Ring vs Nest Doorbell
Wirecutter’s top doorbell is the $199 Google Nest Doorbell (Wired, 3rd Gen) for its accurate motion detection. Ring has more models, cheaper hardware and a cheaper single-camera plan, but works only with Alexa.
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Quick answer
Choose Ring Wired Doorbell Pro (plans from $5/mo) if you use Alexa or a Ring Alarm or you want to spend less upfront. Choose Google Nest Doorbell (Wired, 3rd Gen) (plans from $10/mo) if you use Google Home, you want the most accurate alerts or you have several cameras on one plan.
Last updated Prices checked Oct 2026
Check Ring Wired Doorbell Pro price (opens in a new tab)Check Google Nest Doorbell (Wired, 3rd Gen) price (opens in a new tab)
Key facts at a glance
| Ring Wired Doorbell Pro | Google Nest Doorbell (Wired, 3rd Gen) | |
|---|---|---|
| Cheapest plan | $5/month (one device) | $10/month (unlimited cameras) |
| Wirecutter pick | Ring Wired Doorbell (2nd Gen), $45: best for Ring Alarm users | Nest Doorbell (Wired, 3rd Gen), $199: top pick |
| PCMag pick | Ring Wired Doorbell Pro: best Ring doorbell overall | Nest Doorbell (Wired, 3rd Gen): best Gemini integration |
| Battery model (PCMag) | Ring Battery Doorbell Pro (2nd Gen), $249.99 | Nest Doorbell (Battery), $199.99 |
| Smart platforms | Amazon Alexa only | Google Home and Amazon Alexa |
For other brands, see our best video doorbells.
Get Nest if you use Google Home or want the most accurate alerts: Wirecutter[1] says the Nest Doorbell (Wired, 3rd Gen) performs better than any other video doorbell it has tested. Get Ring if you use Alexa or a Ring Alarm, or want a cheaper start: the Ring Wired Doorbell (2nd Gen) is $45 and Ring Protect Solo is $5 a month. Either way, budget for a subscription.
Ring Wired Doorbell Pro vs Google Nest Doorbell (Wired, 3rd Gen): side-by-side
| Ring | Google Nest | |
|---|---|---|
| Wirecutter pick | Ring Wired Doorbell (2nd Gen), $45: best for Ring Alarm users | Nest Doorbell (Wired, 3rd Gen), $199: top pick |
| PCMag pick | Ring Wired Doorbell Pro: best Ring doorbell overall | Nest Doorbell (Wired, 3rd Gen): best Gemini integration |
| Battery model (PCMag) | Ring Battery Doorbell Pro (2nd Gen), $249.99 | Nest Doorbell (Battery), $199.99 |
| Smart platforms | Amazon Alexa only | Google Home and Amazon Alexa |
| Free recording | None | 10-second clips, deleted after six hours |
| Cheapest plan | $5/month (one device) | $10/month (unlimited cameras) |
| 24/7 recording | Optional subscription | Advanced plan ($20/month) |
How much do they cost?
Ring Wired Doorbell Pro plans
| Option | Price | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Solo | $5/month or $50/year | 1 device, up to 180 days of video history |
| Multi | $10/month or $100/year | All devices at one location |
| Pro | $20/month or $200/year | Adds 24/7 professional alarm monitoring |
Google Nest Doorbell (Wired, 3rd Gen) plans
| Option | Price | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | 10-second clips, deleted after six hours |
| Standard | $10/month or $100/year | 30 days of event history, unlimited cameras |
| Advanced | $20/month | 60 days, 10 days of 24/7 recording, Gemini features |
What are the pros and cons?
Ring Wired Doorbell Pro: pros
- More doorbell options than any system Wirecutter tested
- Cheap hardware ($45 2nd Gen wired)
- Cheapest single-camera plan
- No extra fee with a Ring Alarm Pro plan
Ring Wired Doorbell Pro: cons
- Works only with Alexa
- No free recording
- Subscription essential
Google Nest Doorbell (Wired, 3rd Gen): pros
- Best motion detection Wirecutter has tested
- Works with Google Home and Alexa
- One plan covers unlimited cameras
Google Nest Doorbell (Wired, 3rd Gen): cons
- $199 hardware
- Free clips are only 10 seconds
- Gemini performed unpredictably in Wirecutter’s tests
Which should you choose: Ring Wired Doorbell Pro or Google Nest Doorbell (Wired, 3rd Gen)?
Pick based on your smart-home platform. For Google Home users, or anyone wanting the most reliable person and package detection, Nest is the better doorbell. For Alexa homes, Ring Alarm owners and single-doorbell buyers on a budget, Ring costs less upfront and per month.
Choose Ring Wired Doorbell Pro if…
- You use Alexa or a Ring Alarm
- You want to spend less upfront
- You have one camera and want the cheapest plan
Choose Google Nest Doorbell (Wired, 3rd Gen) if…
- You use Google Home
- You want the most accurate alerts
- You have several cameras on one plan
Subscriptions are essential with both
Wirecutter[1] says Ring doesn’t include any freebies, making a subscription essential. Nest’s free tier saves only 10-second clips that auto-delete after six hours, which Wirecutter says barely caught a visitor’s foot. Ring Protect Multi at $10 a month is the equivalent of Google’s base plan, according to Business Insider[3].
Alternatives without fees
Wirecutter’s[1] budget and battery picks are from TP-Link Tapo; the battery-powered Tapo D225 can store footage on a microSD card. See best video doorbells and Ring vs Eufy.
Frequently asked questions
Is Ring or Nest better?
Does Nest work with Alexa?
Which subscription is cheaper, Ring or Nest?
Sources
Pricing and plan details were checked on the official pages below as of Oct 2026. Vendors change prices, credits and plan names often, and some show regional pricing at checkout, so confirm on the vendor’s site before you buy.
- Wirecutter: The Best Smart Doorbell Camera (August 2026) (nytimes.com)
- PCMag: The Best Video Doorbells (June 2026) (pcmag.com)
- Business Insider: Doorbell subscription plans and prices (businessinsider.com)
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