Ring vs Nest Video Doorbell 2026: Which Smart Doorbell Should You Buy?

Ring Video Doorbell 4 ($199) is the better choice if you don't use Google devices — it works with Alexa, has pre-roll video recording (4 seconds before motion trigger), and Ring's subscription plan (Ring Protect, $10/month) covers unlimited cameras. Google Nest Doorbell (Battery, $179) is the better choice if you have a Google home — it integrates with Google Home, Google Assistant, and Nest displays natively, and its AI-powered object detection (person vs package vs animal) is more accurate than Ring's. Both cameras require a subscription for cloud video history; without a plan, neither stores video recordings. For most buyers without a smart home ecosystem, Ring leads on value and ecosystem flexibility.