Google Nest Doorbell – Features and How to Install

The Google Nest Doorbell is the smart device that every household needs. It tightens the security of the home as it notifies you when you have someone at your door. It also records anyone trying to steal the package at your front door. With the Google Nest Doorbell, you can keep an eye on your delivery packages.

Google Nest Doorbell - Features and How to Install

The Google Nest Doorbell has a fully wireless smart entry camera with a camera resolution of 1,280 x 960 and a doorbell button. Although the Google Nest Doorbell works wirelessly, it can also be wired to your pre-existing doorbell chime system. All these features make the product more functional than its previous version.

If you don’t have a wired doorbell, the Google Nest Doorbell will appear on your Google Assistant-powered smart speaker. Also, if you have Google Assistant-powered smart displays, the chime and video feed will automatically appear on the display when the bell rings. You will also receive notifications on your mobile devices.

In addition, the Google Nest Doorbell offers free storage of up to 3 hours. If you want to increase the storage, you can pay monthly or annual charges through Nest Aware. The Google Nest Doorbell has several AI smarts to do stuff like recognize if a package has been dropped off and even facial recognition. However, you will have to pay for these amazing features.

Meanwhile, the Google Nest Doorbell comes in several colors, such as Ivy, Linen, and Ash for people in the United States, but only one color for people around the world. The retail price is also lower compared to the previous version.

What Can the New Google Nest Doorbell Do?

The Google Nest Doorbell is a wireless security camera that comes with a doorbell button. It monitors your front door with a high-resolution camera and notifies you if a package is stolen from there. The doorbell features work together with the camera.

If the doorbell is touched by someone, you will be alerted on your Google Assistant-powered devices, such as your mobile device. To communicate with the person at your doorstep, tap the microphone button on your mobile phone and smart display. However, if you aren’t comfortable with this, you can use the canned responses through Google Assistant.

Audio

The Google Nest Doorbell audio has incredible audio quality. The audio works just fine, and you can hear the person on the other side of the door just fine. The audio comes out just as loud as a smartphone speaker. For the canned responses, there are only three choices, which are:

  • “You can just leave it.”
  • “No one can come to the door.”
  • “We ‘ll be right there.”

These are the only three canned responses. Many users aren’t happy with these because they don’t fit into some hysterical situations. Still, there is an option to respond to the person outside on your smart device. The camera works perfectly well with Google Assistant and Assistant-powered smart displays.

If you request the smart display to show you the doorbell camera feed, it will appear on the screen in seconds. If the doorbell rings, the chime will sound, and the video feed will appear automatically. There is no need for setup for this feature since you are making use of the Google Home app to set up and operate the device.

Camera

The Google Nest Doorbell camera works fine when compared to its competitors. The ratio for the Nest doorbell is 3:4. The taller ratio with a 145-degree view enables the camera to see down, which helps the doorbell to detect if packages are left.

It is interesting to note that the Google Nest Doorbell has a lower resolution than its previous version, Nest Hello. The Nest Doorbell also has a lower FoV at 145 degrees. Although the camera quality is low and other doorbell products offer a 2K resolution at the same price, Google focuses on the HDR capabilities of the camera.

This is a feature that you can’t find in other competitors. The HDR helps with better contrast and definition between highlights and shadows. This feature helps with making the video feed look good.

AI-based Alerts

Since Google is a software company, it is not news that its AI is top-notch. The Nest Doorbell recognizes animals, people, vehicles, and packages all separately. This allows you to be notified of the package left at your front door, the person standing by, and the car that goes by. The camera feature is very accurate. 

IP Rating and Internet Outages

The device has an IP54 rating since most people will install it outside. It can prevent particles and dust from affecting its functions. The Google Nest Doorbell can also withstand significant water splashing on it, such as rain.

If you are out of the internet, the Google Nest Doorbell can record up to 1 hour of footage on its storage. When the internet is connected, it will upload the footage and upload it to the cloud.

Features of the Google Nest Doorbell

The Google Nest Doorbell is packed with amazing features to make up for the previous version (Nest Hello). One of the features is how the HDR can detect objects and people and its audio quality.

  • No Nest app: Google is drifting away from the Nest App. The Google Nest Doorbell features set up are all on the Google Home app.
  • Night vision: The Google Nest Doorbell automatically switches to night vision when it is the right time. You can change this or leave it permanently in the home app.
  • Wi-Fi only: Although wired power can be connected to the Nest Doorbell, wired internet cannot be delivered. For your doorbell to work, you need a strong Wi-Fi connection at your front door.
  • Quiet Time: This enables all notifications to be shut off, including audible chimes from the doorbell for a short while. This feature is helpful if you want to take a short nap at home.
  • Video feeds are not regular: Since the Nest Doorbell will be installed wirelessly, it is essential to note that it will not have a regular feed. If you want to have your doorbell camera streaming to a camera 24/7, well, this can’t work for you. You have to manually turn on the Nest Doorbell camera.
  • Privacy and video history: It is very easy to delete any video history the doorbell takes note of. On the Google Home app, you will find an easy-to-find button that says ”Delete Video History”. Tap the button to delete any video history you want.

Google Nest Doorbell Models

Google created two versions of the Nest Doorbell, and they are quite similar. The first one is the Nest Hello, and the second is the Nest Doorbell (wired). They may seem similar, but they have a slight difference. The Nest Hello is a smoother and less disturbing faceplate that comes in multiple shades so that it can match your surroundings and doorframe.

The Nest Doorbell is larger than the Nest Hello, with an inch of 6.3, much higher than the latter. For the battery, you will need to get more space because it operates on the battery and not on a wired connection.

Google Nest Doorbell Monthly Fee

Unlike Nest Hello, Google allows you to use the doorbell camera without a monthly subscription. You can record videos for up to 3 hours, but this is just a start. You can also make use of image recognition without a monthly subscription.

However, if you still want to access more features like storage and more video hours, you can opt for Nest Aware. This is a paid monthly subscription. There are two steps for this subscription, and they are the one of $6, which offers 30 days of event video history and image recognition.

The free plan detects animals, objects, and vehicles, but the paid plan adds facial recognition for well-known faces. The $12 is for the 30-day plan on the Nest Aware Plus, which gives you an extra 60 days of event video plus 10 days of daily video history if you have a wired Nest Camera.

Google Nest Doorbell Battery Life

This device is not wired, so it runs on battery power. The battery life, however, is what most people are worried about. Don’t fret because the battery life span is very long and you won’t need to charge it for a few months. The battery is waterproof, and it comes with easy installation and removal. The Nest Doorbell Cam can record for up to two hours without a Wi-Fi connection.

How to Install the Google Nest Doorbell

The Google Nest Doorbell doesn’t require professional help to install the doorbell on your front door. You can follow the easy in-app instructions that will guide you step-by-step on how to install it. For the wiring and drilling, you can use Nest’s professional installation service for $99.99 if you aren’t too comfortable with the wiring stuff. Here is how to install the Nest Doorbell (battery).

Check if You Have Everything Needed for the Installation Such As:

  • Nest Doorbell
  • Screws
  • Wall anchors
  • Unlock tool
  • Wall plate
  • Wire extenders
  • Wedge
  • Spacers
  • USB-C to USB-A charging cable
  • Google Home app
  • Wi-Fi username and password
  • Compatible phone
  • Internet connection

Your doorbell can’t use a chime, so you will have to connect it to a Google speaker or other display.

Charge the Doorbell Before You Install It

Use the USB cable to charge your doorbell for the unwired installation. Make sure that it is plugged in during the setup so that you will be able to connect it to the app and the Wi-Fi network. It will show a pulse of white when it is charging and a solid white when the doorbell is fully charged.

Connect the Doorbell to the App With Your QR Code

To add your doorbell to the Home app through your QR code, follow the steps below:

  • Download and install the Google Home app on your device from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.
  • To Launch the Home app, sign in with your Google account.
  • On the home screen, click on Add device
  • On the home screen, click on ”Add device”.
  • Tap the Next button.
  • Make use of your phone camera to scan the QR code at the back of the doorbell.
  • To complete setup and installation, follow the instructions on the app.

Troubleshoot if Needed

When you are setting up, the Home app allows you to connect your doorbell to the Wi-Fi connection, check the quality of the video, and personalize the settings.

FAQs

Is Google Next Doorbell Worth It?

Yes, it is. After some time reviewing the Google Nest Doorbell, we noticed that it is worth the price. The hardware is impressive, and the video capacity and the battery lifespan are worth the price. Above all, it has image and facial recognition with advanced AI-based alerts.

Is There a Monthly Fee for Google Nest Doorbells?

Yes, there it is. There is a monthly subscription of $6 to $12 if you want to access more features and cloud storage for your Google Nest Doorbell.

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