely FREE. No subscription required. The processing happens on the doorbell itself, which means faster notifications too.

Ring? Person detection requires a Ring Protect subscription on most models. Without paying monthly, you get basic motion alerts that can't tell the difference between a delivery driver and a windblown leaf. Consumer Affairs users complain about "getting instant notifications for a leaf blowing across the garden while missing actual visitors."

Here's the killer feature: Nest offers facial recognition (with Nest Aware subscription). Ring doesn't offer facial recognition on ANY model, at any price point.

One Reddit user summed it up: "Ring never caught actual activity...would only record the tail end of activity, usually with faces gone."

Nest Doorbell	Ring Doorbell
9/10	5/10

Round 2 Winner: Nest Doorbell — Free smart detection and available facial recognition demolish Ring's subscription-locked basics.

Score after Round 2: Nest 17 | Ring 12

Round 3: Subscription Value

Let's talk ongoing costs, because that's where smart doorbells really hit your wallet.

Ring Protect: - Basic: $4.99/month (60-day video history) - Plus: $10/month (covers all devices)

Nest Aware: - Standard: $8/month (30-day event history) - Plus: $15/month (60-day history, all devices)

Ring wins on raw subscription pricing. But here's what changes the math:

Nest gives you 3 hours of free cloud storage AND free smart detection. Ring gives you zero free storage—you need a subscription to save any video at all.

If you just want basic doorbell functionality without paying monthly, Nest works. Ring essentially requires a subscription to be useful.

According to SafeHome.org, Ring users report subscription prices jumping "from $29.99 to $49.99 with no warning."

Ring Video Doorbell with classic rectangular design and illuminated button

Nest Doorbell	Ring Doorbell
7/10	8/10

Round 3 Winner: Ring Doorbell — Lower monthly costs, but only if you're willing to pay for basic features Nest includes free.

Score after Round 3: Nest 24 | Ring 20

Round 4: Smart Home Integration

Your ecosystem determines your doorbell. Period.

Google Home users: Nest is native. Announcements on Google Home speakers, Google Assistant voice control, seamless integration with Nest cameras and Nest Hub displays. It just works.

Alexa users: Ring is native. Full Echo integration, voice commands, Alexa routines, Ring Neighbors app. Amazon owns Ring, so the integration is deep.

Cross-platform? Both work with the other ecosystem, but it's clunky. Google support documentation confirms Nest works with Alexa, but users report it's "a lot clunkier" than native Ring integration.

Apple HomeKit users: Neither supports HomeKit. You'll need the Logitech Circle View Doorbell instead.

This round is a tie because the winner depends entirely on which ecosystem you've already committed to.

Nest Doorbell	Ring Doorbell
8/10	8/10

Round 4 Winner: Tie — Best-in-class for their respective ecosystems, mediocre for the other.

Score after Round 4: Nest 32 | Ring 28

Round 5: Reliability & Build Quality

Real users have real complaints about both doorbells.

Nest issues reported: - Battery model struggles in cold weather - Some units show peeling on south-facing (hot) installations - Occasional app lag when alerts stack up quickly - Must remove entire doorbell to charge battery model

Ring issues reported: - Motion detection described as "shockingly bad for the price" by Consumer Affairs reviewers - "Extremely sensitive to Wi-Fi changes, may drop out altogether" - Privacy breaches in the past have concerned some users - Customer service issues with warranty replacements

On warranties: Nest offers 2 years standard (4 years with Nest Pro installation). Ring offers just 1 year (extended with Protect Plus).

Security.org gives Ring a 9.2/10 SecurityScore and Nest a 9.0/10, but user feedback suggests Nest's motion detection is more reliable.

Ring does have one advantage for battery models: removable batteries. You can swap a charged battery without removing the doorbell. Nest requires removing the entire unit.

Nest Doorbell	Ring Doorbell
7/10	6/10

Round 5 Winner: Nest Doorbell — Longer warranty and more reliable detection edge out Ring's removable battery convenience.

Score after Round 5: Nest 39 | Ring 34

Round 6: Value for Money

Let's calculate the real cost of ownership over 2 years.

Nest Doorbell (Wired): - Hardware: $132 (current sale price) - Subscription (optional): $0-192 over 2 years - Total without subscription: $132 - Total with Nest Aware: $324

Ring Battery Doorbell Plus: - Hardware: $120 (current sale price) - Subscription (essentially required): $120-240 over 2 years - Total with basic subscription: $240 - Total with Ring Protect Plus: $360

Without a subscription, Nest provides actual value: 3 hours of storage, smart person/package/animal/vehicle detection, and activity zones. Ring without a subscription is basically a fancy doorbell that can't save video.

If you plan to subscribe anyway, Ring's lower monthly cost makes it competitive. But Nest's free smart detection changes the equation for budget-conscious buyers who don't want another monthly bill.

Modern front porch with package delivery and video doorbell security system

Nest Doorbell	Ring Doorbell
8/10	7/10

Round 6 Winner: Nest Doorbell — Free smart features make subscription optional, not mandatory.

Final Score

Product	Total Score	Verdict
Nest Doorbell	47/60	WINNER
Ring Doorbell	41/60

The Winner: Nest Doorbell

The Nest Doorbell wins this Death Match with a convincing 47-41 victory.

The deciding factors: free smart detection that actually works, HDR video quality that handles real-world lighting conditions, and 3 hours of free cloud storage. These features that Nest includes for free would cost you $60+/year with Ring's subscription.

Ring isn't a bad doorbell—it's a solid choice if you're deep in the Alexa ecosystem or need the absolute cheapest entry point ($49.99 for the Ring Video Doorbell Wired). But for most users, Nest's smarter AI and subscription-optional design make it the better long-term investment.

The Nest Doorbell also stands alone with facial recognition capability. If you want your doorbell to tell you WHO is at the door (not just that someone is there), Ring simply can't do that at any price.

Ready to buy the winner? Get Nest Doorbell on Amazon for $132 →

When the Loser Actually Wins

Ring isn't right for everyone, but it's the better choice if:

You're all-in on Alexa — Ring's Amazon ownership means seamless Echo integration that Nest can't match
You want the cheapest entry point — Ring Video Doorbell Wired starts at $49.99, half the price of Nest
You need professional monitoring — Ring offers 24/7 professional monitoring; Nest requires ADT partnership
You prefer removable batteries — Swap Ring batteries without removing the doorbell
You want more product choices — Ring offers 8 models at various price points; Nest offers just one

Ring might be right for you: Check Ring Doorbell Plus on Amazon for $120 →

Frequently Asked Questions

Smart home security concept with modern entrance and technology integration

Does Nest Doorbell work with Alexa?

Yes, but with limitations. You can view the Nest Doorbell live feed on Echo Show devices and get basic announcements, but the integration is clunkier than Ring's native Alexa support. Google's support page confirms compatibility, but power users report frustrations.

Does Ring Doorbell require a subscription?

Technically no, but practically yes. Without Ring Protect ($4.99/month minimum), you can't save any video recordings and don't get smart person detection. The doorbell becomes a glorified security camera that you can only view live. Security.org notes this as a key limitation.

Which doorbell has better night vision?

Both use infrared for black-and-white night vision. Neither offers color night vision. Nest's HDR-enhanced night vision provides better contrast in challenging lighting, according to Tom's Guide testing.

Can I use Nest or Ring with Apple HomeKit?

No. Neither Nest nor Ring supports Apple HomeKit. Apple users should consider the Logitech Circle View Doorbell, which is designed specifically for the HomeKit ecosystem.