Video Doorbell Buying Guide: Ring vs. Nest vs. Arlo
Video doorbells are one of the few smart home devices almost everyone finds useful. But choosing between Ring, Nest, and Arlo isn't simple — they all have different strengths, costs, and subscription requirements.
I've installed dozens of each brand across the Twin Cities. Here's what you actually need to know.
THE THREE MAIN PLAYERS
Ring (Amazon), Nest (Google), and Arlo dominate the video doorbell market. Each has multiple models, but I'll focus on their best options for most homeowners.
RING VIDEO DOORBELL PRO 2
Best for: Most people
Ring has the most complete ecosystem and the best combination of features, price, and reliability.
Key features:
· 1536p HD video (sharpest picture)
· Head-to-toe view (sees packages at your feet)
· 3D motion detection (reduces false alerts)
· Pre-roll (shows 4 seconds before motion trigger)
· Works with Alexa
Installation:
Requires existing doorbell wiring (hardwired). If you don't have doorbell wiring, Ring also makes battery-powered models.
Subscription:
Ring Protect Plan required for video recording:
· **Basic:** $4.99/month or $49.99/year (one device)
· **Plus:** $10/month or $100/year (all Ring devices at one location)
Without subscription: Live view and alerts only (no recording).
Pros:
· Best video quality
· Largest selection of compatible devices (Ring ecosystem)
· Quick customer support
· Lots of customization options
Cons:
· Subscription required for recording
· Owned by Amazon (privacy concerns for some)
· Requires wiring (or frequent battery charging on battery models)
Price:
$250 (doorbell) + $50–$100/year (subscription)
GOOGLE NEST DOORBELL (WIRED)
Best for: Best overall value and ecosystem
Nest's wired doorbell offers excellent value with free 3-hour event history that's genuinely useful for most homeowners. It's part of Google's solid smart home ecosystem and has a clean, modern design.
Key features:
· 960p HDR video with HDR (better quality than battery version)
· 3-hour event history (free, no subscription needed)
· Package detection
· Familiar faces recognition (with subscription)
· Works seamlessly with Google Home ecosystem
· 24/7 continuous power (no charging needed)
Installation:
Requires existing doorbell wiring (hardwired). Professional installation recommended if you're not comfortable with wiring. Once installed, it's maintenance-free.
Subscription:
Nest Aware (optional):
· **Nest Aware:** $8/month or $80/year (30 days of video history)
· **Nest Aware Plus:** $15/month or $150/year (60 days + 10 days 24/7)
Without subscription: 3 hours of event history is enough for most people — you can review recent activity without paying monthly fees.
Pros:
· 3-hour free video history is genuinely useful for most people
· Solid Google Home ecosystem for easy expansion
· Clean, modern design that looks great on any door
· No battery charging ever
· Better video quality than battery version
Cons:
· Requires doorbell wiring (not ideal for renters)
· Video quality still not quite as sharp as Ring Pro 2
· Subscription costs more than Ring for extended history
Price:
$180 (doorbell) + $0–$150/year (subscription optional)
ARLO VIDEO DOORBELL
Best for: No subscription required
Arlo's doorbell is the best option if you want to avoid monthly fees. It includes local storage and doesn't require a subscription for basic recording.
Key features:
· 1536p HDR video
· 180-degree vertical view (sees packages)
· Motion zones
· Direct-to-Wi-Fi (no hub required)
· Works with Alexa and Google Home
Installation:
Requires existing doorbell wiring (hardwired).
Subscription:
Arlo Secure (optional):
· **Arlo Secure:** $4.99/month or $49.99/year (one device)
· **Arlo Secure Plus:** $12.99/month or $129.99/year (unlimited devices)
Without subscription: 30 days of cloud recording included FREE (this is the big advantage).
Pros:
· No subscription required for 30-day recording
· High video quality
· Good build quality
· Works with multiple platforms
Cons:
· Requires wiring (no battery option)
· Smaller ecosystem (fewer compatible devices)
· Setup can be finicky
Price:
$150 (doorbell) + $0/year (no subscription needed)
QUICK COMPARISON
Ring Pro 2: $250 + $50/year = Best overall
Nest Doorbell: $180 + $0/year = Best value
Arlo: $150 + $0/year = No subscription
WHICH ONE SHOULD YOU BUY?
Choose Ring if:
· You want the best video quality and features
· You have existing doorbell wiring
· You use Alexa or plan to expand your Ring ecosystem
Choose Nest if:
· You want solid value with free useful video history
· You use Google Home or want to build a Google ecosystem
· You have doorbell wiring and like the clean modern design
· You don't want to pay for a subscription
Choose Arlo if:
· You want to avoid monthly subscriptions entirely
· You have doorbell wiring
· You want good video quality without ongoing costs
WHAT ABOUT OTHER BRANDS?
Eufy, Wyze, and Reolink make budget video doorbells ($50–$100). They work, but support is inconsistent, cloud services are less reliable, and they lack the ecosystem integration of the big three. For most people, spending the extra $50–$100 for Ring, Nest, or Arlo is worth it.
FINAL RECOMMENDATION
For most Twin Cities homeowners: Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2.
It has the best combination of video quality, features, and ecosystem support. The subscription cost ($50/year) is reasonable for what you get.
If you want the best value with useful free features: Nest Doorbell (Wired).
If you want to avoid subscriptions entirely: Arlo Video Doorbell.
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