A video doorbell is the perfect security accessory for monitoring your front door, porch, driveway and all around your home. It's even ideal to put at the entrance to your small business. This device can help with little things like greeting visitors and seeing when package arrives. It can also come in handy if something bad were to happen, since you'd have everything recorded on the doorbell.
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Whether you're traveling, hosting family and friends, want to keep a closer eye on your property or you want to protect someone who is elderly or just starting out on their own, this Google Nest Doorbell is one of my favorite devices in home security. After reviewing a dozen doorbell models, I still use a version of the Nest Doorbell myself. And right now, you can grab one during Amazon's Big Spring Sale for nearly 20% off, depending on the color option you decide to go with.
My testing of video doorbells revealed two important qualities of the Nest doorbell. First is its AI-powered object detection. Most doorbells have it, and many even offer it free, like Nest does. But I found Nest's doorbell recognition abilities to be especially accurate. It can recognize people and packages flawlessly, while avoiding triggers from vehicles (you can also set motion zones to ignore passersby and others).
Those recently updated AI recognition qualities are getting even better as Google incorporates its Gemini AI into Google Home. That now allows me (in the beta program, at least) to ask specific questions about when the trash was taken out, and also to get AI descriptions of exactly what happened to trigger an event. Those are fascinating features, if you're willing to pay for a Nest Aware subscription.
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I also love how Nest handles cloud video storage. I get three free hours of storage without needing a subscription before the video expires. That's unusual in the doorbell world and gives me plenty of time to check on an event, even if I can't get to the live view right away. That makes this doorbell a solid pick for people who want to avoid monthly fees.
Nest cams continue to get new features, including Google Home for the web, which allows you to view the camera feeds through any online device. This video doorbell is also tough enough to work in all kinds of weather. It isn't perfect -- the resolution is a bit low, for example, and I wish Nest would release a third-gen model -- but it is still my preferred front door device so far.
Technical specs for the Google Nest Doorbell
- Dimensions: 0.95 by 1.8 by 6.3 inches
- Weight: 7.3 ounces
- Video resolution: 960x1,280 pixels
- Video format: H.264
- Video frame rate: 30 fps
- Field of view: 145 degrees
Why this deal matters
Many video doorbells, including this one from Nest, are available in wired and battery forms, with the battery model usually costing a little more. In this case, it's no contest: I highly recommend getting the battery doorbell whenever possible. While wiring a doorbell in yourself is usually easy (and gives you access to the built-in chime), a battery model allows you to adjust height and placement of your camera, so you get the exact view you want.
Video doorbells usually need to be placed right beside the door, around 4 feet up. Not all doorbell wiring allows for this (my house doorbell certainly doesn't). Also, the Nest Doorbell comes with an angled attachment you can use to point the doorbell away from nearby walls so it covers more of the action.
For more, don't miss the rest of the home security deals during Amazon's Spring sale and visit our guide to the best video doorbell cameras on the market today.