The vast majority of our reviews come from verified purchases. Reviews from customers may include My Best Buy members, employees, and Tech Insider Network members (as tagged). Select reviewers may receive discounted products, promotional considerations or entries into drawings for honest, helpful reviews.
Page 4 Showing 61-71 of 71 reviews
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
A great upgrade from Gen 1 to 3!
|
Posted .
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
I have had the Gen 1 Nest doorbell and it has worked pretty flawlessly in regards to being a front door camera and door bell. With this gen, the build seems nice and the plastic that was on the first gens have been removed in this model. Installing this doorbell, I could see how my old one aged, and it did not age well. My doorbell is not exposed to rain or direct sunlight, but the heat really did a number and dried the plastic. For this gen of a build, I can see minimal plastic so that is a good thing. I did buy a silicone cover that is made for the gen 2 models and it fit fine. I would avoid any covers for these door bells that cover the top portion of the camera like a baseball hat, because I have heard that it hinders the night vision.
The package of this new doorbell is nice and minimal. It is packed neatly and has everything you need to install besides the tools of course. For me I needed to drill new holes to accomodate the new bracket, which is a little longer than the Nest doorbell. The first step is to hook up the new chime and replace the old one for me. That was super easy and the only thing that took a bit of time was the physical replacement of the new doorbell. Why because new holes needed to be drilled and I needed to add the spacers in the back because of the wall shingles that would obstruct the security wrench. I also used the pivot plate as well, this angles the camera out, if I did not use it, it would just show most of the side of the porch and house which I did not want.
After the install and wiring, which was super easy by the way. You do not need any wire strippers of sorts unless you need to strip or expose more wire to insert into the new wire adapters that this supplies you. I powered it up and connected with the google home app. Was it like pairing a bluetooth headset? Not really, more like adding a smart appliance like lights and google speakers. It wasn't hard, just scan and place in the room you want on the app and you are good to go. I mistakenly did not remove my old camera from the app prior to powering up and installing this new one. So in my devices section, it's just laying dormant there. There was not way I could figure out how to remove it. Maybe it removes itself after some time at idle? Not sure, but otherwise a quick install.
The 2k video is brighter than my first gen Nest. It is a bit better however, for me the night vision is spotty. The night vision is great nearby but I can no longer see past 3 to 5 feet of the doorbell. Which is not a deal breaker, but you cannot see a person at night until they are pretty close to the camera. But other than that, the camera has been great and overall, super easy to replace and easy to operate. I am using a Pixel 9.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
This is a nice upgrade from the last generation of the same model doorbell. Along with the new AI features, the camera's field of vision is significantly increased to nearly 180 degrees horizontally and vertically. It's probably more like 175 degrees, but the picture is only missing about the last 6" of the doormat directly below it. It accomplishes this without the usual "fish eye" distortion. This allows for maximum coverage while retaining the high def picture to allow for zooming in.
If you're upgrading from the recent model, installation took no time. Simply turn off the power to the device, take it off the mount, loosen 2 screws, attach the cables to the new doorbell, tighten 2 screws and attach the new doorbell to the existing mount (they are identical). The package includes new mounts and all hardware needed to do the job from scratch. Having done it before, the process from scratch is also relatively straightforward.
Overall, this is the first real upgrade that I feel Google has done since my original Nest Cam. When they released the first version of this new style, it was a downgrade in every way. The next gen fixed some of the problems by having a wired version. This new one is finally the doorbell camera I've been waiting for. Facial recognition, package alerts, intelligent alerts that don't just say "motion" but actually describe what was seen. For example "someone walking a dog". It also does the daily recap of what was seen on the camera. While it's not perfect, it's kind of funny to read.
I highly recommend this doorbell, even if you have the last generation. It's worth the upgrade.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
This is my first doorbell camera and I have to say I love it. I got this doorbell a week ago and since I already have Google/Nest products it was easy to install. The hardest part was finding what circuit breaker in my house the doorbell was connected to so I could shut if the power. Once I figured that out, it was super easy to install the piece on the actual chime and the outdoor bell was very easy. I didn’t need the extenders included and just connected to the original wires. Once it was connected, smooth sailing. One thing I like is the wide angle the camera shows. It’s a big area and then you select your zone to get notifications on. That is as simple as dragging some dots on the screen to where you want. Another feature I really like is that it notices that a package is on your porch. Every time I grab my package from my normal shipments, it notifies me that my package is gone with a video of me picking it up. Another small thing is that my doorbell is set to a Halloween chime so when you ring the doorbell from outside it plays a spooky theme. My indoor bell still does the normal “ding dong” but the outside plays the theme. Overall, super easy to set up, walks you through setup so you don’t need an electrician to do it, sleek look, great app, great camera. I highly recommend!
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
I already had a video doorbell but over the years I have integrated more google home products so it eventually made sense to upgrade not only for the integration but also for the video quality. Google provides everything you need to install on a wooden door frame as long as you have an existing wired door bell. Installed with the angled wedge I am satisfied with the fit, finish, and quality of everything overall. Set-up was very easy with step by step instructions in the google home app, all you have to do is scan the QR code on the back to get started. Video quality is very good, with a nice wide field of view that captures everything even at night time. The google one plan I am subscribed too recently added google home premium as a "benefit", so that gives me 10 days of 24/7 storage and 30 days of motion clips. If you don't have one of these subscriptions already video recording/storage will start at $10/mo, there is a more expensive tier that includes AI if you need more of that in your life. Overall I have been very pleased with the upgrade to the latest Nest doorbell, it functions better for me in every way because of my already established google home set-up.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
We have had numerous security camera systems over the years ranging from BNC hardwired, to POE hardwired, to wireless battery powered, to wireless solar-battery powered, and that also includes having numerous types of video doorbells from the wireless battery powered, to wireless solar-battery powered, all the way to hardwired. And of course we have had 720p to 1080p to 2K to even 4K video doorbells. We currently have a competitors 4K video doorbell that records to an SD card in the receiver/base and that of course has a subscription too-but only if you want it. The recording to an SD card is something that I wish all, including the Google Nest Doorbell 3rd Generation did as well, if it did then it would be a homerun for us!
Unboxing & Initial Impressions
Google, much like the other major phone/tech company that is named after a fruit, always have great looking products (in my opinion). This Nest Doorbell 3rd generation is no different. It is sleek, easy to operate (no guessing where to push for our guest/deliveries), it doesn't look or even feel cheaply made. It is typical Google. Which is nice & fits well into the rest of our smarthome ecosystem.
Rating: 5/5
Installation
Installation was easy as like I said earlier we have had numerous security systems, security camera systems, and video doorbells throughout the years. The application will help walk through the install if you need any assistance. For me, I breezed right through it. I like that they included an angled mounting bracket along with the flat mounting bracket so that I could angle the doorbell if I wanted to. For our home the flat bracket sufficed but if I were to move it to the back door we'd need that angled mounting bracket. For now it will be on the front door as I continue to test it out for the rest of my 30 day free trial for the Google Home Advanced subscription (more on that later).
Rating: 5/5
Image Quality & Everyday Usage
The 2K image quality actually beats out one of our old 2K video doorbells. I was able to compare similar videos I had saved of that previous 2K doorbell vs. this Google Nest version/generation 3. It is probably the type of camera Google used but it is really nice. That is for both bright, low-light, and night videos.
Rating: 5/5
Everyday Usage
The more advanced features, which probably most everyone would want, are behind a paywall. I won’t get on my soapbox about subscriptions & how I feel subscriptioned out (as I am sure most of us do), but I will say I wish this wasn’t how Google decided to released the Nest Gen 3. I truly hope that we see a reverting back to the old days where you bought a device, you owned the device, and what you paid is all you needed to pay. Yes they make it known in the online listing that features are behind a paywall, but I still don’t like it & I want us to go back, like I said. With all that said, we have made good use of the Nest Gen 3. Being able to see exactly when a package was delivered, or exactly when someone left the home very quickly & easily is nice. I can do similar with my security cameras that I’m not paying a monthly fee for because I can scrub through everything quickly. Yes, doing so on the cameras may take me a few minutes vs. just seconds with the Nest 3 but still, no payment vs. payment. I guess that’s what you have to ask yourself, are the advanced features worth it? Or would you rather spend a few minutes looking for it yourself. Only you can answer that for you.
Rating: 2.5/5
Conclusion
In closing the Google Nest Doorbell 3rd Generation is a truly wonderful video doorbell. From its 2K video, to its beautiful look, to everything in-between. My only complaint (and it’s my chief one) is the subscription ($10 month/$100 year for Standard or $20 month/$200 year for Advanced). Give me a WiFi enabled but SD card recording video doorbell by Google (even with just SOME of the Standard features thrown in) & I’d buy one for each exterior door of our home, for our camper, for my significant other’s parents home, and I’d recommend it until I was blue in the face. Barring that it is truly a great video doorbell!
Overall Rating: 17.5/20
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
I have been a Google user for a very long time, since then Gen 1 thermostat. Today, we have a Nest thermostat in every room, as well as Nest speakers or hub and various lights. Now, for the first time, we have the Google Nest Doorbell (3rd Gen). This doorbell replaced our previous connected doorbell, from another company. So, in using this Google doorbell, I am inadvertently comparing it to our old one.
Connecting the doorbell was pretty seamless, very much like our previous one. The steps outlined in the Google Home app were very clear and made it very easy to add the doorbell to our account. Once connected and operational, I was prompted with something I didn’t even consider… a free 30-day trial of Google Home Premium. It was a little disappointing to learn that I would need to pay to get all the benefits this doorbell has to offer. Not surprising though because our previous doorbell was part of our security camera system that we have to pay for. I then remembered that I already pay for Google One, because I needed more storage. Well, the Basic plan does not include anything related to the doorbell. My options are to increase my Google One plan to Google One AI Pro for $200/year, or keep my existing Google One plan for $20/year and add Google Home Premium Standard for $100/year. (I also pay for YouTube Music and YouTube TV. I wish they would bundle all these and give a discount.)
On to the actual functionality of the doorbell. The video the doorbell displays is awesome. It’s very clear and crisp, even when zooming in. The options for notifications include everything I’d want to know about, even distinguishing animals at our door. (Not too long ago we had a coyote at our door.)
Our doorbell image includes our entryway, part of our driveway and the street. I appreciate being able to create an activity zone in the settings. I created a zone that does not include the street, as we do not need to know every time a car passes by. However, I do want to know when a car has pulled into our driveway. I really appreciate that this zone functionality works because our previous doorbell would notify us, very randomly, when a car passed on the street. Overall, the notifications have worked very well. There was 1 time that it didn’t work. We ordered food delivery and when the guy walked up to our door and placed the bag down, the doorbell did not notify us of anything. I checked the app and it did not record him at all. Not sure what happened there.
One fun feature is being able to change the sound of the doorbell chime, with it even offering seasonal options. Obviously, I have Halloween set for now. It will make the Halloween sound at the doorbell, as well as playing the sound on our Google speakers. What’s also awesome is when someone rings the doorbell, the video from its camera will display on our Nest Hub. I do have one issue when someone rings the doorbell. Today, I was working in the backyard. Apparently, we had a delivery and he rang the doorbell. I was not aware of this until I went back into the house. I looked on my phone and I did see the notification. I searched through the settings on my phone to see if there was a way to make this specific notification more obvious. I was unable to find anything. It would be nice if the notification of someone ringing the doorbell appeared on a phone like a phone call does. Our previous doorbell functioned this way, taking up the screen and ringing like a phone call until you answer it, or it times out. I need to do some more research on this, if it’s something I need to change or if Google needs to improve on this.
Overall, I would recommend Google’s 3rd Gen Doorbell. There were a couple issues, but it’s still a great device and huge improvement over our previous doorbell.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
OK, I have been in the Google smart home for... Well, for longer than I can remember. I have Google hubs, existing doorbells, floodlights, and multiple indoor and outdoor cameras. So when the opportunity popped up for this Google - Nest Doorbell (wired, 3rd gen), I jumped on it.
In typical Google fashion, the hardware is great. High quality consumer build, and of course, Google's home software, you know what you are expecting.
The one area I think they could (and should) improve is the actujal mounting hardware itself. I have used Blink and Ring doorbells in the past, and while I find Nest Doorbell's to be overall better than both, the mounting hardware of the Google Nest is most assuradley sub-standard. That is the only reason I rated it four and not five stars.
The biggest thing (in my perspective) that this generation brings is the improved 2K HDR resolution. This improvement not only means clearer video, but also a wider view angle, and noticeably better night video. That is a nice feature.
It also has Gemini AI. I hav enot been able to mess with that much, but previous experiences tell me it will be a solid feature as I get more experience. with it. Another nice touch.
In all, this product line was a great base and the 3rd generation is a noticeable upgrade.
Great choice!
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
As the title states, I am a huge Google/Nest fan who has been using their products for nearly a decade
Yes I have multiple thermostats & temp sensors, cameras, smoke/CO2 alarms and cobranded locks
Since many of my products are gen 1 and coming up on 8 years old, it is time to start upgrading for added technology and to remove some of the "quirks"
My most recent upgrade is the front porch doorbell and camera. This is on the west facing porch and gets the full blast of the Texas sun. It still worked most off the time (camera 100%, doorbell not so much) but I decided it was time
Unboxing is typical for Google and uneventful
Installation is super easy but I would recommend using the QR code and watching the short video. Also when you go to connect the doorbell/camera, it takes you step by step on what to do
My only challenge is when the doorbell was installed onto the mount. It does lock in place before the set screw is tightened, so take your time
I do have 1 minor complaint that hopefully Google/Nest takes note
In the past few years we migrated from the Nest app to the Google Home app, and it has not been seamless. For the most part, the Google app is superior with dashboard of all of your devices, but is still is not 100%
In this case I deleted the old doorbell/camera and it broke the link, but the app still still searches for it. I called the Google help line and they admitted that it is a known issue that they are working on. No ETA
So...to avoid draining my phone battery, I close the app right after reviewing videos or looking at the demo in the house. I know that they will fix this, but it still is a problem
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
This is my 3rd Google Nest Doorbell and the latest model doesn't disappoint! First of all, it comes with everything that you need to install this doorbell. I also like that it comes with easy to follow instructions for the actual hardware, setting up the device on your phone and connecting it to your wifi. I connected my doorbell to a brick exterior and as long as you follow the directions, it will be an easy process to complete. Next, you will need to download the Google Nest app in order to manage your doorbell. Again, this is my 3rd Nest Doorbell, so it was easy to remove and add my new device to my current account. Once I had it up and running, the biggest difference that I have noticed with this doorbell compared to my previous ones is definitely the video quality from the camera. The video quality is awesome, day or night! If you are not at home, it allows you to have a conversation with the person at the door. The sound quality is pretty clear. This latest version of the Nest Doorbell allows you to subscribe to Gemini which has added features like providing you a summary of the day's events or taking you directly to a specific event on the video. Overall, I am extremely happy with the Google Nest Doorbell. If you are in the market for a new doorbell, I highly recommend you consider this one.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
Easy installation. The app instructions were simple and easy to understand and follow. the doorbell came with accessories to create a more secure and uniform fit to any wall you have. Modern and sleek looking design, yet weather rated for the outside conditions. I would get a silicone cover for my peace of mind. Color options are nice too.
The technology of this doorbell is a massive upgrade to the generation before it. With the 2k camera, it can capture more and is more sensitive to movement. I get notifications all the time over passerbys on the sidewalk. Gemini is a wonderful AI feature for Google devices. Gemini accurately identifies objects, animals, and people, and gives more of a descriptive summary of the day's activity. You can even ask Gemini to recall certain events in the day, like package arrivals and specific person visits.
Gemini is part of the subscription service, so if you like it enough you have to pay for it. I personally don't need it, although its fun to have during the trial.