Doorbell – DIY Home Security Guide

In our recent posts, we discussed both the Ring and Nest video doorbells. The former, which is owned by Amazon, and the latter, produced by Google, are two of the best doorbell security options on the market today. Just which one is the better of the two, though? While the Ring and Nest secure doorbells both have their perks, it’s easier to install Ring, and their subscription plans are less expensive. The video doorbell itself also costs less. Nest’s video quality is better though, as is their motion sensing. If you’re on the fence about whether to invest in the Ring or Nest video doorbells, this is the post for you. In it, we’ll pit these two products head-to-head, discussing where each measures up in terms of features, pricing, subscriptions, video quality, and security. You won’t want to miss it! Features When buying a video doorbell for your home, of course you want a wealth of features. These should be easy to use so you can teach even younger (or older) family members how to operate the video doorbell. Here’s a closer look into both Ring and Nest’s multitude of features. Ring For the sake of this article, we’ll use the standard Ring video doorbell as our example, although more advanced versions do exist. The Ring uses a rechargeable battery, but it can also run on doorbell wiring if you have this in your home. Compatible with such operating systems as Windows 10, Mac, Android, and iOS, Ring says on its website that it boasts a “simple installation and setup.” The motion sensors are customizable, allowing you to choose when or if you get alerts for certain visitors. You can also customize the motion zones, maximizing what the Ring may pick up so you feel safer. With infrared night vision, even in dark conditions, you never have to wonder who may be prowling around your home. All alerts you receive through Ring go to your smartphone via the free downloadable app. Upon picking up motion, Ring will send you alerts. You also have the freedom to use two-way talk to communicate with someone like a pizza delivery driver or a postman/woman. Noise cancellation with the two-way radio keeps the line clear to talk, and you can chat via your computer, tablet, or smartphone. Nest Nest uses a transformer, a chime, and a wired doorbell for installation, whereas with Ring, the wired doorbell is optional. You’d otherwise have to use an Indoor Power Adapter if your home wasn’t already compatible with Nest. Google also suggests getting a professional to install the video doorbell, whereas with Ring, you can do it yourself. In fact, that’s something Amazon is especially proud of. The HD Talk and Listen feature of the Nest allows you to get in touch with anyone on your doorstep at any time. If you don’t want to talk, Nest lets you pre-record messages and play them back to the visitor. When you do feel chatty, echo and noise cancelation prevent communications from becoming muddled. Nest uses your Wi-Fi Internet to stay connected. If you always have an online connection, then the Nest never turns off. Person alerts tell you who’s lingering on your property, such as pickups or deliveries or even a stranger. Now you don’t have to panic at every alert you get. The alerted person doesn’t even have to ring the Nest doorbell for this feature to trigger, which is helpful. Nest Aware lets you know the moment a package is dropped off or picked up at your door so you can get more done during the day instead of watching your phone. This feature also may reduce package theft, which unfortunately does happen a lot these days. Besides the person alert, Nest also has sound and motion alerts. With continuous video recording, you won’t ever have to miss a moment of the action at home, even if you’re hundreds or thousands of miles away. The 24/7 streaming lets you check in whenever so you always have a finger on the pulse of what’s going on. Other features include quiet time and night vision. Subscriptions While both the Ring and Nest video doorbells are one-time purchases, should you want even more features and protections, you may opt for a subscription from either. Let’s talk more about the subscription services you can get. Ring Under a Basic subscription, you get such extra features as: Snapshot Capture Sharing and saving videos A 60-day video history Lifetime theft protection The Plus is the only option that gives you everything, such as the above and: com discounts good for up to 10 percent on select items Extended warranties Ring Alarm professional monitoring available 24/7 Nest Nest has a subscription plan as well known as the Nest Aware, which seems to be updated for 2020. You can choose from three different subscription plans. The first is priced at $50 a year or $5 per month. With this plan, you get such features as activity zones, time lapses and clips, intelligence alerts, 24/7 continuous monitoring, and a video history that goes back five days. Should you upgrade to the secondary plan, this is $100 a year or $10 a month. You get the above features as well as a video history stretching 10 days. For the best Nest Aware plan at current, you’d pay $300 a year, which is $30 a month. All features from above are included, but you get the longest video history, as it’s good for a month. Pricing While subscriptions are optional, you will have to at least pay for the video doorbell itself if you’re interested in one. Cheaper isn’t always better, but you don’t want to break the bank on a secure doorbell, either. That’s why we want to discuss the pricing for both the Ring and the Nest next. Ring As we talked about before, Ring has a series of video doorbells. The standard Ring is $99.99. If you wanted to upgrade to the Video Doorbell 2, it alone costs $199. You can also get this version of the video doorbell with a Schlage Encode Smart Wi-Fi Deadbolt for $349.99 or the doorbell with a solar charger for $248. The Ring Video Doorbell Pro retails for $249, the Video Doorbell Elite $499, and the Peephole Cam $199. Nest There’s only one version of the Nest, and it’s $229. That makes it pricier than the basic Ring by about $129. The Nest even outprices the Ring Video Doorbell 2, the more advanced version of the Ring. You could pay for a solar charger with this video doorbell and you’re spending about as much as you would for just the Nest on its own. Video Quality Since you’ll rely on a video feed often to track who’s coming and going on your property with either of these secure doorbells, it’s crucial the video quality is high. Should you get stuck with footage that’s grainy or blurry, then you can’t really see who’s doing what. Does Ring or Nest have the better video quality? Let’s answer that question now. Ring The standard Ring displays video in 720 HD quality, which they say is “crystal-clear.” Nest Nest shows you what’s going on at your property in HDR quality that shouldn’t degrade even if it’s dark or very bright. The 4:3 HD video lets you get a full view of a person so you may be able to identify them easier. Security Given that you’re investing in a secure doorbell, you expect it to keep you safe. Beyond just video feeds and real-time alerts and notifications, your video doorbell should have a range of security features designed for your safety. Here are the security features both Ring and Nest offer. Ring Your video doorbell can only work if you have it, and Ring knows that. That’s why you get theft protection. Should someone steal your Ring off your property, you have 15 days to get in touch with the company and let them know. Ring will then send you another video doorbell free of charge. As we talked about before, Ring lets you customize your motion zones to certain areas of your home that may be less secure, such as the sides of the house or even the backyard. The night vision will pick up on what you can’t see in the dark so your Ring is there when you need it most. Nest Google’s Nest is cloud-based. They also use a variety of encryptions and safety protocols, from two-step verification to AES 128-bit encryption. If you recall our articles about hacking into video doorbells, you’ll especially appreciate this extra layer of protection. We also have to circle back around to the sensors included in the Nest. The person alerts use recognition tech to let you know if this is someone you may know or not. Sound alerts tip you off if there are strange sounds emanating from around your property, something you might not always hear if you have to mute your video feed at work. These alerts, when combined with the motion sensors, are quite secure. Which Should You Get, the Ring or the Nest? While both the Ring and Nest video doorbells are exemplary options for securing your home, depending on what kinds of things you care most about, you’ll certainly pick one doorbell over another. If you want the best of the best in sensors and alerts, then as we just explained, those would come from Nest. It’s not that Ring doesn’t have great motion sensing, because it does. You can even customize your motion sensors, but Ring can’t detect people the way Nest can. Do you want to save money on your video doorbell? Then you’ve got to get the Ring. The basic video doorbell is only $100. You’d have to buy the next advanced video doorbell and get a solar panel feature added to match the cost of the basic Nest. It’s true that Nest only sells one video doorbell rather than several, which means you’re not charged for extra features. However, for that one video doorbell, you do pay a lot. Even if you wanted to get a subscription on your video doorbell, Nest is still costlier. The company’s subscription plan, Nest Aware, costs $300 a year for its top plan. Ring’s top plan for its subscription is only $100 a year, so you’re paying $200 more for Nest. Conclusion The Ring and Nest are two major secure doorbells. When pitted head-to-head, there are clear winners and losers. The Ring is the best value for your money, both for the basic doorbell itself and the Ring Protect add-on subscription plan. Nest offers better video quality and sends person alerts based on whether someone may be a person you know or a stranger. You don’t get that from Ring. With the info in this article, you’ll now be able to choose the best video doorbell for you. Best of luck!